Patent Description:
Such type of the apparatus and method have been known in the art. (Patent document <NUM> below) In the invention disclosed in the document <NUM>, the first absorbent layer is formed by sprinkling the absorbent granular powder to one-side surface of the first sheet conveyed by the first drum and keeping the powder in the surface; the second absorbent layer is formed by sprinkling the granular powder to one-side surface of the second sheet conveyed by the second drum and keeping the powder in the surface; and the surfaces of the first and second sheets having the granular powder therein are faced and stacked with each other, thereby the absorbent body formed.

<CIT> discloses absorbent cores comprising dual high loft nonwoven layers which may be made by a method using two separate high loft layer releasing cylinders to provide for the first and second high loft central layers. As an alternative, a high loft web having a double width may be used: such a large width roll can be cut after release in machine direction in two halves providing for two streams of high loft nonwoven material that are then separately deposited with superabsorbent polymers (SAP) particles. The two stream of high loft material may be then combined separately with the top layer and bottom layer respectively, each having then SAP particles deposited onto them through a suitable SAP deposition device. Each SAP deposition device may for example comprise a static or mobile shielding frame.

However, as the granular powder is sprinkled on the cylindrical surface of the drum, centrifugal force generates to each absorbent layer along the cylindrical surface. Thus, the granular powder is likely to scatter around the apparatus.

The object of the present invention is to prevent absorbent granular powder from scattered in manufacturing apparatus and method for an absorbent body.

A manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the method of the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

In the present invention, the first and second slope surfaces are not curved cylindrical surfaces, but flat surfaces. Thus, the granular powder does not scatter around even centrifugal force is generated. Also, centrifugal force does not generate in the granular powder not sucked by the corresponding conveyor. Thus, such granular powder drops toward the stacking part of both absorbent layers, and is held between the absorbent layers without scattered around.

<FIG> is a schematic layout diagram showing an embodiment <NUM> of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

In a preferred apparatus, the stacking part is a stacking roller R that rolls in the first sheet S1 conveyed by the first conveyor C1 and the second sheet S2 conveyed by the second conveyor C2 and also stacks the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 on each other.

In this case, it is easy to stack the first sheet and the second sheet.

More preferably, the first conveyor C1, the second conveyor C2, and the stacking roller R are arranged in such a manner that the upper surfaces of the first and second sheets S1 and S2 conveyed by the first conveyor C1, the second conveyor C2, and the stacking roller R form a V-shape valley.

In a case where both conveyors and the stacking roller R form a V-shape valley aforementioned, granular powder not held on the surface of each sheet is to be sandwiched between the two absorbent layers.

Another preferred apparatus further includes an introduction part <NUM> that introduces a liquid-permeable third sheet S3 to be interposed between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 into the stacking roller R.

In this case, the third sheet is provided between the two sheets. Thus, it is possible to prevent gel block -granular powder held in the first and second sheets are joined together-from occurring.

Another preferred apparatus further includes a controller C that selectively controls operation of at least one of a first unit U1 including the first conveyor C1 and the first distribution device <NUM> and a second unit U2 including the second conveyor C2 and the second distribution device <NUM>.

In this case, it is possible to manufacture absorbent bodies having different thickness and shapes as described later.

Any feature illustrated and/or depicted in conjunction with one of the aforementioned aspects or the following embodiments may be used in the same or similar form in one or more of the other aspects or other embodiments, and/or may be used in combination with, or in place of, any feature of the other aspects or embodiments.

The present invention will be understood more clearly from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Note however that the embodiments and the drawings are merely illustrative and should not be taken to define the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention shall be defined only by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals denote like components throughout the plurality of figures.

Prior to an explanation of the present manufacturing apparatus, one example of an absorbent body manufactured by the present manufacturing apparatus is explained first.

<FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an absorbent body as well as its manufacturing steps. <FIG> shows an absorbent body <NUM> used as an absorbent core for a disposable diaper, for example.

As shown in <FIG>, an absorbent body <NUM> includes: a first sheet S1 and a second sheet S2 each having granular powder <NUM>; and a thin paper (tissue paper) T wrapping the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2.

In <FIG>, the first and second sheets S1, S2 are not yet fluffed up (i.e., before raising). In this FIG. , a spread layer <NUM> at the back side as a base and a short fiber layer <NUM> at the front side are stacked.

The short fiber layer <NUM> is a non-woven fabric layer formed from short fiber, and is formed by the air blow process, for example. Such non-woven fabric layer may be formed by blowing hot air on lined-up short fiber.

On the other hand, the spread layer <NUM> is thinner than the short fiber layer <NUM> and has higher density than the short fiber layer <NUM>. The spread layer <NUM> allows liquid to permeate across an extensive area due to its high diffusibility in the planar direction.

