Patent Publication Number: US-2013243951-A1

Title: Adhesive application device and adhesive application method related to absorbent articles

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an adhesive application device and an adhesive application method, used when manufacturing absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and the like, and applies adhesives such as hot-melt adhesives to continuous sheets of nonwoven fabric, films and the like. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, in a production line for disposable diapers and the like, as shown in a schematic side view in  FIG. 1 , the continuous sheet  2  made of such as nonwoven fabric or a film has been made to continuously travel in the direction of travel, and during this travel, hot-melt adhesives  4  have been applied to one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 . 
     This application is performed by a hot-melt adhesive application device  120  (hereafter referred to as HMA application device  120 ). The HMA application device  120  has, for example, a head  121  as the main body positioned at a predetermined position in the direction of travel of the continuous sheet  2 , and said head  121  has an adhesive discharge hole  123  directed toward said one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 , and an air discharge hole  125  positioned adjacent the adhesive discharge hole  123 . And the adhesive  4  is blown to be applied to the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  in a predetermined application pattern, by making air A 125  discharged from the air discharge holes  125 ,  125  act on the adhesive  4  discharged from the adhesive discharge hole  123 . 
     Here, PTL 1 discloses further in addition to the aforementioned adhesive discharge hole  123  and the air discharge hole  125 , emitting holes  127 ,  127  that emit air for air curtains AC are provided to the head  121  and thereby foreign matters such as dust is prevented from sticking to the head  121 . 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2002-102765 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, PTL1 says nothing about the problem of the adhesive  4  scattering into the space SPa around the head  121 . In other words, the problem of air A 125  discharged from the air discharge holes  125 ,  125  of the head  121  reflected and the like by the continuous sheet  2  to scatter adhesives  4  into said surrounding space SPa, and the problem of airflow A 2  generated by the travelling of the continuous sheet  2  spreading the scattering to the downstream side in the direction of travel is not mentioned at all. 
     For such reason, measures for solving these problems have not been taken at all. As a result, there were risks of adhesives  4  scattering to spatter over the other devices located in said surrounding space SPa, and increasing the cleaning frequency to inhibit productivity. 
     The present invention has been made in view of conventional problems such as those mentioned above, and an object thereof is to restrain adhesives from scattering into the space around the head. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the above-described problem, a principal aspect of the invention is, an adhesive application device that applies adhesive on one side of a continuous sheet that travels, by acting air discharged from an air discharge hole of a head on the adhesive discharged from an adhesive discharge hole of the head, the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article including a first air curtain forming member positioned at a location on a downstream side of the head in a direction of travel of the continuous sheet, to oppose the head with a space therebetween, and forms a first air curtain by emitting air toward the one side of the continuous sheet; and a pair of second air curtain forming members positioned at locations at outer sides from head in a width direction of the continuous sheet, to respectively oppose the head with spaces therebetween, and forms second air curtains by emitting air toward the one side of the continuous sheet. 
     And a further aspect of the invention is, a method of applying adhesive on one side of a continuous sheet that travels, by acting air discharged from an air discharge hole of a head on the adhesive discharged from an adhesive discharge hole of the head, the adhesive application method related to an absorbent article including forming a first air curtain by positioning a first air curtain forming member at a location on a downstream side of the head in a direction of travel of the continuous sheet, to oppose the head with a space therebetween, and emitting from the first air curtain forming member air toward the one side of the continuous sheet; and forming second air curtains by positioning second air curtain forming members at locations at outer sides from head in a width direction of the continuous sheet, to respectively oppose the head with spaces therebetween, and emitting from the second air curtain forming members air toward the one side of the continuous sheet. 
     Features of the invention other than the above will become clear from the description of the present specification and the drawings attached. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to restrain scattering of adhesives into the space around the head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a conventional HMA application device  120 . 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic perspective view of the HMA application device  20  of the present embodiment seen from the head  21  side. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic perspective view of the same HMA application device  20  seen from the continuous sheet  2  side. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic vertical sectional view seen through the center of the HMA application device  20 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing view B-B in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a diagram showing view C-C in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory view of the air curtain forming member  41   a  according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory view of the air curtain forming member  41   b  according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     At least the following matters will be made clear from the description of the present specification with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     First, the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article according to the present invention is a device that applies adhesive on one side of a continuous sheet that travels, by acting air discharged from an air discharge hole of a head on the adhesive discharged from an adhesive discharge hole of the head, the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article including a first air curtain forming member positioned at a location on a downstream side of the head in a direction of travel of the continuous sheet, to oppose the head with a space therebetween, and forms a first air curtain by emitting air toward the one side of the continuous sheet, and a pair of second air curtain forming members positioned at locations at outer sides from head in a width direction of the continuous sheet, to respectively oppose the head with spaces therebetween, and forms second air curtains by emitting air toward the one side of the continuous sheet. 
