U.S. patent application number 12/999363 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for diaper manufacturing method.
Invention is credited to Toyoshi Umebayashi.
Application Number | 20110100526 12/999363 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42039249 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110100526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Umebayashi; Toyoshi |
May 5, 2011 |
DIAPER MANUFACTURING METHOD
Abstract
The method includes: a step of carrying a diaper body 2 in a
longitudinal direction X perpendicular to a girth direction Y; a
step of forming panel assemblies P, each including a side panel 3
and a tape fastener 4 attached to the side panel 3, in which the
panel assemblies P are each folded along a virtual first line L1
extending in the longitudinal direction X so that the tape fastener
4 faces the side panel 3; a step of attaching the panel assemblies
P to the diaper body 2 being carried; a folding step of folding
each panel assembly P along a virtual second line L2 extending in
the longitudinal direction X so that the panel assembly P, which
has been folded along the first line L1, lies on the diaper body 2;
and a folding-up step of folding up the diaper body 2 along a
virtual third line L3 extending in the longitudinal direction X at
a position that does not overlap the panel assemblies P, after the
folding step.
Inventors: |
Umebayashi; Toyoshi; (Osaka,
JP) |
Family ID: |
42039249 |
Appl. No.: |
12/999363 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
September 8, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2009/004427 |
371 Date: |
December 16, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/15747 20130101;
A61F 13/551 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/66 |
International
Class: |
A41H 37/00 20060101
A41H037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2008 |
JP |
2008-240549 |
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a diaper comprising: a diaper body
including a front portion covering a front side of a wearer, a back
portion covering a back side of the wearer, and a crotch portion
between the front portion and the back portion; a pair of side
panels secured respectively to side edge portions of the back
portion opposing each other in a girth direction; and a tape
fastener provided at each of end portions of the side panels in the
girth direction, wherein each of the side panels is attached to the
front portion via the tape fastener to thereby fasten the diaper
around a torso of the wearer when the diaper is worn, the method
comprising: a step of carrying the diaper body in a longitudinal
direction perpendicular to the girth direction; a step of forming
panel assemblies, each including each of the side panels and the
tape fastener attached to each of the side panels, in which the
panel assemblies are each folded along a virtual first line
extending in the longitudinal direction so that the tape fastener
faces each of the side panels; a step of attaching the panel
assemblies to the diaper body being carried; a folding step of
folding each of the panel assemblies along a virtual second line
extending in the longitudinal direction so that each of the panel
assemblies, which has been folded along the first line, lies on the
diaper body; and a folding-up step of folding up the diaper body
along a virtual third line extending in the longitudinal direction
at a position without overlapping the panel assemblies, after the
folding step, wherein the step of forming the panel assemblies, the
step of attaching the panel assemblies, the folding step and the
folding-up step are performed for each of a left side and a right
side in the girth direction for each diaper body.
2. A method for manufacturing a diaper according to claim 1,
wherein the panel assemblies are folded along the first line before
the step of attaching the panel assemblies.
3. A method for manufacturing a diaper according to claim 1,
wherein the panel assemblies are each folded in the step of forming
panel assemblies so that a surface of the tape fastener on which a
male touch fastener is formed and a skin-contact surface of each of
the side panels face each other.
4. A method for manufacturing a diaper according to claim 1,
wherein the panel assemblies are each folded in the step of forming
panel assemblies so that an opposite surface of the tape fastener
opposite to a surface thereof on which a male touch fastener is
formed and a non-skin-contact surface of each of the the side
panels face each other.
5. A method for manufacturing a diaper comprising: a diaper body
including a front portion covering a front side of a wearer, a back
portion covering a back side of the wearer, and a crotch portion
between the front portion and the back portion; a pair of side
flaps protruding in a girth direction from the back portion of the
diaper body; and a tape fastener provided at each of end portions
of the side flaps in the girth direction, wherein each of the side
flaps is attached to the front portion via the tape fastener to
thereby fasten the diaper around a torso of the wearer when the
diaper is worn, the method comprising: a step of carrying the
diaper body in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the girth
direction; a step of attaching the tape fastener to each of the
side flaps; a first folding step of folding each of the side flaps
or the tape fastener along a virtual first line extending in the
longitudinal direction so that the tape fastener faces each of the
side flaps; a second folding step of folding each of the side flaps
along a virtual second line extending in the longitudinal direction
so that the side flaps lie on the diaper body, after the first
folding step; and a folding-up step of folding up the diaper body
along a virtual third line extending in the longitudinal direction
at a position without overlapping the side flaps, wherein the step
of attaching the tape fastener, the first folding step, the second
folding step and the folding-up step are performed for each of a
left side and a right side in the girth direction for each diaper
body.
