Apparatus for manufacturing sanitary product

Abstract

To remove fiber pieces deposited on a sensor without the need for any special apparatus.SOLUTION: An apparatus for manufacturing a sanitary product comprising: a first inclined surface allowing the sanitary product to move from a higher position to a lower position under the own weight of the sanitary product; a second inclined surface having a different inclination angle than the first inclined surface and also allowing the sanitary product to move from a higher position to a lower position under the own weight of the sanitary product; an opening provided within a length range in the inclination direction of the sanitary product from the boundary between the first and second inclined surfaces; and a sensor to detect the sanitary product on the first or second inclined surface through the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products.

Background Art

[0002] A manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products including absorbent articles is known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Sanitary products contain fibrous materials, and fibrous pieces may fly around in a manufacturing apparatus that processes them at high speed. Although sensors are provided inside the manufacturing apparatus to detect the manufacturing state, when a fibrous piece covers the sensor, the state detection by the sensor may not be correctly performed. It is also conceivable to provide a cleaning device for removing the fibrous pieces deposited on the sensor, but such a device is costly.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to remove fibrous pieces deposited on a sensor without providing a special device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first inclined surface on which the sanitary product can move from a high place to a low place by the weight of the sanitary product, a second inclined surface on which the sanitary product can move from a high place to a low place by the weight of the sanitary product and has a different inclination angle from the first inclined surface, an opening provided within a range of the length in the inclination direction of the sanitary product from the boundary between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, and a sensor that detects the sanitary product on the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface through the opening.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the fiber pieces deposited on the sensor can be removed without providing a special device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0010] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of the manufacturing apparatus. The manufacturing apparatus 1 is, for example, a discharge apparatus used in a defective product discharge unit that discharges defective products that may occur in a line 10, which is a production line of a diaper manufacturing apparatus that manufactures, for example, paper diapers, which are an example of sanitary products. The manufacturing apparatus 1 can be used not only for paper diapers but also for various sanitary products such as absorbent pads and menstrual products.

[0011] ​The manufacturing device 1 has an inclined surface 2 which is the first inclined surface arranged on the line 10 side, that is, the high position side, and an inclined surface 3 which is the second inclined surface arranged on the discharge port side, that is, the low position side. The manufacturing device 1 is a device that eliminates defective disposable diapers in the line 10 by sliding them from a high position to a low position along the inclined surface 2 and the inclined surface 3. In the first embodiment, the inclined surface 2 is steeper than the inclined surface 3. The disposable diapers extracted as defective products from the line 10 can move by sliding down the inclined surface 2 and the inclined surface 3.

[0012] An opening 4 is provided on the inclined surface of the manufacturing device 1. The opening 4 is a hole provided at the center in the width direction of the inclined surface, and a sensor unit 5 is arranged inside. The sensor unit 5 is a sensor that monitors objects on the inclined surface. The sensor unit 5 is arranged to measure the number of disposable diapers that have passed on the inclined surface or to detect a situation where the disposable diapers continuously cover the opening due to clogging or the like on the inclined surface.

[0013] Guide portions 6, which are guide plates standing substantially vertically from the inclined surface 2, are arranged on both side surface portions on the outer side in the width direction of the inclined surface 2. The guide portions 6 guide the disposable diapers discharged from the line 10 to move correctly on the inclined surface.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, an inclined surface 2 forming the upper stage and an inclined surface 3 forming the lower stage are continuously provided, and the inclination angle, which is the angle with respect to the gravitational direction, is larger for the inclined surface 2 than for the inclined surface 3. For example, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 2 is 40 degrees, while the inclination angle of the inclined surface 3 is set to 30 degrees. And within the range of the length in the inclination direction of the diaper D from the location where the inclination changes, an opening 4 smaller than the surface of the diaper D in contact with the inclined surface is provided. In other words, when one end of the diaper D passes through the boundary between the inclined surface 2 and the inclined surface 3, at least the other end of the diaper D covers the opening 4. The opening 4 is provided, for example, within a range of 13 cm or less from the boundary between the inclined surface 2 and the inclined surface 3 when the length in the inclination direction of the diaper D is 15 cm. In this figure, the diaper D is folded, but the state of the diaper D is not limited to this state.

[0015] Inside the opening 4, a sensor unit 5 for monitoring an object on the inclined surface through the opening 4 is arranged. By the sensor unit 5 detecting an object, the number of defective products generated can be detected. Also, since the state where the object is continuously detected by the sensor unit 5 can be determined as the state where the manufacturing apparatus 1 is blocked by the diaper D, it is possible to request maintenance work by the person in charge.

