JP2022086639A - Manufacturing method for absorber and fiber stacking device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology which is capable of controlling basis weight of a fiber material as designed and is useful when varying the basis weight partially in an absorber including different kinds of fiber materials.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method for an absorber is performed by using a fiber stacking device 1 provided with an integration recess 40 where a first fiber material and a second fiber material are stacked, and supply passages 50A, 50B which supply the integration recess 40 with the fiber material in a scattering state, and has: a first supply step which supplies the integration recess 40 with the first fiber material from the first supply passage 50A; and a second supply step which supplies the integration recess 40 where the first fiber materials are stacked with the second fiber material from the second supply passage 50B after the first supply step. In the first supply step, an air flow is controlled so that the first fiber material is preferentially stacked in a first fiber stacking area 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

本発明は、異種の繊維材料どうしの積層構造を有するとともに、坪量が部分的に異なる吸収体の製造技術に関する。 The present invention relates to a technique for manufacturing an absorber having a laminated structure of different kinds of fiber materials and having a partially different basis weight.

使い捨ておむつ、生理用ナプキン、失禁パッド等の吸収性物品に用いられる吸収体として、木材パルプなどの繊維材料の坪量が部分的に異なり、該坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部と該坪量が相対的に少ない低坪量部とを有する偏在吸収体が知られている。偏在吸収体の典型例として、吸収性物品の着用者の前後方向に対応する方向（縦方向）の中央部に、周辺部に比べて繊維材料の坪量が大きい部分（いわゆる中高部）を有するものが知られている。このような偏在吸収体は、高い液吸収性が要求される部分に体液吸収性（親水性）の繊維材料が偏在し、それ以外の他の部分は繊維材料の坪量が抑制されて厚みが薄いため、液吸収性及び着用感の双方が良好である。 As an absorber used for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinence pads, the basis weight of fiber materials such as wood pulp is partially different, and the basis weight is relatively large. An unevenly distributed absorber having a low basis weight portion having a relatively small basis weight is known. As a typical example of the unevenly distributed absorber, the central portion of the absorbent article in the direction corresponding to the front-back direction (vertical direction) has a portion (so-called middle and high portion) in which the basis weight of the fiber material is larger than that of the peripheral portion. Things are known. In such an unevenly distributed absorber, the body fluid-absorbing (hydrophilic) fiber material is unevenly distributed in the portion where high liquid absorption is required, and the basis weight of the fiber material is suppressed in the other portions, and the thickness is increased. Because it is thin, it has good liquid absorption and a feeling of wearing.

また、吸収体の製造装置として、固定ドラムと、外周部に集積用凹部を有する回転ドラムと、該集積用凹部に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路とを備え、該固定ドラム側からの吸引によって該供給路内に生じた空気流（バキュームエア）に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、該集積用凹部内に積繊させるように構成された積繊装置が知られている。例えば特許文献１には、回転ドラムにおける多孔性部材の内面側に、バキュームエアの風量及び流れを調整する調整体の配置領域と非配置領域とが、回転ドラムの回転方向に配され、また、固定ドラムの外周部に、吸引が部分的に可能になされた選択的吸引領域と、吸引が全面的に可能になされた全面的吸引領域とが、該回転方向にこの順で配された積繊装置が記載されている。特許文献１に記載の積繊装置によれば、比較的簡単な構造で、偏在吸収体を安定的に製造できるとされている。 Further, as an absorber manufacturing apparatus, the fixed drum is provided with a fixed drum, a rotary drum having an accumulation recess on the outer periphery thereof, and a supply path for supplying the fiber material to the accumulation recess in a scattered state. There is known a fiber stacking device configured to stack fiber materials carried on an air flow (vacuum air) generated in the supply path by suction from the side into the accumulation recess. .. For example, in Patent Document 1, on the inner surface side of the porous member in the rotating drum, an arrangement region and a non-arrangement region of the adjusting body for adjusting the air volume and flow of the vacuum air are arranged in the rotation direction of the rotating drum, and On the outer periphery of the fixed drum, a selective suction region where suction is partially enabled and a full suction region where suction is fully enabled are arranged in this order in the rotational direction. The device is described. According to the fiber stacking device described in Patent Document 1, it is said that an unevenly distributed absorber can be stably produced with a relatively simple structure.

また、吸水特性が互いに異なる複数種の繊維材料を含有する吸収体が知られている。例えば、親水性のパルプ繊維と疎水性の合成繊維とを含む吸収体は、前者のみを含む吸収体に比べて、柔軟性、クッション性等に優れるという特徴を備えたものとなり得る。特許文献２及び３には、異種の繊維材料どうしの積層構造を含む吸収体の製造に使用可能な積繊装置として、回転ドラムに繊維材料を供給する供給路が、該回転ドラムの回転方向に２つ設けられたものが記載されている。 Further, an absorber containing a plurality of types of fiber materials having different water absorption characteristics from each other is known. For example, an absorber containing hydrophilic pulp fibers and hydrophobic synthetic fibers may have features of being superior in flexibility, cushioning property, etc., as compared with an absorbent containing only the former. In Patent Documents 2 and 3, as a fiber stacking device that can be used for manufacturing an absorber including a laminated structure of different kinds of fiber materials, a supply path for supplying the fiber material to the rotary drum is provided in the rotation direction of the rotary drum. Two are listed.

特開２０１５－５９２８７号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-59287 特開２００７－８９８２６号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-88826 特開２０２０－７８４９０号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-78490

前述した構成の積繊装置において、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部の底部を形成する部材は通常、バキュームエアが通過可能な多数の吸引孔を有する多孔性部材からなるところ、該積繊装置を用いて坪量が部分的に異なる偏在吸収体を製造する場合には従来、該多孔性部材の開口率（該多孔性部材の表面積に対する該吸引孔の総面積の比率）を部分的に異ならせることで、集積用凹部を通過するバキュームエアの流量（吸引風量）に部分的な差を生じさせ、それによって繊維材料の積繊量を部分的に異ならせる方法が採用されている。図１０には、そのような開口率差を有する多孔性部材の一例である多孔性部材９０が示されている。多孔性部材９０は、吸収体製造時の搬送方向ＭＤの中央域が、相対的に開口率が高く吸引風量が大きい高吸引部９１、高吸引部９１の搬送方向ＭＤの端部域が、相対的に開口率が低く吸引風量が小さい低吸引部９２となっており、多孔性部材９０を集積用凹部の底部に用いた積繊装置によって製造される吸収体（積繊体）は、高吸引部９１に対応する中央域に、繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部を有し、低吸引部９２に対応する端部域に、繊維材料の坪量が相対的に少ない低坪量部を有する。 In the fiber stacking device having the above-described configuration, the member forming the bottom of the accumulator recess in which the fiber material is stacked is usually composed of a porous member having a large number of suction holes through which vacuum air can pass. When manufacturing an unevenly distributed absorber having a partially different basis weight using an apparatus, conventionally, the opening ratio of the porous member (the ratio of the total area of the suction holes to the surface area of the porous member) is partially determined. By making them different, a method is adopted in which the flow rate (suction air volume) of the vacuum air passing through the accumulation recess is partially different, thereby causing the amount of the fiber material to be partially different. FIG. 10 shows a porous member 90 which is an example of a porous member having such an aperture ratio difference. In the porous member 90, the central region of the transport direction MD at the time of manufacturing the absorber is relative to the high suction portion 91 having a relatively high aperture ratio and a large suction air volume, and the end region of the transport direction MD of the high suction portion 91. The absorbent body (fiber stack) manufactured by the fiber stacking device using the porous member 90 at the bottom of the recess for integration has a low suction portion 92 having a low aperture ratio and a small suction air volume. The central region corresponding to the portion 91 has a high basis weight portion having a relatively large basis weight of the fiber material, and the end region corresponding to the low suction portion 92 has a low basis weight portion of the fiber material having a relatively small basis weight. It has a basis weight section.

図１１のグラフは、多孔性部材９０の如き開口率差を有する多孔性部材を集積用凹部の底部に用いた積繊装置を用いて実際に繊維材料の積繊を行った場合の、該集積用凹部の各部の吸引風量と時間との関係を示したものである。図１１のグラフの横軸の時間は、集積用凹部が所定の吸引領域を搬送されている時間を示す。集積用凹部を外周部に有する回転ドラムが固定ドラムの外周部周りを回転し、その回転によってドラム周方向に搬送される集積用凹部が、所定の吸引領域（固定ドラム側からの吸引により回転ドラムの内外を通過するバキュームエアが生じる領域）に搬送された直後、すなわち図１１のグラフの横軸の時間がゼロのときは、集積用凹部に繊維材料が積繊していないので、高吸引部と低吸引部との吸引風量の差はそれらの開口率の差を反映したものとなり、この状態では繊維材料は高吸引部に優先的に積繊され、低吸引部にはほとんど積繊されない。その後、高吸引部における繊維材料の積繊量の経時的な増加に伴い、高吸引部の吸引風量が減少していき、高吸引部の吸引風量と低吸引部の吸引風量とが同程度になる、すなわち吸引平衡点に達するまで、繊維材料は高吸引部に優先的に積繊され、吸引平衡点に達した後に、低吸引部にも繊維材料が積繊されるようになる。したがって、所定の吸引領域を通過した集積用凹部内に形成された積繊体は、該集積用凹部の高吸引部に対応する位置に高坪量部を有し、該集積用凹部の低吸引部に対応する位置に低坪量部を有する。 The graph of FIG. 11 shows the accumulation when the fiber material is actually stacked using a fiber stacking device using a porous member having an aperture ratio difference such as the porous member 90 at the bottom of the recess for accumulation. It shows the relationship between the suction air volume of each part of the recess and the time. The time on the horizontal axis of the graph of FIG. 11 indicates the time during which the accumulation recess is conveyed in the predetermined suction region. A rotating drum having an integration recess on the outer periphery rotates around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, and the integration recess that is conveyed in the circumferential direction of the drum by the rotation is a predetermined suction region (suction from the fixed drum side to rotate the drum). Immediately after being transported to (the region where vacuum air passes through the inside and outside of the), that is, when the time on the horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 11 is zero, the fiber material is not piled up in the accumulation recess, so the high suction part The difference in the suction air volume between the high suction part and the low suction part reflects the difference in the aperture ratios thereof. In this state, the fiber material is preferentially piled up in the high suction part and hardly piled up in the low suction part. After that, as the amount of fiber material accumulated in the high suction section increases with time, the suction air volume in the high suction section decreases, and the suction air volume in the high suction section and the suction air volume in the low suction section become about the same. That is, the fiber material is preferentially stacked in the high suction portion until the suction equilibrium point is reached, and after the suction equilibrium point is reached, the fiber material is also stacked in the low suction portion. Therefore, the fiber stack formed in the accumulation recess that has passed through the predetermined suction region has a high basis weight portion at a position corresponding to the high suction portion of the accumulation recess, and has a low suction portion of the accumulation recess. It has a low basis weight section at the position corresponding to the section.

しかし、このような集積用凹部の底部に開口率差を設けただけの、いわば成り行き任せの積繊方法では、積繊体の各部の坪量の制御が不十分なため、例えば、低吸引部の開口率を低下させた場合には、該低吸引部に形成された積繊体の低坪量部の一部に、繊維材料が存在しないか又は繊維材料の坪量が設計値よりも少ない部分が生じるおそれがあり、また、低吸引部の開口率を増加させた場合には、該低応力部に隣接する高吸引部の積繊状態が悪化するおそれがある。特に、互いに異種の繊維材料を含む吸収体において坪量を部分的に異ならせるべく、前述した成り行き任せの積繊方法を採用すると、このような不都合を招く可能性が高まる。 However, in the so-called laying-down method in which the aperture ratio difference is only provided at the bottom of the accumulation recess, the control of the basis weight of each part of the framing body is insufficient, so that, for example, a low suction portion. When the aperture ratio of the fiber material is lowered, the fiber material is not present in a part of the low basis weight portion of the fiber stack formed in the low suction portion, or the basis weight of the fiber material is less than the design value. A portion may be formed, and when the opening ratio of the low suction portion is increased, the fiber stacking state of the high suction portion adjacent to the low stress portion may be deteriorated. In particular, if the above-mentioned random fiber stacking method is adopted in order to partially different the basis weight in an absorber containing different fiber materials, the possibility of causing such an inconvenience increases.

本発明の課題は、繊維材料の坪量を設計どおりに制御することができ、互いに異種の繊維材料を含む吸収体において坪量を部分的に異ならせる場合に有用な技術を提供することに関する。 An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of controlling the basis weight of a fiber material as designed and useful when the basis weight is partially different in an absorber containing different kinds of fiber materials.

本発明は、積繊装置を用い、繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含み、且つ繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部と相対的に少ない低坪量部とを一方向に有する吸収体を製造する、吸収体の製造方法である。
本発明の吸収体の製造方法の一実施形態では、前記積繊装置は、固定ドラムと、該固定ドラムの外周部周りを回転可能に設けられ、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部を外周部に有する回転ドラムと、該集積用凹部に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路とを備え、該回転ドラムを回転させて該集積用凹部をドラム周方向に沿う搬送方向に搬送させつつ、該固定ドラム側からの吸引によって該供給路に生じた空気流に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、該集積用凹部の底面上に積繊させるようになされている。
本発明の吸収体の製造方法の一実施形態では、前記集積用凹部は、前記高坪量部を形成する第１積繊領域と、前記低坪量部を形成する第２積繊領域とを、ドラム周方向に有している。
本発明の吸収体の製造方法の一実施形態では、前記供給路は、前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路と、前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路とを、ドラム周方向に有している。
本発明の吸収体の製造方法の一実施形態では、前記集積用凹部に対して前記第１供給路から前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給工程と、該第１供給工程の後に、該第１繊維材料が積繊された該集積用凹部に対して、前記第２供給路から前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給工程とを有している。
本発明の吸収体の製造方法の一実施形態では、前記第１供給工程では、前記第１繊維材料が前記第１積繊領域に優先的に積繊されるように、前記空気流を制御する。 The present invention uses a fiber stacking device, includes a first fiber material and a second fiber material different from each other as fiber materials, and has a high basis weight portion in which the basis weight of the fiber material is relatively large and a low basis weight portion in which the basis weight is relatively small. It is a method of manufacturing an absorber, which manufactures an absorber having a quantity portion in one direction.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorber of the present invention, the fiber stacking device is provided so as to be rotatable around a fixed drum and an outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum, and has an outer peripheral portion for accumulating fibers on which the fiber material is stacked. A rotating drum provided in the portion and a supply path for supplying the fiber material to the accumulating recess in a scattered state are provided, and the rotating drum is rotated to convey the accumulating recess in the transport direction along the circumferential direction of the drum. The fiber material carried on the air flow generated in the supply path by suction from the fixed drum side is made to be stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess.
In one embodiment of the method for producing an absorber of the present invention, the accumulation recess has a first fiber layer region forming the high basis weight portion and a second fiber stacking region forming the low basis weight portion. , Has in the circumferential direction of the drum.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorber of the present invention, the supply path has a drum circumference of a first supply path for supplying the first fiber material and a second supply path for supplying the second fiber material. Have in the direction.
In one embodiment of the method for producing an absorber of the present invention, the first supply step of supplying the first fiber material from the first supply path to the integration recess, and after the first supply step, the said It has a second supply step of supplying the second fiber material from the second supply path to the accumulation recess in which the first fiber material is stacked.
In one embodiment of the method for producing an absorber of the present invention, in the first supply step, the air flow is controlled so that the first fiber material is preferentially stacked in the first fiber region. ..

