JP7557520B2 - Stretch sheet manufacturing method, stretch sheet manufacturing device, and worn article including stretch sheet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a stretch sheet manufacturing apparatus, a stretch sheet manufacturing method, and a worn article including a stretch sheet manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus and method.

As shown in Patent Document 1 (WO 2021/140831), a method for manufacturing a stretch sheet for a worn article is known in which an elastic member is arranged on a sheet, and further, multiple sheet pieces are intermittently arranged on the sheet so that the elastic member is sandwiched between the sheet and the sheet pieces. A stretch sheet manufactured in this manner can reduce the amount of raw materials used and the environmental burden associated with the manufacture of the stretch sheet, compared to a stretch sheet in which sheets of the same size are integrated by being arranged so that an elastic member is sandwiched between them.

International Publication No. 2021/140831

In the method of manufacturing a stretch sheet disclosed in Patent Document 1 (WO 2021/140831), the elastic member is cut in an area where no sheet pieces are stacked, so that the stretch sheet does not have unnecessary stretchability in this area. In the stretch sheet manufactured in this manner, the cut elastic member remains in a contracted and misaligned state in the area where no sheet pieces are stacked, where the elastic member is cut. Such elastic members left in the area where no sheet pieces are stacked may interfere with manufacturing in a subsequent process or adversely affect the appearance of a worn article using the stretch sheet.

A method for manufacturing a stretchable sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a step of conveying a continuous sheet in a conveying direction, a step of arranging an elastic member on the conveyed continuous sheet, a step of arranging a plurality of sheet pieces on the conveyed continuous sheet, a step of forming a laminated continuous body, a step of cutting the elastic member, and a step of forming a stretchable sheet. In the step of arranging an elastic member on the conveyed continuous sheet, a continuously extending elastic member is arranged along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet. In the step of arranging a plurality of sheet pieces on the conveyed continuous sheet, a plurality of sheet pieces are arranged along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet, spaced apart from one another, and an elastic member is sandwiched between the sheet piece and the continuous sheet. In the step of forming a laminated continuous body, the continuous sheet, the sheet piece, and the elastic member are integrated with the elastic member sandwiched between the sheet piece and the continuous sheet to form a laminated continuous body. In the step of cutting the elastic member, the elastic member is cut in an area of the laminated continuous body where no sheet pieces exist. In the step of forming a stretchable sheet, the laminated continuous body is cut to form a stretchable sheet. The process of forming the continuous laminate includes a process of forming a fixing portion and a process of forming a limiting portion. In the process of forming the fixing portion, at least one of the continuous sheet and the sheet piece is joined to the elastic member at the center of the sheet piece in the conveying direction to form the fixing portion. The limiting portion is formed between the fixing portion and an end of the sheet piece in the conveying direction. In the process of forming the limiting portion, the limiting portion is formed by at least joining the continuous sheet and the sheet piece. In the limiting portion, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece are not joined to the elastic member. Alternatively, the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the limiting portion is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the fixing portion. In the process of cutting the elastic member, the limiting portion limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member by the continuous sheet and the sheet piece.

A stretch sheet manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a forming section, a first cutting section, and a second cutting section. The forming section forms a laminated continuous body in which a continuous sheet to be conveyed, a plurality of sheet pieces spaced apart from one another along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet, and a continuous elastic member arranged between the continuous sheet and the sheet pieces along the conveying direction are integrated. The first cutting section cuts the elastic member of the laminated continuous body in an area where no sheet pieces exist. The second cutting section cuts the laminated continuous body to form a stretchable sheet. The forming section has a first joining member and a second joining member. The first joining member supports the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet pieces conveyed in the conveying direction. The second joining member sandwiches the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet pieces between the first joining member and the second joining member. The first joining member has a first portion and a second portion on an opposing surface facing the second joining member. The second portion is arranged adjacent to the first portion in a direction along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet. The second joining member sandwiches the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece between the first portion of the first joining member and the second joining member, thereby joining at least the continuous sheet and the sheet piece, thereby forming a limiting portion in the laminated continuous body. The second joining member sandwiches the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece between the second portion of the first joining member and the second joining member, thereby joining the elastic member and at least one of the continuous sheet and the sheet piece, thereby forming a fixing portion in the laminated continuous body. In the limiting portion, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece are not joined to the elastic member. Alternatively, the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the limiting portion is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the fixing portion. When the elastic member is cut in the first cutting portion, the limiting portion limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member by the continuous sheet and the sheet piece.

A wearing article according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a stretch sheet. The stretch sheet includes at least a first sheet, a pair of second sheets, and an elastic member. The pair of second sheets are spaced apart in a first direction. The elastic member extends in the first direction and is sandwiched between the first sheet and each of the pair of second sheets. The second sheet has a first end that is remote from the gap between the pair of second sheets in the first direction, and a second end that is close to the gap between the pair of second sheets. The region of the stretch sheet where the first sheet and the second sheet are overlapped includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed near the first end of the second sheet in the first direction. In the first portion, the elastic member is bonded to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet. The second portion is disposed between the first portion and the second end of the second sheet in the first direction. In the second portion, the elastic member is not bonded to the first sheet and the second sheet. Or, the bonding strength between the elastic member and at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet in the second portion is smaller than the bonding strength between the elastic member and at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet in the first portion. When the elastic member is not bonded to the first sheet and the second sheet in the second portion, there is a portion in the second portion where, in a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the maximum gap between the first sheet and the second sheet that communicates with the space in which the elastic member of the first portion is disposed is smaller than the diameter of the elastic member in a state in which no tension is applied.

In the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for stretch sheets of the present invention, when the elastic member is cut in an area where no sheet pieces are present, the cut elastic member contracts and is accommodated in the restricting portion. Therefore, in the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for stretch sheets of the present invention, the cut elastic member is unlikely to remain in an area where no sheet pieces are stacked.

In the wearing article of the present invention, the elastic member that is cut and shrunk in the area where the second sheet is not present during the manufacture of the stretch sheet is contained between the first sheet and the second sheet and is therefore invisible to the wearer of the wearing article. This gives the wearing article of the present invention a good appearance. Also, in the wearing article of the present invention, the elastic member is covered by the first sheet and the second sheet, so the wearer's skin is less likely to come into direct contact with the elastic member.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of a manufacturing process for a worn article according to an embodiment of the present invention (including a manufacturing process for a stretch sheet used in the worn article). FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a flow of a manufacturing process for a worn article according to one embodiment of the present invention (including a manufacturing process for a stretch sheet used in the worn article), illustrating the manufacturing process following that of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a manufacturing process of the worn article. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for a worn article according to an embodiment of the present invention (including a manufacturing apparatus for a stretch sheet used in the worn article). FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for a worn article. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of the details of the structure of the forming section of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3 . FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the anvil roll of the forming section of FIG. 5 developed into a plane. 7 shows a view of the second groove forming portion surrounded by a circle α in FIG. 6 as viewed along the radial direction of the anvil roll, and a cross-sectional view of the second groove forming portion as viewed along arrows X1-X1 in this view. 7 shows a view of the first groove formation portion surrounded by a circle β in FIG. 6 as viewed along the circumferential direction of the anvil roll, and a cross-sectional view of the first groove formation portion as viewed along the X2-X2 arrows in this view. FIG. 7 shows another example of a first groove forming portion surrounded by a circle β in FIG. 6 as viewed along the circumferential direction of the anvil roll, and a cross-sectional view of the first groove forming portion as viewed along the X2-X2 arrows in this figure. 1 is a development view of a worn article including a stretch sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 9 .

The following describes an embodiment of a stretch sheet manufacturing apparatus, a stretch sheet manufacturing method, and a worn article including a stretch sheet according to the present invention, with reference to the drawings.

The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the following embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the claims.

(1) Worn Article A worn article N having a stretch sheet A according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The worn article N in this embodiment is a disposable diaper. In the worn article N, a waist member 20 that is worn around the waist of a wearer has a stretch sheet A.

However, the wearing article with the stretch sheet is not limited to a disposable diaper. The wearing article of the present invention may be, for example, disposable pants or a disposable medical gown. In addition, in the wearing article, the stretch sheet manufactured using the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus described in this specification may be used for components other than the waist component, such as a cuff component that forms the cuff or a hem component that forms the hem.

The worn article N mainly comprises an absorbent body 10 and a pair of front and rear waist members 20, 20 (see FIG. 9). In the following, of the pair of waist members 20, 20, the waist member that covers the wearer's front torso (front part of the torso) when the wearer wears the worn article N is referred to as the front waist member 20a, and the waist member that covers the wearer's rear torso (rear part of the torso) is referred to as the rear waist member 20b. The front waist member 20a and the rear waist member 20b differ in whether they cover the front or rear part of the wearer's torso, but are otherwise substantially the same members. Therefore, in the following, when describing the contents common to the front waist member 20a and the rear waist member 20b, the front waist member 20a and the rear waist member 20b will not be distinguished from each other and will be described as the waist member 20.

