Absorbent Article Auxiliary Member Width Variation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the manufacturing of absorbent articles, the variability in width of stretchable auxiliary members can lead to unstable joining strengths and require excessive equipment space and complex control due to misalignment and deformation, resulting in inconsistent product quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the feeding of a continuous auxiliary member from a roll, followed by division at a predetermined position to stabilize its width, and subsequent joining with the absorbent main body and composite members, reducing width-direction variation and simplifying equipment requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If two rolls of auxiliary member are prepared to arrange on both sides of the composite member, then the auxiliary member can be provided on both sides, but width variation and misalignment occur leading to unstable joining strength
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary member continuous body is divided into multiple divided bodies in the width direction, with each divided body assigned to a specific position (first position or second position) relative to the composite member. This segmentation eliminates the misalignment and width variation problems associated with using multiple separate rolls, as each divided body is precisely positioned during the joining process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging auxiliary members from two separate rolls along the width direction (which causes misalignment), the invention transitions to arranging a single continuous body that is then divided and positioned in the width direction through the joining process. This dimensional reorganization ensures consistent positioning and joining strength.
2Productivity
If two material feeding devices and joining devices are provided for two rolls of auxiliary member, then both sides can be processed simultaneously, but equipment space and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of two separate auxiliary member feeding systems into a single system. One auxiliary-member continuous body is divided into multiple divided bodies, eliminating the need for two separate material feeding devices, joining devices, and tension control systems. This reduces equipment space and control complexity while maintaining the capability to provide auxiliary members on both sides of the composite member.
3Duration of action of moving object
If auxiliary member is wound in roll with stretchability, then the auxiliary member can be fed continuously, but width variation and end portion deformation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary-member continuous body is divided into multiple divided bodies before the joining process. This preliminary division action prevents width variation and end portion deformation during feeding, as each divided body is pre-positioned and stabilized before being joined to the composite member, ensuring consistent width and positioning throughout the manufacturing process.
Data Source
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AI summary
[OBJECT] It is to reduce width-direction variation in the arrangement position of an auxiliary member that is to be arranged on a composite member that has leg openings and a waist opening, stabilizing the joining strength of a joining portion in which the auxiliary member is joined to an absorbent main body. [SOLUTION] A method for manufacturing an absorbent article 1, the absorbent article 1 including an absorbent main body 10, a pair of composite members 30, and an auxiliary member 40, the pair of composite members 30 having leg openings 30HL and a waist opening 1HB, the method including: a feeding step (S101) of feeding an auxiliary-member continuous body 40a from a roll 61; a first joining step (S105) of joining a composite-member continuous body 30a and the auxiliary-member continuous body 40a; a second joining step (S111) of joining an absorbent-main-body continuous body 10a to the auxiliary-member continuous body 40a and the composite-member continuous body 30a, the second joining step being performed by forming a joining portion ja, jb; and a dividing step (S103) of dividing the auxiliary-member continuous body 40a, the dividing step being performed between the feeding step (S101) and the second joining step (Sill).