JP6633505B2 - Manufacturing method of absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an absorbent article having a post-treatment tape member.

  Patent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose an absorbent article having a post-processing tape member. The tape members of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 are attached to an exterior sheet located on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent article. The user can break the used absorbent article by stopping the tape member on the exterior sheet of the absorbent article while the absorbent article is folded so that the exterior sheet of the absorbent article is located outside. (See, for example, FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2-94533 JP-A-2004-298449

  As a method for manufacturing an absorbent article having a tape member, the tape member can be fixed to an exterior sheet of the absorbent article with an adhesive or the like. On the skin-facing surface side of the exterior sheet, a plurality of components constituting the absorbent article, such as an absorber and a topsheet, are arranged. Therefore, when the tape member is pressed toward the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent article to fix the tape member, components such as the absorber located on the skin-facing surface side of the exterior sheet are deformed, and the tape member and the exterior member are deformed. The sheet may not adhere sufficiently. For this reason, a sufficient joining force between the tape member and the exterior sheet cannot be obtained, and the tape member may be detached when the tape member is used (at the time of disposal).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has an object to increase the bonding strength between a post-processing tape member and an exterior sheet and to manufacture an absorbent article that can prevent the tape member from coming off during disposal. And

  The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the present disclosure includes an absorbent body (absorbent body 30), a topsheet (topsheet 20) located on the skin-facing surface side (skin-facing surface side T1) of the absorbent body, and the absorbent body. An absorbent article comprising: an exterior sheet (exterior sheet 22) located on the non-skin-facing surface side of the body; and a post-processing tape member (tape member 60) fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet. A manufacturing method, comprising a tape fixing step (tape fixing step S1) of fixing the tape member on the external sheet while conveying the external sheet along a conveying direction, wherein the tape fixing step includes: The tape member is brought into contact with the non-skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet in a state where the skin-facing surface of the sheet is in contact with the conveying surface (the conveying surface 102A) of the conveying device (the second roll 102), and The outside Fixed on the non-skin facing surface of the sheet.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article which concerns on this indication, the joining strength of the tape member for post-processing and an exterior sheet can be improved, and the absorbent article which can suppress the trouble which a tape member detaches at the time of disposal can be manufactured.

It is a rear view of the absorbent article in one Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the absorbent article of the state wound in the front-back direction. It is a figure for explaining a tape fixing step of a manufacturing method of an absorptive article. It is a figure for explaining a manufacturing method of an absorptive article. It is a figure for explaining an outer edge joining step. It is a figure for explaining a tape fixing step of a manufacturing method of an absorptive article in modification 1. It is a partial back view of the absorbent article in the modification 2. It is a partial back view of the absorbent article in the modification 3.

At least the following matters will be made clear by the description in the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
Absorber, surface sheet located on the skin-facing surface side of the absorber, exterior sheet located on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorber, and post-processing fixed to the non-skin facing surface of the exterior sheet A tape member for fixing the tape member on the exterior sheet while transporting the exterior sheet along a transport direction, the tape securing step. In the step, in a state where the skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet is in contact with the transport surface of a transport device, the tape member is brought into contact with the non-skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet, and the tape member is attached to the exterior sheet. A method for producing an absorbent article, which is fixed on a non-skin-facing surface.

  In a state where the skin facing surface of the exterior sheet is in contact with the transport surface, no constituent member such as an absorber is arranged on the skin facing surface side of the exterior sheet. If the tape member is pressed in a direction approaching the exterior sheet in a state where the tape member is in contact with the non-skin facing surface of the exterior sheet, the exterior sheet and the tape member are hardly deformed on the skin facing surface side of the exterior sheet. Easy to adhere. Therefore, the joining force between the tape member and the exterior sheet can be increased, and the problem that the tape member peels off from the exterior sheet when the tape member is used (at the time of disposal) can be suppressed.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, after the tape fixing step, a laminating step of laminating the exterior sheet, the absorber and the topsheet, and after the laminating step, at least at an outer edge of the absorbent article. An outer edge joining step of forming an outer edge joining portion for joining the topsheet and the exterior sheet, and it is preferable that the outer edge joining portion is provided on at least a part of the tape member.

  Since the outer sheet and the tape member can be further joined by the outer edge joining portion, the joining force between the outer sheet and the tape member can be increased.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, the outer edge joining step includes: setting a length in a width direction of an outer edge joint located behind a center in a front-rear direction of the absorbent article; The outer edge joint is provided so as to be longer than the width direction length of the outer edge joint located on the front side of the center in the direction, and the tape fixing step includes attaching the tape member to a rear end of the absorbent article. It is desirable to fix.

  In the area where the outer edge joint is provided, the topsheet and the exterior sheet are joined, and the rigidity is higher than the area where the outer edge joint is not provided. Therefore, the rigidity of the area behind the center of the absorbent article in the front-rear direction is higher than the rigidity of the area on the front side of the center. By providing the tape member in an area having a relatively high rigidity, it is possible to prevent the outer sheet or the like to which the tape member is fixed from fluttering during transport, and to suppress a decrease in the joining force of the fixed portion.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, the tape fixing step joins the tape member on an exterior continuum in which the exterior sheet is continuous, and the laminating step includes a surface continuity in which the topsheet is continuous, Laminating the exterior continuum, and the absorber, forming an article continuum, after the laminating step, cutting the article continuum along the outer edge of each absorbent article, the tape In the fixing step, it is preferable that the tape member is disposed inside the outer edge of the absorbent article.