本発明は、固定ドラムと、該固定ドラムの外周部周りを回転可能に設けられ、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部を外周部に有する回転ドラムと、該集積用凹部に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路とを備え、該回転ドラムを回転させて該集積用凹部をドラム周方向に沿う搬送方向に搬送させつつ、該固定ドラム側からの吸引によって該供給路に生じた空気流に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、ドラム周方向の所定の吸引領域にて該集積用凹部の底面上に積繊させるようになされており、
繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含み、且つ繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部と相対的に少ない低坪量部とを一方向に有する積繊体を製造する、積繊装置である。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記集積用凹部は、前記高坪量部を形成する第１積繊領域と、前記低坪量部を形成する第２積繊領域とを、ドラム周方向に有している。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記供給路は、前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路と、前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路とを、ドラム周方向に有している。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記吸引領域は、前記固定ドラム側からの吸引が部分的に可能になされている選択的吸引領域を有し、該選択的吸引領域は、前記第１供給路に対応する第１の選択的吸引領域と、前記第２供給路に対応する第２の選択的吸引領域とを有している。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記固定ドラムの外周部に、前記選択的吸引領域に対応する選択的吸引領域対応部が配されている。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記選択的吸引領域対応部は、前記第１の選択的吸引領域に対応し、第１開口部がドラム軸方向に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第１の対応部と、前記第２の選択的吸引領域に対応し、第２開口部がドラム軸方向に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第２の対応部とを、ドラム周方向に有し、前記空気流は、該第１開口部及び該第２開口部を通じてのみ該選択的吸引領域対応部を厚み方向に通過可能になされており、該第１開口部と該第２開口部とは、ドラム軸方向の位置が互いに異なっている。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記回転ドラムの前記固定ドラムの外周部との対向部分に、前記第１積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第１開口部閉鎖部材と、前記第２積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第２開口部閉鎖部材とが配されており、該第１開口部閉鎖部材は、前記第２開口部とドラム軸方向において同位置にあり、該第２開口部閉鎖部材は、前記第１開口部とドラム軸方向において同位置にある。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記集積用凹部の前記第１の選択的吸引領域での搬送中では、前記第１開口部に対し、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材は重ならずに、前記第２開口部閉鎖部材が重なることで、前記第２積繊領域の前記空気流の流量を低減するようになされている。
本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態では、前記集積用凹部の前記第２の選択的吸引領域での搬送中では、前記第２開口部に対し、前記第２開口部閉鎖部材は重ならずに、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材が重なることで、前記第１積繊領域の前記空気流の流量を低減するようになされている。
本発明の他の特徴、効果及び実施形態は、以下に説明される。 The present invention includes a fixed drum, a rotary drum that is rotatably provided around the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum and has an accumulation recess on the outer periphery on which the fiber material is stacked, and a fiber material toward the accumulation recess. Is provided with a supply path in which The fiber material conveyed by the air flow is stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess in a predetermined suction region in the circumferential direction of the drum.
A fiber stack containing a first fiber material and a second fiber material different from each other as a fiber material and having a high basis weight portion having a relatively large basis weight and a relatively low basis weight portion of the fiber material in one direction. It is a fiber stacking device that manufactures the body.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention, the accumulation recess has a drum of a first fiber stacking region forming the high basis weight portion and a second fiber stacking region forming the low basis weight portion. It has in the circumferential direction.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention, the supply path has a first supply path for supplying the first fiber material and a second supply path for supplying the second fiber material in the circumferential direction of the drum. Have.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking apparatus of the present invention, the suction region has a selective suction region in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and the selective suction region is the first. It has a first selective suction region corresponding to one supply path and a second selective suction region corresponding to the second supply path.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention, a selective suction region corresponding portion corresponding to the selective suction region is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention, the selective suction region corresponding portion corresponds to the first selective suction region, and the first opening is partially provided in the drum axial direction. A drum circumference is provided with a first corresponding portion of sex and a second non-breathable corresponding portion corresponding to the second selective suction region and having a second opening partially provided in the direction of the drum axis. The air flow is directional and is allowed to pass through the selective suction region corresponding portion only through the first opening and the second opening in the thickness direction, and the first opening and the second opening. The positions in the drum axis direction are different from those of the openings.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention, a non-breathable first opening closing member corresponding to the first fiber stacking region is provided on a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum. A non-breathable second opening closing member corresponding to the second stacking fiber region is arranged, and the first opening closing member is located at the same position in the drum axial direction as the second opening. The second opening closing member is in the same position in the drum axial direction as the first opening.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention, the first opening closing member does not overlap with the first opening during transportation in the first selective suction region of the accumulating recess. In addition, the second opening closing member overlaps with each other to reduce the flow rate of the air flow in the second stacking fiber region.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention, the second opening closing member does not overlap with the second opening during transportation in the second selective suction region of the accumulating recess. In addition, the flow rate of the air flow in the first stacking fiber region is reduced by overlapping the first opening closing members.
Other features, effects and embodiments of the invention are described below.

本発明によれば、繊維材料の坪量を設計どおりに制御することができ、互いに異種の繊維材料を含む吸収体において坪量を部分的に異ならせる場合に有用な技術が提供される。 INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, the basis weight of a fiber material can be controlled as designed, and a useful technique is provided when the basis weight is partially different in an absorber containing different kinds of fiber materials.

図１（ａ）及び図１（ｂ）は、それぞれ、本発明によって提供される吸収体の一実施形態の模式的な斜視図である。1 (a) and 1 (b) are schematic perspective views of an embodiment of the absorber provided by the present invention, respectively. 図２は、本発明の積繊装置の一実施形態を一部透視して模式的に示す斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention through a partial perspective. 図３は、図２に示す積繊装置をドラム軸方向から見た場合の模式的な側面図である。FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 2 when viewed from the drum axis direction. 図４は、図２に示す積繊装置の集積部の模式的な分解斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the integrated portion of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 図５は、図２に示す積繊装置の集積用凹部の一部のドラム周方向に沿う断面を模式的に示す断面図である。FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of a part of the accumulating recess of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 2 along the drum circumferential direction. 図６は、図２に示す積繊装置における吸引領域の配置の一例を示す模式的な側面図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing an example of the arrangement of the suction region in the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 図７（ａ）は、図２に示す積繊装置における固定ドラムの外周部の選択的吸引領域対応部の第１の対応部の模式的な平面図、図７（ｂ）は、該選択的吸引領域対応部の第２の対応部の模式的な平面図、図７（ｃ）は、回転ドラムの外周部の該固定ドラムの外周部との対向部分の模式的な平面図、図７（ｄ）は、集積用凹部の該選択的吸引領域での搬送中における図７（ａ）～図７（ｃ）に示す各部の対応関係の説明図である。7 (a) is a schematic plan view of the first corresponding portion of the selective suction region corresponding portion of the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum in the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 (b) is the selective. FIG. 7 (c) is a schematic plan view of the second corresponding portion of the suction region corresponding portion, FIG. 7 (c) is a schematic plan view of the outer peripheral portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum. d) is an explanatory diagram of the correspondence between the parts shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c) during transportation of the accumulation recess in the selective suction region. 図８は、図２に示す積繊装置の集積用凹部における第１積繊領域及び第２積繊領域の吸引領域での吸引状態をまとめた表であり、該表中の図は、当該積繊領域のドラム軸方向に沿う模式的な断面図である。FIG. 8 is a table summarizing the suction states in the first stacking fiber region and the second stacking fiber region in the stacking recess of the stacking device shown in FIG. 2, and the figure in the table is the product. It is a schematic cross-sectional view along the drum axis direction of a fiber region. 図９は、図２に示す積繊装置における吸引領域の配置の他の一例を示す模式的な側面図である。FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing another example of the arrangement of the suction region in the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 図１０は、積繊装置の集積用凹部の底面に従来使用されている多孔性部材の一例の模式的な斜視図である。FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a porous member conventionally used for the bottom surface of a recess for accumulating a fiber stacking device. 図１１は、集積用凹部の高吸引部及び低吸引部における吸引風量と時間との関係を示すグラフである。FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the suction air volume and the time in the high suction portion and the low suction portion of the accumulation recess.

以下、本発明をその好ましい実施形態に基づき図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、以下の図面の記載において、同一又は類似の部分には、同一又は類似の符号を付している。図面は基本的に模式的なものであり、各寸法の比率などは現実のものとは異なる場合がある。 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings below, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratio of each dimension may differ from the actual one.

本発明（積繊装置、製造方法）によって提供される吸収体は、体液をはじめとする水性液を吸収し得るものである。吸収体の用途は特に限定されないが、吸収性物品の吸収体として特に好適である。ここでいう「吸収性物品」には、人体から排出される体液（尿、軟便、経血、汗等）の吸収に用いられる物品が広く包含され、例えば、使い捨ておむつ、生理用ナプキン、生理用ショーツ、失禁パッド等が包含される。
吸収性物品は、典型的には、吸収体と、該吸収体よりも着用者の肌から近い側に配される液透過性の表面シートと、該吸収体よりも着用者の肌から遠い側に配される液難透過性ないし不透過性の裏面シートとを含んで構成されている。 The absorber provided by the present invention (fiber stacking device, manufacturing method) can absorb aqueous liquids such as body fluids. The use of the absorber is not particularly limited, but it is particularly suitable as an absorber for an absorbent article. The term "absorbable article" as used herein broadly includes articles used for absorbing body fluids (urine, loose stool, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, and includes, for example, disposable diapers, menstrual napkins, and sanitary items. Includes shorts, incontinence pads, etc.
The absorbent article is typically an absorber, a liquid permeable surface sheet located closer to the wearer's skin than the absorber, and a side farther from the wearer's skin than the absorber. It is configured to include a poorly permeable or impermeable back sheet to be arranged in the liquid.

図１には、本発明によって提供される吸収体の一実施形態である吸収体１０Ａ，１０Ｂが示されている。以下、両吸収体１０Ａ，１０Ｂを総称して「吸収体１０」とも言う。吸収体１０についての説明は特に断らない限り、両吸収体１０Ａ，１０Ｂに適用される。吸収体１０は、吸収性物品用のものであり、吸収性物品の着用者の前後方向に対応する縦方向Ｘとこれに直交する横方向Ｙとを有する。
縦方向Ｘは、後述する吸収体１０の製造時における流れ方向ＭＤ（Machine Direction）に一致し、横方向Ｙは、流れ方向ＭＤと直交する方向である搬送直交方向ＣＤ（Cross machine Direction）に一致する。なお流れ方向ＭＤは、後述するドラム周方向Ｘ１に沿う回転ドラム３の回転方向Ｒ１（すなわち集積用凹部４０の搬送方向）に一致し、搬送直交方向ＣＤは、後述するドラム軸方向Ｙ１に一致する。 FIG. 1 shows absorbers 10A and 10B, which are embodiments of the absorber provided by the present invention. Hereinafter, both absorbers 10A and 10B are collectively referred to as "absorbent 10". Unless otherwise specified, the description of the absorber 10 applies to both absorbers 10A and 10B. The absorber 10 is for an absorbent article and has a vertical direction X corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer of the absorbent article and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the vertical direction X.
The vertical direction X corresponds to the flow direction MD (Machine Direction) at the time of manufacturing the absorber 10, which will be described later, and the horizontal direction Y corresponds to the transport orthogonal direction CD (Cross machine Direction) which is the direction orthogonal to the flow direction MD. do. The flow direction MD coincides with the rotation direction R1 of the rotating drum 3 along the drum circumferential direction X1 described later (that is, the transport direction of the integration recess 40), and the transport orthogonal direction CD coincides with the drum axial direction Y1 described later. ..

吸収体１０は、繊維材料を主体とする。吸収体１０における繊維材料の含有量は、少なくとも５０質量％以上であり、１００質量％すなわち繊維材料のみから形成されていてもよい。吸収体１０は、繊維材料に加えて更に、吸水性ポリマーを含有してもよい。吸水性ポリマーとしては、一般に粒子状のものが用いられるが、繊維状のものでもよい。粒子状の吸水性ポリマーの形状は特に限定されず、例えば、球状、塊状、俵状、不定形状であり得る。吸水性ポリマーは、典型的には、アクリル酸又はアクリル酸アルカリ金属塩の重合物又は共重合物を主体とする。 The absorber 10 is mainly made of a fiber material. The content of the fibrous material in the absorber 10 is at least 50% by mass or more, and may be formed from 100% by mass, that is, only the fibrous material. The absorber 10 may further contain a water-absorbent polymer in addition to the fiber material. As the water-absorbent polymer, a particulate polymer is generally used, but a fibrous polymer may also be used. The shape of the particulate water-absorbent polymer is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, spherical, lumpy, bale-shaped, or indefinite. The water-absorbent polymer is typically composed mainly of a polymer or copolymer of acrylic acid or an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid.

吸収体１０は、繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含む。ここでいう「異種」とは、対比する繊維材料どうしで、組成、平均繊維径（太さ）、平均繊維長、製造方法の１つでも異なる場合を意味する。対比する繊維材料どうしでこれらの全て同じ場合、それらの繊維材料は互いに「同種」である。吸収体１０に含まれる２種類の繊維材料（第１繊維材料、第２繊維材料）の組み合わせは特に制限されず、吸収体として使用可能な繊維材料の中から選択することができる。
互いに異種の繊維材料の組み合わせの一例として、吸水特性が互いに異なる繊維材料の組み合わせ、具体的には例えば、親水度（疎水度）が互いに異なる繊維材料の組み合わせが挙げられ、その具体例として、セルロース系繊維（親水性繊維）と、疎水性合成樹脂からなる合成繊維（疎水性繊維）との組み合わせを例示できる。セルロース系繊維としては、例えば、木材パルプ；綿パルプ、麻パルプ等の非木材パルプ等の天然繊維；カチオン化パルプ、マーセル化パルプ等の変性パルプが挙げられる。疎水性の合成樹脂として、ポリエチレン、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレンテレフタレート等の熱可塑性樹脂が挙げられる。第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料のどちらが親水性繊維でもよく、第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料のどちらが疎水性繊維でもよい。 The absorber 10 includes a first fiber material and a second fiber material that are different from each other as the fiber material. The term "heterogeneous" as used herein means that the fiber materials to be contrasted differ in composition, average fiber diameter (thickness), average fiber length, and even one of the manufacturing methods. If all of these are the same among the contrasting fibrous materials, then the fibrous materials are "similar" to each other. The combination of the two types of fiber materials (first fiber material and second fiber material) contained in the absorber 10 is not particularly limited, and can be selected from the fiber materials that can be used as the absorber.
As an example of the combination of fiber materials different from each other, there is a combination of fiber materials having different water absorption characteristics, specifically, for example, a combination of fiber materials having different hydrophilicity (hydrophobicity), and a specific example thereof is cellulose. An example is an example of a combination of a system fiber (hydrophobic fiber) and a synthetic fiber (hydrophobic fiber) made of a hydrophobic synthetic resin. Examples of the cellulosic fiber include wood pulp; natural fiber such as non-wood pulp such as cotton pulp and hemp pulp; and modified pulp such as cationized pulp and marcelled pulp. Examples of the hydrophobic synthetic resin include thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Either the first fiber material or the second fiber material may be a hydrophilic fiber, and either the first fiber material or the second fiber material may be a hydrophobic fiber.

吸収体１０は、図１に示すように、繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部１１と、相対的に少ない低坪量部１２とを一方向に有する。本実施形態では、吸収体１０は、平面視で縦方向Ｘに長い形状（略長方形形状）を有し、その長手方向すなわち縦方向Ｘの中央部に高坪量部１１、縦方向Ｘの両端部に低坪量部１２が配されており、低坪量部１２、高坪量部１１、低坪量部１２の順に縦方向Ｘに配置されている。 As shown in FIG. 1, the absorber 10 has a high basis weight portion 11 having a relatively large basis weight of the fiber material and a low basis weight portion 12 having a relatively small basis weight portion 12 in one direction. In the present embodiment, the absorber 10 has a shape (substantially rectangular shape) long in the vertical direction X in a plan view, and has a high basis weight portion 11 in the central portion of the longitudinal direction, that is, the vertical direction X, and both ends of the vertical direction X. The low basis weight portion 12 is arranged in the portion, and the low basis weight portion 12, the high basis weight portion 11, and the low basis weight portion 12 are arranged in the vertical direction X in this order.

