Method and apparatus for manufacturing disposable wearable articles

Abstract

Provided are a method and a device for manufacturing a disposable wearable article that can shorten the section for folding an absorbent body in half.　An absorbent body continuous body (2) in which first sections (3) scheduled to become absorbent bodies (4) are connected in a first direction (2x) is conveyed in the first direction (2x), and a waist member continuous body (6) in which second sections (7) scheduled to become waist members (8) are connected in a second direction (6x) is conveyed in the second direction (6x). The absorbent body continuous body (2) is cut to form the absorbent bodies (4), and the absorbent bodies are turned 90 degrees. End sides (4b) of the absorbent bodies that have been turned 90 degrees are joined in a superimposed manner to the waist member continuous body (6) with spaces provided therebetween such that the other end sides (4f) of the absorbent bodies (4) protrude from the waist member continuous body (6), thereby forming a wearable article continuous body (9). The absorbent bodies (4) are folded in half while conveying the wearable article continuous body (9) along a cylindrical conveyance route (56), followed by cutting the wearable article continuous body (9) between adjacent absorbent bodies (5) folded in half.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing disposable wearing articles, and more particularly to a technique for manufacturing disposable wearing articles having a substantially T-shape.

Background Art

[0002] For example, FIG. 4 is a development view of a disposable wearing article 101 having a substantially T-shape. As shown in FIG. 4, one end side of an absorbent body 102 is joined to an intermediate position of a body circumferential member 103 in the disposable wearing article 101. In the disposable wearing article 101, the other end side 102c of the absorbent body 102 is folded back at a central portion 102b toward the body circumferential member 103. After the absorbent body 102 is folded in two, the disposable wearing article 101 is provided in a folded state in which both end portions of the body circumferential member overlap each other. [[ID=I4]]

[0003] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing process of the disposable wearing article 101. As shown in FIG. 5, while conveying a body circumferential member continuum 171 in which a first portion to become the body circumferential member 103 is connected in the direction indicated by an arrow Y, one end sides of a plurality of absorbent bodies 102 are joined in a comb shape with a predetermined interval therebetween to form a wearing article continuum 107. Then, while conveying the wearing article continuum 107, the body circumferential member continuum 171 side of the wearing article continuum 107 is lifted and overlapped on the other end side 102c of the absorbent body 102, and the absorbent body 102 is folded in two so that a fold line 126 is formed at an intermediate position in a direction X orthogonal to the conveying direction Y of the absorbent body 102. Next, the wearing article continuum 107 is cut between adjacent absorbent bodies 102 to form individual pieces of the disposable wearing article (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a folding device that sequentially cuts an absorbent body continuum in which a second portion to become the absorbent body is connected while conveying the absorbent body continuum along a cylindrical conveying path to cut the absorbent body, and further folds the absorbent body in two while conveying the absorbent body along the cylindrical conveying path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4920424 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 2851784 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] When folding the absorbent body of a wearable garment in half while transporting the garment, it is necessary to gradually increase the angle of the fold to avoid applying excessive force to the absorbent body 102. As a result, the section in which the absorbent body 102 is folded becomes longer, and the installation space required for the disposable wearable garment manufacturing equipment increases.

[0007] In view of these circumstances, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing disposable wearable articles that can shorten the section in which the absorbent body is folded in half. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing disposable wearable articles configured as follows.

[0009] A method for manufacturing disposable wearable articles includes: (i) a first transport step of transporting an absorbent body continuum in which a first portion intended to become an absorbent body is connected in a first direction; (ii) a second transport step of transporting a waist member continuum in which a second portion intended to become a waist member is connected in a second direction; (iii) a first cutting step of sequentially cutting the absorbent body continuum being transported in the first direction to form the absorbent body; (iv) a turning step of rotating the absorbent body by 90 degrees; and (v) transporting a first region on one end side of the absorbent body that has been rotated by 90 degrees in the second direction. The process includes: (vi) a folding process in which the absorbent body is folded in half while the wearable article continuous is being transported, and (vii) a second cutting process in which the body circumference continuous is cut at a cutting position between adjacent folded absorbent bodies while the wearable article continuous is being transported. Furthermore, in the second cutting step, the continuous waist member of the wearable article continuous body, which is conveyed from the cylindrical conveying path via guide rolls, is cut at the cutting position after passing through the guide rolls. do.

