Apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles
By combining a box-shaped applicator with a rotating roller, the problems of functional material splashing and diffusion are solved, achieving stable quality and efficient functional material application in absorbent articles, and ensuring the stability and quality of the unit area weight of absorbent articles.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- UNI CHARM CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
In existing absorbent article manufacturing equipment, functional materials are prone to splashing or scattering into non-target areas, leading to a decrease in the quality of absorbent articles. Furthermore, functional materials may be accidentally imparted even when not used, affecting the quality.
The device employs a box-shaped applicator, which includes a suction section and a rotating drum. The suction section draws in air, and the rotating drum conveys components to control the spraying and diffusion of functional materials, ensuring that the materials are stably applied to the target area.
It effectively prevents the outward diffusion of functional materials, ensures stable weight per unit area, improves the quality of absorbent materials, reduces material waste, and achieves efficient functional material imparting.
Smart Images
Figure CN224441589U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to an apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles, including an applicator for imparting functional materials to constituent components of absorbent articles. Background Technology
[0002] Conventionally, it is known to manufacture absorbent articles including an applicator for applicating functional materials by spraying functional materials onto constituent members of an absorbent article being transported from a nozzle (for example, see Patent Document 1). Thus, the manufactured absorbent article can possess functionality achieved by the functional material.
[0003] Existing technical documents
[0004] Patent documents
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-101170 Utility Model Content
[0006] Problems to be solved by utility models
[0007] However, sometimes functional materials ejected from the nozzle may splash or scatter and adhere to areas where they should not be applied. This raises concerns, for example, that the quality of the manufactured absorbent article may be compromised because the functional material adheres to areas different from where it should be applied.
[0008] Furthermore, when manufacturing a second absorbent article that does not use the functional material after manufacturing a first absorbent article with the functional material, sometimes the second absorbent article is manufactured without noticing that the functional material is adhering to the manufacturing apparatus. In this case, there is a concern that the functional material may be accidentally imparted to the second absorbent article, making it impossible to maintain the quality of the absorbent article.
[0009] Therefore, this invention was made in view of the following problem, and its object is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles that can maintain the quality of absorbent articles achieved by the functional materials imparted to them.
[0010] Solution for solving the problem
[0011] An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article includes: a conveying device that conveys a constituent component of the absorbent article in a conveying direction, the constituent component having a dispensing region for dispensing a functional material; and a dispensing device that dispenses the functional material to the dispensing region by spraying the functional material from a nozzle. The dispensing device has a box-shaped housing. The dispensing device dispenses the functional material to the dispensing region inside the housing. An air-drawing section is provided inside the housing.
[0012] According to this solution, even if the functional material ejected from the nozzle splashes or scatters, the inner wall of the housing can prevent the functional material from flowing out of the housing. Furthermore, by using the suction unit to draw in internal air, it is difficult for the functional material to diffuse outside the housing. In addition, the functional material can be stably delivered to the delivery area without being affected by airflow outside the housing, thus enabling the manufacture of absorbent articles with a target weight per unit area of functional material. In summary, the quality of the absorbent article is maintained without being degraded by the functional material.
[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the conveying device has a conveying section inside the housing that conveys the constituent material onto the suction section. According to this embodiment, the functional material is easily directed toward the constituent material conveyed onto the suction section by the suction of the suction section. As a result, the weight per unit area of the functional material in the constituent material can be stabilized, enabling the manufacture of absorbent articles with a target weight per unit area of functional material.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the conveying unit includes a cylindrical rotating drum that conveys the constituent member on its outer periphery. According to this embodiment, by conveying on the outer periphery of the rotating drum, the constituent member (particularly the side not in contact with the rotating drum) is conveyed while extending. Therefore, functional material can be imparted to the constituent member while it is being extended. Afterwards, the constituent member separates from the outer periphery of the rotating drum, causing the extended constituent member to contract. Therefore, compared to conveying the constituent member in a straight line, the weight per unit area of functional material in the constituent member can be increased. Furthermore, due to the contraction of the constituent member, the functional material easily adheres to the constituent member, making it difficult for the functional material to separate from the constituent member during conveying. As a result, even without spraying a large amount of functional material, it is possible to manufacture absorbent articles with a target weight per unit area of functional material.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating roller has a suction region on its outer periphery, which serves as a region where air is drawn in by the suction unit. The central angle of the sector surrounded by a first radius, a second radius, and the suction region extending along the outer periphery is 180 degrees or more. The first radius is the radius of a circle extending from the rotation axis of the rotating roller to one end of the suction region on the outer periphery, and the second radius is the radius of a circle extending from the rotation axis to the other end of the suction region on the outer periphery. According to this embodiment, the distance that functional materials can easily travel towards the constituent components conveyed on the suction unit can be increased. As a result, it is difficult for the unit area weight of the functional materials in the constituent components to be less than the target unit area weight, thus stabilizing the unit area weight of the functional materials in the constituent components. In addition, in the area of the suction region where the constituent components float from the suction unit, the attraction of air inside the housing becomes stronger, thus making it easier to create a negative pressure inside the housing relative to the outside. This makes it more difficult for functional materials to diffuse to the outside of the housing.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing has an inlet for the constituent components located outside the housing to enter the interior of the housing, and an outlet for the constituent components located inside the housing to exit the exterior of the housing. The interior of the housing is under negative pressure relative to the exterior. According to this embodiment, the interior of the housing is under negative pressure, therefore air enters from the exterior to the interior of the housing via the inlet and outlet, thus making it more difficult for functional materials to diffuse to the exterior of the housing.
