Apparatus for producing absorber, apparatus for producing absorbent article, method for producing absorber, and method for producing absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a technique enabling uniform distribution of SAP particles.SOLUTION: An apparatus for producing an absorber includes: a transport part that transports pulp forming the absorber by an air flow; a suction mechanism that has a rotary body in the form of a hollow cylinder with a mold on its outer peripheral portion and that suctions the pulp in the inner peripheral direction of the rotary body; and an SAP dispersion mechanism, wherein the SAP dispersion mechanism includes an SAP discharge part that discharges SAP particles within a range narrower than a CD direction orthogonal to an MD direction of the absorber; and an SAP dispersion part that conveys the SAP particles, discharged from the SAP discharge part, obliquely downward to the transport part by gravity and disperses the SAP particles inside relative to ends in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction during the transport.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorber manufacturing apparatus, an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus, an absorber manufacturing method, and an absorbent article manufacturing method.

Background Art

[0002] Disposable diapers, absorbent pads, absorbent articles such as sanitary products, etc. have been developed. Absorbent articles are provided with an absorber that absorbs liquids such as urine. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorber that holds SAP particles.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] SAP particles are scattered on the absorber during absorber manufacturing. However, it is difficult to uniformly scatter the granular SAP particles on the absorber during the scattering process. If the SAP particles are not uniformly scattered, the amount of SAP particles will be uneven within the absorber.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of uniformly distributing SAP particles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An absorber manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a transport unit that transports pulp for forming an absorber by an air flow; a suction mechanism having a rotating body with a hollow cylindrical shape having a mold frame on its outer peripheral portion, and sucking the pulp in the inner circumferential direction of the rotating body; An SAP discharge unit that discharges SAP particles in a range narrower than the CD direction orthogonal to the MD direction of the absorber, and an SAP dispersion unit that obliquely downward conveys the SAP particles discharged from the SAP discharge unit to the conveying unit by their own weight and disperses the SAP particles inside rather than at the end in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction during the conveyance of the SAP particles. An SAP dispersion mechanism having the above is provided. is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, SAP particles can be uniformly distributed in the absorber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The following embodiments are one aspect of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] <Embodiment> In the present embodiment, for a disposable absorbent pad (an example of the "absorbent article" referred to in the present application), the direction connecting the front body part facing the wearer's abdomen and the back body part facing the back is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between the front body part side (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body part side (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch part disposed under the wearer's crotch (opposite to the crotch) is connected and positioned. Further, in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as the "worn state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side in the worn state) is defined as the skin side, and the side opposite to the skin side (the outer side in the worn state) is defined as the non-skin side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin side and the non-skin side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction. In addition, viewing from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view. The absorbent pad has a length along the longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer and a length along the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Also, the terms related to the directions used in the present application mean the directions that coincide with the front, back, left, and right of the wearer in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer. For example, when referring to the left-right direction in the present application, it means the direction that coincides with the left and right of the wearer in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 is used to absorb and hold liquids such as urine, and can be used alone by being placed on the skin side of the undergarment, or can also be used by being stacked inside a disposable diaper. The absorbent pad 1 has a crotch region 1B corresponding to the crotch that covers the wearer's genitals in the worn state, a front body region 1F located on the front side of the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the front side of the wearer, and a back body region 1R located on the back side of the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the back side of the wearer.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment has a shape like a paddle that is wider on the side of the back body region 1R than the crotch region 1B and the front body region 1F in a plan view. Due to this planar shape, the absorbent pad 1 is more likely to follow the abdomen and buttocks of the wearer in the worn state. Note that the planar shape of the absorbent pad 1 is not limited to a substantially paddle shape, and may be, for example, a substantially rectangular shape or a substantially gourd shape.

[0013] The absorbent pad 1 includes a topsheet 8 disposed on the skin side in the worn state. The topsheet 8 is a water-permeable sheet that is the part in contact with the wearer's skin in the worn state of the absorbent pad 1 and is formed of a liquid-permeable material that allows liquids such as urine to pass through. For the topsheet 8, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, porous film, etc. are used. Note that for the non-woven fabric, those obtained by hydrophilizing fibers of thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon may be used, or air-through non-woven fabric, point-bond non-woven fabric, spunbond non-woven fabric, meltblown non-woven fabric, etc. may be used.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2. In the cross-sectional view shown below, in order to make the internal structure of the absorbent pad 1 easier to understand, each structure is shown thicker than in reality, but actually the absorbent pad 1 is very thin.

[0015] The absorbent pad 1 includes an absorber 6 (an example of the "absorber" referred to in the present application) that absorbs and holds liquids such as urine. The absorber 6 is disposed on the non-skin side of the topsheet 8 including the crotch region 1B in order to absorb the liquid discharged by the wearer. On the skin side of the absorber 6, hot melt adhesives HM are applied in a plurality of stripe-shaped rows spaced in the width direction, and the absorber 6 and the topsheet 8 are adhered by these hot melt adhesives HM. In the present embodiment, the absorber 6 has an absorption core 6C containing an absorbent material and a core wrap sheet 7 covering at least the upper side of the absorption core 6C. Note that the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorption core 6C and the core wrap sheet 7 and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0016] The absorption core 6C has a structure in which granular absorbent resins (high molecular water absorbent materials) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), which is a hydrophilic polymer having a cross-linked structure capable of absorbing and holding water, are held in the gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers and short fibers obtained by subjecting synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate to a hydrophilization treatment. These short fibers and SAP are examples of absorbent materials.

