JP2016067763A - Manufacturing device of absorber - Google Patents

Manufacturing device of absorber Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP2016067763A
JP2016067763A JP2014202543A JP2014202543A JP2016067763A JP 2016067763 A JP2016067763 A JP 2016067763A JP 2014202543 A JP2014202543 A JP 2014202543A JP 2014202543 A JP2014202543 A JP 2014202543A JP 2016067763 A JP2016067763 A JP 2016067763A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
absorber
opening device
transport pipe
fiber
inflow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP2014202543A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP5989053B2 (en
Inventor
細川　雅司
Masashi Hosokawa
雅司 細川
康郎 村上
Yasuro Murakami
康郎 村上
博紀 谷口
Hiroki Taniguchi
博紀 谷口
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unicharm Corp
Original Assignee
Unicharm Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unicharm Corp filed Critical Unicharm Corp
Priority to JP2014202543A priority Critical patent/JP5989053B2/en
Priority to PCT/JP2015/077810 priority patent/WO2016052649A1/en
Publication of JP2016067763A publication Critical patent/JP2016067763A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP5989053B2 publication Critical patent/JP5989053B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing device of an absorber which stably and reliably controls a mixture ratio of fibers constituting the absorber so as to be a desired ratio and ensures uniformity of fiber blending, thereby stably obtaining performance as a planned absorber.SOLUTION: A conveyance pipe 4 includes: a throttle part 45 in which a flow area at a portion formed with a second inflow part 42 is smaller than a flow area nearest to the portion formed with the second inflow part 42 on an upstream side in the conveyance pipe 4; and a mixture space part 46 connected with a downstream side of the throttle part 45 in the conveyance pipe 4, having a larger flow area than the throttle part 45, and mixing the first absorber material 13 and second absorber material 14 having passed the throttle part 45. The first absorber material 13 and second absorber material 14 flown out from the mixture space part 46 can be freely supplied to a molding device 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

本発明は、例えば生理用ナプキンや使い捨ての紙おむつ等の吸収性物品に用いられて、***液等を吸収する吸収体の製造装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus that is used for absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and disposable disposable diapers and absorbs excretory fluids.

例えば生理用ナプキン等の吸収性物品として、着用者の肌側に位置する液透過性のトップシートと、衣服側に位置する液不透過性のバックシートとの間に、着用者から排出された***液を吸収、保持する吸収体が配設されたものは広く知られている。
前記吸収体は、通常、少なくともパルプ等のセルロース系吸水性繊維と熱可塑性樹脂繊維とを予め定めた割合で含有させたウェブを形成し、該ウェブをさらに開繊した上で所定の形状に成形することにより形成される。 For example, as an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, it was discharged from the wearer between a liquid-permeable top sheet located on the skin side of the wearer and a liquid-impermeable back sheet located on the clothes side. Those provided with an absorber for absorbing and holding excretory fluid are widely known.
The absorbent body usually forms a web containing at least a cellulose-based water-absorbing fiber such as pulp and a thermoplastic resin fiber in a predetermined ratio, and the web is further opened to be formed into a predetermined shape. It is formed by doing.

前記吸収体を製造する具体的な方法としては、例えば特許文献１に記載の技術が知られている。
この特許文献１に記載の技術は、セルロース系吸水性繊維と熱可塑性樹脂繊維とが各々供給される複数のフォーミングヘッダを備えたエアレイド機を用いて、これらのセルロース系吸水性繊維と熱可塑性樹脂繊維を含む層を順次積層した上で加熱処理を行ってある程度の強度を確保した後、ワインダーによって巻き取ることにより１枚のウェブを予め作製する。その後、そのウェブを開繊装置において開繊して吸収体材料を形成すると共に、成形工程において該吸収体材料を積繊させて成形することにより吸収体を形成するものである。 As a specific method for manufacturing the absorber, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known.
The technique described in Patent Document 1 uses an airlaid machine having a plurality of forming headers to which cellulosic water-absorbing fibers and thermoplastic resin fibers are respectively supplied, and these cellulosic water-absorbing fibers and thermoplastic resin. After sequentially laminating layers containing fibers, heat treatment is performed to ensure a certain level of strength, and then a single web is prepared in advance by winding with a winder. Thereafter, the web is opened in a spreader to form an absorbent material, and in the molding step, the absorbent material is piled and molded to form an absorbent body.

しかしながら、前記特許文献１に記載の技術は、ウェブをワインダーで巻き取るのに耐えうる強度を付与するために該ウェブに熱処理を施して繊維を熱融着しているため、ウェブ中の熱可塑性樹脂繊維、例えば熱可塑性樹脂繊維同士、あるいは熱可塑性樹脂繊維とセルロース系吸水性繊維とが接着し、開繊工程時において開繊を行いにくいという問題があった。
前記開繊が行いにくくなると、吸収体材料を積繊させて成形を行う際に、吸収体を構成する各繊維の混合割合をコントロールすることがきわめて難しいため、吸収体中の各繊維の混合割合を所望の割合とすることができなかった。さらに、開繊中に繊維が切れてしまい、所望の繊維長を確保できずに吸収体の剛性を確保できなかったり、開繊後における各繊維のブレンドの状態が悪化して全体として均一な吸収能力を得ることができなかったりする等、吸収体として予定していた性能を得ることができないという欠点があった。 However, since the technique described in Patent Document 1 heat-treats the fiber by heat-treating the web in order to give the web a strength enough to be wound with a winder, the thermoplasticity in the web Resin fibers, for example, thermoplastic resin fibers, or thermoplastic resin fibers and cellulosic water-absorbing fibers adhere to each other, and there is a problem that it is difficult to perform fiber opening during the fiber opening process.
When it becomes difficult to perform the fiber opening, it is very difficult to control the mixing ratio of each fiber constituting the absorbent body when the absorbent material is stacked and molded, so the mixing ratio of each fiber in the absorbent body Could not be brought to the desired ratio. Furthermore, the fibers are cut during the fiber opening, the desired fiber length cannot be ensured and the rigidity of the absorbent cannot be ensured, or the blended state of each fiber after fiber opening deteriorates, resulting in uniform absorption as a whole. There was a drawback that the performance planned as the absorber could not be obtained, such as being unable to obtain the ability.

特開２００６−３４５９８０号公報JP 2006-345980 A

本発明の技術的課題は、吸収体を構成する繊維の混合割合を所望の割合に安定的且つ確実にコントロールすると共に、繊維のブレンドの均一性を確保して、予定していた吸収体として性能を安定的に得ることができる吸収体の製造装置を提供することにある。   The technical problem of the present invention is that the mixing ratio of fibers constituting the absorber is stably and surely controlled to a desired ratio, and the uniformity of the fiber blend is ensured to perform as a planned absorber. It is in providing the manufacturing apparatus of the absorber which can obtain stably.

前記課題を解決するため、本発明の吸収体の製造装置は次の通りである。
（１）少なくとも熱可塑性樹脂繊維とセルロース系吸水性繊維とを含む複数の繊維を予め定めた割合で混合した吸収体の製造装置であって、前記熱可塑性樹脂繊維を含む第１の繊維群からなるウェブを開繊する第１の開繊装置と、前記セルロース系吸水性繊維を含む第２の繊維群からなるウェブを開繊する第２の開繊装置と、前記第１の開繊装置により開繊された第１の吸収体材料と、前記第２の開繊装置により開繊された第２の吸収体材料とを内部に流入させて、上流側から下流側に向かって流れるエアによってこれらの第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料をエア搬送する搬送管と、前記搬送管の最下流の位置に配設されて、該搬送管の上流側から搬送された前記第１の吸収体材料と前記第２の吸収体材料とを積層させて吸収体を成形する成形装置とを備え、前記搬送管は、前記第１の開繊装置から前記第１の吸収体材料を該搬送管内に流入させる第１の流入部と、第２の開繊装置から前記第２の吸収体材料を前記搬送管内に流入させる第２の流入部とを有していると共に、前記搬送管は、前記第２の流入部が形成された部分の流通面積が、該搬送管における該第２の流入部が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分の流通面積よりも小さい絞り部と、前記搬送管における該絞り部の下流側に連結され、且つその絞り部よりも流通面積が大きく形成された、前記絞り部を通過した前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を混合させる混合空間部とを有していて、該混合空間部から流出した前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を前記成形装置に供給自在である、吸収体の製造装置。 In order to solve the above-described problems, an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.
(1) An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body in which a plurality of fibers including at least a thermoplastic resin fiber and a cellulose-based water-absorbing fiber are mixed at a predetermined ratio, from the first fiber group including the thermoplastic resin fiber A first opening device for opening a web, a second opening device for opening a web composed of a second fiber group containing the cellulose-based water-absorbing fibers, and the first opening device. The first absorbent material that has been opened and the second absorbent material that has been opened by the second opening device are allowed to flow into the interior, and the air flows from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The first absorber material and the second absorber material are transported by air, and the first transport material is disposed at the most downstream position of the transport tube and transported from the upstream side of the transport tube. The absorber is molded by laminating the absorber material and the second absorber material A first inflow part for allowing the first absorbent material to flow into the transport pipe from the first opening device, and the second opening device from the first opening device. And a second inflow portion for allowing the absorber material to flow into the transport pipe, and the transport pipe has a flow area of a portion where the second inflow portion is formed in the transport pipe. A throttle part smaller than the flow area of the nearest part upstream of the part where the second inflow part is formed, and connected to the downstream side of the throttle part in the transport pipe, and has a flow area larger than that of the throttle part. The first absorber material and the second absorber material that have passed through the constricted portion and are mixed to mix the first absorber material and the second absorber material. An absorber material and the second absorber material can be supplied to the molding apparatus. Absorber of manufacturing equipment.

（２）前記第２の開繊装置は、前記第２の繊維群からなるウェブを、外周側に設けられた刃によって回転しながら開繊する回転刃部を備えていると共に、前記第２の開繊装置は、前記第２の流入部において前記回転刃部の外周側の一部を前記搬送管内に入り込ませて、該搬送管の流通面積を縮小させた状態で該回転刃部を回転自在である構成となっていて、前記絞り部は、前記回転刃部を搬送管内に入り込ませた部分によって形成されている、前記（１）に記載の吸収体の製造装置。
（３）前記第１の開繊装置は、前記第１の繊維群からなるウェブを、外周側に設けられた刃によって回転しながら開繊する回転刃部を備え、前記第１の開繊装置と前記第２の開繊装置とは、第１の開繊装置の回転刃部と第２の開繊装置の回転刃部が、それぞれの前記刃が前記搬送管の上流側から該搬送管に近づき、下流側から該搬送管から離れる方向に回転自在となっていて、これらの第１の開繊装置の回転刃部と第２の開繊装置の回転刃部とが相反する方向に回転することによりそれぞれ開繊を行う、前記（２）に記載の吸収体の製造装置。
（４）前記第１の開繊装置の前記回転刃部における前記刃の部分での回転速度、及び前記第２の開繊装置の前記回転刃部における前記刃の部分での回転速度は、前記搬送管内を上流側から下流側に流れるエアの流速よりも小さく設定されている、前記（３）に記載の吸収体の製造装置。 (2) The second fiber opening device includes a rotary blade portion that opens the web formed of the second fiber group while rotating the web by a blade provided on the outer peripheral side, and the second fiber opening device The fiber opening device is configured such that a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade portion enters the transport pipe at the second inflow portion, and the rotary blade portion is freely rotatable in a state where the flow area of the transport pipe is reduced. The said throttle part is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in said (1) currently formed by the part which made the said rotary blade part enter in a conveyance pipe | tube.
(3) The first fiber opening device includes a rotary blade that opens the web formed of the first fiber group while rotating the web by a blade provided on the outer peripheral side, and the first fiber opening device. And the second opening device are a rotating blade portion of the first opening device and a rotating blade portion of the second opening device, and the blades from the upstream side of the transfer tube to the transfer tube. It approaches and is rotatable in the direction away from the transport pipe from the downstream side, and the rotating blade portion of the first opening device and the rotating blade portion of the second opening device rotate in opposite directions. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in said (2) which opens each by this.
(4) The rotation speed at the blade portion in the rotary blade portion of the first fiber opening device, and the rotation speed at the blade portion in the rotary blade portion of the second fiber opening device are The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to (3), which is set to be smaller than a flow velocity of air flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport pipe.

（５）前記第２の流入部は、前記第１の流入部よりも搬送管の下流側に位置している、前記（１）〜（４）のいずれか１つに記載の吸収体の製造装置。 (5) The manufacturing of the absorbent body according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the second inflow portion is located downstream of the first inflow portion in the transport pipe. apparatus.

（６）前記成形装置は、前記搬送管内のエアを吸引することにより前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を吸引し、これらの第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料を積層させて前記吸収体を形成自在であると共に、前記搬送管は、前記第１の開繊装置を通してのみ外気を取り込み可能となっていて、前記製造装置は、前記成形装置によって搬送管内のエアを吸引させることにより、前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を搬送管の上流側から下流側に向けてエア搬送可能である、前記（１）〜（５）のいずれか１つに記載の吸収体の製造装置。 (6) The molding apparatus sucks the first absorber material and the second absorber material by sucking air in the transport pipe, and the first absorber material and the second absorption material. The absorbent body can be formed by laminating body materials, and the transport pipe can take in outside air only through the first fiber opening device. In the above (1) to (5), the first absorber material and the second absorber material can be transferred from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transfer pipe by sucking the air. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in any one.