  The cutting step cuts the outer edge of the absorbent article, typically using a cutting blade. At this time, if the cutting blade touches the tape member, the tape member may be pulled by the cutting blade, or the tape member may flutter due to the separation of the cutting blade from the tape member. By arranging the tape member inside the outer edge of the absorbent article, it is possible to prevent the tape member from unintentionally fluttering at the time of cutting, and to maintain the bonding strength between the tape member and the exterior sheet.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, the method further includes a transporting step of transporting the exterior sheet after the tape fixing step, wherein the transporting step includes the transport surface of the transport device and the skin facing of the exterior sheet. It is desirable to convey the exterior sheet in a state where the surfaces face each other.

  Since the tape member is not disposed between the exterior sheet and the transport surface, it is possible to suppress a problem that the tape member is unintentionally deformed by being sandwiched between the exterior sheet and the transport surface. Unintended deformation of the tape member can be suppressed, and the joining force between the tape member and the exterior sheet can be maintained.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, after the tape fixing step, the exterior sheet while adsorbing at least one component member of the exterior sheet, the top sheet, and the absorber by an adsorption unit of the transport device And a suction step of transporting the exterior sheet. In the absorption step, it is preferable that the exterior sheet is transported in a state where the skin facing surface of the exterior sheet faces the suction unit side of the transport device.

  A force acting in a direction approaching the suction means at the start of suction acts on the surface located on the suction means side, and a force acting away from the suction means when suction is released. Since the tape member is not attached to the surface located on the suction unit side, a force is applied to the tape member such that the tape member is drawn to the suction unit side or the tape member is separated from the suction unit side by the suction unit. Can be suppressed. It is possible to suppress the tape member from being pulled away from the exterior sheet by the suction of the suction means, and to suppress a decrease in the bonding force between the tape member and the exterior sheet.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, the tape fixing step includes joining the exterior sheet and the tape member at a fixed portion that is a part of an area where the tape member and the exterior sheet overlap, and at a non-fixed portion. It is desirable that the tape member is disposed on the exterior sheet so as to be separable.

  The non-fixed portion is not joined to the exterior sheet and can be picked up by a user at the time of disposal. It is possible to prevent the user from erroneously pulling the fixing portion when operating the tape member, peeling the fixing portion from the exterior sheet, and weakening the bonding strength between the tape member and the exterior sheet. Therefore, a problem that the tape member comes off at the time of disposal can be suppressed.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, it is preferable that in the tape fixing step, the fixing portion is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the non-fixing portion.

  Since the fixed portion is located downstream of the non-fixed portion in the transport direction from the non-fixed portion, it is difficult for the non-fixed portion to turn from the fixed portion as a base point during transport. It is possible to prevent the fixing portion from being pulled in a direction away from the exterior sheet due to the curling of the tape member, and to suppress a decrease in the joining force between the tape member and the exterior sheet.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, in the tape fixing step, the tape member is fixed to the exterior sheet with a lower bonding force than the fixing portion in the temporary fixing portion that is a part of the non-fixing portion. It is desirable.

  By providing the temporary fixing portion, it is possible to prevent the tape member from fluttering or being unintentionally deformed in a region other than the fixing portion. In addition, since the joining force of the temporary fixing portion is weaker than the joining force of the fixing portion, the temporary fixing portion can be easily separated from the exterior sheet when the tape member is used. Therefore, the user can operate the tape member by grasping the non-fixed portion at the time of disposal.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, after the tape fixing step, a non-skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet covers an adhesive part for preventing a shift of the absorbent article with respect to a wearing article, and covers the adhesive part. It is desirable to have an adhesive part arranging step of providing a release sheet.

  The tape member, the adhesive portion, and the release sheet are all provided on the non-skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet, and may be arranged close to each other. By performing the tape fixing step before the adhesive portion arranging step, even if the release sheet and the tape member overlap due to an installation error during manufacturing, the tape member does not overlap on the release sheet, and the tape member is It is fixed to the non-skin facing surface of the exterior sheet. Therefore, when the release sheet is peeled to use the absorbent article, it is possible to prevent the tape member from peeling off, and to use the tape member when discarding the absorbent article.

=== About the absorbent article according to the present embodiment ===
Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. In addition, parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios between drawings may be included.

  Examples of the absorbent article manufactured by the method for manufacturing an absorbent article include a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, a disposable diaper, and an absorbent pad. In the present embodiment, a manufacturing method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a rear view (a plan view as viewed from the non-skin-facing surface side) of the absorbent article manufactured according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. The absorbent article has a front-rear direction L and a width direction W. The front-rear direction L is a direction extending from the front side (abdominal side) to the rear side (back side) of the wearer, or a direction extending from the rear side of the wearer to the front side. The width direction W is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction L.

  The absorbent article 10 includes a topsheet 20, an exterior sheet 22, and an absorber 30 between the topsheet 20 and the exterior sheet 22. The topsheet 20 is arranged on the skin-facing surface side T1 of the absorber and faces the wearer's skin during use. The exterior sheet 22 is arranged on the non-skin-facing surface side T2 of the absorber, and is turned to the side opposite to the wearer's skin during use. The absorber 30 extends along the front-back direction L of the absorbent article 10.