また吸収体１０は、繊維材料として第１繊維材料のみを含む第１繊維層１３と、繊維材料として第２繊維材料のみを含む第２繊維層１４とを含んで構成されている。
吸収体１０Ａでは、図１（ａ）に示すように、高坪量部１１が第１繊維層１３からなり、低坪量部１２が第２繊維層１４からなる。
吸収体１０Ｂでは、図１（ｂ）に示すように、第２繊維層１４の一方の面における縦方向Ｘの中央部のみに第１繊維層１３が積層されており、吸収体１０Ｂの縦方向Ｘの中央部が高坪量部１１、それ以外の第１繊維層１３の非配置部が低坪量部１２となっている。
吸収体１０Ａ，１０Ｂの何れも、縦方向Ｘの中央部が高坪量部１１、該中央部を挟んで前後端部が低坪量部１２であり、且つ高坪量部１１に第１繊維材料が含まれている。
高坪量部１１は低坪量部１２周辺部に比べて厚みが大きく、この厚み差に起因して、吸収体１０の一方の面（図１では上面）には、高坪量部１１が周辺部よりも厚み方向の外方に突出した突出部１１Ａが形成されている。高坪量部１１はいわゆる中高部である。 Further, the absorber 10 is configured to include a first fiber layer 13 containing only the first fiber material as the fiber material and a second fiber layer 14 containing only the second fiber material as the fiber material.
In the absorber 10A, as shown in FIG. 1A, the high basis weight portion 11 is composed of the first fiber layer 13, and the low basis weight portion 12 is composed of the second fiber layer 14.
In the absorber 10B, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first fiber layer 13 is laminated only in the central portion of the vertical direction X on one surface of the second fiber layer 14, and the first fiber layer 13 is laminated in the vertical direction of the absorber 10B. The central portion of X is the high basis weight portion 11, and the other non-arranged portion of the first fiber layer 13 is the low basis weight portion 12.
In each of the absorbers 10A and 10B, the central portion in the vertical direction X is the high basis weight portion 11, the front and rear end portions sandwiching the central portion are the low basis weight portions 12, and the high basis weight portion 11 is the first fiber. The material is included.
The high basis weight portion 11 has a larger thickness than the peripheral portion of the low basis weight portion 12, and due to this thickness difference, the high basis weight portion 11 is formed on one surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) of the absorber 10. A protruding portion 11A is formed that protrudes outward in the thickness direction from the peripheral portion. The high basis weight portion 11 is a so-called middle and high section.

吸収体１０は、突出部１１Ａの形成面（図１では上面）を、該吸収体１０が用いられる吸収性物品の着用者の肌側に向けて使用されてもよく、あるいは突出部１１Ａの形成面とは反対側の面を該着用者の肌側に向けて使用されてもよい。
高坪量部１１は、主に吸収体１０の液吸収性の向上に寄与し、低坪量部１２は、主に吸収体１０を備える吸収性物品の着用感の向上に寄与する。吸収体１０では、吸収体１０が使い捨ておむつや生理用ナプキンなどの吸収性物品の吸収体として使用された場合に、その吸収性物品の着用者の股間部（陰茎、膣口などの***部）に配される部分である、縦方向Ｘの中央部を高坪量部１１とし、それ以外の部分を低坪量部１２としている。吸収体１０の縦方向Ｘの中央部は、着用者の***物が集中する部位であるので、該中央部を高坪量部１１とすることで十分な液吸収性を確保し、また、吸収体１０における該中央部以外の部分は、液吸収に使用される機会が該中央部に比べて少ないので、繊維材料の坪量を極力低減して厚みを薄くすることで着用感の向上を図っている。 The absorber 10 may be used with the formation surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) of the protrusion 11A facing the skin side of the wearer of the absorbent article in which the absorber 10 is used, or the formation of the protrusion 11A. It may be used with the surface opposite to the surface facing the wearer's skin side.
The high basis weight portion 11 mainly contributes to the improvement of the liquid absorbency of the absorber 10, and the low basis weight portion 12 mainly contributes to the improvement of the wearing feeling of the absorbent article provided with the absorber 10. In the absorber 10, when the absorber 10 is used as an absorber for an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper or a menstrual napkin, the crotch portion (excretion part such as the penis and vaginal opening) of the wearer of the absorbent article is used. The central portion in the vertical direction X, which is a portion arranged in the vertical direction X, is a high basis weight portion 11, and the other portion is a low basis weight portion 12. Since the central portion of the absorber 10 in the vertical direction X is a portion where the wearer's excrement is concentrated, sufficient liquid absorption is ensured and absorption is ensured by setting the central portion as the high basis weight portion 11. Since the part of the body 10 other than the central part is less likely to be used for liquid absorption than the central part, the basis weight of the fiber material is reduced as much as possible to reduce the thickness to improve the wearing feeling. ing.

また例えば、高坪量部１１を構成する第１繊維層１３の構成繊維である第１繊維材料が、熱可塑性樹脂等の合成樹脂を素材とする合成繊維であると、高坪量部１１の柔軟性、クッション性の物理的特性の一層の向上が期待できる。すなわち、互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料の組み合わせ好ましい一例として、第１繊維材料が合成繊維、第２繊維材料がセルロース系繊維という組み合わせが挙げられる。 Further, for example, if the first fiber material which is a constituent fiber of the first fiber layer 13 constituting the high basis weight portion 11 is a synthetic fiber made of a synthetic resin such as a thermoplastic resin, the high basis weight portion 11 Further improvement in the physical properties of flexibility and cushioning can be expected. That is, as a preferable combination of the first fiber material and the second fiber material which are different from each other, a combination in which the first fiber material is a synthetic fiber and the second fiber material is a cellulosic fiber can be mentioned.

以下、本発明の積繊装置及び吸収体の製造方法について、前述した吸収体１０の製造方法を例にとり図面を参照しながら説明する。図２及び図３には、本発明の吸収体の積繊装置の一実施形態である積繊装置１の全体構成が示されている。
積繊装置１は、固定ドラム２と、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓの周りを回転可能に設けられ、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部４０を外周部３Ｓに有する回転ドラム３と、集積用凹部４０に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路５０とを備え、回転ドラム３を図中符号Ｒ１で示す回転方向に回転させて集積用凹部４０をドラム周方向Ｘ１に沿う搬送方向（流れ方向ＭＤ）に搬送させつつ、固定ドラム２側からの吸引によって供給路５０に生じた空気流（以下、「バキュームエア」とも言う。）に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、ドラム周方向Ｘ１の所定の吸引領域Ｓにて集積用凹部４０の底面上に積繊させ、集積用凹部４０に積繊体を製造する。こうして製造された積繊体は、繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含み、且つ繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部１１と相対的に少ない低坪量部１２とを一方向（流れ方向ＭＤ、回転方向Ｒ１）に有する吸収体１０である。 Hereinafter, the method for producing the fiber stacking device and the absorber of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking the above-mentioned method for producing the absorber 10 as an example. 2 and 3 show the overall configuration of the fiber stacking device 1 which is an embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the absorber of the present invention.
The fiber stacking device 1 is provided rotatably around the fixed drum 2 and the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2, and is integrated with the rotary drum 3 having an accumulation recess 40 in the outer peripheral portion 3S on which the fiber material is stacked. A supply path 50 for supplying the fiber material to the recess 40 in a scattered state is provided, and the rotary drum 3 is rotated in the rotational direction indicated by reference numeral R1 in the drawing to convey the integrated recess 40 along the drum circumferential direction X1. The fiber material conveyed on the air flow (hereinafter, also referred to as “vacuum air”) generated in the supply path 50 by suction from the fixed drum 2 side while being conveyed in the direction (flow direction MD) is carried around the drum. In the predetermined suction region S in the direction X1, the fibers are stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess 40, and the fiber stack is manufactured in the accumulation recess 40. The fiber stack produced in this way contains a first fiber material and a second fiber material different from each other as fiber materials, and has a high basis weight portion 11 having a relatively large basis weight of the fiber material and a relatively low basis weight. It is an absorber 10 having a quantity portion 12 in one direction (flow direction MD, rotation direction R1).

本実施形態では、積繊装置１は、固定ドラム２及び回転ドラム３を含む集積部４と、集積部４（回転ドラム３）に繊維材料をはじめとする各種原材料を供給する原材料供給機構５と、回転ドラム３の集積用凹部４０から排出された吸収体１０を搬送する搬送機構６とを備えている。 In the present embodiment, the fiber stacking device 1 includes an integration unit 4 including a fixed drum 2 and a rotary drum 3, and a raw material supply mechanism 5 that supplies various raw materials including a fiber material to the integration unit 4 (rotary drum 3). The rotary drum 3 is provided with a transport mechanism 6 for transporting the absorber 10 discharged from the accumulating recess 40.

供給路５０は、第１繊維材料（例えば合成繊維）を供給する第１供給路５０Ａと、第２繊維材料（例えばセルロース系繊維）を供給する第２供給路５０Ｂとを、ドラム周方向Ｘ１に有している。
本実施形態では、原材料供給機構５は、第１供給路５０Ａを内部に有するダクト５１Ａを備える第１原材料供給機構５Ａと、第２供給路５０Ｂを内部に有するダクト５１Ｂを備える第２原材料供給機構５Ｂとを、ドラム周方向Ｘ１に有し、回転ドラム３の回転方向Ｒ１すなわち流れ方向ＭＤに対して、第１原材料供給機構５Ａが上流側、第２原材料供給機構５Ｂが下流側に位置している。したがって集積用凹部４０は、第１供給路５０Ａ、第２供給路５０Ｂの順で、繊維材料をはじめとする各種原材料の供給を受ける。
ダクト５１Ａ，５１Ｂは、それぞれ、原材料の供給方向の両端が開口し、その一端側の開口部が、回転ドラム３の一部を覆い、他端側の開口部から第１繊維材料又は第２繊維材料が投入される。
例えば、ダクト５１Ａ，５１Ｂの回転ドラム３側とは反対側の開口部に、第１繊維材料又は第２繊維材料からなるシートを粉砕、切断する等して繊維化する繊維化手段（図示せず）を配置し、該繊維化手段によって製造された繊維材料をダクト５１Ａ，５１Ｂ内に送り込むように構成されていてもよい。
また、ダクト５１Ａ，５１Ｂには、吸水性ポリマー粒子を供給路５０Ａ，５０Ｂ内に導入する吸水性ポリマー導入部（図示せず）が配されていてもよい。 In the supply path 50, the first supply path 50A for supplying the first fiber material (for example, synthetic fiber) and the second supply path 50B for supplying the second fiber material (for example, cellulosic fiber) are arranged in the drum circumferential direction X1. Have.
In the present embodiment, the raw material supply mechanism 5 includes a first raw material supply mechanism 5A including a duct 51A having a first supply path 50A inside, and a second raw material supply mechanism including a duct 51B having a second supply path 50B inside. The 5B is located in the duct circumferential direction X1 and the first raw material supply mechanism 5A is located on the upstream side and the second raw material supply mechanism 5B is located on the downstream side with respect to the rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 3, that is, the flow direction MD. There is. Therefore, the accumulation recess 40 is supplied with various raw materials including the fiber material in the order of the first supply path 50A and the second supply path 50B.
Both ends of the ducts 51A and 51B in the supply direction of the raw material are opened, the opening on one end side covers a part of the rotary drum 3, and the first fiber material or the second fiber is opened from the opening on the other end side. The material is put in.
For example, a fibrous means (not shown) for crushing and cutting a sheet made of a first fiber material or a second fiber material into an opening on the opposite side of the ducts 51A and 51B from the rotating drum 3 side. ) May be arranged so that the fibrous material produced by the fibrous means is fed into the ducts 51A and 51B.
Further, the ducts 51A and 51B may be provided with a water-absorbent polymer introduction portion (not shown) for introducing the water-absorbent polymer particles into the supply paths 50A and 50B.

搬送機構６は、集積部４の下方に配され、集積部４から排出された吸収体１０を搬送面上に吸引しつつ搬送するバキュームコンベア（図示せず）を備えている。集積部４における固定ドラム２の内部には、ブロー発生機構（図示せず）が配されており、該ブロー発生機構による集積部４の内部側から回転ドラム３の外周部３Ｓ側へのエアーの吹きつけにより、外周部３Ｓの集積用凹部４０から吸収体１０が排出され、前記バキュームコンベアの搬送面上に転写されるようになされている。
本実施形態では、前記バキュームコンベアの搬送面上に、吸収体１０の外面を被覆するコアラップシートなどとも呼ばれるシート材１５が予め配されており、集積部４から排出された吸収体１０はシート材１５上に転写され、シート材１５ごと搬送される。シート材１５は、前記バキュームコンベアによる搬送途中で、吸収体１０の全体を被覆するように折り曲げられる。 The transport mechanism 6 is arranged below the stacking section 4 and includes a vacuum conveyor (not shown) that transports the absorber 10 discharged from the stacking section 4 while sucking it onto the transport surface. A blow generation mechanism (not shown) is arranged inside the fixed drum 2 in the integrated portion 4, and air from the inside side of the integrated portion 4 by the blow generation mechanism to the outer peripheral portion 3S side of the rotating drum 3 is arranged. By spraying, the absorber 10 is discharged from the accumulation recess 40 of the outer peripheral portion 3S and transferred onto the transport surface of the vacuum conveyor.
In the present embodiment, a sheet material 15 called a core wrap sheet or the like that covers the outer surface of the absorber 10 is arranged in advance on the transport surface of the vacuum conveyor, and the absorber 10 discharged from the accumulating portion 4 is a sheet. It is transferred onto the material 15 and conveyed together with the sheet material 15. The sheet material 15 is bent so as to cover the entire absorber 10 during transportation by the vacuum conveyor.

積繊装置１の要部である集積部４について説明する。集積部４は、図２～図４に示すように、金属製の剛体からなる固定ドラム２と、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓに重ねて配された回転ドラム３とを主体として構成され、円筒状を有している。集積部４は、両ドラム２，３の周方向に対応するドラム周方向Ｘ１と、回転ドラム３の回転軸が延びる方向に対応するドラム軸方向Ｙ１とを有している。 The integrated portion 4, which is a main part of the fiber stacking device 1, will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the integrated portion 4 is mainly composed of a fixed drum 2 made of a rigid metal body and a rotating drum 3 arranged so as to be overlapped with the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2, and is a cylinder. It has a shape. The integrated portion 4 has a drum circumferential direction X1 corresponding to the circumferential direction of both drums 2 and 3, and a drum axial direction Y1 corresponding to the direction in which the rotation axis of the rotating drum 3 extends.