[0017] The SAP particles in the present embodiment refer to those in which a resin composition containing SAP is formed into a granular shape. The "resin composition containing SAP" referred to here is a concept that includes both a composition consisting only of SAP and a composition having SAP as a main component and containing other substances to such an extent that it does not adversely affect water absorption. Examples of the "other substances" include additives such as surface modifiers added for the purpose of hydrophobizing the particle surface and unreacted monomers remaining during the synthesis of SAP. The SAP particles can absorb a liquid about 10 to 100 times their own weight. For the SAP particles, for example, granular ones having a diameter of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm in the state before liquid absorption may be used.

[0018] While the SAP particles can gel and hold the liquid, it takes a certain amount of time for them to absorb the liquid. The absorbent pad 1 suppresses the backflow of the liquid by allowing the short fibers to diffuse the discharged liquid inside the absorbent core 6C while decelerating it until the SAP particles absorb the discharged liquid, and causing the discharged liquid to be absorbed by a wide range of SAP particles.

[0019] The absorbent core 6C has an upper absorbent mat 6A disposed on the topsheet 8 side and a lower absorbent mat 6B disposed on the non-skin surface side. The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which two layers of mats, an upper absorbent mat 6A and a lower absorbent mat 6B, are laminated. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are formed of the above-mentioned short fibers.

[0020] The upper absorbent mat 6A has a ladle shape with a constricted crotch region 1B that is wider on the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R sides than the crotch region 1B in plan view. The lower absorbent mat 6B is disposed on the non-skin surface side of the upper absorbent mat 6A when viewed from the topsheet 8 side, and has a rectangular shape (a rectangular shape) with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 as the long side. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are laminated in the thickness direction so that the centers in the width direction thereof substantially coincide. Also, in plan view, the lower absorbent mat 6B is formed smaller than the upper absorbent mat 6A. Note that the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6 coincides with the longitudinal directions of the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. In the present embodiment, the upper absorbent mat 6A is formed of pulp fibers and SAP.

[0021] Also, the SAP particles may be unevenly disposed in either the upper absorbent mat 6A or the lower absorbent mat 6B. In the present embodiment, the SAP particles are disposed only in the upper absorbent mat 6A and not in the lower absorbent mat 6B. In this case, the lower absorbent mat 6B consists only of short fibers, and retains, diffuses, and suppresses the backflow of the discharged liquid until the discharged liquid that has flowed in is absorbed by the SAP particles contained in the upper absorbent mat 6A.

[0022] Further, the absorbent pad 1 is provided in the absorbent core 6C and includes a groove portion 6H that penetrates the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction. The groove portion 6H is provided within the longitudinal length of the absorbent core 6C, and the front and rear ends are contained within the absorbent core 6C. The groove portion 6H may be formed with a concave shape on the skin side by having less absorbent material, such as short fibers forming the absorbent core 6C, in the portion other than the groove portion 6H, or may be formed by squeezing the absorbent material forming the skin side of the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction. It can be said that the groove portion 6H that penetrates the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction has no laminated absorbent material and has a smaller laminated thickness of the absorbent material than other portions. The groove portion 6H is provided at the center in the width direction of the absorbent core 6C so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 6C. The groove portion 6H in the present embodiment penetrates the absorbent core 6C formed by the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B at a position corresponding to the midline of the wearer in the wearing state of the wearer, and the upper surface on the skin side and the bottom surface on the non-skin side are formed by the core wrap sheet 7. The discharged liquid such as urine flows into the groove portion 6H and moves longitudinally along the groove portion 6H, and is rapidly absorbed over a wide range in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment can rapidly diffuse the discharged liquid by including the groove portion 6H. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the groove portion 6H does not reach the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6. For this reason, the discharged liquid that has moved to the outside in the longitudinal direction stays inside the groove portion 6H without reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6 and is sequentially absorbed.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, in plan view, the groove portion 6H has a rectangular shape with both front and rear ends formed in an arc shape. The front end of the groove portion 6H is located in the middle of the front body region 1F, and the rear end of the groove portion 6H is located in the front portion of the rear body region 1R. Note that the groove portion 6H may be formed in a shape other than a rectangular shape, such as other polygonal shapes or an elliptical shape, in plan view.

[0024] Further, the absorption core 6C is disposed between the upper absorption mat 6A and the lower absorption mat 6B, and has a SAP layer 6S formed by a large number of SAP particles. The SAP layer 6S is disposed on both sides of the groove portion 6H, and extends to the front side and the rear side beyond the groove portion 6H. The absorption core 6C diffuses liquid such as urine in the lower absorption mat 6B, and retains the liquid by the SAP particles contained in the SAP layer 6S and the upper absorption mat 6A.

[0025] The absorber 6 according to the present embodiment has a core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is a water-permeable sheet that wraps the entire absorption core 6C. More specifically, it covers the skin side, the non-skin side, and the side surface of the absorption core 6C. The core wrap sheet 7 protects the shape of the absorption core 6C and prevents it from collapsing in a state where it is not in contact with the discharged liquid, and prevents the SAP particles contained in the upper absorption mat 6A and the SAP particles contained in the SAP layer 6S from deviating. Also, the SAP particles in a state where they have not absorbed moisture are hard and granular like sand. If the SAP particles in a state where they have not absorbed the deviated moisture directly touch the wearer's skin surface, it may cause discomfort to the wearer. For this reason, the absorption core 6C is wrapped with the core wrap sheet 7 to prevent the absorption core 6C from collapsing and to prevent the SAP particles from deviating outside the absorber 6.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the core wrap sheet 7 is formed of two sheets, an upper core wrap sheet 7A disposed between the upper absorption mat 6A and the top sheet 8, and a lower core wrap sheet 7B disposed on the non-skin side of the lower absorption mat 6B, covering the side surface of the absorption core 6C, and further covering the outer side in the width direction of the upper core wrap sheet 7A. For the core wrap sheet 7, a pulp fiber sheet, a thin non-woven fabric, or the like is used. In the present embodiment, tissue paper is used for the core wrap sheet 7. Note that when the core wrap sheet 7 is formed of two sheets it is also possible to form the upper core wrap sheet 7A and the lower core wrap sheet 7B from different materials. As an example, the upper core wrap sheet 7A can be a pulp fiber sheet, and the lower core wrap sheet 7B can be a resin non-woven fabric. Note that the core wrap sheet 7 may be formed of one sheet.

