Absorbent body manufacturing device and manufacturing method

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent body manufacturing device and manufacturing method that are capable of manufacturing an absorbent body having a hybrid structure of a desired shape with high accuracy. A manufacturing device (1000A) comprises: an absorbent sheet forming unit (100) that forms an absorbent sheet (Sa) in which SAP is dispersed between a first sheet (S1) and a second sheet (S2), and presses the absorbent sheet with a press device; and a fiber stacking unit (300) that stacks fibers to form a fluff absorbent body (Fa), and stacks the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet. When stacking the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet, the fiber stacking unit overlaps a channel portion of the fluff absorbent body in which no fibers are arranged with a channel region of the absorbent sheet in which SAP is not dispersed.

Description

Absorbent body manufacturing device and manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing an absorbent body.

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 (WO 2021 / 131721), a manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method for an absorbent body having a hybrid structure including an absorbent material absorption layer and a stacked fiber absorption layer including at least fluff have been known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (WO 2021 / 131721) discloses an apparatus and method for manufacturing an absorbent body including a first core made of absorbent fibers and a second core in which SAP is disposed as an absorbent material between a base sheet.

[0004] International Publication No. 2021 / 131721

[0005] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 (WO 2021 / 131721), a second core made of SAP is placed on top of a first core made of absorbent fibers that is conveyed by suction to manufacture the absorbent body, so the SAP cannot be directly sucked by the conveying device and is prone to movement (the SAP is prone to misalignment). Therefore, the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 (WO 2021 / 131721) have room for improvement in terms of accurately manufacturing absorbent bodies with hybrid structures of desired shapes.

[0006] An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to one embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body of a hybrid structure having an absorbent material absorbent layer and a stacked absorbent layer containing at least fluff. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body comprises an absorbent sheet forming unit and a stacking unit. The absorbent sheet forming unit forms an absorbent sheet in which an absorbent material is scattered between a first sheet and a second sheet. The stacking unit stacks fibers to form a fluff absorbent body containing at least fluff, and stacks the fluff absorbent body on an absorbent sheet that is transported by suction. A scattering region and a channel region are formed between the first sheet and the second sheet of the absorbent sheet. The absorbent material is scattered in the scattering region. The absorbent material is not scattered in the channel region. The fluff absorbent body has a stacked portion and a channel portion. Fibers are stacked in the stacked portion. No fibers are arranged in the channel portion. The absorbent sheet forming unit has a first sheet supplying device, a first suction and conveying device, a water-absorbent material supplying device, a second sheet supplying device, and a pressing device. The first sheet supplying device supplies the first sheet. The first suction and conveying device has a first conveying surface with a suction function and conveys the first sheet while suctioning it on the first conveying surface. The water-absorbent material supplying device supplies the water-absorbent material onto the first sheet conveyed by the first suction and conveying device. The second sheet supplying device supplies the second sheet and forms an absorbent sheet by covering the water-absorbent material on the first sheet with the second sheet. The pressing device presses the absorbent sheet being conveyed. The fiber stacking unit has a fiber supplying device, a stacking drum, and a third sheet supplying device. The fiber supplying device supplies fibers. The stacking drum has a suction function and forms a fluff absorbent body by stacking fibers supplied by the fiber supplying device on its peripheral surface. The third sheet supplying device supplies a third sheet that is positioned on the opposite side of the absorbent sheet, sandwiching the fluff absorbent body therebetween. When stacking the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet, the stacking unit overlaps the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body with the channel region of the absorbent sheet.

[0007] A method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an absorbent body having a hybrid structure including an absorbent material layer and a stacked fiber layer. The method for manufacturing an absorbent body includes an absorbent sheet forming process, a pressing process, a fluff absorbent body forming process, and a stacking process. In the absorbent sheet forming process, an absorbent material is sprayed between a first sheet and a second sheet to form an absorbent sheet. Between the first sheet and the second sheet of the absorbent sheet, a sprayed region where the absorbent material is sprayed and a channel region where the absorbent material is not sprayed are formed. In the pressing process, the absorbent sheet being transported is pressed. In the fluff absorbent body forming process, a fluff absorbent body is formed having a stacked portion where fibers are stacked and a channel portion where fibers are not stacked. In the stacking process, the fluff absorbent body is stacked on an absorbent sheet being transported under suction. In the stacking process, the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body is overlaid on the channel region of the absorbent sheet.

[0008] In the apparatus and method for manufacturing a wearing article of the present invention, an absorbent sheet, which is prone to displacement of the absorbent material, is directly suction-conveyed by a suction-conveying device, and a fluff absorbent body is superimposed on the absorbent sheet. Therefore, unlike a case in which an absorbent body is manufactured by placing an absorbent sheet on absorbent fibers that are suction-conveyed, the apparatus and method for manufacturing a wearing article of the present invention can suppress the fluidity of the absorbent material and accurately manufacture an absorbent body with a hybrid structure in a desired shape.

[0009] 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent body manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows II-II in FIG. 1 when the absorbent body of FIG. 1 includes three sheets. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows II-II in FIG. 1 when the absorbent body of FIG. 1 includes four sheets. FIG. 2 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to another example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view of an absorbent sheet conveyed by a third suction and conveying device of an absorbent sheet forming unit of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3, viewed along the thickness direction of the absorbent sheet. FIG. 6 is a view of a fluff absorbent body formed by a stacking unit of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3, viewed along the thickness direction of the fluff absorbent body. FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a conveying surface of a first drum of an absorbent sheet forming unit of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an outer peripheral surface of a stacking drum of a stacking unit of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to modified example B of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a schematic process chart of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of an apparatus and method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configuration of each embodiment described below may be combined with the configuration of other embodiments as appropriate, unless there is a particular contradiction.

[0011] It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the following embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

[0012] (1) Absorbent Body An absorbent body 1 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent body 1. The plan view of the absorbent body 1 in Fig. 1 is an example of the absorbent body 1 viewed along the thickness direction of the absorbent body 1 (the direction in which a first core 2 and a second core 3, which will be described later, are stacked). Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows II-II in Fig. 1 when the absorbent body 1 in Fig. 1 includes three sheets S1 to S3. Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows II-II in Fig. 1 when the absorbent body 1 in Fig. 1 includes four sheets S1 to S4.

[0014] 1 and 2, for the sake of convenience, the absorbent body 1 manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present invention is depicted in a simplified form.

[0015] For example, Figures 1 and 2 do not limit the shape of the manufactured absorbent body 1. Figures 1 and 2 are drawn on the assumption that the absorbent sheet and fluff absorbent body described below, which are manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present invention, have approximately the same shape and size when viewed along the thickness direction. However, if the absorbent sheet and the fluff absorbent body have different shapes and sizes when viewed along the thickness direction, the plan view and cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 1 will differ from those drawn in Figures 1 and 2.

[0016] For example, the length of the absorbent sheet in the longitudinal direction may be shorter than that of the fluff absorbent body, in which case, for example, regions without the absorbent sheet are formed at both ends of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] Furthermore, in Figure 1, the absorbent body 1 is depicted as having a rectangular shape in a plan view, with one channel C formed in the center thereof extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 1, but Figure 1 does not limit the shape of the absorbent body 1 or the position, shape, number, etc. of the channel C in the absorbent body 1 (in other words, the shape, etc. of the absorbent sheet or fluff absorbent body formed by the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing process of the present disclosure).

[0018] 1 and 2 are merely drawings for the purpose of explanation, and the length and thickness of each member in each drawing do not represent the ratio of the dimensions of the actual absorbent body 1.

[0019] The absorbent body 1 manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present invention is used, for example, in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, etc., and is an article that absorbs body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood.

[0020] In the example of Fig. 2A, the absorbent body 1 mainly includes a first core 2, a second core 3, and a third sheet piece S3p. In the example of Fig. 2B, the absorbent body 1 mainly includes a first core 2, a second core 3, a third sheet piece S3p, and a fourth sheet piece S4p. The first core 2 constitutes the water-absorbent material absorbent layer of the absorbent body 1. The second core 3 constitutes the stacked fiber absorbent layer containing at least fluff of the absorbent body 1. In short, the absorbent body 1 has a hybrid structure having a water-absorbent material absorbent layer and a stacked fiber absorbent layer containing at least fluff.

[0021] The first core 2 is obtained by cutting an absorbent sheet Sa (described later) to a predetermined size. The second core 3 is obtained by cutting a fluff absorbent Fa (described later) to a predetermined size. The second core 3 is arranged on top of the first core 2. For example, when the absorbent 1 is used in a diaper or the like, the second core 3 is arranged closer to the wearer's skin (crotch side) than the first core 2. In this way, by arranging the stacked fiber absorbent layer containing fluff closer to the wearer's skin rather than the absorbent material absorbent layer, a comfortable diaper or the like can be realized.

[0022] The third sheet piece S3p is a sheet piece that covers the second core 3 on the side opposite to the side where the first core 2 is arranged. The fourth sheet piece S4p is a sheet piece that covers the second core 3 on the side where the first core 2 is arranged.

[0023] Whether the absorbent body 1 is configured to include a first core 2, a second core 3, and a third sheet piece S3p as in Figure 2A, or a first core 2, a second core 3, a third sheet piece S3p, and a fourth sheet piece S4p as in Figure 2B, depends on the manufacturing process, which will be described later.

[0024] Comparing the absorbent body 1 having the configuration in Fig. 2A with the absorbent body 1 having the configuration in Fig. 2B, the absorbent body 1 having the configuration in Fig. 2A uses less material (because the fourth sheet piece S4p is not present), and therefore the raw material costs can be reduced compared to the absorbent body 1 having the configuration in Fig. 2B. On the other hand, in the absorbent body 1 having the configuration in Fig. 2B, the second core 3 is sandwiched between the third sheet piece S3p and the fourth sheet piece S4p, so the second core 3 is more likely to be maintained in the desired shape, and the absorbent body 1 having the desired shape can be manufactured with high precision.

[0025] In the first core 2, a water-absorbent material such as a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is disposed between the first sheet piece S1p and the second sheet piece S2p. The first core 2 may be formed of a mixture of one or more types of water-absorbent materials, or a mixture of water-absorbent materials with different particle sizes. The first core 2 has a region where the superabsorbent polymer is sprayed (the region where the superabsorbent polymer P is disposed in FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and a channel region C1 where the superabsorbent polymer P is not sprayed (i.e., where the superabsorbent polymer P is not disposed). The channel region C1 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the first core 2. The first sheet piece S1p of the first core 2 is bonded to the outer surface of the third sheet piece S3p to secure the first core 2 and the second core 3 together.

[0026] The second core 3 is an absorbent body formed by laminating absorbent fibers or absorbent fibers mixed with a superabsorbent polymer. The second core 3 has a portion where fibers F (including a mixture of fibers and a superabsorbent polymer, the same applies hereinafter) are laminated, and a channel portion C2 where no fibers F are arranged. The channel portion C2 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the second core 3.

[0027] In the absorbent body 1 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present disclosure, the channel region C1 of the first core 2 and the channel portion C2 of the second core 3 are arranged in a position where they at least partially overlap each other in a plan view (when the absorbent body 1 is viewed along the thickness direction). This is because, in the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present disclosure, the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa that will eventually become the first core 2 and the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa that will eventually become the second core 3 are arranged to overlap, as will be described later.

[0028] The channel region C1 of the first core 2 and the channel portion C2 of the second core 3 form channels C in the absorbent body 1. Since the superabsorbent polymer P and the fibers F are not arranged in the channels C, the absorbent body 1 is likely to promote the diffusion of body fluids through the channels C. Therefore, the absorbent body 1 can diffuse and absorb body fluids discharged into the absorbent body 1 into the superabsorbent polymer P and the fibers F around the discharge site.

[0029] (2) Absorbent Body Manufacturing Apparatus and Manufacturing Method An embodiment of an apparatus and method for manufacturing the absorbent body 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] (2-1) First Embodiment A manufacturing apparatus 1000A and a manufacturing method for the absorbent body 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] FIG. 3A is a schematic process diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A of the absorbent body 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3B is a schematic process diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A of the absorbent body 1 according to another example of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the absorbent body 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view of the absorbent sheet Sa conveyed by the third suction conveying device 220 of the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A, viewed along the thickness direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. FIG. 6 is a view of the fluff absorbent body Fa formed by the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A, viewed along the thickness direction of the fluff absorbent body Fa. FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the first conveying surface 152 of the first drum 150 of the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A. FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of the outer circumferential surface 312 of the stacking drum 310 of the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A.

[0032] (2-1-1) Absorbent Body Manufacturing Apparatus (2-1-1-1) Overview The absorbent body 1 manufacturing apparatus 1000A of the first embodiment mainly includes an absorbent sheet forming unit 100, a fiber stacking unit 300, a folding device 400, a laminate pressing device 500, and a cutting device 600.