(1-1) Absorbent The absorbent 10 is a member for absorbing body fluids such as urine. The absorbent 10 mainly includes a nonwoven fabric and a polymeric water-absorbing material wrapped in cotton-like pulp. A detailed structure of the absorbent 10 will not be described here.

9, the absorbent body 10 has a front portion 12, a back portion 14, and a crotch portion 16. The absorbent body 10 extends between a front waistband member 20a and a rear waistband member 20b. Specifically, in a state in which the worn article N is unfolded as shown in FIG. 9, the absorbent body 10 extends in a longitudinal direction Y perpendicular to the waistband direction X from the front portion 12 to the back portion 14 via the crotch portion 16. The waistband direction X is a direction along the waist of a wearer when the wearer wears the worn article N. The front portion 12 of the absorbent body 10 is joined to the front waistband member 20a. The back portion 14 of the absorbent body 10 is joined to the rear waistband member 20b. Although the joining method is not limited, the absorbent body 10 and the waistband member 20 are joined by a method such as ultrasonic joining, heat joining, or adhesive.

The front section 12 covers the front torso of the wearer when the wearer wears the wearable article N. The back section 14 covers the rear torso of the wearer when the wearer wears the wearable article N. The crotch section 16 covers the crotch of the wearer when the wearer wears the wearable article N. When the wearer wears the wearable article N, the wearable article N is worn in a state in which the crotch section 16 of the absorbent body 10 is folded in two along an imaginary line parallel to the waist circumference direction X.

(1-2) Waist Member The waist member 20 (the front waist member 20a and the rear waist member 20b) mainly has a central portion 22 and flap portions 24 (see FIG. 9). In the waist-circumference direction X, the central portion 22 is disposed in the center, and the flap portions 24 are disposed on both sides of the central portion 22.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the waistband members 20 are unfolded, the central portion 22 in which the elastic member D described later is not arranged is provided over the entire area of each waistband member 20 in the longitudinal direction Y. However, the arrangement of the central portion 22 shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and when the waistband members 20 are unfolded, waist portions in which the elastic member D is arranged over the entire waistband direction X may be provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction Y. The waist portion here is arranged at the upper end of the worn article N when the wearer wears the worn article N, and the waist portion of the front waistband member 20a and the waist portion of the rear waistband member 20b are the portions that are worn around the wearer's waist. When a waist portion is provided, the central portion 22 in which the elastic member D is not arranged is arranged only in a part of the waistband member 20 in the longitudinal direction Y (the central portion in the waistband direction X, excluding both ends in the longitudinal direction Y).

The central portion 22 of the front waistband member 20a is a portion to which the front portion 12 of the absorbent body 10 is joined at least in part. In this embodiment, the front portion 12 of the absorbent body 10 is joined to almost the entire central portion 22 of the front waistband member 20a. The central portion 22 of the rear waistband member 20b is a portion to which the back portion 14 of the absorbent body 10 is joined at least in part. In this embodiment, the back portion 14 of the absorbent body 10 is joined to almost the entire central portion 22 of the rear waistband member 20b. In the worn article N, the flap portion 24 protrudes on both sides of the absorbent body 10 joined to the central portion 22 in the waistband direction X. The flap portion 24 of the waistband member 20 is wrapped around the waist of the wearer of the worn article N. When the wearer wears the worn article N, the left and right ends of the front waistband member 20a are overlapped with the corresponding left and right ends of the rear waistband member 20b.

The structure of the waistband member 20 is explained.

The waistband member 20 mainly comprises a stretch sheet A. The stretch sheet A mainly comprises a first sheet S1, a plurality of second sheets S2, and an elastic member D (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, each waistband member 20 comprises a pair of second sheets S2, S2.

The first sheet S1 is, for example, a breathable nonwoven fabric. The first sheet S1 is a single (continuous) sheet that extends in the waist direction X as its longitudinal direction. In each waist member 20, the first sheet S1 extends continuously in the waist direction X so as to cover the front or rear torso of the wearer to both sides of the wearer when the wearable article N is worn by the wearer.

The second sheet S2 is, for example, a breathable nonwoven fabric. The pair of second sheets S2, S2 are arranged at a distance from each other in the torso circumference direction X, which is an example of the first direction, so as to overlap the first sheet S1. Specifically, the pair of second sheets S2, S2 are arranged at positions corresponding to the flap portions 24 so as to sandwich the central portion 22 that is joined to the absorbent body 10.

The elastic member D is a member for fitting each waist member 20 to the wearer's torso. Although not limited thereto, the elastic member D may be, for example, rubber thread.

The elastic member D is arranged to extend in the waist circumference direction X, which is an example of a first direction. The elastic member D has stretchability in the waist circumference direction X. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 (cross-sectional view taken along the VII-VII arrows in FIG. 9), the elastic member D is arranged to be sandwiched between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 in the stacking direction of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2.

As described below, in the initial stage of manufacturing the stretch sheet A, the elastic member D is arranged so as to extend across the entire first sheet S1 in the waist circumference direction X. However, thereafter, the elastic member D is cut between the pair of second sheets S2, S2 that are arranged at a distance from each other in the waist circumference direction X. As a result, the contraction force of the elastic member D does not act on the central portion 22 between the pair of second sheets S2, S2. In the absence of the contraction force of the elastic member D, no wrinkles are formed, making it easy to arrange the absorbent body 10.

In the manufacture of the stretch sheet A used in the worn article N of this embodiment, when the elastic member D is cut between the pair of second sheets S2, S2, the elastic member D that was disposed between the pair of second sheets S2 moves into the gap between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 when the elastic member D contracts. As a result, the entirety or most of the elastic member D is covered between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. In other words, in the stretch sheet A used in the worn article N, the elastic member D is not, or is hardly, disposed in a visible position (i.e., an area where the second sheet S2 is not present).

This state occurs because, as described below, during the manufacturing process of the stretch sheet A, the first portion 42 and the second portion 44 are provided in the region where the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are overlapped in the waist direction X (see Figure 9).

The first portion 42 is the portion where the elastic member D is joined to at least one of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2.

The second portion 44 is a portion (non-jointed portion) where the elastic member D is not joined to the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. When the second portion 44 is a portion where the elastic member D is not joined to the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, as shown in FIG. 10, in a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the waist circumference direction X, the second portion 44 has a portion where the maximum gap B of the space Z between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, which communicates with the space in which the elastic member D of the first portion 42 is arranged, is smaller than the diameter of the elastic member D in a state where no tension is applied (the diameter d1 of the elastic member D in a state where no force is applied, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10).

Unlike the above example, in the second portion 44, the elastic member D and at least one of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 may be bonded. In this case, the bonding strength between the elastic member D and at least one of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 is smaller than the bonding strength between the elastic member D and at least one of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 in the first portion 42.

The arrangement of the first part 42 and the second part 44 will be explained with reference to Figure 9.

The first portion 42 is disposed near the first end E1 of the second sheet S2 in the waist circumference direction X. The second portion 44 is disposed between the first portion 42 and the second end E2 of the second sheet S2 in the waist circumference direction X. Here, the first end E1 of the second sheet S2 is an end portion remote from the gap G between the pair of second sheets S2 in the waist circumference direction X. In this embodiment, in the stretch sheet A in an unfolded state, the first end E1 of the second sheet S2 is disposed at both ends of the stretch sheet A in the waist circumference direction X, as shown in FIG. 9. The second end E2 of the second sheet S2 is an end portion close to the gap G between the pair of second sheets S2.

The dimensions of the second part 44 in the waist circumference direction X are explained below.

In the torso direction X, the length L2 of the second portion 44 is set, for example, as follows:

As described below, in the manufacturing process of the stretch sheet A, the elastic member D under tension is cut at the center of the gap G between the pair of second sheets S2 in the waist direction X. As a result, the stretched elastic member D contracts and moves from the center of the gap G in the waist direction X to both sides, in other words, toward the second sheet S2 side. At this time, it is preferable that all of the elastic member D present between the center of the gap G between the pair of second sheets S2 in the waist direction X (the cut point of the elastic member D) and the boundary between the first portion 42 and the second portion 44 in the waist direction X is contained within the second portion 44. To achieve this, in the manufacturing process of the stretch sheet A, when the elastic member D stretched to α times its natural length is cut at the center of the gap G between a pair of second sheets S2 in the waist circumference direction X, the length L2 of the second portion 44 in the waist circumference direction X is set to L1/2(α-1)×β (where L1 is the length of the gap G in the waist circumference direction X, and β (margin rate, a value of 1 or more, usually a value greater than 1). The length L2 of the second portion 44 is determined based on theoretical calculations, experiments, simulations, etc., so that when the elastic member D is cut at the center in the conveying direction MD of the gap between adjacent sheet pieces S2a (corresponding to the gap G in the wearing article N), as described below, all of the contracting elastic member D fits within the limiting portion Cb (corresponding to the second portion 44 in the wearing article N).

