Folding device and folding method for absorbent article

Abstract

Provided are a folding device and a folding method for an absorbent article with which it is possible to suppress a load acting on an absorber of an absorbent article continuous body when the absorbent article continuous body is folded back.　A first transport device (20) transports an absorbent article continuous body (2) in a linear direction (X) along a reference plane (11), and second transport devices (30, 32, 34) transport a first continuous body (4) of the absorbent article continuous body (2) in the linear direction (X) along the reference plane (11) on the downstream side in the transport direction. Above the second transport devices (30, 32, 34), round belts (41, 43) circulate in a predetermined path including linear sections (41a, 43a) extending in the linear direction (X), inclined members (53 to 57) extending toward the linear sections (41a, 43a) abut on a second continuous body (6) of the absorbent article continuous body (2), and the second continuous body (6) is guided such that the second continuous body (6) overlaps or approaches the first continuous body (4). The round belts (41, 43) moving through the linear sections (41a, 43a) abut on an absorber (8) of the absorbent article continuous body (2).

Description

Folding device and folding method for absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for folding absorbent articles, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for folding back a continuous web of absorbent articles while conveying the continuous web for manufacturing absorbent articles.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART When manufacturing absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and disposable pants, an absorbent article folding device is used that folds a continuous absorbent article web in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction while conveying the continuous absorbent article web for manufacturing the absorbent articles.

[0003] For example, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of such a folding device 100. As shown in Fig. 6, in this folding device 100, a conveyor belt 122 having through holes 124 formed therein is arranged in a direction indicated by an arrow V. １ A suction mechanism 123 is disposed inside a belt conveyor 120 which circulates in the direction indicated by , and a large diameter roll 110, guide rolls 141 to 145, and a folding guide bar 130 are disposed above the belt conveyor 120.

[0004] The transport belt 122 of the belt conveyor 120 moves while sucking the reference region 11A from the turn-back position D (CL) of the continuous absorbent article web 107 to one side edge 20A. The large diameter roll 110 presses the reference region 11A of the continuous absorbent article web 107 on the transport belt 122 of the belt conveyor 120, and rotates in synchronization with the movement of the transport belt 122. As a result, the continuous absorbent article web 107 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow V ２ The material is transported in the direction indicated by .

[0005] The guide rolls 141 to 145 come into contact with the folding region 12A from the folding position D (CL) to the other side edge 10A of the continuous absorbent article web 107 being conveyed. The folding guide bar 130 comes into contact with the folding position D (CL) of the continuous absorbent article web 107 being conveyed. This causes the continuous absorbent article web 107 to fold back. The continuous absorbent article web 107, which has passed through the absorbent article folding device 100 and been folded in half, is sandwiched between a pair of conveyor belts 501, 502 of a sandwiching belt conveyor 500 and conveyed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] JP 2010-227545 A

[0007] When the reference region 11A of the continuous absorbent article web 107 is pressed down by the large diameter roll 110 and the continuous absorbent article web 107 is folded back in this manner, a part of the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article web 107 is also pressed down by the large diameter roll 110, and a load is applied to the absorbent core included in the absorbent body. As a result, the absorbent core becomes uneven, and there is a risk that the absorbent function as an absorbent article will not be fully exhibited when the product is completed.

[0008] In view of this situation, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an absorbent article folding device and folding method that can reduce the load acting on the absorbent body of a continuous absorbent article when folding the continuous absorbent article.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an absorbent article folding device configured as follows.

