U.S. patent application number 13/086871 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for method and apparatus for producing wearing article.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZUIKO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Yuzo Ichiura, Masaki Nakakado, Ikuo Tachibana, Satoshi Tanaka.
Application Number | 20110196331 13/086871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31890548 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110196331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakakado; Masaki ; et
al. |
August 11, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING WEARING ARTICLE
Abstract
A method for producing a wearing article of the present
invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member;
stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member
so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs
divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web
loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web,
thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which
the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and
after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic
member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first
webs.
Inventors: |
Nakakado; Masaki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Ichiura; Yuzo; (Osaka, JP) ; Tanaka;
Satoshi; (Osaka, JP) ; Tachibana; Ikuo;
(Osaka, JP) |
Assignee: |
ZUIKO CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
31890548 |
Appl. No.: |
13/086871 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11180170 |
Jul 13, 2005 |
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13086871 |
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10316523 |
Dec 11, 2002 |
7008497 |
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11180170 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.01 ;
493/356 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 66/93441 20130101;
A61F 13/15723 20130101; B29C 66/93451 20130101; B29C 66/93411
20130101; B29C 65/18 20130101; B29C 66/433 20130101; B29C 66/83413
20130101; Y10T 156/1744 20150115; A61F 13/15593 20130101; Y10T
156/1062 20150115; Y10T 156/1089 20150115; Y10T 156/133 20150115;
B29C 65/7847 20130101; B26D 1/105 20130101; B26D 1/405 20130101;
B29C 66/472 20130101; Y10T 156/1052 20150115; Y10T 156/1771
20150115; B29C 66/83511 20130101; Y10T 156/1741 20150115; B29L
2031/4878 20130101; B29C 66/93431 20130101; B26D 2007/2671
20130101; B65H 35/04 20130101; B29C 66/83415 20130101; Y10T 156/108
20150115; B29C 65/08 20130101; B29C 2793/009 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/385.01 ;
493/356 |
International
Class: |
A61F 13/49 20060101
A61F013/49; B31F 5/02 20060101 B31F005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 22, 2002 |
JP |
2002-241959 |
Oct 28, 2002 |
JP |
2002-312403 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. A disposable worn article, comprising a member, the member being
obtained by: forming a slack portion, on which no tension is
applied, in a continuous member in a running direction thereof, the
continuous member comprising at least one of a top sheet, an
absorbent and a back sheet; folding the slack portion so as to form
a wall that is transverse to the running direction; and cutting the
continuous member with the wall formed thereon.
5-11. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of commonly
assigned, copending application Ser. No. 10/316,523, filed Dec. 11,
2002, and entitled "Method and Apparatus for Producing Wearing
Article", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
producing a disposable wearing article such as paper diapers and
pants.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the above-mentioned type of wearing articles, in order to
form, for example, a waist gathering, an elastic member is placed
on a sheet surface. However, such an elastic member allows an
absorber to shrink, so that the absorber becomes stiff, degrading a
feeling of wearing.
[0006] As a prior art of cutting an elastic member, Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-224627 discloses a method for
interposing a film sheet for gathering between a peripheral surface
of an adsorbent roller and a cutter blade of a cutter roller, and
cutting the film sheet.
[0007] Furthermore, International publication No. WO 00/04855
discloses a method for forming a web loop.
[0008] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 63-317576, for
example, discloses a movement of a plurality of pads rotating about
a predetermined axis while each of the pads changes its velocity,
during a process of producing a worn article or a web (a continuous
material). Japanese National Phase PCT Laid-Open Publication No.
2000-514024 discloses a material engagement member reciprocating in
a direction parallel to a rotation axis of a drum.
[0009] When each of the pads is supported by a bearing, the same
number of bearings as the number of pads are required so that the
velocities of the pads can be changed individually, thereby
increasing the size and/or complexity of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In view of the problem in the prior art, it is an object of
the present invention to provide a rotation device having a simple
structure and being capable of providing a complicated movement. It
is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for
transferring a worn article, a method for folding a web and a
device for folding a web that can suitably employ the rotation
device, and a disposable worn article produced by using the
same.
[0011] In order to achieve the objects set forth above, a first
rotation device of the present invention includes: an endless
guide; a plurality of moving sections that slide while being guided
by the guide; and a rotation member that allows the guide to rotate
about an axis. In addition, the plurality of moving sections are
arranged in the rotation allowance direction of the rotation
member; and the plurality of moving sections can slide in the
direction of rotation of the rotation member or in the opposite
direction by being guided by the guide.
[0012] A second rotation device of the present invention includes:
a plurality of guides; a plurality of moving sections that slide
while being guided by the plurality of guides; and a rotation
member that allows the plurality of guides to rotate about an axis.
Furthermore each of the moving sections is guided by at least one
of the guides; and the plurality of guides is provided about the
axis so as to be arranged in the rotation allowance direction of
the rotation member while surrounding the axis, so that the
plurality of moving sections can slide in the direction of rotation
of the rotation member or the opposite direction.
[0013] As a rotational force having a predetermined velocity curve
is applied to the moving sections, the rotation member rotates at a
high velocity along with the rotation of the moving sections.
Meanwhile, each moving section rotates with respect to the guide at
a low relative velocity. In this way, the friction between the
moving sections and the guide is significantly reduced, thereby
improving the durability of the device.
[0014] Ideally, the rotation member is capable of an unlimited
rotation, and may be a ball bearing or a roller bearing including a
rolling element such as a ball or a roller.
[0015] The guide may be any type of guide as long as it allows the
sliding movement of the moving sections in a direction including a
component of the rotation allowance direction of the rotation
member. The term "endless guide" as used herein refers to not only
a generally completely ring-shaped guide, but also to those having
slight gaps in the circumferential direction, or even to those
obtained by arranging guide elements, which together form one
guide, so as to be spaced apart from one another at a predetermined
interval. Moreover, the guide elements may overlap with one another
as viewed in the axial direction. The phrase "in a direction
including a component of the rotation allowance direction of the
rotation member" as used herein means that a guide element may be
provided in an inclined direction. The guide element may be a rail
or a groove.
[0016] In the second rotation device of the present invention, the
phrase "a plurality of guides" means that the guides are spaced
apart from one another in the direction of rotation or in the axial
direction to such a degree that a moving section cannot move from
one guide to another.
[0017] Where one moving section moves from one of a plurality of
guide elements to another, the plurality of guide elements together
form one guide.
[0018] In the present invention, it is preferred to provide a
controller for controlling the moving velocity of the moving
sections. Such a controller causes the moving sections to rotate at
differing predetermined instantaneous velocities, thereby changing
the pitch between the moving sections during rotation.
[0019] The term "instantaneous velocity" as used herein refers to a
velocity in a minute period of time, meaning that each moving
section rotates while changing its velocity depending on the
rotational position thereof.
[0020] The present invention can be used with a rotation device as
described in PCT International Publication WO01/44086, a method for
transferring worn articles while changing the pitch thereof, a
method for folding a web, or a device for folding a web.
[0021] A method for folding a web of the present invention is a
method for folding a web by using a rotation device including a
plurality of pads that rotate about a predetermined axis so as to
continuously transfer the web. The method includes: supplying the
web onto surfaces of the rotation device pads; rotating adjacent
ones of the pads onto which the web has been supplied so as to
change the interval therebetween to slacken a portion of the web
between the adjacent pads, thereby folding the portion of the web;
and releasing the web from the pads.
[0022] Such a folding method can be realized using the first or
second rotation devices of the present invention. Other rotation
devices such as that described in PCT International Publication
WO01/44086 may be used in place of the rotation device including a
plurality of pads.
[0023] A device for folding a web of the present invention is a
device for folding a web to form a wall in a direction transverse
to a web running direction. The device includes: a transfer member
for forming a slack portion in the web in the running direction
thereof while continuously transferring the web; and a member for
folding the slack portion so as to form the wall.
[0024] The term "wall" as used in the present invention refers to a
portion of a web or a sheet-like material that has been folded,
regardless of whether the wall is laid down along the surface of
the web or standing on the web.
[0025] In the folding device of the present invention, the
"transfer member" may be any member including a plurality of
transfer sections for transferring the web in the web running
direction, wherein the transfer velocity of one of the transfer
sections is set to be lower than that of another transfer section
upstream of the one of the transfer sections so as to form a slack
portion in a portion of the web between the upstream and downstream
transfer sections.
[0026] In the present invention, it is preferred to provide a
directioning member for defining the direction in which a slack
portion is to be folded.
[0027] In the present invention, the term "slack portion" refers to
a portion of a web on which no tension is applied.
[0028] In the present invention, it is preferred to provide a
fold-holding section for maintaining the shape or condition of a
folded portion obtained by folding the slack portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a side layout view of an apparatus for producing a
wearing article of Embodiment 1 according to the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a side layout view illustrating the steps of
cutting an elastic member in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a stack in a state before
the elastic member is cut, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a
stack in a state after the elastic member is cut.
[0032] FIG. 4A is a front view showing the stack in which the
elastic member interposed between webs is cut, and FIG. 4B is a
front view showing a wearing article.