6. A method for manufacturing a diaper according to claim 5,
wherein each of the side flaps or the tape fastener is folded in
the first folding step so that a surface of the tape fastener on
which a male touch fastener is formed and a skin-contact surface of
each of the side flaps face each other.
7. A method for manufacturing a diaper according to claim 5,
wherein each of the side flaps or the tape fastener is folded in
the first folding step so that an opposite surface of the tape
fastener opposite to a surface thereof on which a male touch
fastener is formed and a non-skin-contact surface of each of the
side flaps face each other.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a diaper manufacturing
method.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A diaper 1 having side panels (wing portions) provided on a
diaper body 2 as shown in FIG. 5A is known in the prior art (see
the first patent document).
[0003] In order to fold up and package the diaper 1, first, panel
assemblies P are folded onto the diaper body 2 as shown in FIG. 5B
along lines L11 shown in FIG. 5A. Then, the diaper body 2 is folded
along lines L12 so as to be folded up as shown in FIG. 5C. The
panel assembly P is formed by a side panel 3 and a tape fastener 4.
The tape fastener 4 is formed by, for example, a male touch
fastener, or the like.
CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENT
[0004] FIRST PATENT DOCUMENT: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication
No. 2003-180745 (Abstract)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] However, because the panel assemblies P are elongated in the
girth direction as shown in FIG. 5B, the tape fasteners 4 may also
get folded when folding up the diaper body 2 along the lines L12,
and since the tape fasteners 4 have high rigidity and are slippery,
the line L12 warps and it is difficult to neatly fold up the diaper
body 2.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a diaper manufacturing method which allows a diaper to be
folded up neatly.
[0007] In order to achieve the object, a diaper manufacturing
method of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a
diaper including: a diaper body including a front portion covering
a front side of a wearer, a back portion covering a back side of
the wearer, and a crotch portion between the front portion and the
back portion; a pair of side panels secured respectively to side
edge portions of the back portion opposing each other in a girth
direction; and a tape fastener provided at each of end portions of
the side panels in the girth direction, wherein each of the side
panels is attached to the front portion via the tape fastener to
thereby fasten the diaper around a torso of the wearer when the
diaper is worn, the method comprising: a step of carrying the
diaper body in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the girth
direction; a step of forming panel assemblies, each including each
of the side panels and the tape fastener attached to each of the
side panels, in which the panel assemblies are each folded along a
virtual first line extending in the longitudinal direction so that
the tape fastener faces each of the side panels; a step of
attaching the panel assemblies to the diaper body being carried; a
folding step of folding each of the panel assemblies along a
virtual second line extending in the longitudinal direction so that
each of the panel assemblies, which has been folded along the first
line, lies on the diaper body; and a folding-up step of folding up
the diaper body along a virtual third line extending in the
longitudinal direction at a position that does not overlap (without
overlapping) the panel assemblies, after the folding step, wherein
the step of forming the panel assemblies, the step of attaching the
panel assemblies, the folding step and the folding-up step are
performed for each of a left side and a right side in the girth
direction for each diaper body.
[0008] In the present invention, since the panel assemblies
elongated in the girth direction are pre-folded along the virtual
first and second lines, the diaper body can be folded up along the
virtual third line at a position that does not overlap (without
overlapping) the panel assemblies. Therefore, since the tape
fasteners which have high rigidity and are slippery are not folded
along the third line, the third line (folding line) does not warp
and it is possible to neatly fold up the diaper.
[0009] In the present invention, the panel assemblies may be folded
along the first line before the attachment step.
[0010] In this embodiment, since the panel assembly is pre-folded
before the attachment step, the panel assembly is compact.
Therefore, the manufacture is easier as compared with a case where
the panel assembly is folded after the attachment step (the step of
attaching the panel assemblies).
[0011] In the present invention, the panel assemblies may each be
folded in the step of forming panel assemblies so that a surface of
the tape fastener on which a male touch fastener is formed and a
skin-contact surface of the side panel face each other.
[0012] In this embodiment, if the folded tape fastener is a male
touch fastener, the folded tape is tentatively fastened to the
non-woven fabric of the side panel. Therefore, the state where the
diaper is folded is more easily maintained.
[0013] In the present invention, the term "skin-contact surface"
refers to the inner surface which directly or indirectly comes into
contact with the skin of the wearer when the diaper is worn.