[0010] The folding device for absorbent articles includes: (a) a first conveying device that conveys a continuous absorbent article body in a linear direction along a reference plane, the continuous absorbent article body having a plurality of absorbent bodies joined at intervals so as to straddle between a first belt-shaped continuous body and a second belt-shaped continuous body; (b) a second conveying device that is arranged downstream of the first conveying device in the conveying direction of the continuous absorbent article body and conveys the first continuous absorbent article body in the linear direction along the reference plane; (c) a round belt circulating device that is arranged above the second conveying device and includes a linear section in which a round belt moves in the linear direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, and in which the round belt circulates on the second conveying device side of the linear section; and (d) a round belt circulating device that is arranged above the second conveying device and downstream of the direction perpendicular to the reference plane, the round belt circulating device and (e) a first inclined member arranged so as to extend toward the straight section, on the opposite side of the straight section from the second conveying device when viewed from the reference plane, and (e) a second inclined member arranged so as to extend toward the straight section, downstream of the first inclined member in the conveying direction and closer to the second conveying device than the straight section when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, wherein the first inclined member and the second inclined member abut against the second continuum of absorbent articles to overlap or bring the second continuum of absorbent articles close to the first continuum of absorbent articles, and the round belt moving in the straight section abuts against the absorbent body of the absorbent article continuum to fold the absorbent body of the absorbent article continuum.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the continuous absorbent article string is folded back, the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article string only comes into contact with the round belt moving in the linear section, which reduces the load acting on the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article string compared to conventional devices that press down the absorbent body.

[0012] Preferably, the folding device for absorbent articles further includes (f) a fixed guide member arranged downstream in the conveying direction of the linear section.

[0013] In this case, by arranging the fixed guide member so as to abut against the folded portion of the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article string, the continuous absorbent article string can be transported while being kept in a folded state.

[0014] Preferably, the first conveying device includes a first pair of rolls that sandwich and convey the first continuous body of absorbent articles, and a second pair of rolls that sandwich and convey the second continuous body of absorbent articles.

[0015] In this case, the continuous absorbent article web can be folded back while the first roll pair and the second roll pair maintain the positions of the first continuous absorbent article web and the second continuous absorbent article web.

[0016] Preferably, the first conveying device includes: (a-1) a first conveying unit that is arranged on the opposite side of the second conveying device from the first roll pair and that sucks and conveys the first continuum of absorbent articles; (a-2) a second conveying unit that is arranged on the opposite side of the second conveying device from the second roll pair and that sucks and conveys the second continuum of absorbent articles; and (a-3) a conveying direction adjustment mechanism that changes the orientation of either or both of the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit so that either or both of the first direction in which the first conveying unit sucks and conveys the first continuum of absorbent articles and the second direction in which the second conveying unit sucks and conveys the second continuum of absorbent articles are changed to a direction different from the linear direction.

[0017] In this case, by appropriately changing the first direction and / or the second direction and adjusting the distance between the first and second continuum of the absorbent article continuum, the absorbent body of the absorbent article continuum before folding can be adjusted to an appropriate state.

[0018] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention also provides a folding method for an absorbent article configured as follows.

[0019] The method for folding absorbent articles includes: (i) a first conveying step of conveying a continuous absorbent article string, in which a plurality of absorbent members are joined at intervals so as to straddle between a first belt-shaped continuous body and a second belt-shaped continuous body, in a linear direction along a reference plane; (ii) a second conveying step of conveying the first continuous body of absorbent articles in the linear direction along the reference plane after the first conveying step; and (iii) a second conveying step of conveying the first continuous body of absorbent articles in the linear direction along the reference plane above the first continuous body of absorbent articles being conveyed in the second conveying step, such that the first continuous body overlaps with an intermediate position of the absorbent member of the continuous absorbent article string when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane. and a folding process in which the round belt is circulated so that the round belt moves through a straight section extending in a direction perpendicular to the straight section, and an inclined member arranged to extend toward the straight section is brought into contact with the second continuum of absorbent articles being conveyed by the second conveying process, thereby overlapping or bringing the second continuum of absorbent articles close to the first continuum of absorbent articles, and the round belt moving through the straight section is brought into contact with the absorbent body of the absorbent article continuum being conveyed by the second conveying process, thereby folding the absorbent body of the absorbent article continuum.

[0020] According to the above method, in the folding process, the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article continuum only comes into contact with the round belt moving in the linear section, which reduces the load acting on the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article continuum compared to conventional devices that press down the absorbent body.

[0021] Preferably, the method for folding absorbent articles further includes (iv) a third conveying step of conveying the continuous absorbent article series while a fixed guide member is brought into contact with the folded portion of the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article series after the folding step.

[0022] In this case, the continuous body of absorbent articles can be transported while being kept in a folded state.