     According to such an adhesive application device related to an absorbent article, a space is provided between the head and the first air curtain forming member, and spaces are also provided between the head and the second air curtain forming members. And as a result of air in these spaces respectively accompanying the air curtains, accompanying air streams toward the continuous sheet flow through these spaces. Therefore, besides the air curtains, these accompanying air streams restrain scattering of adhesives into the space surrounding the head. As a result, antiscattering effect of the adhesives can be expanded. 
     Further, owing to the airstream generated by the travelling of the continuous sheet, adhesive is likely to scatter downstream the direction of travel than upstream thereof. However according to the aforementioned configuration, since at a location downstream the direction of travel, air curtains are formed to surround such location by the first air curtain forming member and a pair of second air curtain members, such scattering of adhesives can be effectively restrained. 
     It is preferable that in the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article the first air curtain forming member and the pair of second air curtain forming members, by being continuously provided to one another, are positioned to surround the head from at least three sides being a downstream side in the direction of travel and both sides in the width direction, the first emitting hole of a slit shape that emits the air relating to the first air curtain is provided to a face, of the first air curtain forming member, that opposes the one side of the continuous sheet, the second emitting holes of slit shapes that emit the air relating to the second air curtains are provided to each faces, of the pair of second air curtain forming members, that oppose the one side of the continuous sheet, and the first emitting hole is connected to the second emitting holes. 
     According to such an adhesive application device related to an absorbent article, the first air curtain of the first air curtain forming member, and the second air curtain of the second air curtain forming member are continuously formed so that discontinuity such as a gap and the like is not created therebetween. Therefore, the head can be certainly surrounded by air curtains from three directions, being the downstream side in the direction of travel and the two sides in said width direction and thereby, scattering of adhesives into the surrounding space can be effectively restrained. 
     It is preferable that in the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article the first air curtain forming member has a first wall that opposes the head, the pair of second air curtain forming members respectively have a second wall each opposing the head, and the first wall and the second walls are each positioned to extend to a location distant from the one face than a location of the adhesive discharge hole in relation to a direction normal to the one side of the continuous sheet. 
     According to such an adhesive application device related to absorbent articles, said wall is provided to extend up to a location distant from the continuous sheet than the adhesive discharge hole. Thereby, accompanying airflows that may be generated in the space between the air curtain forming members and the head, can be guided from a location distant from the adhesive discharge hole. In this way, said accompanying airflows can be certainly made to act on the adhesives immediately after being discharged from the adhesive discharge holes. And as a result, the effect of restraining scattering of adhesives into the surrounding space can be improved. 
     It is preferable that in the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article the first emitting hole of the first air curtain forming member and the second emitting holes of the pair of second air curtain forming members are each positioned at a location distant from the one face than a location of the adhesive discharge hole of the head in relation to a direction normal to the one side of the continuous sheet. 
     According to such an adhesive application device related to an absorbent article, the scattered adhesives can be effectively restrained from sticking to the first emitting hole and the second emitting holes, so the first air curtain and the second air curtains can be certainly formed. 
     It is preferable that in the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article a third air curtain forming member is positioned at a location on an upstream side of the head in a direction of travel of the continuous sheet, to oppose the head with a space therebetween, and forms a third air curtain by emitting air toward the one side of the continuous sheet. 
     According to such an adhesive application device related to an absorbent article, scattering of adhesives to the upstream side can be restrained. Further, said space between the head and the third air curtain forming member has formed thereto an accompanying airflow that accompanies the third air curtain thus scattering of adhesives to the upstream side in the direction of travel can be further effectively restrained. 