[0033] The absorbent sheet forming unit 100 forms an absorbent sheet Sa in which a water-absorbing substance (such as SAP) is dispersed between a first sheet S1 and a second sheet S2 (an absorbent sheet Sa in which the water-absorbing substance is disposed in a predetermined region between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2). The first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are cut by a cutting device 600 to form a first sheet piece S1p and a second sheet piece S2p in the absorbent body 1. The absorbent sheet Sa is also cut by the cutting device 600 to form a first core 2 in the absorbent body 1.

[0034] The stacking unit 300 is disposed downstream of the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. Preferably, the stacking unit 300 is disposed as close as possible to the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The stacking unit 300 layers fibers to form a fluff absorbent body Fa containing at least fluff (cotton-like fibers), and stacks the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa being conveyed under suction. Note that "suction conveying the absorbent sheet Sa" here means conveying the absorbent sheet Sa by moving the conveying surface while sucking air on the conveying surface with the absorbent sheet Sa in contact with the conveying surface. The same applies to the meaning of "suction conveying" used below. The fluff absorbent body Fa is cut by a cutting device 600 to become second cores 3 in the absorbent body 1.

[0035] The folding device 400 is disposed downstream of the fiber-stacking unit 300 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa on which the fluff absorbent body Fa is layered (the absorbent sheet Sa on which the fluff absorbent body Fa is layered will be referred to as the stacked body L hereinafter). The folding device 400 folds the first sheet S1 of the absorbent sheet Sa so that the first sheet S1 at least partially covers the third sheet S3 that covers the fluff absorbent body Fa, so as to encase the stacked absorbent body (the hybrid core including the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa) to maintain its shape.

[0036] The laminate pressing device 500 is disposed downstream of the folding device 400 in the conveying direction of the laminate L. The laminate pressing device 500 includes a plurality of devices that press all or part of the laminate L to adjust the shape of the absorbent sheet Sa on which the fluff absorbent Fa is layered.

[0037] The cutting device 600 is disposed downstream of the laminate pressing device 500 in the conveying direction of the laminate L. The cutting device 600 cuts the laminate L to form the absorbent body 1.

[0038] (2-1-1-2) Absorbent Body (Hybrid Core Composed of Absorbent Sheet and Fluff Absorbent Body) The absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa will be explained below.

[0039] The absorbent sheet Sa is a sheet in which a water-absorbent material containing SAP is dispersed between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. As described above, the absorbent sheet Sa is cut by the cutting device 600 to form the first core 2 of the absorbent body 1. When the absorbent sheet Sa is viewed along the thickness direction of the absorbent sheet Sa (the direction in which the first sheet S1, the water-absorbent material, and the second sheet S2 are stacked), a sprayed region A1 where the water-absorbent material is dispersed and a channel region A2 where the water-absorbent material is not dispersed are formed between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa (see FIG. 5 ). Note that the sprayed region A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa corresponds to the region where the superabsorbent polymer P is dispersed in the first core 2. Furthermore, the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa corresponds to the channel region C1 where the superabsorbent polymer P is not dispersed in the first core 2. In the absorbent body 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the channel region C1 is surrounded by the sprayed region, but this is not limiting. For example, the channel region may be formed so as to penetrate the distribution region in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 1 .

[0040] The fluff absorbent body Fa is formed by stacking fibers (including a mixture of fibers and a water-absorbing material; the same applies below). As described above, the fluff absorbent body Fa is cut by a cutting device 600 to become the second core 3 in the absorbent body 1. When viewed in the thickness direction of the fluff absorbent body Fa, the fluff absorbent body Fa has a stacked portion Fa1 in which a water-absorbing material is arranged (a water-absorbing material is stacked), and a channel portion Fa2 in which no fibers are arranged (see FIG. 6). Although not limited thereto, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the channel portion Fa2 is surrounded by the stacked portion Fa1. Note that the stacked portion Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa becomes an area in the second core 3 where the fibers F are arranged. Furthermore, the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa becomes a channel portion C2 in which no fibers F are arranged in the second core 3.

[0041] Here, when the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa are viewed in the thickness direction, the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa have roughly the same shape and size. However, the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa may have different shapes and sizes when viewed in the thickness direction. Furthermore, Figures 5 and 6 are drawings created for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the shapes of the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa, or the positions, shapes, and numbers of the channel regions A2 in the absorbent sheet Sa and the channel portions Fa2 in the fluff absorbent body Fa.

[0042] (2-1-1-3) Absorbent Sheet Forming Unit The absorbent sheet forming unit 100 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3A includes a first sheet supply device 110, a second sheet supply device 120, a first adhesive application device 130, a second adhesive application device 135, a water-absorbent material supply device 140, a first drum 150 as an example of a first suction and conveying device, a second drum 160, a first absorbent section pressing device 170, a second suction and conveying device 180, a second channel pressing device 190, an auxiliary conveying device 200, a third adhesive application device 210, and a third suction and conveying device 220.

[0043] The first sheet supply device 110 supplies a first sheet S1, which is unwound from a sheet roll (not shown), to a first drum 150, which is an example of a first suction conveying device. The first sheet S1 is a core wrap for encasing an absorbent body, and is made of, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric sheet, tissue paper, etc. The first sheet S1 is wider than the second sheet S2 because it is ultimately folded by the folding device 400 and overlapped with the third sheet S3.

[0044] The second sheet supplying device 120 supplies the second sheet S2, which is unwound from a sheet roll (not shown), to the first drum 150. The second sheet S2 is, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric sheet.

[0045] The first adhesive applicator 130 applies adhesive to the water-absorbent material-attached surface (the surface to which the water-absorbent material is attached) of the first sheet S1 being transported to the first drum 150. The water-absorbent material-attached surface of the first sheet S1 is a surface that does not face the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 150 (first transport surface 152) when the first sheet S1 is transported by the first drum 150.

[0046] As described above, a spraying area A1 where the absorbent material is sprayed and a channel area A2 where the absorbent material is not sprayed are formed between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa (see FIG. 5 ). Therefore, the absorbent material-attached surface of the first sheet S1 includes both a portion where the absorbent material is attached and a portion where the absorbent material is not attached. Therefore, the first adhesive applicator 130 may apply adhesive only to the portion of the first sheet S1 where the absorbent material is attached (hereinafter referred to as the absorbent material-attached portion). Alternatively, the first adhesive applicator 130 may also apply adhesive to portions where the absorbent material does not need to be attached (particularly the channel area A2). For example, the first adhesive applicator 130 may apply adhesive to the entire surface of the first sheet S1 that does not face the outer circumferential surface (first conveying surface 152) of the first drum 150. In addition, in order to bond the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 together, it is preferable to apply adhesive to the first sheet S1 over a wider area in the width direction of the first sheet S1 than the spray area A1 and the channel area A2.

[0047] The second adhesive applicator 135 applies adhesive to the water-absorbent material-attached surface (the surface to which the water-absorbent material is to be attached) of the second sheet S2 being transported to the first drum 150. The water-absorbent material-attached surface of the second sheet S2 is the surface that faces the outer peripheral surface (first transport surface 152) of the first drum 150 when the second sheet S2 is transported by the first drum 150. Like the first adhesive applicator 130, the second adhesive applicator 135 may apply adhesive only to the water-absorbent material-attached portion of the second sheet S2, or may apply adhesive to portions of the second sheet S2 that do not require the attachment of water-absorbent material. Note that, in order to bond the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 together, it is preferable to apply adhesive to a range of the second sheet S2 in the width direction that is wider than the ranges corresponding to the spray area A1 and the channel area A2.

[0048] It is preferable that at least one of the first adhesive applicator 130 and the second adhesive applicator 135 apply adhesive to the region including the channel region A2, which facilitates adhesion between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 in the channel region A2 and suppresses movement of the water-absorbing material in the width direction.

[0049] The first drum 150 is a cylindrical drum having a first conveying surface 152 with a suction function on its outer circumferential surface. The first drum 150 is connected to a device such as a vacuum pump (not shown) via piping. When the vacuum pump is operated, air is sucked into the inside of the first drum 150 through suction holes (not shown) provided in the first conveying surface 152, and the suction function of the first conveying surface 152 is exerted.

[0050] The first sheet S1 is supplied to the first conveying surface 152 of the first drum 150 in the circumferential direction of the first drum 150. The first drum 150 rotates as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3 while sucking the first sheet S1 supplied by the first sheet supply device 110 onto the first conveying surface 152, thereby conveying the first sheet S1. That is, the first sheet S1 is wrapped around the first drum 150, and the tension applied in this manner can suppress movement of the first sheet S1 due to vibrations or the like during conveyance.

[0051] The water-absorbent material supplying device 140 sprays a water-absorbent material (superabsorbent resin P) onto the surface of the first sheet S1, which is conveyed by the first drum 150 and to which adhesive has been applied by the first adhesive applying device 130. The first sheet S1 is a breathable sheet, and the water-absorbent material is attracted to an area where suction holes are provided on the first conveying surface 152, and is held by the adhesive applied by the first adhesive applying device 130.

[0052] As described above, the absorbent sheet Sa (between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa) has a spray area A1 where the absorbent material is disposed and a channel area A2 where no absorbent material is disposed. Therefore, as shown by hatching in Fig. 7, the suction holes of the first conveying surface 152 are disposed only in an area of ​​the first conveying surface 152 that contacts the back side of the absorbent material-applied portion of the first sheet S1. Note that within the hatched area in Fig. 7, the rectangular area surrounded by a dotted line that is not hatched (where no suction holes are disposed) is the portion of the first conveying surface 152 that faces the portion of the first sheet S1 that becomes the channel area A2 when the first conveying surface 152 becomes part of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0053] For example, if the first adhesive applicator 130 applies adhesive only to the portions of the first sheet S1 where the absorbent material is attached, suction holes may be formed over the entire area of ​​the first conveying surface 152 that comes into contact with the first sheet S1 (the area between the pair of two-dot chain lines in FIG. 7 ) (in an area corresponding to the width of the first sheet S1). From the perspective of forming a neat accumulation pattern of the absorbent material, it is preferable to provide suction holes only in the areas that correspond to the spray area A1 of the absorbent material, as in this embodiment.

[0054] After the first sheet S1 passes the position where the water-absorbent material supplying device 140 sprays the water-absorbent material (immediately downstream of the spraying position of the water-absorbent material in the direction of rotation of the first drum 150), a second sheet S2, on the side of the first drum 150 facing the first conveying surface 152, is supplied along the circumferential direction of the first drum 150 to the first conveying surface 152 of the first drum 150. The early supply of the second sheet S2 allows the water-absorbent material to be sandwiched between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 at an early timing, and prevents the accumulation pattern of the water-absorbent material from being disrupted by vibrations during conveyance, etc. When the second sheet S2 is supplied to the first drum 150 which is transporting the first sheet S1, the first drum 150 rotates as shown by the arrow in Figure 3 while sucking the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 with the absorbent material sandwiched between them on the first transport surface 152, thereby transporting the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 (in other words, the absorbent sheet Sa) with the absorbent material sandwiched between them.

[0055] Although not shown in the drawings, a press device (temporary press device) similar to the first absorbent portion pressing device 170 described below may be disposed adjacent to the first drum 150 and immediately downstream of the supply location of the second sheet S2 to the first drum 150. This temporary press device may press the spray area A1 between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa being transported between this temporary press device and the first drum 150. By providing such a temporary press device and pressing the spray area A1 between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 immediately after the water-absorbent substance is supplied onto the first sheet S1, it is easy to distribute the water-absorbent substance evenly (at roughly the same thickness) in the spray area A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0056] This temporary pressing device may be the same as the first channel pressing device 190a described below. In this case, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 can be joined in the channel region A2, which makes it possible to suppress the movement of the absorbent material in the width direction of the absorbent sheet Sa, which is perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and to form the channel (channel region A2) more neatly.

[0057] In addition, in order to place a predetermined amount of absorbent material between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, it is preferable that the area of ​​the first conveying surface 152 that comes into contact with the back side of the absorbent material-adhered portion of the first sheet S1 is recessed inward of the first drum 150 in the radial direction of the first drum 150 compared to other parts of the first conveying surface 152 of the first drum 150.

[0058] The second drum 160 is disposed downstream of the first drum 150 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa (a sheet in which a water-absorbing material is disposed between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2) and adjacent to the first drum 150. The absorbent sheet Sa is delivered from the first drum 150 to the second drum 160, and the absorbent sheet Sa is wrapped around the second drum 160.

[0059] The second drum 160 may have, but is not limited to, a suction function on its outer peripheral surface 162, similar to the first drum 150. When the outer peripheral surface 162 of the second drum 160 has a suction function, the transfer of the absorbent material between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 is likely to be suppressed when the absorbent sheet Sa is transported in contact with the outer peripheral surface 162 of the second drum 160.

[0060] The second drum 160 is disposed directly below the first drum 150 and in contact with the first drum. The second drum 160 rotates in the opposite direction to the first drum 150. With this configuration, the first sheet S1 (or the absorbent sheet Sa) is transported while being wrapped around half a circumference (or approximately half a circumference) of the first drum 150 and half a circumference of the second drum 160. In other words, the absorbent sheet Sa is transported while being wrapped around the first drum 150 and the second drum 160 so as to form a substantially inverted S-shape. As a result, tension can be applied to the absorbent sheet Sa, and the absorbent sheet Sa is transported while being spread out in the transport direction or in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, thereby effectively suppressing the movement of the SAP sandwiched between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2.