（７）前記搬送管は、前記第１の流入部及び前記第２の流入部並びに前記絞り部が配設された第１の搬送路と、前記混合空間部が配設された第２の搬送路とを備えていて、前記第１の搬送路は、上流から下流への向きが斜め下方向きに形成されていると共に、前記第２の搬送路は、上流から下流への向きが鉛直下向きに形成され、前記第１の開繊装置は、前記第２の開繊装置よりも上方、且つ前記第１の搬送路における最上流の位置よりも下方に位置していて、前記第１の流入部が該搬送管の下方側に配設され、前記第２の開繊装置は、前記第１の搬送路における最下流の位置よりも上方に位置していて、前記第２の流入部が該搬送管の上方側に配設されている、前記（５）又は（６）に記載の吸収体の製造装置。 (7) The transport pipe includes a first transport path in which the first inflow portion, the second inflow portion, and the throttle portion are disposed, and a second transport in which the mixing space portion is disposed. The first transport path is formed so that the direction from upstream to downstream is obliquely downward, and the second transport path is vertically downward from upstream to downstream. The first opening device is formed above the second opening device and below the most upstream position in the first transport path, and the first inflow portion Is disposed on the lower side of the transport pipe, and the second opening device is located above the most downstream position in the first transport path, and the second inflow portion is transported to the transport pipe. The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to (5) or (6), which is disposed on an upper side of the pipe.

（８）前記第１の流入部と前記第２の流入部とは、前記搬送管における相対する方向に位置する内周面にそれぞれ配設されている、前記（１）〜（７）のいずれか１つに記載の吸収体の製造装置。
（９）前記搬送管は、前記混合空間部よりも下流側に、該搬送管の流通面積を小さくする追加絞り部と、前記搬送管における該追加絞り部の下流側に連結され、且つその絞り部よりも流通面積が大きく形成された、前記追加絞り部を通過した前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を混合させる追加混合空間部とを有している、前記（１）〜（８）のいずれか１つに記載の吸収体の製造装置。
（１０）前記追加混合空間部は、該追加混合空間部内に、第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料とは別の第３の吸収体材料を供給する供給装置を備えている、前記（９）に記載の吸収体の製造装置。 (8) Any of (1) to (7), wherein the first inflow portion and the second inflow portion are respectively disposed on inner peripheral surfaces located in opposite directions in the transport pipe. The absorber manufacturing apparatus as described in any one.
(9) The transport pipe is connected to the downstream side of the mixing space section, an additional throttle section that reduces the flow area of the transport pipe, and the downstream side of the additional throttle section of the transport pipe, and the throttle And (1) an additional mixing space portion that has a flow area larger than that of the portion and that mixes the first absorber material and the second absorber material that have passed through the additional throttle portion. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in any one of (8)-(8).
(10) The additional mixing space includes a supply device that supplies a third absorbent material different from the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material into the additional mixed space. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in said (9).

本発明によれば、第１の開繊装置及び第２の開繊装置により開繊された第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料を流入させる搬送管に、第２の開繊装置から第２の吸収体材料を流入させる第２の流入部が形成された部分に設けられた、上流側の直近部分よりも流通面積が小さい絞り部と、該絞り部の下流側に連結された、その絞り部を通過した前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を混合させる混合空間部を備えている。
これにより、絞り部において搬送管を流通するエアの流速が高まる一方、下流側の混合空間部で流速が低くなって、第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料が拡散するため、第１の開繊装置及び第２の開繊装置から所望の割合で流入させた第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料が混ざり易くなる。
したがって、吸収体を構成する繊維の混合割合を所望の割合に安定的且つ確実にコントロールすると共に、繊維のブレンドの均一性を確保して、予定していた吸収体として性能を安定的に得ることが可能となる。 According to the present invention, the second spreader is provided in the transport pipe that allows the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material opened by the first spreader and the second spreader to flow in. The throttle part having a smaller flow area than the nearest part on the upstream side provided in the part where the second inflow part for allowing the second absorbent material to flow in is formed, and connected to the downstream side of the throttle part And a mixing space for mixing the first absorber material and the second absorber material that have passed through the throttle portion.
As a result, the flow velocity of the air flowing through the conveying pipe in the throttle portion is increased, while the flow velocity is lowered in the mixing space portion on the downstream side, and the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material are diffused. It becomes easy to mix the 1st absorber material and the 2nd absorber material which were made to flow in in a desired ratio from 1 opening device and 2nd opening device.
Therefore, it is possible to stably and reliably control the mixing ratio of the fibers constituting the absorbent body to a desired ratio, and to ensure the uniformity of the fiber blend and stably obtain the performance as the planned absorbent body. Is possible.

図１は本発明に係る吸収体の製造装置の一実施の形態を模式的に示す図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. 図２は本発明に係る製造装置における第１の開繊装置、及び搬送管の一部を模式的に示す要部拡大図である。ただし、第１の開繊装置が第１の繊維群からなるウェブを開繊している状態を示す。なお、図中の実線による白抜きの矢印は、第１の吸収体材料の流れる方向を示し、破線による白抜き矢印は取り込まれるエアの流れを示す。FIG. 2 is a main part enlarged view schematically showing a part of the first opening device and the transport pipe in the production apparatus according to the present invention. However, the state which the 1st opening apparatus is opening the web which consists of a 1st fiber group is shown. In addition, the white arrow by the continuous line in a figure shows the direction through which a 1st absorber material flows, and the white arrow by a broken line shows the flow of the taken-in air. 図３は本発明に係る製造装置における第２の開繊装置、及び搬送管の一部を模式的に示す要部拡大図である。ただし、第２の開繊装置が第２の繊維群からなるウェブを開繊している状態を示す。なお、図中の白抜きの矢印は第１の吸収体材料が流れる示し、ハッチングは入った白抜き矢印は第２の吸収体材料の流れを示す。FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part schematically showing a part of the second opening device and the transport pipe in the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. However, the state which the 2nd fiber opening apparatus is opening the web which consists of a 2nd fiber group is shown. In addition, the white arrow in a figure shows the 1st absorber material flowing, and the hatched white arrow shows the flow of the 2nd absorber material. 図４は本発明に係る製造装置における絞り部及び混合空間部を模式的に示す図である。FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the throttle portion and the mixing space portion in the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. 図５は本発明に係る製造装置における成形装置、及び搬送管の一部を模式的に示す要部拡大図である。なお、図中の破線による矢印はサクションドラムの吸引方向を示す。FIG. 5 is a main part enlarged view schematically showing a part of the forming apparatus and the conveying pipe in the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, the arrow by the broken line in a figure shows the suction direction of a suction drum.

以下、図面に基づいて本発明に係る吸収体の製造装置を説明する。本発明の吸収体の製造装置は、少なくともセルロース系吸水性繊維と熱可塑性樹脂繊維とを含む複数の繊維を予め定めた割合で混合した吸収体を製造するものである。
図１〜図５は、本発明に係る吸収体の製造装置の一実施の形態を示すもので、この実施の形態の製造装置１は、熱可塑性樹脂繊維を含む第１の繊維群からなる第１のウェブ１１を開繊する第１の開繊装置２と、セルロース系吸水性繊維を含む第２の繊維群からなる第２のウェブ１２を開繊する第２の開繊装置３とを備えている。
さらに、第１の開繊装置２により開繊された第１の吸収体材料１３と、第２の開繊装置３により開繊された第２の吸収体材料１４とを内部に流入させて、上流側から下流側に向かって流れるエアによってこれらの第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４をエア搬送する搬送管４を有している。また、搬送管４の最下流の位置に配設されて、搬送管４の上流側から搬送された第１の吸収体材料１３と第２の吸収体材料１４とを積層させて吸収体を成形する成形装置５とを備えている。
この実施の形態では、搬送管４の最上流に第１の開繊装置２が配設され、搬送管４におけるこの第１の開繊装置２よりも下流側であって、成形装置の上流側に第２の開繊装置３が配設されている。 Hereinafter, an absorber manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The manufacturing apparatus for an absorbent body of the present invention manufactures an absorbent body in which a plurality of fibers including at least a cellulosic water-absorbing fiber and a thermoplastic resin fiber are mixed at a predetermined ratio.
FIGS. 1-5 shows one Embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the absorber which concerns on this invention, The manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is the 1st fiber group which consists of a 1st fiber group containing a thermoplastic resin fiber. A first opening device 2 for opening one web 11 and a second opening device 3 for opening a second web 12 comprising a second group of fibers containing cellulosic water-absorbing fibers. ing.
Furthermore, the first absorbent material 13 opened by the first spreader 2 and the second absorbent material 14 opened by the second spreader 3 are caused to flow inside, It has the conveyance pipe | tube 4 which carries out the air conveyance of these 1st absorber materials 13 and 2nd absorber materials 14 with the air which flows toward the downstream from the upstream. Further, the absorbent body is formed by laminating the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material 14 which are disposed at the most downstream position of the transport pipe 4 and transported from the upstream side of the transport pipe 4. And a forming device 5 for performing the above operation.
In this embodiment, the first opening device 2 is disposed in the uppermost stream of the conveying pipe 4, and is downstream of the first opening device 2 in the conveying pipe 4 and upstream of the molding apparatus. A second fiber opening device 3 is disposed in the middle.

前記第１の開繊装置２は、事前に形成された、熱可塑性樹脂繊維を含む第１の繊維群からなる第１のウェブ１１を装入させて、その第１のウェブ１１を開繊して第１の吸収体材料１３を形成するものであり、第１のウェブ１１を予め定めた量だけ定常的に開繊し、予め定めた量の第１の吸収体材料１３を搬送管４の内部に定常的に流入させることが可能となっている。
この第１の開繊装置２は、水平方向に延びる回転軸２１と、この回転軸２１の軸線回りに回転自在に設けられた略円柱状の開繊シリンダ２３、及び開繊シリンダ２３の外周側に配設されてその開繊シリンダ２３と共に回転する複数の開繊用の刃２４とを備えた回転刃部２２とを備えている。また、この第１の開繊装置２は、回転刃部２２の外周面と対向する位置に、その回転刃部２２の外周面に沿うように設けられて、回転刃部２２の回転軸２１と平行な方向に延びる回転軸２６ａ〜３０ａの軸線回りに回転自在である、回転刃部２２と共に第１のウェブ１１の開繊を行う第１〜第５のウォーカロール２６〜３０が、回転刃部２２の下方側から上方側に向けて一定の間隔で配設されている。 The first fiber opening device 2 is loaded with a first web 11 formed from a first fiber group including a thermoplastic resin fiber, and the first web 11 is opened. The first absorbent material 13 is formed, and the first web 11 is steadily opened by a predetermined amount, and a predetermined amount of the first absorbent material 13 is transferred to the transport pipe 4. It is possible to constantly flow into the interior.
The first opening device 2 includes a rotating shaft 21 extending in the horizontal direction, a substantially cylindrical opening cylinder 23 provided rotatably around the axis of the rotating shaft 21, and an outer peripheral side of the opening cylinder 23. And a rotary blade portion 22 provided with a plurality of opening blades 24 that rotate together with the opening cylinder 23. In addition, the first fiber opening device 2 is provided at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade portion 22 along the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade portion 22. The first to fifth walker rolls 26 to 30 that open the first web 11 together with the rotary blade portion 22, which are rotatable around the axes of the rotary shafts 26 a to 30 a extending in parallel directions, are the rotary blade portions. 22 are arranged at regular intervals from the lower side to the upper side.

また、第１の開繊装置２は、回転刃部２２が、刃２４が搬送管４の上流側からその搬送管４に近づき、下流側からその搬送管４から離れる方向に回転、即ち、図１及び図２において、右回り方向に回転しながら第１のウェブ１１を開繊する構成となっている。さらに、第１のウェブ１１は、図１及び図２における左側から、装入口２５ａを通して第１のウォーカロール２６と第２のウォーカロール２７との間に装入され、回転刃部２２と第２〜第５のウォーカロール２７〜３０との間に引き込まれるようになっている。
なお、これらの回転刃部２２やウォーカロール２６〜３０については、図示しない電動モータ等に駆動手段により、それぞれの回転軸の軸線回りに回転するようになっている。 Further, in the first opening device 2, the rotary blade portion 22 rotates in a direction in which the blade 24 approaches the transport pipe 4 from the upstream side of the transport pipe 4 and away from the transport pipe 4 from the downstream side, that is, 1 and 2, the first web 11 is opened while rotating clockwise. Further, the first web 11 is inserted between the first walker roll 26 and the second walker roll 27 through the loading port 25a from the left side in FIGS. -It is drawn between the fifth walker rolls 27-30.
In addition, about these rotary blade parts 22 and the walker rolls 26-30, it rotates around the axis line of each rotating shaft by the drive means to the electric motor etc. which are not shown in figure.

さらに、この実施の形態においては、回転刃部２２の刃２４は、その回転刃部２２の外周面から外方に直線状に突出し、且つ先端が尖ったピン状に形成されたものとなっていて、先端側において第１のウェブ１１に接触し、その第１のウェブ１１の繊維（即ち、第１の繊維群の繊維）を掻き取ることが可能となっている。
なお、これらのピン状の刃２４は、いずれも同大同形に形成されていて、開繊シリンダ２３の外周面における全面に一定の間隔で配設されていると共に、各刃２４は、開繊シリンダ２３の回転方向（即ち、図１及び図２における右回り方向）に向けて一定角度傾斜した状態で、その開繊シリンダ２３の外周面に固定されている。また、これらのピン状の刃２４は、開繊シリンダ２３の外周面における周方向及び幅方向の全域に配設されている。 Further, in this embodiment, the blade 24 of the rotary blade portion 22 is formed in a pin shape that protrudes linearly outward from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade portion 22 and has a sharp tip. Thus, it is possible to contact the first web 11 on the front end side and scrape the fibers of the first web 11 (that is, the fibers of the first fiber group).
Note that these pin-shaped blades 24 are all formed in the same size and the same shape, and are disposed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the fiber opening cylinder 23 at regular intervals. The cylinder 23 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the opening cylinder 23 in a state where the cylinder 23 is inclined at a certain angle in the rotation direction (that is, the clockwise direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, these pin-shaped blades 24 are disposed in the entire area in the circumferential direction and the width direction on the outer peripheral surface of the opening cylinder 23.