固定ドラム２は円筒状を有し、その円筒状の固定ドラム２の軸方向両端の開口部は、側壁２１及びフェルト等のシール材に（図示せず）よって気密に封鎖されている。固定ドラム２の内部は、隔壁２２によって周方向に複数（本実施形態では３つ）に区分され、各該区分に対応した複数の空間Ａ～Ｃが形成されている。
固定ドラム２には、その内部を減圧する減圧機構（図示せず）が接続されている。前記減圧機構は、側壁２１に接続された排気管（図示せず）と該排気管に接続された排気ファン（図示せず）とを含んで構成されている。前記減圧機構を作動させることで、固定ドラム２内の複数の空間Ａ～Ｃのうちの任意のものを負圧に維持される。固定ドラム２は、隔壁２２によって仕切られた複数の空間Ａ～Ｃの負圧（吸引力）をそれぞれ独立に調整可能になされている。
回転ドラム３は、モータ等の原動機からの動力を受けて、水平な回転軸を回転中心としてドラム周方向Ｘ１に沿って方向Ｒ１に回転するのに対し、固定ドラム２は回転しない。 The fixed drum 2 has a cylindrical shape, and the openings at both ends of the cylindrical fixed drum 2 in the axial direction are hermetically sealed by a side wall 21 and a sealing material such as felt (not shown). The inside of the fixed drum 2 is divided into a plurality of spaces (three in the present embodiment) in the circumferential direction by the partition wall 22, and a plurality of spaces A to C corresponding to each division are formed.
A decompression mechanism (not shown) for depressurizing the inside of the fixed drum 2 is connected to the fixed drum 2. The decompression mechanism includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the side wall 21 and an exhaust fan (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. By operating the decompression mechanism, any one of the plurality of spaces A to C in the fixed drum 2 is maintained at a negative pressure. The fixed drum 2 is capable of independently adjusting the negative pressures (suction forces) of the plurality of spaces A to C partitioned by the partition wall 22.
The rotating drum 3 receives power from a prime mover such as a motor and rotates in the direction R1 along the drum circumferential direction X1 with the horizontal rotation axis as the center of rotation, whereas the fixed drum 2 does not rotate.

本実施形態では、回転ドラム３は、図４に示すように、金属製の円筒状のドラム本体３Ａと、ドラム本体３Ａの外周部３ＡＳに重ねて配され、集積用凹部４０を有する外層部３Ｂとを含む。
ドラム本体３Ａは、回転ドラム３において固定ドラム２に最も近接する部材であり、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓに対向配置されている。ドラム本体３Ａは、ドラム周方向Ｘ１の全長にわたって連続する環状の部材であるのに対し、外層部３Ｂは、ドラム周方向Ｘ１に複数に分割されている。外層部３Ｂは、ボルト等の締結具、接着剤等の接合手段により、ドラム本体３Ａの外周部３ＡＳに接離自在に接合される。
外層部３Ｂは、典型的には、開口部を有する複数のプレート（板状部材）が厚み方向に重ね合わされて構成され、その複数のプレートの開口部が厚み方向の重なった部分が集積用凹部４０となる。図４に示す形態では、外層部３Ｂは、ドラム本体３Ａに近い順に、底面形成プレート３３、凹部区画プレート３４及びリングプレート３５を含む。底面形成プレート３３は、集積用凹部４０の底面を形成し、バキュームエアが通過可能な多数の吸引孔を有する通気性の多孔性部材である。凹部区画プレート３４は、集積用凹部４０に形成される積繊体に溝状凹部を形成するためのものである。リングプレート３５は、回転ドラム３の最も外側に位置し、集積用凹部４０を挟んでドラム軸方向Ｙ１の両側に一対配される。
なお本発明では、回転ドラム３の外層部３Ｂの構成は、図示の形態に制限されず、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で適宜変更可能である。例えば外層部３Ｂは、凹部区画プレート３４を含まなくてもよい。図１に示す吸収体１０は、凹部区画プレート３４無しで製造されたものであり、凹部区画プレート３４を使用した場合に形成される溝状凹部を有していない。 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotary drum 3 is arranged so as to overlap the metal cylindrical drum main body 3A and the outer peripheral portion 3AS of the drum main body 3A, and has an outer layer portion 3B having an integration recess 40. And include.
The drum main body 3A is a member of the rotary drum 3 that is closest to the fixed drum 2, and is arranged so as to face the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2. The drum main body 3A is an annular member continuous over the entire length of the drum circumferential direction X1, while the outer layer portion 3B is divided into a plurality of parts in the drum circumferential direction X1. The outer layer portion 3B is removably joined to the outer peripheral portion 3AS of the drum main body 3A by a fastener such as a bolt or a joining means such as an adhesive.
The outer layer portion 3B is typically formed by stacking a plurality of plates (plate-shaped members) having openings in the thickness direction, and the portion where the openings of the plurality of plates overlap in the thickness direction is a recess for integration. It becomes 40. In the form shown in FIG. 4, the outer layer portion 3B includes a bottom surface forming plate 33, a recessed partition plate 34, and a ring plate 35 in the order of proximity to the drum main body 3A. The bottom surface forming plate 33 is a breathable porous member that forms the bottom surface of the accumulation recess 40 and has a large number of suction holes through which vacuum air can pass. The recessed partition plate 34 is for forming a groove-shaped recess in the fiber stack formed in the collecting recess 40. The ring plates 35 are located on the outermost side of the rotating drum 3, and are arranged in pairs on both sides of the drum axial direction Y1 with the accumulating recess 40 interposed therebetween.
In the present invention, the configuration of the outer layer portion 3B of the rotary drum 3 is not limited to the illustrated form, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the outer layer portion 3B may not include the recessed partition plate 34. The absorber 10 shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured without the recessed partition plate 34, and does not have the groove-shaped recess formed when the recessed partition plate 34 is used.

集積用凹部４０は、図４に示すように、製造目的物である吸収体１０（積繊体）の高坪量部１１を形成する第１積繊領域４１と、吸収体１０の低坪量部１２を形成する第２積繊領域４２とを、ドラム周方向Ｘ１に有している。 As shown in FIG. 4, the accumulation recess 40 has a first stacking fiber region 41 forming a high basis weight portion 11 of the absorber 10 (fiber stacking body), which is a manufacturing object, and a low basis weight of the absorber 10. A second layered fiber region 42 forming the portion 12 is provided in the drum circumferential direction X1.

本実施形態では、集積用凹部４０は、回転ドラム３のドラム周方向Ｘ１の全長にわたって連続的に配されており、ドラム周方向Ｘ１に隣り合う第１積繊領域４１と第２積繊領域４２とが、ドラム周方向Ｘ１の全長にわたって交互に配されている。１つの第１積繊領域４１と、これを挟んでドラム周方向Ｘ１の前後に配された２つの第２積繊領域４２それぞれのドラム周方向Ｘ１の半分の領域とが、１個の吸収体１０に対応し、集積用凹部４０から搬送機構６の前記バキュームコンベアに排出される吸収体１０は、複数の吸収体１０が縦方向Ｘに連続した吸収体連続体である。 In the present embodiment, the integration recesses 40 are continuously arranged over the entire length of the drum peripheral direction X1 of the rotating drum 3, and the first fiber layer region 41 and the second fiber layer region 42 adjacent to the drum circumferential direction X1 are arranged. And are arranged alternately over the entire length of the drum circumferential direction X1. One absorber is composed of one first layered fiber region 41 and half a region of each of the two second layered fiber regions 42 arranged in front of and behind the drum circumferential direction X1 so as to sandwich the first layered fiber region 41. The absorber 10 corresponding to 10 and discharged from the accumulation recess 40 to the vacuum conveyor of the transport mechanism 6 is an absorber continuum in which a plurality of absorbers 10 are continuous in the vertical direction X.

本実施形態では、図５に示すように、第１積繊領域４１は、第２積繊領域４２に比べて凹部深さが深い。すなわち、第１積繊領域４１の底面４１Ｓは、第２積繊領域４２の底面４２Ｓに比べて、固定ドラム２に近い側に位置している。前述した吸収体１０の突出部１１Ａ（図１参照）は、第１積繊領域４１の底面４１Ｓと第２積繊領域４２の底面４２Ｓとの段差に対応する部分である。なお、前記の「凹部深さ」は、集積用凹部４０を挟んでドラム軸方向Ｙ１の両側に位置する部材の外面と集積用凹部４０（第１積繊領域４１、第２積繊領域４２）の底面との離間距離を指し、本実施形態では、該部材はリングプレート３５である。 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first stacking fiber region 41 has a deeper recessed depth than the second stacking fiber region 42. That is, the bottom surface 41S of the first stacking fiber region 41 is located closer to the fixed drum 2 than the bottom surface 42S of the second stacking fiber region 42. The protrusion 11A (see FIG. 1) of the absorber 10 described above is a portion corresponding to a step between the bottom surface 41S of the first stacking fiber region 41 and the bottom surface 42S of the second stacking fiber region 42. The above-mentioned "recess depth" is the outer surface of the member located on both sides of the drum axial direction Y1 with the accumulation recess 40 interposed therebetween and the accumulation recess 40 (first fiber region 41, second fiber region 42). Refers to the distance from the bottom surface of the drum, and in the present embodiment, the member is a ring plate 35.

回転ドラム３は固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓの周りを、回転方向Ｒ１の上流側から下流側に向かって、空間Ａに対応する領域、空間Ｂに対応する領域、空間Ｃに対応する領域の順に移動する。「空間Ａに対応する領域」とは、固定ドラム２の空間Ａを固定ドラム２の半径方向（ドラム軸方向と直交する方向）の外方に仮想的に延長した場合のその延長部分と重複する領域を指す。「空間Ｂに対応する領域」及び「空間Ｃに対応する領域」については、前記の「空間Ａに対応する領域」の説明において「空間Ａ」を「空間Ｂ」又は「空間Ｃ」に置換したものが適用される。 The rotating drum 3 surrounds the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 in the order of the region corresponding to the space A, the region corresponding to the space B, and the region corresponding to the space C from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction R1. Moving. The "region corresponding to the space A" overlaps with the extension portion when the space A of the fixed drum 2 is virtually extended outward in the radial direction (direction orthogonal to the drum axis direction) of the fixed drum 2. Refers to an area. Regarding the "region corresponding to the space B" and the "region corresponding to the space C", "space A" is replaced with "space B" or "space C" in the above description of the "region corresponding to the space A". Things apply.

本実施形態では、空間Ａ，Ｂに対応する領域が、積繊材料が集積用凹部４０内に積繊される吸引領域Ｓであり、吸引領域Ｓは、第１供給路５０Ａを内部に有するダクト５１Ａ及び第２供給路５０Ｂを内部に有するダクト５１Ｂそれぞれの一端側の開口で覆われている。吸引領域Ｓのうち、空間Ａに対応する領域は、第１供給路５０Ａに対応し、繊維材料をはじめとする原材料の供給を第１供給路５０Ａから受ける。また吸引領域Ｓのうち、空間Ｂに対応する領域は、第２供給路５０Ｂに対応し、繊維材料をはじめとする原材料の供給を第２供給路５０Ｂから受ける。 In the present embodiment, the region corresponding to the spaces A and B is the suction region S in which the fiber stacking material is stacked in the accumulation recess 40, and the suction region S is a duct having the first supply path 50A inside. It is covered with an opening on one end side of each of the duct 51B having the 51A and the second supply path 50B inside. In the suction region S, the region corresponding to the space A corresponds to the first supply passage 50A, and the raw materials such as the fiber material are supplied from the first supply passage 50A. Further, in the suction region S, the region corresponding to the space B corresponds to the second supply passage 50B, and the supply of the raw material including the fiber material is received from the second supply passage 50B.

前記減圧機構を作動させ固定ドラム２の空間Ａ，Ｂを負圧に維持した状態で、回転ドラム３を回転方向Ｒ１に回転させると、回転ドラム３の集積用凹部４０が、空間Ａ，Ｂに対応する吸引領域Ｓを通過している間に、集積用凹部４０の底面を形成する通気性部材に空間Ａ，Ｂ内の負圧が作用し、該通気性部材が有する多数の吸引孔を通じた空気の吸引が行われる。この吸引孔を通じた吸引により、吸引領域Ｓを覆うダクト５１Ａ内の第１供給路５０Ａ及びダクト５１Ｂ内の第２供給路５０Ｂに、吸引領域Ｓに向かうバキュームエアが生じ、このバキュームエアに乗った繊維材料等の原材料が吸引領域Ｓに供給される。 When the rotating drum 3 is rotated in the rotation direction R1 while the decompression mechanism is operated and the spaces A and B of the fixed drum 2 are maintained at a negative pressure, the integration recess 40 of the rotating drum 3 becomes the spaces A and B. While passing through the corresponding suction region S, a negative pressure in the spaces A and B acts on the breathable member forming the bottom surface of the accumulation recess 40, and the breathable member passes through a large number of suction holes. Air suction is performed. Due to the suction through the suction hole, vacuum air toward the suction region S is generated in the first supply passage 50A in the duct 51A covering the suction region S and the second supply passage 50B in the duct 51B, and rides on the vacuum air. Raw materials such as fiber materials are supplied to the suction region S.

吸引領域Ｓは、図６に示すように、固定ドラム２側からの吸引が部分的に可能になされている選択的吸引領域Ｓ１を有している。選択的吸引領域Ｓ１は、第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路５０Ａに対応する第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａと、第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路５０Ｂに対応する第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂとを、ドラム周方向Ｘ１に有している。また、図４に示すように、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓには、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１に対応する選択的吸引領域対応部２３が配されている。 As shown in FIG. 6, the suction region S has a selective suction region S1 in which suction from the fixed drum 2 side is partially possible. The selective suction region S1 corresponds to a first selective suction region S1a corresponding to the first supply path 50A for supplying the first fiber material and a second supply path 50B corresponding to the second supply path 50B for supplying the second fiber material. The selective suction region S1b is provided in the drum circumferential direction X1. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a selective suction region corresponding portion 23 corresponding to the selective suction region S1 is arranged on the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2.

本実施形態では、図６に示すように、吸引領域Ｓは、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１に加えて更に、固定ドラム２側からの吸引が全面的に可能になされている全面的吸引領域Ｓ２を有しており、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１と全面的吸引領域Ｓ２とがドラム周方向Ｘ１に並んでいる。全面的吸引領域Ｓ２は、第２供給路５０Ｂに対応して配されている。したがって本実施形態では、回転ドラム３の回転方向Ｒ１（流れ方向ＭＤ）の上流側から下流側に向かって、第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａ、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂ、全面的吸引領域Ｓ２がこの順で配されている。
また本実施形態では、図４に示すように、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓに、選択的吸引領域対応部２３と、全面的吸引領域Ｓ２に対応する全面的吸引領域対応部２４とが配されている。 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the suction region S has, in addition to the selective suction region S1, a total suction region S2 in which suction from the fixed drum 2 side is fully possible. The selective suction region S1 and the entire suction region S2 are lined up in the drum circumferential direction X1. The entire suction region S2 is arranged corresponding to the second supply path 50B. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first selective suction region S1a, the second selective suction region S1b, and the entire suction region are directed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction R1 (flow direction MD) of the rotary drum 3. S2 is arranged in this order.
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a selective suction region corresponding portion 23 and a full suction region corresponding portion 24 corresponding to the full suction region S2 are arranged on the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2. ing.

選択的吸引領域対応部２３は、図４及び図７に示すように、第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａに対応し、第１開口部２６Ａがドラム軸方向Ｙ１に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第１の対応部２３Ａと、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂに対応し、第２開口部２６Ｂがドラム軸方向Ｙ１に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第２の対応部２３Ｂとを、ドラム周方向Ｘ１に有している。バキュームエアは、第１開口部２６Ａ及び第２開口部２６Ｂを通じてのみ選択的吸引領域対応部２３を厚み方向に通過可能になされている。
本実施形態では、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓには、回転ドラム３の回転方向Ｒ１（流れ方向ＭＤ）の上流側から下流側に向かって、第１の対応部２３Ａ、第２の対応部２３Ｂ（以上、選択的吸引領域対応部２３）、全面的吸引領域対応部２４の順で配されている。 As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the selective suction region corresponding portion 23 corresponds to the first selective suction region S1a, and the first opening 26A is partially provided in the drum axial direction Y1. The first corresponding portion 23A of the sex and the second non-breathable corresponding portion 23B corresponding to the second selective suction region S1b and the second opening 26B is partially provided in the drum axial direction Y1. Is provided in the drum circumferential direction X1. The vacuum air can pass through the selective suction region corresponding portion 23 only through the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B in the thickness direction.
In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 has a first corresponding portion 23A and a second corresponding portion 23B from the upstream side to the downstream side of the rotation direction R1 (flow direction MD) of the rotary drum 3. (The above, the selective suction area corresponding portion 23) and the entire suction region corresponding portion 24 are arranged in this order.