In <FIG>, the first and second sheets S1, S2 are fluffed up. The first and second sheets S1, S2 transform from a state where the short fiber layer <NUM> lies (not fluffed-up) to a state where the short fiber layer <NUM> is raised to have small bulk density and to become thick.

As shown in <FIG>, the short fiber layer <NUM> of the first and second sheet S1, S2 after raising is in a state where the granular powder <NUM> is sprinkled. The granular powder <NUM> is well-known superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The short fiber layer <NUM> holding the granular powder <NUM> configures a first absorbent layer L1 and a second absorbent layer L2.

As shown in <FIG>, the first and second sheets S1, S2 including the granular powder <NUM> are stacked together such that the short fiber layers <NUM> of both sheets contact with each other with an adhesion layer <NUM> therebetween, thereby becoming one-sheet thick stack S. In this state, the first and second absorbent layers L1, L2 face and contact each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the stack S is wrapped by the thin paper T, becoming a well-known absorbent body <NUM>.

Now, embodiments of the manufacturing apparatus by the present invention are explained with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> shows an embodiment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the present manufacturing apparatus includes a first unit U1, a second unit U2, a stacking roller R (one example of stacking part), and a controller C. The first and second units U1, U2 have a similar structure, and are arranged in reflection symmetry (plane symmetry).

The first unit U1 includes a first conveyor C1 and a first distribution device <NUM>. The second unit U2 includes a second conveyor C2 and a second distribution device <NUM>. The controller C selectively controls at least one of the first and second units U1, U2.

The first conveyor C1 conveys an air-permeable first sheet S1 along a flat first slope surface F1 while sucking the first sheet S1. The second conveyor C2 conveys an air-permeable second sheet S2 along a flat second slope surface F2 tilting opposite to the first slope surface F1 while sucking the second sheet S2. As described later, top surfaces (upper surfaces) of the first and second sheets S1, S2 are fluffed up (raised) in advance.

The first distribution device <NUM> sprinkles absorbent granular powder on the upper surface of the first sheet S1 conveyed along the first slope surface F1, forming the first absorbent layer L1 in the short fiber layer <NUM> of the first sheet S1 of <FIG>. The second distribution device <NUM> of <FIG> sprinkles absorbent granular powder on the upper surface of the second sheet S2 conveyed along the second slope surface F2, forming the second absorbent layer L2 in the short fiber layer <NUM> of the second sheet S2 of <FIG>. After sprinkled, the granular powder <NUM> gets into each short fiber layer (absorbent layer) <NUM> by negative pressure from a corresponding negative pressure case <NUM> while the first and second sheets S1, S2 are conveyed by the first and second conveyors C1, C2, respectively.

In <FIG>, the stacking roller R stacks the first and second sheets S1, S2 so that the first absorbent layer L1 of the first sheet S1 conveyed by the first conveyor C1 and the second absorbent layer L2 of the second sheet S2 conveyed by the second conveyor C2 face each other. In other words, the stacking roller R rolls in the first sheet S1 conveyed by the first conveyor C1 and the second sheet S2 conveyed by the second conveyor C2, and puts them together.

The first conveyor C1, the second conveyor C2 and the stacking roller R are arranged so that the upper surfaces of the first and second sheets S1, S2 conveyed by the first conveyor C1, the second conveyor C2 and the stacking roller R of <FIG> form a V-shaped valley.

Now, feeding the first and second sheets S1, S2 is described.

As shown in <FIG>, the first and second sheets S1, S2 are fed to a corresponding fluff-up roller <NUM>, and then are conveyed by the respective first and second conveyors C1, C2. At the stacking roller R, the first and second sheets S1, S2 are joined and stacked together. As described later, each conveyor C1, C2 of <FIG> is provided with a negative pressure case <NUM> that sucks a corresponding sheet during conveyance to hold the granular powder <NUM> in the short fiber layer <NUM> of the sheet.

The fluff-up roller <NUM> of <FIG> is a roller having a lot of teeth and rotates slower than the conveyance speed of the sheets S1, S2. With this speed difference, the fluff-up roller <NUM> raises (fluffs up) the short fiber layer <NUM> of the sheet of <FIG> as shown in <FIG>.

The first applicator <NUM> for adhesive is provided between the fluff-up roller <NUM> and the conveyors C1, C2 of <FIG>. Adhesive is applied to the front surface of the raised short fiber layer <NUM> (<FIG>).

Now, sprinkling of the granular powder <NUM> of <FIG> is explained.