[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing has a transparent window, which is transparent. The functional material sprayed from the nozzle and at least one of the application area can be visually identified through the transparent window. According to this embodiment, if the operator can visually identify the functional material through the transparent window, it can be confirmed whether the functional material is being sprayed appropriately. Furthermore, if the operator can visually identify the application area through the transparent window, it can be confirmed whether the functional material can be appropriately applied to the application area. Therefore, functional materials can be appropriately applied to the constituent components of the absorbent article, making it easier to maintain the quality of the absorbent article.
[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the applicator has a sensor inside the housing to detect whether the functional material can be applicated to the applicator area. According to this embodiment, the sensor can perform detection even when unaffected by external environmental factors such as wind. Therefore, it is possible to detect defects not caused by external environmental factors, and to easily and immediately identify the cause of quality degradation due to the functional material. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1This is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article according to an embodiment.
[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article according to an embodiment. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of line F2-F2. Detailed Implementation
[0021] Hereinafter, the apparatus 100 for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts will be labeled with the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic diagrams, and it should be noted that the proportions of various dimensions may differ from reality. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined by referring to the following description. Additionally, the drawings may contain parts with different dimensional relationships or proportions.
[0022] The absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles. Absorbent articles manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 can be, for example, panty-style sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, menstrual pads, incontinence pads, underwear linings, etc. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the apparatus 100 for manufacturing absorbent articles includes a conveying device 110 and a dispensing device 120.
[0023] The conveying device 110 conveys the constituent components 10 of the absorbent article in the conveying direction MD. In this embodiment, the constituent component 10 of the absorbent article may be a fiber web as a sheet-like component. The constituent component 10 may be, for example, a component constituting an absorbent core sandwiched between cotton sheets, an absorbent core on cotton sheets, a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, etc. The constituent component 10 may be, for example, made of nonwoven fabric, membrane, etc. The constituent component 10 has a region for imparting a functional material. The functional material may be a material that has a specific function that is effective during the use and / or manufacturing of the absorbent article. The functional material may be, for example, a material containing fragrance, deodorant, antibacterial agent, etc., as an active ingredient.
[0024] The conveying device 110 may include, for example, a conveying roller 112, a drive source (not shown) for driving the conveying roller 112, and a conveyor belt 114 stretched over the conveying roller 112. In this embodiment, the conveying device 110 may have a conveying section 115 for conveying the constituent member 10 inside the housing 121 described later. The conveying section 115 may have a suction section 115s for drawing air. Thus, the suction section 115s exists inside the housing 121. The conveying section 115 can convey the constituent member on the suction section 115s inside the housing 121. The conveying section 115 may include a cylindrical rotating roller that conveys the constituent member 10 on its outer periphery. Figure 2As shown, the conveying unit 115 (specifically, a rotating drum) may have a rotation axis C orthogonal to the conveying direction MD, an outer peripheral surface 115c, and the aforementioned suction unit 115s. The component 10 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 115c of the rotating drum can be attached to the outer peripheral surface 115c by the suction of the suction unit 115s. The rotating drum rotates about the rotation axis C, thereby conveying the component 10 along the outer peripheral surface 115c.