また、第１開口部２６Ａと第２開口部２６Ｂとは、ドラム軸方向Ｙ１の位置が互いに異なっている。すなわち、第１開口部２６Ａをドラム周方向Ｘ１に仮想的に延長した場合、その第１開口部２６Ａの仮想延長線と第２開口部２６Ｂとが重ならないように、第１開口部２６Ａと第２開口部２６Ｂとが配置されている。
選択的吸引領域対応部２３（第１の対応部２３Ａ、第２の対応部２３Ｂ）を形成する非通気性の素材としては、金属、樹脂等を用いることができる。 Further, the positions of the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B in the drum axial direction Y1 are different from each other. That is, when the first opening 26A is virtually extended in the drum circumferential direction X1, the first opening 26A and the first opening 26A and the second opening 26A are so as not to overlap the virtual extension line of the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B. Two openings 26B are arranged.
As the non-breathable material forming the selective suction region corresponding portion 23 (first corresponding portion 23A, second corresponding portion 23B), metal, resin or the like can be used.

本実施形態では、第１開口部２６Ａ及び第２開口部２６Ｂは、それぞれ、平面視でドラム周方向Ｘ１に延在する連続直線状を有し、ドラム軸方向Ｙ１に所定間隔を置いて複数配されている。第１の対応部２３Ａには、平面視直線状の３個の第１開口部２６Ａがドラム軸方向Ｙ１に間欠配置され、その３個の第１開口部２６Ａどうしは、ドラム周方向Ｙ１において同位置にある（３個の第１開口部２６Ａのドラム軸方向Ｙ１への投影視においてそれらの投影像が完全に重なる）。第２の対応部２３Ｂには、平面視直線状の２個の第２開口部２６Ｂがドラム軸方向Ｙ１に間欠配置され、その２個の第２開口部２６Ｂどうしは、ドラム周方向Ｙ１において同位置にある（２個の第２開口部２６Ｂのドラム軸方向Ｙ１への投影視においてそれらの投影像が完全に重なる）。 In the present embodiment, the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B each have a continuous linear shape extending in the drum circumferential direction X1 in a plan view, and a plurality of the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B are arranged at predetermined intervals in the drum axial direction Y1. Has been done. In the first corresponding portion 23A, three first openings 26A in a straight line in a plan view are intermittently arranged in the drum axial direction Y1, and the three first openings 26A are the same in the drum circumferential direction Y1. It is in position (the projected images of the three first openings 26A completely overlap in the projection view in the drum axial direction Y1). In the second corresponding portion 23B, two second openings 26B in a straight line in a plan view are intermittently arranged in the drum axial direction Y1, and the two second openings 26B are the same in the drum circumferential direction Y1. It is in position (the projected images of the two second openings 26B completely overlap in the projected view in the drum axial direction Y1).

なお、本明細書において、集積部４（固定ドラム２、回転ドラム３）の外周部の如き、湾曲部についての「平面視」又は「平面図」とは、その湾曲部（例えば、選択的吸引領域対応部２３、集積用凹部４０など）を、該湾曲部の法線方向（ドラム軸方向と直交する方向）の外方から見た場合を意味する。 In the present specification, the "plan view" or "plan view" of a curved portion such as the outer peripheral portion of the integrated portion 4 (fixed drum 2, rotary drum 3) is the curved portion (for example, selective suction). It means a case where the area corresponding portion 23, the accumulation recess 40, etc.) is viewed from the outside in the normal direction (direction orthogonal to the drum axis direction) of the curved portion.

前述したとおり、選択的吸引領域対応部２３（第１の対応部２３Ａ、第２の対応部２３Ｂ）は、開口部２６Ａ，２６Ｂを除いて非通気性であるのに対し、全面的吸引領域対応部２４は、非通気性部材を含まず、集積用凹部４０に対応する部分の全域が開口している。そのためバキュームエアは、全面的吸引領域対応部２４の全域を厚み方向に通過可能である。 As described above, the selective suction region corresponding portion 23 (first corresponding portion 23A, second corresponding portion 23B) is non-breathable except for the openings 26A and 26B, whereas it corresponds to the entire suction region. The portion 24 does not include a non-breathable member, and the entire portion corresponding to the accumulation recess 40 is open. Therefore, the vacuum air can pass through the entire area of the entire suction region corresponding portion 24 in the thickness direction.

また、図４及び図７（ｃ）に示すように、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓの選択的吸引領域対応部２３に対応して、回転ドラム３における固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓとの対向部分である、ドラム本体３Ａの外周部３ＡＳには、集積用凹部４０の第１積繊領域４１に対応する（平面視で第１積繊領域４１と重なる）非通気性の第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａと、集積用凹部４０の第２積繊領域４２（平面視で第２積繊領域４２と重なる）に対応する非通気性の第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂとが配されている。
第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａは、選択的吸引領域対応部２３の第２の対応部２３Ｂが有する第２開口部２６Ｂとドラム軸方向Ｙ１において同位置にあり、第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂは、選択的吸引領域対応部２３の第１の対応部２３Ａが有する第１開口部２６Ａとドラム軸方向Ｙ１において同位置にある。
両開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａ，３０Ｂを形成する非通気性の素材としては、金属、樹脂等を用いることができる。 Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 (c), a portion of the rotating drum 3 facing the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 corresponding to the selective suction region corresponding portion 23 of the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2. The outer peripheral portion 3AS of the drum main body 3A is a non-breathable first opening closing member corresponding to the first stacking fiber region 41 of the accumulation recess 40 (overlapping with the first stacking fiber region 41 in a plan view). 30A and a non-breathable second opening closing member 30B corresponding to the second stacking fiber region 42 (overlapping with the second stacking fiber region 42 in a plan view) of the accumulation recess 40 are arranged.
The first opening closing member 30A is at the same position as the second opening 26B of the second corresponding portion 23B of the selective suction region corresponding portion 23 in the drum axial direction Y1, and the second opening closing member 30B is It is at the same position in the drum axial direction Y1 as the first opening 26A of the first corresponding portion 23A of the selective suction region corresponding portion 23.
As the non-breathable material forming the both opening closing members 30A and 30B, a metal, a resin or the like can be used.

固定ドラム２及び回転ドラム３が前述の如く構成された積繊装置１においては、回転ドラム３が回転方向Ｒ１に回転すると、集積用凹部４０は吸引領域Ｓを図７（ｄ）に示すように、第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａ、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂ（以上、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１）、全面的吸引領域Ｓ２の順に移動する。
そして、集積用凹部４０の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１での搬送中に、固定ドラム２の外周部２Ｓに設けられた第１開口部２６Ａ及び第２開口部２６Ｂ、すなわち当該領域Ｓ１での固定ドラム２側からの吸引を可能にする吸引用開口部に対し、回転ドラム３の外周部３ＡＳに設けられた非通気性の第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａ及び第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂのうちの一方が重なることで、集積用凹部４０における該吸引用開口部と重なった開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａ又は３０Ｂに対応する部分（第１積繊領域４１又は第２積繊領域４２）のバキュームエアの流量（吸引風量）を低減するようになされている。 In the fiber stacking device 1 in which the fixed drum 2 and the rotary drum 3 are configured as described above, when the rotary drum 3 rotates in the rotation direction R1, the integration recess 40 has a suction region S as shown in FIG. 7 (d). , The first selective suction region S1a, the second selective suction region S1b (hereinafter, the selective suction region S1), and the entire suction region S2.
Then, during the transportation of the accumulation recess 40 in the selective suction region S1, the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B provided in the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2, that is, the fixed drum 2 in the region S1. One of the non-breathable first opening closing member 30A and the second opening closing member 30B provided on the outer peripheral portion 3AS of the rotary drum 3 with respect to the suction opening that enables suction from the side. The flow rate (suction) of the vacuum air in the portion (first stacking fiber region 41 or second stacking fiber region 42) corresponding to the opening closing member 30A or 30B that overlaps with the suction opening in the collecting recess 40 by overlapping. Air volume) is designed to be reduced.

図８には、吸引領域Ｓの各部における第１積繊領域４１、第２積繊領域４２それぞれの吸引状態をまとめた表が示されている。以下、積繊装置１における吸引風量の制御機構について、図８を参照しながら説明する。
集積用凹部４０の第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａでの搬送中では、固定ドラム２の第１開口部２６Ａに対し、回転ドラム３の第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａは重ならずに、第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂが重なることで、集積用凹部４０の第２積繊領域４２の吸引風量を低減するようになされている。
第１開口部２６Ａに第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂが重なると、第１開口部２６Ａが実質的に閉鎖されるため、この閉鎖された状態の第１開口部２６Ａに対応する位置にある第２積繊領域４２の吸引が阻害される。一方、第１積繊領域４１は、これに対応する（第１積繊領域４１と平面視で重なる）第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａが第１開口部２６Ａと重ならず、該第１積繊領域４１と対応する位置にある第１開口部２６Ａが閉鎖されずに開口した状態を保っているため、固定ドラム２側からの吸引は制限されない。
したがって、第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路５０Ａに対応する第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａでは、集積用凹部４０において、第２積繊領域４２に比べて吸引風量の大きい第１積繊領域４１に第１繊維材料が優先的に積繊される。 FIG. 8 shows a table summarizing the suction states of the first stacking fiber region 41 and the second stacking fiber region 42 in each part of the suction region S. Hereinafter, the control mechanism of the suction air volume in the fiber stacking device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
During transportation in the first selective suction region S1a of the integration recess 40, the first opening closing member 30A of the rotary drum 3 does not overlap with the first opening 26A of the fixed drum 2, and the second opening is second. By overlapping the opening closing members 30B, the amount of suction air in the second layered fiber region 42 of the accumulating recess 40 is reduced.
When the second opening closing member 30B overlaps the first opening 26A, the first opening 26A is substantially closed, so that the second opening 26A is located at a position corresponding to the closed first opening 26A. The suction of the fiber stacking region 42 is hindered. On the other hand, in the first stacking fiber region 41, the first opening closing member 30A corresponding to this (overlapping with the first stacking fiber region 41 in a plan view) does not overlap with the first opening 26A, and the first stacking fiber region 41 Since the first opening 26A at the position corresponding to the region 41 is kept open without being closed, suction from the fixed drum 2 side is not limited.
Therefore, in the first selective suction region S1a corresponding to the first supply path 50A for supplying the first fiber material, the first stacking fiber having a larger suction air volume than the second stacking fiber region 42 in the accumulating recess 40. The first fiber material is preferentially stacked in the region 41.

また、集積用凹部４０の第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂでの搬送中では、固定ドラム２の第２開口部２６Ｂに対し、回転ドラム３の第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂは重ならずに、第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａが重なることで、集積用凹部４０の第１積繊領域４１の吸引風量を低減するようになされている。
第２開口部２６Ｂに第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａが重なると、第２開口部２６Ｂが実質的に閉鎖されるため、この閉鎖された状態の第２開口部２６Ｂに対応する位置にある第１積繊領域４１の吸引が阻害される。一方、第２積繊領域４２は、これに対応する（第２積繊領域４２と平面視で重なる）第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂが第２開口部２６Ｂと重ならず、該第２積繊領域４２と対応する位置にある第２開口部２６Ｂが閉鎖されずに開口した状態を保っているため、固定ドラム２側からの吸引は制限されない。
したがって、第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路５０Ｂに対応する第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂでは、集積用凹部４０において、第１積繊領域４１に比べて吸引風量の大きい第２積繊領域４２に第２繊維材料が優先的に積繊される。 Further, during the transportation in the second selective suction region S1b of the accumulation recess 40, the second opening closing member 30B of the rotary drum 3 does not overlap with the second opening 26B of the fixed drum 2. By overlapping the first opening closing members 30A, the amount of suction air in the first stacking fiber region 41 of the accumulation recess 40 is reduced.
When the first opening closing member 30A overlaps the second opening 26B, the second opening 26B is substantially closed, so that the first opening 26B is located at a position corresponding to the closed second opening 26B. The suction of the fiber stack region 41 is hindered. On the other hand, in the second stacking fiber region 42, the second opening closing member 30B corresponding to this (overlapping with the second stacking fiber region 42 in a plan view) does not overlap with the second opening 26B, and the second stacking fiber region 42 Since the second opening 26B at the position corresponding to the region 42 is kept open without being closed, suction from the fixed drum 2 side is not limited.
Therefore, in the second selective suction region S1b corresponding to the second supply path 50B for supplying the second fiber material, the second stacking fiber having a larger suction air volume than the first stacking fiber region 41 in the accumulating recess 40. The second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the region 42.

また、集積用凹部４０の全面的吸引領域Ｓ２での搬送中では、これに対応する固定ドラム２の全面的吸引領域対応部２４が、選択的吸引領域対応部２３（第１の対応部２３Ａ、第２の対応部２３Ｂ）の如き非通気性部材を含まず、全面的吸引領域対応部２４における集積用凹部４０に対応する部分の全域が開口しているため、集積用凹部４０の全域で固定ドラム２側からの吸引が阻害されず、吸引風量は実質的に低減されない。
したがって、第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路５０Ｂに対応する全面的吸引領域Ｓでは、集積用凹部４０の全体に第２繊維材料が積繊される。 Further, during the transportation of the accumulation recess 40 in the full suction region S2, the full suction region corresponding portion 24 of the fixed drum 2 corresponding to this is the selective suction region corresponding portion 23 (first corresponding portion 23A, Since the entire portion corresponding to the accumulation recess 40 in the entire suction region corresponding portion 24 is open without including the non-breathable member such as the second corresponding portion 23B), it is fixed in the entire area of the integration recess 40. The suction from the drum 2 side is not hindered, and the suction air volume is not substantially reduced.
Therefore, in the entire suction region S corresponding to the second supply path 50B for supplying the second fiber material, the second fiber material is stacked on the entire accumulation recess 40.

本発明の吸収体の製造方法は、前述した積繊装置１に代表される、本発明の積繊装置を用いて実施することができる。
本発明の吸収体の製造方法は、集積用凹部４０に対して第１供給路５０Ａから第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給工程と、該第１供給工程の後に、該第１繊維材料が積繊された集積用凹部４０に対して、第２供給路５０Ｂから第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給工程とを有している。
本発明の吸収体の製造方法は、前記第１供給工程において、第１繊維材料が第１積繊領域４１に優先的に積繊されるように、バキュームエアを制御する点で特徴付けられる。この特徴的な構成については、既に述べたとおりである（図８の表の「第１の選択的吸引領域（第１繊維材料）」の欄を参照）。 The method for producing an absorber of the present invention can be carried out using the fiber stacking device of the present invention represented by the above-mentioned fiber stacking device 1.
In the method for producing an absorber of the present invention, a first supply step of supplying the first fiber material from the first supply path 50A to the accumulation recess 40, and after the first supply step, the first fiber material is used. It has a second supply step of supplying the second fiber material from the second supply path 50B to the stacked accumulation recesses 40.
The method for producing an absorber of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first supply step, the vacuum air is controlled so that the first fiber material is preferentially stacked in the first fiber region 41. This characteristic configuration has already been described (see the column of "first selective suction region (first fiber material)" in the table of FIG. 8).