[0014] In the present invention, the panel assemblies may each be
folded in the step of forming panel assemblies so that an opposite
surface of the tape fastener opposite to a surface thereof on which
a male touch fastener is formed and a non-skin-contact surface of
the side panel face each other.
[0015] In this embodiment, they are folded so that the opposite
surface of the tape fastener opposite to the surface thereof on
which the male touch fastener is formed and the non-skin-contact
surface of the side panel face each other. Therefore, the male
touch fastener of the tape fastener is exposed on the upper
surface. Therefore, when the wearer wears the diaper, it is easier
to hold the tape fastener and it is possible to easily unfold the
folded diaper.
[0016] In the present invention, the term "non-skin-contact
surface" refers to the outer surface which is opposite to the
skin-contact surface and does not come into contact with the
skin.
[0017] In order to achieve the object, another diaper manufacturing
method is a method for manufacturing a diaper including: a diaper
body including a front portion covering a front side of a wearer, a
back portion covering a back side of the wearer, and a crotch
portion between the front portion and the back portion; a pair of
side flaps protruding in a girth direction from the back portion of
the diaper body; and a tape fastener provided at each of end
portions of the side flaps in the girth direction, wherein each of
the side flaps is attached to the front portion via the tape
fastener to thereby fasten the diaper around a torso of the wearer
when the diaper is worn, the method comprising: a step of carrying
the diaper body in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the
girth direction; a step of attaching the tape fastener to each of
the side flaps; a first folding step of folding each of the side
flaps or the tape fastener along a virtual first line extending in
the longitudinal direction so that the tape fastener faces each of
the side flaps; a second folding step of folding each of the side
flaps along a virtual second line extending in the longitudinal
direction so that the side flaps lie on the diaper body, after the
first folding step; and a folding-up step of folding up the diaper
body along a virtual third line extending in the longitudinal
direction at a position without overlapping the side flaps, wherein
the step of attaching the tape fastener, the first folding step,
the second folding step and the folding-up step are performed for
each of a left side and a right side in the girth direction for
each diaper body.
[0018] In the present invention, since the side flap and tape
fastener portions elongated in the girth direction are pre-folded
along the first and second lines, the diaper body can be folded up
along the third line at a position that does not overlap (without
overlapping) the side flaps. Therefore, since the tape fasteners
which have high rigidity and are slippery are not folded along the
third line, the third line (folding line) does not warp and it is
possible to neatly fold up the diaper.
[0019] In the present invention, the side flap or the tape fastener
may be folded in the first folding step so that a surface of the
tape fastener on which a male touch fastener is formed and a
skin-contact surface of the side flap face each other.
[0020] In this embodiment, if the folded tape fastener is a male
touch fastener, the male touch fastener is tentatively fastened to
the non-woven fabric of the side panel. Therefore, the folded state
is more easily maintained.
[0021] In the present invention, the side flap or the tape fastener
may be folded in the first folding step so that an opposite surface
of the tape fastener opposite to a surface thereof on which a male
touch fastener is formed and a non-skin-contact surface of the side
flap face each other.
[0022] In this embodiment, the side flap or the tape fastener is
folded so that the opposite surface of the tape fastener opposite
to the surface thereof on which the male touch fastener is formed
and the non-skin-contact surface of the side flap face each other.
Therefore, the male touch fastener of the tape fastener is exposed
on the upper surface. Therefore, when the wearer wears the diaper,
it is easier to hold the tape fastener and it is possible to easily
unfold the folded diaper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic plan views showing a diaper
manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
[0024] FIGS. 2A, 2C and 2E are schematic plan views showing the
diaper manufacturing method, and FIGS. 2B, 2D and 2F are schematic
cross-sectional views thereof, respectively.
[0025] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic plan views showing a
diaper manufacturing method according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 4A, 4C and 4E are schematic plan views showing the
diaper manufacturing method, and FIGS. 4B, 4D and 4F are schematic
cross-sectional views thereof, respectively.
[0027] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic plan views showing a
conventional diaper manufacturing method.
[0028] FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view showing a diaper according
to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a
schematic front view showing the diaper in use.
[0029] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic plan views showing a diaper
manufacturing method according to Embodiment 2 of the present
invention.
[0030] FIGS. 8A, 8C and 8E are schematic plan views showing the
diaper manufacturing method, and FIGS. 8B, 8D and 8F are schematic
cross-sectional views thereof, respectively.