また、第１の開繊装置２は、回転刃装置２２や第１〜第５のウォーカロール２６〜３０を覆うように設けられたケーシング部材２５を備えている。
このケーシング部材２５は、回転刃装置２２や第１〜第５のウォーカロール２６〜３０に接触しないように設けられていて、この実施の形態においては、このケーシング部材２５における回転刃部２２の右側に相当する部分において搬送管４と気密に連結されている。したがって、ケーシング部材２５の内部と搬送管４の内部とは気密に連通した状態となっている。
さらに、このケーシング部材２５自体は、内部が気密に形成されている訳ではなく、開繊した繊維が搬送管４以外の漏れ出ることを防ぎ、且つ安全のために回転刃部２２や第１〜第５のウォーカロール２６〜３０を直接的に触れることができないようにする程度のもので、外気をケーシング部材２５内、延いては第１の開繊装置２内に自由に流通させることができるようになっている。 The first fiber opening device 2 includes a casing member 25 provided so as to cover the rotary blade device 22 and the first to fifth walker rolls 26 to 30.
The casing member 25 is provided so as not to contact the rotary blade device 22 and the first to fifth walker rolls 26 to 30, and in this embodiment, the right side of the rotary blade portion 22 in the casing member 25. The part corresponding to is airtightly connected to the transport pipe 4. Therefore, the inside of the casing member 25 and the inside of the transport pipe 4 are in an airtight communication state.
Further, the casing member 25 itself is not hermetically formed inside, but the opened fiber is prevented from leaking other than the conveying pipe 4, and the rotating blade portion 22 and the first to the first 1 for safety. It is a thing which prevents the 5th walker rolls 26-30 from touching directly, and can distribute | circulate external air freely in the casing member 25 and by extension in the 1st fiber opening apparatus 2. FIG. It is like that.

ここで、第１の開繊装置２により開繊される第１のウェブ１１は、熱可塑性樹脂繊維を含む第１の繊維群を予め定めた厚さや坪量に積層することにより形成された一定の幅（少なくとも回転刃部２２の軸線方向長さよりも小さい幅）を有する長尺のもので、第１の開繊装置２に連続的に搬送、供給されている。
なお、本発明において使用される熱可塑性樹脂繊維としては、例えば、ポリエチレン（ＰＥ）、ポリプロピレン（ＰＰ）等のポリオレフィン；ポリエチレンテレフタラート（ＰＥＴ）等のポリエステル；ナイロン等のポリアミド等の原料を、単体もしくは複合した繊維が挙げられる。 Here, the 1st web 11 opened by the 1st opening apparatus 2 is formed by laminating | stacking the 1st fiber group containing a thermoplastic resin fiber in predetermined thickness and basic weight. Of a long width (at least smaller than the length in the axial direction of the rotary blade portion 22), and is continuously conveyed and supplied to the first fiber opening device 2.
Examples of the thermoplastic resin fibers used in the present invention include raw materials such as polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP); polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET); and polyamides such as nylon. Or the composite fiber is mentioned.

前記第２の開繊装置３は、パルプ等のセルロース系吸水性繊維を含む第２の繊維群からなる第２のウェブ１２を装入させて、その第２のウェブ１２を開繊して第２の吸収体材料１４を形成するもので、第２のウェブ１２を予め定めた量だけ定常的に開繊し、予め定めた量の第２の吸収体材料１４を搬送管４の内部に定常的に流入させることが可能となっている。
この第２の開繊装置３は、第１の開繊装置２の回転軸２１と同じ方向に水平に延びる回転軸３１と、この回転軸３１の軸線回りに回転自在に設けられた略円柱状の開繊シリンダ３３、及び開繊シリンダ３３の外周側に配設されてその開繊シリンダ３３と共に回転する複数の開繊用の刃３４とを備えた回転刃部３２とを備えている。
また、第２の開繊装置３は、回転刃部３２が、刃３４が搬送管４の上流側からその搬送管４に近づき、下流側からその搬送管４から離れる方向に回転して第２のウェブ１２を開繊する構成となっている。即ち、この実施の形態においては、第２の開繊装置３は、図１及び図３における右側から第２のウェブ１２が装入され、回転刃部３２が左回り方向、即ち第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２とは相反する方向に回転しながらその第２のウェブ１２を開繊することができるようになっている。
なお、回転刃部３２については、図示しない電動モータ等に駆動手段によって、回転軸３１の軸線回りに回転するようになっている。 The second fiber opening device 3 is charged with a second web 12 composed of a second fiber group containing cellulosic water-absorbing fibers such as pulp, and the second web 12 is opened to open the second web 12. The second absorbent body material 14 is formed, the second web 12 is steadily opened by a predetermined amount, and a predetermined amount of the second absorbent material 14 is steadily placed inside the transport pipe 4. Inflow.
The second fiber opening device 3 includes a rotation shaft 31 extending horizontally in the same direction as the rotation shaft 21 of the first fiber opening device 2, and a substantially columnar shape provided rotatably around the axis of the rotation shaft 31. And a rotating blade portion 32 provided with a plurality of opening blades 34 that are disposed on the outer peripheral side of the opening cylinder 33 and rotate together with the opening cylinder 33.
Further, in the second fiber opening device 3, the rotary blade portion 32 rotates in a direction in which the blade 34 approaches the transport pipe 4 from the upstream side of the transport pipe 4 and away from the transport pipe 4 from the downstream side. The web 12 is opened. That is, in this embodiment, the second fiber opening device 3 is loaded with the second web 12 from the right side in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the rotary blade portion 32 is rotated counterclockwise, that is, the first opening. The second web 12 can be opened while rotating in a direction opposite to the rotating blade portion 22 of the fiber device 2.
The rotary blade 32 is rotated about the axis of the rotary shaft 31 by a driving means such as an electric motor (not shown).

さらに、この実施の形態においては、回転刃部３２は、外周縁に刃３４が設けられた板体状（例えば円板状）の回転刃を開繊シリンダ３３の外周面に複数枚取付けることにより形成されたものである。これらの回転刃は、各回転刃の板面の中央に設けられた貫通孔内に、隣接する回転刃の刃３４が相互に周方向に少しずつずれた状態で開繊シリンダ３３が嵌挿された状態において、各回転刃が開繊シリンダ３３に位置不動に固定されている。これにより、開繊シリンダ３３の周方向及び幅方向の全域にわたって刃３４が配設された態様となっている。そして、開繊シリンダ３３が回転軸３１の軸線回りに回転することにより、回転刃も開繊シリンダ３３と共に回転し、回転刃に設けられた刃３４が第２のウェブ１２を開繊するようになっている。
また、図１及び図３に示すように、回転刃部３２の刃３４は、刃先が回転刃部３２の回転方向（即ち、図１及び図３における左回り方向）向きに形成されていて、この刃３４の刃先により第２のウェブ１２の繊維（即ち、第２の繊維群の繊維）を掻き取ることが可能となっている。
なお、この実施の形態においては、第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２は、第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２と、幅方向長さ（軸線方向長さ）がほぼ同じ大きさとなっている。 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotary blade portion 32 is formed by attaching a plurality of plate-like (for example, disk-like) rotary blades having blades 34 on the outer peripheral edge to the outer peripheral surface of the opening cylinder 33. It is formed. In these rotary blades, the opening cylinder 33 is inserted into a through hole provided at the center of the plate surface of each rotary blade in a state where the blades 34 of the adjacent rotary blades are slightly shifted from each other in the circumferential direction. In this state, each rotary blade is fixed to the opening cylinder 33 in a stationary manner. Thereby, the blade 34 is disposed over the entire area in the circumferential direction and the width direction of the opening cylinder 33. Then, as the opening cylinder 33 rotates around the axis of the rotation shaft 31, the rotating blade also rotates together with the opening cylinder 33, so that the blade 34 provided on the rotating blade opens the second web 12. It has become.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the blade 34 of the rotary blade portion 32 has a cutting edge formed in the direction of rotation of the rotary blade portion 32 (that is, the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 1 and 3). The cutting edge of the blade 34 can scrape the fibers of the second web 12 (that is, the fibers of the second fiber group).
In this embodiment, the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3 has substantially the same length in the width direction (length in the axial direction) as the rotary blade portion 22 of the first fiber opening device 2. It is a size.

また、第２の開繊装置３には、回転刃部３２の外周面に沿って且つ刃３４と接触しない程度に近接した状態でその回転刃部３２を覆うケーシング部材３５が設けられていて、このケーシング部材３５と回転刃部３２との間の空間に、第２のウェブ１２が装入されることにより、回転する回転刃部３２の刃３４が第２のウェブ１２を搬送管４方向に引き込みながら、その第２のウェブ１２の繊維を掻き取り、開繊する。
このケーシング部材３５は、第２の開繊装置３における第２のウェブ１２を装入する装入口３５ａが設けられている。この実施の形態の場合、この装入口３５ａは、図１及び図３における回転刃部３２の右側の中段付近に設けられている。
さらに、このケーシング部材３５は、装入口３５ａを除き、第２の開繊装置３が搬送管４と連結される位置まで、回転刃部３２の外周面、さらには回転刃部３２の幅方向（軸線方向）の両端側を気密に覆っていて、ケーシング部材３５の内部と搬送管４との内部とを気密に連通させた状態となっている。なお、装入口３５ａについては、ケーシング部材３５内の気密を維持した状態において第２のウェブ１２をケーシング部材３５の内部に搬送、装入することができるようになっていて、例えば上下一対のシールロール等により第２のウェブ１２を気密に装入させる構成とすることができる。 In addition, the second fiber opening device 3 is provided with a casing member 35 that covers the rotary blade portion 32 along the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade portion 32 and close enough not to contact the blade 34, When the second web 12 is inserted into the space between the casing member 35 and the rotary blade portion 32, the blade 34 of the rotating rotary blade portion 32 moves the second web 12 in the direction of the conveying tube 4. While pulling, the fibers of the second web 12 are scraped off and opened.
The casing member 35 is provided with an inlet 35a for charging the second web 12 in the second fiber opening device 3. In the case of this embodiment, the inlet 35a is provided near the middle stage on the right side of the rotary blade portion 32 in FIGS.
Further, the casing member 35 is configured such that the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade portion 32 and further the width direction of the rotary blade portion 32 (up to the position where the second fiber opening device 3 is connected to the transport pipe 4 except for the inlet 35a). Both end sides in the axial direction) are covered in an airtight manner, and the inside of the casing member 35 and the inside of the transport pipe 4 are communicated in an airtight manner. In addition, about the charging port 35a, the 2nd web 12 can be conveyed and loaded in the inside of the casing member 35 in the state which maintained the airtightness in the casing member 35 here, for example, a pair of upper and lower seals The second web 12 can be hermetically charged with a roll or the like.

ここで、第２の開繊装置３より開繊される第２のウェブ１２は、セルロース系吸水性繊維を含む第２の繊維群から形成された、予め定めた厚さや坪量及び幅（少なくとも回転刃部３２の軸線方向長さよりも小さい幅）を有する長尺のもので、第２の開繊装置３に連続的に搬送、供給されている。   Here, the second web 12 opened by the second fiber opening device 3 is formed from a second fiber group including cellulosic water-absorbing fibers, and has a predetermined thickness, basis weight, and width (at least It is a long one having a width smaller than the axial length of the rotary blade portion 32, and is continuously conveyed and supplied to the second fiber opening device 3.

なお、本発明において使用されるセルロース系吸水性繊維は、例えば、針葉樹又は広葉樹を原料として得られる木材パルプ（例えば、砕木パルプ等の機械パルプ；クラフトパルプ等の化学パルプ；半化学パルプ等）；木材パルプに化学処理を施して得られるマーセル化パルプ又は架橋パルプ；バガス、ケナフ、竹、麻、綿等の非木材パルプ等が挙げられるが、工業的に安価に得られ且つ安全性が高いクラフトパルプが好ましい。   The cellulosic water-absorbing fibers used in the present invention include, for example, wood pulp obtained from coniferous or hardwood as a raw material (for example, mechanical pulp such as ground pulp; chemical pulp such as kraft pulp; semi-chemical pulp and the like); Mercerized pulp or cross-linked pulp obtained by chemical treatment of wood pulp; non-wood pulp such as bagasse, kenaf, bamboo, hemp, cotton, etc., but industrially inexpensively obtained and highly safe craft Pulp is preferred.