[0010] According to the above method, a disposable wearable article can be manufactured in which the first region of the folded absorbent body is joined to the middle position of the waist member. Since the absorbent body is folded in half while the wearable article continuous body is conveyed along a cylindrical conveying path, the section over which the absorbent body is folded can be shortened compared to when the absorbent body is folded in half while the wearable article continuous body is conveyed along a linear conveying path.

[0011] Preferably, the method for manufacturing a disposable wearable article further comprises (viii) a temporary fastening step of temporarily fastening the first region and the second region of the absorbent body, which has been folded in half, to each other.

[0012] In this case, the folded state of the absorbent body is stable, allowing the continuous body of wearable items to which the folded absorbent bodies are joined to be transported at a higher speed, and increasing the number of disposable wearable items manufactured per unit time.

[0013] Preferably, the method for manufacturing a disposable wearable article further comprises (ix) a ripitch step in which a moving pad is used to receive the absorbent body that has been rotated 90 degrees from the rotation step, and the received absorbent body is delivered to the joining step, and the moving pad is moving at a first speed to receive the absorbent body that has been rotated 90 degrees from the rotation step, and the moving pad is moving at a second speed different from the first speed to deliver the received absorbent body to the joining step.

[0014] In this case, the spacing between the absorbent bodies superimposed on the continuous body members during the joining process can be changed.

[0015] Preferably, the method for manufacturing a disposable wearable article further comprises (x) a size-changing step in which the spacing of the absorbent bodies superimposed on the waist member continuum in the joining step is changed by changing the transport speed of either the waist member continuum or the absorbent body continuum or both, according to the size of the disposable wearable article.

[0016] In this case, it becomes possible to accommodate different sizes of disposable clothing items.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus for disposable wearable articles configured as follows.

[0018] The disposable wearable article manufacturing apparatus includes (a) a first unit that forms the absorbent body by cutting an absorbent body continuum, in which a first portion intended to become the absorbent body is connected in a first direction, while conveying it in the first direction, and rotating the absorbent body by 90 degrees, and (b) a second unit that conveys a waist member continuum, in which a second portion intended to become the waist member is connected in a second direction, and the first region on one end of the absorbent body that has been rotated by 90 degrees is attached to the conveying waist member continuum, and the second region on the other end of the absorbent body is attached to the (c) a second unit which is stacked sequentially with spacing between them so as to protrude from the waist member continuum, and the first region of the absorbent body is joined to the waist member continuum to form a wearable article continuum, and (c) a third unit which is folded in half the wearable article continuum and cut the wearable article continuum at a cutting position between adjacent folded absorbent bodies to form a disposable wearable article in which the first region of the folded absorbent body is joined to the intermediate position of the waist member. The third unit is The unit includes a folding drum for folding the absorbent body of the wearable article continuum in half, a guide roll, a cutting device for cutting the waist member continuum of the wearable article continuum at the cutting position, and a conveying device for conveying the wearable article continuum so that the wearable article continuum received from the second unit is conveyed from the folding drum through the guide roll to the cutting device. The folding drum is (c-1) A winding portion that moves along a cylindrical transport path; (c-2) A swinging pad that swings between an open position adjacent to the winding portion in the axial direction of the transport path and a closed position facing the winding portion in the radial direction of the transport path, straddling the transport path, and moves together with the winding portion along the transport path; (ci) When the swinging pad is in the open position, the winding portion begins to hold the waist member continuum of the wearable article continuum, and the swinging pad begins to hold the second region of the absorbent body of the wearable article continuum; (c-ii) While moving along the transport path, the swinging pad swings to the closed position, overlapping the second region of the absorbent body with the first region of the absorbent body, thereby folding the absorbent body in half.