[0031] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are schematic plan views showing a
diaper manufacturing method according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0032] FIGS. 10A, 10C and 10E are schematic plan views showing the
diaper manufacturing method, and FIGS. 10B, 10D and 10F are
schematic cross-sectional views thereof, respectively.
[0033] 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.
EMBODIMENT 1
[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the drawings.
[0035] FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 show Embodiment 1.
[0036] Diaper 1:
[0037] As shown in FIG. 6A, a diaper 1 of Embodiment 1 includes a
diaper body 2 and a pair of panel assemblies P. The diaper body 2
includes a front portion 20 covering the front side of the wearer,
a back portion 21 covering the back side of the wearer, and a
crotch portion 22 between the front portion 20 and the back portion
21.
[0038] Each panel assembly P includes the side panel 3 and the tape
fastener 4, and the side panels 3 of the panel assemblies P are
secured to end portions 21a of the back portion 21 opposing each
other in a girth direction Y. For example, the side panel 3 is
formed by a non-woven fabric, and the tape fastener 4 is formed by
a male touch fastener.
[0039] A surface 4a of the tape fastener 4 on which the male touch
fastener is formed is dotted.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 6B, when wearing the diaper 1, the side
panels 3 are attached to the front portion 20 of the diaper body 2
via the tape fasteners 4 to thereby fasten the diaper 1 around the
torso of the wearer, thus securing the diaper 1.
[0041] Next, a method for manufacturing the diaper 1 will be
described.
[0042] Step of carrying diaper body 2:
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1A, the diaper bodies 2 are carried in the
form of a continuous web W in which a plurality of diaper bodies 2
are continuous together (not separated from one another). The
continuous web W is formed by a continuous laminate sheet, for
example, and is carried in a longitudinal direction (carrying
direction) X generally perpendicular to the girth direction Y.
[0044] The diaper body 2 is provided with an absorbent body 5
covering the crotch of the wearer, etc. A female touch fastener 6,
hatched with broken lines, may be provided on the side of a
non-skin-contact surface (outer surface) 2b of the front portion 20
of the diaper body 2.
[0045] Step of forming panel assembly P:
[0046] On the other hand, the panel assemblies P, each including
the side panel 3 and the tape fastener 4 attached to the side panel
3, are separately carried.
[0047] The panel assemblies P are folded along a pair of virtual
first lines L1 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the
side panels 3 so that the surface 4a on which the male touch
fastener of the tape fastener 4 is formed and a skin-contact
surface (inner surface) 3a of the side panel 3 face each other.
[0048] While the first lines L1 are herein set on the tape
fasteners 4 in FIG. 1A, they may be set on the side panels 3.
[0049] Note that in addition to the male touch fastener, the tape
fastener 4 may include a tackifier applied thereon, for example. In
such a case, it is preferred that a release sheet (not shown) is
inserted between the side panel 3 and the tape fastener 4 in order
to prevent the tape fastener 4 from adhering to the side panel 3
when the panel assembly is folded. In such a case, the side panel 3
which includes the release sheet bonded to the skin-contact surface
3a thereof is used.
[0050] Separating step:
[0051] The continuous web W is cut into individual diaper bodies 2
along cut-off lines CL generally parallel to the girth direction
Y.
[0052] Note that the diaper body 2 may be provided with around-leg
portions 23 which are cut so as to conform to leg portions of the
wearer. The around-leg portions 23 may be provided with elastic
members formed by rubber threads, for example, so that the
around-leg portions 23 conform to the legs of the wearer when the
diaper is worn.
[0053] The front portion 20 and the back portion 21 of the diaper
body 2 may be provided with an elastic member for making the diaper
1 fit the wearer. The elastic member may be, for example, a
plurality of rubber threads or rubber tapes, a material including a
film or a thermoplastic resin, or the like.
[0054] Step of attaching panel assembly P to diaper body 2:
[0055] On the other hand, an adhesive is applied on the opposing
side edge portions 21a on the side of the non-skin-contact surface
2b of the back portion 21 of the diaper body 2 shown in FIG. 1B. As
shown in FIG. 1B, the end portions of the pair of side panels 3 are
attached to the side edge portions 21a, opposing each other in the
girth direction Y, of the back portion 21 of the diaper body 2.
That is, the pre-folded panel assemblies P are attached to the
diaper body 2.
[0056] Note that the panel assemblies P may be folded along the
first lines L1 after the attachment step.