[0033] FIGS. 5A and 5B are partial side views showing a
circumferential velocity of pads.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a side layout view showing an apparatus for
producing a wearing article of Embodiment 2 according to the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a front view showing webs in a state where the
elastic member is placed.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a front view showing webs in a state where an
absorber is attached.
[0037] FIG. 9A shows webs whose both edges are bent, and FIG. 9B
shows webs folded into two.
[0038] FIGS. 10A to 10F are front views illustrating a method for
placing a second elastic member.
[0039] FIGS. 11A to 11C show an example of cutting the elastic
member with a cutting machine, and FIG. 11D shows another cutting
machine.
[0040] FIG. 12 shows diapers obtained by cutting the elastic member
so that a trim is not generated, and shifting the phase of one web
thus cut by substantially 1/2 from the other web.
[0041] FIG. 13A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
first embodiment of the rotation device of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 13B is a side view illustrating the first embodiment of
the rotation device of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 14A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
second embodiment of the rotation device of the present
invention.
[0044] FIG. 14B is a side view illustrating a portion of a fixed
pin and groove arrangement for controlling a rotational velocity of
a bridging section according to the second embodiment of the
invention.
[0045] FIG. 15A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
third embodiment of the rotation device of the present
invention.
[0046] FIG. 15B is a schematic perspective view illustrating an
example where a plurality of guides are provided in a concentric
manner.
[0047] FIG. 15C is a schematic perspective view illustrating
another example where a plurality of guides are provided so as to
be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of an axis
O.
[0048] FIG. 16 is a schematic side view illustrating a transfer
device.
[0049] FIG. 17 is a schematic side view illustrating a folding
device.
[0050] FIG. 18A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
guide and a moving section.
[0051] FIG. 18B is a perspective view illustrating another example
of a guide and a moving section.
[0052] FIG. 19A is a schematic view illustrating a variation of a
folding device.
[0053] FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating plates between two pads
being in a spread formation.
[0054] FIG. 19C is a diagram illustrating plates being folded into
a bellows-like shape.
[0055] FIG. 19D is an enlarged view illustrating plates between two
pads.
[0056] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating another
variation of a folding device.
[0057] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating another
embodiment of a folding device.
[0058] FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
top sheet.
[0059] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
top sheet before cutting.
[0060] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating another example
of a top sheet before cutting.
[0061] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a portion of another
example of a bellows-shaped folding device.
[0062] FIG. 26A is a diagram illustrating an elastic member being
introduced so as to extend across a slack portion that has been
obtained through a "Z-shaped folding process".
[0063] FIG. 26B is a diagram illustrating a web after cutting off
the elastic member and removing the slack.
[0064] FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device for
intermittently introducing an elastic member between a first web
that has been subjected to a "Z-shaped folding process" and a
second web.
[0065] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
pants-shaped diaper, which is a disposable worn article, being
spread out.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0066] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way
of illustrative embodiments with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0067] FIGS. 1 to 5A-B show Embodiment 1.
[0068] An apparatus for producing a wearing article shown in FIG. 1
is capable of providing a web with looseness and intermittently
placing an elastic member on at least a part of the web. For
example, the apparatus for producing a wearing article includes a
rotation apparatus 1 capable of providing a second web W2 with
looseness and a second roller 12 capable of placing an elastic
member F on portions of the second web W2 other than those which
are loose. When the elastic member F extending across a loose
portion of the second web W2 is cut with at least one of a laser,
an industrial light, a blade, and scissors, the apparatus can
intermittently place the elastic member F on the second web W2.
This intermittent placement is mainly caused by the looseness of
the second web W2. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of
the rotation apparatus 1, the second roller 12, and the like will
be described.
[0069] In FIG. 1, a supply apparatus 3 of the elastic member F
supplies the elastic member F to the surface of a first roller 11.
The elastic member F on the first roller 11 is fed to the second
roller 12. A circumferential velocity V2 of the second roller 12 is
set to be larger than a circumferential velocity V1 of the first
roller 11. Therefore, the elastic member F is stretched between the
first roller 11 and the second roller 12.
[0070] The second roller 12 is supplied with a first web W1. The
second roller 12 transports the first web W1 while sucking the
first web W1 by vacuum suction or the like. On the surface of the
second roller 12, for example, a number of suction holes 12a for
sucking the first web W1 may be provided. After the first web W1 is
sucked to be held on the surface of the second roller 12 by vacuum
suction or the like, the first web W1 is divided into a
predetermined size with a web cutter 2. In this division, the first
web W1 may be cut or half-cut to a predetermined length in a
transport direction. In the case where the first web W1 is
half-cut, the first web W1 may be cut to a predetermined length
together with the elastic member F in a subsequent step or cut in a
predetermined length when an interval of pads is increased. After
this division, the elastic member F is placed so as to spread
across the surface of the respective first webs W1. In the case
where the elastic member F is made of thread rubber or flat rubber,
an adhesive is applied to at least one of the elastic member F, the
first web W1, and the second web.
[0071] It may also be possible that after the elastic member F is
placed on the first web W1, the elastic member F is cut together
with the first web W1. Furthermore, in the case where the elastic
member F is made of hot-melt resin, molten resin discharged from
the supply apparatus 3 is cooled by the first roller 11. The molten
resin may be cooled with cool water. Furthermore, the first roller
11 may be a porous roller. In the case where the first roller 11 is
a porous roller, the first roller 11 may be configured so that air
is discharged from the inside of the first roller 11 through holes.
Due to the air, the hot-melt resin becomes unlikely to adhere to
the roller. When the air is discharged from the porous body, the
volume of the air is increased to cool the roller. Thus, the
hot-melt resin can be cooled. The porous roller may be formed by
sintering stainless ball or the like.
[0072] Furthermore, it may also be possible that the first roller
11 is provided with grooves or the like, whereby resin is molded.
For example, mesh-shaped (for example, lattice-shaped) grooves are
formed on the first roller 11, and hot-melt resin is applied to the
grooves of the first roller 11 with a coater or the like, whereby a
mesh-shaped elastic member is formed.
[0073] When hot-melt resin having a softening point lower than that
of Lycra.RTM. is used as the elastic member, the subsequent cutting
step becomes easier, compared with the case of using
Lycra.RTM..
[0074] The hot-melt resin may be a kneaded composition and may
comprise a thermoplastic resin, tackifier, viscosity adjuster,
antioxidant, heat stabilizer, ultraviolet radiation absorbent,
bulking agent, elasticizer, and the like. The thermoplastic resin
may include elastomers such as olefins {EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate
copolymer), APAO (amorphous-poly-.alpha.-olefin)}, rubbers {SIS
(styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer), SBS
(styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer), SEBS
(styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene copolymer), SEPS
(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene copolymer)}, polyamides and
polyesters. The thermoplastic resin may be a single elastomer or a
blend of more than one elastomer.
[0075] The rotation apparatus 1 for folding is placed in the
vicinity of the second roller 12. The rotation apparatus 1 has a
plurality of pads 9 capable of sucking the second web W2 and
transporting it. On the surface of a pad 9.sub.i, suction holes 10
for sucking the second web W2 are provided. The rotation apparatus
1 continuously transports the second web W2, and is in contact with
the surface of the second roller 12 via the first web W1, the
elastic member F, and the second web W2 at a contact point O
(predetermined position). Thereafter, the following may also be
possible: an additional roller and the pad 9.sub.i sandwich the
first web W1, the elastic member F, and the second web W2 placed on
the pad 9.sub.i, whereby the contact therebetween is enhanced.
[0076] The elastic member F is cut after being interposed between
the first web W1 and the second web W2. The elastic member F is
fixed between the webs W1 and W2, so that the elastic member F
shrinks less, compared with the case where the elastic member F is
placed on one web.
[0077] The rotation apparatus 1 receives the second web W2 at a
circumferential velocity V11 at a receiving position RP. At a point
"A" where the pad 9.sub.i receives the second web W2, the
circumferential velocity of the pad is V11. FIG. 5A is a side view
showing the enlarged vicinity of the point "A" of FIG. 1. During a
period from a time when at least a part of the pad 9.sub.i+1 shown
in FIG. 5A receives the second web W2 to a time when at least a
part of the pad 9.sub.i adjacent to the pad 9.sub.i+1 receives the
second web W2, the pad 9.sub.i+1 moves at a substantially constant
circumferential velocity V11. The reason for this is to prevent the
second web W2 from being damaged.
[0078] Each pad 9.sub.i of the rotation apparatus 1 is rotated at
the receiving position RP at the circumferential velocity V11, and
decelerates to a circumferential velocity V21 before reaching the
contact point O (where the distance between the pad 9.sub.i and the
pad 9.sub.i+1 becomes minimum). Therefore, the interval between the
pad 9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1 becomes narrow before the pad
9.sub.i moves from the receiving position RP to the contact point
O. This causes the second web W2 to become loose between the pad
9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1, whereby a loose portion Wa is
formed.