     It is preferable that in the adhesive application device related to an absorbent article the pair of second air curtain forming members, by being continuously provided to the first air curtain forming member and the third air curtain forming member, are positioned to surround the head from at least four sides being a downstream side and upstream side in the direction of travel and both sides in the width direction, the first emitting hole of a slit shape that emits the air related to the first air curtain is provided to a face, of the first air curtain forming member, that opposes the one side of the continuous sheet, the second emitting holes of slit shapes that emit the air relating to the second air curtains are provided to each faces, of the pair of second air curtain forming members, that oppose the one side of the continuous sheet, the third emitting hole of a slit shape that emits the air relating to the third air curtain is provided to a face, of the third air curtain forming member, that opposes the one side of the continuous sheet, and the second emitting holes are connected to the first emitting hole and the third emitting hole. 
     According to such an adhesive application device related to an absorbent article, the second air curtains of the pair of second air curtain forming members, and the first air curtain of the first air curtain forming member and the third air curtain of the third air curtain forming member, are continuously formed to each other so that discontinuity such as a gap and the like is not created therebetween. Therefore, the head can be certainly enclosed by air curtains from four sides, being both upstream and downstream sides of the direction of travel and the two sides in said width direction and thereby, scattering of adhesives into the surrounding space can be effectively restrained. 
     Further, the adhesive application method related to an absorbent article according to the present invention is a method of applying adhesive on one side of a continuous sheet that travels, by acting air discharged from an air discharge hole of a head on the adhesive discharged from an adhesive discharge hole of the head, the adhesive application method related to an absorbent article including forming a first air curtain by positioning a first air curtain forming member at a location on a downstream side of the head in a direction of travel of the continuous sheet, to oppose the head with a space therebetween, and emitting from the first air curtain forming member air toward the one side of the continuous sheet, and forming second air curtains by positioning second air curtain forming members at locations at outer sides from head in a width direction of the continuous sheet, to respectively oppose the head with spaces therebetween, and emitting from the second air curtain forming members air toward the one side of the continuous sheet. 
     According to such adhesive application method related to absorbent articles, a space is provided between the head and the first air curtain forming member, and spaces are also provided between the head and the second air curtain forming members. And as a result of air in these spaces respectively accompanying the air curtains, accompanying air streams toward the continuous sheet flow through these spaces. Therefore, besides the air curtains, these accompanying air streams restrain scattering of adhesives into the space surrounding the head. As a result, antiscattering effect on the adhesives can be expanded. 
     Further, owing to the airstream generated by the travelling of the continuous sheet, adhesive is likely to scatter downstream the direction of travel than upstream thereof. However according to the aforementioned configuration, since at a location downstream the direction of travel, air curtains are formed to surround such location by the first air curtain forming member and a pair of second air curtain members, such scattering of adhesives can be effectively restrained. 
     The Present Embodiment 
       FIGS. 2A to 3C  are explanatory diagrams of the adhesive application device according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 2A  is a schematic perspective view of the same application device  20  seen from the head  21  side, and  FIG. 2B  is a schematic perspective view of the same application device  20  seen from the continuous sheet  2  side. Further,  FIG. 3A  is a schematic vertical sectional view seen through the center of the same application device  20 , and  FIGS. 3B and 3C  are B-B and C-C views, respectively in  FIG. 3A . 
     This adhesive application device  20  is used in manufacturing lines for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins. In other words, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the same application device  20  is for applying adhesive  4  in a predetermined pattern, to one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  that travels in a predetermined direction of travel. And at a location to the downstream side, than this application device  20 , in the direction of travel, separate continuous sheets or cut sheets (not shown) and the like as separate parts are appropriately overlapped and joined into one piece at the portion where the same adhesive  4  is applied to be successively transported to the following process as a partially-finished product of an absorbent article. 
     As the continuous sheet  2 , for example, there are nonwoven fabric, fabric, film and the like, to name a few. And as an example of material therefore, there is thermoplastic resin however, the material is not limited to such and pulp fiber and the like may be used. Further, regarding the air permeability in the thickness direction, since air can easily escape in the thickness direction from sheets with high permeability thus sheets with high permeability is preferred from the viewpoint of restraining the scattering of adhesives  4  however, non-permeable sheets may be used. 
     As adhesive  4 , hot-melt adhesive can be given as an example however, it is not limited to such. That is, adhesives besides hot-melt adhesives may be used as long as the adhesive  4  has appropriate thermoplasticity and can be applied in a fluid state by being melted by heat. Note that, in the following, description will be given in the case hot-melt adhesive is used, and the same adhesive  4  is also referred to as simply adhesive  4 , and the adhesive application device  20  is also referred to as HMA application device  20 . 
