Manufacturing apparatus of sanitary articles and manufacturing method of sanitary articles

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing apparatus that can solve the problem of jamming by detecting it early on and suppressing it.SOLUTION: The manufacturing apparatus of sanitary articles comprises a slope that moves the sanitary articles to a predetermined position using the force of gravity, a groove that extends in the direction of the slope, and an airflow-forming portion that directs airflow in the direction of the slope at the groove.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products and a method for manufacturing 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] Manufacturing sanitary products continuously at high speed is effective from the perspective of manufacturing efficiency. However, when manufacturing sanitary products continuously at high speed, clogging may occur in the manufacturing apparatus. When clogging occurs, it is necessary to stop the manufacturing apparatus until the clogging is resolved, so it is necessary to make it difficult for the sanitary products to clog the manufacturing apparatus, and it is important to detect the clogging at an early stage if clogging still occurs.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress clogging of the manufacturing apparatus and to detect and resolve the clogging at an early stage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to one aspect of the present invention includes an inclined surface that moves the sanitary products to a predetermined position by using the force of the sanitary products falling due to their own weight, a groove portion extending in the inclined direction of the inclined surface, and an air flow forming portion that flows an air flow in the inclined direction in the groove portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, clogging of the manufacturing apparatus can be suppressed, and the clogging can be detected and eliminated at an early stage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments 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] FIG. 1 is a view showing the external appearance of the manufacturing apparatus. The manufacturing apparatus 1 is incorporated, for example, into a manufacturing line of a diaper manufacturing apparatus that manufactures paper diapers, which are an example of sanitary products. As an example, when enclosing the paper diapers being manufactured in a package, the number of sheets per package is adjusted and incorporated into a counter. The manufacturing apparatus 1 can be used not only for paper diapers but also for various sanitary products such as absorbent pads and sanitary products.

[0011] The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes an inclined surface 2, a blower 3, and a sensor unit 4. The inclined surface 2 has a longitudinal direction which is the inclined direction and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is an inclined surface that slides down articles such as disposable diapers continuously supplied from the upper line 5 in the longitudinal direction by utilizing the weight of the articles and moves them to a predetermined position. The blower 3 is a device that ejects air obliquely onto the inclined surface 2 from the longitudinal end portion on the upper side of the inclined surface 2. The sensor unit 4 is a photoelectric sensor that monitors the articles sliding down the inclined surface 2. The light emitting unit 41 of the sensor unit 4 is arranged at a location away from the inclined surface 2, and the light receiving unit 42 is arranged near the width direction end portion at the upper end of the inclined surface 2.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the inclined surface and the blower. FIG. 2(A) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the inclined surface 2 and the blower 3. FIG. 2(B) is a cross-sectional view of the inclined surface 2. Above the inclined surface 2 in the vertical direction, the blower 3 is arranged. In the example of this figure, a plurality of blowers 3 are arranged. More specifically, two blowers 3 are arranged side by side in the width direction at symmetric positions with a predetermined interval. The blower 3 ejects air toward the inclined direction of the inclined surface 2. The blower 3 is an example of an air flow forming unit that forms an air flow in the inclined direction. On the other hand, a groove portion 21 is arranged on the inclined surface 2. The groove portion 21 extends in the inclined direction of the inclined surface 2. The groove portion 21 is arranged at symmetric positions in the width direction, having the same width on the left and right, that is, the same width. The groove portion 21 is a concave groove and corresponds to the air flow discharge position of the blower 3. The air discharged from the blower 3 moves along the groove portion 21 to the lower side in the inclined direction of the inclined surface 2. The blower 3 can control the strength of the air flow.

[0013] The blowers 3 may be arranged in a pair on the left and right in the width direction as shown in this figure, or may be arranged at one location in the center in the width direction at the upper end portion of the inclined surface 2. Similarly, the groove portions 21 may be provided in a pair with the same width on the left and right in the width direction of the inclined surface 2 as shown in this figure, or may be provided with one groove portion at symmetric positions in the center in the width direction of the inclined surface 2. The positions of the blowers 3 and the groove portions 21 correspond to each other, and the air ejected from the blowers 3 flows into the groove portions 21 and moves to the lower side in the inclined direction of the inclined surface 2.