[0019] According to the above configuration, while the disposable article continuum is being conveyed along the cylindrical conveyance path, the absorbent body of the disposable article continuum is folded in half. Therefore, compared to the case where the absorbent body is folded in half while the disposable article continuum is being conveyed along a linear conveyance path, the section where the absorbent body is folded in half can be shortened.

[0020] Preferably, the manufacturing apparatus for disposable articles further includes a temporary fixing device that temporarily fixes the first region and the second region of the absorbent body folded in half to each other.

[0021] In this case, since the state of the absorbent body folded in half is stabilized, the disposable article continuum to which the absorbent body folded in half is joined can be conveyed at a higher speed, and the number of disposable articles manufactured per unit time can be increased.

[0022] Preferably, the manufacturing apparatus for disposable articles further includes a pitch device having a moving pad that receives the absorbent body turned 90 degrees from the first unit while moving at a first speed and transfers the received absorbent body to the second unit while moving at a second speed different from the first speed.

[0023] In this case, the interval between the absorbent bodies to be overlaid on the body circumferential member continuum in the second unit can be changed.

[0024] Preferably, the manufacturing apparatus for disposable articles further includes a size changing device that changes either one or both of the first conveyance speed at which the first unit conveys the absorbent body continuum and the second conveyance speed at which the winding portions of the second unit and the third unit convey the body circumferential member continuum according to the size of the disposable article, thereby changing the interval between the absorbent bodies overlaid on the body circumferential member continuum.

[0025] In this case, it becomes possible to cope with differences in the sizes of disposable articles.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, the section in which the absorbent body is folded in half can be shortened. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for disposable wearable items. (Example 1) [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for disposable wearable items. (Example 1) [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the manufacturing process for disposable wearable items. (Example 1) [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram of a disposable wearable item. (Conventional Example 1) [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the manufacturing process of disposable wearable items. (Conventional Example 1) [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] <Example 1> The manufacturing method and apparatus for the disposable wearable article of Example 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0030] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a disposable wearable article manufacturing apparatus 12. In Figures 1 and 2, (A), (B), (C), (D), (E-1), (E-2), (F-1), (F-2), (G-1), (G-2), (H-1), and (H-2) are schematic partial views from the directions indicated by arrows a, b, c, d, e1, e2, f1, f2, g1, g2, h1, and h2, respectively. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of disposable wearable articles.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the disposable wearable article manufacturing apparatus 12 comprises a first unit 20, a ripitch device 30, a second unit 40, a third unit 50, a temporary fastening device 60, and a size changing device 70.

[0032] The first unit 20 has a guide roll 26 and a cutter roll 27 positioned adjacent to the rotating drum 21.

[0033] The rotating drum 21 is equipped with a plurality of suction platforms 22 that move along a cylindrical transport path 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow 24. The suction platforms 22 adsorb and hold the absorbent body continuum 2, which is introduced via the guide roll 26, onto an adsorption surface 23 formed with suction holes (not shown) that communicate with a negative pressure source.

[0034] The cutter roll 27 cuts the continuous absorbent body 2, which is being transported while being adsorbed onto the suction surface 23 of the suction platform 22, between adjacent suction platforms 22 at an appropriate timing to form the absorbent body 4. The suction platform 22 moves along the cylindrical transport path 28 while holding the absorbent body 4 on the suction surface 23 and rotates 90 degrees so that the direction connecting the ends 4p and 4q of the absorbent body 4 becomes perpendicular to the transport direction of the absorbent body 4.