[0023] Preferably, in the first conveying step, the first continuous body of absorbent articles is sandwiched and conveyed between a first pair of rolls, and the second continuous body of absorbent articles is sandwiched and conveyed between a second pair of rolls.

[0024] In this case, the continuous absorbent article web can be folded back while the first roll pair and the second roll pair maintain the positions of the first continuous absorbent article web and the second continuous absorbent article web.

[0025] Preferably, in the first conveying step, either or both of a first direction in which the first continuous body of absorbent goods is conveyed upstream of the first roll pair in the conveying direction, and a second direction in which the second continuous body of absorbent goods is conveyed upstream of the second roll pair in the conveying direction, are changed to a direction different from the linear direction.

[0026] In this case, by appropriately changing the first direction and / or the second direction and adjusting the distance between the first and second continuum of the absorbent article continuum, the absorbent body of the absorbent article continuum before folding can be adjusted to an appropriate state.

[0027] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load acting on the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article when the continuous absorbent article is folded back.

[0028] Fig. 1(a) is a schematic plan view of the folding device, and Fig. 1(b) is a schematic side view. (Example 1) Fig. 2(a) is a schematic plan view of the folding device, and Fig. 2(b) is a schematic side view. (Example 1) Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the main parts of the folding device. (Example 1) Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the conveying direction adjustment mechanism. (Example 1) Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the main parts of the round belt circulation device. (Example 1) Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the folding device. (Prior Art 1)

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] First Embodiment A folding device and a folding method for an absorbent article according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] Fig. 1(a) is a schematic plan view of an upstream portion of the folding device 10 in the conveying direction, Fig. 1(b) is a schematic side view, Fig. 2(a) is a schematic plan view of a downstream portion of the folding device 10 in the conveying direction, and Fig. 2(b) is a schematic side view.

[0032] 1 and 2, the absorbent article folding device 10 includes a first conveyor device 20 and three second conveyor devices 30, 32, and 34 arranged in a linear direction X indicated by the arrow X. Above the second conveyor devices 30, 32, and 34, two round belt circulating devices 40 and 42, first inclined members 53 to 56, and a second inclined member 57 are arranged so as to fold back the continuous absorbent article web 2 while conveying it. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 omit illustration of the section from the downstream side of the second second conveyor device 32 in the conveying direction to the upstream side of the third conveyor device 34 in the conveying direction.

[0033] As shown by the two-dot chain line, the continuous absorbent article body 2 has a plurality of absorbents 8 joined to the first continuous strip 4 and the second continuous strip 6 at intervals so as to straddle the gap between the first continuous strip 4 and the second continuous strip 6. After being folded back, the continuous absorbent article body 2 is cut at predetermined positions between adjacent absorbents 8 to separate them into individual absorbent article pieces. The cut first continuous strip 4 and second continuous strip 6 form a member to be placed around the waist of a wearer.

[0034] The first conveying device 20 conveys the unfolded continuous body of absorbent articles 2 in a linear direction X indicated by the arrow X while sucking the continuous body of absorbent articles 2. At this time, the continuous body of absorbent articles 2 is conveyed in the direction in which the first continuous body 4 and the second continuous body 6 extend.

[0035] The first conveying device 20 includes a first conveying unit 22 that sucks and conveys the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2, a second conveying unit 24 that sucks and conveys the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2, a conveying direction adjustment mechanism 21 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) that adjusts the orientation of the first conveying unit 22 and the second conveying unit 24, a first pair of rolls 26, 27 that sandwich and convey the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2, and a first pair of rolls 26, 28 that sandwich and convey the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2.

[0036] The first conveying unit 22 and the second conveying unit 24 have breathable belt-shaped conveying belts 23, 25 that circulate, and suction boxes 22a, 24a connected to a negative pressure source are arranged inside the conveying belts 23, 25, and convey the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 while sucking them onto upper surfaces 23s, 25s of the conveying belts 23, 25. The upper surfaces 23s, 25s of the conveying belts 23, 25 are arranged so as to be included in the reference plane 11, whereby the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 are conveyed along the reference plane 11.