It is preferable that the length L2 of the second portion 44 is not excessively large. If the length L2 of the second portion 44 in the waist direction X is excessively large, the length of the first portion 42 in the waist direction X will be too short, and the elastic member D may not be able to be fixed with sufficient force.

(2) Manufacturing method of the worn article The following describes a manufacturing method of the worn article N. Since the main purpose of this description is to describe a manufacturing method of the stretch sheet A among the manufacturing methods of the worn article N, illustrations and descriptions of contents other than the manufacturing method of the stretch sheet A may be omitted.

An example of a manufacturing method for the worn article N will be described with reference to Figs. 1A, 1B, and 2. Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the manufacturing process for the worn article N (including the manufacturing process for the stretch sheet A used in the worn article N). Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the manufacturing process for the worn article N (including the manufacturing process for the stretch sheet A used in the worn article N), depicting the manufacturing process continued from Fig. 1A. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of the manufacturing process for the worn article N.

In the manufacturing method of the stretch sheet A, as shown in FIG. 1, a continuous sheet (referred to as continuous sheet S1a) that will become the first sheet S1 when it is made into the worn article N is conveyed in the conveying direction MD (step P1). Specifically, in step P1, the continuous sheet S1a is unwound from a roll of the continuous sheet S1a using a means such as a pinch roller, and conveyed in the conveying direction MD.

Next, continuously extending elastic members D are arranged along the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a relative to the conveyed continuous sheet S1a (step P2). In step P2, multiple continuously extending elastic members D are arranged along the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a so as to overlap one surface F1 of the conveyed continuous sheet S1a, and the continuous sheet S1a and the continuously extending elastic members D are conveyed along the conveying direction MD.

Next, in process P3, sheet pieces (referred to as sheet pieces S2a) that will become the second sheet S2 when the article is made into the wearing article N are successively arranged on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a so that a part of the elastic member D is sandwiched between the surface F1 of the continuous sheet S1a. The sheet pieces S2a are arranged on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a at a predetermined distance (the dimension of the gap G in the waist direction X in the above-mentioned wearing article N) from the sheet piece S2a that was previously supplied in the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a. In short, in process P3, a plurality of sheet pieces S2a are arranged on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a at intervals from each other along the conveying direction MD, and the elastic member D is sandwiched between the sheet pieces S2a and the continuous sheet S1a. Specifically, in process P3, a pinch roller or other means is used to unroll the continuous sheet that will become the sheet piece S2a from the original roll, and the continuous sheet is cut to a predetermined length to become the sheet piece S2a. The sheet piece S2a thus formed is then fed one after another to the continuous sheet S1a using a roller or other means.

Next, in process P4, the continuous sheet S1a, the sheet piece S2a, and the elastic member D are integrated with the sheet piece S2a and the continuous sheet S1a, with the elastic member D sandwiched between them. For example, in process P4, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, and further at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D are ultrasonically bonded to be integrated. Note that the bonding method is not limited to ultrasonic bonding, and other methods such as thermal bonding may also be used. Here, the integrated continuous sheet S1a, the sheet piece S2a, and the elastic member D are referred to as a laminated continuum C.

The process of forming the laminated continuous body C includes a process P4a for forming the fixed portion Ca and a process P4b for forming the limiting portion Cb. For convenience of explanation, the process P4a for forming the fixed portion Ca and the process P4b for forming the limiting portion Cb are described separately here. In reality, when the continuous sheet S1a and one sheet piece S2a are transported between the anvil roll 152 and the horn 154 of the forming section 150 described later, the process P4b for forming the limiting portion Cb, the process P4a for forming the fixed portion Ca, and the process P4b for forming the limiting portion Cb are continuously and repeatedly executed in this order.

In the process P4a for forming the fixed portion Ca, at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a is joined to the elastic member D at the center of the sheet piece S2a in the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a to form the fixed portion Ca. Note that in the fixed portion Ca, it is preferable that not only at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a is joined to the elastic member D, but also that the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are at least partially joined. The fixed portion Ca becomes the first portion 42 in the manufactured wearing article N.

In the process P4b for forming the limiting portion Cb, in the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a,
A limiting portion Cb is formed between the fixed portion Ca (here, the fixed portion Ca includes a portion that will become the fixed portion Ca in a subsequent process) and an end portion M (see FIG. 1A ) of the sheet piece S2a in the conveying direction MD. At the limiting portion Cb, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are at least joined together. The limiting portion Cb becomes the second portion 44 in the manufactured wearing article N.

In this embodiment, the continuous sheet S1a, the sheet piece S2a, and the elastic member D are not joined at the limiting portion Cb. Note that in the limiting portion Cb, in the space between the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a where the elastic member D is arranged, there is a portion where the maximum gap is smaller than the diameter of the elastic member D in a state where no tension is applied. As a result, in the process of cutting the elastic member D (process P5 described below), the limiting portion Cb limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member D by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a.

However, this is not limited to the above, and at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a may be joined to the elastic member D at the limiting portion Cb. In this case, the joining strength between the continuous sheet S1a, the sheet piece S2a, and the elastic member D at the limiting portion Cb is set to be smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D at the fixing portion Ca.

The reason why the joining strength is set in such a relationship is due to the difference in the purpose of the joining. The main purpose of the joining between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D at the fixing portion Ca is to fix the elastic member D so that it does not move relative to the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a. On the other hand, the purpose of the joining between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D at the limiting portion Cb is not to fix the elastic member D to the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a, but to slow down the contraction movement of the cut elastic member D by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a. By appropriately setting the joining strength between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D at the limiting portion Cb, the elastic member D that was placed in the area where the contracting sheet piece S2a does not exist can be accommodated between the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a at the limiting portion Cb.

Next, in process P5, the elastic member D is cut in the area of the continuous laminate C where no sheet piece S2a is present. For example, the elastic member D of the continuous laminate C is cut at the center in the conveying direction MD of the area where no sheet piece S2a is present. Note that in the manufacture of the worn article N (manufacturing the stretch sheet A), the elastic member D is conveyed in a stretched state in the conveying direction MD. Therefore, when the elastic member D is cut, it contracts and is accommodated between the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a in the aforementioned limiting section Cb.

Although not shown in the figure, the laminated continuous body C in which the elastic member D is cut in the area where no sheet piece S2a exists (the laminated continuous body C after the elastic member D is cut is referred to as the first laminated continuous body C1 here) is manufactured in parallel on two production lines through processes P1 to P5.

Next, in process P6, the absorbent body 10 is intermittently arranged one after another on a pair of first laminated continuous bodies C1 transported in the transport direction MD while being spaced a predetermined distance apart in the orthogonal direction CD perpendicular to the transport direction MD. Specifically, the absorbent body 10 is arranged in a position in which the orthogonal direction CD is the longitudinal direction, straddling a position in which the sheet piece S2a of one of the first laminated continuous bodies C1 transported in the transport direction MD is not present and a position in which the sheet piece S2a of the other first laminated continuous body C1 transported in the transport direction MD is not present. Furthermore, in process P6, the pair of first laminated continuous bodies C1 and the absorbent body 10 are joined by a predetermined joining method (for example, ultrasonic joining, thermal joining, adhesive, etc.). Note that a description of the manufacturing method of the absorbent body 10 is omitted here.

Next, in process P7, in order to manufacture individual wearing articles N, the first laminated continuous body C1 is cut one after another along an imaginary cutting line extending in the orthogonal direction CD at the center in the conveying direction MD between adjacent absorbents 10, 10. Process P7 is an example of a process for cutting the laminated continuous body C to form a stretch sheet A. Specifically, in process P7, the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a are cut along an imaginary cutting line extending in the orthogonal direction CD perpendicular to the conveying direction MD. Although not shown, the individual wearing articles N manufactured through process P7 are folded in two at the absorbent body 2, for example, to become the wearing articles N.

The manufacturing process of the worn article N described here is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the manufacturing process of the worn article N described above, after a pair of first laminated continuous bodies C1 and the absorbent body 10 are joined in step P6, the first laminated continuous body C1 is cut in step P7, but this order may be reversed.

(3) Apparatus for manufacturing worn article Next, an overview of an example of an apparatus for manufacturing the worn article N (including an apparatus for manufacturing the stretch sheet A) will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Note that since the main purpose of this description is to describe a method for manufacturing the stretch sheet A among other methods for manufacturing the worn article N, illustrations and descriptions of contents other than the manufacture of the stretch sheet A may be omitted.

Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic layout diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 100 for a worn article N (including a manufacturing apparatus for a stretch sheet A used in the worn article N). FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 100 for a worn article N. Note that in the manufacturing apparatus for a worn article N, the first laminated continuous body C1 is formed in each of two parallel-arranged manufacturing lines, but only one of the manufacturing lines for the laminated continuous body C is depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the details of the structure of the forming section 150 of the manufacturing apparatus 100.