[0016] However, the sanitary product manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 contains fibers, and the fibers may scatter around the manufacturing apparatus 1. The scattered fibers may adhere to the detection surface of the sensor unit 5. If the detection surface of the sensor unit 5 is covered with fibers, the sensor unit 5 cannot correctly detect an object. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the opening 4 is arranged within a range shorter than the length in the inclination direction of the diaper D from the boundary between the inclined surface 2 with a large inclination angle and the inclined surface 3 with a small inclination angle, and the sensor unit 5 is arranged inside the opening 4. In the present embodiment, when the diaper D moves on the inclined surface, wind hits the sensor unit 5 to remove the fibers adhering to the detection surface of the sensor unit 5, so that the detection performance of the sensor unit 5 can be maintained.

[0017] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the opening portion according to the first embodiment. The opening portion 4 is provided near the boundary between the slope 2 with a large inclination angle and the slope 3 with a small inclination angle. The opening portion 4 is covered by the diaper D when the diaper D moves along the boundary between the slope 2 and the slope 3. The inclination angles of the slope 2 and the slope 3 are different, and a space S1 is formed between the diaper passing through the boundary between the slope 2 and the slope 3 and the slope due to the difference in the inclination angles of the slope 2 and the slope 3. The space S1 shrinks as the diaper D slides down from the slope 2 to the slope 3, and disappears when the diaper D completely rides on the slope 3. Accordingly, a space S1 is formed between the diaper and the slope due to the difference in the inclination angles of the slope 2 and the slope 3. The space S1 shrinks as the diaper D slides down from the slope 2 to the slope 3, and disappears when the diaper D completely rides on the slope 3.

[0018] In this embodiment, the opening portion 4 is arranged within a range shorter than the length of the diaper D in the inclination direction from the boundary between the slope 2 and the slope 3. Therefore, when the diaper D tries to pass directly above the opening portion 4, a space S1 is formed between the diaper 1 and the slope. The space S1 shrinks as the diaper 1 passes directly above the opening portion 4, and disappears when the diaper D completely lies on the slope 3.

[0019] Air accumulates in the space S1. When the space S1 shrinks, the air accumulated in the space S1 is compressed and seeks an outlet. However, since the guide portion 6 is arranged on the outer side in the width direction of the diaper D, the discharge of air from the outer side in the width direction of the diaper D is restricted. Therefore, most of the air accumulated in the space S1 is discharged to the outside through the opening portion 4. When the air passes through the opening portion 4, a strong air flow is generated in the opening portion 4, and the fibers accumulated on the detection surface of the sensor portion 5 arranged inside the opening portion 4 are removed.

[0020] When the opening portion 4 is arranged within a range shorter than the length of the diaper D in the inclination direction from the boundary between the slope 2 and the slope 3, an air flow associated with the expansion and contraction of the space S1 can flow inside the opening portion 4, and the detection performance of the sensor portion 5 can be kept good. More preferably, the opening portion 4 can be arranged at the boundary between the slope 2 and the slope 3 or in contact with the boundary between the slope 2 and the slope 3. When the opening portion 4 is arranged at the boundary portion between the slope 2 and the slope 3, the volume of the space S1 caused by the angle difference between the slope 2 and the slope 3 is the largest, and the air flow passing through the opening portion 4 can be made stronger.

[0021] The sensor unit 5 is preferably arranged so as not to be parallel to the horizontal plane. If the detection surface is parallel to the horizontal plane, fibers that have once risen from the detection surface due to the airflow may fall back onto the detection surface. When the detection surface is not parallel to the horizontal plane, the fibers that have risen due to the airflow are more likely to fall to a location other than the detection surface of the sensor unit 5, so the sensor unit 5 is more likely to maintain its detection function.

[0022] The opening 4 is preferably a through-hole for the airflow to pass through, but it does not necessarily have to be a through-hole and may be something like a non-penetrating recess. When the opening 4 is not penetrating, the influence of the airflow due to the expansion and contraction of the space S1 is reduced, but it is possible to remove the fibers adhering to the detection surface of the sensor unit 5.

[0023] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 1 has a plurality of inclined surfaces with different inclination angles. More specifically, the manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is provided with an inclined surface 12 that forms the upper stage and an inclined surface 13 that forms the lower stage continuously. Similar to the first embodiment, both the inclined surface 12 and the inclined surface 13 are at an angle at which a diaper D, which is an example of a sanitary product, can fall by its own weight. Similar to the first embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 12 and the inclination angle of the inclined surface 13 are different, but different from the first embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 13 is larger than that of the inclined surface 12. Similar to the first embodiment, guide portions 16, which are guide plates that stand up substantially vertically from the inclined surface 12, are arranged on both side surface portions on the outer side in the width direction of the inclined surface 12.