[0035] The absorbent body continuum 2 has a first portion 3, which is intended to become an absorbent body 4 of a predetermined length L, connected in the first direction 2x indicated by the arrow 2x. For example, in the absorbent body continuum 2, absorbent cores 4k containing pulp and / or a superabsorbent polymer are arranged between two strip-shaped sheets 2a and 2b, spaced apart from each other in the first direction 2x. The absorbent body continuum 2 is cut between adjacent absorbent cores 4k to form an absorbent body 4.

[0036] The repitch device 30 has a moving pad 32 that moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 31 while changing speed along a cylindrical transport path 38. The moving pad 32 has a suction surface 34 formed with a suction hole (not shown) that communicates with a negative pressure source. While moving at a first speed, the moving pad 32 picks up the 90-degree rotated absorbent body 4 held on the suction platform 22 of the swivel drum 21 of the first unit 20 with the suction surface 34, receives the 90-degree rotated absorbent body 4, moves while changing speed to a second speed different from the first speed, and hands over the received absorbent body 4 to the second unit 40 at the second speed. Using a servo motor makes it easy to change the speed of the moving pad 32.

[0037] The second unit 40 includes a conveying device 42 positioned adjacent to the repitching device 30 and a joining device 46 positioned along the conveying device 42.

[0038] The conveying device 42 conveys the waist member continuum 6, in the second direction 6x, to which the second portion 7 (see Figure 3), which is to become the waist member 8 (see Figure 3), is connected in the second direction 6x. The first region 4b on one end 4p of the absorbent body 4, which is sequentially fed from the repitch device 30 and rotated by 90 degrees, overlaps the waist member continuum 6 with a gap between them, so that the second region 4f on the other end 4q of the absorbent body 4 protrudes from the waist member continuum 6. The joining device 46 joins the first region 4b of the absorbent body 4 and the waist member continuum 6 to each other, forming a wearable article continuum 9 in which the first region 4b of the absorbent body 4 and the waist member continuum 6 are joined together.

[0039] The conveying device 42 comprises, for example, an endless belt 44 that is breathable and circulates along a predetermined path, and a suction box (not shown) located inside the endless belt 44 and connected to a negative pressure source. The conveying device is configured to convey the material while adsorbing and holding the girth member continuum 6 and the absorbent body 4, which has been rotated 90 degrees, on the outside of the endless belt 44.

[0040] The joining device 46 pre-applies adhesive to at least one of the pair of opposing portions of the girth member continuum 6 and the absorbent body 4 that are intended to overlap. The joining device 46 may also be configured to join the absorbent body 4 and the girth member continuum 6 to each other by means of heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like, instead of adhesive.

[0041] The repitch device 30 may be omitted, but if it is provided between the first unit 20 and the second unit 40, the spacing of the absorbent body 5 that overlaps the girdle member continuous 6 in the second unit 40 can be changed.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the third unit 50 includes a folding drum 52, a guide roll 58, and a conveying device and a cutting device (not shown). It folds the absorbent body 4 in half and cuts the wearable article continuum 9 at the cutting position between adjacent absorbent bodies 4 or 5 to form a disposable wearable article 10, as shown in Figure 3, in which the first region 4b of the folded absorbent body 5 is joined to the middle position of the waist member 8.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the folding drum 52 is positioned adjacent to the second unit 40 and receives and transports the wearable article continuum 9 from the second unit 40. The folding drum 52 is configured similarly to the folding device disclosed in Patent Document 2 and has a winding section 53 and a plurality of swinging pads 54 that open and close while moving along a cylindrical transport path 56.

[0044] The winding portion 53 moves along a cylindrical transport path 56 while adsorbing and holding the portion where the absorbent body 4 of the waist member continuum 6 of the wearable article continuum 9 overlaps with the adsorption surface 53s (see partial schematic diagram (E-2)), which has an adsorption hole (not shown) that communicates with a negative pressure source.