A first distribution device <NUM> and a second distribution device <NUM> sprinkle the granular powder <NUM> on the sheet. Each device includes a hopper <NUM> storing the granular powder <NUM>, a meter <NUM>, a guider <NUM> and a distribution case <NUM>. The distribution case <NUM> is provided with a distribution mouth and a shutter for opening/closing the distribution mouth. With this configuration, a predetermined granular powder <NUM> is sprinkled intermittently on the short fiber layer <NUM> (<FIG>) of the corresponding sheet.

Feeding of sheets and sprinkling of the granular powder <NUM> are disclosed in <CIT>, for example, and its disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Now, steps of stacking the sheets S1, S2 and thereafter are explained.

As shown in <FIG>, the second applicator <NUM> applies adhesive to the sheet S1 of the sheets, which the granular powder <NUM> is sprinkled. With this application, the short fiber layers <NUM> of the first and second sheets S1, S2 are joined together after the sheets S1, S2 are stacked by the stacking roller R.

In <FIG>, a thin paper T is fed on the stacking conveyor C3. The third applicator <NUM> is provided upstream of the stacking conveyor C3, and applies adhesive to the center area of the upper surface of the thin paper T.

As shown in <FIG>, the stacking conveyor C3 conveys the sheet material downstream in a state where the thin paper T is provided under the stack S of the first and second sheets S1, S2 stacked together. In the conveyance, the stack S is joined to the front surface of the thin paper T. In the present embodiment, the stacking conveyor C3 contacts the stacking roller R with the stack S and the thin paper T therebetween.

The fourth applicator <NUM>, a folder <NUM> and a pair of pressure contact rollers <NUM> are provided downstream of the stacking conveyor C3 of <FIG>. Note that the stacking conveyor C3 includes a negative pressure case <NUM> sucking the thin paper T.

The fourth applicator <NUM> applies adhesive to side edges of the upper surface of the thin paper T. Note that a width of the thin paper T is more than two times larger than that of the stack S.

The folder <NUM> of <FIG> folds the thin paper T as shown in <FIG> to wrap the stack S by the thin paper T, forming the absorbent body <NUM>. The pressure contact roller <NUM> presses hard the absorbent body <NUM> in its thickness direction.

Now, a method of manufacturing the absorbent body <NUM> having the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 of <FIG> is explained. In this case where the first and second sheets are used, both first and second units U1, U2 of <FIG> are operated.

The first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are fed to the corresponding fluff-up roller <NUM>,<NUM>, and the short fiber layer <NUM> of <FIG> of each sheet is raised (fluffed up). Then, the first applicator <NUM> (<FIG>) applies adhesive to the raised short fiber layer <NUM> of <FIG>. Thereafter, the first and second sheets S1, S2 of <FIG> are conveyed toward the stacking roller R along the flat slope surface of the respective first and second conveyors C1, C2 while the sheets S1, S2 are sucked by the first and second conveyors C1, C2.

Granular powder is sprinkled on the upper surfaces of the first and second sheets S1, S2 of <FIG> along their flat slope surfaces. The first distribution device <NUM> and the second distribution device <NUM> sprinkle the granular powder <NUM> on the respective first and second sheet S1, S2, forming the first absorbent layer L1 and the second absorbent layer L2 (<FIG>) of <FIG> including the granular powder <NUM>. In other words, the sprinkled granular powder <NUM> is held in the short fiber layer <NUM> of the first and second sheets S1, S2, thereby the first and second absorbent layers L1, L2 formed.

In detail, after sprinkled, the granular powder <NUM> gets into the short fiber layer (absorbent layer) <NUM> of each first and second sheet S1, S2 by the negative pressure from the corresponding negative pressure case <NUM> while the first and second sheets S1, S2 are conveyed by the first and second conveyors C1, C2.

Thereafter, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are stacked together at the stacking roller R so that the first absorbent layer L1 and the second absorbent layer L2 face each other. In other words, the first absorbent layer L1 of the first sheet S1 and the second absorbent layer L2 of the second sheet S2 are stacked in a state where they contact each other.

In the present embodiment, the second applicator <NUM> applies adhesive to the first absorbent layer L1, and then the first absorbent layer L1 and the second absorbent layer L2 are pulled into the stacking roller R, forming the stack S of <FIG>. The stack S is arranged on the thin paper P conveyed by the stacking roller C3 of <FIG>.

Thereafter, the thin paper T is folded by the folder <NUM> of <FIG>, and then the absorbent body <NUM> is pressed hard by the pressure contact roller <NUM>, thereby the absorbent body <NUM> of <FIG> formed. In this process, as shown in <FIG>, the first absorbent layer L1 and the second absorbent layer L2 contact each other and they are sandwiched between the spread layers <NUM>, <NUM>.

The present manufacturing apparatus is able to manufacture the absorbent body <NUM> of <FIG> in addition to the absorbent body <NUM> of <FIG>.