[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the opening according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment shows a plurality of openings that the manufacturing apparatus 1 can have. The openings 14A and 14B are provided near the boundary between the inclined surface 12 with a small inclination angle and the inclined surface 13 with a large inclination angle arranged below the inclined surface 12. The opening 14A is provided near the boundary between the inclined surface 12 and the inclined surface 13 on the inclined surface 12, and the opening The portion 14B is provided near the boundary with the inclined surface 12 on the inclined surface 13. Either one of the opening portions 14A and 14B may be provided. Inside the opening portions 14A and 14B, sensor portions 15A and 15B are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0025] The opening portions 14A and 14B are arranged within a range shorter than the length in the inclination direction of the diaper D from the boundary between the inclined surface 12 and the inclined surface 13. The opening portions 14A and 14B are in a relationship of being covered by the diaper D while the diaper D is moving across the boundary between the inclined surface 12 and the inclined surface 13. The diaper D that has slid down the inclined surface 12 and reached the boundary between the inclined surface 12 and the inclined surface 13 changes its direction in the direction shown by the arrow according to the change in inclination and slides down the inclined surface 13. When the diaper D changes its direction, the diaper D rapidly moves away from the opening portion 14A provided on the inclined surface 12 side to form a gap. When the gap is formed, the air pressure between the diaper D and the inclined surface 12 decreases, and air flows into the gap. Since a guide portion 16 is provided on the outer side in the width direction of the diaper D and the inflow of air via the outer side in the width direction is inhibited, the air mainly flows in from the longitudinal end portions of the diaper D and the opening portion 14A.

[0026] When air flows into the space between the inclined surface 12 and the diaper D, an air current moving toward the diaper D side also occurs in the opening portion 14A. At this time, the air current also hits the detection surface of the sensor portion 15A arranged in the opening portion 14A, removing the fibers attached to the detection surface. Since this operation occurs every time the diaper D slides down the inclined surface, the foreign matter on the detection surface of the sensor portion 15A is maintained in a removed state, and the diaper D can be continuously detected by the sensor portion 15A.

[0027] On the other hand, when the diaper D changes its direction and moves away from the inclined surface 12, at the same time, the diaper D rapidly approaches the inclined surface 13. This means that the space existing between the diaper D and the inclined surface 13 rapidly shrinks. The air existing between the diaper D and the inclined surface 13 is discharged to the outside as the space shrinks, but a guide portion 16 is provided on the outer side in the width direction of the diaper D, and the outflow of air via the outer side in the width direction is suppressed by the guide portion 16. Therefore, the air mainly flows out through the longitudinal end portions of the diaper D and the opening portion 14B.

[0028] When the space existing between the inclined surface 13 and the diaper D rapidly shrinks, the air discharged from the space also flows into the opening 14B. The air also hits the detection surface of the sensor unit 15B disposed in the opening 14B and removes the fibers attached to the detection surface. Since this operation occurs every time the diaper D slides down the inclined surface, the foreign matter on the detection surface of the sensor unit 15B is maintained in a removed state, and the sensor unit 15B can continuously detect the diaper D.

[0029] The sensor units 15A and 15B are preferably arranged so as not to be parallel to the horizontal plane. If the detection surface is parallel to the horizontal plane, the fibers that have once risen from the detection surface due to the airflow may fall back onto the detection surface. When the detection surface is not parallel to the horizontal plane, the fibers that have risen due to the airflow are likely to fall to a place other than the detection surfaces of the sensor units 15A and 15B, so the sensor units 15A and 15B can easily maintain the detection function.

[0030] As described above, the present embodiment and the modified example have been explained, but the content of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the manufacturing apparatus 1 may be incorporated not only in the process of removing defective products but also in the manufacturing line itself. If the manufacturing apparatus 1 is incorporated into the manufacturing line, accurate counting of sanitary products becomes possible, and early detection of line jams also becomes possible.

[0031] The features included in each of the embodiments disclosed above can be combined with each other.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0032] 1 ··· Manufacturing apparatus 10 ··· Manufacturing line 2, 12 ··· Inclined surface 3, 13 ··· Inclined surface 4, 14A, 14B ··· Opening 5, 15A, 15B ··· Sensor unit 6, 16 ··· Guide unit S1 ··· Space D ··· Diaper

Claims

1. a first inclined surface on which the sanitary product can move from a higher position to a lower position due to its own weight; a second inclined surface on which the sanitary product can move from a higher position to a lower position due to its own weight, and having a different inclination angle from the first inclined surface; an opening provided within the range of the length of the sanitary product in the inclined direction from the boundary between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface; a sensor that detects the sanitary product on the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface through the opening; A manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products, comprising the above.

2. The inclination angle of the first inclined surface is larger than that of the second inclined surface. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to Claim 1.

3. The inclination angle of the first inclined surface is smaller than that of the second inclined surface. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to Claim 1.

4. The opening is provided at the boundary between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The opening is provided at a location in contact with the boundary between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

6. The opening is provided at a location that is 1 / 4 or more of the length of the sanitary product in the inclined direction from the boundary between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

7. The opening is disposed at the center in the width direction of the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

8. Guide plates for guiding the movement of the sanitary product are provided outside the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface in the width direction. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

9. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are disposed in a defective product discharge portion in a diaper manufacturing apparatus. The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

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