[0027] As described above, the absorbent core 6C has a groove portion 6H. The top sheet 8 is configured not to fall inside the groove portion 6H. Further, the core wrap sheet 7 is also configured not to fall inside the groove portion 6H. For this reason, the upper surface on the skin side of the groove portion 6H is formed by the upper layer core wrap sheet 7A, and the bottom surface on the non-skin side of the groove portion 6H is formed by the lower layer core wrap sheet 7B. In this way, the upper surface and the bottom surface of the groove portion 6H are formed by the core wrap sheet 7 which is a tissue paper.

[0028] The absorbent pad 1 includes a water-impermeable back sheet 5 disposed on the non-skin side of the absorber 6. The back sheet 5 has substantially the same planar shape (a wing shape) as the absorbent pad 1. The back sheet 5 is a sheet formed of a thermoplastic water-impermeable resin such as a polyethylene film in order to suppress leakage of the discharged liquid that has flowed into the absorber 6. The back sheet 5 has water repellency for preventing urine and moisture from seeping outside the absorbent pad 1 and air permeability for suppressing stuffiness in the worn state. The back sheet 5 may have air permeability by forming a large number of minute air holes.

[0029] An adhesion tape may be provided on a part of the exterior surface of the absorbent pad 1. In the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment, the back sheet 5 forms the exterior surface. The adhesion tape is a tape having adhesiveness, and prevents the absorbent pad 1 from shifting with respect to a disposable diaper, underwear, or the like used in combination. Note that, instead of providing the adhesion tape, a member having a large friction coefficient on the non-skin side may be employed as a cover sheet to suppress displacement with respect to a diaper or the like. Further, a displacement prevention process may be performed by applying a hot melt adhesive HM to the non-skin side of the cover sheet.

[0030] Further, the absorbent pad 1 includes a pair of side sheets 9L and 9R that are arranged on the skin surface side of both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 and have non-water permeability extending along the longitudinal direction. The side sheets 9L and 9R are arranged such that the longitudinal ends thereof coincide with the longitudinal ends of the top sheet 8. The side sheets 9L and 9R have fixed ends 9LA and 9RA arranged on the outer side in the width direction. The fixed ends 9LA and 9RA are adhered to the top sheet 8, the absorbent body 6, and the back sheet 5, which are members arranged on the non-skin surface side thereof, by a hot melt adhesive HM.

[0031] The side sheets 9L and 9R are adhered to the top sheet 8 by a hot melt adhesive HM. The inner ends in the width direction of this hot melt adhesive HM are used as folding lines 3LL and 3LR (see FIG. 2), and the inside of the folding lines 3LL and 3LR forms leak-proof walls 3L and 3R that can stand up. The inner ends in the width direction of the side sheets 9L and 9R are free ends 9LB and 9RB that become the tips of the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R. Near the free ends 9LB and 9RB, thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR, which are filamentous elastic members, are fixed by a hot melt adhesive HM in an extended state along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L and 9R are adhered to the top sheet 8 side also on the inner side in the width direction near the longitudinal ends, but on the inner side in the longitudinal direction, the part inside in the width direction is not adhered more than the hot melt adhesive HM and can stand up on the skin surface side. When the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R stand up on the skin surface side due to the contraction of the thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR, the free ends 9LB and 9RB inside the folding lines 3LL and 3LR become the tips on the skin surface side. The standing leak-proof walls 3L and 3R inhibit the movement of liquid and soft feces to the outer side in the width direction of the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R and suppress these lateral leaks.

[0032] On the non-skin surface side of the folding lines 3LL and 3LR, thread rubbers 3LB and 3RB which are filamentous elastic members are fixed in two each in the width direction by a hot melt adhesive HM in an extended state along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. By arranging the thread rubbers 3LB and 3RB in an extended state, the absorbent pad 1 can be fitted around the wearer's legs due to the contraction of the thread rubbers 3LB and 3RB.

[0033] In addition, in a plan view, regions extending outward in the width direction of the folding lines 3LL and 3LR of the leak-preventing walls 3L and 3R are the ear parts 10L and 10R. In the present embodiment, the ear parts 10L and 10R are formed in the back body region 1R. Further, the lower absorbent mat 6B is disposed including the outer sides in the width direction of the free end parts 9LB and 9RB. The absorbent pad 1 can increase the liquid absorption amount by increasing the formation of the lower absorbent mat 6B while enhancing the cushioning property in the ear parts 10L and 10R. Note that the ear parts 10L and 10R may be formed in the front body region 1F, or may be formed in both the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R.

[0034] Next, based on FIG. 4, a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a part of the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus M (an example of the “manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent body” referred to in the present application; hereinafter abbreviated as “manufacturing apparatus M”) of the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus M is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the upper absorbent mat 6A. Note that the manufacturing apparatus M is not limited to the manufacturing apparatus of the upper absorbent mat 6A, and may be used when manufacturing the lower absorbent mat 6B that requires uniform distribution of SAP. In addition, the vertical direction of the manufacturing apparatus M means the direction of gravity.