[0079] The pad 9.sub.i comes into contact with the second roller 12
via the second web W2 and the like at the circumferential velocity
V21 (V11>V21) at the contact point O shown in FIG. 1. The first
web W1 is transferred from the second roller 12 at the
circumferential velocity V2. The circumferential velocity V21 of
the pad 9.sub.i is set at a substantially constant velocity equal
to or close to the circumferential velocity V2 of the second roller
12. That is, while at least the pad 9.sub.i is in contact with the
second roller 12 via the second web and the like or at least the
pad 9.sub.i places the first web W1 on the second web W2, the pad
9.sub.i moves at the substantially constant circumferential
velocity V21 substantially equal to V2. In other words, during a
period from a time when the second web W2 on the pad 9.sub.i starts
receiving the first web W1 to a time when the second web W2
finishes receiving it, the pad 9.sub.i moves the constant
circumferential velocity V21 (.apprxeq.V2). The difference in
velocity prevents the first web W1 and the second web W2 from being
shifted from each other, and exactly places the first web W1 at a
predetermined position of the second web W2.
[0080] The circumferential velocity of the pad becomes V31 at a
point B where the pad releases the second web W2. FIG. 5B is a side
view showing the enlarged vicinity of the point B. The pad 9.sub.i
moves at a substantially constant circumferential velocity V31 at
least during a period from a time slightly before the pad 9.sub.i+1
adjacent to the pad 9.sub.i releases the second web W2 to a time
when the pad 9.sub.i releases the second web W2 (FIG. 5B). The
reason for this is to minimize the fluctuation in velocity of the
released second web W2. For example, in the case where the
circumferential velocity of an embossing roller 5 is V3, the
circumferential velocity V31 becomes substantially equal to V3.
[0081] When or after the circumferential velocity of the pad
9.sub.i becomes maximum in the vicinity of the point A in FIG. 5A,
the pad 9.sub.i receives the second web W2. If the pad 9.sub.1
receives the second web W2 before the circumferential velocity of
the pad 9.sub.i becomes maximum, the interval between adjacent pads
is increased, which may damage the second web W2. As the operation
of the pad 9.sub.i, the pad 9.sub.i may move at a maximum
circumferential velocity, for example, during a period from the
point B to the point A. In this case, a region from the point B to
the point A can be dealt with as one region. That is, in the
present embodiment, the circumferential velocity of the pad may
become substantially constant at least at two points.
[0082] It is preferable that the apparatus is provided with a
directing part so that the loose portion Wa in FIG. 1 becomes loose
exactly toward the center of the rotation apparatus 1.
[0083] The directing part may be, for example, a mechanism for
jetting air or a mechanism for pushing the loose portion Wa of the
web toward the center of the rotation apparatus 1. Alternatively,
the directing part may be a mechanism for sucking the web W toward
the center of the rotation apparatus 1 by vacuum suction. In the
case where the directing part is a mechanism for jetting air, one
or a plurality of directing parts may be provided. Furthermore, in
the case where the directing part is a mechanism for pushing the
loose portion Wa, one or a plurality of directing parts may be
provided. By providing a plurality of directing parts, the loose
portion Wa can be bent exactly toward the center of the rotation
apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the loose portion Wa may
have a shape dented toward the center of the rotation apparatus 1
due to the weight of the second web W2.
[0084] Next, a folding operation will be described. When the second
web W2 is sucked to be held on the surface of the pad 9.sub.1 at
the receiving position RP, the second web W2 is transported along
the pad 9.sub.1 of the rotation apparatus 1. When the pad 9.sub.1
is rotated from the receiving position RP to the contact point O,
the interval between the pads 9.sub.i is decreased. Because of
this, the loose portion Wa is formed in the second web W2.
Furthermore, the loose portion Wa is folded into two to form a
folded portion Wb.
[0085] The rotation apparatus for conducting the above-mentioned
"folding" is not limited to the rotation apparatus 1. For example,
an apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application No.
2001-545183 A may be used. The present invention is intended to
place an elastic member intermittently on a web. Therefore, the
second web W2 is not necessarily folded completely. Furthermore,
depending upon the shape of the pad 9.sub.i, the second web W2 may
have a loop shape.
[0086] The folded second web W2 is attached to be stacked on the
first web W1 at non-folded portions We before and after the folded
portion Wb. That is, the elastic member F is not cut until the
elastic member F is placed and fixed between the first web W1 and
the second web W2. Therefore, the stretched elastic member F hardly
shrinks on the second web W2. When the second web W2 is stacked on
the first web W1, the first web W1 is not placed on the folded
portion Wb folded between the pads 9.sub.i and 9.sub.i+1 adjacent
to each other in the vicinity of the contact point O. When the
interval between the pads 9.sub.i and 9.sub.i+1 is increased as
shown in FIG. 2, only the elastic member F is exposed as shown in
FIG. 3A.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 1, during .beta. from a time when the first
web W1 is attached to the second web W2 to a time when the first
web W1 is received, suction of air through the suction holes 12a of
the second roller 12 may be stopped or air may be discharged
through the suction holes 12a. The purpose of this is to attach the
first web W1 to the second web W2 smoothly.
[0088] The exposed elastic member F in FIG. 3A is cut with a
cutter. In the case where the elastic member F can be cut with a
light cutter, a light cutter 4 shown in FIG. 2 is used. The light
cutter 4 has a rotatable cover, and a slit 42 is formed at a part
of the cover. The cover 41 with the slit 42 is rotated, whereby
infrared rays are radiated intermittently from a light source 40 to
the elastic member F to cut it at a predetermined pitch. When the
elastic member F is cut with the light cutter 4, there is no
possibility that the webs W1 and W2 are damaged by heat from the
light cutter 4, since the elastic member F is away from the loose
portion Wa. The elastic member F may be cut with a pressure, heat,
UV-rays, a laser or at least two of them. Furthermore, the elastic
member F may be cut with an ultrasonic wave.
[0089] Hereinafter, an example of cutting the elastic member F with
a cutter will be described. FIG. 11A is a view showing a cutting
machine 43 that is an example of a cutter. The cutting machine 43
has a rotatable roller 44 and at least one of blade 45 placed at
the roller 44. The distance between the rotation center of the
roller 44 and the center of the rotation apparatus 1 is hardly
changed. The blade 45 can cut the elastic member F positioned on
the loose portion Wa between the pads 9.sub.i and the pad
9.sub.i+1, when the roller 44 is rotated. The rotation of the
roller 44 is changed in accordance with the rotation of at least
one of the pad 9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1. The blade (s) 45 may
have a linear shape (FIG. 11B) or may be in a jagged shape (FIG.
11C). Furthermore, the blade 45 may be reciprocated in the
direction of the rotation axis.
[0090] FIG. 11D shows another cutting machine 46. The cutting
machine 46 includes a rotatable large roller 47, a rotatable small
roller 48 attached to the large roller 47, and a blade 49 placed at
the small roller 48. The blade 49 of the cutting machine 46 can cut
the elastic member F positioned on the loose portion Wa between the
pad 9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1, when the large roller 47 and the
small roller 48 are rotated. The rotations of the large roller 47
and the small roller 48 are changed in accordance with the rotation
of at least one of the pad 9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1. As shown
in FIG. 11D, when the blade 49 reaches the bottom dead point, the
tip end of the blade 49 is preferably directed to the center of the
rotation apparatus 1. Furthermore, in the same way as in the blade
45, the blade 49 may have a shape as shown in FIG. 11B or 11C, and
may be reciprocated in the direction of the rotation axis of the
large roller 47 or the small roller 48.
[0091] The small roller 48 of the cutting machine 46 may have a
plurality of blades 49 as shown in FIG. 11E. The blades 49 may be
reciprocated in the direction of the rotation axis to cut the
elastic member.
[0092] The rotation apparatus 1 may be provided with scissors
instead of the cutting machine. After the second web W2 is stacked
on the first web W1, and the interval between the pad 9.sub.i and
the pad 9.sub.i+1 is slightly increased, the scissors may enter
between the pad 9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1 to cut the elastic
member stretched between the pad 9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1. The
scissors may enter between the pad 9.sub.i and the pad 9.sub.i+1 in
accordance with the rotation of at least one of the pad 9.sub.i and
the pad 9.sub.i+1. In order for the scissors to perform such an
operation, at least one of a cam mechanism and a link mechanism may
be used.
[0093] In FIG. 1, the circumferential velocity of the pad 9.sub.3
becomes a velocity V31 (V31>V21) at a releasing position SP
where the pad 9.sub.3 releases the second web W2. Therefore, the
interval between the pads 9.sub.3 and 9.sub.4 is increased from the
contact point O to the releasing position SP. Therefore, the
tension stress and elongation of the elastic member F are increased
from the contact point O to the releasing position SP. When the
elastic member F is cut with the light cutter 4 in this state,
cutting becomes easy. At the releasing position SP, a stack N1 in
FIG. 3B, in which the webs W1 and W2 and the elastic member F are
stacked, is in the state before the folded portion Wb is
folded.