  The absorbent article 10 may have a hip flap 50. The hip flap 50 is a portion bulging outward in the width direction W from the outer edge of the absorber 30 on the rear side of the absorbent article. Note that the absorbent article may have a wing. The wing is folded back to the non-skin-facing surface side of the crotch portion of the wearing article during use. The hip flap 50 is a portion bulging in the width direction W behind the wing.

  The absorbent article 10 has an excretion port facing region R1 that faces the excretion port (for example, vaginal opening) of the wearer during use. The excretion opening facing region R1 is a region located between the wearer's crotch, that is, between both legs of the wearer, and corresponds to a region where the absorber 30 is present. In the absorbent article 10 having a wing, the excretion opening facing region R1 is between the wings and corresponds to a region where the absorber 30 exists.

  The absorbent article 10 has an adhesive portion 70 provided on the non-skin-facing surface side T2 of the exterior sheet 22. The adhesive section 70 is an area provided with an adhesive for preventing the absorbent article 10 from shifting with respect to the wearing article. The adhesive portion 70 is provided in a region overlapping with the absorber 30 in the thickness direction T of the absorbent article 10. The adhesive portion 70 extends in the front-rear direction L, and may be provided in plurality in the width direction W at intervals.

  The adhesive section 70 is covered with a release sheet 71. The release sheet 71 protects the adhesive section 70 so that the adhesive section 70 does not deteriorate before use of the absorbent article 10. The area of the release sheet 71 is larger than the area of the adhesive section 70 to cover the entire adhesive section 70. By peeling off the release sheet 71 at the time of using the absorbent article, the adhesive portion 70 is exposed, and the absorbent article 10 can be fixed to the wearing article by the adhesive portion 70.

  At the outer edge of the absorbent article 10, an outer edge joint portion 35 in which at least the top sheet 20 and the exterior sheet 22 are joined is formed. An outer edge joint 35 is formed along the outer edge of the absorbent article 10. The width direction length L2 of the outer edge joint located on the rear side of the front-rear center of the absorbent article is the width direction length of the outer edge joint located on the front side of the front-rear center of the absorbent article. It is longer than L1. Here, the length in the width direction of the outer edge joint is the maximum width of the outer edge joint, and is the distance between the outer edges of the outer edge joints that are arranged left and right apart.

  The absorbent article 10 has a post-processing tape member 60 fixed to the non-skin-facing surface side T2 of the exterior sheet 22. When viewed from the skin-facing surface side T1, the tape member 60 is hidden by the absorbent article 10. The tape member 60 is attached to the adhesive section 70 in a state where the absorbent article 10 is rolled, and is used to maintain the used absorbent article in a folded state.

  The tape member 60 has a fixed portion 62 fixed to the exterior sheet 22 and a non-fixed portion 63 detachable from the exterior sheet 22. The fixing portion 62 is provided at the longitudinal edge of the tape member 60, and is disposed closer to the rear edge 10 </ b> R of the absorbent article than the non-fixing portion 63. The longitudinal direction of the tape member 60 according to the present embodiment is along the front-back direction L of the absorbent article. The tape member 60 is disposed in a region that does not overlap the adhesive portion 70 in the thickness direction. The tape member 60 is arranged in a region that does not overlap with the release sheet 71. In another example, the tape member 60 may be disposed in a region overlapping with the release sheet 71. In the other example, the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60 is covered with the release sheet 71, so that the non-fixed portion 63 can be prevented from fluttering.

  The user, after using the absorbent article 10, winds the absorbent article 10 in the front-rear direction L such that the skin-facing surface side T1 of the absorbent article 10 is on the inside, and then grasps the non-fixed portion 63 to fix the fixed portion. The non-fixed portion 63 is folded back toward the rear side with reference to 62. When the non-fixed portion 63 is folded, the non-skin-facing surface of the non-fixed portion 63 in the state before the folding is opposed to the adhesive portion 70 of the rounded absorbent article. By fixing the non-fixed portion 63 to the adhesive portion 70 by the user, as shown in FIG. 3, the state in which the absorbent article 10 is rolled can be maintained. Here, since the body fluid such as menstrual blood does not adhere to the tape member 60, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the bonding force between the tape member 60 and the adhesive portion 70. It can be easily maintained. In addition, since the absorbent article 10 is wound with the surface to which the body fluid such as menstrual blood adheres inside, the body fluid does not adhere to the surface of the wound absorbent article 10. This allows the user to cleanly use the absorbent article 10 after use.

  Further, the user can place the used absorbent article 10 in a small rounded state on a small space near one end. Therefore, the user can attach the new absorbent article 10 to a wearing article such as underwear, wear the underwear or clothes, and then discard the used absorbent article 10 in a trash box or the like. Further, in a situation where there is no nearby trash box for discarding the absorbent article 10, the user can put the small rounded absorbent article 10 in a bag and take it home.

  The tape member 60 is configured to extend outside the outer edge of the absorbent article 10. In the tape member 60 of the present embodiment, at least a part of the non-fixed portion 63 extends outside the outer edge of the absorbent article 10 by folding the non-fixed portion 63 from the fixed portion 62 as a base point. As another example, the tape member 60 may be composed of an elastic sheet. In this case, when the wearer pulls the tape member 60, the tape member 60 extends outside the outer edge of the absorbent article 10.