[0035] The manufacturing apparatus M for manufacturing the upper absorbent mat 6A includes a pulp supply unit 11 that defibrates a pulp sheet, a SAP dispersion mechanism 13 (an example of the “SAP dispersion mechanism” referred to in the present application) that disperses SAP particles in the CD direction, a transport unit 12 (an example of the “transport unit” referred to in the present application) that transports the pulp supplied from the pulp supply unit 11 and the SAP particles dispersed by the SAP dispersion mechanism 13, and a suction mechanism 14 (an example of the “suction mechanism” referred to in the present application) that suctions the pulp and the SAP particles.

[0036] The pulp supply unit 11 has a pulp grinder (not shown), defibrates a pulp sheet formed of pulp fibers with the pulp grinder, and discharges the defibrated pulp to the transport unit 12.

[0037] The conveying unit 12 is provided below the pulp supply unit 11 and conveys the pulp forming the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A by an air flow. The conveying unit 12 is a duct that extends obliquely downward and has openings at both ends in the MD direction. The lower end of the conveying unit 12 is arranged to cover a part of the suction mechanism 14 described later. Also, an air flow is flowing from the pulp supply unit 11 side toward the suction mechanism 14, and the pulp and SAP particles are conveyed by the air flow. Therefore, the pulp discharged from the pulp supply unit 11 is conveyed by the air flow along the conveying unit 12 to the suction mechanism 14 provided below the conveying unit 12. Note that the CD direction of the conveying unit 12 coincides with the width direction of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A.

[0038] The SAP dispersion mechanism 13 extends obliquely downward starting from the upper SAP supply unit 13S (see FIG. 7), and its lower end is inserted into the conveying unit 12 near the upper center, and SAP particles are discharged into the conveying unit 12. Details of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13 will be described later.

[0039] The suction mechanism 14 is provided such that its upper end is located at the lower end of the conveying unit 12, and includes a forming drum 14D (an example of the "rotating body" in the present application), which is a hollow cylindrical rotating body having a mold (an example of the "mold" in the present application) on its outer periphery, and a drive unit 14M (an example of the "drive unit" in the present application) provided on one side in the CD direction of the forming drum 14D. Note that the arc-shaped arrow Y in FIG. 4 indicates the rotation direction of the forming drum 14D. The MD direction (rotation direction) of the forming drum 14D coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A. The forming drum 14D has its central axis arranged in the CD direction and rotates in the direction of arrow Y with this central axis as the rotation axis.

[0040] The drive unit 14M rotates the forming drum 14D in the direction of arrow Y by receiving power supply and driving a motor. Note that in FIG. 4, the central axis of the forming drum 14D extends in the depth direction of the drawing.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a view showing the drive unit 14M on the side where the forming drum 14D is not provided. The drive unit 14M communicates with a mold described later of the forming drum 14D, and has a suction unit 14F (an example of the "suction unit" in the present application) that sucks pulp on one side in the width direction (CD direction) orthogonal to the MD direction of the forming drum 14D. The suction unit 14F is provided in the drive unit 14M. The suction unit 14F makes the inside have a negative pressure, for example, by driving a suction fan, and sucks external air. The suction unit 14F is connected to the mold via the drive shaft of the forming drum 14D and the internal space of the forming drum 14D from one side surface side of the forming drum 14D.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the forming drum 14D viewed obliquely from above. The bottom of the mold 14C formed in the forming drum 14D is composed of a porous member such as a metal mesh plate, for example. That is, the bottom of the mold 14C has air permeability, and the negative pressure generated by the suction unit 14F can suck the external air of the forming drum 14D into the inside thereof through the mold 14C.

[0043] The mold 14C is a mold for forming the upper absorbent mat 6A, and is formed along the outer circumference of the forming drum 14D over the entire outer circumference. The mold 14C has substantially the same ladle shape as the upper absorbent mat 6A. The mold 14C may be formed directly on the outer peripheral portion of the forming drum 14D, for example, or may be formed by attaching a mold plate configured to be detachable to a cylindrical framework.

[0044] The mold 14C has a convex portion 14CU that protrudes toward the outside of the forming drum 14D and extends in the longitudinal direction of the mold 14C at the central portion in the width direction of the mold 14C corresponding to the groove portion 6H. By providing the convex portion 14CU on the mold 14C, the basis weight of the pulp and SAP particles deposited on the convex portion 14CU becomes lower than that of the surroundings, and the groove portion 6H is formed.

[0045] With such a configuration, in the deposition region R1, which is the facing region between the conveying unit 12 and the forming drum 14D, the pulp and SAP particles supplied from the conveying unit 12 are sucked to the bottom side of the mold 14C of the forming drum 14D together with the air sucked by the suction unit 14F. Here, although the air is sucked into the forming drum 14D through the bottom of the mold 14C, the pulp and SAP particles cannot pass through the porous member provided at the bottom of the mold 14C and will be deposited in the mold 14C.

[0046] An absorbent pad conveying path 15 is provided below the suction mechanism 14. The pulp and SAP particles deposited in the mold 14C are conveyed to the transfer region R2 facing the absorbent pad conveying path 15 by the rotation of the forming drum 14D. Thereafter, the pulp and SAP particles are released as the upper absorbent mat 6A in the transfer region R2 and transferred onto the member (in this embodiment, the lower absorbent mat 6B with the SAP layer 6S formed on the upper surface) below the upper absorbent mat 6A in the absorbent 6 flowing on the absorbent pad conveying path 15. Note that the MD direction of the absorbent pad conveying path 15 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper absorbent mat 6A.