搬送管４は、第１の開繊装置２から流入させた第１の吸収体材料１３と、第２の開繊装置３から流入させた第２の吸収体材料１４との両方の吸収体材料を成形装置５に向けてエア搬送するものである。この実施の形態においては、搬送管４は、断面略矩形状の内周面を備えたものとなっていて、内周面が全長にわたってほぼ同じ幅（長手方向の長さ）に形成されている。
この搬送管４は、最上流側に第１の開繊装置２、より具体的には、第１の開繊装置２のケーシング部材２５が気密に連結されている。そして、この第１の開繊装置２と搬送管４との連結部分、即ち、第１の開繊装置２の内部と搬送管４の内部とが連通した部分において搬送管４の内周面に形成された開口が、第１の開繊装置２から第１の吸収体材料１３を搬送管４内に流入させる第１の流入部４１となっている。
また、搬送管４における第１の開繊装置２よりも下流側に第２の開繊装置３が、具体的には、第２の開繊装置３のケーシング部材３５が気密に連結されている。そして、第２の開繊装置３と搬送管４との連結部分、即ち、第２の開繊装置３の内部と搬送管４の内部とが連通した部分において搬送管４の内周面に形成された開口が、第２の開繊装置３から第２の吸収体材料１４を搬送管４内に流入させる第２の流入部４２となっている。したがって、第２の流入部４２は、第１の流入部４１よりも搬送管４の下流側に位置している。 The transport pipe 4 has both the absorbent material of the first absorbent material 13 introduced from the first spreader 2 and the second absorbent material 14 introduced from the second spreader 3. Is conveyed by air toward the molding apparatus 5. In this embodiment, the transport pipe 4 has an inner peripheral surface having a substantially rectangular cross section, and the inner peripheral surface is formed to have substantially the same width (length in the longitudinal direction) over the entire length. .
In the transport pipe 4, the first opening device 2, more specifically, the casing member 25 of the first opening device 2 is airtightly connected to the most upstream side. And in the connection part of this 1st opening apparatus 2 and the conveyance pipe 4, ie, the part where the inside of the 1st opening apparatus 2 and the inside of the conveyance pipe 4 were connected, it is on the inner peripheral surface of the conveyance pipe 4 The formed opening is a first inflow portion 41 through which the first absorbent material 13 flows from the first fiber opening device 2 into the transport pipe 4.
In addition, the second opening device 3 is connected downstream of the first opening device 2 in the transport pipe 4, specifically, the casing member 35 of the second opening device 3 is airtightly connected. . And it forms in the inner peripheral surface of the conveyance pipe 4 in the connection part of the 2nd fiber opening apparatus 3 and the conveyance pipe 4, ie, the part which the inside of the 2nd fiber opening apparatus 3 and the inside of the conveyance pipe 4 connected. The opened opening serves as a second inflow portion 42 through which the second absorbent material 14 flows from the second fiber opening device 3 into the transport pipe 4. Therefore, the second inflow portion 42 is located on the downstream side of the transport pipe 4 with respect to the first inflow portion 41.

この実施の形態においては、搬送管４は、第１の流入部４１及び第２の流入部４２、さらには後述する絞り部４５が設けられた部分である第１の搬送路４３と、この第１の搬送路４３よりも下流側に位置して、後述する混合空間部４６が設けられ且つ最下流側が成形装置５に臨むように配設された、鉛直方向に延びる第２の搬送路４４とを備えている。
第１の搬送路４３は、図１に示すように、上流から下流への向きが斜め下方向きに形成されている（図１に示すものの場合、搬送管４は、左上方から右下方に向かう斜め下方向きにエアが流通するようになっている。）。また、第２の搬送路４４は、鉛直下向きにエアが流通するようになっている。
なお、第１の搬送路４３が延びる方向の角度は、製造装置１の大きさや収容スペースにより任意に設定されるが、上流から下流に向けて、水平方向から４０〜７０°程度傾斜していることが好ましい。傾斜が４０°未満であると第２の搬送路４４に対する角度が増すことで、第２の搬送路４４における第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４の偏りが発生し易い。一方、７０°を越えて傾斜していると、製造装置１全体の高さが不要に高くなり、スペース面で問題が生じる可能性がある。 In this embodiment, the transport pipe 4 includes a first transport path 43 which is a portion provided with a first inflow portion 41 and a second inflow portion 42 and a throttle portion 45 described later, and the first transport path 43. A second conveyance path 44 extending in the vertical direction, located downstream of the first conveyance path 43, provided with a mixing space 46 described later, and disposed so that the most downstream side faces the molding apparatus 5; It has.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first transport path 43 is formed so that the direction from the upstream to the downstream is obliquely downward (in the case shown in FIG. 1, the transport pipe 4 is directed from the upper left to the lower right. Air is distributed obliquely downward.) In addition, the second conveying path 44 is configured such that air flows vertically downward.
The angle in the direction in which the first conveyance path 43 extends is arbitrarily set depending on the size of the manufacturing apparatus 1 and the accommodation space, but is inclined about 40 to 70 ° from the horizontal direction from upstream to downstream. It is preferable. If the inclination is less than 40 °, the angle with respect to the second transport path 44 increases, and the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material 14 in the second transport path 44 tend to be biased. On the other hand, if it is inclined beyond 70 °, the height of the entire manufacturing apparatus 1 becomes unnecessarily high, which may cause a problem in terms of space.

搬送管４、第１の開繊装置２、第２の開繊装置３の位置関係について説明すると、第１の開繊装置２は、第２の開繊装置３よりも上方、且つ搬送管４における第１の搬送路４３の最上流の位置よりも下方に位置していて、第１の流入部４１が搬送管４の下方側に配設された態様となっている。したがって、第１の流入部４１は、搬送管４の内周面における下方側の面（長手の面４ａ）に設けられ、第１の吸収体材料１３を流入させるようになっている。
一方、第２の開繊装置３は、搬送管４における、第１の搬送路４３における最下流の位置よりも上方、より具体的には、搬送管４における第１の搬送路４３の最下流且つ第２の搬送路４４の最上流よりも上流の位置において、搬送管４の上方に位置した態様となっている。したがって、第２の流入部４２は、第１の搬送路４３の最下流の位置であって、搬送管４の内周面における上方側の面（長手の面４ｂ）に設けられ、第２の吸収体材料１４を流入させるようになっている。
よって、第１の流入部４１と第２の流入部４２とは、搬送管４における相対する方向に位置する内周面、即ち、搬送管４における下方側と上方側との相対する方向に位置する、幅方向に延びる内周面（長手の面４ａ，４ｂ）にそれぞれ配設されていることとなる。 The positional relationship between the transport pipe 4, the first fiber opening device 2, and the second fiber opening device 3 will be described. The first fiber opening device 2 is above the second fiber opening device 3 and the transport tube 4. The first inflow portion 41 is disposed on the lower side of the transport pipe 4 and is located below the most upstream position of the first transport path 43 in FIG. Accordingly, the first inflow portion 41 is provided on the lower side surface (longitudinal surface 4a) of the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe 4 so as to allow the first absorbent material 13 to flow in.
On the other hand, the second fiber opening device 3 is located above the most downstream position in the first conveyance path 43 in the conveyance pipe 4, more specifically, the most downstream in the first conveyance path 43 in the conveyance pipe 4. In addition, at a position upstream of the uppermost stream of the second transport path 44, the second transport path 44 is positioned above the transport pipe 4. Therefore, the second inflow portion 42 is provided on the uppermost surface (longitudinal surface 4 b) on the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe 4 at the most downstream position of the first transport path 43, and The absorbent material 14 is allowed to flow.
Therefore, the first inflow portion 41 and the second inflow portion 42 are positioned in the inner peripheral surface located in the opposing direction in the transport pipe 4, that is, in the opposing direction between the lower side and the upper side in the transport pipe 4. The inner peripheral surfaces (long surfaces 4a and 4b) extending in the width direction are respectively disposed.

ここで、第１の開繊装置２は、回転刃部２２を回転させることにより第１のウェブ１１を開繊するため、開繊により形成された第１の吸収体材料１３は、回転刃部２２の遠心力、及び後述する第１の開繊装置２から取り込まれて搬送管４に流れるエアによって、回転刃部２２から離れる方向に飛ばされ、第１の流入部４１を通して搬送管４内に、より具体的には第１の搬送路４３内に放出される。
また、前述のように、搬送管４に第１の搬送路４３は、上流から下流への向きが斜め下方向きに形成されている（図１に示すものの場合、搬送管４は、左上方から右下方に向かう斜め下方向き）。
そのため、この搬送管４と第１の開繊装置２及び第１の流入部４１との位置関係から、第１の吸収体材料１３は、搬送管４の内周面における、第１の流入部４１が設けられた長手の面４ａとは相対する長手の面４ｂ側に寄って、あるいはその相対する長手の面４ｂに沿って第１の搬送路４３内を移動する傾向にある。
一方、第２の開繊装置３は、回転刃部３２を回転させることにより第２のウェブ１２を開繊するため、開繊により形成された第２の吸収体材料１４は、回転刃部３２の遠心力によって、回転刃部３２から離れる方向に飛ばされ、第２の流入部４２を通して搬送管４内に、より具体的には第１の搬送路４３内に送られる。
そのため、この搬送管４と第２の開繊装置３及び第２の流入部４２との位置関係から、第２の吸収体材料１４は、搬送管４の内周面における、第２の流入部４２が設けられた長手の面４ｂとは相対する長手の面４ａに向かって放出される。
したがって、搬送管４内を、第１の流入部４１が設けられた長手の面４ａ側に寄って搬送される第１の吸収材材料１３と、第２の流入部４２が設けられた長手の面４ｂとは相対する長手の面４ａに向かって放出される第２の吸収体材料１４とは、搬送管４内における第２の流入部４２が設けられた部分において移動方向が相互に交差する。これにより、第１の吸収体材料１３と第２の吸収体材料１４とは、搬送管４内における第２の流入部４２が設けられた部分において混ざり合うことになるため混合が進み、偏りが少なくなるため、両吸収体材料をバランスよく、また均一に混合する上では非常に効果的である。 Here, since the 1st opening apparatus 2 opens the 1st web 11 by rotating the rotary blade part 22, the 1st absorber material 13 formed by opening is a rotary blade part. 22 is blown away in the direction away from the rotary blade portion 22 by the centrifugal force of 22 and the air that is taken in from the first fiber opening device 2 to be described later and flows into the conveying tube 4, and enters the conveying tube 4 through the first inflow portion 41. More specifically, it is discharged into the first conveyance path 43.
Further, as described above, the first conveyance path 43 is formed in the conveyance pipe 4 so that the direction from the upstream to the downstream is obliquely downward (in the case shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance pipe 4 is formed from the upper left side. Diagonally downward toward the lower right).
Therefore, from the positional relationship between the transport pipe 4, the first fiber opening device 2, and the first inflow part 41, the first absorbent material 13 is a first inflow part on the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe 4. The long surface 4a provided with 41 tends to move in the first conveyance path 43 toward the long surface 4b opposite to the long surface 4a or along the long surface 4b opposite to the long surface 4a.
On the other hand, since the second fiber opening device 3 opens the second web 12 by rotating the rotary blade portion 32, the second absorbent material 14 formed by the fiber opening has the rotary blade portion 32. The centrifugal force causes the centrifugal blade to fly away from the rotary blade portion 32, and is sent into the transport pipe 4 through the second inflow portion 42, more specifically into the first transport path 43.
Therefore, from the positional relationship between the transport pipe 4, the second fiber opening device 3, and the second inflow part 42, the second absorbent material 14 is a second inflow part on the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe 4. 42 is emitted toward the longitudinal surface 4a opposite to the longitudinal surface 4b provided with 42.
Accordingly, the first absorbent material 13 that is transported in the transport pipe 4 toward the longitudinal surface 4a side where the first inflow portion 41 is provided, and the longitudinal direction in which the second inflow portion 42 is provided. The moving direction of the second absorbent material 14 released toward the longitudinal surface 4a opposite to the surface 4b intersects with each other in the portion where the second inflow portion 42 is provided in the transport pipe 4. . As a result, the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 are mixed in the portion where the second inflow portion 42 is provided in the transport pipe 4, so that the mixing proceeds and the bias is increased. Therefore, it is very effective for mixing both absorber materials in a well-balanced and uniform manner.

そして、図１及び図３、図４に示すように、この搬送管４には、第２の流入部４２が形成された部分の流通面積が、搬送管４における第２の流入部４２が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分の流通面積よりも小さい絞り部４５が設けられている。
さらに、搬送管４における絞り部４５の下流側に連結され、且つその絞り部４５よりも流通面積が大きく形成された、絞り部４５を通過した第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を混合させる混合空間部４６が設けられている。搬送管４は、この混合空間部４６から流出した第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を成形装置５に供給自在となっている。
より具体的には、絞り部４５は、第１の流入部４１及び第２の流入部４２が設けられた、搬送管４の内周面における第１の搬送路４３の最下流側に配設されている一方、混合空間部４６は、第２の搬送路４４における最上流側に設けられていて、これらの絞り部４５と混合空間部４６とが相互に連結された状態となっている。
なお、本発明において、搬送管の流通面積とは、搬送管内における、搬送管が第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料を搬送する方向と直交する断面の面積を意味する。 As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the transport pipe 4 has a flow area where the second inflow portion 42 is formed, and the second inflow portion 42 in the transport pipe 4 is formed. A narrowed portion 45 is provided that is smaller than the flow area of the nearest portion upstream of the portion.
Further, the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber that are connected to the downstream side of the throttle unit 45 in the transport pipe 4 and have a larger flow area than the throttle unit 45 and have passed through the throttle unit 45. A mixing space 46 for mixing the material 14 is provided. The conveying pipe 4 can supply the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material 14 that have flowed out of the mixing space 46 to the molding apparatus 5.
More specifically, the throttle portion 45 is disposed on the most downstream side of the first conveyance path 43 on the inner peripheral surface of the conveyance pipe 4 where the first inflow portion 41 and the second inflow portion 42 are provided. On the other hand, the mixing space portion 46 is provided on the most upstream side in the second transport path 44, and the throttle portion 45 and the mixing space portion 46 are connected to each other.
In the present invention, the distribution area of the transport pipe means an area of a cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the transport pipe transports the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material in the transport pipe.