  As yet another example, the tape member 60 may be formed of a sheet folded in a Z shape. In this case, when the wearer pulls the tip of the tape member 60, the folded tape member 60 is unfolded, whereby the tape member 60 extends outside the outer edge of the absorbent article 10.

  Further, during use of the absorbent article 10, the tape member 60 is provided on the non-skin-facing surface side of the exterior sheet 22 and does not extend outside the outer edge of the absorbent article 10, so that the tape member 60 is worn. Does not hit the skin of the person directly. Therefore, discomfort and discomfort during use can be reduced.

  The tape member 60 may be made of any material as long as it can be attached to the adhesive portion 70. Preferably, the tape member 60 is made of a material that adheres more easily to the adhesive portion 70 than the topsheet 20, and for example, a plastic film can be exemplified. The tape member 60 of the present embodiment may not have an adhesive for stopping the tape member at the time of disposal. As another form, the tape member 60 may have an adhesive for fixing the tape member 60 to the adhesive portion.

  The tape member 60 is disposed at the rear end of the absorbent article 10, and is disposed so as to extend rearward from the rear end edge 10R. The rear end of the absorbent article 10 is a portion extending from the rear edge 10R of the absorbent article 10 to 15% of the length of the absorbent article in the front-rear direction. About 80% of the users start winding the absorbent article 10 after use from the front side. Since the tape member 60 is configured to be able to extend to the rear side from the rear edge 10R of the absorbent article 10, many users extend the tape member 60 along the winding direction, The tape member 60 can be attached to the adhesive section 70.

  The adhesive section 70 is preferably provided on an imaginary line extending the tape member 60 in the front-rear direction L. Thereby, when the tape member 60 is extended to the rear side of the rear end edge 10R of the absorbent article and the tape member 60 is made to follow the wound absorbent article 10 straight, the adhesive portion 70 adheres to the tape member 60. I do. Therefore, the user can easily maintain the absorbent article 10 in a rolled state without obliquely pulling the tape member 60 toward the position of the adhesive section 70.

  Next, a method for manufacturing an absorbent article constituting such an absorbent article 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article includes at least a tape fixing step S1, a laminating step S2, an outer edge joining step S3, an adhesive portion arranging step S4, a cutting step S5, a transporting step S7, and a suction step S8. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article may include, in addition to the above-described steps, well-known manufacturing steps such as a step of forming an absorber, a step of embossing the absorber and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the exterior continuum 22C in which the exterior sheet 22 is continuous in the front-rear direction L and the surface continuity 20C in which the topsheet 20 is continuous in the front-back direction L are used. The exterior continuum 22C constitutes the exterior sheet 22, and the skin facing surface 23 of the exterior continuum 22C corresponds to the skin facing surface of the exterior sheet 22. The surface continuum 20C constitutes the topsheet 20, and the skin-facing surface of the surface continuum 20C corresponds to the skin-facing surface of the topsheet 20.

  In the tape fixing step S1, the tape member 60 is fixed on the non-skin facing surface 24 of the exterior continuum 22C while transporting the exterior continuum 22C constituting the exterior sheet 22 in the transport direction MD. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the tape fixing step S1, and is a diagram schematically illustrating a mechanism that is a part of the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the absorbent article 10 and that executes the tape fixing step S1. The manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a pair of a first roll 101 and a second roll 102 whose outer peripheral surfaces are opposed to each other. The first roll 101 cuts the tape continuous body 60C into one product of the tape member 60 (S12) while transporting the continuous tape body 60C in which the tape member 60 continues in the front-rear direction L (S11). 60 are conveyed to each other with an MD in the conveying direction (S13). The second roll 102 has a transport surface 102A that comes into contact with the skin facing surface 23 of the exterior continuous body 22C. The rigidity of the transport surface 102A is higher than the rigidity of the absorbent article. Examples of the material of the transport surface 102A include metal, plastic, and rubber.

  In the tape fixing step S <b> 1, the skin facing surface 23 of the external continuum 22 </ b> C is moved to the transport surface 102 </ b> A of the manufacturing apparatus 100 by passing the external continuum 22 </ b> C and the tape member 60 between the first roll 101 and the second roll 102. In the contact state, the tape member 60 is brought into contact with the non-skin facing surface 24 of the exterior continuum 22C, and the fixing portion 62 of the tape member 60 is fixed on the non-skin facing surface 24 of the exterior continuum 22C (S14). ).

  In a region overlapping the fixing portion 62 of the tape member 60 in the thickness direction T, only the tape member 60 and the exterior continuum 22C are disposed between the first roll 101 and the second roll 102. In a state where the skin facing surface 23 of the exterior continuum 22C is in contact with the transport surface 102A, the constituent members of the absorbent article 10 such as the absorber 30 are not arranged on the skin facing surface 23 side of the exterior continuum 22C. If the tape member 60 and the exterior continuum 22C are pressed in a direction in which the tape member 60 comes into contact with the non-skin-facing surface 24 of the exterior continuity 22C, the deformation of the exterior continuity 22C on the skin-facing surface 23 side is caused. Is difficult to occur, so that the exterior continuous body 22C and the tape member 60 are likely to adhere to each other. Therefore, the joining force between the tape member 60 and the exterior continuum 22C can be increased, and the problem that the tape member 60 peels off from the exterior sheet 22 when the tape member 60 is used can be suppressed. In the region overlapping the fixing portion 62 of the tape member 60 in the thickness direction T, only the tape member 60 and the exterior continuum 22C need be disposed, and in the region other than the region overlapping the fixing portion 62 in the thickness direction T, Components other than the exterior continuum and the tape member 60 may be arranged.