[0014] By combining the inclined surface 2 provided with the groove portion 21 and the blower 3, a gas flow can be created between the article such as a diaper supplied to the inclined surface 2 and the inclined surface 2. The article riding on the gas flow moves downward in the inclination direction of the inclined surface 2 without stopping on the inclined surface 2. Further, the gas flow created by the blower 3 pushes the article from the upper side in the inclination direction toward the lower side in the inclination direction. For this reason, the article moves downward in the inclination direction without stopping in the middle of the inclined surface 2. The step of flowing an air flow in the inclination direction by the blower 3 which is an air flow forming portion with respect to the groove portion 21 provided in the inclined surface 2 is a conveyance smoothing step in the present disclosure.

[0015] Note that a slip promoting tape may be attached to the surface of the inclined surface 2, particularly around the groove portion 21. By reducing the static frictional force of the inclined surface 2 and further applying air pressure from above, it is possible to more effectively suppress the article from stopping on the inclined surface 2.

[0016] A wall portion 22 is disposed at the outer end in the width direction of the inclined surface 2. The wall portion 22 stands upright in the vertical direction upward from the surface of the inclined surface 2 to form a barrier, and suppresses an article such as a diaper moving on the inclined surface 2 from deviating outward in the width direction of the inclined surface 2.

[0017] Articles such as paper diapers continuously supplied from the upper line 5 slide down the inclined surface 2 and move to a predetermined position due to the weight of the articles. An air flow supplied from the blower 3 flows through the groove portion 21 provided in the inclined surface 2, and the article moving on the inclined surface 2 is affected by the air flow and moves on the inclined surface 2 to reach a predetermined position. This step is an example of the conveyance step in the present disclosure. There is.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the sensor portion and the inclined surface. In this figure, the wall portion 22 is omitted. The sensor portion 4 is a photoelectric sensor having a light projecting portion 41 and a light receiving portion 42, detects a change in the amount of light between the light projecting portion 41 and the light receiving portion 42, and detects whether an article exists between the light projecting portion 41 and the light receiving portion 42.

[0019] The light-receiving part 42 of the sensor part 4 is arranged on the outer side in the width direction on the upper side in the inclination direction which is the upper end part side of the inclined surface 2, and is adjacent to the blower 3. On the other hand, the light-projecting part 41 is at the same height as the light-receiving part 42 and is arranged at a position not affected by the article moving on the inclined surface 2. In the example of this figure, the light-projecting part 41 is arranged on the transfer bar arranged at the same height as the upper end of the inclined surface 2. The light beam projected horizontally from the light-projecting part 41 is detected by the light-receiving part 42. The temporary interruption of the light beam detected by the light-receiving part 42 means that an article has passed on the straight line connecting the light-projecting part 41 and the light-receiving part 42. The continuous interruption of the light beam detected by the light-receiving part 42 for a certain period or more means that there is an article that has not moved at the upper end of the inclined surface 2. That is, the sensor part 4 can detect that articles are jammed on the inclined surface 2 and the jamming has reached the upper end of the inclined surface 2.

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the sensor part. Figure 4 is a view of the manufacturing apparatus 1 seen from the upper side in the vertical direction. The light-projecting part 41 and the light-receiving part 42 constituting the sensor part 4 are provided at parts corresponding to the outer side in the width direction of the inclined surface 2, and can detect an article existing at the width direction end part upstream of the inclined surface 2. The light-projecting part 41 is arranged near the end part on the opposite side in the width direction as seen from the arrangement position of the light-receiving part 42. That is, the light-projecting part 41 is arranged at a position corresponding to the width direction end part of the inclined surface 2, and the light-receiving part 42 is arranged at the upper end part on the opposite side in the width direction of the inclined surface 2. In this configuration, the light beam is emitted horizontally so as to obliquely cross above the inclined surface 2. The sensor part 4 is arranged one set at each of both end parts in the width direction of the inclined surface 2, and the light beams emitted from the respective light-projecting parts 41 cross before reaching the respective light-receiving parts 42 across above the inclined surface 2.