本発明の吸収体の製造方法では、前記第２供給工程におけるバキュームエアの制御方法は特に制限されない。
前述した実施形態では、前記第２供給工程において、第２繊維材料が第２積繊領域４２に優先的に積繊されるように、バキュームエアを制御した。すなわち、前記第２供給工程が実施される第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂでは、前述したとおり、固定ドラム２の第２開口部２６Ｂに対し、回転ドラム３の第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂを重ねずに、第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａを重ねることで、第１積繊領域４１の吸引風量を低減させて、第２積繊領域４２の吸引風量が相対的に高め、そうすることで、第２積繊領域４２に第２繊維材料を優先的に積繊させるようにした（図８の表の「第２の選択的吸引領域（第２繊維材料）」の欄を参照）。 In the method for producing an absorber of the present invention, the method for controlling vacuum air in the second supply step is not particularly limited.
In the above-described embodiment, the vacuum air is controlled so that the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber region 42 in the second supply step. That is, in the second selective suction region S1b where the second supply step is carried out, as described above, the second opening closing member 30B of the rotary drum 3 is overlapped with the second opening 26B of the fixed drum 2. Instead, by stacking the first opening closing member 30A, the suction air volume of the first fiber stacking region 41 is reduced, and the suction air volume of the second fiber stacking region 42 is relatively increased. The second fiber material was preferentially stacked in the two-layered fiber region 42 (see the column of "second selective suction region (second fiber material)" in the table of FIG. 8).

より具体的には、前述した実施形態では、図６に示すように、前記第２供給工程（前記第１供給工程の後に実施され、第１繊維材料が積繊された集積用凹部４０に対して、第２供給路５０Ｂから第２繊維材料を供給する工程）は、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂで行われる工程（第１の工程）と、該第１の工程の後に全面的吸引領域Ｓ２で行われる工程（第２の工程）とに区分されていた。そして、前記第１の工程では、第２繊維材料が第２積繊領域４２に優先的に積繊されるように、バキュームエアを制御し、前記第２の工程では、第２繊維材料が第１積繊領域４１及び第２積繊領域４２の双方に積繊されるように、バキュームエアを制御した（図８の表の「第２の選択的吸引領域（第２繊維材料）」及び「全面的吸引領域（第２繊維材料）」の欄を参照）。
このように、前記第２供給工程を更に第１の工程と第２の工程とに区分し、該第１の工程で第２積繊領域４２に第２繊維材料を優先的に積繊させ、該第２の工程で集積用凹部４０の全体に第２繊維材料を積繊させることで製造される吸収体の一例が、吸収体１０Ａ（図１（ａ）参照）である。
本発明の吸収体１０Ａの製造方法の一実施形態では、先ず、前記第１供給工程において、第１繊維材料が集積用凹部４０の第１積繊領域４１に優先的に積繊される結果、第１積繊領域４１に第１繊維材料からなる第１繊維層１３が形成され、次に、前記第２供給工程の第１の工程において、第２繊維材料が第２積繊領域４２に優先的に積繊される結果、第２積繊領域４２に第２繊維材料からなる第２繊維層１４が形成され、最後に、前記第２供給工程の第２の工程において、第１積繊領域４１及び第２積繊領域４２の双方（集積用凹部４０の全体）に第２繊維材料が積繊されて、吸収体１０Ａが製造される。 More specifically, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the second supply step (implemented after the first supply step, with respect to the accumulation recess 40 in which the first fiber material is stacked). The step of supplying the second fiber material from the second supply path 50B) is a step (first step) performed in the second selective suction region S1b, and a total suction region after the first step. It was classified into the process performed in S2 (second process). Then, in the first step, the vacuum air is controlled so that the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber stacking region 42, and in the second step, the second fiber material is second. Vacuum air was controlled so that the fibers were stacked in both the 1st fiber region 41 and the 2nd fiber region 42 (“second selective suction region (second fiber material)” and “second fiber material” in the table of FIG. See the column "Overall suction area (second fiber material)").
In this way, the second supply step is further divided into a first step and a second step, and in the first step, the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber layer region 42. An example of an absorber produced by stacking a second fiber material on the entire accumulation recess 40 in the second step is the absorber 10A (see FIG. 1A).
In one embodiment of the method for producing the absorber 10A of the present invention, first, in the first supply step, the first fiber material is preferentially stacked in the first fiber region 41 of the accumulation recess 40, as a result. A first fiber layer 13 made of a first fiber material is formed in the first fiber layer region 41, and then, in the first step of the second supply step, the second fiber material has priority over the second fiber layer region 42. As a result, the second fiber layer 14 made of the second fiber material is formed in the second fiber layer region 42, and finally, in the second step of the second supply step, the first fiber layer region The second fiber material is stacked in both the 41 and the second fiber stacking region 42 (the entire accumulation recess 40) to manufacture the absorber 10A.

前記第２供給工程は、前記第２の工程、すなわち「第２繊維材料が第１積繊領域４１及び第２積繊領域４２の双方に積繊されるようにバキュームエアを制御する工程」を有さず、前記第１の工程のみを有していてもよい。その場合、積繊装置１の吸引領域Ｓの構成としては、図９に示すように、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１（第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａ、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂ）のみからなり、全面的吸引領域Ｓ２を有さない形態を採用することができる。この図９に示す吸引領域Ｓを備えた積繊装置１を用いて製造される吸収体の一例が、吸収体１０Ｂ（図１（ｂ）参照）である。
本発明の吸収体１０Ｂの製造方法の一実施形態では、先ず、前記第１供給工程において、第１繊維材料が集積用凹部４０の第１積繊領域４１に優先的に積繊される結果、第１積繊領域４１に第１繊維材料からなる第１繊維層１３が形成され、次に、前記第２供給工程において、第２繊維材料が第２積繊領域４２に優先的に積繊される結果、第２積繊領域４２に第２繊維材料からなる第２繊維層１４が形成され、製造目的物である吸収体１０Ｂが製造される。 The second supply step includes the second step, that is, "a step of controlling vacuum air so that the second fiber material is stacked in both the first fiber region 41 and the second fiber region 42". It does not have, and may have only the first step. In that case, as shown in FIG. 9, the structure of the suction region S of the fiber stacking device 1 includes only the selective suction region S1 (the first selective suction region S1a and the second selective suction region S1b). , A form having no total suction region S2 can be adopted. An example of an absorber manufactured by using the fiber stacking device 1 provided with the suction region S shown in FIG. 9 is the absorber 10B (see FIG. 1B).
In one embodiment of the method for producing the absorber 10B of the present invention, first, in the first supply step, the first fiber material is preferentially stacked in the first fiber region 41 of the accumulation recess 40, as a result. A first fiber layer 13 made of a first fiber material is formed in the first fiber layer region 41, and then, in the second supply step, the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber layer region 42. As a result, the second fiber layer 14 made of the second fiber material is formed in the second fiber layer region 42, and the absorber 10B which is the production target is manufactured.

本発明の積繊装置及び吸収体の製造方法によれば、前述したように、固定ドラム２の第１開口部２６Ａ及び第２開口部２６Ｂと回転ドラム３の開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａ，３０Ｂとの、回転ドラム３の回転に伴う周期的な重なりを利用して、吸引領域Ｓでの集積用凹部４０の吸引風量に変化を与えているため、従来行われている、集積用凹部４０の底部に開口率差を設けただけの成り行き任せの積繊方法に比べて、積繊体における各部の繊維材料の坪量を設計どおりに制御することができ、互いに異種の繊維材料を含み、坪量が部分的に異なる吸収体を効率良く製造することができる。 According to the method for manufacturing a fiber stacking device and an absorber of the present invention, as described above, the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B of the fixed drum 2 and the opening closing members 30A and 30B of the rotary drum 3 are provided. Since the suction air volume of the accumulation recess 40 in the suction region S is changed by utilizing the periodic overlap caused by the rotation of the rotary drum 3, the bottom of the integration recess 40, which has been conventionally performed, is formed. Compared to the automatic fiber stacking method in which only the aperture ratio difference is provided, the basis weight of the fiber material of each part in the fiber stack can be controlled as designed. Partially different absorbers can be efficiently produced.

特に本発明の積繊装置では、前述したとおり、第１開口部２６Ａと第２開口部２６Ｂとでドラム軸方向Ｙ１の位置が互いに異なっており（図７参照）、また、第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａは第２開口部２６Ｂと、第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂは第１開口部２６Ａと、それぞれドラム軸方向Ｙ１において同位置にあるので、回転ドラム３を通常どおり回転させるだけで、特定の開口部と特定の開口部閉鎖部材とが自動的に重なり、集積用凹部４０の吸引風量の制御が適切になされる。 In particular, in the fiber stacking device of the present invention, as described above, the positions of the drum axial direction Y1 are different between the first opening 26A and the second opening 26B (see FIG. 7), and the first opening is closed. Since the member 30A is at the same position as the second opening 26B and the second opening closing member 30B at the same position in the drum axial direction Y1, the rotary drum 3 can be specified by simply rotating the rotating drum 3 as usual. The opening and the specific opening closing member are automatically overlapped with each other, and the suction air volume of the accumulation recess 40 is appropriately controlled.

前述した、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１における吸引風量の制御による作用効果をより一層確実に奏させるようにする観点から、図７を参照して、第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂのドラム軸方向Ｙ１の長さ（幅）Ｗ２は、これと重なる第１開口部２６Ａのドラム軸方向Ｙ１の長さ（幅）Ｖ１に比べて長く、第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａのドラム軸方向Ｙ１の長さ（幅）Ｗ１は、これと重なる第２開口部２６Ｂのドラム軸方向Ｙ１の長さ（幅）Ｖ２に比べて短いことが好ましい。すなわち、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１において互いに重なり合う関係にある固定ドラム２の吸引用開口部と回転ドラム３の開口部閉鎖部材とについて、第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａでは「第１開口部２６Ａの幅Ｖ１＜第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂの幅Ｗ２」の大小関係が成立し、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂでは「第２開口部２６Ｂの幅Ｖ２＞第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａの幅Ｗ１」の大小関係が成立することが好ましい。
第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａで「第１開口部２６Ａの幅Ｖ１＜第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂの幅Ｗ２」の大小関係が成立することで、第１開口部２６Ａが第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂによって一層確実に閉鎖されるため、第１開口部２６Ａでの吸引が阻害されない第１積繊領域４１と該吸引が阻害される第２積繊領域４２との吸引風量差が一層大きくなり、その結果、第１積繊領域４１への第１繊維材料の積繊がより優先的に行われるようになる。
また、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂで「第２開口部２６Ｂの幅Ｖ２＞第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａの幅Ｗ１」の大小関係が成立することで、第２開口部２６Ｂに第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａが重なったときに、該第２開口部２６Ｂの一部（典型的にはドラム軸方向Ｙ１の端部）に、第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａと重ならない部分が存在し得るようになるため、第１積繊領域４１では、第２積繊領域４２に比べて少ないながらも、第２開口部２６Ｂでの吸引が行われるようになる。また、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂを搬送中の第１積繊領域４１には、第１の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ａで積繊された第１繊維材料が積繊されている。したがって、第２の選択的吸引領域Ｓ１ｂにおいて第１積繊領域４１での吸引が可能であることで、第１積繊領域４１に既に積繊されている繊維材料を一層確実に吸引保持することが可能となる。 From the viewpoint of ensuring that the effect of controlling the suction air volume in the selective suction region S1 is more reliably achieved, the length of the drum axial direction Y1 of the second opening closing member 30B is referred to with reference to FIG. The (width) W2 is longer than the length (width) V1 of the first opening 26A overlapping the first opening 26A in the drum axial direction Y1, and the length (width) of the first opening closing member 30A in the drum axial direction Y1. W1 is preferably shorter than the length (width) V2 of the drum axial direction Y1 of the second opening 26B that overlaps with the W1. That is, with respect to the suction opening of the fixed drum 2 and the opening closing member of the rotary drum 3 which are overlapped with each other in the selective suction region S1, in the first selective suction region S1a, "the width of the first opening 26A". The magnitude relationship of V1 <width W2 of the second opening closing member 30B "is established, and in the second selective suction region S1b," width V2 of the second opening 26B> width W1 of the first opening closing member 30A ". It is preferable that the magnitude relationship of is established.
When the magnitude relationship of "width V1 of the first opening 26A <width W2 of the second opening closing member 30B" is established in the first selective suction region S1a, the first opening 26A closes the second opening. Since the member 30B more reliably closes the fiber, the difference in suction air volume between the first fiber region 41 in which suction at the first opening 26A is not hindered and the second fiber region 42 in which suction is hindered becomes larger. As a result, the fiber of the first fiber material to the first fiber region 41 is more preferentially performed.
Further, the magnitude relationship of "width V2 of the second opening 26B> width W1 of the first opening closing member 30A" is established in the second selective suction region S1b, so that the first opening is opened in the second opening 26B. When the portion closing member 30A overlaps, a portion that does not overlap with the first opening closing member 30A may exist in a part of the second opening 26B (typically, an end portion in the drum axial direction Y1). Therefore, in the first stacking fiber region 41, suction is performed in the second opening 26B, although the amount is smaller than that in the second stacking fiber region 42. Further, the first fiber material laminated in the first selective suction region S1a is laminated in the first fiber region 41 during transportation of the second selective suction region S1b. Therefore, by being able to suck in the first fiber region 41 in the second selective suction region S1b, the fiber material already stacked in the first fiber region 41 can be more reliably sucked and held. Is possible.

前記の大小関係の成立による作用効果をより一層確実に奏させるようにする観点から、第１開口部２６Ａの幅Ｖ１（図７（ａ）参照）と第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂの幅Ｗ２（図７（ｃ）参照）との比率は、前者＜後者を前提として、前者／後者として、好ましくは０．８以上、より好ましくは０．９以上、そして、好ましくは０．２以下、より好ましくは０．１以下である。
同様の観点から、第２開口部２６Ｂの幅Ｖ２（図７（ｂ）参照）と第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａの幅Ｗ１（図７（ｃ）参照）との比率は、前者＞後者を前提として、前者／後者として、好ましくは１．０以上１．６未満、より好ましくは１．０以上２．０未満である。 From the viewpoint of ensuring that the action and effect of the establishment of the magnitude relationship are more reliably achieved, the width V1 of the first opening 26A (see FIG. 7A) and the width W2 of the second opening closing member 30B (see FIG. 7A). (See FIG. 7 (c)), assuming the former <the latter, the former / the latter is preferably 0.8 or more, more preferably 0.9 or more, and preferably 0.2 or less, more preferably. Is 0.1 or less.
From the same viewpoint, the ratio of the width V2 of the second opening 26B (see FIG. 7B) to the width W1 of the first opening closing member 30A (see FIG. 7C) is premised on the former> the latter. As the former / the latter, it is preferably 1.0 or more and less than 1.6, and more preferably 1.0 or more and less than 2.0.

前述した、選択的吸引領域Ｓ１における吸引風量の制御による作用効果をより一層確実に奏させるようにする観点から、第１の対応部２３Ａ（第１開口部２６Ａ）に第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂが重なった状態で、第１の対応部２３Ａ（第１開口部２６Ａ）と第２開口部閉鎖部材３０Ｂとの離間距離は、好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて３ｍｍ以下、より好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて２ｍｍ以下である。
同様の観点から、第２の対応部２３Ｂ（第２開口部２６Ｂ）に第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａが重なった状態で、第２の対応部２３Ｂ（第２開口部２６Ｂ）と第１開口部閉鎖部材３０Ａとの離間距離は、好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて３ｍｍ以下、より好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて２ｍｍ以下である。 From the viewpoint of ensuring that the effect of controlling the suction air volume in the selective suction region S1 is more reliably achieved, the first corresponding portion 23A (first opening 26A) has the second opening closing member 30B. The distance between the first corresponding portion 23A (first opening 26A) and the second opening closing member 30B is preferably more than 0 mm and 3 mm or less, more preferably more than 0 mm and 2 mm. It is as follows.
From the same viewpoint, the second corresponding portion 23B (second opening 26B) and the first opening are in a state where the first opening closing member 30A is overlapped with the second corresponding portion 23B (second opening 26B). The separation distance from the closing member 30A is preferably more than 0 mm and 3 mm or less, and more preferably more than 0 mm and 2 mm or less.