[0061] The first absorbent section pressing device 170 is an example of a pressing device. The first absorbent section pressing device 170 is disposed adjacent to the second drum 160 and presses the spraying region A1 between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa (the absorbent sheet Sa wrapped around the second drum 160) being transported between the first absorbent section pressing device 170 and the second drum 160. In other words, the first absorbent section pressing device 170 presses the portion of the absorbent sheet Sa where SAP that contributes to absorption is disposed. In this way, the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 has the first absorbent section pressing device 170, and the first absorbent section pressing device 170 presses the spraying region A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa, thereby enabling the water-absorbing material to be evenly distributed (at roughly the same thickness) in the spraying region A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0062] Specifically, the first absorbent section pressing device 170 has a flat roll 172 (a roll with no irregularities on its outer peripheral surface in the radial direction) as an example of a first pressing member. The flat roll 172 is arranged so that a predetermined gap is formed between the flat roll 172 and the second drum 160. The size of this gap can be appropriately set depending on the desired degree of pressing of the absorbent sheet Sa. The first absorbent section pressing device 170 presses the flat roll 172, via the absorbent sheet Sa, against the second drum 160, which is also a flat roll and functions as part of the first absorbent section pressing device 170, thereby primarily pressing the spray region A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa. Because the first absorbent section pressing device 170 sandwiches the absorbent sheet Sa between the flat roll 172 and the second drum 160, which is also a flat roll, it can also be called an entire pressing device that presses the entire absorbent sheet Sa.

[0063] When the first absorbent section pressing device 170 presses the absorbent sheet Sa, it is preferable that at least one of the flat roll 172 and the second drum 160 has a heating function for the absorbent sheet Sa (that is, is equipped with a heater for heating the absorbent sheet Sa). The first absorbent section pressing device 170 heats the absorbent sheet Sa to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature at which the adhesive application devices 130, 135 apply the adhesive. In the first absorbent section pressing device 170, at least one of the flat roll 172 and the second drum 160 has a heating function, and heating the adhesive applied to the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 increases the permeability of the adhesive, which makes it easier to stabilize the position of the water-absorbent material between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3, an auxiliary conveying device 200 may be disposed adjacent to the second drum 160. The auxiliary conveying device 200 is disposed, for example, downstream of the pressing position of the first absorption portion pressing device 170 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The auxiliary conveying device 200 includes a conveying belt 202 that is wound around a roller and extends partially along the circumferential direction of the second drum 160. The conveying belt 202 of the auxiliary conveying device 200 sandwiches the absorbent sheet Sa, which is conveyed along the outer circumferential surface 162 of the second drum 160, between itself and the outer circumferential surface 162 of the second drum 160. The presence of the auxiliary conveying device 200 makes it easier to prevent the absorbent material in the absorbent sheet Sa from shifting position.

[0065] From the perspective of suppressing movement of the absorbent material during conveyance, as shown in FIG. 3B , a first channel press device 190a, an example of a press device, may be provided instead of the auxiliary conveyance device 200. The first channel press device 190a includes a pattern roll 192a, an example of a second press member, having a protrusion (not shown) protruding radially outward from a portion of its outer circumferential surface. The first channel press device 190a presses a channel region A2 between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa (the absorbent sheet Sa wrapped around the second drum 160) conveyed between the pattern roll 192a and the second drum 160. Specifically, the protrusion of the pattern roll 192a is designed to contact the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa when the absorbent sheet Sa passes between the pattern roll and the second drum 160, and the protrusion of the pattern roll 192a and the outer circumferential surface of the second drum 160 press the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa therebetween.

[0066] When the first channel press device 190a presses the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa, it is preferable that at least one of the pattern roll 192a and the second drum 160 has a heating function for the absorbent sheet Sa (is equipped with a heater for heating the absorbent sheet Sa) similar to that of the above-mentioned first absorption portion press device 170. When the first channel press device 190a is provided with a heating function, it is preferable that the second drum 160 (flat roll) functioning as part of the first channel press device 190a has the heating function.

[0067] From the viewpoint of forming the channel (channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa) neatly, it is preferable that the first channel pressing device 190a be provided upstream of the first absorbent portion pressing device 170 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa, as shown in Figure 3B.

[0068] In another embodiment, only the first channel press device 190a out of the first absorption section press device 170 and the first channel press device 190a may be disposed adjacent to the second drum 160, and the first absorption section press device 170 may be omitted.

[0069] As described herein, the first absorption section pressing device 170 and / or the first channel pressing device 190a are both disposed so as to press against the circumferential surface of the second drum 160. That is, the first absorption section pressing device 170 and / or the first channel pressing device 190a press the absorbent sheet Sa wound around the first drum 150 and the second drum 160. This allows the absorbent sheet Sa to be pressed in a state in which the absorbent sheet Sa is wound around the first drum 150 and the second drum 160 and the movement of the absorbent material is suppressed, and after the pressing step, it is possible to form an accumulated pattern of absorbent material that is less susceptible to the influence of vibrations and the like that occur when the absorbent sheet Sa is transported downstream.

[0070] The second suction conveying device 180 is disposed between the second drum 160 and the second channel press device 190 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second suction conveying device 180 is a conveyor with a suction function. The second suction conveying device 180 includes a conveying belt 182 wound around a roller. The horizontally extending surface (second conveying surface 182a) of the conveying belt 182 is provided with suction holes (not shown). By sucking air through the suction holes, the absorbent sheet Sa conveyed from the second drum 160 is sucked onto the second conveying surface 182a. Note that, if the conveying belt 182 is breathable, elongated openings, slits, etc. may be provided in place of suction holes. Note that the second conveying surface 182a of the conveying belt 182 preferably extends from the second drum 160 to the second channel press device 190. In other words, it is preferable that the conveying belt 182 extends from directly below the second drum 160 to a position adjacent to rolls 192, 194 (described later) of the second channel press device 190. In the second suction conveying device 180, with the absorbent sheet Sa sucking the second conveying surface 182a, the roller around which the conveying belt 182 is wound is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3, thereby conveying the absorbent sheet Sa to the second channel press device 190.

[0071] The second channel press device 190 is an example of a press device. The second channel press device 190 has a pair of rolls 192, 194. One of the pair of rolls 192, 194 is a pattern roll having a convex portion (not shown) that protrudes radially outward on part of its outer circumferential surface. The other of the pair of rolls 192, 194 is a flat roll having a smooth outer circumferential surface (a roll having no irregularities on the outer circumferential surface in the radial direction). The second channel press device 190 presses the channel region A2 between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa transported between the rolls 192 and 194. Specifically, the convex portion of the pattern roll, which is one of the pair of rolls 192, 194, is designed to come into contact with the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa when the rolls 192 and 194 rotate and the absorbent sheet Sa passes between the rolls 192 and 194, and the convex portion of the pattern roll and the outer peripheral surface of the flat roll press the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa between them.

[0072] Preferably, of the pair of rolls 192, 194, the roll that contacts the side of the absorbent sheet Sa opposite to the side on which the fluff absorber Fa is placed is a pattern roll, and the roll that contacts the side of the absorbent sheet Sa on which the fluff absorber Fa is placed is a flat roll. For example, in the example depicted in Figures 3A and 3B, the roll 192 is a pattern roll and the roll 194 is a flat roll. With this configuration, the side of the absorbent sheet Sa on which the fluff absorber Fa is placed is easily maintained flat, making it easy to place the fluff absorber Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa without misalignment.

[0073] In this way, by positioning the second channel press device 190 and pressing the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa, it is possible to form a channel region A2 at the desired position of the absorbent sheet Sa with high precision, in which no absorbent material is placed and which contributes to the diffusion of bodily fluids.

[0074] When the second channel press device 190 presses the absorbent sheet Sa, it is preferable that at least one of the rolls 192 and 194 has a heating function for the absorbent sheet Sa (i.e., it is equipped with a heater for heating the absorbent sheet Sa). The second channel press device 190 heats the absorbent sheet Sa to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature at which the adhesive is applied by the adhesive application devices 130 and 135. When at least one of the rolls 192 and 194 has a heating function and the adhesive applied to the rolls 192 and 194 is heated, the adhesive's permeability increases, which makes it easier to stabilize the position of the absorbent material between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. When the second channel press device 190 has a heating function, it is preferable that at least the flat roll of the flat rolls and pattern rolls of the rolls 192 and 194 has a heating function.

[0075] Preferably, both the flat roll 172 of the first absorbent section pressing device 170 and the roll 194 (flat roll) of the second channel pressing device have a heating function. In this case, the absorbent sheet Sa can be heated from either side of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 sandwiching the absorbent material, which makes it easier for the adhesives applied to both the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 to penetrate, and the absorbent material sandwiched between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 can be held in a more stable state.

[0076] The second channel press device 190 is preferably disposed in a position close to the second drum 160. For example, the second channel press device 190 is disposed near the second drum 160 and below the water-absorbent material supply device 140. In other words, it is preferable that the conveying distance of the second suction and conveying device 180 is as short as possible. This makes it possible to reduce vibrations during conveying until the second channel press device 190 neatly forms a channel, and to maintain a good accumulation pattern of the water-absorbent material.

[0077] The third suction conveying device 220 is disposed between the second channel press device 190 and the fiber stacking unit 300 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The third suction conveying device 220 is a conveyor having a suction function. The third suction conveying device 220 includes a conveying belt 222 wound around a roller. Suction holes (not shown) are provided on the surface of the conveying belt 222 (third conveying surface 222a), and air is sucked through the suction holes, thereby sucking the absorbent sheet Sa after it has been pressed by the second channel press device 190 onto the third conveying surface 222a. Note that if the conveying belt 222 is breathable, elongated openings, slits, etc. may be provided in the conveying belt 222 instead of the suction holes. In the third suction conveying device 220, while the absorbent sheet Sa is sucked against the third conveying surface 222a, the roller around which the conveying belt 222 is wound is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3, thereby conveying the absorbent sheet Sa to the position where the stacking unit 300 overlays the fluff absorber Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa (preferably, downstream of the position where the stacking unit 300 overlays the fluff absorber Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa). Note that the third suction conveying device 220 is preferably disposed in close proximity to the second channel press device 190 so that the third conveying surface 222a can suck the absorbent sheet Sa immediately after it leaves the second channel press device 190. Furthermore, the third conveying surface 222a is preferably horizontal.

[0078] The third adhesive application device 210 applies adhesive to the upper surface of the absorbent sheet Sa (the surface on which the fluff absorbent Fa is placed, in this case the second sheet S2) of the absorbent sheet Sa transported by the third suction transport device 220 to bond the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent Fa together.

[0079] It is preferable that the third suction and conveyance device 220 be disposed outside the range in which the third adhesive application device 210 discharges adhesive, but adjacent to the range in which the third adhesive application device 210 discharges adhesive. In this arrangement, the third suction and conveyance device 220 can be disposed close to the second channel press device 190, and adhesive can be prevented from being directly applied onto the belt.

[0080] (2-1-1-4) Fiber stacking unit The fiber stacking unit 300 has, for example, a fiber stacking drum 310, a third sheet supply device 320, a fourth adhesive application device 325, a fiber supply device 330, an absorbent material supply device 340, a fourth sheet supply device 350, a fifth adhesive application device 355, and an auxiliary conveying device 360.

[0081] The third sheet supplying device 320 supplies the third sheet S3, which is unwound from a sheet roll (not shown), to the stacking drum 310. The third sheet S3 is, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric sheet.

[0082] The fourth sheet supplying device 350 supplies the fourth sheet S4, which is unwound from a sheet roll (not shown), to the stacking drum 310. The fourth sheet S4 is, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric sheet. When manufacturing an absorbent body 1 as depicted in Fig. 2B, the fourth sheet supplying device 350 is provided in the stacking unit 300, but when manufacturing an absorbent body 1 as depicted in Fig. 2A, the fourth sheet supplying device 350 is not necessary in the stacking unit 300.

[0083] The fiber stacking drum 310 is a hollow, cylindrical rotating drum. The fiber stacking drum 310 rotates around a rotation axis extending along the center of the cylindrical fiber stacking drum 310 (see the arrow in FIG. 3). One or more recesses 314 are formed on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the fiber stacking drum 310 to collect fibers supplied by the fiber supply device 330 and absorbent material supplied by the absorbent material supply device 340 and form the fibers and absorbent material into a fluff absorbent body Fa of a predetermined shape (see FIG. 8). The recesses 314 on the outer circumferential surface 312 have a shape corresponding to the fluff absorbent body Fa to be formed, so that the shape of the fibers (including the absorbent material) collected through the recesses 314 will be the predetermined shape of the fluff absorbent body Fa. In addition, portion 316 in Figure 8 is a portion corresponding to the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorber Fa, and is positioned radially outward of the recess 314 of the fiber stacking drum 310 (so as to protrude radially relative to the recess 314).