The manufacturing apparatus 100 mainly comprises a continuous sheet conveying section 110, a continuous sheet conveying section 120, a sheet piece forming section 125, a sheet piece conveying section 130, an elastic member conveying section 140, a forming section 150, an absorbent conveying section 160, an absorbent joining section 170, a first cutting section 180, a second cutting section 190, and a control section 200 (see Figures 3 and 4).

The continuous sheet conveying section 110 is a device that conveys the continuous sheet S1a while applying tension using pinch rollers (not shown). The continuous sheet conveying section 120 is a device that conveys the continuous sheet formed into the sheet piece S2a using pinch rollers (not shown). The sheet piece forming section 125 is a device that cuts the continuous sheet conveyed by the continuous sheet conveying section 120 to a predetermined length using a cutter roll 126 to form the sheet piece S2a. The sheet piece conveying section 130 is a device that conveys the sheet piece S2a formed by the sheet piece forming section 125 using rollers 132 and 134 (rollers that convey the sheet piece S2a while sucking it) as shown in FIG. 3, and delivers it to the anvil roll 152 of the forming section 150 at a predetermined timing. The elastic member conveying section 140 is a device that conveys the continuously stretching elastic member D while applying tension using pinch rollers (not shown). The forming section 150 is a device that forms a laminated continuous body C in which the conveyed continuous sheet S1a, a plurality of sheet pieces S2a that are supplied to the conveyed continuous sheet S1a and arranged at intervals along the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a, and a continuous elastic member D that is supplied to the conveyed continuous sheet S1a and arranged between the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet pieces S2a along the conveying direction MD are integrated. The absorbent conveying section 160 is a device that conveys the absorbent body 10 manufactured using a device not shown. The absorbent joining section 170 is a device that joins a pair of first laminated continuous bodies C1 and the absorbent body 10 using a device not shown. The first cutting section 180 is a device that cuts the elastic member D of the laminated continuous body C in an area where the sheet pieces S2a are not present. The second cutting section 190 cuts the laminated continuous body C (the first laminated continuous body C1 joined to the absorbent body 10) to form a worn article N (a stretch sheet A used in the worn article N).

The control unit 200 has a CPU (not shown), memories such as ROM and RAM, input/output devices, various electrical and electronic components, etc. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 200 is electrically connected to the continuous sheet conveying unit 110, the continuous sheet conveying unit 120, the sheet piece forming unit 125, the sheet piece conveying unit 130, the elastic member conveying unit 140, the forming unit 150, the absorbent conveying unit 160, the absorbent joining unit 170, the first cutting unit 180, and the second cutting unit 190. The control unit 200 controls the continuous sheet conveying unit 110, the continuous sheet conveying unit 120, the sheet piece forming unit 125, the sheet piece conveying unit 130, the elastic member conveying unit 140, the forming unit 150, the absorbent conveying unit 160, the absorbent joining unit 170, the first cutting unit 180, and the second cutting unit 190 to operate in cooperation with each other by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory. Note that the control unit 200 may be realized by software, hardware (various electric circuits and electronic circuits), or a combination of software and hardware, as long as it can perform the functions described here.

The following will particularly describe the forming section 150, the first cutting section 180, and the second cutting section 190.

(3-1) Forming Section The forming section 150 will be described in detail with further reference to Figs. 5 to 8. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the details of the structure of the forming section 150 of the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the wearing article N. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the outer circumferential surface of the anvil roll 152 of the forming section 150 developed into a planar shape. Fig. 7 shows a view of the second groove forming section surrounded by a circle α in Fig. 6 as viewed along the radial direction of the anvil roll 152, and a cross-sectional view of the second groove forming section as viewed along the X1-X1 arrows in this figure. Fig. 8A shows a view of the first groove forming section surrounded by a circle β in Fig. 6 as viewed along the circumferential direction of the anvil roll 152, and a cross-sectional view of the first groove forming section as viewed along the X2-X2 arrows in this figure. Figure 8B shows another example of the first groove formation portion surrounded by the circle β in Figure 6, viewed along the circumferential direction of the anvil roll 152, and a cross-sectional view of the first groove formation portion as viewed along the X2-X2 arrows in this figure.

The forming unit 150 is a device that receives the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a in a stacked state, bonds the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a at predetermined locations, and bonds at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a to the elastic member D at predetermined locations to form a stacked continuous body C.

The forming section 150 has an anvil roll 152 as an example of a first joining member and a horn 154 as an example of a second joining member.

The anvil roll 152 receives the continuous sheet S1a supplied by the continuous sheet conveying section 110, the elastic member D supplied by the elastic member conveying section 140, and the sheet piece S2a supplied by the sheet piece conveying section 130, and supports the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a as they are conveyed in the conveying direction MD (see FIG. 5).

The horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the horn 154 and the anvil roll 152. The horn 154 vibrates with ultrasonic waves generated by an oscillator (not shown). The horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the horn 154 and the anvil roll 152. The horn 154 cooperates with the anvil roll 152 to partially bond (ultrasonic weld) the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a to each other. The horn 154 also cooperates with the anvil roll 152 to partially bond at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a to the elastic member D, thereby holding the elastic member D to the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a.

The second joining member according to the present invention is not limited to a horn, but may be a continuous sheet S1a and a sheet piece S2a, or a roll with a built-in heater for thermally fusing at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a to the elastic member D.

The anvil roll 152 will now be described in more detail.

The anvil roll 152 is a cylindrical member that rotates around an axis, and as shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface 152a (opposing surface facing the horn 154) has a number of ridges 300 that protrude radially outward from the anvil roll 152. Each ridge 300 extends along the width direction S of the anvil roll 152 (axial direction of the anvil roll 152). The outer peripheral surface 152a of the anvil roll 152 is an example of an opposing surface that faces the horn 154 as the second joining member. The ridges 300 have a first surface 302 that faces the ultrasonically vibrating horn 154 (see FIG. 5). The first surface 302 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 152a of the anvil roll 152 by a predetermined height h, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 8. The first surface 302 of the protrusion 300 and the ultrasonically vibrating horn 154 sandwich and press the sheet piece S2a and the continuous sheet S1a, ultrasonically welding the sheet piece S2a and the continuous sheet S1a. Note that even if the sheet piece S2a and the continuous sheet S1a are transported between the anvil roll 152 and the horn 154, the sheet piece S2a and the continuous sheet S1a are not ultrasonically welded to each other in the portions that are not pressurized between the horn 154 and the first surface 302 of the protrusion 300.

As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusions 300 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152. A plurality of grooves J extending in the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152 are formed on the first surface 302 of each protrusion 300. In other words, the grooves J extend along the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a supported and conveyed by the anvil roll 152. The grooves J are grooves into which the elastic member D conveyed in the conveying direction MD and the sheet piece S2a conveyed in the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a supported and conveyed by the anvil roll 152 enter. As shown in FIG. 6, the grooves J provided on the first surface 302 of each protrusion 300 are aligned in a straight line with the grooves J provided on the adjacent protrusions 300 along the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152. Therefore, each elastic member D introduced into the anvil roll 152 is guided by the grooves J arranged in a straight line and transported along the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152.

The protrusions 300 provided on the outer peripheral surface 152a of the anvil roll 152 include a first protrusion 300a as an example of the first part in the claims, and a second protrusion 300b as an example of the second part in the claims. In other words, the anvil roll 152 has a first protrusion 300a and a second protrusion 300b on the outer peripheral surface 152a facing the horn 154. The second protrusion 300b is arranged adjacent to the first protrusion 300a in the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a (in other words, in the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152). Specifically, in the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152, a pair of first protrusions 300a are arranged adjacent to each other on both sides of the area where the second protrusion 300b is provided (see FIG. 6). In other words, in the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a supported and conveyed by the anvil roll 152, the first protrusion 300a is disposed adjacent to the upstream and downstream sides of the second protrusion 300b (see FIG. 6).

The number, shape, and dimensions of the first ridges 300a and second ridges 300b shown in FIG. 6 do not limit the number of first ridges 300a and second ridges 300b provided on the anvil roll 152. For example, the anvil roll 152 may be provided with only one second ridge having a large width in the circumferential direction R, and only one first ridge having a large width in the circumferential direction R may be provided on each side of the second ridge in the circumferential direction R.

The formation of the laminated continuum C by the forming unit 150 will be described.

In the forming section 150, when the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a are transported in the transport direction MD, the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D enter the grooves J arranged in the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152 (arranged at the same position in the width direction S) of the multiple protrusions 300 arranged along the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152. In other words, the forming section 150 transports the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a in the transport direction MD with the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D in the groove J. Note that, although it is assumed here that the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D enter the groove J, this is not limited thereto, and the continuous sheet S1a and the elastic member D may enter the groove J.

The continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are transported along the outer peripheral surface 152a of the anvil roll 152 with the elastic member D sandwiched therebetween. When the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a pass between the horn 154 and the protrusion 300, the horn 154 and the protrusion 300 of the anvil roll 152 sandwich the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between them. At this time, the horn 154 vibrates ultrasonically.

As a result, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are sandwiched between the horn 154 and the first surface 302 of the protrusion 300 of the anvil roll 152 and pressed between the horn 154 and the first surface 302 of the protrusion 300 of the anvil roll 152, and are joined (ultrasonic welding).

In addition, when the continuous sheet S1a, elastic member D, and sheet piece S2a pass between the horn 154 and the protrusion portion 300, the horn 154 is ultrasonically vibrated, and when the elastic member D is pressed between the horn 154 and the bottom surface of the groove J of the protrusion portion 300 of the anvil roll 152, via the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are joined (ultrasonic welded) to the elastic member D.

As described above, the protrusions 300 of the anvil roll 152 include the first protrusions 300a and the second protrusions 300b. Between the horn 154 and the first protrusions 300a, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are not joined to the elastic member D, and between the horn 154 and the second protrusions 300b, at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a is joined to the elastic member D. Details will be described below.

The first protrusion 300a contacts a portion that will become the second portion 44 when the worn article N is manufactured from the laminated continuous body C formed by the forming unit 150. The horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between itself and the first protrusion 300a, which is the first part of the anvil roll 152, and bonds the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, thereby forming a limiting portion Cb (see FIG. 8A) in the laminated continuous body C. More specifically, the first protrusion 300a sandwiches and presses the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a between its first surface 302 and the horn 154, thereby bonding the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, thereby forming the limiting portion Cb in the laminated continuous body C.

In the limiting section Cb, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are not joined to the elastic member D. When the elastic member D is cut by the first cutting section 180, the limiting section Cb limits the contraction movement of the elastic member D cut by the first cutting section 180 by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a. Note that the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a limit the contraction movement of the elastic member D, not meaning that the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a do not allow the elastic member D to contract (do not allow the elastic member D to contract), but meaning that the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a limit (suppress) the momentum of the contraction movement of the elastic member D. In other words, the presence of the limiting section Cb causes the elastic member D cut by the first cutting section 180 to contract more slowly than when the limiting section Cb does not exist.

To limit the contraction movement of the elastic member D by the limiting portion Cb, specifically, the elastic member D can be compressed by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a at the limiting portion Cb. In other words, the limiting portion Cb of the laminated continuous body C has a space in which the elastic member D is arranged, surrounded by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, and there is a portion in the space where the maximum gap between the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a to be formed is smaller than the diameter of the elastic member D when no tension is applied.

Next, the second protrusion 300b is a portion that comes into contact with the first portion 42 when the worn article N is manufactured from the laminated continuous body C formed by the forming unit 150. The horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the horn 154 and the second protrusion 300b as the second part of the anvil roll 152, and bonds at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a to the elastic member D to form a fixing portion Ca in the laminated continuous body C (see FIG. 7). In the fixing portion Ca in this embodiment, both the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are bonded to the elastic member D. In addition, the horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the horn 154 and the second protrusion 300b as the second part of the anvil roll 152, and at least partially bonds the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a.

In order to form such a limiting portion Cb and a fixing portion Ca in the laminated continuous body C, it is preferable that the first protrusion portion 300a and the second protrusion portion 300b each have the following configuration.

The second ridge portion 300b has a plurality of second groove forming portions 304b (see FIG. 7) that extend further in the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152 than other portions of the second ridge portion 300b, as depicted within a circle α in FIG. 6. The plurality of second groove forming portions 304b are arranged at intervals from one another in the width direction S of the anvil roll 152, as shown in FIG. 6.

On the first surface 302 of the second groove forming portion 304b, a second groove 306b (groove J) is formed into which the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D enter among the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a transported in the transport direction MD (see FIG. 7). Although the shape is not limited, the second groove 306b is a V-shaped groove as shown in FIG. 7. The depth of the second groove 306b is smaller than the sum (first total value) of the diameter of the elastic member D transported in a state where tension is applied in the forming section 150 and the thickness of the sheet piece S2a. As a result, the elastic member D transported through the second groove 306b of the second groove forming portion 304b is at least partially protruding from the second groove 306b to the radial outside of the anvil roll 152 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7. Therefore, when the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a are sandwiched between the second groove forming portion 304b of the second protrusion portion 300b and the horn 154, the elastic member D is pressurized between the horn 154 and the second groove forming portion 304b via the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, and the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are bonded to the elastic member D.

In this case, since the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D enter the second groove 306b, the first total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member D transported under tension and the thickness of the sheet piece S2a. However, if the continuous sheet S1a and the elastic member D enter the second groove 306b, the first total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member D transported under tension and the thickness of the continuous sheet S1a.

The first ridge portion 300a has a plurality of first groove forming portions 304a (see FIG. 8A) that extend further in the circumferential direction R of the anvil roll 152 than other portions of the first ridge portion 300a, as depicted within a circle β in FIG. 6. The plurality of first groove forming portions 304a are arranged at intervals from one another in the width direction S of the anvil roll 152, as shown in FIG. 6.

In the first groove forming portion 304a, a first groove 306a (groove J) is formed into which the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D of the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a, which are transported in the transport direction MD, enter. Although the shape is not limited, the first groove 306a is a U-shaped groove as shown in FIG. 8A.

The depth of the first groove 306a is greater than the sum (first total value) of the diameter of the elastic member D transported in a tensioned state in the forming section 150 and the thickness of the sheet piece S2a. As a result, the elastic member D transported through the first groove 306a of the first groove forming portion 304a is entirely contained within the first groove 306a. Therefore, when the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a are sandwiched between the first groove forming portion 304a of the first protrusion portion 300a and the horn 154, the elastic member D is not pressurized between the horn 154 and the bottom surface of the first groove 306a of the first groove forming portion 304a, and the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are not bonded to the elastic member D. When the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a are sandwiched between the first groove forming portion 304a of the first protrusion 300a and the horn 154, only the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are bonded between the first surface 302 of the first protrusion 300a and the horn 154.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the depth of the first groove 306a is smaller than the sum (second total value) of the diameter of the elastic member D and the thickness of the sheet piece S2a when no tension is applied. As a result, when the elastic member D is partially cut as described below and the elastic member D attempts to return to its original state (its natural length when no tension is applied) due to a restoring force, the elastic member D is in a state where pressure is applied by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, and the contraction movement of the elastic member D is restricted by the frictional force between the elastic member D and at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the width of the first groove 306a (dimension in the width direction S of the anvil roll 152) is greater than the sum (third total value) of the diameter of the elastic member D being transported in the transport direction MD through the forming section 150 (when tension is applied) and twice the thickness of the sheet piece S2a, and is smaller than the sum (fourth total value) of the diameter of the elastic member D and twice the thickness of the sheet piece S2a when tension is not applied.

When the elastic member D is partially cut as described below and the elastic member D tries to return to its original state (its natural length when no tension is applied) due to the restoring force, the diameter of the elastic member D becomes larger than when it is stretched. Therefore, by setting the width of the first groove 306a to the above dimensions, when the elastic member D tries to return to its original state due to the restoring force, pressure is applied to the elastic member D by the sheet piece S2a, and the contraction movement of the elastic member D is restricted by the frictional force between the elastic member D and the sheet piece S2a.

The width, depth, etc. of the first groove 306a may be determined based on theoretical calculations, experiments, simulations, etc., so that when the elastic member D is cut at the center of the gap between adjacent sheet pieces S2a in the conveying direction MD, all of the contracting elastic member D fits within the limiting portion Cb.

Although a detailed explanation is omitted here, when the elastic member D and the continuous sheet S1a enter the first groove 306a, the thickness value of the continuous sheet S1a can be used in place of the thickness value of the sheet piece S2a to calculate the first to fourth total values.

When the area of the laminated continuous body C where there is no sheet piece S2a passes between the anvil roll 152 and the horn 154, the continuous sheet S1a and the elastic member D are not welded between the anvil roll 152 and the horn 154. To achieve this, a groove (a groove into which the elastic member D fits) of the same dimensions as the first groove 306a is formed in the protrusion portion 300 of the part of the anvil roll 152 facing the area of the laminated continuous body C where there is no sheet piece S2a.

<Modifications of the First Groove>
In the above example, the depth of the first groove 306a is set so that the elastic member D conveyed through the first groove 306a of the first groove forming portion 304a is entirely accommodated within the first groove 306a. However, the depth of the first groove 306a may be set so that only a portion of the elastic member D conveyed through the first groove 306a of the first groove forming portion 304a is accommodated within the first groove 306a. A specific description will be given with reference to FIG. 8B.

As in the above example, the first groove forming portion 304a is formed with a first groove 306a (groove J) into which the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D are inserted. The first groove 306a may be, for example, a U-shaped groove as shown in FIG. 8B, or a V-shaped groove like the second groove 306b in FIG. 7.