[0045] The oscillating pad 54 oscillates along the transport path 56 between an open position P aligned with the winding portion 53 in the axial direction of the transport path 56 and a closed position Q facing the winding portion 53 in the radial direction of the transport path 56, as indicated by the arrow 54x. The oscillating pad 54 moves along the transport path 56 together with the winding portion 53 while holding the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 of the wearable article continuum 9. The oscillating pad 54 attracts and holds the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 of the wearable article continuum 9 to its suction surface 54s (see partial schematic diagram (E-2)), which has suction holes (not shown) that communicate with a negative pressure source, and moves while maintaining a predetermined distance between them.

[0046] When the oscillating pad 54 is in the open position P, the winding portion 53 begins to hold the waist member continuum 6 of the wearable article continuum 9, and the oscillating pad 54 begins to hold the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 of the wearable article continuum 9. As it moves along the cylindrical transport path 56, the oscillating pad 54 oscillates to the closed position Q, overlapping the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 with the first region 4b of the absorbent body 4, thereby folding the absorbent body 4 in half. A fold line 4x (see partial schematic diagram (H-1)) is formed on the outside of the waist member continuum 6 of the wearable article continuum 9 in the folded absorbent body 5.

[0047] When the absorbent body 4 is folded in half, the oscillating pad 54 releases its hold on the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 and returns to the open position P. The folded absorbent body 4 continuous wearable article 9 is held and transported by the winding section 53 and transported via a guide roll 58 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 59 to a cutting device (not shown) by a transport device (not shown). As shown in Figure 3, the cutting device (not shown) cuts the continuous wearable article 9 at the cutting position 9x between adjacent folded absorbent body 5s of the continuous wearable article 9, forming a disposable wearable article 10 in which the first region 4b of the folded absorbent body 5 is joined to the middle position of the waist member 8.

[0049] The temporary fastening device 60 is positioned, for example, along the folded drum 52, and temporarily fastens the first region 4b and the second region 4f of the folded absorbent body 5 to each other by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like. That is, the joint between the first region 4b and the second region 4f of the absorbent body 5 is joined with sufficient strength to be released when the disposable wearable article 10 is used. The temporary fastening device 60 may also be configured to apply adhesive to appropriate locations on the absorbent body 4 before it is folded, or to attach double-sided tape, instead of heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.

[0050] The temporary fastening device 60 may be omitted, but if the temporary fastening device 60 is provided and the product is temporarily fastened, the folded state of the absorbent body 4 will be stabilized, and the continuous wearable article 9 to which the folded absorbent body 5 is joined will be transported at a higher speed, thereby increasing the number of disposable wearable articles 10 manufactured per unit time.

[0051] The size-changing device 70 is configured to change the spacing of the absorbent bodies 5 that overlap the waist member continuous 6 in the second unit 40 by changing either or both of the first transport speed at which the first unit 20 transports the continuous absorbent body 4, and the second transport speed at which the winding sections 53 of the second unit 40 and the third unit 50 transport the waist member continuous 6, according to the size of the disposable wearable item 10. For example, the size-changing device 70 includes a controller that controls servo motors that drive the first unit 20, the repitch device 30, the winding section 53 of the double-fold drum 52 of the second unit 40 and the third unit 50, and changes the rotation speed of the servo motors according to the size of the disposable wearable item 10.

[0052] The size changing device 70 may be omitted, but providing the size changing device 70 makes it possible to accommodate different sizes of the disposable wearable items 10.

[0053] In the disposable wearable article manufacturing apparatus 12, the folding drum 52 of the third unit 50 folds the absorbent body 4 in half while the wearable article continuous body 9 is transported along a cylindrical transport path 56. This allows for a shorter section of time to fold the absorbent body compared to when the wearable article continuous body 9 is transported along a straight transport path while the absorbent body 4 is folded in half.

[0054] Next, the manufacturing method of the disposable wearable item 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the disposable wearable item 10 is formed using the absorbent main body continuous 2 and the waist member continuous 6.

[0055] The method for manufacturing the disposable wearable article 10 comprises the following steps (1) to (6).