[0084] The structure of the fiber stacking drum 310 and how the fiber stacking drum 310 forms the fluff absorbent body Fa will now be outlined.

[0085] The stacking drum 310 is connected to equipment such as a vacuum pump (not shown) via piping, and a negative pressure space connected to the vacuum pump is formed inside the stacking drum 310. The negative pressure section is arranged to correspond to the stacking section (the section where fibers and absorbent material are supplied to the stacking drum 310) shown in FIG. 3. The stacking drum 310 is also connected to equipment such as a blower (not shown) via piping, and a positive pressure space connected to the vacuum pump is formed inside the stacking drum 310. The positive pressure space is arranged to correspond to the position where the stacking drum 310 hands over the fluff absorber Fa to the third suction conveying device 220. Note that the positions of the negative pressure space and the positive pressure space do not change when the stacking drum 310 rotates.

[0086] The negative pressure space and the positive pressure space are connected to the space outside the fiber stacking drum 310 through an opening (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the recess 314 on the outer surface 312 of the fiber stacking drum 310, which rotates around the negative pressure space and the positive pressure space.

[0087] When the fiber stacking drum 310 rotates and a certain portion of the outer peripheral surface 312 passes a position adjacent to the negative pressure space inside the fiber stacking drum 310, air is drawn from the outside to the inside of the outer peripheral surface 312 through an opening (not shown) formed in the hatched area in Fig. 8 at the bottom (inner surface in the radial direction) of the recess 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312 between the outside of the fiber stacking drum 310 and the negative pressure space. Note that no opening for air to enter or exit is formed in the portion indicated by reference numeral 316 in Fig. 8 (the portion corresponding to the channel portion Fa2).

[0088] When a certain portion of the outer peripheral surface 312 passes a position adjacent to the negative pressure space, fibers supplied by the fiber supply device 330 and water-absorbent material supplied by the water-absorbent material supply device 340 are supplied around that portion for a predetermined period of time. As described above, when the opening of the recess 314 passes a position adjacent to the negative pressure space, air is sucked into the negative pressure space from the space outside the fiber stacking drum 310, and fibers and water-absorbent material are taken into the recess 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312 along with the air, and the fibers are stacked. The opening formed at the bottom of the recess 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312 is designed to have dimensions that allow air to pass through but not allow fibers or water-absorbent material to pass through.

[0089] Furthermore, even after passing through the spray section indicated by the dashed two-dot arrow, a certain portion of the outer peripheral surface 312 remains adjacent to the negative pressure space until immediately before passing near the third conveying surface 222a of the conveying belt 222 of the third suction and conveying device 220. Therefore, the fluff absorbent Fa formed in the recess 314 is held within the recess 314 until immediately before being superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa being suction-conveyed by the third suction and conveying device 220.

[0090] When a certain portion of the outer peripheral surface 312 passes near the third conveying surface 222a of the conveying belt 222 of the third suction conveying device 220, that portion is adjacent to a positive pressure space, and the outside of the stacking drum 310 communicates with the positive pressure space via an opening (not shown) formed in the bottom of the recess 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312, and air is blown from the inside to the outside of the stacking drum 310. As a result, the fluff absorbent Fa that was held in the recess 314 is discharged from the recess 314 and is superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa that is being suction-conveyed by the third suction conveying device 220.

[0091] Furthermore, when the fiber stacking drum 310 rotates and a certain portion of the outer peripheral surface 312 passes a position adjacent to the negative pressure space inside the fiber stacking drum 310, not only the fibers and absorbent material but also the supplied third sheet S3 are transported while being sucked onto the outer peripheral surface 312 (pulled into the recesses 314) by the suction function of the fiber stacking drum 310. Furthermore, when the fiber stacking drum 310 rotates and a certain portion of the outer peripheral surface 312 passes a position adjacent to the negative pressure space inside the fiber stacking drum 310, the supplied fourth sheet S4 is also transported while being sucked via the fibers and absorbent material stacked in the recesses 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312 by the suction function of the fiber stacking drum 310.

[0092] Note that the third sheet S3 is supplied to the outer peripheral surface 312 of the fiber stacking drum 310 (upstream of the spraying section shown in Figures 3A and 3B in terms of the rotation direction of the fiber stacking drum 310) before the fibers and water-absorbent material are stacked in the recesses 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312. Therefore, in the fiber stacking drum 310, the fibers and water-absorbent material are stacked on the third sheet S3. Also, after the fibers and water-absorbent material are stacked in the recesses 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312 of the fiber stacking drum 310 (downstream of the spraying section shown in Figures 3A and 3B in terms of the rotation direction of the fiber stacking drum 310), the fourth sheet S4 is supplied to the fiber stacking drum 310 so as to cover the fibers and water-absorbent material stacked on the third sheet S3 (so that the fibers and water-absorbent material are sandwiched between the third sheet S3 and the fourth sheet S4). In other words, the fourth sheet S4 is supplied to the fiber stacking drum 310 so as to cover the fluff absorbent body Fa formed in the recess 314 of the outer peripheral surface 312 (so that the fluff absorbent body Fa is sandwiched between the third sheet S3 and the fourth sheet S4). As mentioned above, the fourth sheet S4 is not essential.

[0093] The fourth adhesive applicator 325 applies adhesive to the surface of the third sheet S3 on which the fibers and absorbent material are stacked before the third sheet S3 is supplied to the stacking drum 310. Here, the surface of the third sheet S3 on which the fibers and absorbent material are stacked is the surface that does not face the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310. The fourth adhesive applicator 325 may apply adhesive only to the portion where the stacking unit Fa1 is provided (the portion that will fit into the recess 314 of the third sheet S3), or may apply adhesive to the portion where the stacking unit Fa1 is provided as well as to locations other than the portion where the stacking unit Fa1 is provided.

[0094] The fifth adhesive applicator 355 applies adhesive to the surface of the fourth sheet S4 that comes into contact with the fibers and absorbent material before the fourth sheet S4 is supplied to the stacking drum 310. The surface of the fourth sheet S4 that comes into contact with the fibers and absorbent material is the surface that faces the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310. The fifth adhesive applicator 355 may apply adhesive only to the portion of the fourth sheet S4 that comes into contact with the stacking unit Fa1, or may apply adhesive to the portion that comes into contact with the stacking unit Fa1 as well as to locations other than the portion that comes into contact with the stacking unit Fa1.

[0095] The fiber supplying device 330 crushes a pulp sheet formed by agglutinating pulp fibers into a sheet, producing cotton-like fibers (pulp fibers). The water-absorbing material supplying device 340 supplies a water-absorbing material (superabsorbent resin P) to the stacking drum 310. The mixture of the fibers produced by the fiber supplying device 330 and the water-absorbing material supplied from the water-absorbing material supplying device 340 is supplied to the stacking drum 310 (around the outer circumferential surface 312 of the stacking drum 310) in a spraying zone shown in Figures 3A and 3B so as to be blown out.

[0096] The absorbent material supplied by the absorbent material supply device 340 and the absorbent material supplied by the absorbent material supply device 140 may be supplied from the same supply source (for example, a tank in which the absorbent material is stored). The absorbent material supply device 340 does not need to be provided when the fluff absorbent body Fa is formed only from fibers.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 3 , an auxiliary conveying device 360 ​​may be disposed adjacent to the stacking drum 310. The auxiliary conveying device 360 ​​is disposed, for example, downstream of the supply location of the fourth sheet S4 in the conveying direction of the fluff absorbent Fa and as close as possible to the supply location of the fourth sheet S4. The auxiliary conveying device 360 ​​includes a conveying belt 362 that is wound around a roller and extends partially along the circumferential direction of the stacking drum 310. The conveying belt 362 of the auxiliary conveying device 360 ​​sandwiches the fluff absorbent Fa, which is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310, between itself and the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310. The presence of the auxiliary conveying device 360 ​​makes it easier to suppress misalignment of the fluff absorbent Fa.

[0098] The stacking drum 310 stacks the formed fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa transported by the third suction and conveying device 220 (on the surface of the absorbent sheet Sa on which adhesive has been applied by the third adhesive application device 210). The absorbent sheet Sa on which the fluff absorbent body Fa is stacked will be referred to as a stack L hereinafter. At this time, the stacking unit 300 stacks the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa on the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. Note that the stacking unit 300 stacking the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa with the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa includes the case where the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa are completely overlapped. Also, for example, when one of the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa is smaller than the other, this includes the case where the smaller of the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa is encompassed by the larger of the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. Furthermore, when the fiber-stacking unit 300 overlaps the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa with the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa, this includes the case where only a portion of the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa is overlapped with the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. By overlapping the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent Fa so that the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa overlaps with the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent Fa, the diffusion of body fluids through the channel C (corresponding to the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent Fa) can be promoted in the finally manufactured absorbent 1, and the absorption performance of the absorbent 1 can also be improved.

[0099] When the stacking drum 310 stacks the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa transported by the third suction transport device 220 (places the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa), the third sheet S3 of the absorbent body 1 is positioned on the side that does not face the absorbent sheet Sa, as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, the third sheet S3 supplied by the third sheet supply device 320 covers the fluff absorbent body Fa that is placed on top of the absorbent sheet Sa. In other words, the third sheet S3 is positioned on the opposite side of the absorbent sheet Sa, with the fluff absorbent body Fa sandwiched between them.

[0100] (2-1-1-5) Folding Device The folding device 400 is disposed downstream of the fiber-stacking unit 300 in the conveying direction of the laminate L. In order to fix the first sheet S1 and the third sheet S3 together (so that when they become the absorbent body 1, the first sheet piece S1p will be fixed to the third sheet piece S3p), the folding device 400 folds the first sheet S1 inward on both sides perpendicular to the conveying direction of the laminate L so that the first sheet S1 of the absorbent sheet Sa at least partially covers the third sheet S3 that covers the fluff absorbent body Fa.

[0101] In addition, adhesive for bonding the first sheet S1 and the third sheet S3 together is applied by a sixth adhesive application device 410 to the surface of the first sheet S1 having the absorbent material attached thereto that is not covered by the second sheet S2, or to the surface of the third sheet S3 that does not face the fluff absorbent Fa, before the first sheet S1 is folded inward by the folding device 400.

[0102] 3, a device (for example, a device that presses the fluff absorbent body Fa and the absorbent sheet Sa between a pair of flat rollers) that presses the overlapping portion of the stacking section Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the scattering area A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa may be provided between the folding device 400 and the location where the fluff absorbent body Fa is stacked on the absorbent sheet Sa in the conveying direction of the laminate L in order to adjust the shape of the laminate L. In addition, in such a press device, when the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa are entirely sandwiched between the pair of flat rolls, it can also be called an entire press device that presses the entire laminate L of the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa.

[0103] (2-1-1-6) Stack Pressing Device The stack pressing device 500 includes multiple devices that press the entire stack L (in other words, the absorbent sheet Sa on which the fluff absorbent Fa is stacked) in order to shape the stack L.

[0104] For example, the laminate pressing device 500 includes a second absorbent section pressing device 510, a third channel pressing device 520, and an edge pressing device 530. The second absorbent section pressing device 510, the third channel pressing device 520, and the edge pressing device 530 are arranged in this order in the conveyance direction of the laminate L. However, the order in which the second absorbent section pressing device 510, the third channel pressing device 520, and the edge pressing device 530 are arranged in the conveyance direction of the laminate L may be changed as appropriate.

[0105] The laminate press device 500 preferably includes all of the second absorbent section press device 510, the third channel press device 520, and the edge press device 530, but may include one or two of these. The laminate press device 500 may also include two or more of at least one of the second absorbent section press device 510, the third channel press device 520, and the edge press device 530. The laminate press device 500 may also include press devices other than the second absorbent section press device 510, the third channel press device 520, and the edge press device 530.

[0106] The second absorbent section pressing device 510 has a pair of flat rolls 512, 514 and presses at least the overlapping portion between the stacked portion Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the spray area A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa of the laminate L transported between the pair of flat rolls 512, 514. For example, the second absorbent section pressing device 510 sandwiches the entire laminate L transported between the pair of flat rolls 512, 514. In this case, the second absorbent section pressing device 510 can also be called an entire pressing device that presses the entire laminate L of the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa. Note that at least one of the flat rolls 512, 514 of the second absorbent section pressing device 510 may be provided with a heater, and the second absorbent section pressing device 510 may have a heating function for heating the laminate L. The second absorbent section pressing device 510 heats the laminate L to, for example, a temperature at which various adhesive application devices apply adhesive or a higher temperature.