この実施の形態においては、図３及び図４に示すように、第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２により搬送管４に絞り部４５を形成している。
即ち、第２の開繊装置３は、第２の流入部４２において、回転刃部３２の外周側の一部を搬送管４内に入り込ませた状態でその搬送管４に連結されていて、その搬送管４内に入り込ませた回転刃部３２の外周側の一部によって搬送管４の流通面積を縮小させた状態で、その回転刃部３２を回転自在となっている。
したがって、絞り部４５は、第２の流入部４２を通じて第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２を搬送管４内に入り込ませた部分によって形成された態様となっている。 In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the narrowed portion 45 is formed in the transport pipe 4 by the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3.
That is, the second fiber opening device 3 is connected to the transport pipe 4 in a state where a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade part 32 enters the transport pipe 4 in the second inflow portion 42. The rotary blade portion 32 is rotatable in a state where the flow area of the transfer tube 4 is reduced by a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade portion 32 that has entered the transfer tube 4.
Therefore, the throttle portion 45 is formed by a portion in which the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3 enters the transport pipe 4 through the second inflow portion 42.

このとき、図４に示すように、回転刃部３２が搬送管４に入り込んだ分、この第２の流入部４２が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分の流通面積よりも小さくなるため、絞り部４５は、回転刃部３２が搬送管４に入り込む部分である第２の流入部４２に形成されることとなる。
また、前述のように、第２の流入部４２は、搬送管４における上方側の内周面（長手の面４ｂ）に設けられているため、絞り部４５は、回転刃部３２の外周側の存在により、実質的に、搬送管４の上方側の内周面が、下方側の内周面の方向に偏寄した態様となり、搬送管４の短手の長さＬ１は、第２の流入部４２が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分における搬送管４の短手の長さＬ２よりも小さくなる。なお、Ｌ１は、回転刃部３２の外周側が最も搬送管４に入り込んだ部分の長さであるが、回転刃部３２が搬送管４に少しでも入り込んだ部分は、第２の流入部４２が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分における搬送管４の短手の長さＬ２よりも小さくなる。
この結果、絞り部４５である、第２の流入部４２の部分の流通面積は、第２の流入部４２が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分よりも小さく抑えられることとなる。 At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, since the rotary blade portion 32 has entered the transport pipe 4, it becomes smaller than the flow area of the nearest portion upstream of the portion where the second inflow portion 42 is formed. The throttle portion 45 is formed in the second inflow portion 42, which is a portion where the rotary blade portion 32 enters the transport pipe 4.
Further, as described above, the second inflow portion 42 is provided on the upper inner peripheral surface (longitudinal surface 4 b) of the transport pipe 4, so that the throttle portion 45 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade portion 32. the presence of, substantially, the inner circumferential surface of the upper side of the conveying pipe 4 becomes a manner that biasing in the direction of the inner peripheral surface of the lower side, the length L 1 of the short side of the conveying pipe 4, the second inflow portion 42 is smaller than the shorter length L 2 of the transport pipe 4 in the last part of the upstream side of the forming portion of the. Note that L 1 is the length of the portion where the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade portion 32 has entered the transport tube 4 the most, but the portion where the rotary blade portion 32 has entered the transport tube 4 is the second inflow portion 42. There is smaller than the length L 2 in the short side of the conveying pipe 4 on the upstream side nearest portion of the formed part.
As a result, the flow area of the portion of the second inflow portion 42 that is the throttle portion 45 is suppressed to be smaller than the nearest portion upstream of the portion where the second inflow portion 42 is formed.

図１に示すものの場合、搬送管４における第１の搬送路４３は、下流側に行くにしたがって、次第に短手方向（高さ方向）の長さが一定の割合で次第に小さくなっていて、流通面積についても、第１の搬送路４３の短手方向長さが次第に小さくなるのに伴い、下流に行くに従って一定の割合で次第に小さくなっている。
しかしながら、絞り部４５の部分の流通面積は、他の部分の流通面積の縮小割合とは関係なく、第２の流入部４２が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分に比べて、急激に小さくなっている。特に、第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２における刃３４が、搬送管４３における下方側の内周面（長手の面４ａ）に最も近づく部分（即ち、長さＬ１の位置）は、最も流通面積が小さい。 In the case of the one shown in FIG. 1, the first conveyance path 43 in the conveyance pipe 4 gradually decreases in length in the short direction (height direction) at a constant rate as it goes downstream. As for the area, as the length in the short direction of the first transport path 43 gradually decreases, the area gradually decreases at a constant rate as it goes downstream.
However, the flow area of the portion of the throttle portion 45 is drastically smaller than the nearest portion on the upstream side of the portion where the second inflow portion 42 is formed, regardless of the reduction ratio of the flow area of other portions. It has become. In particular, the blade 34 in the second opening device 3 of the rotary blade unit 32, closest portion to the inner peripheral surface of the lower side in the transport tube 43 (longitudinal surface 4a) (i.e., the length L 1 position) The distribution area is the smallest.

一方、混合空間部４６は、絞り部４５を通過した第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を拡散させて、これらの第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を混合させる空間である。
この実施の形態の混合空間部４６は、実質的に、搬送管４における第２の搬送路４４の上流側の内部であり、絞り部４５を通過した第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４は、混合空間部４６内を下方に落下しながらこの混合空間部４６内全体に拡散し、混合されることとなる。
また、この混合空間部４６における搬送管４の短手の長さＬ３は、その長さＬ３が最小となる部分であっても、絞り部４５における搬送管４の短手の長さＬ１よりも大きくなるため、混合空間部４６の流通面積は、絞り部４５に比べると大きい。 On the other hand, the mixing space portion 46 diffuses the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 that have passed through the throttle portion 45, and these first absorber material 13 and second absorber material. 14 is a space where 14 is mixed.
The mixing space portion 46 of this embodiment is substantially the inside of the upstream side of the second transport path 44 in the transport pipe 4, and the first absorbent material 13 and the second second material that have passed through the throttle portion 45. The absorber material 14 is diffused and mixed throughout the mixing space 46 while falling downward in the mixing space 46.
Further, the short length L 3 of the transport pipe 4 in the mixing space 46 is a short length L 3 of the transport pipe 4 in the throttle section 45 even if the short length L 3 is a portion where the length L 3 is minimum. because greater than 1, flow area of the mixing space 46 is larger than the narrowed portion 45.

ここで、絞り部４５及び混合空間部４６を設けたのは、これらの第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４をできるだけ均一に混合させるためである。
具体的に説明すると、第１の開繊装置からの第１の吸収体材料と、第２の開繊装置からの第２の吸収体材料とを、予め定めた量だけ定常的に搬送管に流入させたとしても、それだけではこれらの第１の吸収体材料と第２の吸収体材料とはうまく混合されず、逆に、搬送管内をエア搬送される間に、比重の差等によって分離してしまう可能性がある。
そこで、本発明においては、絞り部と混合空間部との流通面積の差から生じるエアの流速差や圧力差を利用して、絞り部を通過した第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料を混合空間部内で拡散させるようにしている。即ち、絞り部の流通面積は、搬送管における第２の流入部が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分の流通面積よりも小さいため、搬送管を流通するエアの流量が一定であるとすると、絞り部を通過するエアの流速は増加し、圧力が低下する。一方、混合空間部の流通面積は絞り部よりも大きいため、絞り部を通過して混合空間部に至ったエアについては、圧力が大きくなって流速が低下し、混合空間内全体に拡散するように広がることになる。 Here, the reason why the throttle portion 45 and the mixing space portion 46 are provided is to mix the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 as uniformly as possible.
More specifically, the first absorbent material from the first spreader and the second absorbent material from the second spreader are steadily transferred to the transport pipe by a predetermined amount. Even if it is allowed to flow in, the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material are not mixed well by themselves, and conversely, they are separated by the difference in specific gravity while being conveyed by air in the conveyance pipe. There is a possibility that.
Therefore, in the present invention, the first absorber material and the second absorber that have passed through the throttle portion using the air flow rate difference or pressure difference resulting from the difference in flow area between the throttle portion and the mixing space portion. The material is diffused in the mixing space. That is, since the flow area of the throttle portion is smaller than the flow area of the nearest portion upstream of the portion where the second inflow portion is formed in the transfer pipe, the flow rate of air flowing through the transfer pipe is constant. The flow rate of air passing through the throttle increases and the pressure decreases. On the other hand, since the flow area of the mixing space portion is larger than that of the constricted portion, the air that passes through the constricted portion and reaches the mixing space portion is increased in pressure, the flow velocity is decreased, and diffuses throughout the mixing space. Will spread.

このとき、第１の吸収体材料と第２の吸収体材料とは、混合空間内において他の第１の吸収体材料や第２の吸収体材料と入り混じりながら、或いは絡み合いながら相互に混合される。これにより、混合空間内においては、第１の吸収体材料と第２の吸収体材料とは、各吸収体材料が一部に偏ることなくバランスよく、また均一な状態に混合される。
したがって、第１の吸収体材料と第２の吸収体材料とは、混合された状態で搬送路を通して成形装置に搬送されて積層されるため、最終的には、予め定めた量の第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料が、一部にいずれかの吸収体材料が偏った状態に配設されることなく、バランスよく且つ均一に混合吸収体を成形することが可能となる。 At this time, the first absorber material and the second absorber material are mixed with each other while being mixed or entangled with other first absorber materials and second absorber materials in the mixing space. The As a result, in the mixing space, the first absorber material and the second absorber material are mixed in a balanced and uniform state without the respective absorber materials being partially biased.
Therefore, since the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material are mixed and transported to the molding apparatus through the transport path, the first absorber material and the second absorbent material are finally stacked in a predetermined amount. The absorber material and the second absorber material can be molded in a balanced and uniform manner without being disposed in a state in which any absorber material is partially biased.

成形装置５は、図５に示すように、回転軸５１の軸線回りに回転しながら、外周面において搬送管４内のエアを吸引することにより、第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を吸引、保持して予め定めた厚さや坪量に積層する円筒状のサクションドラム５２を備えている。さらに、搬送管４の下流側におけるこのサクションドラム５２に近接した位置に設けられ、下方に行くに従って次第に幅広となると共に、下方側においてサクションドラム５２の外周面の上半側を覆って、第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を、サクションドラム５２の外周面にガイドするカバー部材５３とを備えている。   As shown in FIG. 5, the molding device 5 sucks air in the transport pipe 4 on the outer peripheral surface while rotating around the axis of the rotation shaft 51, thereby allowing the first absorber material 13 and the second absorption material to be sucked. A cylindrical suction drum 52 that sucks and holds the body material 14 and laminates the body material 14 to a predetermined thickness and basis weight is provided. Furthermore, it is provided at a position close to the suction drum 52 on the downstream side of the transport pipe 4 and gradually becomes wider as it goes downward, and covers the upper half side of the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 52 on the lower side, And a cover member 53 that guides the absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 to the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 52.

また、この実施の形態においては、サクションドラム５２は、このサクションドラム５２の外周面における幅方向の中央部分に、サクションドラム５２の外周面の周方向に延びる凹状の溝５２ａが形成されていて、溝５２ａの底部が複数の吸引孔が穿設されたメッシュ状に形成された構成となっている。そして、サクションドラム５２の内方側から吸引力を加えることにより、溝５２ａ内に第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を吸引孔を通じて吸着させて予め定めた厚さや坪量まで積層させることが可能となっている。
これにより、成形装置５においては、単一の吸収性物品に用いられる単一の吸収体が、長さ方向に連続的に連なった吸収体連続体６を成形されることとなる。
なお、この実施の形態においては、この成形装置５のサクションドラム５２は、回転軸５１が、第１の開繊装置２や第２の開繊装置３の回転軸２１，３１の軸線方向と相互に直交する水平方向に延びた態様となっている。また、サクションドラム５２は、カバー部材５３が外周面を覆っている範囲のみ吸引することが可能となっている。 Further, in this embodiment, the suction drum 52 is formed with a concave groove 52a extending in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 52 at the center portion in the width direction of the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 52, The bottom portion of the groove 52a is formed in a mesh shape having a plurality of suction holes. Then, by applying a suction force from the inner side of the suction drum 52, the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 are adsorbed in the groove 52a through the suction holes, and a predetermined thickness or basis weight is obtained. Can be laminated.
Thereby, in the shaping | molding apparatus 5, the single absorber used for a single absorbent article will shape | mold the absorber continuous body 6 continuously continued in the length direction.
In this embodiment, the suction drum 52 of the molding device 5 has a rotating shaft 51 that is mutually opposite to the axial direction of the rotating shafts 21 and 31 of the first fiber opening device 2 and the second fiber opening device 3. It is the aspect extended in the horizontal direction orthogonal to. Further, the suction drum 52 can suck only the range in which the cover member 53 covers the outer peripheral surface.

ここで、成形装置５は、前述のように、サクションドラム５２において、搬送管４内のエアを吸引することにより第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を吸引し、これらの第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を積層させて吸収体連続体６を形成自在となっているが、このとき、搬送管４は第１の開繊装置２を通してのみ外気を取り込み可能となっている。
前述のように、第１の開繊装置２は、ケーシング部材２５によって回転刃部２２や第１〜第５のウォーカロール２６〜３０が覆われているが、第２の開繊装置３とは異なり、ケーシング部材２５内の気密性は特に確保されておらず、外気をケーシング部材２５内、延いては第１の開繊装置２内に自由に流通させることができるようになっている。
そのため、サクションドラム５２において搬送管４内のエアを吸引する場合には、搬送管４は、第１の開繊装置２を通してのみ外気を取り込んで、搬送管４の上流側に位置する第１の流入部４１からエアが搬送管４内に流入させることにより、第１の流入部４１からサクションドラム５２までのエアの流れを形成して、第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を搬送管４の上流側から下流側に向けてエア搬送可能としている。 Here, as described above, the molding device 5 sucks the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 by sucking the air in the transport pipe 4 in the suction drum 52, and these The first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 are laminated to form the absorber continuum 6, but at this time, the transfer tube 4 is only outside air through the first fiber opening device 2. Can be imported.
As described above, in the first fiber opening device 2, the rotary blade 22 and the first to fifth walker rolls 26 to 30 are covered by the casing member 25, but with the second fiber opening device 3. In contrast, the airtightness in the casing member 25 is not particularly ensured, and the outside air can be freely circulated in the casing member 25, and thus in the first fiber opening device 2.
Therefore, when the suction drum 52 sucks the air in the transport pipe 4, the transport pipe 4 takes in the outside air only through the first fiber opening device 2 and is located on the upstream side of the transport pipe 4. Air flows from the inflow portion 41 into the transport pipe 4 to form an air flow from the first inflow portion 41 to the suction drum 52, and the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material. 14 can be conveyed by air from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying pipe 4.