[0047] When manufacturing the upper absorbent mat 6A containing SAP particles, it is necessary to deposit the SAP particles uniformly. If the SAP particles are not deposited uniformly, there is a risk that the amount of exudate such as urine discharged and absorbed by the upper absorbent mat 6A will be non-uniform. In addition, if the SAP particles are deposited unevenly, the surface of the upper absorbent mat 6A will become uneven, which may reduce the wearing comfort. However, there is a risk that the SAP particles are not supplied uniformly from the supply unit that supplies them and are supplied unevenly in the CD direction (width direction). Moreover, when the SAP particles are unevenly deposited, the surface of the upper absorbent mat 6A becomes uneven, which may reduce the wearing comfort. However, there is a risk that the SAP particles are not supplied uniformly from the supply unit that supplies them and are supplied unevenly in the CD direction (width direction).

[0048] On the one hand, the manufacturing apparatus M according to the present embodiment includes a SAP dispersion mechanism 13. The SAP dispersion mechanism 13 supplies SAP particles to a region narrower than the length in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A, and conveys them while dispersing them in the CD direction (width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A) of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13. Even in the subsequent conveyance of the SAP particles, they can continue to be dispersed in the CD direction due to the momentum in the CD direction added by the SAP dispersion mechanism 13. Therefore, the SAP particles can be uniformly distributed in the CD direction of the upper absorption mat 6A.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13. FIG. 8 is a top view of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13 viewed from above. Further, FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13 viewed from the back side. The SAP dispersion mechanism 13 includes a SAP supply unit 13S (an example of the "SAP discharge unit" referred to in the present application) that supplies SAP particles, an inclined portion 13K (an example of the "SAP dispersion portion" referred to in the present application) that conveys the SAP particles from the SAP supply unit 13S to the conveyance unit 12, a conveyance direction changing unit 13C (an example of the "conveyance direction changing unit" referred to in the present application) provided at the lower end of the inclined portion 13K that conveys the SAP particles upward, and an air discharge unit 13A (an example of the "air discharge unit" referred to in the present application) that discharges an air flow that biases the SAP particles in the conveyance direction changed by the conveyance direction changing unit 13C. Note that the CD direction of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13 coincides with the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A.

[0050] The SAP supply unit 13S has a cylindrical shape in which the CD direction of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13 is the longitudinal direction, and has a SAP supply port 13M extending in the longitudinal direction of the SAP supply unit 13S. The SAP supply unit 13S is rotating in the MD direction. Since the SAP supply unit 13S is rotating, SAP particles are continuously discharged from the SAP supply port 13M. The SAP particles are supplied to the SAP supply unit 13S and are supplied to the inclined portion 13K via the SAP supply port 13M.

[0051] The SAP particles discharged from the SAP supply port 13M are discharged within a range narrower than the length in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A. The SAP particles discharged from the SAP supply section 13S are conveyed while being dispersed in the CD direction of the inclined section 13K by the inclined section 13K. Since the CD direction of the inclined section 13K corresponds to the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A, the SAP particles are discharged within a range narrower than the length in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A so that the state of being dispersed by the inclined section 13K corresponds to the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A.

[0052] The inclined section 13K has a substantially rectangular shape with the MD direction of the SAP dispersion mechanism 13 as the longitudinal direction, and is inclined obliquely downward toward the suction mechanism 14, and discharges the SAP particles discharged from the SAP supply section 13S to the conveying section 12 by the self-weight of the SAP particles. The SAP particles used in the present embodiment are not circular. Since non-circular SAP particles are likely to be entangled with pulp, uneven distribution of SAP in the absorber 6 is less likely to occur. Further, since the SAP particles are not circular, in the inclined section 13K, the SAP particles are conveyed in the MD direction while being dispersed in the CD direction.

[0053] The inclined section 13K has wall portions 13W (an example of the "wall portion" referred to in the present application) extending upward at both ends in the CD direction of the inclined section 13K. The wall portions 13W suppress the SAP particles that have reached the CD direction end of the inclined section 13K before the SAP particles reach the lower end of the inclined section 13K from falling outside the CD direction of the inclined section 13K.

[0054] The length of the inclined section 13K in the MD direction is such that the SAP particles do not reach the wall portion 13W and are shorter than the wall portion 13W. It is the length that is dispersed inside the limo. The length of the wall portion 13W in the MD direction is preferably long because it enables the dispersion of SAP particles. However, when the SAP particles are dispersed in the CD direction of the inclined portion 13K and reach the wall portion 13W, the SAP particles may be conveyed in the MD direction of the inclined portion 13K along the wall portion 13W and may not be dispersed in the CD direction. Therefore, the length of the inclined portion 13K is set to a length such that the SAP particles do not reach the wall portion 13W even when they are conveyed in the MD direction while being dispersed in the CD direction. Thereby, an increase in the SAP density at the CD-direction end of the inclined portion 13K can be suppressed, and the variation in the SAP density in the CD direction of the inclined portion 13K at the stage of being input into the conveying portion 12 can be suppressed.

[0055] The conveyance direction changing portion 13C extends obliquely upward with the lower end of the inclined portion 13K as the lower end. When the SAP particles that have been conveyed while being dispersed in the inclined portion 13K pass through the conveyance direction changing portion 13C, a force that causes them to move upward in the gravitational direction is applied, and they are discharged obliquely upward. Even after the SAP particles are supplied from the inclined portion 13K to the conveying portion 12, the momentum of the SAP particles dispersing in the CD direction of the inclined portion 13K is not lost because it is not canceled out by the force in the MD direction of the SAP particles. Therefore, the SAP particles continue to be dispersed in the CD direction of the inclined portion 13K.