[0037] Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the main parts of the absorbent article folding device 10, with the conveyor belts 23 and 25 removed. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the first conveyor unit 22 and the second conveyor unit 24 have suction boxes 22a and 24a between a pair of side plates 22m and 22n; 24m and 24n supporting both ends of rolls that drive or guide the conveyor belts 23 and 25. Openings 22x and 24x connected to a negative pressure source are formed in the bottom plates of the suction boxes 22a and 24a, and bearings 22b and 24b are disposed outside the openings 22x and 24x. The first conveyor unit 22 and the second conveyor unit 24 are rotatably supported via the bearings 22b and 24b by a support member 14 that penetrates the first conveyor unit 22 and the second conveyor unit 24. The support member 14 extends in a direction perpendicular to the linear direction X and is fixed to the side wall plate 12.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the conveying direction adjustment mechanism 21. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the conveying direction adjustment mechanism 21 is configured so that when dials 21a and 21b fixed to one ends of threaded rods 21p and 21q are rotated, the orientations of the first conveying unit 22 and the second conveying unit 24 change, as shown by the solid and chain lines in Fig. 3.

[0039] For example, the threaded rods 21p, 21q extend in a direction perpendicular to the linear direction X, and the male threads formed on the other ends of the threaded rods 21p, 21q thread into female threads on fixed blocks 21i, 21j fixed to the upper surface of the support member 14, and when rotated, the threaded rods advance and retreat in the axial direction. Moving blocks 21m, 21n, which engage with the intermediate positions of the threaded rods 21p, 21q, move together with the threaded rods 21p, 21q. Pins 21u, 21v are provided on the upper surfaces of the moving blocks 21m, 21n, and engagement plates 22c, 24c, which have U-shaped grooves that engage with the pins 21u, 21v, are fixed to the lower surfaces of the bottom plates of the suction boxes 22a, 24a of the first and second conveying units 22, 24. When the threaded rods 21p, 21q are rotated and the moving blocks 21m, 21n move, the first and second conveying units 22, 24 change orientation around the bearings 22b, 24b.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first roll pair 26 , 27 and the second roll pair 26 , 28 are disposed between the first transport unit 22 and the second transport unit 24 of the first transport device 20 and the second transport device 30 .

[0041] More specifically, the common roll 26, the first pressing roll 27, and the second pressing roll 28 are arranged on either side of the reference plane 11, extending parallel to the reference plane and perpendicular to the linear direction X. The common roll 26 is supported by the side wall plates 12 and is driven to rotate. The first pressing roll 27 and the second pressing roll 28 are biased toward the common roll 26.

[0042] The first pressing roll 27 is disposed to face the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2, and the second pressing roll 28 is disposed to face the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2, and a first roll pair 26, 27 consisting of the common roll 26 and the first pressing roll 27 sandwiches and conveys the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2, and a second roll pair 26, 28 consisting of the common roll 26 and the second pressing roll 28 sandwiches and conveys the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2. The first pressing roll 27 and the second pressing roll 28 are disposed on both sides of the absorbent body 8 of the absorbent article continuum 2, and the absorbent body 8 of the absorbent article continuum 2 is conveyed without being sandwiched between the first roll pair 26, 27 and the second roll pair 26, 28.

[0043] The first roll pair 26, 27 and the second roll pair 26, 28 transport the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6 of the continuous absorbent article web 2 in the linear direction X along the reference plane 11. Note that instead of the common roll 26, a first roll facing the first pressing roll 27 and a second roll facing the second roll 28 may be provided, with the first pressing roll 27 and the first roll constituting the first roll pair, and the first pressing roll 27 and the second roll constituting the second roll pair.

[0044] The second conveying devices 30, 32, 34 are arranged downstream of the first conveying device 20 in the conveying direction of the continuous absorbent article web 2, and convey the first continuous absorbent article web 4 of the continuous absorbent article web 2 in the linear direction X along the reference plane 11 while suctioning the first continuous absorbent article web 4. Similar to the first conveying unit 22 and the second conveying unit 24 of the first conveying device 20, the second conveying devices 30, 32, 34 have suction boxes (not shown) arranged inside breathable belt-shaped conveying belts 31, 33, 35, and upper surfaces 31s, 33s, 35s of the conveying belts 31, 33, 35 are included in the reference plane 11.