     Further in the following description, the direction of travel of the continuous sheet  2  that travels along the manufacturing line is also referred to as the MD direction, and the width direction of the same continuous sheet  2  is also referred to as the CD direction. Note that in  FIG. 3A , the MD direction is an arbitrary direction parallel with the plane of the paper of  FIG. 3A , and the same MD direction also includes the up-down direction. Further, the CD direction is the direction that penetrates the plane of the paper of  FIG. 3A , and the same direction is also referred to as the right-left direction. 
     The HMA application device  20  is provided to oppose one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 , and includes a head  21  that discharges adhesive  4  from the adhesive discharge hole  23  toward the same one side  2   s,  and an air curtain forming member  41  that forms the air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3  around the head  21  to restrain scattering of the adhesive  4  discharged from the head  21  into the surrounding space SPa. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the head  21  is fixed in a manner prevented from moving at a predetermined position in the direction of travel of the continuous sheet  2 . For example, the head  21  is fixed and supported, in a manner prevented from moving, to an appropriate support member  10  such as a mirror plate via an appropriate stay member  22 . Further as shown in  FIG. 3A , the adhesion discharge hole  23  of the head  21  is position to oppose the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 . And a flow channel  24  that is in fluid communication with the adhesive discharge hole  23  is formed inside the head  21 , and adhesive  4  is forced into the flow channel  24  by a pump, not shown, provided outside, and thereby adhesive  4  is discharged from the adhesive discharge hole  23 . Note that, a valve that opens/closes the flow channel  24  may be provided to control starting and stopping of discharge. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , a pair of right and left air discharge holes  25 ,  25  is positioned at both side locations in the CD direction of the adhesive discharge hole  23  of the head  21 . And air discharged from these air discharge holes  25 ,  25  act on the adhesive  4  discharged from the adhesive discharge hole  23  and thereby, adhesive  4  is applied to the continuous sheet  2  in a predetermined application pattern. 
     For example, air is alternately discharged at a predetermined cycle from the pair of air discharge holes  25 ,  25 . Then as a result of the adhesive  4  being attracted to the direction of air discharge by a so-called joining effect, adhesive  4  is blown toward the continuous sheet  2  and applied thereto in an S-shape pattern of a substantially sinusoidal waveform as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     Note that in the example shown, three adhesive discharge holes  23  provided with such air discharge holes  25 ,  25  are aligned in the CD direction and thereby, three lines of adhesives  4  are applied in a substantially sinusoidal waveform to the continuous sheet  2  however, the number of lines is not limited to three. Additionally, the pattern in which adhesive  4  is applied is not limited to an S-shape pattern of a substantially sinusoidal waveform and can be applied in various patterns. For example, a spiral pattern may be adopted. In such case, said spiral pattern can be realized by the plurality of air discharge holes  25 ,  25  . . . being positioned at a predetermined pitch along a circle with its center at the adhesive discharge hole  23 , and acting air discharged from the air discharge holes  25 , . . . with an angle toward adhesive  4  discharged from the adhesive discharge hole  23 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , the air curtain forming member  41  that has its main body a member in an approximately frame form, in a planar view, made by an approximately rectangular shaped opening  41   h  penetrating the inner side of an approximately rectangular plate form member. And the head  21  is positioned at approximately the center of this opening  41   h.  Thereby, the air curtain forming member  41  is positioned to surround the head  21  from four sides being two sides in the CD direction and two sides in the direction of travel (MD direction). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3C , this air curtain forming member  41  can be divided into four parts. In other words, four members being, the first air curtain forming member  411  positioned at a location downstream of the head  21  in the direction of travel and forming the first air curtain AC 1  along the CD direction at said location, right-left pair of second air curtain forming members  412 ,  412  positioned at locations at the outer sides in the CD direction from the head  21  and forming the second air curtains AC 2  along the direction of travel at said locations, and the third air curtain forming member  413  positioned at a location upstream of the head  21  in the direction of travel and forming the third air curtain AC 3  along the CD direction at said location. And the right-left pair of second air curtain forming members  412 ,  412  are continuous by being respectively connected to the first air curtain forming member  411  and the third air curtain forming member  413  at each end portions, and thereby the air curtain forming member  41  as whole is in the above-mentioned approximately frame form. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , the air curtain forming members  411 ,  412 ,  412 ,  413  respectively include slit shaped emitting holes  411   h ,  412   h,    412   h,    413   h  at the face opposing the continuous sheet  2 , and form the aforementioned air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3  by emitting air toward the continuous sheet  2  from the emitting holes  411   h ,  412   h,    412   h,    413   h,  respectively. Further, the emitting holes  412   h ,  412   h  of the right-left pair of second air curtain forming members  412 ,  412  are respectively connected to the emitting hole  411   h  of the first air curtain forming member  411  and the emitting hole  413   h  of the third air curtain forming member  413  at each end portions. 