[0056] By providing the conveyance direction changing section 13C, the time from the inclined section 13K to reaching the mold 14C becomes longer compared to the case where the conveyance direction changing section 13C is not provided. Therefore, the time for the SAP particles to disperse becomes longer, and the SAP particles are likely to be uniformly deposited over the entire width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A. The SAP particles discharged obliquely upward are conveyed in the MD direction of the conveyance section 12 while having their upward momentum in the oblique direction canceled by the downward (MD direction) air flow of the conveyance section 12, and are deposited on the mold 14C. The SAP particles continue to disperse because the momentum in the CD direction of the inclined section 13K is not canceled while they are being conveyed by the air flow. Thus, by providing the conveyance direction changing section 13C, the time for the SAP particles to disperse can be extended by the time of being discharged obliquely upward from the conveyance direction changing section 13C and the time of canceling the upward momentum in the oblique direction by the air flow of the conveyance section 12, and the SAP particles are widely dispersed in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A and uniformly deposited.

[0057] The air discharge section 13A is a tube provided along the back (lower) end of the inclined section 13K and through which air can pass, and discharges air from a plurality of air holes 13H (an example of the "air holes" in the present application) provided in the air discharge section 13A below the conveyance direction changing section 13C. The air discharged from the air holes 13H forms an air flow and flows obliquely upward toward the conveyance section 12 in the MD direction of the conveyance direction changing section 13C. The SAP particles that have passed through the inclined section 13K and have their conveyance direction changed by the conveyance direction changing section 13C and are discharged obliquely upward are urged by the air flow discharged from the air holes 13H and conveyed obliquely upward. Therefore, when the SAP particles are conveyed by the air flow discharged from the air holes 13H, the SAP particles can be conveyed to a position higher than the conveyance direction changing section 13C. Thus, it becomes possible to extend the time of being discharged obliquely upward from the conveyance direction changing section 13C and the time of canceling the upward momentum in the oblique direction by the air flow of the conveyance section 12, and the SAP particles can be more dispersed in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A. Note that the air discharge section 13A does not have to be combined with the conveyance direction changing section 13C. Even without the conveyance direction changing section 13C, if it is provided at the lower end of the inclined section 13K, the discharged air flow can convey the SAP particles obliquely upward.

[0058] Also, by adjusting the direction of the air flow discharged from the air holes 13H or the speed of discharging the air flow, the time for being discharged obliquely upward from the conveyance direction changing section 13C and the time for canceling the momentum directed obliquely upward by the air flow in the conveyance section 12 can be adjusted, and the spread of the SAP particles in the CD direction can be adjusted. The more the direction of the air discharge section 13A faces the air holes 13H upward, the longer the time until the SAP particles reach the mold 14C, and the more likely the SAP particles are to disperse in the CD direction. On the other hand, the more the air holes 13H face horizontally, the shorter the time until the SAP particles reach the mold 14C, and the less likely the SAP particles are to disperse in the CD direction. Also, the air flow discharging speed can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the air flowing into the air holes 13H. When the pressure of the air flowing into the air holes 13H is high, the rising speed of the air flow increases, and it is difficult to be canceled by the downward air flow flowing into the conveyance section 12. The time until the SAP particles reach the mold 14C becomes long, and the SAP particles are likely to disperse in the CD direction. When the pressure of the air flowing into the air holes 13H is low, the rising speed of the air flow is slow, and it is easily canceled by the obliquely downward air flow flowing into the conveyance section 12. The time until the SAP particles reach the mold 14C becomes short, and the SAP particles are less likely to disperse in the CD direction. Note that the spread of the SAP particles in the CD direction may be adjusted by combining the direction of the air discharge section 13A and the discharging speed of the air flow.

[0059] The air holes 13H provided on the driving unit 14M side preferably discharge less air than the air holes 13H provided on the side away from the driving unit 14M. On the driving unit 14M side where the suction force of the suction unit 14F for sucking the SAP particles is high, the SAP particles are likely to accumulate due to the suction of the suction unit 14F. Therefore, by reducing the amount of air discharged from the air holes 13H provided on the side away from the driving unit 14M, it is possible to suppress the deposition of the SAP particles supplied from the inclined portion 13K to the conveyance section 12 on the driving unit 14M side where the suction unit 14F with high suction force is provided.

[0060] The amount and pressure of the air flow discharged from the air holes 13H can be adjusted by the size or number of the air holes 13H. For example, the amount of air discharged from the air holes 13H provided on the driving unit 14M side may be reduced by reducing the number of the air holes 13H provided on the driving unit 14M side, or the amount of air discharged from the air holes 13H provided on the driving unit 14M side may be reduced by reducing the size of the air holes 13H provided on the driving unit 14M side. Further, the amount of air discharged from the air discharge unit 13A may be adjusted by combining the number and size of the air holes 13H.

[0061] When a suction part is provided on the side plate surface side of the forming drum, since the suction force on the side where the suction part is provided is high, there is a risk that the density of the SAP particles on the side where the suction part is provided is increased compared to the side where the suction part is not provided, and there is a bias in the density of the SAP particles in the width direction of the upper layer absorption mat. Therefore, when the suction part is provided on both side surfaces of the forming drum, it is necessary to provide driving parts on both sides of the forming drum, which may complicate the suction mechanism and make maintenance difficult. Further, by providing the suction part on both side surfaces of the forming drum, there is a risk that the density of the SAP particles at both ends in the width direction of the upper layer absorption mat is increased compared to the density of the SAP particles inside the width direction.

[0062] On the one hand, the manufacturing apparatus M according to the present embodiment is provided with a SAP dispersion mechanism 13 such that SAP particles are unevenly arranged on one side in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A. For example, the SAP dispersion mechanism 13 is provided on one side in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A (the side where the suction part 14F is not arranged), or the SAP supply port 13M is provided on one side in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A (the side where the suction part 14F is not arranged), etc., so that SAP particles are unevenly arranged on one side in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gathering of the SAP particles supplied from the inclined part 13K to the conveying part 12 on the side of the suction part 14F with a high suction force. Further, since the SAP particles supplied from the inclined part 13K to the conveying part 12 have a momentum to disperse in the CD direction of the inclined part 13K, they can continue to disperse in the CD direction of the inclined part 13K also in the conveying part 12, and can spread in the width direction of the upper absorption mat 6A to hold the SAP particles.