[0057] Folding step:
[0058] After the panel assemblies P are attached to the diaper body
2, the side panels 3 of the panel assemblies P are each folded in
two as shown in FIG. 2A along a virtual second line L2 extending in
the longitudinal direction X so that the panel assembly P, which
has been folded along the first line L1 (FIG. 1A), lies on the
diaper body 2. The second line L2 of FIG. 1B is placed in the side
panel 3 in the vicinity of the side edge portion 21a of the diaper
body 2, and between the tip portion of the folded tape fastener 4
and the side edge portion 21a.
[0059] Through the folding step, the panel assemblies P are folded
so as to lie on the back portion 21 of the diaper body 2 as shown
in FIGS. 2A and 2B. That is, they are folded so that a reverse
surface (outer surface) 4b of the tape fastener 4 and a
skin-contact surface 2a of the diaper body 2 face each other as
shown in FIG. 2B.
[0060] Folding-up step:
[0061] After the folding step, one side of the diaper body 2, to
which one of the panel assemblies P in the girth direction Y is
attached, is folded up as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D along one of
virtual third lines L3 extending in the longitudinal direction X
shown in FIG. 2A. That is, as shown in FIG. 2D, it is folded so
that a non-skin-contact surface 3b of one of the side panels 3 and
the skin-contact surface 2a of the diaper body 2 face each
other.
[0062] Then, the other side of the diaper body 2, to which the
other one of the panel assemblies P in the girth direction Y is
attached, is folded up as shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F along the other
one of the virtual third lines L3 extending in the longitudinal
direction X shown in FIG. 2C. That is, as shown in FIG. 2F, it is
folded so that the non-skin-contact surface 3b of the other one of
the side panels 3 and the non-skin-contact surface 2b of the folded
diaper body 2 face each other.
[0063] Herein, the opposing third lines L3 are respectively set at
positions generally 1/3 from the left and right ends of the diaper
body 2 in the girth direction Y so that they do not overlap the
panel assemblies P and so that the diaper body 2 is as compact as
possible in the girth direction Y.
[0064] Through the step of folding up the diaper body 2, the diaper
1 is folded up as shown in FIG. 2E.
[0065] As described above, the step of forming the panel assembly
P, the attachment step, the folding step, and the folding-up step
are performed for each of the left side and the right side in the
girth direction Y for each diaper body 2.
[0066] Note that the diaper 1 of FIG. 2E is folded in two along a
line extending in the girth direction.
EMBODIMENT 2
[0067] FIGS. 7 and 8 show Embodiment 2.
[0068] Step of forming panel assembly P:
[0069] As shown in FIG. 7A, in the step of forming the panel
assembly P, the panel assemblies P, each including the side panel 3
and the tape fastener 4 attached to the side panel 3, are
separately carried.
[0070] The panel assemblies P are folded along a pair of virtual
first lines L1 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the
side panels 3.
[0071] They are folded so that the opposite surface 4b of the tape
fastener 4 opposite to the surface 4a thereof on which the male
touch fastener is formed and the non-skin-contact surface 3b of the
side panel 3 face each other.
[0072] Note that while the first lines L1 are set on the tape
fastener 4 in FIG. 7A, they may be set on the side panels 3.
[0073] Then, the continuous web W is cut into individual diaper
bodies 2 along the cut-off lines CL generally parallel to the girth
direction Y. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the panel
assemblies P are attached to the opposing side edge portions 21a on
the side of the non-skin-contact surface 2b of the back portion 21
of the diaper body 2.
[0074] Folding step:
[0075] After the panel assemblies P are attached to the diaper body
2, the side panels 3 of the panel assemblies P are each folded in
two as shown in FIG. 8A along the virtual second line L2 extending
in the longitudinal direction X so that the panel assembly P, which
has been folded along the first line L1 (FIG. 7A), lies on the
diaper body 2.
[0076] Through the folding step, the panel assemblies P are folded
so as to lie on the back portion 21 of the diaper body 2 as shown
in FIGS. 8A and 8B. That is, they are folded so that the
skin-contact surface 3a of the side panel 3 and the skin-contact
surface 2a of the diaper body 2A face each other as shown in FIG.
8B. Thus, the surface 4a of the tape fastener 4 on which the male
touch fastener is formed is exposed on the upper surface.
[0077] Folding-up step:
[0078] Then, the diaper body 2 is folded along the virtual third
line L3 as shown in FIGS. 8C to 8F so that the diaper 1 is folded
up as shown in FIG. 8E.
[0079] Other than this, the configuration is similar to that of
Embodiment 1, and like elements are denoted by like reference
numerals and will not be described below.