以上、本発明をその好ましい実施形態に基づき説明したが、本発明は前記実施形態に何ら制限されるものではなく、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で適宜変更可能である。
前述した本発明の実施形態に関し、更に以下の付記を開示する。 Although the present invention has been described above based on the preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Further, the following additional notes will be disclosed with respect to the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

＜１＞
積繊装置を用い、繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含み、且つ繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部と相対的に少ない低坪量部とを一方向に有する吸収体を製造する、吸収体の製造方法であって、
前記積繊装置は、固定ドラムと、該固定ドラムの外周部周りを回転可能に設けられ、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部を外周部に有する回転ドラムと、該集積用凹部に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路とを備え、該回転ドラムを回転させて該集積用凹部をドラム周方向に沿う搬送方向に搬送させつつ、該固定ドラム側からの吸引によって該供給路に生じた空気流に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、該集積用凹部の底面上に積繊させるようになされており、
前記集積用凹部は、前記高坪量部を形成する第１積繊領域と、前記低坪量部を形成する第２積繊領域とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記供給路は、前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路と、前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記集積用凹部に対して前記第１供給路から前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給工程と、該第１供給工程の後に、該第１繊維材料が積繊された該集積用凹部に対して、前記第２供給路から前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給工程とを有し、
前記第１供給工程では、前記第１繊維材料が前記第１積繊領域に優先的に積繊されるように、前記空気流を制御する、吸収体の製造方法。
＜２＞
前記第２供給工程では、前記第２繊維材料が前記第２積繊領域に優先的に積繊されるように、前記空気流を制御する、前記＜１＞に記載の吸収体の製造方法。
＜３＞
前記第２供給工程は、第１の工程と、該第１の工程の後に行われる第２の工程とに区分され、
前記第１の工程では、前記第２繊維材料が前記第２積繊領域に優先的に積繊されるように、前記空気流を制御し、
前記第２の工程では、前記第２繊維材料が前記第１積繊領域及び前記第２積繊領域の双方に積繊されるように、該空気流を制御する、前記＜１＞に記載の吸収体の製造方法。
＜４＞
前記積繊装置は、前記空気流に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、ドラム周方向の所定の吸引領域にて前記集積用凹部の底面上に積繊させるようになされており、
前記吸引領域は、前記固定ドラム側からの吸引が部分的に可能になされている選択的吸引領域を有し、該選択的吸引領域は、前記第１供給路に対応する第１の選択的吸引領域と、前記第２供給路に対応する第２の選択的吸引領域とをドラム周方向に有し、
前記集積用凹部は、前記吸引領域を、前記第１の選択的吸引領域、前記第２の選択的吸引領域の順に移動する、前記＜１＞～＜３＞の何れか１項に記載の吸収体の製造方法。
＜５＞
前記吸引領域は、前記固定ドラム側からの吸引が全面的に可能になされている全面的吸引領域を有し、
前記集積用凹部は、前記吸引領域を、前記第１の選択的吸引領域、前記第２の選択的吸引領域、前記全面的吸引領域の順に移動する、前記＜４＞に記載の吸収体の製造方法。
＜６＞
前記固定ドラムの外周部に、前記第１の選択的吸引領域に対応する第１開口部と、前記第２の選択的吸引領域に対応する第２開口部とが配されているとともに、前記回転ドラムの該固定ドラムの外周部との対向部分に、前記第１積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第１開口部閉鎖部材と、前記第２積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第２開口部閉鎖部材とが配されており、
前記第１開口部及び前記第２開口部と前記第１開口部閉鎖部材及び前記第２開口部閉鎖部材との、前記回転ドラムの回転に伴う周期的な重なりを利用して、前記吸引領域での前記集積用凹部の吸引風量に変化を与える、前記＜４＞又は＜５＞に記載の吸収体の製造方法。 <1>
Using a fiber stacking device, the high-basis portion and the low-basis portion, which contain the first fiber material and the second fiber material different from each other as the fiber material and have a relatively large basis weight of the fiber material, are used. A method for manufacturing an absorber, which manufactures an absorber having one direction.
The fiber stacking device is provided rotatably around a fixed drum and an outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum, and is directed toward the rotary drum having an accumulation recess on the outer periphery on which the fiber material is stacked and the accumulation recess. The supply path is provided with a supply path for supplying the fiber material in a scattered state, and the rotary drum is rotated to convey the accumulation recess in the transfer direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, while suction from the fixed drum side causes the supply path. The fiber material carried by the air flow generated in the above is made to be stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess.
The accumulation recess has a first layered fiber region forming the high basis weight portion and a second layered fiber region forming the low basis weight portion in the circumferential direction of the drum.
The supply path has a first supply path for supplying the first fiber material and a second supply path for supplying the second fiber material in the circumferential direction of the drum.
After the first supply step of supplying the first fiber material from the first supply path to the accumulation recess and the first supply step, the accumulation recess in which the first fiber material is stacked is used. On the other hand, it has a second supply step of supplying the second fiber material from the second supply path.
In the first supply step, a method for manufacturing an absorber that controls the air flow so that the first fiber material is preferentially stacked in the first fiber region.
<2>
The method for producing an absorber according to <1>, wherein in the second supply step, the air flow is controlled so that the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber region.
<3>
The second supply step is divided into a first step and a second step performed after the first step.
In the first step, the air flow is controlled so that the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber region.
The second step, according to <1>, wherein the air flow is controlled so that the second fiber material is stacked in both the first fiber region and the second fiber region. Manufacturing method of absorber.
<4>
The fiber stacking device is adapted to stack fibers on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess in a predetermined suction region in the circumferential direction of the drum, in which the fiber material conveyed by the air flow is stacked.
The suction region has a selective suction region in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and the selective suction region is a first selective suction corresponding to the first supply path. It has a region and a second selective suction region corresponding to the second supply path in the circumferential direction of the drum.
The absorption according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the accumulation recess moves the suction region in the order of the first selective suction region and the second selective suction region. How to make a body.
<5>
The suction region has a full suction region where suction from the fixed drum side is fully possible.
The absorber according to <4>, wherein the accumulation recess moves the suction region in the order of the first selective suction region, the second selective suction region, and the entire suction region. Method.
<6>
A first opening corresponding to the first selective suction region and a second opening corresponding to the second selective suction region are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum, and the rotation thereof. On the portion of the drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum, a non-breathable first opening closing member corresponding to the first layered fiber region and a non-breathable second opening corresponding to the second layered fiber region. The opening closing member is arranged,
In the suction region, utilizing the periodic overlap of the first opening and the second opening with the first opening closing member and the second opening closing member due to the rotation of the rotating drum. The method for producing an absorber according to <4> or <5>, wherein the suction air volume of the accumulation recess is changed.

＜７＞
固定ドラムと、該固定ドラムの外周部周りを回転可能に設けられ、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部を外周部に有する回転ドラムと、該集積用凹部に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路とを備え、該回転ドラムを回転させて該集積用凹部をドラム周方向に沿う搬送方向に搬送させつつ、該固定ドラム側からの吸引によって該供給路に生じた空気流に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、ドラム周方向の所定の吸引領域にて該集積用凹部の底面上に積繊させるようになされており、
繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含み、且つ繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部と相対的に少ない低坪量部とを一方向に有する積繊体を製造する、積繊装置であって、
前記集積用凹部は、前記高坪量部を形成する第１積繊領域と、前記低坪量部を形成する第２積繊領域とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記供給路は、前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路と、前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記吸引領域は、前記固定ドラム側からの吸引が部分的に可能になされている選択的吸引領域を有し、該選択的吸引領域は、前記第１供給路に対応する第１の選択的吸引領域と、前記第２供給路に対応する第２の選択的吸引領域とを有し、
前記固定ドラムの外周部に、前記選択的吸引領域に対応する選択的吸引領域対応部が配されており、
前記選択的吸引領域対応部は、前記第１の選択的吸引領域に対応し、第１開口部がドラム軸方向に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第１の対応部と、前記第２の選択的吸引領域に対応し、第２開口部がドラム軸方向に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第２の対応部とを、ドラム周方向に有し、前記空気流は、該第１開口部及び該第２開口部を通じてのみ該選択的吸引領域対応部を厚み方向に通過可能になされており、該第１開口部と該第２開口部とは、ドラム軸方向の位置が互いに異なっており、
前記回転ドラムの前記固定ドラムの外周部との対向部分に、前記第１積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第１開口部閉鎖部材と、前記第２積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第２開口部閉鎖部材とが配されており、該第１開口部閉鎖部材は、前記第２開口部とドラム軸方向において同位置にあり、該第２開口部閉鎖部材は、前記第１開口部とドラム軸方向において同位置にあり、
前記集積用凹部の前記第１の選択的吸引領域での搬送中では、前記第１開口部に対し、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材は重ならずに、前記第２開口部閉鎖部材が重なることで、前記第２積繊領域の前記空気流の流量を低減するようになされており、
前記集積用凹部の前記第２の選択的吸引領域での搬送中では、前記第２開口部に対し、前記第２開口部閉鎖部材は重ならずに、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材が重なることで、前記第１積繊領域の前記空気流の流量を低減するようになされている、積繊装置。
＜８＞
前記第２開口部閉鎖部材のドラム軸方向の長さは、前記第１開口部のドラム軸方向の長さに比べて長く、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材のドラム軸方向の長さは、前記第２開口部のドラム軸方向の長さに比べて短い、前記＜７＞に記載の積繊装置。
＜９＞
前記吸引領域は、前記選択的吸引領域と、前記固定ドラム側からの吸引が全面的に可能になされている全面的吸引領域とを、ドラム周方向に有し、該全面的吸引領域は、前記第２供給路に対応して配されており、
前記固定ドラムの外周部に、前記選択的吸引領域対応部と、前記全面的吸引領域に対応する全面的吸引領域対応部が配されており、
前記全面的吸引領域対応部は、非通気性部材を含まず、前記空気流は、該全面的吸引領域対応部の全域を厚み方向に通過可能になされている、前記＜７＞又は＜８＞に記載の積繊装置。 <7>
A fixed drum, a rotating drum that is rotatably provided around the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum and has an accumulation recess on the outer periphery on which the fiber material is stacked, and a fiber material scattered toward the accumulation recess. The rotating drum is rotated to convey the integration recess in the transport direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, and the air flow generated in the supply path by suction from the fixed drum side is provided. The fiber material carried on the drum is made to be stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess in a predetermined suction region in the circumferential direction of the drum.
A fiber stack containing a first fiber material and a second fiber material different from each other as a fiber material and having a high basis weight portion having a relatively large basis weight and a relatively low basis weight portion of the fiber material in one direction. A fiber stacking device that manufactures the body
The accumulation recess has a first layered fiber region forming the high basis weight portion and a second layered fiber region forming the low basis weight portion in the circumferential direction of the drum.
The supply path has a first supply path for supplying the first fiber material and a second supply path for supplying the second fiber material in the circumferential direction of the drum.
The suction region has a selective suction region in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and the selective suction region is a first selective suction corresponding to the first supply path. It has a region and a second selective suction region corresponding to the second supply path.
A selective suction region corresponding portion corresponding to the selective suction region is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum.
The selective suction region corresponding portion corresponds to the first selective suction region, and has a non-breathable first corresponding portion in which a first opening is partially provided in the drum axial direction, and the second. Corresponding to the selective suction region of the drum, the second opening has a non-breathable second corresponding portion partially provided in the drum axial direction in the drum circumferential direction, and the air flow is the first. Only through one opening and the second opening, the selective suction region corresponding portion can be passed in the thickness direction, and the first opening and the second opening are positioned in the drum axial direction with each other. Different,
On the portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum, a non-breathable first opening closing member corresponding to the first fiber stacking region and a non-breathable first opening closing member corresponding to the second stacking fiber region are provided. A second opening closing member is arranged, the first opening closing member is at the same position as the second opening in the drum axial direction, and the second opening closing member is the first opening. It is in the same position in the direction of the drum axis as the part,
During the transportation of the accumulation recess in the first selective suction region, the first opening closing member does not overlap with the first opening, but the second opening closing member overlaps with the first opening. Therefore, the flow rate of the air flow in the second stacking fiber region is reduced.
During the transportation of the accumulation recess in the second selective suction region, the second opening closing member does not overlap with the second opening, but the first opening closing member overlaps with the second opening. A fiber stacking device designed to reduce the flow rate of the air flow in the first fiber stacking region.
<8>
The length of the second opening closing member in the drum axial direction is longer than the length of the first opening in the drum axial direction, and the length of the first opening closing member in the drum axial direction is the above. The fiber stacking device according to <7>, which is shorter than the length of the second opening in the drum axis direction.
<9>
The suction region has a selective suction region and a total suction region in which suction from the fixed drum side is entirely possible in the circumferential direction of the drum, and the total suction region is the same. It is arranged corresponding to the second supply channel,
A portion corresponding to the selective suction region and a portion corresponding to the entire suction region corresponding to the entire suction region are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum.
The <7> or <8>, wherein the full suction region corresponding portion does not include a non-breathable member, and the air flow can pass through the entire area of the full suction region corresponding portion in the thickness direction. The fiber stacking device described in.