[0045] The round belt circulating devices 40, 42 are disposed above the second conveying devices 30, 32, 34, and are configured so that round belts 41, 43 having a circular cross section circulate along a predetermined path. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane 11, the predetermined path includes straight sections 41 a, 43 a that overlap with intermediate positions of the absorbents 8 of the continuous web of absorbent articles 2 conveyed by the second conveying devices 30, 32, 34 and extend in the linear direction X, and the round belts 41, 43 circulate closer to the second conveying devices 30, 32, 34 than the straight sections 41 a, 43 a, i.e., closer to the first continuous web 4 of the continuous web of absorbent articles 2 conveyed by the second conveying devices 30, 32, 34.

[0046] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the round belt circulating device 40, 42. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the round belt circulating device 40, 42 has pulleys 40a, 40b, 40c, 42a, 42b, 42c (not shown) etc. that engage with the round belts 41, 43 and define the circulation paths of the round belts 41, 43. These pulleys are rotatably supported on the lower surfaces of support plates 40k, 42k fixed to the side wall plates 12 with a gap between them and the reference plane 11, and one pulley 40c, 42c (not shown) is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The thicknesses of the pulleys 40a, 40b; 42a, 42b that define the straight sections 40a, 42a are set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the round belts 41, 43 so as not to come into contact with the absorbent body 8 of the continuous absorbent article web 2.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed from above the second conveyor devices 30, 32, and 34 and perpendicular to the reference plane 11, the first inclined members 53-56 are arranged on the opposite side of the straight sections 41a and 43a along which the round belts 41 and 43 move from the second conveyor devices 30 and 32, i.e., on the side of the second continuum 6 of the continuous web of absorbent articles 2 being conveyed by the second conveyor devices 30, 32, and 34, so as to extend toward the straight sections 41a and 43a. The first inclined members 53-56 may be arranged in appropriate positions and in appropriate numbers, or may be a single member. The first inclined members 53-56 are rolls rotatably supported by the side wall panels 12. The first inclined members 53-56 may be stationary members.

[0048] The first guide members 51, 52 are disposed upstream in the conveying direction of the first inclined members 53 to 56. The first guide members 51, 52 guide the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 that has passed through the second roll pair 26, 28 in a direction away from the straight section 41 a so that the absorbents 8 of the absorbent article continuum 2 can be smoothly brought into contact with the round belt 41 moving in the straight section 41 a.

[0049] 2, the second inclined member 57 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction from the first inclined members 53 to 56, and is disposed closer to the second conveying device 32 than the straight section 43a when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane 11, so as to extend toward the straight section 43a. Although only one second inclined member 57 is illustrated, an appropriate number of second inclined members 57 may be disposed at appropriate positions. For example, the second inclined member 57 is a roll rotatably supported by the side wall plate 12. The second inclined member 57 may also be a stationary member.

[0050] A clamping and conveying device 80 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the absorbent article folding device 10, which clamps and conveys the absorbent article continuous web 2 folded in half between conveyor belts 82, 84. A fixed guide member 44, second guide members 60-62, and third guide members 71-73 are disposed between the round belt circulating device 42 and the clamping and conveying device 80.

[0051] The fixed guide member 44 extends to the entrance of the clamping and conveying device 80 downstream in the conveying direction of the linear section 43a along which the round belts 43 of the round belt circulating device 42 on the downstream side in the conveying direction move linearly, and is disposed so as to abut against the folded portion of the absorbent body 8 of the continuous absorbent article web 2. The fixed guide member 44 is supported at a predetermined position by support plates 44a and 44b fixed to the side wall plates 12. The fixed guide member 44 keeps the continuous absorbent article web 2 in a folded state and allows it to be stably conveyed to the clamping and conveying device 80. The abutment portion where the fixed guide member 44 abuts against the folded portion of the absorbent body 8 may extend linearly in the direction X or may be curved.