[0056] (1) First conveying process The absorbent body continuum 2 is transported in the first direction 2x indicated by arrow 2x. The absorbent body continuum 2 has a first portion 3, which is to become the absorbent body 4, connected in the first direction 2x. The absorbent body 4 may be formed and transported continuously, or pre-prepared absorbent body 4 may be transported.

[0057] (2) Second conveying process The continuous body member 6 is transported in the second direction 6x indicated by the arrow 6x. The continuous body member 6 has a second portion 7, which is to become a body member 8, connected in the second direction 6x. The continuous body member 6 may be formed and transported continuously, or a pre-prepared continuous body member 6 may be transported.

[0058] (3) Turning process The absorbent body is rotated by 90 degrees. For example, the absorbent body 4 is transported in the direction indicated by arrow 5x, and the orientation of the absorbent body 4 with respect to the transport direction 5x is changed by 90 degrees so that the direction connecting the ends 4p and 4q of the absorbent body 4 is perpendicular to the transport direction 5x of the absorbent body 4.

[0059] (4)Joining process The first region 4b on one end 4p of the absorbent body 4, which has been rotated 90 degrees, is sequentially overlapped with the waist member continuous body 6, which is being transported in the second direction 6x, with a gap between them, so that the second region 4f on the other end 4q of the absorbent body 4 protrudes from the waist member continuous body 6. The first region 4b of the absorbent body 4 is joined to the waist member continuous body 6, forming a wearable article continuous body 9 in which the first region 4b of the absorbent body 4 is joined to the waist member continuous body 6.

[0060] For example, the absorbent body 4 and the continuous body member 6 are joined together by applying adhesive to appropriate locations on the absorbent body 4 and / or the continuous body member 6 in advance. Alternatively, the absorbent body 4 and the continuous body member 6 may be joined together by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like instead of adhesive.

[0061] (5) Folding process The absorbent body 4 is folded in half while the wearable item continuum 9 is being transported. At this time, the absorbent body 4 is folded in half by overlapping the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 with the first region 4b of the absorbent body 4 while the wearable item continuum 9 is being transported along the cylindrical transport path.

[0062] For example, as shown in Figure 2, (a) a winding part 53 that moves along a cylindrical transport path 56, and (b) a swinging pad 54 that swings between an open position P aligned with the winding part 53 in the axial direction of the transport path 56 and a closed position Q facing the winding part 53 in the radial direction of the transport path 56 across the transport path 56, and moves together with the winding part 53 along the cylindrical transport path 56, (i) when the swinging pad 54 is in the open position P, the winding part 53 starts to hold the waist member continuum 6 of the wearable article continuum 9, and the swinging pad 54 starts to hold the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 of the wearable article continuum 9, and (ii) while moving along the transport path 56, the swinging pad 54 swings to the closed position Q, overlapping the second region 4f of the absorbent body 4 with the first region 4b of the absorbent body 4, thereby folding the absorbent body 4 in half.

[0063] (6) Second cutting process While the wearable article continuum 9 is being transported, the torso continuum member 6 of the wearable article continuum 9 is cut at the cutting position 9x between adjacent absorbent bodies 4 or 5.

[0065] Through the above steps (1) to (6), a disposable wearable item 10 is formed in which the first region 4b of the folded absorbent body 5 is joined to the middle position of the waist member 8.

[0066] A hook-and-loop fastener (not shown) may be provided near both ends 8a, 8b of the waist member 8 of the disposable wearable article 10 for joining to the second region 4f of the folded absorbent body 5. The hook-and-loop fastener may be provided in advance on the waist member continuum 6 or on the disposable wearable article 10 after cutting. Other accessory members may be provided in advance on the absorbent body continuum 2 and / or the waist member continuum 6 or on the disposable wearable article 10 after cutting.

[0067] Since the absorbent body 4 is folded in half while the wearable article continuum 9, to which the absorbent body 4 is attached, is transported along a cylindrical transport path 56, the section over which the absorbent body 4 is folded can be shortened compared to when the absorbent body 4 is folded in half while the wearable article continuum 9, to which the absorbent body 4 is attached, is transported along a straight transport path.