[0107] The third channel press device 520 has a pair of rolls 522, 524. In the third channel press device 520, similar to the second channel press device 190, one of the pair of rolls 522, 524 is a flat roll, and the other of the pair of rolls 522, 524 is a pattern roll having a convex portion (not shown) protruding radially outward from a portion of its outer circumferential surface. The third channel press device 520 presses the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the stacked portion Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa that are transported between the roll 522 and the roll 524. Specifically, the convex portion of the pattern roll, which is one of the pair of rolls 522, 524, is designed so that when the rolls 522, 524 rotate and the laminate L passes between the rolls 522, 524, the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the stacked portion Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa are sandwiched between the convex portion of the pattern roll and the flat roll. In this embodiment, the convex portions that form the channel pattern are formed on the roll 524 located on the fluff absorbent body Fa side, thereby forming channels that allow liquid to easily diffuse.

[0108] At least one of the rolls 522, 524 of the third channel press device 520 may be provided with a heater, and the third channel press device 520 may have a heating function for heating the laminate L. The third channel press device 520 heats the laminate L to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature at which various adhesive application devices apply adhesive.

[0109] The edge press device 530 has a pair of rolls 532, 534. In the edge press device 530, one of the pair of rolls 532, 534 is a flat roll, and the other of the pair of rolls 532, 534 is a pattern roll having a protrusion (not shown) that protrudes radially outward on part of its outer circumferential surface. The edge press device 530 presses the laminate L transported between the rolls 532 and 534 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the laminate L. Specifically, the edge press device 530 presses the laminate L so that when the laminate L is cut by the downstream cutting device 600 into single absorbents 1, both ends of each absorbent body 1 in the transport direction are pressed. Specifically, the convex portions of the pattern roll, which is one of the pair of rolls 532, 534, are designed so that when the rolls 532, 534 rotate and the laminate L passes between the rolls 532, 534, both longitudinal ends of the laminate L in the transport direction corresponding to the individual absorbents 1 are sandwiched between the convex portions of the pattern roll and the flat roll. Note that a heater may be provided on at least one of the rolls 532, 534 of the edge press device 530, and the edge press device 530 may have a heating function for heating the laminate L. The edge press device 530 heats the laminate L to, for example, a temperature at which various adhesive application devices apply adhesive or a higher temperature.

[0110] (2-1-1-7) Cutting device The cutting device 600 is a device (mat cutter device) that forms the absorbent body 1 by cutting the laminate L pressed by the press device of the laminate press device 500 at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0111] The laminate L pressed by the laminate pressing device 500 is transported to the cutting device 600 by a transport device 610 .

[0112] For example, the conveying device 610 has two conveyor belts 612 wound around rollers 614, 616, and sandwiches the laminate L between the pair of conveyor belts 612 to convey the laminate L to the cutting device 600. The pair of conveyor belts 612 of the conveying device 610 are arranged one above the other. Note that the rollers 616 arranged near the cutting device 600 have as small a diameter as possible so that the laminate L introduced into the cutting device 600 is held by the conveyor belts 612 up to the very vicinity of the cutting device 600. This allows the conveyor belts 612 to be installed inside the housing of the cutting device 600, up to the very vicinity of the cutting main body unit consisting of a cutter or the like.

[0113] In addition, the conveying device 610 is not limited to one having a pair of conveying belts 612, but may be a conveying device having a suction function, similar to the second suction conveying device 180 and the third suction conveying device 220 described above.

[0114] In addition, whether the conveying device 610 has a pair of conveying belts 612 or is a conveying device with a suction function, it is preferable that the conveying device 610 holds the laminate L throughout the entire area between the laminate press device 500 and the cutting device 600 (clamping the laminate L with the conveying belts 612 or holding the laminate L by suction).

[0115] The laminate L (in other words, the absorbent body 1) cut by the cutting device 600 is transported by the transport device 620. The transport device 620 is disposed symmetrically to the transport device 610 with respect to the cutting device 600. The transport device 620 can have the same structure as the transport device 610 except that it is disposed symmetrically to the transport device 610 and the transport direction is the opposite, so a description of the transport device 620 will be omitted here.

[0116] (2-1-1-8) Absorbent Body Manufacturing Method The method for manufacturing the absorbent body 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. Details of each step have been explained in the explanation of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A, so here we will explain the flow of manufacturing the absorbent body 1. Note that in the following explanation and Fig. 4, explanations and illustrations of detailed steps will be omitted.

[0117] First, a manufacturing method of the absorbent sheet Sa will be described. In the manufacturing process of the absorbent sheet Sa, the first sheet S1, to which adhesive has been applied by the first adhesive applicator 130, is conveyed by the first sheet supply device 110 and supplied to the first drum 150 (step P1). The water-absorbent material supply device 140 sprays water-absorbent material onto the first sheet S1 wrapped around the first drum 150 (step P2). Next, the second sheet S2, to which adhesive has been applied by the second adhesive applicator 135, is supplied to the first drum 150, forming an absorbent sheet Sa in which the water-absorbent material is covered by the second sheet S2 (i.e., the water-absorbent material is sandwiched between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2) (step P3). After being transferred from the first drum 150 to the second drum 160, the absorbent sheet Sa is pressed by the first absorbent section pressing device 170 and / or the first channel pressing device 190a (step P4). The pressed absorbent sheet Sa is passed to the second suction and conveying device 180, and is suction-conveyed to the second channel press device 190 (process P4), where it is pressed by the second channel press device 190 (process P6). An adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the absorbent sheet Sa pressed by the second channel press device 190, and the absorbent sheet Sa is passed to the third suction and conveying device 220 and conveyed to a location where the fluff absorbent body Fa is stacked by the fiber-stacking unit 300 (process P7).

[0118] Next, a manufacturing method of the fluff absorbent body Fa will be described. In the manufacturing process of the fluff absorbent body Fa, the third sheet S3, to which adhesive has been applied by the fourth adhesive applicator 325, is supplied to the stacking drum 310 by the third sheet supply device 320 (process P11). Then, the stacking drum 310 draws air through an opening provided on the outer circumferential surface 312 through the third sheet S3. At this time, fibers are supplied around the outer circumferential surface 312 of the stacking drum 310 by the fiber supply device 330, and a water-absorbent material is supplied by the water-absorbent material supply device 340 (process P12). Therefore, fibers (including a water-absorbent material) are stacked in the recesses 314 on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the stacking drum 310, forming the fluff absorbent body Fa (process P13). The fluff absorbent body Fa on the third sheet S3 may be covered with a fourth sheet S4 to which adhesive has been applied by the fifth adhesive applicator 355 (process P14).

[0119] Next, the fiber-stacking unit 300 stacks the formed fluff absorbent body Fa on an absorbent sheet Sa that is suction-conveyed by the third suction-conveying device 220 (process P21). At this time, the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa are at least partially overlapped with the corresponding channel regions A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. Here, in a plan view, the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the channel regions A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa have substantially the same shape and dimensions, so the channel portions Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa are almost completely overlapped with the corresponding channel regions A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0120] The absorbent sheet Sa (laminate L) on which the fluff absorbent body Fa is layered is sent to the folding device 400. The folding device 400 folds the first sheet S1 of the laminate L so that it overlaps the third sheet S3 (step P22). The laminate L, from which the first sheet S1 has been folded by the folding device 400, is pressed by the press devices 510, 520, and 530 of the laminate press device 500 (step P23). After being pressed by the laminate press device 500, the laminate L is sent by the conveying device 610 to the cutting device 600 and cut into the absorbent body 1 (step P24).

[0121] (2-1-1-9) Modifications Modifications of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A and manufacturing method according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0122] <Modification A> In Fig. 3A of the above embodiment, the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 has two press devices (the first absorption section press device 170 and the second channel press device 190), whereas in Fig. 3B of the above embodiment, the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 has three press devices (the first absorption section press device 170, the first channel press device 190a, and the second channel press device 190). However, the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 may have only one of the first absorption section press device 170, the first channel press device 190a, and the second channel press device 190. Conversely, the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 may be provided with a press device other than the first absorption section press device 170, the first channel press device 190a, and the second channel press device 190 at an appropriate location (for example, a press device similar to the first absorption section press device 170 or a press device similar to the second channel press device 190).

[0123] <Modification B> In the configuration of FIG. 3B of the above embodiment, the second channel pressing device 190 may be omitted as shown in FIG.

[0124] <Variant C> In the above embodiment, the first suction conveying device in the claims is described as the first drum 150, but the first suction conveying device may also be a conveying device having a conveying belt with suction function similar to that of the second suction conveying device 180 and the third suction conveying device 220.

[0125] In this case, the first absorption section press device 170 may be, as in the above embodiment, a device that presses the absorbent sheet Sa between a flat roll 172 as a first press member and a second drum 160 arranged downstream of the first suction conveying device, or, as in the second channel press device 190, a device that presses the absorbent sheet Sa transported by a first suction conveying device having a conveying belt with two rolls.

[0126] <Modification D> The order of arrangement of the first absorption section pressing device 170, the first channel pressing device 190a, and the second channel pressing device 190 in the above embodiment may be changed as appropriate.

[0127] <Modification E> In the above embodiment, the temporary press device, the first channel press device 190a, and the second channel press device 190 provided for the first drum 150 may press both ends of the spray area A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa and / or both ends of the spray area A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa, in addition to the channel area A2 exemplified in the above embodiment, so as to surround the spray area A1 of the SAP.

[0128] <Modification F> Instead of the channel press device and edge press device in the above embodiment, a heat seal device, ultrasonic seal device, or the like may be provided to join sheets together.

[0129] (2-2) Second Embodiment An embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus 1000B and manufacturing method for an absorbent body 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a schematic process diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B for an absorbent body 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0130] The manufacturing apparatus 1000B is similar in many respects to the manufacturing apparatus 1000A of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3A. Here, differences between the manufacturing apparatus 1000B and the manufacturing apparatus 1000A will be described, and a description of similarities will be omitted.

[0131] The main difference between the manufacturing apparatus 1000B and the manufacturing apparatus 1000A is that the fiber-stacking unit 300 has a transfer drum 370 and a second fiber-stacking section press device 380, which the manufacturing apparatus 1000A does not have.

[0132] The transfer drum 370 is positioned downstream of the stacking drum 310 in the transport direction of the fluff absorbent Fa, receives the fluff absorbent Fa from the stacking drum 310, and transports the fluff absorbent Fa to a position where it is superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0133] The second stacking section press device 380 is disposed adjacent to the transfer drum 370. The second stacking section press device 380 has a flat roll 382 (see FIG. 10) as a press member, and with the fluff absorbent body Fa disposed between the flat roll 382 and the transfer drum 370, which is a flat roll that functions as part of the second stacking section press device 380, the flat roll 382 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 372 of the transfer drum 370 via the fluff absorbent body Fa, thereby pressing the stacked section Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa. By providing the second stacking section press device 380 in this manner, it becomes easier to obtain a fluff absorbent body Fa in a desired shape.

[0134] The fluff absorbent body Fa pressed by the second fiber-stacking section press device 380 is then superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa by the third suction conveying device 220. The second fiber-stacking section press device 380 may be configured as a channel press device that presses the channel section Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa.

[0135] Furthermore, the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B may have a first stacking section press device 390 that the manufacturing apparatus 1000A does not have. The first stacking section press device 390 is a device that presses the stacking section Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa between a flat roll 392 and a stacking drum 310 having recesses 314 formed on the outer circumferential surface 312. By providing the first stacking section press device 390 in this manner, it becomes easier to obtain a fluff absorbent body Fa with a desired shape. In particular, by providing the first stacking section press device 390 and the second stacking section press device 380 and pressing the fluff absorbent body Fa in two stages, the fluff absorbent body Fa with a desired shape can be stably conveyed.

[0136] Note that the flow of the manufacturing method of the second embodiment using the manufacturing apparatus 1000B includes a pressing step by the first stacked portion pressing device 390 and a pressing step by the second stacked portion pressing device 380 after process P14 in Fig. 4 and before process P21 in Fig. 4. An illustration of a flowchart of the entire manufacturing method of the second embodiment is omitted.

[0137] Another difference between the manufacturing apparatus 1000B and the manufacturing apparatus 1000A is that the auxiliary conveying device 200 of the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 and the auxiliary conveying device 360 ​​of the fiber-stacking unit 300 are omitted in the example shown in Fig. 10. However, this is not limiting, and the auxiliary conveying device 200 and the auxiliary conveying device 360 ​​may also be provided in the manufacturing apparatus 1000B.

[0138] In addition, the position at which the component mechanisms are depicted differs between the fiber stacking unit 300 in Figure 10 and the fiber stacking unit 300 in Figure 3, but this is due to convenience of depiction.Apart from the above points, the fiber stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B and the fiber stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000A are identical.

[0139] (2-3) Third Embodiment An embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus 1000C and manufacturing method for an absorbent body 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a schematic process diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 1000C for an absorbent body 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0140] The manufacturing apparatus 1000C is similar in many respects to the manufacturing apparatus 1000A of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3A. Here, differences between the manufacturing apparatus 1000C and the manufacturing apparatus 1000A will be described, and a description of similarities will be omitted.

[0141] The main difference between manufacturing apparatus 1000C and manufacturing apparatus 1000A is that the stacking unit 300 does not have the fourth sheet supply device 350, the fifth adhesive application device 355, and the auxiliary conveying device 360, and further, the third sheet supply device 320 does not supply the third sheet S3 to the stacking drum 310.