[0052] The second guide members 60-62 guide the first continuum 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2, and the third guide members 71-73 guide the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2, so that the fixed guide member 44 stably abuts against the folded portion of the absorbent body 8 of the absorbent article continuum 2 and so that the absorbent article continuum 2 does not interfere with the support plates 44a, 44b that support the fixed guide member 44. The second guide members 60-62 and the third guide members 71-73 are rolls rotatably supported on the side wall plates 12, but may also be stationary members.

[0053] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the absorbent article folding device 10. The first conveying devices 22, 24, the second conveying devices 30, 32, and the round belt circulating devices 40, 42 operate in synchronization with each other.

[0054] First, the first conveying device 20 conveys the continuous web of absorbent articles 2 in the linear direction X along the reference plane 11 .

[0055] Specifically, the first conveying unit 22 conveys the first continuum 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2, and the second conveying unit 24 conveys the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2. At this time, the conveying direction adjusting mechanism 21 is used to adjust the orientation of the first conveying unit 22 and / or the second conveying unit 24, and the conveying direction of the first continuum 4 and / or the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 is adjusted so as to be slightly offset from the linear direction X, thereby making it possible to convey the absorbent article continuum 2 with the absorbent bodies 8 of the absorbent article continuum 2 appropriately stretched in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0056] After passing through the first conveying unit 22 and the second conveying unit 24, even if the conveying direction of the first continuum 4 and / or the second continuum 6 is slightly deviated from the linear direction X, the first continuum 4 is sandwiched between the first roll pair 26, 27 and conveyed in the linear direction X, and the second continuum 6 is sandwiched between the second roll pair 26, 28 and conveyed in the linear direction X. Therefore, after passing through the first roll pair 26, 27 and the second roll pair 26, 28, the absorbent article continuum 2 is conveyed in the linear direction X.

[0057] Next, the second conveying devices 30 , 32 , 34 convey the first continuous web 4 of the continuous web of absorbent articles 2 in the linear direction X along the reference plane 11 while being sucked by the conveying belts 31 , 33 , 35 .

[0058] At this time, the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 being conveyed by the second conveying device 30, 32, 34 comes into contact with the first inclined members 54-56 and the second inclined member 57, and thereby rotates upward, gradually increasing its angle with respect to the reference plane 11 as it moves downstream in the conveyance direction, and continues to rotate in the same direction, gradually decreasing its angle with respect to the reference plane as it moves downstream in the conveyance direction, and the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 approaches the first continuum 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2. As the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 rotates, the absorbers 8 of the absorbent article continuum 2 come into contact with the round belts 41, 43 moving in the straight sections 41a, 43a and are folded. As a result, the absorbent article continuum 2 is folded back starting from the straight sections 41a, 43a.

[0059] In addition, the fixed guide member 44 can be omitted, and when the fixed guide member 44 is omitted, the second inclined member 57 can be abutted against the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2, so that the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2 can be overlapped on the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2.

[0060] The first roll pair 26, 27 and the second roll pair 26, 28 can fold back the absorbent article continuum 2 while maintaining the positions of the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 upstream of the folded-back portion in the conveying direction. The first roll pair 26, 27 and the second roll pair 26, 28 are less likely to cause misalignment of the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6 of the absorbent article continuum 2 than the conveyor belts 23, 25, and therefore the behavior of the absorbent article continuum 2 when folding back is stable. In other words, the first continuum 4 is sandwiched between the first roll pair 26, 27 to fix its conveying position, and the second continuum 6 is sandwiched between the second roll pair 26, 28 to fix its conveying position, so meandering of the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6 can be restricted. Furthermore, the absorbent body 8, which is disposed between the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6, can be conveyed while maintaining an appropriate distance between the first continuum 4 and the second continuum 6 so as not to sag downward. This makes it possible to prevent adverse effects caused by sagging of the absorbent body 8 when folding back the absorbent article continuum 2.

[0061] The movement speed of the round belts 41, 43 is set to the same speed as the conveying speed of the absorbent article continuous body 2, i.e., the movement speed of the conveying belts 31, 33, 35 of the second conveying devices 30, 32, 34, so as to prevent slippage between the round belts 41, 43 moving in the straight sections 41a, 43a and the absorbent body 8 of the absorbent article continuous body 2.