  The tape fixing step S1 fixes the tape member 60 to the exterior continuum 22C at the fixing portion 62 which is a part of the area where the tape member 60 and the exterior continuity 22C overlap, and enables the tape member 60 to be separated at the non-fixed portion 63. It is arranged on the exterior continuum 22C. The non-fixed portion 63 is not joined to the exterior sheet 22 and can be picked up by a user at the time of disposal. When the user operates the tape member 60 erroneously pulling the fixing portion 62, it is possible to suppress the fixing portion 62 from being peeled off from the exterior sheet 22 or the bonding strength between the tape member 60 and the exterior sheet 22 from being weakened. Therefore, the problem that the tape member 60 comes off at the time of disposal can be suppressed.

  Note that the fixing portion 62 of the tape member 60 is fixed to the exterior continuum by, for example, an adhesive, embossing, heat welding, and ultrasonic welding. In the present embodiment, an adhesive is applied to the tape member 60 before the tape member 60 comes into contact with the continuous exterior body 22C, and the fixing portion 62 of the tape member 60 is fixed to the exterior continuous body 22C by the adhesive.

  In the tape fixing step S1, the fixing portion 62 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the non-fixing portion 63. Since the fixed portion 62 is located downstream of the non-fixed portion 63 in the transport direction, the non-fixed portion 63 is less likely to be turned up from the fixed portion 62 at the time of conveyance, and the fixed portion 62 is turned up by the tape member 60 so that the fixed portion 62 becomes the exterior continuous body 22C. Can be suppressed from being pulled away from the tape member 60, and a decrease in the joining force between the tape member 60 and the exterior continuum 22C can be effectively suppressed.

  The tape fixing step S1 fixes the tape member 60 inside the outer edge of the absorbent article at the rear end of the absorbent article. The area where the outer edge joint 35 is provided has higher rigidity than the area where the outer edge joint 35 is not provided. Since the widthwise length L2 of the outer edge joint located on the rear side is longer than the widthwise length L1 of the outer edge joint located on the front side, the rigidity of the rear end of the absorbent article is reduced. Higher than the rigidity of the front end. By fixing the tape member 60 to the rear end portion having high rigidity, it is possible to prevent the external continuity body 22 </ b> C to which the tape member 60 is fixed from fluttering during conveyance, and to suppress a decrease in the joining force of the fixing portion 62.

  Next, in the laminating step S2, the exterior continuum 22C, the absorber 30, and the surface continuum 20C are laminated to form an article continuum. The stacking step S2 is located on the downstream side in the transport direction MD of the tape fixing step S1.

  Next, in the outer edge joining step S3, an outer edge joining portion 35 for joining at least the top sheet (surface continuum) and the exterior sheet (exterior continuum) at the outer edge of the absorbent article is formed. The outer edge joining step S3 can form an outer edge joint by embossing, heat sealing, and ultrasonic welding. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the outer edge joining step, and is a diagram schematically showing a mechanism that is a part of the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the absorbent article 10 and performs the outer edge joining step S3. The manufacturing apparatus 100 has a pair of emboss rolls 107 and anvil rolls 108 whose outer peripheral surfaces are opposed to each other. On the outer peripheral surface of the embossing roll 107, a projection 107A for forming an outer edge joint is formed. In the outer edge joining step S3, the outer edge joining portion 35 may be formed in a state where the surface continuous body 20C is located on the emboss roll 107 side and the exterior continuous body 22C is located on the anvil roll side. As shown in FIG. 6, irregularities are formed on the skin facing surface of the outer edge joint 35. The non-skin-facing surface of the outer edge joint 35 is flatter than the skin-facing surface of the outer edge joint 35. As described above, by forming the outer edge joining portion 35 in a state where the surface continuous body 20C is located on the embossing roll 107 side and the exterior continuous body 22C is located on the anvil roll 108 side, the entire surface in contact with the anvil roll 108 is taped. The member 60 and the exterior continuum 22C are pressed, and the tape member 60 and the exterior continuity 22C are more easily brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, the joining force between the exterior sheet and the tape member 60 can be further increased.

  In the outer edge joining step S3, the length L2 in the width direction of the outer edge joining portion 35 located on the rear side of the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article is located on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. The outer edge joint 35 is provided so as to be longer than the length L1 of the outer edge joint 35 in the width direction. In the outer edge joining step S3, the outer edge joining portion 35 is provided so as to overlap at least a part of the fixing portion 62. Since the outer sheet 22 and the tape member 60 can be further joined by the outer edge joining portion 35, the joining force between the outer sheet 22 and the tape member 60 can be increased.

  Next, in the adhesive portion disposing step S4, the non-skin facing surface 24 of the exterior continuum 22C has an adhesive portion 70 for preventing the absorbent article 10 from shifting with respect to the wearing article, and a release sheet 71 covering the adhesive portion 70; Is provided. The adhesive portion placement step S4 may be any downstream side in the transport direction from the tape fixing step S1, may be upstream in the transport direction from the lamination step S2, or upstream in the transport direction from the outer edge joining step S3. You may.