このとき、成形装置５、より具体的にはサクションドラム５２によって搬送管４内のエア吸引する際の吸引力は、成形装置５による搬送管４内のエアを吸引によって、その搬送管４内を上流から下流に向けて流れるエアの流速が、第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２における刃２４の部分での回転速度、及び第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２における刃３４の部分での回転速度よりも大きく設定されている。
つまり、第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２における刃２４の部分での回転速度、及び第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２における刃３４の部分での回転速度は、搬送管４内を上流側から下流側に流れるエアの流速よりも小さい。 At this time, the suction force when air is sucked into the transport pipe 4 by the molding device 5, more specifically, the suction drum 52, causes the air in the transport pipe 4 to be sucked by the molding device 5. The flow velocity of the air flowing from upstream to downstream is the rotational speed at the blade 24 portion of the rotary blade portion 22 of the first fiber opening device 2 and the blade 34 of the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3. It is set to be larger than the rotation speed in the part.
That is, the rotation speed at the blade 24 portion of the rotary blade portion 22 of the first fiber opening device 2 and the rotation speed at the blade portion 34 of the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3 are determined by the transfer pipe. 4 is smaller than the flow velocity of air flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side.

このように、第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２における刃２４の部分での回転速度、及び第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２における刃３４の部分での回転速度よりも、搬送管４内を上流側から下流側に流れるエアの速度を大きくしたのは、次の理由からである。
即ち、搬送管４内を流れるエアによって、第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２の刃２４に付着している第１の吸収体材料１３や、第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２の刃３４に付着している第２の吸収体材料１４を吹き飛ばして、これらの第１の吸収体材料１３や第２の吸収体材料１４を確実且つ安定的に搬送管４内に流入させるためである。
特に、第２の開繊装置３の場合、回転刃部３２の外周側の一部が第２の流入部４２を通じて搬送管４内に入り込んでいるため、刃３４が搬送管４のエアの流れに曝されて第２の吸収体材料１４を搬送管４内に吹き飛ばし易い。さらに、搬送管４における第２の流入部４２が設けられている部分は、絞り部４５となっているため、エアの流速が特に早く、また圧力が下がっているため、刃３４に付着した第２の吸収体材料１４を、搬送管４内に引き込む力が作用し、さらに刃３４に付着した第２の吸収体材料１４を除去し易い。
なお、搬送管４の上流から搬送されてきた第１の吸収体材料１３が、第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２の刃３４に接触する可能性があるが、搬送管４内のエアの流速は、第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２の刃３４の部分での回転速度よりも大きく、また、回転刃部３２自体も、刃３４が搬送管４の上流側から搬送管４に近づき、下流側から搬送管４から離れる方向に回転しているため、仮に第１の吸収体材料１３が刃３４に引っかかったとしても、エアによって吹き飛ばし易い。 Thus, the rotational speed at the blade 24 portion of the rotary blade portion 22 of the first fiber opening device 2 and the rotational speed at the blade portion 34 of the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3. The reason why the speed of the air flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport pipe 4 is increased is as follows.
That is, the first absorbent material 13 attached to the blade 24 of the rotary blade portion 22 of the first fiber opening device 2 or the rotary blade of the second fiber opening device 3 by the air flowing through the transport pipe 4. The second absorbent material 14 adhering to the blade 34 of the portion 32 is blown away, and the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material 14 are reliably and stably flowed into the transport pipe 4. This is to make it happen.
In particular, in the case of the second fiber opening device 3, a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade portion 32 has entered the transport pipe 4 through the second inflow portion 42, so that the blade 34 flows in the air in the transport pipe 4. The second absorbent material 14 is easily blown into the transport pipe 4 by being exposed to the water. Furthermore, since the portion where the second inflow portion 42 is provided in the transport pipe 4 is a throttle portion 45, the flow velocity of air is particularly fast and the pressure is lowered. The force of pulling the second absorber material 14 into the conveying tube 4 acts, and the second absorber material 14 attached to the blade 34 is easily removed.
In addition, although the 1st absorber material 13 conveyed from the upstream of the conveyance pipe | tube 4 may contact the blade 34 of the rotary blade part 32 of the 2nd opening apparatus 3, The air flow rate is larger than the rotational speed of the blade 34 of the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3, and the rotary blade portion 32 itself is transported from the upstream side of the transport pipe 4. Since it approaches the tube 4 and rotates in the direction away from the conveying tube 4 from the downstream side, even if the first absorbent material 13 is caught by the blade 34, it is easy to blow off with air.

なお、成形装置５において、サクションドラム５２の外周面で成形された吸収体連続体６は、サクションドラム５２が回転することによって、このサクションドラム５２の下方側に移動した際に生理用ナプキンや紙オムツ等の製品の製造工程のラインに置かれる。
図５に示すものの場合、サクションドラム５２の外周面の吸収体連続体６は、このサクションドラム５２の下方側に配設された、生理用ナプキンや紙オムツ等の製品の製造工程のライン上を流れている液透過性の不織布等により形成されたキャリアシート５４の上面に、接着剤を介して載置され、次工程に搬送される。そして、吸収体連続体６は、後工程において、キャリアシート５４と共に所定の長さや形状を有した単一の吸収体にカットされることとなる。
また、本発明においては、吸収体連続体（吸収体）の厚さについては、用途によって任意に設定することができるが、一般的には約０．１〜約１５ｍｍ程度、好ましくは約１〜約１０ｍｍ程度、より好ましくは約２〜約５ｍｍの厚さとすることができる。 In the molding device 5, the absorbent continuous body 6 molded on the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 52 is moved to the lower side of the suction drum 52 by the rotation of the suction drum 52. It is put on the production process line of diapers and other products.
In the case of what is shown in FIG. 5, the absorber continuous body 6 on the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 52 is on the line of the manufacturing process of products such as sanitary napkins and paper diapers disposed below the suction drum 52. It is placed on the upper surface of a carrier sheet 54 formed of a flowing liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric or the like via an adhesive, and conveyed to the next step. And the absorber continuous body 6 will be cut into the single absorber which has predetermined | prescribed length and shape with the carrier sheet 54 in a post process.
In the present invention, the thickness of the absorber continuum (absorber) can be arbitrarily set depending on the application, but is generally about 0.1 to about 15 mm, preferably about 1 to about 1 mm. The thickness can be about 10 mm, more preferably about 2 to about 5 mm.

ところで、この実施の形態においては、搬送管４は、混合空間部４６よりも下流側に、搬送管４の流通面積を小さくする追加絞り部５６と、搬送管４における追加絞り部５６の下流側に連結され、且つその追加絞り部５６よりも流通面積が大きく形成された、追加絞り部５６を通過した第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を混合させる追加混合空間部５７とを有している。
具体的に、追加絞り部５６及び追加混合空間部５７は、搬送管４における第２の搬送路４４に設けられていて、上流側の絞り部４５及び混合空間部４６の働きによって混合された第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４をさらにバランスよく、且つ均一に混合させるものである。 By the way, in this embodiment, the transport pipe 4 is located downstream of the mixing space section 46, the additional throttle section 56 for reducing the flow area of the transport pipe 4, and the downstream side of the additional throttle section 56 in the transport pipe 4. And an additional mixing space 57 that mixes the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material 14 that have passed through the additional throttle 56 and that has a flow area larger than that of the additional throttle 56. And have.
Specifically, the additional throttle portion 56 and the additional mixing space portion 57 are provided in the second transport path 44 in the transport pipe 4 and are mixed by the functions of the upstream throttle portion 45 and the mixing space portion 46. The first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 are mixed in a more balanced and uniform manner.

即ち、追加絞り部５６は、混合空間部４６を通過してきたエアの流速を増加させると共に圧力を低下させ、追加混合空間部５７において追加絞り部５６を通過してきたエアの流速を減少させ且つ圧力を上昇させることにより、そのエアを追加混合空間部５７内において拡散させることができるようになっている。したがって、混合空間部４６を通過してきた第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４は、エアが追加混合空間部５７における拡散によって再度拡散して混合が進むため、これらの第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４をより一層バランスよく、また均一に混合することができる。
そして、これらの追加絞り部５６及び追加混合空間部５７を通過して、より一層バランスよく、また均一に混合された第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４は、成形装置５に搬送されるため、この成形装置５のサクションドラム５２の外周面に成形された吸収体連続体６（吸収体）は、より安定的に所定の性能を確保することができる。 In other words, the additional throttle section 56 increases the flow velocity of the air that has passed through the mixing space section 46 and decreases the pressure, and decreases the flow velocity of the air that has passed through the additional throttle section 56 in the additional mixing space section 57 and the pressure. The air can be diffused in the additional mixing space 57 by raising the value. Therefore, since the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 that have passed through the mixing space 46 are diffused again by diffusion in the additional mixing space 57, the mixing proceeds. The absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 can be mixed in a more balanced and uniform manner.
The first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 that have passed through the additional throttle portion 56 and the additional mixing space portion 57 and are evenly mixed in a more balanced manner are formed into the molding device 5. Therefore, the absorber continuum 6 (absorber) molded on the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 52 of the molding device 5 can ensure predetermined performance more stably.

この実施の形態の場合、追加絞り部５６は、搬送管４の長手の一面側を長手の他方側に偏寄させて、搬送管４の短手の大きさを小さくすることにより、上流側の直近部分よりも流通面積を小さくした構成となっている。
即ち、搬送管４における、第２の流入部４２が配設されている長手の面４ｂを、相対する長手の面４ａ側に偏寄させることにより、追加絞り部５６を形成している。図１及び図３に示すものの場合、搬送管４における第２の搬送路４４の右側の内周面を左側方向、即ち、第１の搬送路４３が位置している方向とは反対の方向に偏寄させて追加絞り部５６を形成した構成となっている。 In the case of this embodiment, the additional restricting portion 56 is arranged so that the one side of the length of the transport pipe 4 is biased toward the other side of the length to reduce the size of the short side of the transport pipe 4, thereby The distribution area is smaller than the nearest part.
That is, the additional throttle part 56 is formed by deviating the long surface 4b in which the second inflow portion 42 is disposed in the transport pipe 4 toward the opposite long surface 4a. In the case of the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the inner peripheral surface on the right side of the second transport path 44 in the transport pipe 4 is in the left direction, that is, the direction opposite to the direction in which the first transport path 43 is located. The additional diaphragm portion 56 is formed by being biased.

なお、前述のように、追加絞り部５６は、搬送管４の内周面において、一方の長手の面４ｂ（図１及び図３に示すものの場合、右側の面）を、相対する長手の面４ａ側（図１及び図３に示すものの場合、左側）に近づくように偏寄させることにより形成されているが、この追加絞り部５６の上流側は、搬送管４の一方の長手の面４ｂが、下流（下方）に行くに従って次第に他方の長手の面４ａ側に近づくように傾斜する傾斜面５８が形成されていて、この傾斜面５８の下端縁部分が追加絞り部５６となっている。
この傾斜面５８は、搬送管４において、斜め下方向に傾斜している第１の搬送路４３から第２の搬送路４４に流入してきた第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４の一部あるいは全部を受け止めて、追加絞り部５６に向けてガイドする機能を有する。
特に、この実施の形態の場合、第１の搬送路４３は、エアを図１における左側上方から右側下方に向けて流通させている上、絞り部４５によってエアの流速を大きくしているため、混合空間部４６を形成する第２の搬送路４４には、第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４が勢いよく流入する。このとき、搬送管４における第２の搬送路４４の右側の内周面（搬送管４内周面における一方の長手の面４ｂ）に衝突する可能性が高い。
そのため、傾斜面５８によって、勢いよく第２の搬送路４４に流入した第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を受け止めると共に、追加絞り部５６に向けてガイドし、追加絞り部５６に安定的に流入させるようにしている。 As described above, the additional restricting portion 56 has one longitudinal surface 4b (the right surface in the case shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) on the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe 4 and the opposite longitudinal surface. It is formed by being biased so as to approach the 4a side (the left side in the case of those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3), but the upstream side of the additional throttle portion 56 is one longitudinal surface 4b of the transport pipe 4. However, as it goes downstream (downward), an inclined surface 58 is formed so as to gradually approach the other longitudinal surface 4 a side, and the lower end edge portion of the inclined surface 58 serves as an additional throttle portion 56.
The inclined surface 58 is formed by the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material flowing into the second conveyance path 44 from the first conveyance path 43 inclined obliquely downward in the conveyance pipe 4. 14 has a function of receiving part or all of 14 and guiding it toward the additional throttle 56.
In particular, in the case of this embodiment, the first transport path 43 circulates air from the upper left side to the lower right side in FIG. The first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material 14 flow into the second transport path 44 that forms the mixing space 46 vigorously. At this time, there is a high possibility of colliding with the inner peripheral surface on the right side of the second transport path 44 in the transport pipe 4 (one longitudinal surface 4b in the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe 4).
Therefore, the inclined surface 58 vigorously receives the first absorbent material 13 and the second absorbent material 14 that have flowed into the second transport path 44 and guides the additional absorbent portion 56 toward the additional throttle portion 56. 56 is made to flow stably.