     In this way, the right-left pair of second air curtains AC 2 , AC 2  are also respectively connected to the first air curtain AC 1  and the third air curtain AC 3  at each end portions, and these connected four air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3  as a whole form a single rectangular tube air curtain (hereafter called air curtain tube). And with this air curtain tube, the head  21  can be surrounded from four sides being the two sides in the CD direction and the two sides in the direction of travel without discontinuity such as a gap and the like along the whole circumference thereof. And as a result, adhesive  4  applied from the head  21  toward the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  can be effectively restrained from scattering into the surrounding space SPa. 
     By the way, as can be seen with reference to  FIGS. 3A to 3C , the aforementioned four air curtain forming members  411 ,  412 ,  412 ,  413  are respectively positioned to oppose the head  21  in a state with spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3  between the head  21 , in the present embodiment. To be specific, the head  21  and the four air curtain forming members  411 ,  412 ,  412 ,  413  have therebetween spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3  respectively formed along the direction normal to the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 , and these spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3  are respectively in fluid communication with the surrounding space SPa. 
     Therefore, the spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3  has formed thereto airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3  (hereafter also referred to as accompanying airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3 ) along the aforementioned normal direction accompanying the air of the air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3  flowing proximate the spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3 . In other words, the space SP 1  between the first air curtain forming member  411  and the head  21  has formed an accompanying airflow C 1  that flows in the direction same as the flow direction of the first air curtain AC 1 , the space SP 2  between the second air curtain forming member  412  and the head  21  has formed an accompanying airflow C 2  that flows in the direction same as the flow direction of the second air curtain AC 2 , and the space SP 3  between the third air curtain forming member  413  and the head  21  has formed an accompanying airflow C 3  that flows in the direction same as the flow direction of the third air curtain AC 3 . And theses accompanying airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3  assists in the restraining of adhesive  4  from scattering by the first through third air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3  to further effectively restrain the adhesive  4  from scattering into the surrounding space SPa. 
     Further as shown in  FIG. 3C , the aforementioned spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3  are interconnected at the end portions and as a result, form a single annular space surrounding the head  21 . Thereby, the aforementioned accompanying airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3  are also interconnected at the end portions so that these accompanying airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3  are also integrated into as a single annular flow. In other words, these accompanying airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3  take on the semblance of an annular flow aligned at the inner circumferential side of the air curtain tube. And since the head  21  is surrounded also by said annular flow, from four sides being the two sides in the direction of travel and the two sides in C the D direction, without discontinuity such as a gap and the like around its whole circumference, scattering of adhesive  4  to the surrounding space SPa can be much more effectively restrained. 
     Note that, the head  21  and the air curtain forming member  41  are avoided from being physically connected so to allow to form a successive annular space where said spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3  are continuous. In other words, as shown in  FIG. 2A , in the present embodiment, the aforementioned head  21  is not used as a support member for positioning the air curtain forming member  41  around the head  21  while supporting the same member  41 , and the air curtain forming member  41  is fixedly supported by the support member  10  of the aforementioned mirror plate and the like via a dedicated stay member  43 . 
     By the way, it is preferable that the positional relation of the adhesive discharge hole  23  of the head  21  and the air curtain forming member  41  are set in the following manner. 
     Firstly, it is preferable that the walls  411   w,    412   w,    412   w ,  413   w  that oppose the head  21  among the plurality of walls provided to the air curtain forming members  411 ,  412 ,  412 ,  413  are extended up to a distant location from the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  than the location of the adhesive discharge hole  23  as to the direction normal to the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 . To be specific, it preferable that with regard to the walls  411   w,    412   w,    412   w,    413   w,  the distance in the normal direction from the locations  411   wp ,  412   wp ,  412   wp ,  413   wp  farthest from the aforementioned one side  2   s  to the same one side  2   s  is greater than the distance L23 in the aforementioned normal direction from the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  to the adhesive discharge hole  23 . 