  The tape member 60, the adhesive portion, and the release sheet are all provided on the non-skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet, and may be arranged close to each other. By performing the tape fixing step S1 before the adhesive portion arranging step S4, the tape member 60 is fixed on the release sheet 71 even when the release sheet 71 and the tape member 60 overlap due to a mounting error during manufacturing. Instead, the tape member 60 is fixed to the non-skin-facing surface 24 of the exterior sheet 22. Therefore, when the release sheet 71 is peeled off in order to use the absorbent article, the tape member 60 is prevented from peeling off, and the tape member 60 can be used at the time of disposal.

  Further, in the form in which the release sheet is disposed on the non-fixed portion 63 side of the tape member 60 as in the present embodiment, the release sheet is so covered as to cover at least a part of the non-fixed portion 63. The seat 71 may be arranged. It is possible to prevent the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60 from fluttering during transport, and to prevent the tape member 60 from being unintentionally turned or broken. It is possible to suppress a force acting in a direction away from the exterior continuity due to a turn or the like of the tape member 60 at the time of conveyance from acting on the tape member 60, and to maintain a bonding force of the tape member 60.

  Next, in a cutting step S5, the article continuum is cut along the outer edge of each absorbent article. By cutting the continuous article in the cutting step S5, individual absorbent articles can be obtained. The cutting step S5 may be on the downstream side in the transport direction from the laminating step S2 and the outer edge joining step S3, and may be on the upstream side in the transport direction from the adhesive part arrangement step S4.

  The cutting step S5 generally cuts the outer edge of the absorbent article using a cutting blade. At this time, if the cutting blade touches the tape member 60, the tape member 60 may be pulled by the cutting blade, or the tape member 60 may flutter when the cutting blade separates from the tape member 60. Since the tape member 60 is arranged inside the outer edge of the absorbent article, it is possible to suppress the tape member 60 from unintentionally fluttering at the time of cutting, and to maintain the bonding strength between the tape member 60 and the exterior sheet 22.

  The method for manufacturing an absorbent article includes a transporting step S7 for transporting the exterior body after the tape fixing step S1. The transporting step S7 in the present embodiment is a step after the rotation of the continuous exterior body positioned downstream of the tape fixing step S1 in the transporting direction, and includes a laminating step S2, an outer edge joining step S3, an adhesive portion arranging step S4, and a cutting step S5. It is a step including. The rotation of the exterior continuum here is performed by rotating the exterior continuum having the skin-facing surface disposed on the upper side in the tape fixing step S1 by 180 degrees, and disposing the rotation on the non-skin-facing surface of the exterior continuity. In the transporting step S7, the exterior continuum 22C may be transported in a state where the transport surface (the suction surface 105A described later) of the transport device and the skin facing surface 23 of the exterior continuum 22C face each other. Since the tape member 60 is not disposed between the exterior continuum 22C and the transport surface, it is possible to suppress a problem that the tape member 60 is unintentionally deformed by being sandwiched between the exterior continuum 22C and the transport surface. Unintended deformation of the tape member 60 can be suppressed, and the joining force between the tape member 60 and the exterior sheet 22 can be maintained. Note that the method for manufacturing an absorbent article does not include a step of rotating the exterior continuum 22C, and the entire surface after the tape fixing step S1 and the surface of the transportation device (adsorption surface 105A) and the surface of the exterior continuity 22C. The exterior continuous body 22C may be transported in a state where the facing surfaces 23 face each other.

  The method for manufacturing an absorbent article includes, after the tape fixing step S1, a suction step S8 of conveying the exterior sheet while adsorbing at least one component member of the exterior sheet, the topsheet, and the absorber by the adsorption unit of the transport device. . The manufacturing apparatus that performs the laminating step S2, the outer edge joining step S3, the adhesive portion arranging step S4, and the cutting step S5 includes the suction unit 105. Specifically, it has a suction surface 105A in which a plurality of suction holes 105B are formed, and transports the components on the suction surface 105A in the transport direction while sucking the components. Therefore, the laminating step S2, the outer edge joining step S3, the adhesive portion arranging step S4, and the cutting step S5 constitute an adsorption step S8.

  In the suction step S8, the front sheet is conveyed in a state where the skin facing surface of the exterior sheet faces the suction means 105 side of the conveying device. A force in a direction approaching the suction means acts at the start of suction on the surface located on the suction means side, and a force acts in a direction away from the suction means when suction is released. The longitudinal direction of the tape member 60 extends in the transport direction, and a fixed portion 62 is provided at one longitudinal end of the tape member 60, and a non-fixed portion 63 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the tape member 60. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the tape member 60 may flap due to the suction by the suction means, and a force may be applied to the fixing portion 62 at one end to peel off the exterior sheet. Since the tape member 60 is not attached to the surface located on the suction means side, the force by which the tape member 60 is drawn to the suction means side or the tape member 60 is separated from the suction means side by the suction means is applied to the tape member. 60 can be suppressed. It is possible to prevent the tape member 60 from being pulled away from the exterior sheet by the suction of the suction means and to prevent the non-fixed portion 63 from fluttering, and to suppress a decrease in the bonding force between the tape member 60 and the exterior sheet.