[0021] Note that the arrangement of the sensor part 4 does not necessarily have to be as shown in Figure 4, and the light-projecting part 41 and the light-receiving part 42 may be arranged on the same side in the width direction. In this case, the light beam emitted from the light-projecting part 41 arranged at the part corresponding to the outer side in the width direction of the inclined surface 2 travels above the inclined surface 2 along the width direction end part of the inclined surface 2 and is received by the light-receiving part 42. In the case of this configuration, the light beams emitted from the respective light-projecting parts 41 do not cross.

[0022] The following describes the significance of obliquely emitting and intersecting light rays based on a virtual case assuming that an article is clogged on the inclined surface 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a state where sanitary products are clogged on the inclined surface. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a state where sanitary products are clogged on the inclined surface. In these figures, it is assumed that the paper diaper D is in a folded state as a sanitary product which is an article. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a state where the diapers D are clogged and stacked on the inclined surface 2 and in contact with a wall portion 22 (not shown), and the stacked diapers D reach the upper end portion of the inclined surface 2, hiding the light receiving portion 42.

[0023] In this state, the light receiving portion 42 is covered by the diaper D and not exposed. The light rays emitted from the light projecting portion 41 of the sensor portion 4 (not shown) toward the light receiving portion 42 are blocked by the diaper D. When clogging as shown in FIG. 5 occurs, no matter where the light projecting portion 41 is arranged, the light receiving portion 42 does not receive the light rays, so the sensor portion 4 can surely detect that the diaper D is clogged on the inclined surface 2.

[0024] FIG. 6, similar to FIG. 5, represents a state where the diapers D are clogged and stacked on the inclined surface 2 and in contact with a wall portion 22 (not shown). However, since the diapers D are clogged obliquely, the light receiving portion 42 is not hidden. In this state, if the light projecting portion 41 (not shown) and the light receiving portion 42 are arranged on the same side in the width direction, the light rays are not blocked by the diaper D. Therefore, actually, even though the diaper D is clogged on the inclined surface 2, the sensor portion 4 cannot detect that the diaper D is clogged on the inclined surface 2. On the contrary, if the light projecting portion 41 (not shown) is arranged on the side opposite to the light receiving portion 42 in the width direction, since the light rays are irradiated obliquely with respect to the width direction of the inclined surface 2, the probability that the diaper D on the inclined surface 2 blocks the light rays increases. For this reason, the possibility that the sensor portion 4 detects that the diaper D is clogged on the inclined surface 2 can be increased.

[0025] In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with a blower 3. The blower 3 ejects air in the inclined direction from the upper longitudinal end portion on the inclined surface 2. However, the clogged diaper D may obstruct the air flow. Since the diaper D is lightweight, when it obstructs the air flow, it floats up from the inclined surface 2 under the influence of the air flow. When the diaper D is floating up from the inclined surface 2, if a light projecting unit 41 (not shown) is arranged on the opposite side in the width direction of the light receiving unit 42, the probability that the diaper D blocks the light beam is further increased. Therefore, the probability that the sensor unit 4 detects that the diaper D is clogged on the inclined surface 2 can be further increased.

[0026] Figure 7 is a flowchart related to the output control of the blower. The manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with a blower 3. By flowing air onto the inclined surface 2 from the blower 3, the movement of the article moving on the inclined surface 2 can be assisted, and the article can be made less likely to be clogged on the inclined surface 2. The output of the blower 3 is variable. If the output is increased when the article is clogged on the inclined surface 2, the clogging can be eliminated by the air flow. If the clogging can be eliminated by increasing the output of the blower 3 when the sensor unit 4 detects the clogging of the article, the elimination of the clogging can be automated.

[0027] Figure 7 illustrates this control. In the manufacturing process of the article, which is a method of manufacturing the article, the manufacturing apparatus 1 performs a monitoring process of monitoring the article moving on the inclined surface 2 (step S101). Next, the manufacturing apparatus 1 uses the sensor unit 4 to determine whether there is an article staying on the inclined surface 2 for a certain period of time or more (step S102). When an article staying on the inclined surface 2 is detected (YES in step S102), the manufacturing apparatus 1 determines that the article is clogged on the inclined surface 2, and performs a clogging elimination process of increasing the output of the blower 3 to eliminate the clogging of the article on the inclined surface 2 (step S103). When no article staying on the inclined surface 2 is detected (NO in step S102), the manufacturing apparatus 1 returns the output of the blower 3 to the steady state (step S104).