[0063] Further, the manufacturing apparatus M may be provided with a substantially cylindrical pressing roll 16 (an example of the "pressing part" referred to in the present application) that is arranged in the region between the deposition region R1 and the transfer region R2 and has a function of pressing the pulp and SAP particles deposited on the mold 14C of the forming drum 14D toward the bottom side of the mold 14C.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a view showing the pressing roll 16 extracted. FIG. 10(A) is a perspective view of the pressing roll 16. FIG. 10(B) is a view of the pressing roll 16 viewed from the MD direction of the forming drum 14D. As shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), the pressing roll 16 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a constricted recess 16H in the central portion in the width direction corresponding to the convex portion 14CU of the mold 14C, and is configured to be rotatable about the central axis of the cylinder as a rotation axis. However, the pressing roll 16 itself does not mainly rotate, but can rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the forming drum 14D by receiving the rotational force of the forming drum 14D. And the width of the entire pressing roll 16 is approximately the same as or slightly shorter than the length of the width of the central portion of the mold 14C.

[0065] The pressing roll 16 is biased toward the inside of the forming drum 14D by a biasing means (not shown), for example, to press the absorbent material deposited on the mold 14C in the direction toward the inside of the forming drum 14D.

[0066] Further, since the length of the pressing roll 16 in the width direction is such that it can press the entire width direction of the mold 14C, the absorbent material pushed by the pressing roll 16 has no escape space between the side surface of the convex portion 14CU and the end portion in the width direction of the mold 14C and is thus pressed firmly. That is, the thickness can be made uniform over the entire width direction of the upper absorbent mat 6A.

[0067] When the mold 14C is configured such that the front end and the rear end of the region corresponding to each of the plurality of upper absorbent mats 6A communicate with each other, it is possible to suppress an unintended state in which SAP particles and pulp are biased and the density becomes high at one of the longitudinal ends of the upper absorbent mat 6A. That is, by being pressed by the pressing roll 16, it moves in the width direction and on the rear side in the rotation direction of the forming drum 14D in the mold 14C. If the configuration is such that there is a boundary between the molds, the movement of the SAP particles and pulp that have moved to the rear side in the rotation direction of the forming drum 14D is restricted at the rear end side of the mold, and the density becomes high at that portion.

[0068] In this regard, when the forming drum 14D of the manufacturing apparatus M according to the present embodiment is configured such that the front end and the rear end of the region corresponding to each of the plurality of upper absorbent mats 6A in the mold 14C communicate with each other, it is possible to prevent a situation where the density of the pulp and the SAP particles varies between one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction of the upper absorbent mat 6A.

[0069] Next, based on FIG. 11, a method for manufacturing the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart regarding the method for manufacturing the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment. First, in the fibrillation step, a pulp sheet formed from pulp fibers constituting the upper absorbent mat 6A is fibrillated in the pulp supply unit 11, and the fibrillated pulp is supplied to the transport unit 12 (step S101). Also, in the SAP discharge step, SAP particles are discharged from the SAP supply unit 13S through the SAP supply port 13M in a range narrower than the CD direction orthogonal to the MD direction of the upper absorbent mat 6A (step S102). Then, in the SAP dispersion step, the SAP particles discharged from the SAP supply port 13M are obliquely downwardly transported from the inclined portion 13K to the transport unit 12 by their own weight, and the SAP particles are dispersed inward from the end in the CD direction during transportation (step S103). Next, in the transport step, the pulp and the dispersed SAP particles are transported along the transport unit 12 to the suction mechanism 14 by the air flow flowing in the transport unit 12 (step S104). Next, in the suction step, while the hollow cylindrical forming drum 14D having the mold 14C on the outer peripheral portion rotates, the fibrillated pulp and the dispersed SAP particles are suctioned in the inner circumferential direction of the forming drum 14D (step S105). Finally, in the transfer step, the formed upper absorbent mat 6A is transferred to the skin surface side of the material on the non-skin surface side of the upper absorbent mat 6A among the absorbent pads 1 being transported on the absorbent pad transport path 15 (in the present embodiment, the lower absorbent mat 6B having the SAP layer 6S formed on the upper surface) (step S106).

[0070] In the fibrillation step (step S101), in the pulp supply unit 11, a pulp sheet formed from pulp fibers is fibrillated, and the fibrillated pulp is discharged to the transport unit 12.

[0071] In the SAP discharging process (step S102), the SAP particles supplied to the SAP supply unit 13S are discharged from the SAP supply port 13M to the inclined portion 13K. Next, in the SAP dispersion process (step S103), the SAP particles pass through the inclined portion 13K while dispersing in the CD direction and are discharged obliquely upward by the conveyance direction changing portion 13C. At this time, since an air flow is generated obliquely upward from the lower side of the conveyance direction changing portion 13C by the air discharge portion 13A, the SAP particles are urged by the air flow discharged from the air holes 13H provided in the air discharge portion 13A and are conveyed upward in the gravitational direction. Here, since the momentum in the CD direction, which is the direction in which the SAP particles disperse, is not canceled out, the SAP particles continue to disperse in the CD direction while being conveyed obliquely upward.

[0072] In the conveyance process (step S104), the pulp discharged from the pulp supply unit 11 is conveyed along the conveyance unit 12 by an air flow to the mold 14C provided in the suction mechanism 14. At this time, the SAP particles conveyed upward in the gravitational direction by the SAP dispersion process (step S103) have the momentum of the air flow flowing upward in the gravitational direction canceled out by the air flow flowing obliquely downward in the conveyance unit 12, and are conveyed along the conveyance unit 12 together with the pulp and are conveyed to the mold 14C provided in the suction mechanism 14. Note that since the momentum in the CD direction, which is the direction in which the SAP particles disperse, is not canceled out, the SAP particles continue to disperse in the CD direction.