[0094] Herein, during a from the releasing position SP to the
receiving position RP, suction through the suction holes 10 may be
stopped, and air may be discharged through the suction holes 10.
The purpose of this is to smoothly transfer the stack N1 in a
downstream direction.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 1, an embossing roller 5 may be provided
downstream from the releasing position SP. The stack N1 in FIG. 3B
is sent to the embossing roller 5. A plurality of convex portions
51 are arranged on the embossing roller 5, and at least the elastic
member F of the stack N1 is cut with the convex portions 51.
Because of this, as shown in FIG. 4A, the stack N1 is obtained in
which the shrinking force of a part of the elastic member F
interposed between the first and second webs W1 and W2 is
suppressed. An adhesive is not basically applied to a portion CP
where the shrinking force of the elastic member F is suppressed by
the embossing roller 5. The reason for this is to protect the
shrinking of the elastic member F. However, in order to control the
shrinking of the elastic member F, some adhesive weaker than usual
may be applied.
[0096] A portion represented by a solid line in FIG. 4B shows an
example of a disposable diaper produced by the production method of
the present invention. In the stack N1, at least a part of an
absorber C is fixed at the portion Wb of the stack N1 where the
elastic member F is not placed. The other end of the absorber C is
connected to another stack N2 represented by a broken line. The
absorber C is folded into two, and the portion CP of the stack N1
comes into contact with a corresponding portion of another stack
N2, whereby continuous disposable diapers can be produced. Another
stack N2 may have the same configuration as that of the stack N1.
Furthermore, in the case where the absorber C is folded into two,
and the portion CP of the stack N1 comes into contact with the
corresponding portion of another stack N2, whereby the stacks N1
and N2 are stretched in a flow direction, even if the elastic
member F is placed at the portion CP, the above connection can be
conducted.
[0097] Furthermore, the following may also be possible: when the
elastic member F is cut so that a trim is not generated as shown in
FIG. 12, and the phase of one web thus cut is shifted by
substantially 1/2 from the other web, whereby the web W2 shown in
FIG. 4B is formed. As a method for shifting a phase, one web may be
allowed to pass through a dummy roller to cause a delay from the
other web.
Embodiment 2
[0098] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. A production apparatus
shown in FIG. 6 is capable of placing at least three kinds of
elastic members F1 to F3 for a leg gathering on a wearing article,
as shown in FIG. 9A.
(1) Arrangement State of Elastic Members:
[0099] First, as shown in FIG. 7, the configuration and operation
of the present apparatus for obtaining an arrangement state of
elastic members, in which first and second elastic members F1 and
F2 are placed on webs W1 and W2, will be briefly described.
[0100] The present apparatus includes a first roller 11 for placing
a first elastic member 1 for a waist gathering and a guide unit 23
for placing a second elastic member 2 for a leg gathering. The
guide unit 23 is capable of arranging the second elastic member F2
for a leg gathering in a curved shape or a linear shape by being
reciprocated in the axis direction of a second roller 12 with, for
example, a cam or a servo motor. U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/095,959 discloses an example of the guide unit 23. The second
elastic member F2 may be cut mechanically with scissors, a blade,
or the like provided at the roller. FIGS. 11A to 11D show examples
of a cutter. The first elastic member F1 may not be a thermoplastic
elastic member. In this case, the first elastic member F1 can be
cut with scissors, a blade, or the like in the same way as in the
second elastic member F2. Furthermore, the first and second elastic
members F1 and F2 may be cut with the same scissors, blade, or the
like. In the steps until here in Embodiment 2, the other
configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1. Like parts are
denoted with like reference numerals, and the detailed description
and drawings are omitted here.
[0101] After being interposed and fixed between the first and
second webs W1 and W2, the first and second elastic members F1 and
F2 are cut to be arranged as shown in FIG. 7.
[0102] In some disposable wearing articles, an elastic member for a
leg gathering is placed on a crotch portion. Therefore, such a
portion contrasts to cause an unsatisfactory feeling during
wearing. In order to avoid this, the elastic member on the crotch
portion is cut so as to shrink, whereby the elastic member on the
crotch portion can be made short to some degree. However, it is
impossible to completely eliminate the elastic member on the crotch
portion, so that an unsatisfactory feeling may still remain.
[0103] In contrast, when the second elastic member F2 for a leg
gathering is placed as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10C, and 10E, the second
elastic member F2 can be eliminated from the crotch portion G.
FIGS. 10A, 10C, and 10E show the second elastic member F2
interposed between the first web W1 and the second web W2 on
adjacent pads 9, wherein a part of the web W2 is interposed between
the adjacent pads 9.
[0104] For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10c, a folded portion
Wb is formed on the crotch portion G of the first web W1, and the
second elastic member F2 is placed on non-folded portions Wc.
Thereafter, the second elastic member F2 striding across the
adjacent pads 9 is cut. As a result, the second elastic member F2
is not placed on the crotch portion G, as shown in FIGS. 10B and
10D.
[0105] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10e, when a non-coated portion
Df with no adhesive applied thereto is provided in the non-folded
portion Wc adjacent to the vicinity of the folded portion Wb, after
the second elastic member F2 is cut, a portion of the second
elastic member F2 that is not sufficiently attached to the
non-folded portion Wc shrinks (FIG. 10F). Full-circle pants may be
produced by such adjustment of an adhesive. Some adhesive may be
applied to the non-coated portion Df. In this case, the second
elastic member F2 shrinks slowly without being fixed to the
non-folded portion Wc, and finally, the second elastic member F2
can be eliminated from the crotch portion G.
[0106] The adhesive only needs to be applied to a portion where the
second elastic member F2 is placed. As a coating method, an
adhesive may be applied in an annual shape to at least one of the
first and second webs W1 and W2 with a coater or the like.
Furthermore, guns with a plurality of valves are placed in a
direction across the first web W1 so that opening/closing of the
valve may be controlled by the flow speed of at least one of the
first web W1 and the second web W2 and the coating shape. In the
case of using such guns, an adhesive can be applied in arbitrary
regions partitioned in a matrix.
(2) Attachment State of an Absorber:
[0107] An absorber C is arranged and attached to the webs W1 and W2
in the above-mentioned arrangement state of the elastic members by
a turn apparatus 30. Thereafter, a third elastic member F3 for a
waist gathering is placed to form an attachment state of an
absorber as shown in FIG. 8.
[0108] The turn apparatus 30 is provided with a plurality of
suction pads 30p around a drum (not shown). The suction pads 30p
are rotated in an arrow direction while changing the posture of the
absorber C by 90.degree. by turning. As the turn apparatus 30, for
example, an apparatus as disclosed by International Publication No.
WO 01/44086 or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US
2002/0103468 may be used, as is described in more detail below.
(3) Both-Edge Folded State:
[0109] Thereafter, the webs W1 and W2 with the absorber attached
thereto have their folding portions E on both edges folded inward
at a position of two-dot dash lines L.sub.2 shown in FIG. 8 by a
folding apparatus 31. After both edges of the webs W1 and W2 are
folded, a leg hole Lh is cut out with a leg hole cutter 32 (FIG.
6), whereby a both-edge folded state shown in FIG. 9A is formed.
The leg hole cutter 32 may be placed upstream from the turn
apparatus 30. In such a configuration, it also becomes possible to
produce a disposable wearing article in which a part of the
absorber C extends out to the leg hole Lh portion.
(4) Two-Folded State:
[0110] After folding, the webs W1 and W2 are folded into two at a
folding line B by a two-folding apparatus 33, whereby the webs W1
and W2 are folded into two as shown in FIG. 9B. As the two-folding
apparatus 33, for example, an apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,828,367, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,832, or U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/147,644 may be used.
[0111] Thereafter, the webs W1 and W2 folded into two have both
edges L sealed (e.g., heat-sealed or sonic-sealed), as shown in
FIG. 9B. Thereafter, a cutting portion D represented by a two-dot
dash line is cut to form an individual disposable wearing article,
e.g., pants P.
[0112] The present apparatus may form pants P from the webs W1 and
W2 (hereinafter, referred to as a "stacked web W") folded into two,
using a decelerating drum 34, a main drum 37, a seal roller 35, and
a cutter roller 36.
Decelerating Drum 34:
[0113] As described above, although the web W has an elastic
member, the web W is moved in a stretched state so that placement
of an absorber at a predetermined position, formation of a leg
hole, and other processing can be performed easily. However, in
order to seal the web W and cut a seal portion, the position of the
edge L only needs to be determined. This is because the state of
the other portions of the web W does not influence a sealing step
and a cutting step. Furthermore, in the sealing step, it is
preferable that a flow speed of the web W is lower so as to obtain
a sufficient time for melting a part of the web W and the like. The
decelerating drum can decrease the flow speed of the web W so as to
obtain a sufficient time for melting the part of the web W and the
like. As the decelerating drum 34, an apparatus described in JP
63-317576 A, International Publication No. WO 01/44086, or U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0103468 may be used.