     And when arranged in such way, the accompanying airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3  that may be generated in the spaces SP 1 , SP 2 , SP 2 , SP 3  can be guided from a location (from the upper side in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) farther than the adhesive discharge hole  23 . And thereby, these accompanying airflows C 1 , C 2 , C 2 , C 3  can be certainly acted on the adhesive  4  immediately after discharge from the adhesive discharge hole  23 . And as a result, the effect of restraining the adhesive  4  from scattering into the surrounding space SPa can be improved. 
     Further, more preferably, the locations at which the emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h  of the air curtain forming members  411 ,  412 ,  412 ,  413  are positioned, are set farther in said normal direction from the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  than the location at which the adhesive discharge hole  23  of the respective heads  21 . To be specific, it is preferable that the distance in the aforementioned normal direction from the aforementioned one side  2   s  to the emitting hoes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h ,  413   h  is greater than distance L23 in the same normal direction from the aforementioned one side  2   s  to the discharge hole  23 . 
     And when arranged in such way, sticking of the scattering adhesive  4  to the emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h  or their surrounding areas can be effectively restrained and the accuracy in forming the air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3  can be improved through restraining clogging of the emitting holes  411   h,    412   h ,  412   h,    413   h.    
     Note that, the direction of adhesive  4  discharged from the adhesive discharge hole  23  of the head  21  and the direction of air discharged from the air discharge hole  25 , and the direction of air emitted from the emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h , are all basically specified to be in directions in parallel with the normal direction of the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 . However, the directions are not limited to such and may be, for example, inclined from said normal direction at an angle within the range of ±10 degrees (more preferably within the range of ±5 degrees). And when within this range, the scattering prevention effect of the adhesive  4  is can be effectively exercised however, the same effect will deteriorate when the direction is beyond this range. 
     Further, the distance from the adhesive discharge hole  23  of the head  21  to the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  is selected from the range of, for example, 20 mm to 50 mm. The adhesive  4  application width will be narrow when the distance is less than 20 mm and the scattering of the adhesive  4  will increase to contribute to spattering the surroundings as well as cooling the adhesive  4  leading to deterioration of adhesive strength when the distance is greater than 50 mm. Whereas, the distance from the air discharge hole  25  of the head  21  to the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  is selected from the range of, for example, 20 mm to 50 mm. This is because the discharged adhesive  4  is likely to stick onto the head  21 , which is not desirable, unless the air discharge hole  25  is basically at the same position as the adhesive discharge hole  23  in relation to the position in said normal direction. Additionally, the distance between the emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h  of the air curtain forming members  411 ,  412 ,  412 ,  413  and the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  is selected from the range of, for example, 25 mm to 55 mm. And when set within this range, the emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h  of the air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3  can be positioned at a location distant from the continuous sheet  2  than the adhesive discharge hole  23 . As a result, sticking of the adhesive  4  to the same emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h  can be prevented allowing to stably create the air curtains AC 1 , AC 2 , AC 2 , AC 3 . 
     Further, there may be a case where the third air curtain forming member  413  is omitted. The reason why this is possible is that an airflow is generated along the direction of travel (for example, refer to airflow A 2  in  FIG. 1 ) proximate the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2 , by the travelling of continuous sheet  2 . And for this reason, scattering of adhesive  4  toward upstream the direction of travel will be relatively minor. Conversely, the amount of scattering of adhesive  4  toward downstream the direction of travel is likely to be excessively large due to the airflow in the same direction of travel therefore the first air curtain forming member  411  positioned at a location at the downstream side in the direction of travel than the head  21 , becomes an essential member, and the pair of second air curtain forming members  412 ,  412  that restrain the scattering at the two sides in the CD direction also become essential members. 
     Among such methods of omitting the third air curtain forming member  413 , there are for example, the following two methods. As the first method, an approximately frame form member  41  (refer to  FIG. 3C ) having the same structure as that mentioned above is used for the main body of the air curtain forming member  41  and only the first emitting hole  411   h  and the pair of second emitting holes  412   h,    412   h  are formed, without the third emitting hole  413   h  being formed to said member  41 , or if the third emitting hole  413   h  is already formed, the third emitting hole  413   h  is covered with a tape member and the like to prevent air from being emitted. 