[0142] In the manufacturing apparatus 1000C, instead of layering fibers and absorbent material on the third sheet S3 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310, the fibers and absorbent material are layered directly (without any other member interposed) on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310 to form the fluff absorbent body Fa. Then, the stacking drum 310 layers the fluff absorbent body Fa, one side of which is not covered with the third sheet S3, on the absorbent sheet Sa. At this time, the stacking drum 310 forms the stack L by layering the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa so that the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa is positioned over the channel area A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa, as in the first embodiment. In the manufacturing apparatus 1000C, before the first sheet S1 of the stack L is folded by the folding device 400, the third sheet supply device 320 supplies the third sheet S3 so as to cover the fluff absorbent Fa of the stack L being conveyed by the third suction conveying device 220 (or a conveying device other than the third suction conveying device 220). It is preferable that the third sheet supply device 320 supplies the third sheet S3 near the contact point between the stacking drum 310 and the third suction conveying device 220. In this case, after the fluff absorbent Fa is superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa, it is immediately covered by the third sheet S3, and the desired shape of the stack L can be well maintained.

[0143] Furthermore, the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000C may have a first stacking section pressing device 390 that the manufacturing apparatus 1000A does not have. The first stacking section pressing device 390 is a device that presses the stacking section Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa between a flat roll 392 and a stacking drum 310 having recesses 314 formed on the outer circumferential surface 312. By providing the first stacking section pressing device 390 in this way, it becomes easier to obtain a fluff absorbent body Fa in the desired shape.

[0144] Another difference between the manufacturing apparatus 1000B and the manufacturing apparatus 1000A is that the auxiliary conveying device 200 of the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 is omitted in the example shown in Fig. 11. However, this is not limiting, and the auxiliary conveying device 200 may also be provided in the manufacturing apparatus 1000B.

[0145] The flow of the manufacturing method of the third embodiment using the manufacturing apparatus 1000C is, for example, as shown in Fig. 12. The flow of the manufacturing method of the third embodiment differs from the flow of the manufacturing method of the first embodiment mainly in the process related to the formation of the fluff absorbent body Fa.

[0146] Steps P1 to P7 in FIG. 12 are the same as steps P1 to P7 in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment.

[0147] In forming the fluff absorbent body Fa, fibers are supplied by the fiber supply device 330 and absorbent material is supplied by the water-absorbent material supply device 340 (without the third sheet S3 being supplied) around the stacking drum 310, which sucks air through suction holes provided on the outer peripheral surface 312 (process P11a). As a result, fibers (including absorbent material) are stacked in the recesses 314 on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310, forming the fluff absorbent body Fa (process P12a). The fluff absorbent body Fa is then pressed by the first stacking section pressing device 390 (process P13a). Note that process P13a of pressing the fluff absorbent body Fa may be omitted. The fluff absorbent body Fa that has undergone the pressing process is then placed on an absorbent sheet Sa to which adhesive has been applied by the third adhesive application device 210 (process P21). Thereafter, a fourth adhesive application device 325 applies adhesive to a third sheet S3 on the surface facing the fluff absorbent body Fa of the laminate L, which is formed by overlaying the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa (process P21a). The steps of processes P22 to P24 are the same as processes P22 to P24 in the flowchart of the manufacturing method of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4).

[0148] (2-4) Fourth Embodiment An embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus 1000D and manufacturing method for an absorbent body 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a schematic process diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 1000D for an absorbent body 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0149] The manufacturing apparatus 1000D is obtained by further providing the transfer drum 370 and the second fiber-stacking section press device 380 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment to the manufacturing apparatus 1000C of the third embodiment.

[0150] The transfer drum 370 and the second stacking portion press device 380 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000D of the fourth embodiment differ from the transfer drum 370 and the second stacking portion press device 380 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment in that one side of the fluff absorber Fa that is passed to the transfer drum 370 and pressed by the second stacking portion press device 380 is not covered with the third sheet S3. In other respects, the transfer drum 370 and the second stacking portion press device 380 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000D of the fourth embodiment are similar to the transfer drum 370 and the second stacking portion press device 380 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof, including the description of the flow of the manufacturing method, will be omitted here.

[0151] (2-5) Fifth Embodiment A manufacturing apparatus 1000E and a manufacturing method for an absorbent body 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a schematic process diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 1000E for an absorbent body 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0152] The manufacturing apparatus 1000E is similar in many respects to the manufacturing apparatus 1000A of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3A. Here, differences between the manufacturing apparatus 1000E and the manufacturing apparatus 1000A will be described, and a description of similarities will be omitted.

[0153] The main difference between the manufacturing apparatus 1000E and the manufacturing apparatus 1000A is that the stacking unit 300 further includes a gear stretching device 327 that performs gear stretching on the third sheet S3. This configuration makes it easier for the third sheet S3 to deform, making it easier for the third sheet S3 to fit into the recesses 314 for stacking formed on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310, and making it easier to manufacture an absorbent body 1 with a desired shape (an absorbent body 1 having a fluff absorbent body Fa with a desired shape).

[0154] The flow of the manufacturing method of the fifth embodiment using the manufacturing apparatus 1000E includes a gear stretching process for the third sheet S3, which is executed before the third sheet S3 is supplied to the stacking drum 310 in process P11 of Fig. 4. An illustration of an overall flowchart of the manufacturing method of the fifth embodiment is omitted.

[0155] (2-6) Sixth Embodiment A manufacturing apparatus 1000F and manufacturing method for an absorbent body 1 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a schematic process diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 1000E for an absorbent body 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0156] The manufacturing apparatus 1000F is similar in many respects to the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment. Here, differences between the manufacturing apparatus 1000F and the manufacturing apparatus 1000B will be described, and a description of similarities between them will be omitted.

[0157] The main difference between the manufacturing apparatus 1000F and the manufacturing apparatus 1000B is that the stacking unit 300 further includes a gear stretching device 327 that performs gear stretching on the third sheet S3. This configuration makes it easier for the third sheet S3 to deform, making it easier for the third sheet S3 to fit into the recesses 314 for stacking formed on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the stacking drum 310, and making it easier to manufacture an absorbent body 1 with a desired shape (an absorbent body 1 having a fluff absorbent body Fa with a desired shape).

[0158] Since the manufacturing apparatus 1000F of the sixth embodiment is merely a combination of the manufacturing apparatuses and manufacturing methods already described, detailed description of the manufacturing apparatus 1000F and manufacturing method of the sixth embodiment will be omitted.

[0159] (2-7) Seventh Embodiment An embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus 1000G and manufacturing method for an absorbent body 1 according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a schematic process diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 1000G for an absorbent body 1 according to the seventh embodiment.

[0160] The absorbent sheet forming unit 100 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000G is similar to the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment, except that it does not have the third suction transport device 220.

[0161] The major difference between the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000G and the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment is that the absorbent sheet Sa bonded by the third adhesive application device 210 is supplied to the stacking drum 310, and fibers and water-absorbing material are stacked on the absorbent sheet Sa. In short, in the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000G, after completing the formation of the fluff absorbent body Fa, the fluff absorbent body Fa is not superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa, but the fluff absorbent body Fa is formed on the absorbent sheet Sa which is suction-transported by the stacking drum 310.

[0162] The stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000G has a transfer drum 370, a first stacking section press device 390, and a second stacking section press device 380, similar to the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment, but the role of each component is different from that of the second embodiment. The transfer drum 370 of the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000G is not a drum that receives and conveys the fluff absorbent body Fa from the stacking drum 310, but is a drum that receives and conveys the stacked body L in which the fluff absorbent body Fa is superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa. Furthermore, the first stacking section press device 390 and the second stacking section press device 380 are not devices that press the stacked body Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa (single fluff absorbent body Fa), but are devices that press the distribution area A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the stacked body Fa1 of the fluff absorbent body Fa of the stacked body L.

[0163] The stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000G also differs from the stacking unit 300 of the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment in that it does not have the fourth sheet supply device 250 and the fifth adhesive application device 335.

[0164] In other respects, the manufacturing apparatus 1000G is similar to the manufacturing apparatus 1000B of the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0165] The flow of the manufacturing method of the seventh embodiment using the manufacturing apparatus 1000G is shown in FIG. 17, for example.

[0166] Steps P1 to P7 in FIG. 17 are the same as steps P1 to P6 in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment.

[0167] In the manufacturing method of the seventh embodiment, after step P6, the absorbent sheet Sa is supplied to the fiber stacking drum 310 (step P7b). The fiber stacking drum 310 then sucks air through the absorbent sheet Sa through suction holes provided in the outer peripheral surface 312. At this time, fibers are supplied around the outer peripheral surface 312 of the fiber stacking drum 310 by the fiber supplying device 330, and absorbent material is supplied by the absorbent material supplying device 340 (step P8b). Therefore, fibers (including absorbent material) are stacked on the absorbent sheet Sa in the recesses 314 on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the fiber stacking drum 310, forming a fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa (step P9b). The fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa is then covered with a third sheet S3, the surface of which facing the fluff absorbent body Fa is coated with adhesive by the fourth adhesive applying device 325 (step P10b). The absorbent sheet Sa (laminate L) on which the fluff absorbent body Fa is layered is then pressed by the first stacking section press device 390 and the second stacking section press device 380 (process P11b), and then sent to the folding device 400.

[0168] Steps P22 to P24 in FIG. 17 are similar to steps P22 to P24 in FIG. 4, and therefore will not be described.

[0169] (3) Features (3-1) The manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 are apparatuses for manufacturing an absorbent body 1 having a hybrid structure, which has a water-absorbent material absorbent layer and a stacked-fiber absorbent layer containing at least fluff. The manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 include an absorbent sheet forming unit 100 and a stacking unit 300. The absorbent sheet forming unit 100 forms an absorbent sheet Sa in which a water-absorbent material, such as SAP, is sprayed between a first sheet S1 and a second sheet S2. The stacking unit 300 stacks fibers to form a fluff absorbent body Fa containing at least fluff, and stacks the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa, which is conveyed by suction. A spraying region A1 and a channel region A2 are formed between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The water-absorbent material is sprayed in the spraying region A1. The channel region A2 is not sprayed with absorbent material. The fluff absorbent Fa has a stacking section Fa1 and a channel section Fa2. Fibers are stacked in the stacking section Fa1. Fibers are not stacked in the channel section Fa2. The absorbent sheet forming unit 100 has a first sheet supplying device 110, a first drum 150 which is an example of a first suction and conveying device, an absorbent material supplying device 140, a second sheet supplying device 120, and a press device. The first sheet supplying device 110 supplies a first sheet. The first drum 150 has a first conveying surface 152 with a suction function, and conveys the first sheet S1 while suctioning it on the first conveying surface 152. The absorbent material supplying device 140 supplies absorbent material onto the first sheet S1 conveyed by the first drum 150. The second sheet supplying device 120 supplies a second sheet S2 and covers the absorbent material on the first sheet S1 with the second sheet S2 to form an absorbent sheet Sa. The pressing device presses the absorbent sheet Sa being conveyed. In the above embodiment, the pressing device includes at least one of the first absorbent section pressing device 170, the first channel pressing device 190a, and the second channel pressing device 190. The fiber stacking unit 300 has a fiber supplying device 330, a fiber stacking drum 310, and a third sheet supplying device 320. The fiber supplying device 330 supplies fibers. The fiber stacking drum 310 has a suction function and stacks fibers supplied by the fiber supplying device 330 to form a fluff absorbent body Fa.The third sheet supply device 320 supplies a third sheet S3 that is disposed on the opposite side of the absorbent sheet Sa, with the fluff absorbent body Fa sandwiched therebetween. When stacking the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa, the fiber stacking unit 300 overlaps the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa with the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0170] The manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 suck and convey the absorbent sheet Sa, which is prone to misalignment of the absorbent material, and overlay the fluff absorbent body Fa on the absorbent sheet Sa. Therefore, unlike when the absorbent body 1 is manufactured by placing the absorbent sheet Sa on absorbent fibers, the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 can suppress the fluidity of the absorbent material and accurately manufacture the absorbent body 1 with a hybrid structure of the desired shape.

[0171] Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1, the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa are superimposed so that the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa overlap, thereby promoting the diffusion of body fluids through the channels C (the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa) in the absorbent body 1 and improving the absorption performance of the absorbent body 1.