[0114] The decelerating drum 34 is provided with a plurality of
pads 34p rotating in a transport direction of the stacked web W
around a drum (not shown). The decelerating drum 34 receives at
least an edge L at a receiving position RP from the two-folding
apparatus 33 placed upstream therefrom, and holds it. The other
portions of the web W are positioned between adjacent pads 34p. The
edge L is transported to a releasing position SP, and thereafter,
the edge L is supplied to the main drum 37 placed downstream
therefrom at the releasing position SP. While the pad 34p moves
from the receiving position RP to the releasing position SP, the
interval between the adjacent pads 34p is changed to be narrow.
[0115] The pad 34p is capable of receiving the edge L in a
stretched state at the receiving position RP, and keeping holding
the edge L shown in FIG. 9B. For example, the edge L may be held by
sucking the edge L, pressing the edge L with a hook, or fixing the
edge L with a pin placed at the pad 34p. On the other hand, the
interval between the adjacent pads 34p, which has been increased at
the receiving position RP, is decreased before the releasing
position SP, and a shrinking portion S excluding the edge L shrinks
in a transport direction X. In order to allow the edge L to be
exactly held, the shrinking force of the elastic member positioned
at the edge L may be weakened by an embossing roller 38. For
example, the embossing roller 38 can cut the elastic member to a
predetermined length or change the elastic configuration of the
elastic member by using at least one of heat and pressure. As the
embossing roller 38, for example, an apparatus described in U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0103468 may be used. The
embossing roller 38 is placed in a region from the rotation
apparatus 1 to the two-folding apparatus 33.
Main Drum 37:
[0116] The main drum 37 receives the web W in a mixed state where
the stretched edge L and the shrinking portion S that has shrunk
are present alternately from the decelerating drum 34. The main
drum 37 transports the web W in such a mixed state. In order to
keep the mixed state, the main drum 37 may be provided with, for
example, a plurality of suction holes to suck air through the
suction holes so as to suck the web W.
Seal Roller 35:
[0117] The seal roller 35 can conduct heat-sealing by heating and
pressing the edge L (FIG. 9B) of the web W. More specifically, the
web W is pressed by being interposed between the seal roller 35 and
the main drum 37, and heated by the seal roller 35. The seal roller
35 may be provided with, for example, a heater so as to heat-seal
the edge L. Furthermore, the seal roller 35 may have a horn to
conduct sonic-sealing. The web W subjected to the above-mentioned
heat-sealing is cut to individual pants P by a cutter roller 36
placed downstream therefrom.
Formation Operation of Pants P:
[0118] Next, an operation of forming pants P from the stacked web W
will be described. The decelerating drum 34 continuously receives
the web W onto each pad 34p under the condition that the web W is
stretched in a flow direction. Herein, the pad 34p holds the edge L
(FIG. 9B) of the web W in a stretched state.
[0119] After receiving the web W, the pad 34p having received the
web W has its circumferential velocity decreased, whereby the
interval between the adjacent pads 34p becomes narrow. Therefore, a
portion S other than the edge L of the web W shown in FIG. 9B
shrinks in a transport direction X to form the shrinking portion S.
On the other hand, the edge L is held in a stretched state.
[0120] Thereafter, the main drum 37 receives the web W from the
decelerating drum 34. At this time, the main drum 37 receives the
web W in a mixed state where the edge L in a stretched state and
the shrinking portion S that has shrunk are present alternately.
The main drum 37 transports the web Win a downstream direction
while keeping the mixed state. During transportation by the main
drum 37, the seal roller 35 presses and heats the edge L of the web
W on the main drum 37. Herein, a part of the web W shrinks, so that
the transport velocity of the web becomes low. Sealing can be
conducted exactly, as the transport velocity of the web W is
low.
[0121] Thereafter, the web W is cut to individual pieces with a
cutter roller 36 to form pants P.
[0122] As described above, according to the present invention,
after being interposed and fixed between a first web and a second
web, an elastic member is cut. Therefore, the stretched elastic
member hardly shrinks on the second web, whereby an expected
gathering is obtained.
[0123] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the elastic
member is cut between adjacent first webs. Therefore, the second
web and an absorber do not become stiff between the first webs.
[0124] Furthermore, a plurality of first webs are placed on a
second web under the condition where they are away from each other.
Therefore, the first web is not stacked on a portion where a
gathering of the elastic member is not formed, so that such a
portion becomes thin and allows air to pass therethrough. As a
result, a user wearing such an article is not likely to feel
stuffy.
[0125] Furthermore, the elastic member is cut between the first
webs and at a loose portion of the second web. Therefore, only the
elastic member can be cut without damaging the web.
[0126] If a pad that makes the second web loose is allowed to
transport the second web at a substantially constant velocity
during a predetermined period from a time when the pad starts
receiving the first web to a time when the pad finishes receiving
it, the first web can be transferred to a predetermined posit ion
of the second web exactly.
[0127] Furthermore, if the elastic member is cut under the
condition that the tension stress of the elastic member is
increased, the elastic member can be cut easily with infrared rays
or the like.
[0128] Furthermore, while the web is transported under the
condition that an edge (where the web is stretched) and a shrinking
portion (where the web shrinks) are present alternately in a
transport direction, a heating time for heating the edge becomes
long. Therefore, the transport velocity of the web can be increased
without impairing the exactness of heat-sealing.
[0129] Referring now to FIGS. 13A-28, further detail regarding the
rotation apparatus or device will be described as originally set
forth in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US
2002/0103468.
[0130] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B illustrate an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0131] A rotation device 1 includes a rotation section B, a guide
3' and a plurality of moving sections 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n. In the
present embodiment, the rotation device 1 also includes a driving
section 2'.
[0132] The driving section 2' inputs a rotational force to the
moving sections 4.sub.i. A rotational force from a rotational power
source such as a motor is transmitted to the driving section 2' via
a power transmission portion 5' and a shaft 20, so that the driving
section 2' rotates about an axis O at a constant velocity, for
example. The driving section 2' is axially and rotatably supported
by a drum 6 via a bearing B1. The axis O of the driving section 2'
is eccentric to an axis C of the drum 6. Due to such an eccentric
structure, it is possible to, for example, periodically change the
velocity of each moving section 4.sub.i while the driving section
2' rotates.
[0133] A guide 3' is attached to the drum 6 via the rotation
section B' such as a ball bearing and a rotation ring 50. In the
rotation device 1 illustrated in FIG. 13A, two or more endless
guides 3' are provided spaced apart from each other in the axial
direction of the drum 6. As shown in FIG. 13B, a plurality of
moving sections 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.i are attached to each guide 3' so
that the moving sections 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.i are movable in the
circumferential direction of the guide 3'. Therefore, each moving
section 4.sub.i rotates around the drum 6 along with the guide 3'
while additionally moving relative to the guide 3' around the drum
6 along the guide 3'.
[0134] For the guide 3' and the moving section 4.sub.i, an R Guide
manufactured by THK.RTM. Co., Ltd., as illustrated in FIG. 18A, or
a Gonio Way manufactured by Nippon Bearing Co., Ltd., may suitably
be employed. Preferably, a rolling element such as a ball or a
wheel is inserted between the guide 3' and the moving section
4.sub.i. Each guide 3' may be a number of rails or grooves attached
together in the circumferential direction of the rotation section
B'. Basically, it is preferred that the reciprocating movement is a
rolling movement of a bearing, or the like, but may alternatively
be a sliding movement.
[0135] In FIG. 13A, a bridging section 7.sub.i is provided so as to
extend between each pair of moving sections 4.sub.i that are spaced
apart from each other in the axial direction of the drum 6. One end
of an arm 70.sub.i is fixed to the bridging section 7.sub.i, and a
link 8i is rotatably attached to the other end of the arm
70.sub.i.
[0136] In the present embodiment, a controller, being capable of
moving the moving sections 4i at a programmed velocity, is provided
by the link 8i in combination with the eccentricity between the
axes C and O. Alternatively, the controller may be provided by any
other link mechanism, or a controller described in PCT
International Publication WO01/44086, for example, may be used.
[0137] One end of each link 8i is rotatably attached to the driving
section 2 via a bearing B2 and a fixed pin 8a, and the other end of
each link 8i is rotatably attached to the arm 70.sub.i via a
bearing B3 and a rotation pin 8b. As the driving section 2 rotates
at a substantially constant velocity, the fixed pin 8a rotates,
together with the driving section 2, at a substantially constant
angular velocity, while the rotation pin 8b rotates around the
fixed pin 8a. Thus, the angular velocity of the rotation pin 8b
changes depending on the rotation angle of the rotation pin 8b.
Therefore, the bridging section 7.sub.i integral with the rotation
pin 8b rotates around the drum 6 while changing the interval
(pitch) with respect to an adjacent bridging section 7.sub.i, as
illustrated in FIG. 13B.
[0138] Specifically, each bridging section 7i rotates at a
relatively low velocity while it rotates from the position of the
bridging section 7.sub.n to that of the bridging section 7.sub.2 of
FIG. 13B, whereas the bridging section 7.sub.i rotates at a higher
velocity while it rotates from the position of the bridging section
7.sub.2 to that of the bridging section 7. Therefore, the spacing
interval (pitch) between adjacent bridging sections 7.sub.i changes
along with the rotation of the bridging sections 7.sub.i.