     As the second method, the air curtain forming member  41   a  is made with an approximately U-shape member  41   a  as shown in  FIG. 4  by such as removing the part corresponding to the third air curtain forming member of the air curtain forming member  41 . Note that in such case, it is preferable that the second air curtain forming member  412  is positioned such that the end portion  412   e  of the second air curtain forming member  412 , on the upstream side in the direction of travel, is position upstream of the head  21  in relation to the same direction of travel. In this way, the end portion  412   he  of the second emitting hole  412   h  can also be positioned on the upstream side of the head  21 , and along with this, the range at which the accompanying flows C 2 , C 2  are formed is expanded to the upstream side and as a result, scattering of adhesive  4  in the CD direction can be effectively restrained. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Hereinabove, explanation on the embodiments of the present invention have been given however, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and modification such as those in the following can be made. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, absorbent articles were described to be disposable diapers and sanitary napkins. However, the absorbent article is not limited to such as long as it absorbs liquid excretions such as urine, menses and the like, and can be, for example, pet waste pads that absorb liquid excretion of pets, and the like. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3C , slit shaped emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h  were provided to the air curtain forming member  41  however, the shape of the emitting holes  411   h,    412   h,    412   h,    413   h  is not limited to slits as long as an air curtain, in other words an air flow (stream of air) in a film state or a wall state can be formed. For example, a plurality of emitting holes of circular or polygonal shapes aligned along a predetermined direction can be used. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, the direction of travel of the continuous sheet  2  was set approximately horizontal however, the direction of travel is not limited to such and can be in the vertical direction or in a direction inclining between the horizontal and vertical directions. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3C , both of the second air curtain forming members  412 ,  412  were physically continuous with the first air curtain forming member  411  at the end portion E downstream in the direction of travel and physically continuous with the third air curtain forming member  413  at the end portion E upstream in the direction of travel as well. However, the relation is not limited to such. In other words, as the air curtain forming member  41   b  in  FIG. 5 , the air curtain forming member  41  can be divided at the end portion E or a portion proximate the end portion E with a gap G is formed between each other. Thereby, the first to the third air curtain forming members  411 ,  412 ,  412 ,  413  can be configured as an approximate rectangular parallelepiped rod member separate from each other. 
     However, in the case of this structure, the second emitting holes  412   h,    412   h  cannot be connected to the first emitting hole  411   h  and the third emitting hole  413   h,  so that the air curtain tube being the tubular air curtain is not formed and the effect in restraining scattering of the adhesive  4  is regarded to decline and thus the configuration in the aforementioned embodiment is preferable from such viewpoint. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , the location in the CD direction at which the second emitting hole  412   h  of the second air curtain forming member  412  is formed is located inside in the CD direction than the location of the edge  2   e  in the width direction (direction same as the CD direction) of the continuous sheet  2 . And thereby, the second air curtain AC 2  made by air emitted from the second emitting hole  412   h  is made to hit against the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  however, the position is not limited to such. In other words, there may be a case where the location at which the second emitting hole  412   h  is formed is located outside in the CD direction than said edge  2   e  of the continuous sheet  2 . Note that in such case, it is a matter of course that the second air curtain AC 2  would not hit against the one side  2   s  of the continuous sheet  2  however, the effect in restraining adhesive  4  from scattering outside in the CD direction is exercised since the second air curtain AC 2  is formed. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           2  continuous sheet,  2   e  edge,  2   s  one side,  4  adhesive, 
           10  support member, 
           20  adhesive application device,  21  head,  22  stay member, 
           23  adhesive discharge hole,  24  flow channel,  25  air discharge hole, 
           41  air curtain forming member,  41   a  air curtain forming member, 
           41   b  air curtain forming member,  41   h  opening,  43  stay member, 
           411  first air curtain forming member,  411   h  first emitting hole, 
           411   w  wall (first wall),  411   wp  location, 
           412  second air curtain forming member,  412   e  end portion, 
           412   h  second emitting hole,  412   he  edge portion, 
           412   w  wall (second wall),  412   wp  location, 
           413  third air curtain forming member,  413   h  third emitting hole, 
           413   w  wall,  413   wp  location, 
         AC 1  first air curtain, AC 2  second air curtain, 
         AC 3  third air curtain, 
         SP 1  space, SP 2  space, SP 3  space, SPa surrounding space, 
         C 1  accompanying airflow, C 2  accompanying airflow, 
         C 3  accompanying airflow, 
         E end portion, G gap