[0025] The applicator 120 applies functional material to the applicating area by spraying functional material from the injection port 122e. The applicator 120 has: a box-shaped housing 121; and a nozzle 122 having the injection port 122e. Figure 2 As shown, a nozzle 122 is positioned above the housing 121. A conveying section 115 (specifically, a rotating roller) is disposed below the nozzle 122. Functional material is sprayed downwards from the spray port 122e of the nozzle 122. Thus, the applicator 120 applicates functional material to the applicating area inside the housing 121. Even if the functional material sprayed from the spray port 122e splashes or scatters, the inner wall of the housing 121 can prevent the functional material from flowing out of the housing 121. Furthermore, by using the suction section 115s to draw in air from inside the housing 121, it is difficult for the functional material to diffuse out of the housing 121. In addition, functional material can be stably applicated to the applicating area without being affected by airflow outside the housing 121, thus enabling the manufacture of absorbent articles with a target weight per unit area of functional material. In summary, the quality of the absorbent article is maintained without being degraded by the functional material.
[0026] Furthermore, by conveying along the outer periphery of the rotating drum, the constituent member 10 (particularly the side not in contact with the rotating drum) is conveyed while extending. Therefore, functional material can be imparted to the constituent member 10 in its extended state. Subsequently, the weight per unit area of the functional material in the constituent member can be increased by contracting the extended constituent member. It is possible to manufacture an absorbent article with a target weight per unit area of functional material.
[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the rotating drum may have a suction region SR on its outer periphery, which serves as the area where air is drawn in by the suction section 115s. The suction region SR may have one end 115sa on its outer periphery and the other end 115sb on its outer periphery. Here, as... Figure 2As shown, the central angle θ of the sector surrounded by the suction region extending along the outer periphery of the rotating drum, consisting of a first radius r1 (the radius of a circle extending from the rotation axis C of the rotating drum to one end 115sa of the suction region SR), a second radius r2 (the radius of a circle extending from the rotation axis C of the rotating drum to the other end 115sb of the suction region SR), can be 180 degrees or more. This increases the distance at which functional materials can be easily conveyed toward the constituent member 10 on the suction section 115s. Figure 2 In the process, the component 10 conveys half the distance of the outer circumference of the rotating roller on the suction section 115s. This ensures that the unit area weight of the functional material in the component 10 is unlikely to be less than the target unit area weight, thus stabilizing the unit area weight of the functional material in the component 10.
[0028] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the central angle θ is larger than 180 degrees, therefore, there are areas near one end 115sa and the other end 115sb of the suction region SR where the constituent member 10 floats from the suction section 115s. In these floating areas, the attraction of air inside the housing 121 becomes stronger, thus making it easier to create a negative pressure inside the housing 121 relative to the outside. This makes it more difficult for functional materials to diffuse to the outside of the housing 121.
[0029] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the suction zone SR can also consist of a single area that attracts air. In this case, the rotating drum can also have areas that attract air and areas that do not attract air. Alternatively, the suction zone SR can also consist of multiple areas that attract air. These multiple areas can also be divided by partitions. In this case, the suction zone SR can also include areas that do not attract air due to the partitions dividing the multiple areas that attract air.
[0030] The housing 121 may, for example, be a hexahedron with an upper surface 121u, a lower surface 121d, and four side surfaces 121s. Thus, the housing 121 has an internal space S. The housing 121 may have an inlet 121a for the external structural members 10 to enter inwards and an outlet 121b for the internal structural members 10 to exit outwards. In this embodiment, both the opening constituting the inlet 121a and the opening constituting the outlet 121b are formed on one side surface 121s. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the component 10 is input into the interior of the housing 121 from the upper inlet 121a, and the component 10 is output to the exterior of the housing 121 from the lower outlet 121b.
[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a conveying section 115 with a suction section 115s is provided in the internal space S. Through the suction of the suction section 115s, functional materials are easily directed toward the constituent member 10 conveyed on the suction section 115s. As a result, the unit area weight of the functional material in the constituent member 10 can be stabilized, enabling the manufacture of absorbent articles with a target unit area weight of functional material.
[0032] Furthermore, the interior of the housing 121 can be under negative pressure relative to the exterior of the housing 121. As a result, air enters from the exterior of the housing 121 through the inlet 121a and the outlet 121b, thus making it more difficult for functional materials to diffuse out of the housing 121.
[0033] The side portion 121s of the housing 121 (e.g., the side portion on the front side) may have a door 116 that can be opened and closed. The operator can perform maintenance on the rotating roller through the opening into the internal space S by opening the door 116. In addition, the operator can prevent functional materials from flying out of the housing 121 through the opening by closing the door 116.