[0139] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B illustrate another embodiment of the
rotation device 1.
[0140] In the present embodiment, the rotation ring 50 is coupled
to each rotation section B', and an attachment section 75.sub.i,
through which a pad to be described later is inserted, is provided
in a generally central portion of each bridging section 7.sub.i.
The attachment section 75.sub.i may be a space in the form of a
through hole, a notch, a depression, etc.
[0141] Moreover, in the present embodiment, a groove 8A.sub.i
elongated in the radial direction of the drum 6 is provided,
instead of the link 8i, at an end of each bridging section 7.sub.i.
The groove 8A.sub.1 is provided with the fixed pin 8a illustrated
in FIG. 14B so that the fixed pin 8a is slidable in the radial
direction. Therefore, the rotational velocity of the bridging
section 7.sub.i changes as in the previous embodiment.
[0142] In the rotation device of FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, the
velocity of the bridging section 7.sub.i may be controlled by a
link as illustrated in FIG. 13, or alternatively by any other
controller mechanism as described above.
[0143] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C schematically illustrate another
embodiment of the rotation device of the present invention.
[0144] The rotation device 1 illustrated in FIG. 15A includes an
endless guide 3', a plurality of moving sections 4.sub.i moving
along the guide 3', and the rotation section B. The rotation
section B' allows the guide 3' to rotate about the axis of the
rotation section B'.
[0145] The plurality of moving sections 4.sub.np are arranged in
the rotation allowance direction of the section B' (i.e., the
direction in which the rotation section B' allows the guide 3' to
rotate). Each moving section 4.sub.i can move away from or toward
an adjacent moving section 4.sub.i, and can reciprocate along the
guide 3' in the direction of rotation of the rotation section B' or
in the opposite direction. If the reciprocating movement is done
over a particular region of the rotation section B', the guide 3'
may not need to be endless. Specifically, a plurality of arc-shaped
guides 3' may be arranged about the axis O of the rotation section
B' so as to be spaced apart from one another in the rotation
allowance direction of the rotation section B, surrounding the axis
O. In such a case, each of the plurality of guides 3' includes at
least one moving section that is movable in the direction of
rotation of the rotation member or in the opposite direction.
[0146] The guide 3' of FIG. 15A is rotated at a predetermined
rotational velocity about the axis O by a rotational force applying
member (e.g., a motor or a power transmission device), which is not
shown in the figure. The annular guide 3' is arranged at a
predetermined position with respect to the rotation section B'. A
plurality of moving sections 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.i are movably
attached to the guide 3'.
[0147] Each moving section 4.sub.i can move along the guide 3'
along with the rotation of the rotation section B'.
[0148] The interval between a pair of adjacent moving sections
(e.g., 4.sub.2 and 4.sub.3) changes depending on the rotational
position. A predetermined controller as described above may be
employed to accurately control such an interval. However, a certain
level of control can be provided by, for example, the gravitational
acceleration acting on the moving sections 4.sub.i. Alternatively,
a motor may be provided for each moving section 4i for driving the
moving section 4.sub.i along the guide 3' so that the moving
section 4i rotates at an instantaneous velocity according to a
rotational angle .theta..sub.i.
[0149] In this embodiment, the rotation section B' may be optional.
The rotation device 1 includes the endless guide 3', and a
plurality of moving sections 4.sub.i that move while being guided
by the guide 3'. The rotation device 1 in which the guide 3' is
provided with a plurality of moving sections 4.sub.i may have a
poor friction resistance as compared with one using ball bearings,
but such a rotation device 1 can be lighter in weight than rotation
devices in the prior art.
[0150] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a method for transferring
a worn article using the rotation device 1.
[0151] The rotation device 1 includes pads 9.sub.i each attracting
an article N and allowing the article N to be transferred. In the
rotation device 1 illustrated in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, each pad
9.sub.i may be provided in the bridging section, or the bridging
section may serve as a pad (i.e., the bridging section itself may
be used as a pad). In the rotation device 1 illustrated in FIG. 14A
and FIG. 14B, each pad 9.sub.i may be fit into the attachment
section 75.sub.i of the bridging section so that the pad 9.sub.i
can rotate (e.g., about the direction normal to the drum 6), or the
bridging section may serve as a pad. In the rotation device 1
illustrated in FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C, each pad 9.sub.i may be
provided in the moving section.
[0152] Each pad 9.sub.i of FIG. 16 includes a plurality of suction
holes for attracting the article N, and the suction holes are
placed under a negative pressure to attract the article N while the
pad is moving from the position of the pad 9.sub.1 (where the
article N is received from a first conveyer C1) to the position of
the pad 9.sub.3 (where the article N is handed over to a second
conveyer C2). The pad 9.sub.i may alternatively attract the article
N by using an electrostatic charge, or the like.
[0153] The first conveyer C1 is provided upstream of the rotation
device 1, and the second conveyer C2 is provided downstream of the
rotation device 1. The first conveyer C1 transfers the articles N
to the rotation device 1 at an interval D1.
[0154] For example, each pad 9.sub.i rotates at a circumferential
velocity V1 that is about the same as that of the first conveyer C1
from when it comes near a pickup position RP until it passes the
pickup position RP, and rotates at a circumferential velocity V2
that is about the same as that of the second conveyer C2 from when
it comes near a hand-over position SP until it passes the hand-over
position SP. In the rotation device 1 illustrated in FIG. 16, i.e.,
in a case where it is desired to increase the interval between
pads, the relationship between the circumferential velocities is
V2>V1. However, the relationship between the circumferential
velocities is V2<V1 in a case where it is desired to shorten the
interval between pads. The circumferential velocity of the second
conveyer is about V2.
[0155] As the article N.sub.1 is transferred by the first conveyer
C1 to the pickup position RP, article N.sub.1 is attracted onto the
pad 9.sub.1 and the pad 9.sub.1 receives the article N.sub.1 at the
pickup position RP. Then, the pad 9.sub.1 rotates toward the
hand-over position SP, where the pad 9.sub.3 releases the article
N.sub.3, while gradually increasing the velocity thereof. At the
hand-over position SP, the pad 9.sub.3 stops attracting the article
N.sub.3, whereby the second conveyer C2 can easily attract and
receive the article N.sub.3.
[0156] In a case where a portion of the pad 9.sub.i is rotatably
fit into the attachment section of the bridging section, the pad
9.sub.i may rotate about a normal direction CL by a predetermined
angle (e.g., 90.degree.) to change the orientation of the article
N.sub.i while the pad 9.sub.i moves from the pickup position RP to
the hand-over position SP. The article N.sub.i may be a final or
intermediate product of a worn article such as a napkin, a
disposable diaper, disposable pants or a bandage, or may be a
single-layer or multilayer sheet of woven fabric, non-woven fabric,
a liquid permeable sheet or a liquid impermeable sheet. The
intermediate product may be an absorbent or absorbents arranged
over a web.
[0157] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a method for folding a web
W using the rotation device 1.
[0158] In the figure, each bridging section 7.sub.i includes the
pad 9.sub.i for attracting the web W so that the web W can be
transferred. The pad 9.sub.i attracts the web W while it is moving
from the position of the pad 9.sub.1 (where the web W is received)
to the position of the pad 9.sub.3 (where a folded web is
transferred) in FIG. 17.
[0159] The rotation device 1 forms a wheel for continuously
transferring the web W, and is in contact with the surface of a
belt 31' of a conveyer 30' via the web W.
[0160] The rotation device 1 picks up the web W traveling at a
first velocity V11, and hands it over to the conveyer 30' traveling
at a second velocity V21 (V11>V21). The belt 31' of the conveyer
30' basically transfers the web W at the circumferential velocity
V21. Specifically, each pad 9.sub.i rotates at the circumferential
velocity V11 at the position of the pad 9.sub.1 (where the web W is
received), and slows down to the circumferential velocity V21 by
the time it reaches the position of the pad 9.sub.3 (where a folded
web is transferred). Therefore, the interval between adjacent pads
9.sub.i is shortened while the pads 9.sub.i move from the pickup
position RP to the hand-over position SP, thereby slackening the
web W between the pads 9.sub.i to form a slack portion W1.
[0161] Next, the operation will be described. The web W is supplied
by being attracted onto the surface of the pad 9.sub.1 at the
pickup position RP, and then transferred along the pads 9.sub.i of
the rotation device 1. While the rotation section B' rotates in the
direction of an arrow Vh, the pad 9.sub.1 moves along the guide 3'
and in the opposite direction Vs, thereby reducing the interval
between the pads 9.sub.i. The direction Vs is defined with respect
to the guide 3'. Therefore, a folded portion W2 is formed in the
web W. After the formation of the folded portion W2, the pad
9.sub.4 stops attracting the web W, whereby the web W including
folded portions W2 at a predetermined pitch is transferred onto the
conveyer 30', thereby performing a so-called "Z-shaped folding
process".