In this modified example, the depth of the first groove 306a is smaller than the sum (first total value) of the diameter of the elastic member D conveyed in a tensioned state in the forming section 150 and the thickness of the sheet piece S2a. As a result, the elastic member D conveyed through the first groove 306a of the first groove forming portion 304a is in a state in which it at least partially protrudes from the first groove 306a to the radially outer side of the anvil roll 152, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8a. Therefore, when the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a are sandwiched between the first groove forming portion 304a of the first protrusion portion 300a and the horn 154, the elastic member D is pressurized between the horn 154 and the first groove forming portion 304a through the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, and at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a is joined to the elastic member D.

However, the limiting portion Cb is formed between the horn 154 and the first protrusion portion 300a by joining at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a to the elastic member D, so that the joining strength between the continuous sheet S1a and/or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D at the limiting portion Cb is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet S1a and/or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D at the fixing portion Ca.

To achieve this, for example, the first groove 306a is formed deeper than the second groove 306b. Also, for example, the depth of the first groove 306a and the depth of the second groove 306b may be the same, but the shapes of the first groove 306a and the second groove 306b may be different, so that the contact area between the horn 154 and the elastic member D via the continuous sheet S1a when ultrasonically bonding between the horn 154 and the first protrusion 300a is smaller than the contact area between the horn 154 and the elastic member D via the continuous sheet S1a when ultrasonically bonding between the horn 154 and the second protrusion 300b.

If the bonding strength between the continuous sheet S1a and/or sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D in the limiting portion Cb is too large, the contraction movement of the elastic member D may be too suppressed, and when the first cutting portion 180 cuts the elastic member D, the elastic member D may not be able to move between the adjacent sheet pieces S2a. Therefore, the width, depth, shape, etc. of the first groove 306a, which affect the bonding strength, may be determined based on theoretical calculations, experiments, simulations, etc., so that when the elastic member D is cut at the center of the gap between the adjacent sheet pieces S2a in the conveying direction MD, all of the contracting elastic member D fits within the limiting portion Cb.

(3-2) First Cutting Section The first cutting section 180 is a device that cuts the elastic member D in the region of the laminated continuous body C where the sheet piece S2a does not exist (specifically, at the center in the conveying direction MD of the region where the sheet piece S2a does not exist) in the above-mentioned process P5 to form the above-mentioned first laminated continuous body C1. Note that the first cutting section 180 is intended to cut only the elastic member D, and does not cut the continuous sheet S1a.

The first cutting unit 180 is, for example, a gather cutter that uses a blade to cut the elastic member D. Alternatively, the first cutting unit 180 may be an embossing roll (heat embossing) device that applies heat to melt and cut the elastic member D.

(3-3)
The second cutting section 190 is a device that sequentially cuts the first continuous laminated body C1 along an imaginary cutting line extending in the orthogonal direction CD at the center in the machine direction MD between adjacent absorbents 10, 10 in order to manufacture individual wearing articles N in the above-mentioned process P7. In other words, the second cutting section 190 is a device that cuts the continuous laminated body C to form the wearing articles N (the stretch sheet A used in the wearing articles N).

The second cutting unit 190 is not limited to a particular type of device, but may be, for example, a cutter that uses a blade to cut the elastic member D.

(4) Features The features of the manufacturing method of the worn article N according to the above embodiment (particularly, the manufacturing method of the stretch sheet A), the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the worn article N (the manufacturing apparatus of the stretch sheet A), and the worn article N having the stretch sheet A will be described.

(4-1)
The manufacturing method of the stretchable sheet A of this embodiment includes a step of conveying the continuous sheet S1a in the conveying direction MD, a step of arranging an elastic member D on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a, a step of arranging a plurality of sheet pieces S2a on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a, a step of forming a laminated continuous body C, a step of cutting the elastic member D, and a step of forming the stretchable sheet A. In the step of arranging the elastic member D on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a, the continuously extending elastic member D is arranged along the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a to be conveyed. In the step of arranging a plurality of sheet pieces S2a on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a, a plurality of sheet pieces S2a are arranged along the conveying direction MD to be spaced apart from each other on the conveyed continuous sheet S1a, and the elastic member D is sandwiched between the sheet pieces S2a and the continuous sheet S1a. In the process of forming the continuous laminated body C, the continuous sheet S1a, the sheet piece S2a, and the elastic member D are integrated in a state in which the elastic member D is sandwiched between the sheet piece S2a and the continuous sheet S1a, thereby forming the continuous laminated body C. In the process of cutting the elastic member D, the elastic member D is cut in an area of the continuous laminated body C where the sheet piece S2a does not exist. In the process of forming the stretchable sheet A, the stretchable sheet A is formed by cutting the continuous laminated body C. The process of forming the continuous laminated body C includes a process of forming a fixing portion Ca and a process of forming a limiting portion Cb. In the process of forming the fixing portion Ca, at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D are joined at the center of the sheet piece S2a in the conveying direction MD, thereby forming the fixing portion Ca. The limiting portion Cb is formed between the fixing portion Ca and the end M of the sheet piece S2a in the conveying direction MD in the conveying direction MD. In the step of forming the limiting portion Cb, the limiting portion Cb is formed by at least joining the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a. In the limiting portion Cb, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are not joined to the elastic member D. Alternatively, the joining strength between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D in the limiting portion Cb is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D in the fixing portion Ca. In the step of cutting the elastic member D, the limiting portion Cb limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member D by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a.

In the manufacturing method of the stretchable sheet A of this embodiment, when the elastic member D is cut in an area where the sheet piece S2a is not present, the cut elastic member D shrinks and is accommodated in the restricting portion Cb. Therefore, in this manufacturing method of the stretchable sheet A, the cut elastic member D is unlikely to remain in an area where the sheet piece S2a is not laminated.

(4-2)
The manufacturing apparatus 100 for the worn article N (manufacturing apparatus 100 for the stretch sheet A) of the present embodiment includes a forming section 150, a first cutting section 180, and a second cutting section 190. The forming section 150 forms a laminated continuous body C in which a conveyed continuous sheet S1a, a plurality of sheet pieces S2a arranged at intervals from each other along the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a, and a continuous elastic member D arranged along the conveying direction MD between the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet pieces S2a are integrated. The first cutting section 180 cuts the elastic member D of the laminated continuous body C in an area where the sheet pieces S2a are not present. The second cutting section 190 cuts the laminated continuous body C to form a stretch sheet A. The forming section 150 has an anvil roll 152 as an example of a first joining member and a horn 154 as an example of a second joining member. The anvil roll 152 supports the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a, which are conveyed in the conveying direction MD. The horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the anvil roll 152. The anvil roll 152 has a first protrusion 300a as an example of a first part and a second protrusion 300b as an example of a second part on an outer peripheral surface 152a facing the horn 154. The second protrusion 300b is disposed adjacent to the first protrusion 300a in the direction along the conveying direction MD of the continuous sheet S1a. The horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the first protrusion 300a of the anvil roll 152, and joins at least the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, thereby forming a limiting portion Cb in the laminated continuous body C. The horn 154 sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the second protrusion 300b of the anvil roll 152 and bonds the elastic member D to at least one of the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a, thereby forming a fixing portion Ca in the laminated continuous body C. In the limiting portion Cb, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a are not bonded to the elastic member D. Alternatively, the bonding strength between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D in the limiting portion Cb is smaller than the bonding strength between the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D in the fixing portion Ca. When the elastic member D is cut in the first cutting portion 180, the limiting portion Cb restricts the contraction movement of the cut elastic member D by the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a.

In the manufacturing device 100 for the stretch sheet A, when the elastic member D is cut in an area where the sheet piece S2a is not present, the cut elastic member D shrinks and is accommodated in the restricting portion Cb. Therefore, in the manufacturing device 100 for the stretch sheet A, the cut elastic member D is unlikely to remain in an area where the sheet piece S2a is not laminated.

In the above embodiment, the anvil roll 152 is used as the first joining member, but the first joining member is not limited to a roll-shaped member. It may be a plate-shaped member that supports the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a and sandwiches the continuous sheet S1a, the elastic member D, and the sheet piece S2a between the horn 154.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the joining is performed using a single anvil roll 152 and a single horn 154, but the forming section 150 may have multiple sets of anvil rolls and horns and perform the joining in stages (for example, one set of anvil rolls and horns forms the fixing section Ca, and another set of anvil rolls and horns forms the limiting section Cb, etc.).

(4-3)
In the manufacturing device 100 for the stretchable sheet A, the first protrusion 300a includes a first groove forming portion 304a in which a first groove 306a extending along the conveying direction MD is formed, into which the elastic member D conveyed in the conveying direction MD and the continuous sheet S1a or sheet piece S2a conveyed in the conveying direction MD enter. The second protrusion 300b includes a second groove forming portion 304b in which a second groove 306b extending along the conveying direction MD is formed, into which the elastic member D conveyed in the conveying direction MD and the continuous sheet S1a or sheet piece S2a conveyed in the conveying direction MD enter. The depth of the first groove 306a is greater than the first total value. The depth of the second groove 306b is less than the first total value. The first total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member D transported through the forming section 150 in the transport direction MD and the thickness of the continuous sheet S1a or sheet piece S2a transported through the forming section 150 in the transport direction MD and entering the first groove 306a.