In a case where the absorbent body <NUM> of <FIG> is manufactured, the first unit U1 at the left side of <FIG> is operated whereas the second unit U2 at the right side is stopped. In this case, an overlap part T1 of the thin paper T contacts the first absorbent layer L1, and the overlap part T1 and the spread layer <NUM> are arranged sandwiching the short fiber layer <NUM> (the first absorbent layer L1).

In a case where the absorbent body <NUM> of <FIG> is formed, the second unit U2 at the right side of <FIG> is operated whereas the first unit U1 at the left side is stopped. In this case, the overlap part T1 of <FIG> of the thin paper T contacts the spread layer <NUM>.

Now, a case where the absorbent body <NUM> of <FIG> is explained.

The absorbent body <NUM> of <FIG> has a liquid-permeable third sheet S3 between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. The absorbent body <NUM> is produced by the manufacturing apparatus of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, in addition to the manufacturing apparatus of <FIG>, this embodiment further includes an introduction roller <NUM> introducing the third sheet S3 into the stacking roller R. The third sheet S3 is introduced between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2.

Preferably, the third sheet S3 is a sheet having diffusibility as the spread layer <NUM> of the first and second sheets S1, S2.

Now, the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment <NUM> in <FIG> is explained.

The manufacturing apparatus of <FIG> is closely similar to that of the embodiment <NUM> in <FIG>. Thus, different parts from the embodiment <NUM> are mainly explained.

In <FIG>, negative pressure cases <NUM> are provided with respective first and second conveyors C1, C2, and may be set to suck air in an area downstream from a point P1 around where the granular powder <NUM> (<FIG>) drops. This arrangement prevents the granular powder <NUM> from scattered by air flow generated between each distribution device <NUM>, <NUM> and the corresponding conveyor.

Also, scatter-prevention boards P, P may be provided on opposite sides of each conveyor C1, C2 so as to extend along the flow direction of the first and second conveyors C1, C2. The scatter-prevention board P prevents air flow from generated in directions other than the flow direction of the conveyors C1, C2, and thus is useful in preventing scatter of the granular powder <NUM>.

As in this embodiment, the stacking roller R may configure a part of the first conveyor C1 or the second conveyor C2. In this embodiment, the lower-end roller of the second conveyor C2 configures the stacking roller R.

In a case where a diameter of the stacking roller R is large as in <FIG>, the granular powder <NUM> (<FIG>) may scatter near the stacking roller R. With a small diameter of the stacking roller R as in <FIG>, it is likely to prevent scatter of the granular powder <NUM>.

While a preferred embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, various obvious changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the present specification.

For example, if a liquid-permeable non-woven fabric sheet having a fluff-up layer is employed, the fluff-up roller will not need to be provided.

If a pair of nip rollers is employed as the stacking roller R, the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 will be arranged in completely symmetry.

Thus, such changes and modifications shall fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The present invention is used in manufacturing various absorbent bodies like disposable underwear and diapers.

Claim 1:
A manufacturing apparatus for an absorbent body comprising:
a first conveyor (C1) that conveys an air-permeable first sheet (S1) while sucking the first sheet (S1) along a flat first slope surface (F1);
a second conveyor (C2) that conveys an air-permeable second sheet (S2) while sucking the second sheet (S2) along a flat second slope surface (F2) having a slope opposite to the first slope surface (F1);
a first distribution device (<NUM>) that forms a first absorbent layer (L1) in the first sheet (S1) by distributing absorbent powder on an upper surface of the first sheet (S1) being conveyed along the first slope surface (F1);
a second distribution device (<NUM>) that forms a second absorbent layer (L2) in the second sheet (S2) by distributing absorbent powder on an upper surface of the second sheet (S2) being conveyed along the second slope surface (F2);
a stacking part that stacks the first sheet (S1) conveyed by the first conveyor (C1) and the second sheet (S2) conveyed by the second conveyor (C2) in such a manner as to cause the first absorbent layer (L1) of the first sheet (S1) and the second absorbent layer (L2) of the second sheet (S2) to face each other;
the stacking part is a stacking roller (R) that rolls in the first sheet (S1) conveyed by the first conveyor (C1) and the second sheet (S2) conveyed by the second conveyor (C2) and also stacks the first sheet (S1) and the second sheet (S2) on each other, and
a stacking conveyor (C3) that a thin paper (T) is fed on, the stacking conveyor (C3) conveying the thin paper (T) and the first and second sheets (S1, S2) downstream in a state where the thin paper (T) is provided under a stack (S) of the first and second sheets (S1, S2) stacked together,
the stacking conveyor (C3) contacting the stacking roller (R) with the stack (S) and the thin paper (T) therebetween.