  Next, a method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to a modified example will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. Hereinafter, in the description of the modification, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to Modification 1. The tape fixing step S1A of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to Modification Example 1 includes transporting the tape member 60A in a state where the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60A is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the fixed portion 62. In the temporary fixing portion 64 which is a part of the portion 63, the exterior continuum 22C and the tape member 60A are fixed with a bonding force lower than that of the fixing portion 62. As shown in FIG. 7, on the downstream side in the transport direction of the tape fixing step S1, the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60A is located on the upstream side in the transport direction. Easy to turn over. However, by providing the temporary fixing portion 64, it is possible to suppress the non-fixing portion 63 from being turned up at the time of transport and the non-fixing portion 63 of the tape member 60A from fluttering. It is possible to prevent the force in the direction away from the exterior sheet 22 from being applied to the tape member 60A due to, for example, the winding of the tape member 60A at the time of conveyance, and to maintain the state in which the tape member 60A is fixed to the exterior continuous body 22C.

  Since the joining force of the temporary fixing portion 64 is weaker than the joining force of the fixing portion 62, the user easily peels off the temporary fixing portion 64 when using the tape member 60A, grasps the non-fixing portion 63, and operates the tape member 60A. can do. Examples of the fixing means of the temporary fixing portion 64 include an adhesive, embossing, heat welding, and ultrasonic welding. The amount of the adhesive to be applied is smaller than that of the fixing portion 62, and the embossing is more compressed than the fixing portion 62. Can be weakened.

  The joining force can be measured with a tensile tester (Model 5543, manufactured by Instron Japan Company Limited). For example, the bonding force is measured as follows. First, a test piece of a tape member and a test piece of an exterior sheet are fixed to an upper fixing part and a lower fixing part of a tensile tester. The test piece fixed to the upper fixing part and the lower fixing part has a width of 10 mm. A fixing surface corresponding to the fixing part 62 is formed between the test piece fixed to the upper fixing part and the test piece fixed to the lower fixing part. The relative displacement speed between the upper fixed part and the lower fixed part of the tensile tester is set to 100 mm / min, and the maximum load point during peeling of the joint is defined as the joining strength (adhesive strength).

  FIG. 8 is a partial rear view of the absorbent article 10B manufactured by the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the second modification. In the tape member 60 </ b> B of the absorbent article according to Modification Example 2, the outer edge joint portion 35 overlaps at least a part of the non-fixed portion 63. The outer edge joint portion overlapping the non-fixed portion 63 forms a temporary fixed portion 64. In the tape fixing step according to the second modification, the fixed portion 62 is located downstream of the non-fixed portion 63 in the transport direction, and the non-fixed portion 63 is unlikely to be turned from the fixed portion 62 during transport. However, when the exterior sheet 22 is transported in the lamination step S2 or the like after the tape fixing step, the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60B is not fixed to the exterior sheet 22 and the position is not stable. Since the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60B is provided with the outer edge joint portion 35, the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60B is temporarily fixed by the outer edge joint portion, and the position of the non-fixed portion 63 is stabilized. The flapping of the non-fixed portion 63 of the 60B can be suppressed. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the bonding force of the fixing portion 62 due to the flapping of the non-fixing portion 63 of the tape member 60B.

  FIG. 9 is a rear view of an absorbent article 10C manufactured by the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to Modification 3. The tape member 60D of the absorbent article according to Modification 3 has a pair of perforations 65 extending from the outer edge of the tape member 60D toward the inside of the tape member 60D. The perforations 65 extend in the front-back direction L of the absorbent article 10. The pair of perforations 65 include alternately arranged cut portions (hole portions) 65A and non-cut portions (non-hole portions) 65B, and the cut portions 65A reach the outer edge of the tape member 60D. A non-fixed portion 63 is provided in a region sandwiched by the pair of perforations 65, around the non-fixed portion 63 (both outer sides in the width direction than the perforations, and behind the non-fixed portion 63). Is provided with a fixing portion 62. The user can operate a portion (operation portion) between the pair of perforations 65 by tearing the tape member 60D by the pair of perforations 65.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to Modification 3, when the non-fixed portion 63 is located on the downstream side in the transport direction, the temporary fixed portion 64 may be provided on at least a part of the non-fixed portion 63. Since the fixing portion 62 is located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the non-fixing portion 63, the air flowing between the tape member 60 </ b> D and the exterior sheet 22 in the non-fixing portion 63 may not easily escape. By providing the temporary fixing portion 64 on the non-fixed portion 63 of the tape member 60D, it is possible to suppress the air from flowing into the non-fixed portion 63 between the tape member 60D and the exterior sheet 22. The tape member 60 </ b> D is less likely to be pulled away from the exterior sheet 22, and a decrease in the bonding force between the tape member 60 </ b> D and the exterior sheet 22 can be suppressed.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments and the modifications. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. The present invention can be implemented as modified and changed aspects without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is for the purpose of illustrative explanation, and has no restrictive meaning to the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, a method for manufacturing an absorbent article in a state where the absorbent articles are arranged in the front-rear direction will be described. However, in another example, the absorbent article is arranged in a state where the absorbent articles are arranged in the width direction. May be manufactured. Further, in the present embodiment, the exterior continuum and the surface continuity are used. However, the exterior continuity may be replaced with an exterior sheet, and the surface continuity may be replaced with a surface sheet to manufacture an absorbent article. .