[0062] Next, the folded continuous absorbent article web 2 is transported to a clamping and conveying device 80 arranged adjacent to the absorbent article folding device 10. At this time, the fixed guide member 44 abuts against the folded portion of the absorbent body 8, and the folded continuous absorbent article web 2 is stably transported to the clamping and conveying device 80 while maintaining its folded state.

[0063] When the continuous absorbent article web 2 is folded back, the absorbent body 8 of the continuous absorbent article web 2 simply comes into contact with the round belts 41, 43 moving in the straight sections 41 a, 43 a. The load acting on the absorbent body 8 of the continuous absorbent article web 2 is smaller than that of conventional devices that press down the absorbent body.

[0064] Therefore, there is provided an apparatus and a method for folding absorbent articles that can suppress the load acting on the absorbent members of a continuous absorbent article string when folding the continuous absorbent article string.

[0065] Next, a method for folding an absorbent article will be described. The method for folding an absorbent article includes a first conveying step, a second conveying step, and a folding step, and preferably further includes a third conveying step.

[0066] (i) In the first conveying step, a continuous absorbent article body 2, in which a plurality of absorbents 8 are joined at intervals so as to straddle the space between the first strip-shaped continuous body 4 and the second strip-shaped continuous body 6, is conveyed in a linear direction X along a reference plane 11.

[0067] In a specific example, in the first conveying step, the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent article continuous body 2 is sandwiched and conveyed between a first pair of rolls 26, 27, and the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent article continuous body 2 is sandwiched and conveyed between a second pair of rolls 26, 28.

[0068] In this case, when the continuous absorbent article string is folded back, the positions of the first and second continuous absorbent article strings on the upstream side in the conveying direction can be maintained, thereby stabilizing the folding back of the continuous absorbent article string.

[0069] Preferably, in the first conveying step, either or both of a first direction in which the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent article continuous body 2 is conveyed upstream of the first roll pair 26, 27 in the conveying direction, and a second direction in which the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent article continuous body 2 is conveyed upstream of the second roll pair 26, 28 in the conveying direction, are changed to a direction different from the linear direction X.

[0070] In this case, the continuous absorbent article series can be folded back while the absorbent body disposed between the first continuous body and the second continuous body of absorbent articles is in an appropriately stretched state.

[0071] (ii) In the second conveying step, after the first conveying step, the first continuum 4 of the continuum of absorbent articles 2 is conveyed in the linear direction X along the reference plane 11 .

[0072] (iii) In the folding back step, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane 11, above the first continuum 4 of the absorbent article continuum 2 being transported in the second transport step, the round belts 41, 43 are circulated so that the round belts 41, 43 move through linear sections 41a, 43a that overlap with the intermediate positions of the absorbent bodies 8 of the absorbent article continuum 2 and extend in the linear direction X, and the inclined members 53 to 55 are arranged to extend toward the linear sections 41a, 43a. 7 is brought into contact with the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2 being transported by the second transport step, so that the second continuous body 6 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2 is overlapped or brought close to the first continuous body 4 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2, and the round belts 41, 43 moving in the straight sections 41a, 43a are brought into contact with the absorbent body 8 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2 being transported by the second transport step, so that the absorbent body 8 of the absorbent goods continuous body 2 is folded.

[0073] When the continuous absorbent article is folded back, the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article simply comes into contact with the round belt moving in a straight section, and the load acting on the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article is smaller than with conventional devices that press down the absorbent body.

[0074] (iv) In the third step, after the folding step, the continuous absorbent article web 2 is transported while a fixed guide member 44 is brought into contact with the folded portion of the absorbent body 8 of the continuous absorbent article web 2 .

[0075] <Summary> As described above, it is possible to reduce the load acting on the absorbent body of the continuous absorbent article when the continuous absorbent article is folded back.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications.

[0077] For example, the first conveying device 20 and / or the second conveying device 30, 32, 34 may convey the first and / or second continuous absorbent article strips by suction, or may convey them without suction by sandwiching them between a pair of rolls, for example.