また、追加混合空間５７には、図５に示すように、追加混合空間部５７内に、第１の吸収体材料１３及び前記第２の吸収体材料１４とは別の第３の吸収体材料１５を供給する供給装置６０が設けられている。
本発明における第３の吸収体材料は、高吸水性材料として、例えば、デンプン系、セルロース系、合成ポリマー系の高吸水性材料を用いることができ、特に吸水性に優れた、例えば高吸水性樹脂（Ｓｕｐｅｒ ａｂｓｏｒｂｅｎｔ Ｐｏｌｙｍｅｒ：ＳＡＰ）等の吸水性ポリマーを用いることが好ましい。
さらに、供給装置６０としては、追加混合空間部５７内に第３の吸収体材料１５をノズル等によって噴射する構成を用いることができる。 Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the additional mixing space 57 has a third absorber material different from the first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 in the additional mixing space portion 57. 15 is provided.
In the third absorbent material of the present invention, for example, starch-based, cellulose-based, or synthetic polymer-based highly water-absorbing materials can be used as the highly water-absorbing material. It is preferable to use a water absorbing polymer such as a resin (Super Absorbent Polymer: SAP).
Furthermore, as the supply device 60, a configuration in which the third absorbent material 15 is injected into the additional mixing space portion 57 by a nozzle or the like can be used.

前記構成を有する吸収体の製造装置１は、第１の開繊装置２に第１のウェブ１１を装入させて開繊を行うことにより、第１の吸収体材料１３を第１の流入部４１を通じて搬送管４に流入させると共に、第２の開繊装置３に第２のウェブ１２を装入させ開繊を行うことにより、第２の吸収体材料を第２の流入部４２を通じて搬送管に流入させ、搬送管４の最下流側に位置する成形装置５に向けてエア搬送する。
このとき、絞り部４５では、エアの流速が大きくなって圧力が下がる一方で、絞り部４５の下流側に連結された混合空間部４６では、絞り部４５を通過したエアは流速が小さくなると共に圧力が大きくなって混合空間部４６内で拡散する。 The absorbent manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration causes the first absorbent material 13 to be introduced into the first inflow portion by loading the first web 11 into the first opening device 2 and performing the opening. The second absorbent material is introduced into the transport pipe 4 through 41 and the second web 12 is inserted into the second fiber opening device 3 for opening, whereby the second absorbent material is transported through the second inflow section 42 into the transport pipe. And is conveyed by air toward the molding device 5 located on the most downstream side of the conveying pipe 4.
At this time, in the throttle unit 45, the air flow rate increases and the pressure decreases. On the other hand, in the mixing space 46 connected to the downstream side of the throttle unit 45, the air passing through the throttle unit 45 decreases in flow rate. The pressure increases and diffuses in the mixing space 46.

これにより、エア搬送された第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４は、エアの流れと共に混合空間部４６において拡散するため、これらの第１の吸収体材料１３と第２の吸収体材料１４とは、第１の吸収体材料や第２の吸収体材料が一部に偏ることなく、バランスよく且つ均一に相互に混合されることとなる。
したがって、バランスよく且つ均一に混ざり合ったこれらの第１の吸収体材料１３と第２の吸収体材料１４とによって吸収体連続体６（吸収体）を製造することができるため、熱可塑性樹脂繊維やセルロース系吸水性繊維の混合量や混合割合を安定的且つ確実にコントロールすると共に、吸収体に第１の吸収体材料や第２の吸収体材料が偏った状態で配設されることを抑えることにより繊維のブレンドの均一性を確保して、予定していた吸収体として性能を安定的に得ることが可能となる。 Thereby, since the 1st absorber material 13 and the 2nd absorber material 14 which were carried by air diffuse in the mixing space part 46 with the flow of air, these 1st absorber materials 13 and 2nd With the absorber material 14, the first absorber material and the second absorber material are mixed with each other in a balanced and uniform manner without being partially biased.
Therefore, since the absorbent body continuous body 6 (absorbent body) can be manufactured by the first absorbent body material 13 and the second absorbent body material 14 mixed in a balanced and uniform manner, the thermoplastic resin fibers As well as stably and reliably controlling the mixing amount and mixing ratio of cellulose-based water-absorbing fibers, it is possible to prevent the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material from being disposed in the absorbent body in a biased state. As a result, it is possible to ensure the uniformity of the fiber blend and stably obtain performance as a planned absorbent body.

前記実施の形態においては、第２の開繊装置３を、外周側に設けられた刃３４によって回転しながら開繊する回転刃部３２を備えていると共に、第２の開繊装置３は、第２の流入部４２において回転刃部３２の外周側の一部を搬送管４内に入り込ませて、搬送管４の流通面積を縮小させた状態で回転刃部３２を回転自在である構成とし、絞り部４５を回転刃部３２を搬送管４内に入り込ませた部分によって形成した態様となっている。
しかしながら、第２の開繊装置については、必ずしもこのように構成しなくてもよく、回転刃部の刃が搬送管内に入り込んでいなくてもよい。
また、絞り部についても、搬送管における第２の流入部が設けられた部分おいて、搬送管の流通面積を該第２の流入部が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分の流通面積よりも小さくする構成であれば、どのような構成であってもよい。 In the embodiment, the second opening device 3 includes the rotary blade portion 32 that opens the second opening device 3 while rotating by the blade 34 provided on the outer peripheral side. In the second inflow portion 42, a part on the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade portion 32 enters the transport pipe 4, and the rotary blade portion 32 is rotatable in a state in which the flow area of the transport pipe 4 is reduced. The throttle portion 45 is formed by a portion in which the rotary blade portion 32 is inserted into the transport pipe 4.
However, the second fiber opening device does not necessarily have to be configured in this manner, and the blade of the rotary blade portion does not have to enter the conveyance tube.
In addition, with regard to the throttle portion, in the portion where the second inflow portion is provided in the transport pipe, the flow area of the transport pipe is larger than the flow area of the nearest portion upstream of the portion where the second inflow portion is formed. Any configuration may be used as long as the configuration is reduced.

前記実施の形態においては、第１の開繊装置２が第２の開繊装置３よりも搬送管４の上流側に配置されていて、第２の流入部４２は、第１の流入部４１よりも搬送管４の下流側に位置している。しかしながら、第１の流入部と第２の流入部とは搬送管に対してほぼ同じ範囲に配設されてもよい。   In the embodiment, the first opening device 2 is arranged on the upstream side of the transport pipe 4 with respect to the second opening device 3, and the second inflow portion 42 is the first inflow portion 41. It is located on the downstream side of the transport pipe 4. However, the first inflow portion and the second inflow portion may be disposed in substantially the same range with respect to the transport pipe.

前記実施の形態においては、第１の流入部４１と第２の流入部４２とが、搬送管４における相対する長手の内周面にそれぞれ設けられていて、第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２と第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２とが相反する方向に回転することによりそれぞれ開繊を行う構成となっていた。
しかしながら、第１の流入部と第２の流入部とは、搬送管４の内周面のどの位置に開口するものであってもよく、また第１の開繊装置と第２の開繊装置と回転刃部の回転方向は、第１の吸収体材料と第２の吸収体材料とを搬送管に流入させることができれば、第１の開繊装置と第２の開繊装置との位置関係によって任意の回転方向とすることができる。 In the above-described embodiment, the first inflow portion 41 and the second inflow portion 42 are respectively provided on the opposed inner peripheral surfaces of the transport pipe 4, and the rotary blade of the first fiber opening device 2. It became the structure which each performs a fiber opening by rotating the part 22 and the rotary blade part 32 of the 2nd fiber opening apparatus 3 in the opposite direction.
However, the first inflow portion and the second inflow portion may be opened at any position on the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe 4, and the first opening device and the second opening device. If the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material can be allowed to flow into the transport pipe, the positional relationship between the first spreader and the second spreader The rotation direction can be set arbitrarily.

前記実施の形態においては、第１の開繊装置２の回転刃部２２における刃２４の部分での回転速度、及び第２の開繊装置３の回転刃部３２における刃３４の部分での回転速度は、搬送管４内を上流側から下流側に流れるエアの流速よりも小さく設定されている。
しかしながら、第１の開繊装置の回転刃部における刃の部分での回転速度や、第２の開繊装置の回転刃部における刃の部分での回転速度は、各回転刃部の刃に引っかかっている第１の吸収体材料や第２の吸収体材料をエアにより吹き飛ばし、且つ第１の吸収体材料や第２の吸収体材料のエア搬送を確実に行うことができれば、任意の速度とすることができる。 In the embodiment, the rotation speed at the blade 24 portion of the rotary blade portion 22 of the first fiber opening device 2 and the rotation at the blade portion 34 of the rotary blade portion 32 of the second fiber opening device 3. The speed is set smaller than the flow velocity of air flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport pipe 4.
However, the rotation speed at the blade portion of the rotary blade portion of the first fiber opening device and the rotation speed at the blade portion of the rotary blade portion of the second fiber opening device are caught by the blade of each rotary blade portion. As long as the first absorber material and the second absorber material are blown off with air and the air conveyance of the first absorber material and the second absorber material can be performed reliably, the speed can be arbitrarily set. be able to.

前記実施の形態においては、搬送管４は、第１の開繊装置２を通してのみ外気を取り込み可能となっていて、製造装置１は、成形装置５によって搬送管４内のエアを吸引させることにより、第１の吸収体材料１３及び第２の吸収体材料１４を搬送管４の上流側から下流側に向けてエア搬送可能としていた。
しかしながら、搬送管のエアの取り入れは、搬送管に対する第１の開繊装置と第２の開繊装置との位置関係にもよるが、第１の吸収体材料や第２の吸収体材料を確実にエア搬送できれば、第２の開繊装置を通してのみ、あるいは第１の開繊装置と第２の開繊装置との両方を通して行っても良い。 In the said embodiment, the conveyance pipe 4 can take in external air only through the 1st fiber-opening apparatus 2, and the manufacturing apparatus 1 draws in the air in the conveyance pipe 4 with the shaping | molding apparatus 5. The first absorber material 13 and the second absorber material 14 can be conveyed by air from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyance tube 4.
However, the intake of air into the transport pipe surely secures the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material depending on the positional relationship between the first and second fiber opening devices with respect to the transport pipe. As long as the air can be conveyed by air, it may be performed only through the second opening device or through both the first opening device and the second opening device.

前記実施の形態においては、搬送管４の第１の搬送路４３は、上流から下流への向きが斜め下方向きに形成されていると共に、第２の搬送路４４は、上流から下流への向きが鉛直下向きに形成されていた。
しかしながら、搬送管の上流から下流への向きは、一方向であってもよく、また全体を通して斜め下方向き、水平方向向き、鉛直方向向き等、任意の方向に向いてもよい。
また、搬送管が鉛直方向向きである場合、第１の流入部と第２の流入部の位置は、同じ高さであってもよい。 In the embodiment, the first transport path 43 of the transport pipe 4 is formed so that the direction from the upstream to the downstream is obliquely downward, and the second transport path 44 is the direction from the upstream to the downstream. Was formed vertically downward.
However, the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport pipe may be one direction, or may be in an arbitrary direction such as an obliquely downward direction, a horizontal direction, or a vertical direction throughout.
Further, when the transport pipe is oriented in the vertical direction, the positions of the first inflow portion and the second inflow portion may be the same height.

前記実施の形態においては、絞り部４５及び混合空間部４６とは別に、追加絞り部５６及び追加混合空間部５７を備えていたが、これらの追加絞り部及び追加混合空間部は、第１の吸収体材料と第２の吸収集体材料の混合を十分に行うことができれば、必ずしも設ける必要はない。
また、前記実施の形態においては、傾斜面５８を設けているが、追加絞り部及び追加混合空間部を設ける場合であっても、傾斜面は必ずしも設けなくてもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the additional throttle unit 56 and the additional mixing space unit 57 are provided separately from the throttle unit 45 and the mixing space unit 46. If the absorber material and the second absorbent collector material can be sufficiently mixed, it is not necessarily provided.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the inclined surface 58 is provided, even if it is a case where an additional aperture part and an additional mixing space part are provided, an inclined surface is not necessarily provided.

なお、前記実施の形態においては、成形装置５は、複数の吸収体が長さ方向に連続的に連なった長尺の吸収体連続体６を形成する構成となっていたが、成形装置は、単一の吸収性物品に使用する単一の吸収体を成形するものであってもよい。   In the above embodiment, the molding apparatus 5 is configured to form a long absorbent continuous body 6 in which a plurality of absorbent bodies are continuously connected in the length direction. You may shape | mold the single absorber used for a single absorbent article.