  The short side direction of the tape member may be along the transport direction, and the fixed portion 62 may be provided at one longitudinal end of the tape member, and the non-fixed portion 63 may be provided at the other longitudinal end of the tape member. In the form in which the tape member is arranged in this manner, since both the fixed portion 62 and the non-fixed portion 63 are located on the downstream side in the transport direction, the tape member is pulled along the short direction of the tape member, and The part 63 is likely to flutter. Therefore, in the suction step, it is preferable that the exterior sheet is transported in a state where the skin facing surface of the exterior sheet faces the suction unit side of the transport device. It is possible to suppress the tape member of the non-fixed portion 63 from fluttering by the suction means, and to suppress a decrease in the joining force between the tape member and the exterior sheet. Further, in the form in which the tape member is arranged as described above, the temporary fixing portion 64 may be provided in a region overlapping with the non-fixing portion 63. The temporary fixing portion 64 can effectively prevent the non-fixing portion 63 from fluttering.

  The method for producing an absorbent article may include a rotating step of rotating the absorbent article after producing the individual absorbent articles. In the rotating step, the tape member may be disposed on a surface opposite to the opposing surface where the absorbent article and the suction unit oppose each other. In the rotation step, the absorbent article may move not only in the transport direction but also in the rotation direction, and the tape member may be pulled in the direction away from the exterior sheet during rotation. In the rotation step, a change in the flow of air caused by the suction means can be suppressed, and a decrease in the joining force between the tape member and the exterior sheet can be effectively suppressed.

  More specifically, at the start of suction, the longitudinal direction of the tape member is along the transport direction, and the exterior sheet or the like including the tape member is rotated. When suction is released, the short direction of the tape member is along the transport direction. At the start of suction, suction by suction means acts sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the tape member, and at the time of release of suction, suction by suction means is sequentially released along the short direction of the tape member. At the start of suction and the release of suction, the relative angle between the direction of the tape member and the transport direction is different, and a force along the longitudinal direction and a force along the short direction act on the tape member. Since the tape member is not attached to the surface located on the suction unit side, the force acting on the tape member due to the suction of the suction unit can be suppressed, and a decrease in the joining force between the tape member and the exterior sheet can be suppressed.

10, 10B: Absorbent article 20: Surface sheet 22: Exterior sheet 23: Skin-facing surface 24: Non-skin-facing surface 30: Absorber 35: Outer edge joint 60, 60A, 60B, 60D: Tape member 62: Fixing portion 63 : Non-fixed part 64: Temporary fixed part 65: Perforation 70: Adhesive part 71: Release sheet S1: Tape fixing step S2: Laminating step S3: Outer edge joining step S4: Adhesive part arrangement step S5: Cutting step S7: Transport step S8 : Suction step 100: Manufacturing device 101: First roll 102: Second roll (transport device)
102A: conveying surface 105: suction means 107: emboss roll 108: anvil roll

Claims (10)

Absorber, surface sheet located on the skin-facing surface side of the absorber, exterior sheet located on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorber, and post-processing fixed to the non-skin facing surface of the exterior sheet A tape member, and a method for producing an absorbent article having
A tape fixing step of fixing the tape member on the exterior sheet while transporting the exterior sheet along a transport direction,
In the tape fixing step, the tape member is brought into contact with the non-skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet in a state in which the skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet is in contact with the transport surface of a transport device, and the tape member is exposed to the exterior surface. A method for producing an absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article is fixed on the non-skin-facing surface of a sheet. After the tape fixing step, a laminating step of laminating the exterior sheet, the absorber and the topsheet,
After the laminating step, an outer edge joining step of forming an outer edge joining portion that joins at least the top sheet and the exterior sheet at an outer edge of the absorbent article,
The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge joint is provided on at least a part of the tape member. In the outer edge joining step, the length in the width direction of the outer edge joining portion located on the rear side of the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article, the outer edge joining located on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article The outer edge joint portion is provided so as to be longer than the length in the width direction of the portion,
The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the tape fixing step fixes the tape member to a rear end of the absorbent article. The tape fixing step is to join the tape member on a continuous exterior body where the exterior sheet is continuous,
The laminating step is to laminate the surface continuum where the topsheet is continuous, the exterior continuum, and the absorber to form an article continuum,
After the laminating step, cutting the article continuum along the outer edge of each absorbent article;
The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the tape fixing step includes arranging the tape member inside the outer edge of the absorbent article. After the tape fixing step, has a conveying step of conveying the exterior sheet,
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transporting step transports the exterior sheet in a state where the transport surface of the transport device and the skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet face each other. Manufacturing method. After the tape fixing step, the exterior sheet, the top sheet, and an adsorption step of transporting the exterior sheet while adsorbing at least one constituent member of the absorber by an adsorption unit of the transport device,
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in the suction step, the exterior sheet is transported in a state where the skin-facing surface of the exterior sheet faces the suction unit side of the transport device. Manufacturing method.   The tape fixing step includes joining the exterior sheet and the tape member at a fixed portion that is a part of an area where the tape member and the exterior sheet overlap, and separating the tape member from the non-fixed portion on the exterior sheet. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the absorbent article is arranged at a position where the absorbent article is arranged. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the tape fixing step includes providing the fixing portion on a downstream side of the non-fixing portion in the transport direction.   9. The tape fixing step according to claim 7, wherein in the temporary fixing portion that is a part of the non-fixing portion, the exterior sheet and the tape member are fixed with a bonding force weaker than the fixing portion. A method for producing an absorbent article. After the tape fixing step, the the non-skin facing surface, an adhesive portion for preventing the shift of the absorbent article for wearing article, adhesive portion placement step of providing a a release sheet covering the adhesive portion of the outer sheet The method for producing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

Images