[0028] By performing this control, the manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can automatically eliminate clogging of articles on the inclined surface 2. Since the manufacturing apparatus 1 does not require line stoppage and maintenance work for eliminating clogging, the production efficiency can be improved.

[0029] As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, by flowing air from the blower 3 into the groove portion 21, the friction between the inclined surface 2 and the articles is reduced, and clogging of the articles on the inclined surface 2 is less likely to occur. Further, by providing the sensor unit 4 for detecting the state of the upper portion of the inclined surface 2, even if clogging of the articles occurs, the clogging can be detected at an early stage. The detection accuracy can be further improved by arranging the light projecting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 42 of the sensor unit 4 on opposite sides in the width direction so that the light beam emitted from the light projecting unit 41 intersects the upper portion of the inclined surface 2. Furthermore, when the manufacturing apparatus 1 detects retention of articles, that is, clogging, by the sensor unit 4, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can automatically eliminate the clogging by increasing the output of the blower 3. By using the manufacturing apparatus 1, clogging of the manufacturing apparatus can be suppressed, and the clogging can be detected at an early stage. In addition, since the manufacturing apparatus 1 can further automatically eliminate the clogging, it is possible to improve the manufacturing efficiency of the articles due to the synergistic effect.

[0030] As described above, the present embodiment and the modified example have been described, but the content of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can also be arranged in the defective product discharge line. Moreover, the articles are not limited to the diapers D, and can be sanitary articles such as sanitary products and tissues.

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

Description of Reference Numerals

[0032] 1 ··· Manufacturing apparatus 2 ··· Inclined surface 21 ··· Groove portion 22 ··· Wall portion 3 ··· Blower 4 ··· Sensor 41 ··· Light projecting unit 42 ··· Light-receiving part 5 ··· Upper line D ··· Diaper

Claims

1. An inclined plane that uses the force of the sanitary product falling due to its own weight to move the sanitary product to a predetermined position, A groove portion extending in the inclined direction of the inclined plane, In the groove portion, an air flow forming portion that flows an air flow in the inclined direction, Comprising, A manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products.

2. The groove portion is arranged at symmetric positions in the width direction perpendicular to the inclined direction on the inclined plane, The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to Claim 1.

3. A plurality of the groove portions are arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction, The widths of the plurality of arranged groove portions are the same, The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to Claim 2.

4. At the end of the inclined plane in the width direction, a wall portion standing vertically from the inclined plane, On the upper end side of the inclined plane, a sensor for monitoring the end of the inclined plane in the width direction, Comprising, The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to Claim 2 or 3.

5. Two of the sensors are arranged at positions corresponding to both ends in the width direction at the same height as the upper end of the inclined plane, Each of the sensors monitors the opposite side in the width direction of the inclined plane, The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to Claim 4.

6. The air flow forming portion can control the strength of the air flow, The manufacturing apparatus for sanitary products according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

7. A conveyance smoothing step of flowing an air flow in the inclined direction by an air flow forming portion with respect to the groove portion of the inclined plane having a groove portion in the inclined direction, A conveyance step of adding the air flow to the force of the sanitary product falling due to its own weight on the inclined plane to move the sanitary product to a predetermined position, Including, A manufacturing method for sanitary products.

8. A monitoring step of monitoring the stay of the sanitary product by a sensor arranged near the end in the width direction perpendicular to the inclined direction of the inclined plane at the same height as the upper end of the inclined plane, A clogging elimination step of strengthening the air flow formed by the air flow forming portion when the stay of the sanitary product is detected in the monitoring step, Further including, The manufacturing method for sanitary products according to Claim 7.

9. The sensor has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and the light emitting portion is arranged near the end on the opposite side in the width direction as viewed from the arrangement position of the light receiving portion, The manufacturing method for sanitary products according to Claim 8.

Images