Non-Woven Fabric Conveying Layout to Limit Heat Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In absorbent article manufacturing, heated non-woven fabrics can cause thermal influences on processing devices and intermediate products, leading to malfunctions and quality deterioration when passed through a straight-line conveying route.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article manufacturing apparatus with a first conveying route and a second intersecting route, where the heating unit restores bulk in the non-woven fabric by blowing hot air, and the heated fabric is cooled before re-entering the first route, preventing thermal influences on processing devices and intermediate products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If non-woven fabric is heated by hot air to restore bulk, then the bulk of the non-woven fabric is improved, but thermal influence on processing devices and intermediate products occurs causing malfunctions and quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second conveying route that intersects with the first conveying route in plan view. The heated non-woven fabric is conveyed along the second route (perpendicular direction) to allow cooling before re-entering the first route, thereby eliminating thermal influence on processing devices while maintaining bulk restoration benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The second conveying route acts as an intermediary path that separates the heated non-woven fabric from the processing devices and intermediate products. This intermediate route provides a cooling zone where thermal energy can dissipate before the fabric re-joins the main production line.
2Stability of the object's composition
If non-woven fabric is wound tightly with tension during winding, then the non-woven fabric does not zigzag, but the bulk is reduced and cannot meet the demand for bulky non-woven fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal energy (hot air) to change the physical state of the non-woven fabric, restoring its bulk by relaxing compressed fibers. This parameter change (temperature application) allows the fabric to regain volume without requiring mechanical loosening that would cause zigzagging.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively suppresses thermal influences on processing devices and intermediate products by cooling the non-woven fabric before re-entry, maintaining product quality and preventing device malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit that restores bulk of a non-woven fabric by heating the non-woven fabric with hot air blown onto the non-woven fabric
Implementation Method 2
the non-woven fabric having been restored of the bulk through heating with the heating unit is cooled while being conveyed along the second conveying route
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An absorbent article manufacturing apparatus includes: a first conveying route (R11) that is arranged in a straight line along a first direction in plan view; a plurality of processing devices that process an intermediate product of an absorbent article (1) that is conveyed along the first conveying route (R11); a heating unit (61) that restores bulk of a non-woven fabric (3a) through heating the non-woven fabric (3a) by blowing hot air onto the non-woven fabric (3a) while conveying the non-woven fabric (3a) along a direction in which the non-woven fabric (3a) is continuous, the non-woven fabric (3a) being a strip shape and serving as a part of the absorbent article (1); and a second conveying route (R31Yd) that conveys the non-woven fabric (3a) in a second direction that intersects the first direction in plan view, the non-woven fabric (3a) having been restored of the bulk through heating with the heating unit (61), the non-woven fabric (3a) being input to the first conveying route (R11) via the second conveying route (R31Yd).