[0068] The method for manufacturing the disposable wearable article 10 may further include one or more of the following steps (7) to (9).

[0069] (7) Temporary fastening process The first region 4b and the second region 4f of the folded absorbent body 5 are temporarily fixed to each other. For example, after folding the absorbent body 4 in half, appropriate parts of the folded absorbent body 5 are temporarily fixed by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc. Alternatively, the absorbent body 4 can be temporarily fixed by applying adhesive or double-sided tape to appropriate parts before folding. Since the folded state is stabilized by temporary fixing, the wearable article continuum 9 to which the folded absorbent body 5 is joined can be transported at a higher speed, and the number of disposable wearable articles manufactured per unit time can be increased.

[0070] (8) Repitch process Using the moving pad 32 (see Figure 1), the absorbent body 4 that has rotated 90 degrees from the rotation process is received, and the received absorbent body 4 is handed over to the joining process. The moving pad 32 moves at a first speed, receiving the absorbent body 4 that has rotated 90 degrees from the rotation process, and moves at a second speed different from the first speed, handing over the received absorbent body 4 to the joining process. The repitch process allows the spacing between the absorbent bodies 4, 4 that are superimposed on the continuum body member 6 in the joining process to be changed.

[0071] (9) Resizing process Depending on the size of the disposable wearable item, the spacing between the absorbent body 4 superimposed on the waist member continuous 6 in the joining process is changed by altering either the first transport speed for transporting the continuous absorbent body 4 in the first transport process or the second transport speed for transporting the waist member continuous 6 in the second transport process, or both. This makes it possible to accommodate different sizes of disposable wearable items 10, even if the size of the absorbent body 4 and / or waist member 8 of the disposable wearable item 10 changes.

[0072] <Summary> As explained above, by transporting a continuous wearable garment to which the absorbent body is attached along a cylindrical transport path while folding the absorbent body in half, the section over which the absorbent body is folded can be shortened.

[0073] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0074] For example, the winding portion and / or oscillating unit of the third unit may hold the torso continuum of the wearable article continuum and / or the second region of the absorbent body by means other than suction by negative pressure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 2 Absorbent body continuum 2x First direction 3. Part 1 4 Absorbent body 4b First area 4f Second area 5. The absorbent body folded in half 6. Continuous body members around the torso 6x Second direction 7. Part 2 8. Body parts 9. Continuum of Worn Items 9x cutting position 10 Disposable wearable items 12. Manufacturing equipment for disposable wearable items 20. First Unit 30 Repitch device 32 Movement Pads 40 Second Unit 50 The third unit 53 Winding section 54 Oscillating pad 56 Cylindrical transport path 60 Temporary fastening device 70 Size Changer P open position Q closed position

Claims

1. A first transport step involves transporting an absorbent body continuum in the first direction, in which the first part that is to become the absorbent body is connected in the first direction, A second conveying step involves conveying a continuous body member in the second direction, in which the second portion intended to become the body member is connected in the second direction, A first cutting step involves sequentially cutting the continuous absorbent body being transported in the first direction to form the absorbent body, A turning step in which the absorbent body is rotated by 90 degrees, A joining step is to sequentially overlap the first region on one end of the absorbent body, which has been rotated 90 degrees, with the continuous body of the waist member, which is being transported in the second direction, with a gap between them so that the second region on the other end of the absorbent body protrudes from the continuous body of the waist member, thereby joining the first region of the absorbent body to the continuous body of the waist member and forming a continuous garment article. A folding step in which the absorbent body of the wearable article continuous is folded in half while the wearable article continuous is being transported, A second cutting step is performed in which, while the continuous body of the wearable article is being transported, the continuous body of the waist member of the wearable article is cut at a cutting position between adjacent folds of the absorbent body, Equipped with, In the folding process, while conveying the continuous wearable article along a cylindrical transport path, the absorbent body is folded in half by overlapping the second region of the absorbent body with the first region of the absorbent body. A method for manufacturing a disposable wearable article, wherein in the second cutting step, the continuous waist member of the wearable article, which is conveyed from the cylindrical conveying path via guide rolls, is cut at the cutting position after passing through the guide rolls.