[0172] (3-2) In the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1, the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 has a second drum 160. The second drum 160 is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the first drum 150, which serves as a first suction conveying device, in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The absorbent sheet Sa is wrapped around the second drum 160. The pressing device includes at least one of a first absorption section pressing device 170 and a first channel pressing device 190a. The first absorption section pressing device 170 sandwiches and presses the spray region A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The first channel pressing device 190a presses the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The first absorption section pressing device 170 has a flat roll 172, which is an example of a first pressing member. The first absorbent section pressing device 170 presses the flat roll 172, via the absorbent sheet Sa, against the second drum 160, which functions as part of the first absorbent section pressing device 170, with the absorbent sheet Sa wound around the second drum 160 between the flat roll 172 and the second drum 160. The first channel pressing device 190a has a second pressing member. With the absorbent sheet Sa wound around the second drum 160 between the pattern roll 192a and the second drum 160, the first channel pressing device 190a presses the pattern roll 192a against the second drum 160, which functions as part of the first channel pressing device 190a, via the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0173] In the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1, the first absorbent portion pressing device 170 or the first channel pressing device 190a presses predetermined locations of the absorbent sheet Sa between the first drum 150 and the second drum 160 arranged adjacent to the first drum 150, in other words, immediately after the absorbent sheet Sa leaves the first drum 150, thereby adjusting the shape of the absorbent sheet Sa. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 can form absorbent sheets Sa in the desired shape with high precision.

[0174] Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1, the absorbent sheet Sa can be pressed while it is wrapped around the second drum 160 and the movement of the absorbent material is suppressed, so that after the pressing process, an absorbent material accumulation pattern can be formed that is less susceptible to the effects of vibrations, etc. that occur when the absorbent sheet Sa is transported downstream.

[0175] (3-3) In the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 (excluding the manufacturing apparatus depicted in FIG. 9 ), the press device further includes a second channel press device 190. The second channel press device 190 is disposed between the second drum 160 and the stacking unit 300 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second channel press device 190 presses the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The absorbent sheet forming unit 100 further includes a second suction conveying device 180. The second suction conveying device 180 is disposed between the second drum 160 and the second channel press device 190 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second suction conveying device 180 has a horizontal second conveying surface 182a having a suction function, and conveys the absorbent sheet Sa while suctioning it with the second conveying surface 182a. The second conveying surface 182a of the second suction conveying device 180 extends from the second drum 160 to the second channel press device 190. In other words, the conveying belt 182 of the second suction conveying device 180 extends from a position adjacent to the second drum 160 to a position adjacent to the second channel press device 190.

[0176] In the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G of the absorbent body 1 (excluding the manufacturing apparatus depicted in FIG. 9), the absorbent sheet Sa is pressed by at least one of the first absorbent section pressing device 170 and the first channel pressing device 190a to adjust the shape of the absorbent sheet Sa, and the absorbent sheet Sa is transported to the second channel pressing device 190 while suppressing the movement of the absorbent material by suction transport, and the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa is further pressed by the second channel pressing device 190. Therefore, in the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G of the absorbent body 1 (excluding the manufacturing apparatus depicted in FIG. 9), the channel region A2 that contributes to the diffusion of bodily fluids can be formed with high precision at the desired position of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0177] (3-4) In the manufacturing apparatus 1000A of the absorbent body 1 depicted in Fig. 3B, the press device of the absorbent sheet forming unit 100 includes a first channel press device 190a and a second channel press device 190. Although not shown in the drawings, the press device may also include the first channel press device 190a and the second channel press device 190 in the manufacturing apparatuses 1000B to 1000G.

[0178] The first channel press device 190a presses the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second channel press device 190 is disposed between the second drum 160 and the fiber stacking unit 300 in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second channel press device 190 presses the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The first channel press device 190a has a pattern roll 192a. With the absorbent sheet Sa wound around the second drum 160 between the pattern roll 192a and the second drum 160, the first channel press device 190a presses the pattern roll 192a against the second drum 160, which functions as part of the first channel press device 190a, via the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. At least one of the first channel press device 190a and the second channel press device 190 heats the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0179] In the manufacturing apparatus 1000A shown in Figure 3B, heating can improve the permeability of the adhesive used to fix the absorbent material, making it easier to position the absorbent material at the desired position between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0180] Even when only one of the first channel press device 190a and the second channel press device 190 is provided as the press device, it is preferable that the channel press devices 190a and 190 press the absorbent sheet Sa while heating it.

[0181] (3-5) In the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 (excluding the manufacturing apparatus depicted in FIG. 9 ), the press devices include a first absorbent section press device 170 and a second channel press device 190. The first absorbent section press device 170 sandwiches and presses the spray region A1 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second channel press device 190 is disposed downstream of the second drum 160 in the conveyance direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second channel press device 190 presses the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The first absorbent section press device 170 has a flat roll 172 as an example of a first press member. The first absorbent section press device 170 presses the flat roll 172 against the second drum 160, which functions as part of the first absorbent section press device 170, via the absorbent sheet Sa, with the absorbent sheet Sa wound around the second drum 160 between the flat roll 172 and the second drum 160. The first absorbent section pressing device 170 heats the absorbent sheet Sa from one side in the thickness direction of the absorbent sheet Sa. The second channel pressing device 190 heats the absorbent sheet Sa from the other side in the thickness direction. For example, and not limited thereto, both the flat roll 172 of the first absorbent section pressing device 170 and the roll 194 (flat roll) of the second channel pressing device have a heating function.

[0182] In the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G of the absorbent body 1 (excluding the manufacturing apparatus depicted in Figure 9), the absorbent sheet Sa can be heated from either side of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 that sandwich the absorbent material, which makes it easier for the adhesive applied to both the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 to penetrate, and the absorbent material sandwiched between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 can be held in place more stably.

[0183] (3-6) The manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1 further include a laminate pressing device 500. The laminate pressing device 500 presses the transported laminate L in which the fluff absorbent body Fa is superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa. The laminate pressing device 500 includes at least one of a second absorbent section pressing device 510, a third channel pressing device 520, and an edge pressing device 530. The second absorbent section pressing device 510 presses the entire transported laminate L. The third channel pressing device 520 presses the overlapping portion of the transported laminate L between the channel section Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa and the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa. The edge pressing device 530 presses the transported laminate L in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the laminate L. Specifically, the edge pressing device 530 presses the laminate L so that when it is cut by the subsequent cutting device 600 into a single absorbent body 1, both ends of each absorbent body 1 in the conveying direction (longitudinal direction) are pressed.

[0184] In the manufacturing devices 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1, the laminate L is pressed, thereby making it possible to manufacture an absorbent body having a desired shape with high precision.

[0185] (3-7) In the manufacturing devices 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1, the laminate pressing device 500 includes at least a third channel pressing device 520. The third channel pressing device 520 heats the laminate L.

[0186] In the manufacturing apparatuses 1000A to 1000G for the absorbent body 1, the permeability of the adhesive used to fix the absorbent material can be improved by heating, making it easier to position the absorbent material at the desired position between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 in the absorbent body 1.

[0187] (3-8) In the manufacturing devices 1000E to 1000F of the absorbent body 1, the stacking unit 300 includes a gear stretching device 327 that performs gear stretching on the third sheet S3. Note that the gear stretching device 327 may also be provided in the manufacturing devices for the absorbent body 1 of other embodiments.

[0188] In the manufacturing devices 1000E to 1000F for the absorbent body 1, the third sheet S3 is easily deformed, making it easy to manufacture an absorbent body 1 having a desired shape. Specifically, because the third sheet S3 is easily deformed, the third sheet S3 supplied to the fiber stacking drum 310 can be easily aligned with the fiber stacking recesses 314 on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the fiber stacking drum 310, making it easy to manufacture an absorbent body 1 having a desired shape.

[0189] (3-9) The manufacturing method of the absorbent body 1 of the first to seventh embodiments is a manufacturing method of an absorbent body with a hybrid structure including a water-absorbent material layer and a stacked fiber layer. The manufacturing method of the absorbent body includes an absorbent sheet forming process, a pressing process, a fluff absorbent body forming process, and a stacking process. In the absorbent sheet forming process, a water-absorbent material is sprayed between a first sheet S1 and a second sheet S2 to form an absorbent sheet Sa. Between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of the absorbent sheet Sa, a spraying area A1 where the water-absorbent material is sprayed and a channel area A2 where the water-absorbent material is not sprayed are formed. In the pressing process, the transported absorbent sheet Sa is pressed. In the fluff absorbent body forming process, a fluff absorbent body Fa is formed, which has a stacked fiber section Fa1 where fibers are stacked and a channel section Fa2 where fibers are not stacked. In the stacking process, the fluff absorbent body Fa is stacked on the absorbent sheet Sa which is transported by suction. In the stacking step, the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa is stacked on the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa.

[0190] In the manufacturing methods of the absorbent body 1 of the first to seventh embodiments, the absorbent sheet Sa, which is prone to misalignment of the absorbent material, is suction-transported, and the fluff absorbent body Fa is superimposed on the absorbent sheet Sa. Therefore, in the manufacturing methods of the absorbent body 1 of the first to seventh embodiments, unlike when the absorbent body 1 is manufactured by placing the absorbent sheet Sa on absorbent fibers, the fluidity of the absorbent material is suppressed, and the absorbent body 1 with a hybrid structure of the desired shape can be manufactured with high precision.

[0191] Furthermore, in the manufacturing methods of the absorbent body 1 of the first to seventh embodiments, the absorbent sheet Sa and the fluff absorbent body Fa are superimposed so that the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa overlap, thereby promoting the diffusion of body fluids through the channels (the channel region A2 of the absorbent sheet Sa and the channel portion Fa2 of the fluff absorbent body Fa) in the absorbent body 1 and improving the absorption performance of the absorbent body.

[0192] <Additional Notes> Finally, the following additional notes will be added regarding the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiments.

[0193] The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of a first aspect is an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of a hybrid structure having a water-absorbent material absorbent layer and a stacked absorbent layer containing at least fluff. The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus comprises an absorbent sheet forming unit and a stacking unit. The absorbent sheet forming unit forms an absorbent sheet in which a water-absorbent material is sprayed between a first sheet and a second sheet. The stacking unit stacks fibers to form a fluff absorbent body containing at least fluff, and stacks the fluff absorbent body on an absorbent sheet that is transported by suction. A spraying region and a channel region are formed between the first sheet and the second sheet of the absorbent sheet. The water-absorbent material is sprayed in the spraying region. The water-absorbent material is not sprayed in the channel region. The fluff absorbent body has a stacking section and a channel section. Fibers are stacked in the stacking section. Fibers are not stacked in the channel section. The absorbent sheet forming unit has a first sheet supply device, a first suction and conveying device, a water-absorbent material supply device, a second sheet supply device, and a press device. The first sheet supply device supplies the first sheet. The first suction and conveying device has a first conveying surface with a suction function and conveys the first sheet while suctioning it on the first conveying surface. The water-absorbent material supply device supplies the water-absorbent material onto the first sheet conveyed by the first suction and conveying device. The second sheet supply device supplies a second sheet and forms an absorbent sheet by covering the water-absorbent material on the first sheet with the second sheet. The press device presses the absorbent sheet being conveyed. The fiber stacking unit has a fiber supply device, a stacking drum, and a third sheet supply device. The fiber supply device supplies fibers. The stacking drum has a suction function and stacks fibers supplied by the fiber supply device to form a fluff absorbent body. The third sheet supply device supplies a third sheet that is positioned on the opposite side of the absorbent sheet, sandwiching the fluff absorbent body therebetween. When stacking the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet, the stacking unit overlaps the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body with the channel region of the absorbent sheet.

[0194] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the first aspect, an absorbent sheet, which is prone to positional displacement of the absorbent material, is suction-transported, and a fluff absorbent body is superimposed on the absorbent sheet. Therefore, unlike when an absorbent body is manufactured by placing an absorbent sheet on absorbent fibers, the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the first aspect can suppress the fluidity of the absorbent material and accurately manufacture an absorbent body with a hybrid structure of a desired shape.

[0195] Furthermore, in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the first aspect, the absorbent sheet and the fluff absorbent body are superimposed so that the channel region of the absorbent sheet and the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body overlap, thereby promoting the diffusion of body fluids through the channels (the channel region of the absorbent sheet and the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body) in the absorbent body and improving the absorption performance of the absorbent body.

[0196] An absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a second aspect is the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second drum. The second drum is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the first suction and conveying device in the absorbent sheet conveying direction. The absorbent sheet is wrapped around the second drum. The pressing device includes at least one of a first absorbent section pressing device and a first channel pressing device. The first absorbent section pressing device sandwiches and presses the spray region of the absorbent sheet. The first channel pressing device presses the channel region of the absorbent sheet. The first absorbent section pressing device includes a first pressing member. With the absorbent sheet wrapped around the second drum between the first pressing member and the second drum, the first pressing member presses the first absorbent section pressing member against the second drum, which functions as part of the first absorbent section pressing device, via the absorbent sheet. The first channel pressing device includes a second pressing member. The first channel press device presses the second press member against the second drum, which functions as part of the first channel press device, through the channel area of ​​the absorbent sheet, with the absorbent sheet wrapped around the second drum between the second press member and the second drum.

[0197] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the second aspect, the first absorbent section pressing device or the first channel pressing device presses predetermined portions of the absorbent sheet between the first absorbent section pressing device and the second drum disposed adjacent to the first suction and conveying device, in other words, immediately after the absorbent sheet leaves the first suction and conveying device, to adjust the shape of the absorbent sheet. Therefore, the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the second aspect can accurately form absorbent sheets of the desired shape.