[0078] 2 Absorbent article continuous body 4 First continuous body 6 Second continuous body 8 Absorbent body 10 Absorbent article folding device 11 Reference plane 20 First conveying device 21 Conveying direction adjustment mechanism 22 First conveying unit 24 Second conveying unit 26 Common roll (first roll pair, second roll pair) 27 First pressing roll (first roll pair) 28 Second pressing roll (second roll pair) 30, 32, 34 Second conveying device 40 Round belt circulating device 41 Round belt 41a Straight section 42 Round belt circulating device 43 Round belt 43a Straight section 44 Fixed guide member 53 to 56 First inclined member 57 Second inclined member X Linear direction

Claims

1. A first conveying device that conveys, in a linear direction along a reference plane, an absorbent article continuum in which a plurality of absorbers are joined with spaces therebetween so as to straddle between a belt-shaped first continuum and a second continuum; a second conveying device that is disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the absorbent article continuum with respect to the first conveying device and conveys the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum in the linear direction along the reference plane; a round belt circulating device that is disposed above the second conveying device and includes a linear section in which a round belt moves in the linear direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, and the round belt circulates on the side of the second conveying device with respect to the linear section; a first inclined member that is disposed above the second conveying device and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, is disposed on the side opposite to the second conveying device with respect to the linear section so as to extend toward the linear section; and a second inclined member that is disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the first inclined member and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, is disposed on the side of the second conveying device with respect to the linear section so as to extend toward the linear section, wherein the first inclined member and the second inclined member abut against the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum to overlap or approximate the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum to the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum, and the round belt moving in the linear section abuts against the absorber of the absorbent article continuum to bend the absorber of the absorbent article continuum, a folding device for an absorbent article.

2. The folding device for an absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a fixed guide member disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the linear section.

3. The folding device for an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying device includes a first roll pair that sandwiches and conveys the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum and a second roll pair that sandwiches and conveys the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum.

4. The first conveying device includes a first conveying unit that is disposed on the side opposite to the second conveying device with respect to the first roll pair and sucks and conveys the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum, a second conveying unit that is disposed on the side opposite to the second conveying device with respect to the second roll pair and sucks and conveys the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum, and a conveying direction adjusting mechanism that changes the direction of either one or both of the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit so as to change either one or both of the first direction in which the first conveying unit sucks and conveys the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum and the second direction in which the second conveying unit sucks and conveys the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum to a direction different from the linear direction. The folding device for an absorbent article according to claim 3.

5. A first conveying step of conveying an absorbent article continuum in which a plurality of absorbents are joined with spaces therebetween so as to straddle between a belt-shaped first continuum and a second continuum in a linear direction along a reference plane, a second conveying step of conveying the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum in the linear direction along the reference plane after the first conveying step, and a circular belt is circulated so that the circular belt moves in a linear section that overlaps the intermediate position of the absorbents of the absorbent article continuum and extends in the linear direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane above the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum being conveyed in the second conveying step. An inclined member disposed so as to extend toward the linear section is brought into contact with the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum being conveyed in the second conveying step, so that the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum is overlapped or brought close to the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum, and the circular belt moving in the linear section is brought into contact with the absorbents of the absorbent article continuum being conveyed in the second conveying step to fold the absorbents of the absorbent article continuum. A folding method for an absorbent article, comprising a folding-back step.

6. The folding method for an absorbent article according to claim 5, further comprising a third conveying step of conveying the absorbent article continuum while bringing a fixed guide member into contact with the folded portion of the absorbents of the absorbent article continuum after the folding-back step.

7. The method for folding an absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein in the first conveying step, the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum is sandwiched and conveyed between a first roll pair, and the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum is sandwiched and conveyed between a second roll pair.

8. The folding device for an absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein in the first conveying step, one or both of a first direction in which the first continuum of the absorbent article continuum is conveyed upstream in the conveying direction from the first roll pair and a second direction in which the second continuum of the absorbent article continuum is conveyed upstream in the conveying direction from the second roll pair are changed to a direction different from the linear direction.

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