2. A temporary fastening step is performed to temporarily fasten the first region and the second region of the absorbent body, which has been folded in half, The method for manufacturing a disposable wearable article according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. Using a transfer pad, the absorbent body that has been rotated 90 degrees from the rotation process is received, and the received absorbent body is handed over to the joining process. The moving pad, while moving at a first speed, receives the absorbent body that has rotated 90 degrees from the rotation process, and while moving at a second speed different from the first speed, performs a repitch process to transfer the received absorbent body to the joining process. A method for manufacturing a disposable wearable article according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. Depending on the size of the disposable wearable article, a size-changing step is performed in which the spacing of the absorbent body superimposed on the waist member continuous in the joining step is changed by changing either or both of the first transport speed for transporting the absorbent body continuous in the first transport step and the second transport speed for transporting the waist member continuous in the second transport step. A method for manufacturing a disposable wearable article according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

5. A first unit that forms the absorbent body by cutting a continuous body of absorbent bodies, in which the first portion intended to become the absorbent body is connected in a first direction, while conveying it in the first direction, and rotates the absorbent body by 90 degrees, A second unit that conveys a continuous body of waist members, in which a second portion intended to become a waist member is connected in a second direction, in the second direction, and sequentially overlaps the first region on one end of the absorbent body, which has been rotated 90 degrees, with a gap between them, so that the second region on the other end of the absorbent body protrudes from the continuous body of waist members, thereby joining the first region of the absorbent body to the continuous body of waist members to form a continuous wearable article, and A third unit is formed by folding the absorbent body of the wearable article continuum in half and cutting the wearable article continuum at the cutting position between adjacent folded absorbent bodies, so that the first region of the folded absorbent body is joined to the intermediate position of the waist member, Equipped with, The third unit is, A folding drum for folding the absorbent body of the wearable article continuous body in half, Guide roll and A cutting device for cutting the torso member of the wearable article continuous body at the cutting position, A conveying device for conveying the wearable article continuum, such that the wearable article continuum received from the second unit is conveyed from the folding drum through the guide rolls to the cutting device, Includes, The aforementioned folding drum is A winding section that moves along a cylindrical transport path, A swinging pad swings along the transport path between an open position adjacent to the winding portion in the axial direction of the transport path and a closed position facing the winding portion in the radial direction of the transport path, and moves along the transport path together with the winding portion, It has, When the swinging pad is in the open position, the wrapping portion begins to hold the waist member continuum of the wearable article continuum, and the swinging pad begins to hold the second region of the absorbent body of the wearable article continuum. A manufacturing apparatus for disposable wearable articles, wherein, while moving along the transport path, the swinging pad swings to the closed position, overlapping the second region of the absorbent body with the first region of the absorbent body, thereby folding the absorbent body in half.

6. A temporary fastening device for temporarily fastening the first region and the second region of the absorbent body, which has been folded in half, The apparatus for manufacturing disposable wearable articles according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. A repitch device having a moving pad that, while moving at a first speed, receives the absorbent body rotated 90 degrees from the first unit, and while moving at a second speed different from the first speed, transfers the received absorbent body to the second unit, The apparatus for manufacturing disposable wearable articles according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

8. A size-changing device is provided that changes the spacing of the absorbent bodies overlapping the waist member continuous by changing either or both of the first transport speed at which the first unit transports the absorbent body continuous, and the second transport speed at which the wrapping portions of the second and third units transport the waist member continuous, depending on the size of the disposable wearable article. The apparatus for manufacturing disposable wearable articles according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

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