Non-Woven Fabric Heating Layout to Limit Thermal Influence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing absorbent article manufacturing process faces challenges in preventing thermal influence from the bulk restoring heating unit on intermediate products and processing devices, as heated air radiated by the heating unit can inadvertently heat these components due to its high temperature and position in the manufacturing line.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article manufacturing apparatus is modified by positioning the heating unit above or displaced from the main conveying route, with a case member equipped with blast openings and discharge ports to direct hot air along the non-woven fabric, ensuring it does not directly impact intermediate products and processing devices, and incorporating a cooling unit to further mitigate thermal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the heating unit is positioned to restore bulk of non-woven fabric by blowing hot air, then the bulk restoration function is achieved, but thermal influence is exerted on intermediate products and processing devices in the first conveying route
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is arranged in a position that is displaced from the first conveying route in the vertical direction (upward or downward displacement). This spatial repositioning in another dimension allows the heating unit to restore bulk of non-woven fabric without its hot air directly contacting or thermally influencing the intermediate products and processing devices in the horizontal first conveying route.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating unit is designed with selective heating capability, directing hot air locally onto the non-woven fabric surface to restore bulk, while the surrounding area and other components remain unaffected by the thermal energy. This localized application of heat ensures precise bulk restoration without widespread thermal influence on the manufacturing environment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If non-woven fabric is wound tightly with tension applied during winding, then the fabric is prevented from zigzagging, but the bulk of the non-woven fabric is reduced due to compression
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk restoring device is installed upstream in the manufacturing line, before the non-woven fabric is fed to the absorbent article manufacturing equipment. This preliminary bulk restoration action recovers the bulk of the tightly wound fabric before it enters the main production process, ensuring that the fabric maintains its bulkiness during subsequent processing while having already been stabilized against zigzagging.
Solution Approach 2:
The tight winding that compresses the non-woven fabric and reduces its bulk is converted into a benefit by using the same wound structure as a convenient feed source, while the bulk restoring device subsequently recovers the bulk. The compression during winding facilitates easy storage and handling, and the bulk restoration process then reverses the bulk loss, transforming the harmful compression effect into a beneficial storage feature.
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
This configuration effectively prevents thermal influence on intermediate products and processing devices, allowing for efficient bulk restoration of non-woven fabrics while maintaining the desired bulkiness and preventing compression, thus enhancing the manufacturing process's reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heating unit that heats the non-woven fabric by blowing hot air onto the non-woven fabric
Implementation Method 2
heating unit that heats the non-woven fabric by blowing hot air onto the non-woven fabric
Implementation Method 3
the heating unit might have a thermal influence on the intermediate products and the processing devices in the first conveying route
Implementation Method 4
the environmental air heated by the heat radiated with the heating unit travels upward due to the reduced specific gravity thereof
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) ; and 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 is continuous, the non-woven fabric (3a) being a strip shape and serving as a part of the absorbent article (1). In a case where a direction that intersects the first direction in plan view is set as a second direction, the heating unit (61) is arranged in one of a position that is directly above the first conveying route (R11) and a position that is displaced from the first conveying route (R11) to the second direction.