In the manufacturing device 100 for the stretch sheet A, the elastic member D and the continuous sheet S1a or the sheet piece S2a are joined in the limiting section Cb, and when the elastic member D is cut by the first cutting section 180, the elastic member D arranged between the sheet pieces S2a is prevented from moving to the limiting section Cb.

(4-4)
In the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the stretch sheet A, the depth of the first groove 306a is smaller than the second total value, which is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member D in an untensioned state and the thickness of the continuous sheet S1a or sheet piece S2a that enters the first groove 306a in an untensioned state.

In the manufacturing device 100 for the stretch sheet A, when the elastic member D is cut, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a limit the rapid contraction movement of the elastic member D, and the occurrence of a defect in which the bond between the continuous sheet S1a and/or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D comes loose at the fixing portion Ca can be suppressed.

(4-5)
In the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the stretchable sheet A, the width of the first groove 306a in the width direction of the anvil roll 152 is greater than the third total value and less than the fourth total value. The third total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member D being transported in the transport direction MD through the forming section 150 and twice the thickness of the continuous sheet S1a or sheet piece S2a being transported in the transport direction MD through the forming section 150 and entering the first groove 306a. The fourth total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member D in an untensioned state and twice the thickness of the continuous sheet S1a or sheet piece S2a being transported in the transport direction MD through the forming section 150 and entering the first groove 306a in an untensioned state.

In the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the stretch sheet A, it is possible to prevent the first groove 306a from impeding the transport of the elastic member D or the second sheet S2. Meanwhile, in the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the stretch sheet A, when the elastic member D is cut by the first cutting section 180, the continuous sheet S1a and the sheet piece S2a limit the rapid contraction movement of the elastic member D, thereby preventing the joint between the continuous sheet S1a and/or the sheet piece S2a and the elastic member D from coming loose.

(4-6) The wearing article N of this embodiment includes a stretch sheet A. The stretch sheet A includes at least a first sheet S1, a pair of second sheets S2, and an elastic member D. The pair of second sheets S2 are arranged at a distance from each other in the waist-circumference direction X, which is an example of a first direction. The elastic member D extends in the waist-circumference direction X and is arranged sandwiched between the first sheet S1 and each of the pair of second sheets S2. The second sheet S2 has a first end E1 that is remote from the gap G between the pair of second sheets S2 in the waist-circumference direction X, and a second end E2 that is close to the gap G between the pair of second sheets S2 in the waist-circumference direction X. The region of the stretch sheet A where the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are arranged to overlap includes a first portion 42 and a second portion 44. The first portion 42 is arranged near the first end E1 of the second sheet S2 in the waist-circumference direction X. In the first portion 42, the elastic member D is joined to at least one of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. The second portion 44 is disposed between the first portion 42 and the second end E2 of the second sheet S2 in the waist circumference direction X. In the second portion 44, the elastic member D is not joined to the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. Alternatively, the joining strength between the elastic member D and at least one of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 in the second portion 44 is smaller than the joining strength between the elastic member D and at least one of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 in the first protrusion portion 300a. In the second portion 44, when the elastic member D is not joined to the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, in a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the waist circumference direction X, the second portion 44 has a portion where the maximum gap B of the space Z between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, which communicates with the space in which the elastic member D of the first portion 42 is disposed, is smaller than the diameter d1 of the elastic member D when no tension is applied.

In this worn article N, the elastic member D that is cut and shrunk in the area where the second sheet S2 is not present during the manufacture of the stretch sheet A is contained between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 and is therefore invisible to the wearer of the worn article N. This gives the worn article N a good appearance. Also, in this worn article N, the elastic member D is covered by the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, so the wearer's skin is unlikely to come into direct contact with the elastic member D.

<Additional Note>
Finally, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above embodiment will be added below.

The manufacturing method according to the first aspect includes a step of conveying a continuous sheet in a conveying direction, a step of arranging an elastic member on the conveyed continuous sheet, a step of arranging a plurality of sheet pieces on the conveyed continuous sheet, a step of forming a laminated continuous body, a step of cutting the elastic member, and a step of forming a stretchable sheet. In the step of arranging an elastic member on the conveyed continuous sheet, a continuously extending elastic member is arranged along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet. In the step of arranging a plurality of sheet pieces on the conveyed continuous sheet, a plurality of sheet pieces are arranged along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet at intervals from each other, and an elastic member is sandwiched between the sheet piece and the continuous sheet. In the step of forming a laminated continuous body, the continuous sheet, the sheet piece, and the elastic member are integrated with the elastic member sandwiched between the sheet piece and the continuous sheet to form a laminated continuous body. In the step of cutting the elastic member, the elastic member is cut in an area of the laminated continuous body where no sheet pieces exist. In the step of forming a stretchable sheet, the laminated continuous body is cut to form a stretchable sheet. The process of forming the continuous laminate includes a process of forming a fixing portion and a process of forming a limiting portion. In the process of forming the fixing portion, at least one of the continuous sheet and the sheet piece is joined to the elastic member at the center of the sheet piece in the conveying direction to form the fixing portion. The limiting portion is formed between the fixing portion and an end of the sheet piece in the conveying direction. In the process of forming the limiting portion, the limiting portion is formed by at least joining the continuous sheet and the sheet piece. In the limiting portion, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece are not joined to the elastic member. Alternatively, the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the limiting portion is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the fixing portion. In the process of cutting the elastic member, the limiting portion limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member by the continuous sheet and the sheet piece.

In the manufacturing method of the stretch sheet of the first aspect, when the elastic member is cut in an area where no sheet pieces are present, the cut elastic member contracts and is accommodated in the restricting portion. Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the stretch sheet of the first aspect, the cut elastic member is unlikely to remain in an area where no sheet pieces are stacked.

The stretch sheet manufacturing device of the second aspect includes a forming section, a first cutting section, and a second cutting section. The forming section forms a laminated continuous body in which a conveyed continuous sheet, a plurality of sheet pieces spaced apart from one another along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet, and a continuous elastic member arranged between the continuous sheet and the sheet pieces along the conveying direction are integrated. The first cutting section cuts the elastic member of the laminated continuous body in an area where no sheet pieces exist. The second cutting section cuts the laminated continuous body to form a stretchable sheet. The forming section has a first bonding member and a second bonding member. The first bonding member supports the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet pieces conveyed in the conveying direction. The second bonding member sandwiches the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet pieces between the first bonding member and the first bonding member. The first bonding member has a first portion and a second portion on an opposing surface facing the second bonding member. The second portion is arranged adjacent to the first portion in a direction along the conveying direction of the continuous sheet. The second joining member sandwiches the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece between the first portion of the first joining member and the second joining member, thereby joining at least the continuous sheet and the sheet piece, thereby forming a limiting portion in the laminated continuous body. The second joining member sandwiches the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece between the second portion of the first joining member and the second joining member, thereby joining the elastic member and at least one of the continuous sheet and the sheet piece, thereby forming a fixing portion in the laminated continuous body. In the limiting portion, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece are not joined to the elastic member. Alternatively, the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the limiting portion is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the fixing portion. When the elastic member is cut in the first cutting portion, the limiting portion limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member by the continuous sheet and the sheet piece.

In the stretch sheet manufacturing device of the second aspect, when the elastic member is cut in an area where no sheet pieces are present, the cut elastic member contracts and is accommodated in the restricting portion. Therefore, in the stretch sheet manufacturing device of the second aspect, the cut elastic member is less likely to remain in an area where no sheet pieces are stacked.

The third aspect of the stretch sheet manufacturing device is the stretch sheet manufacturing device of the second aspect, in which the first section includes a first groove forming section in which a first groove extending along the conveying direction is formed, into which the elastic member conveyed in the conveying direction and the continuous sheet or sheet piece conveyed in the conveying direction enter. The second section includes a second groove forming section in which a second groove extending along the conveying direction is formed, into which the elastic member conveyed in the conveying direction and the continuous sheet or sheet piece conveyed in the conveying direction enter. The depth of the first groove is greater than the first total value. The depth of the second groove is less than the first total value. The first total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member conveyed in the conveying direction through the forming section and the thickness of the continuous sheet or sheet piece conveyed in the conveying direction through the forming section and enters the first groove.

In the third aspect of the stretch sheet manufacturing device, the elastic member and the continuous sheet or sheet pieces are joined in the limiting section, and it is possible to prevent the elastic member arranged between the sheet pieces from being unable to move to the limiting section when the elastic member is cut by the first cutting section.