[0162] The rotation device for performing the Z-shaped folding
process may not be the rotation device 1 described above, but may
alternatively be, for example, a device described in PCT
International Publication WO01/44086, or a device using any other
link mechanism.
[0163] Another example of a folding device for performing the
Z-shaped folding process is illustrated in FIG. 19A.
[0164] In FIG. 19A a rotation device 1A includes a plurality of
pads 9.sub.i. At least one suction hole 10 for attracting the web W
is provided in the surface of each pad 9.sub.i. The velocity of the
pad 9.sub.i is the same as that of the web W at the pickup position
RP. However, at the hand-over position SP, the velocity is lower
than that at the pickup position RP. Therefore, a slack portion W1
is formed in the web W. Preferably, the folding device includes a
directioning section 12' so as to ensure that the slack portion W1
is folded in toward the center of the rotation device 1A.
[0165] The directioning section 12' may be, for example, a
mechanism that blows out a stream of air, a mechanism that thrusts
the slack portion W1 of the web toward the center of the rotation
device 1A, or a mechanism that sucks the web W toward the center of
the rotation device 1A by a vacuum. Where the air blowing mechanism
is employed, only one directioning section 12' may be provided, or
a plurality of orientation sections 12' may alternatively be
provided as illustrated in FIG. 19A. Also, where the slack portion
thrusting mechanism is employed, only one directioning section 12'
may be provided, or a plurality of orientation sections 12' may
alternatively be provided. By providing a plurality of orientation
sections 12', it is possible to reliably fold in the slack portion
W1 toward the center of the rotation device 1A. The width of the
directioning section 12' (the length thereof in the direction
perpendicular to the surface of the sheet of the figure) can be set
to a value (a length in the direction perpendicular to the surface
of the sheet of the figure) according to the width of the web
W.
[0166] Moreover, one or more suction holes 11 may be provided on
each of the side surfaces of the pads 9.sub.i by which the web W is
to be sandwiched, i.e., on the side surfaces of each pad that face
the side surfaces of the adjacent pads, so that the slack portions
W1 of the web W are laid down along the side surfaces of the pads
9.sub.i.
[0167] The direction in which the web is to be folded may be the
direction in which the web runs or the opposite direction. For
example, in a case where the circumferential velocity of the
trailing one of two pads that sandwich the web therebetween is
higher than that of a conveyer in the vicinity of the hand-over
position SP, the web is folded by the trailing pad in the running
direction. In such a case, the leading pad is only required to move
so as not to interfere with the movement of the trailing pad. In a
case where the circumferential velocity of the conveyer is higher
than that of the leading pad in the vicinity of the hand-over
position SP, the web is folded by the leading pad in the direction
opposite to the running direction.
[0168] In the present embodiment, a side surface of each pad
9.sub.i in the circumferential direction forms a folded portion.
Specifically, the side surfaces of two adjacent pads 9.sub.4 and
9.sub.5 that are facing each other in the circumferential direction
come close to each other at the hand-over position SP so as to fold
in two the web W therebetween, thereby forming the folded portion
W2.
[0169] An applicator (an example of a fold-holding section) 13 for
applying an adhesive such as a hot melt resin may be provided on
the receiving side, as illustrated in FIG. 19A. The applicator 13
applies an adhesive on one or both of another web Wo and the web W
to be folded so as to bond the webs Wo and W together, thereby
making it easier to maintain the shape of the folded portion
W2.
[0170] Alternatively, in the present embodiment, a conveyer as
illustrated in FIG. 20 may be used to maintain the shape of the
folded portion W2.
[0171] Moreover, the directioning section 12' may suck in the slack
portion W1 by a stream of air as illustrated in FIG. 20. The
suction by the directioning section 12' forms the slack portion W1
into a shape that is protruding from the rotation device 1A. The
suction of the web W, the number of the directioning sections,
etc., may be set as those for the device of FIG. 19A.
[0172] Referring to FIG. 20, the slack portion W1 of the web is
sandwiched between the pad 9.sub.i and the belt 31' of the conveyer
30', thereby forming the folded portion W2. Another example of the
fold-holding section provided on the receiving side may be, for
example, a meshed belt 31' of the conveyer 30' capable of sucking
an air therethrough by which the folded web W is received, wherein
the web W is sucked by an air 100, as illustrated in FIG. 20, so as
to maintain the shape of the folded portion W2. Instead of the
meshed belt 31', a belt 31' including a plurality of holes therein
may be used. Moreover, the fold-holding section may alternatively
maintain the shape of the slack portion W1 by using an
electrostatic charge, or the like.
[0173] A bellows-shaped folding device for performing a
bellows-shaped folding process, which is a modified version of the
Z-shaped folding process, will be described with reference to FIG.
19B to FIG. 19D. The bellows-shaped folding device is capable of
folding the slackened web W at a plurality of positions.
[0174] The bellows-shaped folding device includes, in addition to
the elements of the folding device of FIG. 19A, a plurality of
plates P.sub.i between adjacent pads 9.sub.i-1 and 9.sub.i. As
illustrated in FIG. 19D, the plates P.sub.i are pivotally connected
to one another and to the pads 9.sub.i via joints J.sub.i. For
example, the plate P.sub.1 is pivotally connected to the pad
9.sub.i-1 via the joint J.sub.i, and the adjacent plate P.sub.2 is
pivotally connected to the plate P.sub.i via the joint J.sub.2.
[0175] Each plate P.sub.i is capable of sucking the web W. Each
plate P.sub.i may include at least one suction hole, through which
the web W is sucked. In such a case, each plate P.sub.i may be
meshed. Moreover, the bellows-shaped folding device may have each
plate P.sub.i charged with a first charge and the web with another
charge that attracts the first charge, so as to attract the web W
onto the plate P.sub.i.
[0176] Referring to FIG. 19C, as the interval between adjacent pads
9.sub.i-1 and 9.sub.i is shortened, the plurality of plates P.sub.i
that have been in a spread formation are turned into a bellows-like
shape. The joints J.sub.i between the plates P.sub.i may restrict
the angle by which the connected plates P.sub.i can pivot in order
to form a predetermined bellows-like shape in the web. For example,
an elastic member 40' may be provided between the plates P.sub.2
and P.sub.3 as illustrated in FIG. 19D so as to restrict the angle
by which the plates P.sub.i can pivot.
[0177] As the interval between adjacent pads 9.sub.i-1 and 9.sub.i
is shortened, the web W attracted onto the plates P.sub.i is bent
so as to conform with the shape of the plates P.sub.i. The
slackened web W is folded so as to have top portions and bottom
portions and is transferred onto the conveyer 30'.
[0178] The folded web W may be transferred onto the conveyer 30'
after the interval between adjacent pads 9.sub.i-1 and 9.sub.i has
been shortened and before the interval therebetween reaches its
maximum value. In such a case, a triangular prism-shaped wall Tw is
formed as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 22 and 23.
[0179] FIG. 21 illustrates another example of a folding device. In
the figure, a pair of first rolls 21 and 21 having a high transfer
speed v1 are provided upstream, with respect to the transfer
direction, along the web W, and a pair of second rolls 22 and 22
having a low transfer speed v2 are provided downstream along the
web W.
[0180] Since the velocities satisfy v1>v2, the slack portion W1
is formed between the first rolls 21 and the second rolls 22. The
direction in which the slack portion W1 is folded is determined by
the directioning section 12. In the present embodiment, the
directioning section 12 includes two bars 12a and 12b extending in
the width direction of the web W. Broken lines in the figure
represent the respective traces of the two bars. The second bar 12b
moves after the first bar 12a moves, thereby forming the folded
portion W2. Since the web W is made of a relatively light material
such as non-woven fabric, pulp or a synthetic resin, the web W can
easily be supported by the bars 12a and 12b with only one end
thereof being fixedly supported. After the folded portion W2 is
formed, the second bar 12b retracts toward the first rolls 21
before it is caught between the second rolls 22. Moreover, the
first bar 12a can move in the width direction of the web W so as to
extend beyond the edge of the folded portion W2.
[0181] It is possible to produce a disposable worn article,
including a napkin, a diaper and pants, with a wall formed therein,
by employing the "Z-shaped folding process" as described above.
[0182] FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a top sheet of a napkin,
in which broken lines represent a web. In FIG. 22, the walls Tw are
formed in a top sheet T so as to extend in a direction generally
perpendicular to the running direction X of the top sheet T being
produced. With the running direction X being a transverse
direction, elongated walls Tw can be formed along the opposing
sides of the napkin.
[0183] FIG. 23 illustrates a top sheet (web) W of a diaper or pants
before cutting. By slacking the web W using the folding method
described above, the walls Tw can be formed in a direction Y
transverse to a running direction X of the web Was illustrated in
the figure. In other words, the longitudinal direction Y of the
walls Tw is transverse to the running direction X of the web W. The
longitudinal direction of an absorbent (core) Co denoted by a
broken line is transverse to the running direction X of the web W
(i.e., the production line is of a so-called "transverse flow"
type). Therefore, it is possible to produce a diaper or pants in a
transverse flow type production by cutting the web W in a direction
transverse to the running direction (the X direction) as indicated
by a two-dot chain line. As is well known in the art, a liquid
impermeable back sheet, in addition to the absorbent Co, can be
layered on the liquid permeable top sheet. The wall Tw may
alternatively be formed on the absorbent Co. The wall Tw may be
formed in the vicinity of an end of the absorbent Co, or a
plurality of walls Tw may be formed in the vicinity of the end of
the absorbent Co.