EMBODIMENT 3
[0080] FIGS. 3 and 4 show Embodiment 3.
[0081] Diaper 1:
[0082] The diaper 1 of Embodiment 3 is a so-called "T-shaped
diaper", and includes a pair of side flaps 2f formed integral with
the diaper body 2, the side flaps 2f protruding in the girth
direction Y from the back portion 21 of the diaper body 2A, as
shown in FIG. 3B.
[0083] Next, a method for manufacturing the diaper 1 will be
described.
[0084] Step of attaching tape fasteners 4 to side flaps 2f:
[0085] The tape fasteners 4 are attached to the end portions,
opposing each other in the girth direction Y, of the side flaps 2f
of the diaper body 2A shown in FIG. 3B.
[0086] First folding step:
[0087] Then, the tape fastener 4 is folded along the virtual first
line L1 extending in the longitudinal direction X so that the
surface 4a of the tape fastener 4 on which the male touch fastener
is formed and the skin-contact surface 2a of the side flap 2f face
each other.
[0088] Note that while the first line L1 is set on the tape
fastener 4 in FIG. 3B, the first line L1 may be set on the side
flap 2f so that the side flap 2f is folded.
[0089] Second folding step:
[0090] Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the side flap 2f is folded along
the virtual second line L2 extending in the longitudinal direction
X so that the side flap 2f lies on the diaper body 2A. That is, as
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is folded so that the upper surface
(outer surface) of the tape fastener 4 and the skin-contact surface
2a of the diaper body 2A face each other.
[0091] Folding-up step:
[0092] After the second folding step, the diaper body 2A is folded
up as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D along one of the virtual third lines
L3 shown in FIG. 4A. That is, it is folded so that the
non-skin-contact surface (outer surface) of the side flap 2f and
the skin-contact surface 2a of the diaper body 2A face each
other.
[0093] Then, the diaper body 2A is folded up as shown in FIGS. 4E
and 4F along the other one of the virtual third lines L3 shown in
FIG. 4C. The third lines L3 are respectively set at positions
generally 1/3 from the left and right ends of the diaper body 2A,
which has been folded in the second folding step, in the girth
direction Y of the diaper body 2A so that they do not overlap the
side flap 2f and the tape fastener 4.
[0094] Through the step of folding up the diaper body 2A, the
diaper 1 is folded up as shown in FIG. 4E.
EMBODIMENT 4
[0095] FIGS. 9 and 10 show Embodiment 4.
[0096] As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the tape fasteners 4 are
attached to the end portions, opposing each other in the girth
direction Y, of the side flaps 2f of the diaper body 2A.
[0097] First folding step:
[0098] Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the tape fastener 4 is folded
along the virtual first line L1 so that the opposite surface 4b of
the tape fastener 4 opposite to the surface 4a thereof on which the
male touch fastener is formed and the non-skin-contact surface 2b
of the side flap 2f face each other. Note that while the first line
L1 is set on the tape fastener in FIG. 9B, the first line L1 may be
set on the side flap 2f so that the side flap 2f is folded.
[0099] Second folding step:
[0100] Then, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the side flap 2f is
folded along the virtual second line L2 (FIG. 9C) extending in the
longitudinal direction X so that the side flap 2f lies on the
diaper body 2A. That is, the side flap 2f is folded along the line
L2 so that the skin-contact surface of the side flap 2f and the
skin-contact surface of the diaper body 2A face each other. Thus,
the surface 4a of the tape fastener 4 on which the male touch
fastener is formed is exposed on the upper surface.
[0101] Folding-up step:
[0102] Then, as shown in FIGS. 10C to 10F, the diaper body 2A is
folded up along the virtual third line L3 (FIG. 10A) so that the
diaper 1 is folded up as shown in FIG. 10E.
[0103] Other than this, the configuration is similar to that of
Embodiment 3, and like elements are denoted by like reference
numerals and will not be described below.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0104] The present invention is applicable to a diaper
manufacturing method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0105] 1: Diaper
[0106] 2,2A: Diaper body
[0107] 2f: Side flap
[0108] 3: Side panel
[0109] 4: Tape fastener
[0110] 20: Front portion
[0111] 21: Back portion
[0112] 22: Crotch portion
[0113] L1: Virtual first line
[0114] L2: Virtual second line
[0115] L3: Virtual third line
[0116] P: Panel assembly
[0117] X: Longitudinal direction
[0118] Y: Girth direction
* * * * *