The fourth aspect of the stretch sheet manufacturing device is the third aspect of the stretch sheet manufacturing device, in which the depth of the first groove is smaller than the second total value. The second total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member in an untensioned state and the thickness of the continuous sheet or sheet piece that fits into the first groove in an untensioned state.

In the stretch sheet manufacturing device of the fourth aspect, when the elastic member is cut, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece limit the rapid contraction movement of the elastic member, and the occurrence of a defect in which the bond between the continuous sheet and/or the sheet piece and the elastic member at the fixing part comes off can be suppressed.

A fifth aspect of the stretch sheet manufacturing apparatus is the stretch sheet manufacturing apparatus of the third or fourth aspect, in which the width of the first groove in the width direction of the first joining member is greater than the third total value and less than the fourth total value. The third total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member being transported in the transport direction through the forming section and twice the thickness of the continuous sheet or sheet piece that enters the first groove and is transported in the transport direction through the forming section. The fourth total value is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member in an untensioned state and twice the thickness of the continuous sheet or sheet piece that enters the first groove in an untensioned state.

In the manufacturing device for a stretch sheet according to the fifth aspect, the first groove can prevent the first groove from impeding the conveyance of the elastic member or the second sheet. On the other hand, in the manufacturing device for a stretch sheet according to the fifth aspect, when the elastic member is cut by the first cutting section, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece restrict rapid contraction movement of the elastic member, thereby preventing the continuous sheet and/or the sheet piece from being disjoined from the elastic member. In the wearing article according to the sixth aspect, the wearing article includes a stretch sheet. The stretch sheet includes at least a first sheet, a pair of second sheets, and an elastic member. The pair of second sheets are arranged with a gap therebetween in a first direction. The elastic member extends in the first direction and is sandwiched between the first sheet and the pair of second sheets. The second sheet has a first end remote from the gap between the pair of second sheets and a second end close to the gap between the pair of second sheets in the first direction. The region of the stretch sheet where the first sheet and the second sheet are arranged overlapping includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed in the first direction near a first end of the second sheet. In the first portion, the elastic member is bonded to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet. The second portion is disposed in the first direction between the first portion and a second end of the second sheet. In the second portion, the elastic member is not bonded to the first sheet and the second sheet. Alternatively, the bonding strength between the elastic member and at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet in the second portion is smaller than the bonding strength between the elastic member and at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet in the first portion. When the elastic member is not bonded to the first sheet and the second sheet in the second portion, there is a portion in the second portion where the maximum gap of the space between the first sheet and the second sheet that communicates with the space in which the elastic member of the first portion is disposed is smaller than the diameter of the elastic member in a state in which no tension is applied, in a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

In the wearing article of the sixth aspect, the elastic member that is cut and shrunk in the area where the second sheet is not present during the manufacture of the stretch sheet is contained between the first sheet and the second sheet, and is therefore invisible to the wearer of the wearing article. Therefore, the wearing article of the sixth aspect has a good appearance. Also, in the wearing article of the sixth aspect, the elastic member is covered by the first sheet and the second sheet, and therefore the wearer's skin is unlikely to directly touch the elastic member.

42 First portion 44 Second portion 100 Manufacturing device 150 Forming section 152 Anvil roll (first joining member)
152a Outer peripheral surface (opposing surface)
154 Horn (second joining member)
180 First cutting part 190 Second cutting part 300a First protrusion part (first part)
300b Second protrusion part (second part)
304a First groove forming portion 304b Second groove forming portion 306a First groove 306b Second groove A Elastic sheet C Laminated continuous body Ca Fixed portion Cb Restricting portion D Elastic member E1 First end E2 Second end MD Transport direction M End portion N Wearing article S1 First sheet S2 Second sheet S1a Continuous sheet S2a Sheet piece

Claims (6)

conveying the continuous sheet in a conveying direction;
a step of disposing a continuously extending elastic member along a conveying direction of the continuous sheet being conveyed;
a step of arranging a plurality of sheet pieces at intervals along the conveying direction on the conveyed continuous sheet, and sandwiching the elastic member between the sheet pieces and the continuous sheet;
a step of forming a laminated continuous body by integrating the continuous sheet, the sheet piece, and the elastic member in a state in which the elastic member is sandwiched between the sheet piece and the continuous sheet;
cutting the elastic member in an area of the continuous laminate where no sheet piece is present;
cutting the laminated continuous body to form a stretch sheet;
Equipped with
The step of forming the laminated body includes:
a step of joining at least one of the continuous sheet and the sheet piece to the elastic member in a central portion of the sheet piece in the conveying direction to form a fixed portion;
a step of at least joining the continuous sheet and the sheet piece in the conveying direction between the fixing portion and an end portion of the sheet piece in the conveying direction to form a limiting portion;
Including,
In the limiting portion, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece are not joined to the elastic member, or the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the limiting portion is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the fixing portion,
In the step of cutting the elastic member, the limiting portion limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member by the continuous sheet and the sheet piece.
A method for producing a stretch sheet. a forming section that forms a laminated continuous body in which a continuous sheet to be conveyed, a plurality of sheet pieces that are spaced apart from one another along a conveying direction of the continuous sheet, and continuous elastic members that are disposed between the continuous sheet and the sheet pieces along the conveying direction are integrated;
a first cutting section that cuts the elastic member of the continuous laminate in an area where the sheet piece is not present;
a second cutting section for cutting the laminated continuous body to form a stretchable sheet;
Equipped with
the forming section includes a first joining member that supports the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece that are transported in the transport direction, and a second joining member that sandwiches the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece between the first joining member and the second joining member,
the first joint member has a first portion on an opposing surface facing the second joint member, and a second portion disposed adjacent to the first portion in a direction along the transport direction,
The second joining member is
a limiting portion is formed in the laminated continuous body by sandwiching the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece between the first portion of the first joining member and joining at least the continuous sheet and the sheet piece;
a fixing portion is formed on the laminated continuous body by sandwiching the continuous sheet, the elastic member, and the sheet piece between the second portion of the first bonding member and the elastic member and bonding at least one of the continuous sheet and the sheet piece;
In the limiting portion, the continuous sheet and the sheet piece are not joined to the elastic member, or the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the limiting portion is smaller than the joining strength between the continuous sheet or the sheet piece and the elastic member in the fixing portion,
When the elastic member is cut by the first cutting unit, the limiting unit limits the contraction movement of the cut elastic member by the continuous sheet and the sheet piece.
Stretch sheet manufacturing equipment. the first portion includes a first groove forming portion in which a first groove is formed extending along the transport direction into which the elastic member transported in the transport direction and the continuous sheet or the sheet piece transported in the transport direction are inserted,
the second portion includes a second groove forming portion in which a second groove is formed extending along the transport direction into which the elastic member transported in the transport direction and the continuous sheet or the sheet piece transported in the transport direction are inserted,
a depth of the first groove is greater than a first total value that is a total of a diameter of the elastic member transported through the forming portion in the transport direction and a thickness of the continuous sheet or the sheet piece transported through the forming portion in the transport direction and entering the first groove;
The second groove depth is less than the first total value.
3. An apparatus for producing a stretch sheet according to claim 2. The depth of the first groove is smaller than a second sum which is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member in an untensioned state and the thickness of the continuous sheet or the sheet piece that fits into the first groove in an untensioned state.
The stretch sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 . The width of the first groove in the width direction of the first joint member is
is greater than a third total value that is the total of a diameter of the elastic member transported in the transport direction through the formation portion and twice the thickness of the continuous sheet or the sheet piece that is transported in the transport direction through the formation portion and enters the first groove,
is smaller than a fourth sum which is the sum of the diameter of the elastic member in an untensioned state and twice the thickness of the continuous sheet or the sheet piece inserted in the first groove in an untensioned state;
5. An apparatus for producing a stretch sheet according to claim 3 or 4. A wearing article having a stretch sheet,
The stretch sheet includes at least a first sheet, a pair of second sheets spaced apart in a first direction, and elastic members extending in the first direction and sandwiched between the first sheet and each of the pair of second sheets,
The second sheet has a first end remote from the gap between the pair of the second sheets in the first direction, and a second end close to the gap between the pair of the second sheets, and in a region of the stretch sheet where the first sheet and the second sheet are arranged to overlap,
a first portion where the elastic member is joined to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet, the first portion being disposed near the first end of the second sheet in the first direction;
a second portion disposed between the first portion and the second end of the second sheet in the first direction;
Including,
In the second portion, the elastic member is not joined to the first sheet and the second sheet, or the joining strength between the elastic member and at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet in the second portion is smaller than the joining strength between the elastic member and at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet in the first portion; when the elastic member is not joined to the first sheet and the second sheet in the second portion, there is a portion in the second portion in which, in a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the maximum gap of the space between the first sheet and the second sheet that communicates with the space in the first portion in which the elastic member is disposed is smaller than the diameter of the elastic member in a state in which no tension is applied.
Wearable items.

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