[0184] While the web is folded in a certain direction in the
examples illustrated in FIG. 19A to FIG. 19D and FIG. 20, every
other folded portion may be folded back in the opposite direction,
for example, so as to form the walls Tw illustrated in FIG. 22 and
FIG. 23.
[0185] An elastic member for making the worn article better fit to
the wearer may be provided along the wall Tw. For example, a
mechanism for attaching an elastic member that is extending in the
direction Y transverse to the running direction X of the web W onto
the web (e.g., a widening mechanism as described in Japanese Patent
Application No. 12-028945) may be employed so as to provide an
elastic member inside the wall Tw. The elastic member may be made
of at least one flat or cord rubber.
[0186] The wall Tw of a disposable worn article such as a napkin, a
diaper or pants as described above may be formed by the
bellows-shaped folding process. Moreover, in a disposable worn
article such as a napkin, a diaper or pants, a plurality of top
portions and bottom portions may be formed on the absorbent Co
through the bellows-shaped folding process. In such a case,
excrement is drawn into the bottom portions, thereby reducing a
leak from the worn article.
[0187] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality
of walls Tw formed on each absorbent Co through the bellows-shaped
folding process. The walls Tw may be positioned on the absorbent Co
directly, or indirectly via a sheet, or the like. The sheet may be
a continuous sheet, or at least one sheet may be layered between a
plurality of walls Tw and an absorbent. In order to fix the walls
Tw at predetermined positions, bottom portions Vw of the walls Tw
are preferably flat. Specifically, the area over which the bottom
portions Vw of the walls Tw contact the sheet or the absorbent Co
is preferably 50% or more of the total area of the sheet or the
absorbent Co.
[0188] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a
bellows-shaped folding device 100 for forming bottom portions Vw
that are generally flat. The bellows-shaped folding device 100
includes a plurality of pads 9.sub.i, at least one dummy pad 101,
and a plurality of generally V-shaped plate pairs 102. Each of the
generally V-shaped plate pairs 102 includes two plates P and P, and
each plate P is capable of pivoting with respect to the other about
the link between the plates P and P. One end of each generally
V-shaped plate pair 102 is connected to the dummy pad 101 or the
pad 9.sub.i.
[0189] At least one of the pads 9.sub.i, the dummy pad 101 and the
generally V-shaped plate pair 102 is capable of sucking the web W
onto the surface of the plates P and P and the surface of the top
portion of the dummy pad 101. Where the width Wd of the bottom
portion of the wall is 1 cm or less, the web W may be sucked by
using only the pads 9.sub.i and the generally V-shaped plate pairs
102. When the width Wd of the bottom portion of the wall is so
small, the web W can be attracted and secured only by suction by
the pads 9.sub.i and the generally V-shaped plate pairs 102.
[0190] Preferably, the surface configuration of the pads 9.sub.i
and the dummy pads 101 is such that the surfaces of the pad 9.sub.i
and the dummy pad 101 contact the conveyer when handing over the
folded web W to the conveyer.
[0191] Moreover, it is possible to attach at least one elastic
member to a web in an intermittent manner by employing the
"Z-shaped folding process". Accordingly, a disposable worn article
including a web with at least one elastic member attached thereto
in an intermittent manner can be produced by employing the
"Z-shaped folding process".
[0192] Specifically, at least one elastic member is bonded to a
web, with a slack portion having been formed therein through the
"Z-shaped folding process", so that the elastic member extends
across the slack portion, as illustrated in FIG. 26A. Then, the
elastic member F is cut off in the vicinity of a position between
one edge W11 of the slack portion W1 of the web W and the other
edge W12 of the slack portion W1. The elastic member F may be cut
by using a straight cutter or an embossing roll. A straight cutter,
an embossing roll, or the like, can cut off the elastic member
through the application of heat, pressure, or a combination
thereof, for example. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/891,034,
PCT International Publication WO00/76444 and Japanese Laid-Open
Patent Publication No. 2000-26015 are incorporated herein by
reference, with respect to a cutting method using an embossing
roll. Upon the cutting off of the elastic member, the slack of the
web is eliminated.
[0193] FIG. 26B is a diagram illustrating the web W after cutting
off the elastic member F and eliminating the slack. In this way,
the elastic member can be provided on the web W except for a
portion W3 that has been a slack portion. Thus, it is possible to
provide the web W with pieces of at least one elastic member F that
are spaced apart from one another at a constant interval.
[0194] An elastic member F may be sandwiched between a first web
that has been subjected to the "Z-shaped folding process" and a
second web. FIG. 27 illustrates an example of a device for
intermittently introducing an elastic member F between a first web
W that has been subjected to the "Z-shaped folding process" and a
second web Wo.
[0195] The device applies an adhesive 201 on at least a portion of
at least one of the first web and the second web. Then, nip rolls
200 secure the first web W, the elastic member F and the second web
Wo with respect to one another. The laminate obtained by the nip
rolls 200 is passed to an embossing roll 203. The embossing roll
203 is provided with a plurality of protrusions that cut off at
least one the elastic member F of the laminate along with a portion
of the second web Wo. The tip of each protrusion may be sharp as
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/891,034.
[0196] The second web Wo may be provided with a slit at each
position corresponding to a slack portion W1 of the first web W.
When the slack W1 of first web W is eliminated, i.e., when the
laminate on which the elastic member F has been cut off is placed
under a tension, the second web Wo is also cut off along the
slit.
[0197] Alternatively, the second web Wo may include a slack
portion. In such a case, the first web W, the elastic member F and
the second web Wo are bonded together so that the position of the
slack portion of the first web W corresponds to the position of the
slack portion of the second web Wo. Only the elastic member F may
be cut off. For example, it is possible to cut off only the elastic
member F by employing an elastic member F whose melting point is
lower than that of the second web Wo and embossing the laminate
while heating the embossing roll 203 to a predetermined
temperature. It is possible to cut off only the elastic member F
with substantially no heat-induced alteration to the second web Wo
if the temperature of the embossing roll 203 is higher than the
melting point of the elastic member F and lower than the melting
point of the second web Wo. Moreover, even when the temperature of
the embossing roll 203 is higher than the melting point of the
second web Wo, it is possible to cut off the elastic member before
holes are created in the second web if the running velocity of the
laminate is high.
[0198] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
pants-shaped diaper N, which is a disposable worn article, being
spread out. The pants-shaped diaper N includes an absorbent Co, a
front flap 300 and a back flap 301. The front flap 300 and the back
flap 301 include a waist gather Fw that closely fits to the wearer
around the waist, and a fit gather Fb that fits to the abdominal
part of the wearer. The fit gather Fb is generally absent in a
portion where the pants-shaped diaper and the absorbent Co overlap
with each other. If there is an elastic member F in the overlapped
portion, the absorbent Co shrinks, thereby deteriorating the
comfort to the wearer. The front or back flap 300, 301 can be
produced by attaching an elastic member to a web in an intermittent
manner by using the "Z-shaped folding process" described above.
Note that the pants-shaped diaper may include a wall as described
above. The worn article described above may of course be an article
other than a pants-shaped diaper, such as a diaper with adhesive
tapes.
[0199] The elastic member described above may be a polyurethane
fiber, a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber, The polyurethane
fiber may be Lycra.RTM. manufactured by EI du Pont de Nemours and
Company. The elastic member may be in the form of a cord, a string
or a net, or have a flat shape. As a net-shaped elastic member,
Rebound.RTM. manufactured by CONWED PLASTICS may be used.
[0200] As described above, in the rotation device of the present
invention, rotation member is provided so as to allow a guide to
rotate, with the guide being provided with a plurality of moving
sections, whereby each moving section can slide independently.
Therefore, the friction between the guide and the moving sections
is significantly reduced, and thus it is possible to rotate the
moving section continuously over a long period of time. Moreover, a
plurality of moving sections can be provided without being spaced
apart from one another in the axial direction, whereby the size of
the device can be reduced.
[0201] Moreover, when a plurality of moving sections are provided
in the axial direction with a bridging section extending between
the moving sections, the bridging section is stabilized because the
bridging section can then be supported at two positions.
[0202] Moreover, with the folding method or the folding device of
the present invention, it is possible to easily and efficiently
form a folded portion or a wall in a direction transverse to the
direction in which the first web is transferred.
[0203] A worn article including a wall formed as described above
has different characteristics from those of a worn article having a
wall that is parallel to the direction in which the first web is
transferred.
[0204] Various other modifications will be apparent to and can be
readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, it is not intended
that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the
description as set forth herein, but rather that the claims be
broadly construed.
* * * * *