[0073] Next, in the suction process (step S105), the pulp and SAP particles deposited on the mold 14C are suctioned in the inner circumferential direction of the forming drum 14D as the forming drum 14D rotates, and are conveyed to a position facing the absorbent pad conveyance path 15 by the rotation of the forming drum 14D.

[0074] Finally, in the transfer process (step S106), it is transferred to the skin surface side of the material on the non-skin surface side of the upper absorbent mat 6A among the absorbent pads 1 conveyed to the absorbent pad conveyance path 15 in the transfer region R2.

[0075] The present invention is applicable not only to absorbent pads but also to pant-type diapers and tape-type diapers.

[0076] The features included in each of the embodiments and their modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 1 ··· Absorbent pad 1F ··· Front body region 1B ··· Crotch region 1R ··· Rear body region 3BL, 3BR, 3LB, 3RB ··· Thread rubber 3LL, 3RL ··· Folding line 3L, 3R ··· Leakage prevention wall 5 ··· Back sheet 6 ··· Absorbent body 6C ··· Absorbent core 6A ··· Upper absorbent mat 6B ··· Lower absorbent mat 6H ··· Groove portion 6S ··· SAP layer 7 ··· Core wrap sheet 7A ··· Upper core wrap sheet 7B ··· Lower core wrap sheet 8 ··· Top sheet 9L, 9R ··· Side sheet 9LA, 9RA ··· Fixed end portion 9LB, 9RB ··· Free end portion 10L, 10R ··· Ear portion 11 ··· Pulp supply portion 12 ··· Conveying portion 13 ··· SAP dispersion mechanism 13S ··· SAP supply portion 13K ··· Inclined portion 13C ··· Conveying direction changing portion 13A ··· Air discharge portion 13M ··· SAP supply port 13W ··· Wall portion 13H ··· Air hole 14 ··· Suction mechanism 14C ··· Mold 14D ··· Forming drum 14M ·· Driving part 14F ·· Suction part 15 ·· Absorbent pad conveyance path 16 ·· Pressing roll M ·· Manufacturing apparatus R1 ·· Deposition area R2 ·· Transfer area

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys pulp for forming an absorber with an air flow, A rotating body having a hollow cylindrical shape with a mold on its outer peripheral portion, and a suction mechanism that sucks the pulp in the inner circumferential direction of the rotating body, A SAP discharge unit that discharges SAP particles in a range narrower than the CD direction orthogonal to the MD direction of the absorber, and a SAP dispersion unit that conveys the SAP particles discharged from the SAP discharge unit obliquely downward to the conveying unit by their own weight and disperses the SAP particles inside the width direction end orthogonal to the conveying direction during conveyance, a SAP dispersion mechanism, Comprising, An absorber manufacturing apparatus.

2. The SAP dispersion unit has a wall portion in the CD direction orthogonal to the MD direction, and the length in the MD direction is the length at which the SAP particles are dispersed inside the wall portion, The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The suction mechanism has a drive unit that rotates the rotating body in one direction with reference to the midpoint of the rotating body, The drive unit communicates with the mold and has a suction unit that sucks the pulp on one side in the width direction of the rotating body orthogonal to the rotation direction of the rotating body, The SAP dispersion unit is provided so that the SAP particles are disposed to be biased to one side in the width direction of the absorber, The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. The SAP dispersion mechanism has a conveyance direction changing unit that is disposed at the lower end of the SAP dispersion unit and changes the conveyance direction of the conveyed SAP particles to a direction opposite to the MD direction of the pulp conveyed by the conveying unit, The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The conveyance direction changing unit changes the conveyance direction of the SAP particles upward in the gravity direction at the lower end of the SAP dispersion unit, The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 4.

6. The SAP dispersion mechanism has an air discharge unit that discharges an air flow that biases the SAP particles in the conveyance direction changed by the conveyance direction changing unit, The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 4.

7. The air discharge unit has a plurality of air holes through which air can pass, The amount of air discharged from the plurality of air holes is different, The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 6.

8. A plurality of the molds corresponding to the plurality of absorbers are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, The mold has a rear end portion of a region corresponding to the absorber positioned forward in the rotation direction of the rotating body communicating with a front end portion of a region corresponding to the absorber positioned immediately after that region. The manufacturing apparatus for an absorber according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The mold is formed such that the length in the width direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the rotating body, is longer in either or both of the regions before and after the region near the center in the rotation direction of the rotating body than in the region near the center. It includes a pressing portion that presses the pulp and the SAP particles inward of the rotating body with a width shorter than the length in the width direction of the region near the center in the rotation direction of the rotating body of the mold. The manufacturing apparatus for an absorber according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The manufacturing apparatus for an absorbent article, comprising the manufacturing apparatus for an absorber according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. A conveying step of conveying pulp for forming an absorber by an air flow; A suction step of having a hollow cylindrical rotating body having a mold on its outer peripheral portion and sucking the pulp in the inner circumferential direction of the rotating body; A SAP discharging step of discharging SAP particles in a range narrower than the CD direction orthogonal to the MD direction of the absorber; A SAP dispersion step of conveying the SAP particles discharged in the SAP discharging step obliquely downward to the conveying step by their own weight and dispersing the SAP particles inward of the end portions in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction during the conveying. The manufacturing method of an absorber.

12. The manufacturing method of an absorbent article, including the manufacturing method of an absorber according to claim 11.

Images