Patent ID: 9161861
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing an absorbent article including an absorbent main body, a pair of first side flaps and a pair of second side flaps, the absorbent main body having an absorbent body that absorbs fluid, the absorbent main body being placed against the crotch of a wearer, the pair of first side flaps being provided at one end section of the absorbent main body in a longitudinal direction, the first side flaps being folded in an outwardly projectable manner in a width direction of the absorbent main body from respective end edges of the absorbent main body in the width direction, the pair of second side flaps being provided at the other end section of the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction, the second side flaps being folded in an outwardly projectable manner in the width direction of the absorbent main body from respective end edges of the absorbent main body in the width direction, the method comprising: forming a pair of side flap-folded sections by folding a continuous sheet in such a manner that end sections in a width direction of the continuous sheet are folded inwardly in the width direction, respectively, while the continuous sheet that is a base material of the first side flap and the second side flap is being transported in a continuous direction of the continuous sheet; producing a flap segment by segmenting the continuous sheet at a predetermined pitch in the continuous direction, the continuous sheet having the pair of side flap-folded sections formed thereon; joining the flap segment to a continuous body of absorbent main bodies in an overlapped manner with the flap segment lying across a border position between the absorbent main bodies adjacent to each other in the transport direction, while the continuous body that includes the absorbent main bodies continuing in the longitudinal direction is being transported in a transport direction that corresponds to a continuous direction of the continuous body; and dividing the flap segment into a section having the pair of first side flaps and a section having the pair of second side flaps by segmenting the continuous body of absorbent main bodies at the border position with the flap segment being joined to the continuous body of absorbent main bodies, wherein the pair of side flap-folded sections is formed in such a manner that a gap is provided between the side flap-folded sections regarding the width direction and that the side flap-folded sections open to a side opposite to the continuous body of absorbent main bodies, and wherein the method further comprises, between the forming of the side flap-folded sections and the producing of the flap segment, providing a hook member of a fastening tape in correspondence with each side flap-folded section of the pair of side flap-folded sections, the hook member being protruded up to a position in the gap that is inner to the side flap-folded section in the width direction, the side flap-folded section being constrained in a folded state by an engagement of the hook member to a portion of the flap segment that is facing the gap.