[0198] Furthermore, in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the second aspect, the absorbent sheet can be pressed while it is wrapped around the second drum and the movement of the absorbent material is suppressed, so that after the pressing process, an absorbent material accumulation pattern can be formed that is less susceptible to the effects of vibrations, etc., when the absorbent sheet is transported downstream.

[0199] An absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a third aspect is the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the press device further includes a second channel press device. The second channel press device is disposed between the second drum and the fiber stacking unit in the absorbent sheet conveying direction. The second channel press device presses the channel region of the absorbent sheet. The absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second suction conveying device. The second suction conveying device is disposed between the second drum and the second channel press device in the absorbent sheet conveying direction. The second suction conveying device has a horizontal second conveying surface having a suction function, and conveys the absorbent sheet while suctioning it on the second conveying surface. The second conveying surface of the second suction conveying device extends from the second drum to the second channel press device.

[0200] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the third aspect, the absorbent sheet is pressed by at least one of the first absorbent section pressing device and the first channel pressing device to adjust the shape of the absorbent sheet, and the absorbent sheet is transported to the second channel pressing device while suppressing the movement of the absorbent material by suction transport, and then the channel region of the absorbent sheet is further pressed by the second channel pressing device. Therefore, in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the third aspect, channel regions that contribute to the diffusion of bodily fluids can be formed with high precision in desired positions on the absorbent sheet.

[0201] An absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second drum. The second drum is arranged adjacent to and downstream of the first suction and conveying device in the absorbent sheet conveying direction. The absorbent sheet is wound around the second drum. The press device includes a first channel press device and a second channel press device. The first channel press device presses the channel region of the absorbent sheet. The second channel press device is arranged between the second drum and the fiber stacking unit in the absorbent sheet conveying direction. The second channel press device presses the channel region of the absorbent sheet. The first channel press device includes a second press member. The first channel press device presses the second press member against the second drum, which functions as part of the first channel press device, via the channel region of the absorbent sheet, with the absorbent sheet wound around the second drum between the second press member and the second drum. At least one of the first channel pressing device and the second channel pressing device heats the absorbent sheet.

[0202] In the absorbent manufacturing apparatus of the fourth aspect, heating can improve the permeability of the adhesive used to fix the absorbent material, making it easier to position the absorbent material in the desired position between the first sheet and the second sheet of the absorbent sheet.

[0203] An absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second drum. The second drum is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the first suction and conveying device in the absorbent sheet conveying direction. The absorbent sheet is wrapped around the second drum. The pressing device includes a first absorbent section pressing device and a second channel pressing device. The first absorbent section pressing device sandwiches and presses the spray region of the absorbent sheet. The second channel pressing device is disposed downstream of the second drum in the absorbent sheet conveying direction. The second channel pressing device presses the channel region of the absorbent sheet. The first absorbent section pressing device includes a first pressing member. With the absorbent sheet wrapped around the second drum between the first pressing member and the second drum, the first channel pressing device presses the first pressing member against the second drum, which functions as part of the first absorbent section pressing device, via the absorbent sheet. The first absorbent section pressing device heats the absorbent sheet from one side in the thickness direction of the absorbent sheet. The second channel press device heats the absorbent sheet from the other side in the thickness direction.

[0204] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the absorbent sheet can be heated from either side of the first sheet and the second sheet that sandwich the absorbent material, making it easier for the adhesive applied to both the first sheet and the second sheet to penetrate, and the absorbent material sandwiched between the first sheet and the second sheet can be held in place more stably.

[0205] An absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a laminate pressing device. The laminate pressing device presses the transported laminate in which the fluff absorbent body is layered on the absorbent sheet. The laminate pressing device includes at least one of a second absorbent section pressing device, a third channel pressing device, and an edge pressing device. The second absorbent section pressing device presses the entire transported laminate. The third channel pressing device presses the overlapping portion of the transported laminate between the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body and the channel region of the absorbent sheet. The edge pressing device presses the transported laminate in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the laminate.

[0206] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, by pressing the laminate, it is possible to manufacture an absorbent body having a desired shape with high precision.

[0207] The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the laminate pressing device includes at least a third channel pressing device. The third channel pressing device heats the laminate.

[0208] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the seventh aspect, heating can improve the permeability of the adhesive used to fix the absorbent material, making it easier to position the absorbent material at the desired position between the first sheet and the second sheet in the absorbent body.

[0209] An absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, wherein the stacking unit further includes a gear drawing device that gear-draws the third sheet.

[0210] In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the eighth aspect, the third sheet is easily deformed, so that it is easy to manufacture an absorbent body of a desired shape.

[0211] A ninth aspect of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body is a method for manufacturing an absorbent body with a hybrid structure including an absorbent material layer and a stacked fiber layer. The method for manufacturing an absorbent body includes an absorbent sheet forming step, a pressing step, a fluff absorbent body forming step, and a stacking step. In the absorbent sheet forming step, an absorbent material is sprayed between a first sheet and a second sheet to form an absorbent sheet. Between the first sheet and the second sheet of the absorbent sheet, a sprayed region where the absorbent material is sprayed and a channel region where the absorbent material is not sprayed are formed. In the pressing step, the absorbent sheet being transported is pressed. In the fluff absorbent body forming step, a fluff absorbent body is formed having a stacked portion where fibers are stacked and a channel portion where fibers are not stacked. In the stacking step, the fluff absorbent body is stacked on an absorbent sheet being transported under suction. In the stacking step, the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body is overlaid on the channel region of the absorbent sheet.

[0212] In the absorbent body manufacturing method of the ninth aspect, the absorbent sheet, which is prone to positional displacement of the absorbent material, is suction-transported, and the fluff absorbent body is superimposed on the absorbent sheet. Therefore, in the absorbent body manufacturing method of the ninth aspect, unlike when an absorbent body is manufactured by placing an absorbent sheet on absorbent fibers, the fluidity of the absorbent material is suppressed, and an absorbent body with a hybrid structure of a desired shape can be manufactured with high precision.

[0213] Furthermore, in the ninth aspect of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body, the absorbent sheet and the fluff absorbent body are superimposed so that the channel region of the absorbent sheet and the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body overlap, thereby promoting the diffusion of body fluids through the channels (the channel region of the absorbent sheet and the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body) in the absorbent body and improving the absorption performance of the absorbent body.

[0214] 1 Absorbent body 100 Absorbent sheet forming unit 110 First sheet supply device 120 Second sheet supply device 140 Water-absorbent material supply device 150 First drum (first suction conveying device) 152 First conveying surface 160 Second drum 170 First absorption section pressing device (pressing device) 172 Flat roll (first pressing member) 180 Second suction conveying device 182a Second conveying surface 190 Second channel pressing device (pressing device) 190a First channel pressing device (pressing device) 192a Pattern roll (second pressing member) 220 Third suction conveying device 222a Third conveying surface 300 Fiber stacking unit 310 Fiber stacking drum 320 Third sheet supply device 327 Gear stretching device 330 Fiber supply device 500 Laminate pressing device 510 Second absorption section pressing device 520 Third channel pressing device 530 Edge press device A1 Spreading area A2 Channel area Fa Fluff absorbent body Fa1 Fiber stacking section Fa2 Channel section L Laminated body S1 First sheet S2 Second sheet Sa Absorbent sheet

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body having a hybrid structure, which has a water-absorbent material absorbent layer and a fiber-stacking absorbent layer containing at least fluff, an absorbent sheet forming unit for forming an absorbent sheet in which a water-absorbing material is dispersed between a first sheet and a second sheet; a stacking unit that stacks fibers to form a fluff absorbent body containing at least fluff, and stacks the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet that is being suction-transported; Equipped with Between the first sheet and the second sheet of the absorbent sheet, a spray area where the water-absorbing material is sprayed and a channel area where the water-absorbing material is not sprayed are formed, The fluff absorbent body has a fiber stack portion in which the fibers are stacked and a channel portion in which the fibers are not stacked, The absorbent sheet forming unit comprises: a first sheet supply device that supplies the first sheet; a first suction conveyance device having a first conveyance surface having a suction function, and conveying the first sheet while suctioning the first sheet on the first conveyance surface; a water-absorbent material supplying device that supplies the water-absorbent material onto the first sheet transported by the first suction transporting device; a second sheet supplying device that supplies the second sheet and covers the water-absorbent material on the first sheet with the second sheet to form the absorbent sheet; a press device that presses the absorbent sheet being conveyed; and The fiber-stacking unit is a fiber supplying device for supplying the fibers; a fiber stacking drum having a suction function and stacking the fibers supplied by the fiber supplying device to form the fluff absorbent body; a third sheet supplying device that supplies a third sheet that is disposed on the opposite side of the absorbent sheet with the fluff absorbent body sandwiched therebetween; and When stacking the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet, the stacking unit overlaps the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body with the channel region of the absorbent sheet. Absorbent manufacturing equipment.

2. the absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second drum disposed adjacent to the first suction and conveying device downstream of the first suction and conveying device in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet, and around which the absorbent sheet is wound; The press device is a first absorbent section pressing device that sandwiches and presses the distribution region of the absorbent sheet; a first channel pressing device for pressing the channel region of the absorbent sheet; and the first absorbent section pressing device has a first press member, and in a state in which the absorbent sheet is wrapped around the second drum between the first press member and the second drum, the first press member is pressed against the second drum, which functions as a part of the first absorbent section pressing device, via the absorbent sheet; The first channel press device has a second press member, and in a state in which the absorbent sheet is wrapped around the second drum between the second press member and the second drum, the second press member presses the absorbent sheet against the second drum, which functions as a part of the first channel press device, via the channel region of the absorbent sheet. The apparatus for manufacturing the absorbent body according to claim 1.

3. the press device further includes a second channel press device that is disposed between the second drum and the fiber stacking unit in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet and presses the channel region of the absorbent sheet, the absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second suction conveying device that is disposed between the second drum and the second channel press device in the absorbent sheet conveying direction, has a horizontal second conveying surface with a suction function, and conveys the absorbent sheet while sucking it on the second conveying surface, The second conveying surface of the second suction conveying device extends from the second drum to the second channel press device. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to claim 2.

4. the absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second drum disposed adjacent to the first suction and conveying device downstream of the first suction and conveying device in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet, and around which the absorbent sheet is wound; The press device is a first channel pressing device for pressing the channel region of the absorbent sheet; a second channel press device that is disposed between the second drum and the fiber stacking unit in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet and that presses the channel region of the absorbent sheet; Including, the first channel press device has a second press member, and in a state in which the absorbent sheet is wrapped around the second drum between the second press member and the second drum, the second press member presses the absorbent sheet against the second drum, which functions as a part of the first channel press device, via the channel region of the absorbent sheet; At least one of the first channel press device and the second channel press device heats the absorbent sheet. The apparatus for manufacturing the absorbent body according to claim 1.

5. the absorbent sheet forming unit further includes a second drum disposed adjacent to the first suction and conveying device downstream of the first suction and conveying device in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet, and around which the absorbent sheet is wound; The press device is a first absorbent section pressing device that sandwiches and presses the distribution region of the absorbent sheet; a second channel pressing device disposed downstream of the second drum in the conveying direction of the absorbent sheet and configured to press the channel region of the absorbent sheet; Including, the first absorbent section pressing device has a first press member, and in a state in which the absorbent sheet is wrapped around the second drum between the first press member and the second drum, the first press member is pressed against the second drum, which functions as a part of the first absorbent section pressing device, via the absorbent sheet; the first absorbent section pressing device heats the absorbent sheet from one side in the thickness direction of the absorbent sheet, The second channel press device heats the absorbent sheet from the other side in the thickness direction. The apparatus for manufacturing the absorbent body according to claim 1.

6. The apparatus further includes a stack pressing device for pressing the transported stack in which the fluff absorbent body is superimposed on the absorbent sheet, The laminate pressing device is a second absorbent portion pressing device that presses the entire layered body being transported; a third channel press device for pressing the overlapping portion of the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body and the channel region of the absorbent sheet in the transported laminate; An edge press device that presses the conveyed laminate along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the laminate; Including at least one of The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the laminate pressing device includes at least the third channel pressing device, The third channel press device heats the laminate. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to claim 6.

8. The stacking unit further includes a gear stretching device that stretches the third sheet. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A method for manufacturing an absorbent body having a hybrid structure having a water-absorbent material absorbent layer and a stacked fiber absorbent layer containing at least fluff, a step of dispersing a water-absorbent material between a first sheet and a second sheet to form an absorbent sheet having a dispersing region where the water-absorbent material is dispersed and a channel region where the water-absorbent material is not dispersed between the first sheet and the second sheet; pressing the absorbent sheet being conveyed; A step of forming a fluff absorbent body having a fiber stack portion in which fibers are stacked and a channel portion in which the fibers are not stacked; stacking the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet being suction-transported; Equipped with In the step of stacking the fluff absorbent body on the absorbent sheet, the channel portion of the fluff absorbent body is overlapped with the channel region of the absorbent sheet. Method for manufacturing absorbent body.