[0034] The door 116 (box 121) may have a transparent window 117. At least one of the functional material sprayed from the nozzle 122e and the application area can be visually identified through the transparent window 117. When the operator can visually identify the functional material through the transparent window 117, it can be confirmed whether the functional material has been sprayed appropriately. Furthermore, when the operator can visually identify the application area through the transparent window 117, it can be confirmed whether the functional material has been appropriately applied to the application area. Therefore, functional material can be appropriately applied to the constituent components 10 of the absorbent article, making it easier to maintain the quality of the absorbent article.
[0035] The applicator 120 may have a sensor 125 inside the housing 121 to detect whether functional material can be applied to the applicator area. Under conditions unaffected by external environmental factors such as wind, the sensor 125 can detect whether functional material can be applied to the applicator area. Therefore, adverse conditions independent of the external environment can be detected, and even if the quality of the absorbent article is reduced due to the functional material, the cause of the adverse condition can be easily determined immediately.
[0036] The sensor 125 can be either a transmissive light sensor or a reflective light sensor. For example, the sensor 125 can detect the application of a functional material to the application area by receiving the detection light reflected from the transmitted detection light upon contact with the functional material. On the other hand, the sensor 125 can detect the inability to apply a functional material by not receiving the detection light.
[0037] Subsequently, the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 100 can manufacture absorbent articles by processing the constituent member 10 that imparts functional material to the given area and combining it with other constituent members.
[0038] The present invention has been described in detail above using the embodiments described above. However, it will be apparent 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 with modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the purpose of this specification is illustrative and it does not have any limiting meaning for the present invention.
[0039] For example, in the above embodiment, the housing 121 is hexahedral in shape, but it can also be other shapes. Furthermore, an inlet 121a and an outlet 121b are formed on one side surface 121s, but the inlet 121a and outlet 121b can also be formed on other surfaces. For example, the inlet 121a (or outlet 121b) can be formed on a certain side surface 121s, and the outlet 121b (or inlet 121a) can also be formed on another side surface 121s opposite to that side surface 121s, on the upper surface 121u, or on the lower surface 121d. Additionally, the inlet 121a and outlet 121b can also be formed by a single opening.
[0040] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a single rotating roller is used as a conveying section 115 for conveying the constituent member 10 inside the housing 121, but this is not a limitation. The conveying section 115 may also have multiple rotating rollers. Thus, for example, when viewed from the side, the constituent member 10 may be conveyed in an S-shape. Consequently, the height of the inlet 121a formed on one side panel 121s and the height of the outlet 121b formed on other side panels 121s may be different. Moreover, the constituent member 10 may also be conveyed in a straight line. Therefore, the height of the inlet 121a formed on one side panel 121s and the height of the outlet 121b formed on other side panels 121s may be the same.
Claims
1. An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article, characterized in that, The apparatus for manufacturing the absorbent article includes: A conveying device that conveys, in a conveying direction, constituent components of the absorbent article, the constituent components having areas to which a functional material is applied; and A dispensing device that applies the functional material to the dispensing area by spraying the functional material from a nozzle. The feeding device has a box-shaped body. The applicator applies the functional material to the applicator area inside the housing, and there is a suction unit inside the housing that attracts air.
2. The apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device has a conveying section inside the housing that conveys the constituent components onto the suction section.
3. The apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles according to claim 2, characterized in that, The conveying section includes a cylindrical rotating drum on its outer periphery for conveying the constituent components.
4. The apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rotating roller has a suction area on its outer periphery, which serves as a region where the air is drawn in by the suction section. The central angle of the sector surrounded by the first radius, the second radius, and the suction area extending along the outer periphery is 180 degrees or more. The first radius is the radius of a circle extending from the rotation axis of the rotating roller to one end of the suction area on the outer periphery, and the second radius is the radius of a circle extending from the rotation axis to the other end of the suction area on the outer periphery.
5. The apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The enclosure has an inlet for the constituent members located outside the enclosure to enter the interior of the enclosure and an outlet for the constituent members located inside the enclosure to exit the exterior of the enclosure. The inside of the box is under negative pressure relative to the outside of the box.
6. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The enclosure has a transparent window, which is transparent. The functional material ejected from the nozzle and at least one of the applied area can be visually identified through the transparent window.
7. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The applicator has a sensor inside the housing that detects whether the functional material can be applied to the applicator area.