＜１０＞
繊維材料からなるシートを繊維化する繊維化手段を備え、該繊維化手段によって製造された繊維材料が前記供給路に供給される、前記＜７＞～＜９＞の何れか１項に記載の積繊装置。
＜１１＞
前記回転ドラムは、金属製の円筒状のドラム本体と、該ドラム本体の外周部に重ねて配され、前記集積用凹部を有する外層部とを含む、前記＜７＞～＜１０＞の何れか１項に記載の積繊装置。
＜１２＞
前記ドラム本体は、ドラム周方向の全長にわたって連続する環状をなし、前記外層部は、ドラム周方向に複数に分割されている、前記＜１１＞に記載の積繊装置。
＜１３＞
前記外層部は、開口部を有する複数のプレートが厚み方向に重ね合わされて構成され、前記集積用凹部は、該複数のプレートの該開口部が厚み方向の重なった部分からなる、前記＜１１＞又は＜１２＞に記載の積繊装置。
＜１４＞
前記外層部は、前記ドラム本体に近い順に、前記集積用凹部の底面を形成する底面形成プレートと、該集積用凹部内の繊維材料の積繊体に溝状凹部を形成する凹部区画プレートと、前記回転ドラムの最外層に位置するリングプレートとを含む、前記＜１１＞～＜１３＞の何れか１項に記載の積繊装置。
＜１５＞
前記第１積繊領域は、前記第２積繊領域に比べて凹部深さが深い、前記＜７＞～＜１４＞の何れか１項に記載の積繊装置。
＜１６＞
前記第１開口部の幅（ドラム軸方向の長さ）と前記第２開口部閉鎖部材の幅（ドラム軸方向の長さ）との比率は、前者＜後者を前提として、前者／後者として、好ましくは０．８以上、より好ましくは０．９以上、そして、好ましくは０．２以下、より好ましくは０．１以下である、前記＜７＞～＜１５＞の何れか１項に記載の積繊装置。
＜１７＞
前記第２開口部の幅（ドラム軸方向の長さ）と前記第１開口部閉鎖部材の幅（ドラム軸方向の長さ）との比率は、前者＞後者を前提として、前者／後者として、好ましくは１．０以上１．６未満、より好ましくは１．０以上２．０未満である、前記＜７＞～＜１６＞の何れか１項に記載の積繊装置。
＜１８＞
前記第１の対応部（前記第１開口部）に前記第２開口部閉鎖部材が重なった状態で、該第１の対応部（該第１開口部）と該第２開口部閉鎖部材との離間距離は、好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて３ｍｍ以下、より好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて２ｍｍ以下であり、
前記第２の対応部（前記第２開口部）に前記第１開口部閉鎖部材が重なった状態で、該第２の対応部（該第２開口部）と該第１開口部閉鎖部材との離間距離は、好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて３ｍｍ以下、より好ましくは０ｍｍを超えて２ｍｍ以下である、前記＜７＞～＜１７＞の何れか１項に記載の積繊装置。 <10>
The item according to any one of <7> to <9>, wherein the fibrous means for fiberizing the sheet made of the fibrous material is provided, and the fibrous material produced by the fibrous means is supplied to the supply channel. Fiber stacking device.
<11>
The rotating drum is any one of <7> to <10>, which includes a metal cylindrical drum main body and an outer layer portion which is arranged so as to be overlapped on the outer peripheral portion of the drum main body and has the integration recess. The fiber stacking device according to item 1.
<12>
The fiber stacking device according to <11>, wherein the drum body forms a continuous annular shape over the entire length in the drum circumferential direction, and the outer layer portion is divided into a plurality of parts in the drum circumferential direction.
<13>
The outer layer portion is formed by stacking a plurality of plates having openings in the thickness direction, and the integration recess is composed of a portion in which the openings of the plurality of plates are overlapped in the thickness direction. Or the fiber stacking device according to <12>.
<14>
The outer layer portion includes a bottom surface forming plate that forms the bottom surface of the accumulation recess, and a recess partition plate that forms a groove-shaped recess in the fiber material stack of the fiber material in the accumulation recess, in order of proximity to the drum body. The fiber stacking device according to any one of <11> to <13>, which includes a ring plate located on the outermost layer of the rotating drum.
<15>
The stacking device according to any one of <7> to <14>, wherein the first stacking region has a deeper recess than the second stacking region.
<16>
The ratio of the width of the first opening (length in the drum axis direction) to the width of the second opening closing member (length in the drum axis direction) is determined as the former / the latter, assuming the former <the latter. The item according to any one of <7> to <15>, preferably 0.8 or more, more preferably 0.9 or more, and preferably 0.2 or less, more preferably 0.1 or less. Fiber stacking device.
<17>
The ratio of the width of the second opening (length in the drum axis direction) to the width of the first opening closing member (length in the drum axis direction) is based on the premise that the former> the latter, and the former / the latter. The fiber stacking apparatus according to any one of <7> to <16>, preferably 1.0 or more and less than 1.6, and more preferably 1.0 or more and less than 2.0.
<18>
The first corresponding portion (the first opening) and the second opening closing member are in a state where the second opening closing member is overlapped with the first corresponding portion (the first opening). The separation distance is preferably more than 0 mm and 3 mm or less, more preferably more than 0 mm and 2 mm or less.
The second corresponding portion (the second opening) and the first opening closing member are in a state where the first opening closing member is overlapped with the second corresponding portion (the second opening). The fiber stacking device according to any one of <7> to <17>, wherein the separation distance is preferably more than 0 mm and 3 mm or less, and more preferably more than 0 mm and 2 mm or less.

１０，１０Ａ，１０Ｂ 吸収体
１１ 高坪量部
１１Ａ 突出部
１２ 低坪量部
Ｘ 縦方向
Ｙ 横方向
１ 積繊装置
２ 固定ドラム
２Ｓ 固定ドラムの外周部
２３ 選択的吸引領域対応部
２３Ａ 第１の対応部
２３Ｂ 第２の対応部
２４ 全面的吸引領域対応部
２６Ａ 第１開口部
２６Ｂ 第２開口部
３ 回転ドラム
３Ａ ドラム本体
３０Ａ 第１開口部閉鎖部材
３０Ｂ，第２開口部閉鎖部材
３Ｂ 外層部
４ 集積部
４０ 集積用凹部
４１ 第１積繊領域
４２ 第２積繊領域
５Ａ，５Ｂ 原材料供給機構
５０Ａ，５０Ｂ 供給路
５１Ａ，５１Ｂ ダクト
６ 搬送機構
Ｓ 吸引領域
Ｓ１ 選択的吸引領域
Ｓ１ａ 第１の選択的吸引領域
Ｓ１ｂ 第２の選択的吸引領域
Ｓ２ 全面的吸引領域
Ｘ１ ドラム周方向
Ｒ１ 回転ドラムの回転方向（ＭＤ）
Ｙ１ ドラム軸方向（ＣＤ） 10, 10A, 10B Absorber 11 High basis weight part 11A Protruding part 12 Low basis weight part X Vertical direction Y Horizontal direction 1 Fiber stacking device 2 Fixed drum 2S Fixed drum outer peripheral part 23 Selective suction area corresponding part 23A First Corresponding part 23B Second corresponding part 24 Full suction area Corresponding part 26A First opening 26B Second opening 3 Rotating drum 3A Drum body 30A First opening closing member 30B, second opening closing member 3B Outer layer part 4 Accumulation part 40 Accumulation recess 41 First stacking region 42 Second stacking region 5A, 5B Raw material supply mechanism 50A, 50B Supply path 51A, 51B Duct 6 Conveying mechanism S Suction region S1 Selective suction region S1a First selective Suction area S1b Second selective suction area S2 Full suction area X1 Drum peripheral direction R1 Rotating drum rotation direction (MD)
Y1 drum axis direction (CD)

Claims (6)

積繊装置を用い、繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含み、且つ繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部と相対的に少ない低坪量部とを一方向に有する吸収体を製造する、吸収体の製造方法であって、
前記積繊装置は、固定ドラムと、該固定ドラムの外周部周りを回転可能に設けられ、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部を外周部に有する回転ドラムと、該集積用凹部に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路とを備え、該回転ドラムを回転させて該集積用凹部をドラム周方向に沿う搬送方向に搬送させつつ、該固定ドラム側からの吸引によって該供給路に生じた空気流に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、該集積用凹部の底面上に積繊させるようになされており、
前記集積用凹部は、前記高坪量部を形成する第１積繊領域と、前記低坪量部を形成する第２積繊領域とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記供給路は、前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路と、前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記集積用凹部に対して前記第１供給路から前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給工程と、該第１供給工程の後に、該第１繊維材料が積繊された該集積用凹部に対して、前記第２供給路から前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給工程とを有し、
前記第１供給工程では、前記第１繊維材料が前記第１積繊領域に優先的に積繊されるように、前記空気流を制御する、吸収体の製造方法。 Using a fiber stacking device, the high-basis portion and the low-basis portion, which contain the first fiber material and the second fiber material different from each other as the fiber material and have a relatively large basis weight of the fiber material, are used. A method for manufacturing an absorber, which manufactures an absorber having one direction.
The fiber stacking device is provided rotatably around a fixed drum and an outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum, and is directed toward the rotary drum having an accumulation recess on the outer periphery on which the fiber material is stacked and the accumulation recess. The supply path is provided with a supply path for supplying the fiber material in a scattered state, and the rotary drum is rotated to convey the accumulation recess in the transfer direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, while suction from the fixed drum side causes the supply path. The fiber material carried by the air flow generated in the above is made to be stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess.
The accumulation recess has a first layered fiber region forming the high basis weight portion and a second layered fiber region forming the low basis weight portion in the circumferential direction of the drum.
The supply path has a first supply path for supplying the first fiber material and a second supply path for supplying the second fiber material in the circumferential direction of the drum.
After the first supply step of supplying the first fiber material from the first supply path to the accumulation recess and the first supply step, the accumulation recess in which the first fiber material is stacked is used. On the other hand, it has a second supply step of supplying the second fiber material from the second supply path.
In the first supply step, a method for manufacturing an absorber that controls the air flow so that the first fiber material is preferentially stacked in the first fiber region. 前記第２供給工程では、前記第２繊維材料が前記第２積繊領域に優先的に積繊されるように、前記空気流を制御する、請求項１に記載の吸収体の製造方法。 The method for producing an absorber according to claim 1, wherein in the second supply step, the air flow is controlled so that the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber region. 前記第２供給工程は、第１の工程と、該第１の工程の後に行われる第２の工程とに区分され、
前記第１の工程では、前記第２繊維材料が前記第２積繊領域に優先的に積繊されるように、前記空気流を制御し、
前記第２の工程では、前記第２繊維材料が前記第１積繊領域及び前記第２積繊領域の双方に積繊されるように、該空気流を制御する、請求項１に記載の吸収体の製造方法。 The second supply step is divided into a first step and a second step performed after the first step.
In the first step, the air flow is controlled so that the second fiber material is preferentially stacked in the second fiber region.
The absorption according to claim 1, wherein in the second step, the air flow is controlled so that the second fiber material is stacked in both the first fiber region and the second fiber region. How to make a body. 固定ドラムと、該固定ドラムの外周部周りを回転可能に設けられ、繊維材料が積繊される集積用凹部を外周部に有する回転ドラムと、該集積用凹部に向けて繊維材料を飛散状態にて供給する供給路とを備え、該回転ドラムを回転させて該集積用凹部をドラム周方向に沿う搬送方向に搬送させつつ、該固定ドラム側からの吸引によって該供給路に生じた空気流に乗って搬送された繊維材料を、ドラム周方向の所定の吸引領域にて該集積用凹部の底面上に積繊させるようになされており、
繊維材料として互いに異種の第１繊維材料及び第２繊維材料を含み、且つ繊維材料の坪量が相対的に多い高坪量部と相対的に少ない低坪量部とを一方向に有する積繊体を製造する、積繊装置であって、
前記集積用凹部は、前記高坪量部を形成する第１積繊領域と、前記低坪量部を形成する第２積繊領域とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記供給路は、前記第１繊維材料を供給する第１供給路と、前記第２繊維材料を供給する第２供給路とを、ドラム周方向に有し、
前記吸引領域は、前記固定ドラム側からの吸引が部分的に可能になされている選択的吸引領域を有し、該選択的吸引領域は、前記第１供給路に対応する第１の選択的吸引領域と、前記第２供給路に対応する第２の選択的吸引領域とを有し、
前記固定ドラムの外周部に、前記選択的吸引領域に対応する選択的吸引領域対応部が配されており、
前記選択的吸引領域対応部は、前記第１の選択的吸引領域に対応し、第１開口部がドラム軸方向に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第１の対応部と、前記第２の選択的吸引領域に対応し、第２開口部がドラム軸方向に部分的に設けられた非通気性の第２の対応部とを、ドラム周方向に有し、前記空気流は、該第１開口部及び該第２開口部を通じてのみ該選択的吸引領域対応部を厚み方向に通過可能になされており、該第１開口部と該第２開口部とは、ドラム軸方向の位置が互いに異なっており、
前記回転ドラムの前記固定ドラムの外周部との対向部分に、前記第１積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第１開口部閉鎖部材と、前記第２積繊領域に対応する非通気性の第２開口部閉鎖部材とが配されており、該第１開口部閉鎖部材は、前記第２開口部とドラム軸方向において同位置にあり、該第２開口部閉鎖部材は、前記第１開口部とドラム軸方向において同位置にあり、
前記集積用凹部の前記第１の選択的吸引領域での搬送中では、前記第１開口部に対し、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材は重ならずに、前記第２開口部閉鎖部材が重なることで、前記第２積繊領域の前記空気流の流量を低減するようになされており、
前記集積用凹部の前記第２の選択的吸引領域での搬送中では、前記第２開口部に対し、前記第２開口部閉鎖部材は重ならずに、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材が重なることで、前記第１積繊領域の前記空気流の流量を低減するようになされている、積繊装置。 A fixed drum, a rotating drum that is rotatably provided around the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum and has an accumulation recess on the outer periphery on which the fiber material is stacked, and a fiber material scattered toward the accumulation recess. The rotating drum is rotated to convey the integration recess in the transport direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, and the air flow generated in the supply path by suction from the fixed drum side is provided. The fiber material carried on the drum is made to be stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess in a predetermined suction region in the circumferential direction of the drum.
A fiber stack containing a first fiber material and a second fiber material different from each other as a fiber material and having a high basis weight portion having a relatively large basis weight and a relatively low basis weight portion of the fiber material in one direction. A fiber stacking device that manufactures the body
The accumulation recess has a first layered fiber region forming the high basis weight portion and a second layered fiber region forming the low basis weight portion in the circumferential direction of the drum.
The supply path has a first supply path for supplying the first fiber material and a second supply path for supplying the second fiber material in the circumferential direction of the drum.
The suction region has a selective suction region in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and the selective suction region is a first selective suction corresponding to the first supply path. It has a region and a second selective suction region corresponding to the second supply path.
A selective suction region corresponding portion corresponding to the selective suction region is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum.
The selective suction region corresponding portion corresponds to the first selective suction region, and has a non-breathable first corresponding portion in which a first opening is partially provided in the drum axial direction, and the second. Corresponding to the selective suction region of the drum, the second opening has a non-breathable second corresponding portion partially provided in the drum axial direction in the drum circumferential direction, and the air flow is the first. Only through one opening and the second opening, the selective suction region corresponding portion can be passed in the thickness direction, and the first opening and the second opening are positioned in the drum axial direction with each other. Different,
On the portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum, a non-breathable first opening closing member corresponding to the first fiber stacking region and a non-breathable first opening closing member corresponding to the second stacking fiber region are provided. A second opening closing member is arranged, the first opening closing member is at the same position as the second opening in the drum axial direction, and the second opening closing member is the first opening. It is in the same position in the direction of the drum axis as the part,
During the transportation of the accumulation recess in the first selective suction region, the first opening closing member does not overlap with the first opening, but the second opening closing member overlaps with the first opening. Therefore, the flow rate of the air flow in the second stacking fiber region is reduced.
During the transportation of the accumulation recess in the second selective suction region, the second opening closing member does not overlap with the second opening, but the first opening closing member overlaps with the second opening. A fiber stacking device designed to reduce the flow rate of the air flow in the first fiber stacking region. 前記第２開口部閉鎖部材のドラム軸方向の長さは、前記第１開口部のドラム軸方向の長さに比べて長く、前記第１開口部閉鎖部材のドラム軸方向の長さは、前記第２開口部のドラム軸方向の長さに比べて短い、請求項４に記載の積繊装置。 The length of the second opening closing member in the drum axial direction is longer than the length of the first opening in the drum axial direction, and the length of the first opening closing member in the drum axial direction is the above. The fiber stacking device according to claim 4, which is shorter than the length of the second opening in the drum axis direction. 前記吸引領域は、前記選択的吸引領域と、前記固定ドラム側からの吸引が全面的に可能になされている全面的吸引領域とを、ドラム周方向に有し、該全面的吸引領域は、前記第２供給路に対応して配されており、
前記固定ドラムの外周部に、前記選択的吸引領域対応部と、前記全面的吸引領域に対応する全面的吸引領域対応部が配されており、
前記全面的吸引領域対応部は、非通気性部材を含まず、前記空気流は、該全面的吸引領域対応部の全域を厚み方向に通過可能になされている、請求項４又は５に記載の積繊装置。
The suction region has a selective suction region and a total suction region in which suction from the fixed drum side is entirely possible in the circumferential direction of the drum, and the total suction region is the same. It is arranged corresponding to the second supply channel,
A portion corresponding to the selective suction region and a portion corresponding to the entire suction region corresponding to the entire suction region are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum.
6. Fiber stacking device.

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