１ 吸収体の製造装置
２ 第１の開繊装置
３ 第２の開繊装置
４ 搬送管
５ 成形装置
６ 吸収体連続体（吸収体）
１１ 第１のウェブ
１２ 第２のウェブ
１３ 第１の吸収体材料
１４ 第２の吸収体材料
２２，３２ 回転刃部
２４，３４ 開繊用の刃
４１ 第１の流入部
４２ 第２の流入部
４５ 絞り部
４６ 混合空間部
５６ 追加絞り部
５７ 追加混合空間 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 2 First fiber opening apparatus 3 Second fiber opening apparatus 4 Conveying pipe 5 Molding apparatus 6 Absorber continuum (absorber)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 1st web 12 2nd web 13 1st absorber material 14 2nd absorber material 22, 32 Rotary blade part 24, 34 Blade for fiber opening 41 1st inflow part 42 2nd inflow part 45 Restriction part 46 Mixing space part 56 Additional restriction part 57 Additional mixing space

Claims (10)

少なくとも熱可塑性樹脂繊維とセルロース系吸水性繊維とを含む複数の繊維を予め定めた割合で混合した吸収体の製造装置であって、
前記熱可塑性樹脂繊維を含む第１の繊維群からなるウェブを開繊する第１の開繊装置と、
前記セルロース系吸水性繊維を含む第２の繊維群からなるウェブを開繊する第２の開繊装置と、
前記第１の開繊装置により開繊された第１の吸収体材料と、前記第２の開繊装置により開繊された第２の吸収体材料とを内部に流入させて、上流側から下流側に向かって流れるエアによってこれらの第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料をエア搬送する搬送管と、
前記搬送管の最下流の位置に配設されて、該搬送管の上流側から搬送された前記第１の吸収体材料と前記第２の吸収体材料とを積層させて吸収体を成形する成形装置とを備え、
前記搬送管は、前記第１の開繊装置から前記第１の吸収体材料を該搬送管内に流入させる第１の流入部と、第２の開繊装置から前記第２の吸収体材料を前記搬送管内に流入させる第２の流入部とを有していると共に、
前記搬送管は、前記第２の流入部が形成された部分の流通面積が、該搬送管における該第２の流入部が形成された部分の上流側の直近部分の流通面積よりも小さい絞り部と、前記搬送管における該絞り部の下流側に連結され、且つその絞り部よりも流通面積が大きく形成された、前記絞り部を通過した前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を混合させる混合空間部とを有していて、該混合空間部から流出した前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を前記成形装置に供給自在である、吸収体の製造装置。 An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body in which a plurality of fibers including at least thermoplastic resin fibers and cellulosic water-absorbing fibers are mixed in a predetermined ratio,
A first fiber opening device for opening a web composed of a first fiber group containing the thermoplastic resin fibers;
A second opening device for opening a web comprising the second fiber group containing the cellulose-based water-absorbing fibers;
The first absorbent material opened by the first spreader and the second absorbent material opened by the second spreader are allowed to flow into the interior, and from the upstream side to the downstream side. A transport pipe for air transporting the first absorber material and the second absorber material by air flowing toward the side;
Molding that is disposed at the most downstream position of the transport pipe and forms the absorbent body by laminating the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material transported from the upstream side of the transport pipe With the device,
The transport pipe has a first inflow portion for allowing the first absorbent material to flow into the transport pipe from the first fiber opening device, and the second absorbent material from the second fiber spread device. And having a second inflow portion for flowing into the transport pipe,
The transport pipe has a throttle portion in which the flow area of the portion where the second inflow portion is formed is smaller than the flow area of the nearest portion upstream of the portion where the second inflow portion is formed in the transport pipe And the first absorber material and the second absorber that are connected to the downstream side of the throttle portion in the transport pipe and that have a larger flow area than the throttle portion, and that have passed through the throttle portion. Manufacturing of an absorber having a mixing space part for mixing materials, and capable of supplying the first absorber material and the second absorber material flowing out of the mixing space part to the molding apparatus. apparatus. 前記第２の開繊装置は、前記第２の繊維群からなるウェブを、外周側に設けられた刃によって回転しながら開繊する回転刃部を備えていると共に、前記第２の開繊装置は、前記第２の流入部において前記回転刃部の外周側の一部を前記搬送管内に入り込ませて、該搬送管の流通面積を縮小させた状態で該回転刃部を回転自在である構成となっていて、
前記絞り部は、前記回転刃部を搬送管内に入り込ませた部分によって形成されている、請求項１に記載の吸収体の製造装置。 The second fiber opening device includes a rotary blade portion that opens the web formed of the second fiber group while rotating the web by a blade provided on the outer peripheral side, and the second fiber opening device. Has a configuration in which a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade part enters the transport pipe in the second inflow portion, and the rotary blade part is rotatable in a state where the flow area of the transport pipe is reduced. And
The said throttle part is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of Claim 1 formed of the part which made the said rotary blade part enter in a conveyance pipe | tube. 前記第１の開繊装置は、前記第１の繊維群からなるウェブを、外周側に設けられた刃によって回転しながら開繊する回転刃部を備え、
前記第１の開繊装置と前記第２の開繊装置とは、第１の開繊装置の回転刃部と第２の開繊装置の回転刃部が、それぞれの前記刃が前記搬送管の上流側から該搬送管に近づき、下流側から該搬送管から離れる方向に回転自在となっていて、これらの第１の開繊装置の回転刃部と第２の開繊装置の回転刃部とが相反する方向に回転することによりそれぞれ開繊を行う、請求項２に記載の吸収体の製造装置。 The first fiber opening device includes a rotary blade portion that opens the web formed of the first fiber group while rotating the web by a blade provided on the outer peripheral side,
The first opening device and the second opening device include a rotating blade portion of the first opening device and a rotating blade portion of the second opening device, and the blades of the conveying tube are The rotating blade portion of the first fiber opening device and the rotating blade portion of the second fiber opening device are rotatable in a direction approaching the conveying tube from the upstream side and away from the conveying tube from the downstream side. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to claim 2, wherein each of the fibers is opened by rotating in directions opposite to each other. 前記第１の開繊装置の前記回転刃部における前記刃の部分での回転速度、及び前記第２の開繊装置の前記回転刃部における前記刃の部分での回転速度は、前記搬送管内を上流側から下流側に流れるエアの流速よりも小さく設定されている、請求項３に記載の吸収体の製造装置。   The rotation speed at the blade portion in the rotary blade portion of the first fiber opening device and the rotation speed at the blade portion in the rotary blade portion of the second fiber opening device are determined in the conveying pipe. The absorber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus is set to be smaller than a flow velocity of air flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side. 前記第２の流入部は、前記第１の流入部よりも搬送管の下流側に位置している、請求項１〜４のいずれか１項に記載の吸収体の製造装置。   The said 2nd inflow part is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of any one of Claims 1-4 located in the downstream of a conveyance pipe rather than the said 1st inflow part. 前記成形装置は、前記搬送管内のエアを吸引することにより前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を吸引し、これらの第１の吸収体材料及び第２の吸収体材料を積層させて前記吸収体を形成すると共に、前記搬送管は、前記第１の開繊装置を通してのみ外気を取り込み可能となっていて、
前記製造装置は、前記成形装置によって搬送管内のエアを吸引させることにより、前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を搬送管の上流側から下流側に向けてエア搬送可能である、請求項１〜５のいずれか１項に記載の吸収体の製造装置。 The molding apparatus sucks the first absorber material and the second absorber material by sucking air in the transport pipe, and the first absorber material and the second absorber material are sucked. The absorbent body is formed by laminating, and the transport pipe can take in outside air only through the first fiber opening device,
The manufacturing apparatus is capable of conveying the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyance pipe by sucking the air in the conveyance pipe by the molding apparatus. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of any one of Claims 1-5 which exists. 前記搬送管は、前記第１の流入部及び前記第２の流入部並びに前記絞り部が配設された第１の搬送路と、前記混合空間部が配設された第２の搬送路とを備えていて、
前記第１の搬送路は、上流から下流への向きが斜め下方向きに形成されていると共に、前記第２の搬送路は、上流から下流への向きが鉛直下向きに形成され、
前記第１の開繊装置は、前記第２の開繊装置よりも上方、且つ前記第１の搬送路における最上流の位置よりも下方に位置していて、前記第１の流入部が該搬送管の下方側に配設され、
前記第２の開繊装置は、前記第１の搬送路における最下流の位置よりも上方に位置していて、前記第２の流入部が該搬送管の上方側に配設されている、請求項５又は請求項６に記載の吸収体の製造装置。 The transport pipe includes a first transport path in which the first inflow section, the second inflow section, and the throttle section are disposed, and a second transport path in which the mixing space section is disposed. Have
The first transport path is formed so that the direction from the upstream to the downstream is obliquely downward, and the second transport path is formed so that the direction from the upstream to the downstream is vertically downward,
The first fiber opening device is located above the second fiber opening device and below the most upstream position in the first conveying path, and the first inflow portion is conveyed to the first conveying device. Arranged on the lower side of the tube,
The second fiber opening device is located above a most downstream position in the first conveyance path, and the second inflow portion is disposed above the conveyance pipe. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of Claim 5 or Claim 6. 前記第１の流入部と前記第２の流入部とは、前記搬送管における相対する方向に位置する内周面にそれぞれ配設されている、請求項１〜７のいずれか１項に記載の吸収体の製造装置。   The said 1st inflow part and said 2nd inflow part are each arrange | positioned by the internal peripheral surface located in the direction where the said conveyance pipe opposes, Each of Claims 1-7. Absorber manufacturing equipment. 前記搬送管は、前記混合空間部よりも下流側に、該搬送管の流通面積を小さくする追加絞り部と、前記搬送管における該追加絞り部の下流側に連結され、且つその追加絞り部よりも流通面積が大きく形成された、前記追加絞り部を通過した前記第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料を混合させる追加混合空間部とを有している、請求項１〜８のいずれか１項に記載の吸収体の製造装置。   The transport pipe is connected to the downstream side of the mixing space section, an additional throttle section that reduces the flow area of the transport pipe, and the downstream side of the additional throttle section of the transport pipe, and from the additional throttle section The additional mixing space part which mixes the 1st absorber material and the 2nd absorber material which passed through the additional restricting part in which the distribution area was formed largely is also included. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of any one of these. 前記追加混合空間部は、該追加混合空間部内に、第１の吸収体材料及び前記第２の吸収体材料とは別の第３の吸収体材料を供給する供給装置を備えている、請求項９に記載の吸収体の製造装置。   The said additional mixing space part is equipped with the supply apparatus which supplies the 3rd absorber material different from a 1st absorber material and a said 2nd absorber material in this additional mixing space part. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of 9.
JP2014202543A 2014-09-30 2014-09-30 Absorber manufacturing equipment Expired - Fee Related JP5989053B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2014202543A JP5989053B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2014-09-30 Absorber manufacturing equipment
PCT/JP2015/077810 WO2016052649A1 (en) 2014-09-30 2015-09-30 Absorbent body manufacturing device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2014202543A JP5989053B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2014-09-30 Absorber manufacturing equipment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2016067763A true JP2016067763A (en) 2016-05-09
JP5989053B2 JP5989053B2 (en) 2016-09-07

Family

ID=55630673

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2014202543A Expired - Fee Related JP5989053B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2014-09-30 Absorber manufacturing equipment

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JP5989053B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2016052649A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003535230A (en) * 2000-05-31 2003-11-25 エム ウンド イエ フィブルテク アー／エス Plant and method for dry producing nonwoven fibrous webs of short and long fibers, cotton fibrous web including cotton linter pulp (CLP)
JP2014014535A (en) * 2012-07-10 2014-01-30 Zuiko Corp Device for producing absorber
JP2014108319A (en) * 2012-12-04 2014-06-12 Kao Corp Method of manufacturing laminated-fiber body

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4974522B2 (en) * 2005-12-26 2012-07-11 大王製紙株式会社 Absorber manufacturing equipment

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003535230A (en) * 2000-05-31 2003-11-25 エム ウンド イエ フィブルテク アー／エス Plant and method for dry producing nonwoven fibrous webs of short and long fibers, cotton fibrous web including cotton linter pulp (CLP)
JP2014014535A (en) * 2012-07-10 2014-01-30 Zuiko Corp Device for producing absorber
JP2014108319A (en) * 2012-12-04 2014-06-12 Kao Corp Method of manufacturing laminated-fiber body

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2016052649A1 (en) 2016-04-07
JP5989053B2 (en) 2016-09-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9540768B2 (en) Sheet manufacturing apparatus
JP4755641B2 (en) Forming head and method for producing a fibrous web
JP2009114555A (en) Method for producing accumulation product and apparatus for producing the same
RU2530147C1 (en) Method and device for transfer of substrate material and particulate material
JP5102582B2 (en) Absorbent manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus
JP2006500155A (en) Method and apparatus for aerating articles having a plurality of superimposed fiber layers
TWI617297B (en) Absorber manufacturing device
CN105813609B (en) The manufacturing device of absorber
JP2015059287A5 (en)
US20110233828A1 (en) Apparatus and method for manufacturing absorbent body
JP2017046928A (en) Method of manufacturing absorber
JP2007089826A (en) Manufacturing apparatus of absorbent body
JP2016097172A (en) Method for manufacturing absorber
JPWO2019097988A1 (en) Absorber manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment
JP5989053B2 (en) Absorber manufacturing equipment
JP2019063369A (en) Manufacturing method for absorber and manufacturing apparatus for the same
JP6663893B2 (en) Manufacturing method of absorber
JP6965082B2 (en) Absorbent manufacturing method
WO2018016490A1 (en) Absorbent body manufacturing device and absorbent body manufacturing method
JP5856832B2 (en) Absorber manufacturing equipment
TWI808099B (en) Absorbent manufacturing method and absorbent manufacturing apparatus
JP4171335B2 (en) Method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber laminate
JP5748806B2 (en) Liquid application apparatus and liquid application method
JP2015019935A (en) Liquid application apparatus and liquid application method
JP6038103B2 (en) Absorber manufacturing method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20160412

A521 Written amendment

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20160610

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20160712

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20160809

R150 Certificate of patent or registration of utility model

Ref document number: 5989053

Country of ref document: JP

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

LAPS Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees