JP5687732B2 - Sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus and sheet fusion body manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  Conventionally, in a manufacturing process of absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, a heat roll apparatus is widely used for joining stacked sheets. Moreover, the method of welding using a laser beam is also known as another joining method (for example, refer patent documents 1-2).

  Patent Document 1 discloses laser irradiation for cutting a metal mesh cloth provided with a reflecting mirror for reflecting laser light, a condensing lens for condensing the reflected laser light, and a processing nozzle for irradiating the condensed laser light. An apparatus is described. Patent Document 2 describes a laser irradiation apparatus that melts a steel material by irradiating a laser beam through a nozzle hole of a nozzle.

  However, the laser irradiation apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is an apparatus in which an object to be processed by irradiating laser light is fixed. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a laser is conveyed while conveying the object. There is no description regarding processing by irradiating light.

  As a technique for processing by irradiating laser light while conveying an object, Patent Document 3 discloses a mirror that reflects laser light, a beam expander that expands the diameter of incident laser light, and incident laser light. And a multi-lens lens that splits the laser beam into a plurality of laser beams, and a laser irradiation device that melts and processes the tape being transported by irradiating the laser beam is described.

JP-A-64-48690 JP-A-8-174243 JP 2001-84581 A

  The laser irradiation apparatus described in Patent Document 3 is an apparatus in which an object to be processed by irradiating laser light is conveyed. However, the laser irradiation apparatus described in Patent Document 3 has a large number of parts divided by a multi-lens lens. Are irradiated in the transport direction of the tape being transported to form a large number of processed lines extending in the transport direction. Therefore, Patent Document 3 does not describe anything about processing by irradiating a laser beam in the width direction of the tape being conveyed. Further, Patent Document 3 does not describe anything about irradiation with consideration of energy loss of laser light when irradiating laser light in the width direction of the tape being conveyed.

  Therefore, this invention relates to providing the manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body which can eliminate the said subject, and its manufacturing method.

  The present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped, and at least one irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light. A support member that conveys while supporting one surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material are stacked on the portion, and the support member from the other surface side to the support member A pressing member that brings the belt-shaped sheet laminate into contact with each other in a pressurized state, and the support member is capable of passing the focused laser beam from the support member side in the width direction of the sheet laminate. It has a long slit-like opening, and when viewed from a cross-section, the both ends of the support member forming the slit-like opening are spaced apart from each other by the pressing member side. The tape on the side of the irradiation head expands. And the laser beam collected from the support member side is irradiated along the slit-shaped opening to divide the belt-shaped sheet laminate in a pressurized state by the pressing member. The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body, in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the sealing edge are continuously produced by fusing the divided edges in an overlapping state.

  Further, the present invention is a method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped, wherein at least a part of the plurality of sheets is a resin. A slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser beam can pass through one surface of the belt-like sheet laminate in which the plurality of sheets are stacked. A sheet constituting the sheet laminate along the slit-shaped opening from the support member side with respect to the belt-like sheet laminate conveyed while being brought into contact with a supporting member and being in a pressurized state By irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed and generates heat from the irradiation head, the strip-shaped sheet laminate is divided at the same time, and the plurality of sheets in the pressurized state generated by the division are separated. Cutting edge A seal edge forming step of forming a seal edge by fusing a seam; and the seal edge forming step includes forming the slit-like opening in a cross-sectional view. The present invention provides a method for producing a sheet fusion product, in which both end portions of a member are provided with a taper in which the distance between the members is greater on the irradiation head side than on the belt-like sheet laminate side.

  According to the sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, a sheet fusion having a seal edge portion that is fused in a state in which the edge portions of the sheets are overlapped by irradiating laser light in the width direction of the object being conveyed. When manufacturing the adherend, it is possible to irradiate the laser beam with reduced energy loss.

  Further, according to the method for producing a sheet fusion body of the present invention, when processing is performed by irradiating laser light in the width direction of the object being conveyed, the energy loss of the laser light can be suppressed and irradiation can be performed. It is possible to efficiently manufacture a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edges overlap.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a pants-type disposable diaper manufactured using a laser-type bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II of FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams corresponding to FIG. 2 of the side seal part (seal edge part) on one side and the vicinity thereof in a state where the waist opening of the diaper shown in FIG. 2 is expanded. . FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a method for manufacturing a pants-type disposable diaper using the laser-type bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminate) is introduced into the laser-type bonding apparatus shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 (a) shows a part of the pressing member. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6A is located upstream of (b) when one opening 27 moves as the cylindrical roll 23 rotates. 6 (b) is a line cross-sectional view at a position where the perpendicular line PL and the virtual line IL overlap, and FIG. 6 (c) is a line cross-section when located on the downstream side of (b). FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the taper angle (θ) when the taper at the end of the support member is not formed at a constant angle. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a manufacturing process of the diaper continuous body (strip-shaped sheet laminate) shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the side seal part (seal edge part) is formed at the same time as the diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminate) is divided using the laser type bonding apparatus shown in FIG. . FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modification of the apparatus shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
Here, a sheet fusion body manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment and the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, that is, a sheet fusion having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped. A body is the underpants type disposable diaper 1 which comprises the exterior body 3 which has a pair of side seal parts 4 and 4 as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, for example. First, the underpants type disposable diaper 1 is demonstrated based on FIGS. 1-3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diaper 1 includes an absorbent main body 2 and an exterior body 3 that is disposed on the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent main body 2 and fixes the absorbent main body 2. And both side edge portions of the exterior body 3 in the ventral side portion 1A and both side edge portions of the exterior body in the back side portion 1B are joined together to form a pair of side seal portions 4, 4, a waist opening portion 8 and a pair of This is a pants-type disposable diaper in which leg openings 9 and 9 are formed, and this side seal portion 4 corresponds to the above-mentioned “sealing edge portion fused in a state where the edge portions of a plurality of sheets are overlapped”. Part.

  The side seal part 4 is mentioned as one of the main characteristic parts of the diaper 1 manufactured with the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment, and the manufacturing method of this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 generated by the division by the irradiation of the laser beam in a cross-sectional view in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the side seal portion 4 (width direction of the diaper 1) Four sheets 31 constituting the outer package 3 are formed in an arc shape convex toward the inner side of the outer package 3 (sheet fusion product), and include the outer edge 4a and more on the inner side of the outer package 3 than the outer edge 4a. 32, the fusion part 40 is formed, and the fusion part 40 has a center part in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the exterior body 3 as compared to both end parts (upper end part and lower end part). Wide. That is, when the diaper 1 is viewed in cross-section in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the dividing direction by the laser beam), the fusion part 40 is gradually widened toward the center part in the thickness direction. It is formed in a so-called crescent or half moon shape. Note that the fused portion 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a crescent shape.

  In general, the side seal part is a cause that reduces the feeling of wearing of the diaper due to the presence of the fused part formed by melting and solidifying the sheet forming material, which is harder and softer than other parts of the diaper. It is a possible part. However, like the side seal part 4 of the diaper 1, if the fusion part 40 is formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1, the fusion part in the conventional side seal part Thus, the ratio of the fusion | bond part 40 which exists in the corner | angular part 3S (refer FIG. 3) of the side edge part of the exterior body 3 which comprises the side seal part 4 compared with the case where it forms in the rectangular shape in the same sectional view. As a result, the flexibility and feel of the corner 3S are less likely to be impaired. Therefore, as for the diaper 1, the feeling of wear of a diaper improves compared with a conventional product. On the other hand, the central portion in the thickness direction of the side edge of the exterior body 3 (the corner 3S on the one surface side of the exterior body 3 and the 3S on the other surface side, which is a part that greatly affects the fusion strength of the side seal portion 4) Since a sufficient amount of the fused portion 40 exists in the center portion between the side portions), the side seal portion 4 has a practically sufficient fusion strength, and the side seal portion 4 is worn while the diaper 1 is worn. Inconveniences such as tearing of the seal 4 hardly occur.

  Moreover, the side seal part 4 (fusion | fusion part 40) has the characteristic that it is hard to visually recognize from the outside in the wearing state or natural state (contraction state) of the diaper 1. FIG. 3 shows the side seal portion 4 (fused portion 40) in a state where the waist opening 8 is expanded when the diaper 1 is worn. In the state where the waist opening portion 8 is expanded, the side seal portion 4 is normally in a state where the fused portion 40 is exposed as shown in FIG. 3A, but the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 is the exterior. It is difficult to visually recognize from the outside due to the convex arc shape toward the inside of the body 3 and the fact that the fused portion 40 is smaller than the conventional side seal portion (fused portion). In particular, the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 has a convex arc shape toward the inner side of the exterior body 3, so that depending on the forming material of the sheets 31, 32, as shown in FIG. In a state where the waist opening 8 is expanded when the diaper 1 is worn, the corner 3S of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the abdominal side 1A side and the corner of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the back side 1B side The portion 3S may approach and the separation distance between the corner portions 3S and 3S may be reduced. Therefore, the fusion part 40 located between the two corners 3S and 3S is difficult to touch by the hand and is located on the outer side of the diaper 1 closer to the diaper 1 than the fusion part 40. Therefore, not only the feeling of wearing the diaper 1 but also the appearance is improved.

  In addition, when the side seal part 4 (fusion part 40) becomes difficult to visually recognize from the outside in the wearing state or the natural state (contracted state) of the diaper 1, for example, after the use of the diaper 1, the protection from the infant who is the wearer When a person (for example, a mother) removes the diaper, it is difficult to find the side seal portion 4, and there is a possibility that it takes time to remove the diaper 1. As a means for eliminating such inconvenience due to the decrease in the visibility of the side seal portion 4, for example, the color of the constituent member of the diaper 1 that crosses the side seal portion 4 is set to the ventral side of the side seal portion 4. The method of making it differ by (front side) and back side (rear side) is mentioned. More specifically, for example, the color of the waist elastic member 5 or the exterior body 3 (the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32) between the abdominal side 1A (front view) and the back side 1B (back view) of the diaper 1. The method of making different is mentioned. By such a method, the side seal portion 4 is positioned at the color switching portion, so the visibility of the side seal portion 4 is increased and the occurrence of the inconvenience is effectively prevented.

Next, the laser bonding apparatus 20 which is a preferred embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention and the manufacturing method of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 (manufacturing apparatus for a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused with the edges of a plurality of sheets overlapped) has an irradiation head 35 having a lens 351 for condensing the laser beam 30. A support member 21 that conveys while supporting one surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material at least partially are stacked, and the strip-shaped sheet laminate A pressing member (pressurizing belt 24) is provided in which the belt-shaped sheet laminate is brought into contact with the support member 21 from the other surface side of the (diaper continuous body 10) to be in a pressurized state. As shown in FIG. 4, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 irradiates a continuous diaper 10 (a belt-shaped sheet laminate) separately produced in advance with a laser beam to form a pair of side seal parts 4, 4 ( It is an apparatus for continuously producing a pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) having an exterior body 3 (sheet fused body) having a seal edge).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 according to this embodiment includes a hollow cylindrical roll 23 including an annular support member 21 that rotates around a rotation axis (in the direction of arrow A), and a hollow cylindrical roll 23 ( An irradiation head 35 which is arranged in a hollow portion of the support member 21) and irradiates the laser beam 30 toward the support member 21 forming the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23, and an endless pressure belt 24 (pressing member). And a belt type pressure device 26 provided. The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 is an apparatus in which a belt-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) is wound around the outer peripheral surface of an annular support member 21 and conveyed. The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 includes a tension adjustment mechanism (not shown) that can increase or decrease the tension of the pressure belt 24 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the support member 21 (the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23). The pressure applied to the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) can be appropriately adjusted by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the irradiation head 35 is arranged so as to deviate from the rotation axis center of the annular support member 21, specifically, to deviate downward from the rotation axis center.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the irradiation head 35 of the present embodiment is a galvano scanner that freely scans the laser beam 30. More specifically, the irradiation head 35 reflects the irradiated laser beam 30 and freely scans the laser beam 30. And a lens 351 for condensing the laser beam 30 reflected by the mirror 352. The mirror 352 is attached to the motor shaft. The mirror 352 of the irradiation head 35 according to the present embodiment has a mechanism for moving the laser beam 30 forward and backward in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of a cylindrical roll 23 to be described later (a direction indicated by a symbol X in FIG. 4). A mechanism for moving a position (irradiation point: focal point f described later) on the diaper continuum 10 on 21 in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 is provided, and the laser beam 30 is freely scanned. The lens 351 of the irradiation head 35 of the present embodiment includes a mechanism for condensing the laser light 30 and making the spot (irradiation point, focal point f) diameter of the laser light 30 constant on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical roll 23. ing. The irradiation head 35 of the present embodiment includes the mirror 352 and the lens 351, so that the irradiation point (focal point f) of the laser light 30 is set in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 and the direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction (reference numeral in FIG. 4). The direction indicated by X. The direction parallel to the rotational axis of the cylindrical roll 23) can be arbitrarily moved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the belt-type pressure device 26 of the present embodiment includes an endless pressure belt 24 (pressing member) and three rolls 25 a that rotate in a state where the pressure belt 24 is stretched. , 25b, 25c. The rolls 25a, 25b, and 25c may be drive rolls or driven rolls that rotate with the pressure belt 24. The pressure belt 24 moves at the same speed as the cylindrical roll 23 (supporting member 21) by using any one or more of the rolls 25a, 25b, and 25c as a driving roll or rotating with the cylindrical roll 23. The support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 are preferably maintained in a predetermined temperature range by air cooling, water cooling, or the like.

  As the pressure belt 24 (pressing member), a metal or resin belt having heat resistance capable of withstanding the heat generated during processing can be used. In addition, as the pressure belt 24, a belt that does not have the transparency of the laser beam irradiated on the workpiece (diaper continuous body 10) is usually used, but a belt having the transparency may be used. it can.

  The support member 21 has a slit-like shape that is long in the width direction (direction indicated by X in FIG. 4) of the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminate) through which the condensed laser light 30 can pass from the support member 21 side. An opening 27 is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the support member 21 of the present embodiment forms a peripheral surface portion (contact portion with a workpiece) of the cylindrical roll 23, and left and right side edges of the cylindrical roll 23. Are sandwiched and fixed between a pair of annular frames 22 and 22. In the present embodiment, the support member 21 is composed of a single annular member having the same length as the circumferential length of the annular frame 22.

  The support member 21 has a light passage part through which laser light can pass. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the support member 21 in the present embodiment serves as a light passing portion, and the width direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminate) that penetrates the support member 21 in the thickness direction. A long slit-like opening 27 is provided in the direction indicated by the symbol X in FIG. In FIG. 5 (FIG. 5B), from the viewpoint of easy explanation, the support member 21, the pressure belt 24 (pressing member), and the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) sandwiched between them are shown in FIG. Although described as if moving horizontally from the middle left side to the right side, these members actually rotate and move in a curved state corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the cylindrical roll 23. The opening 27 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and its longitudinal direction is the width direction of the support member 21 (the direction indicated by the symbol X in FIG. 5A. The direction parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll 23). A plurality of cylindrical support members 21 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The support member 21 allows the laser light to pass through the opening 27, but does not allow the laser light to pass (transmit) at portions other than the opening 27. The method of forming the opening 27 in the support member 21 includes 1) a method of drilling the opening 27 in a predetermined portion of the support member 21 by etching, punching, laser processing, or the like. A method of using a plurality of curved arc-shaped members in place of one annular member, and arranging the plurality of members between the pair of frame bodies 22 and 22 at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the frame body 22 Is mentioned. In the method 2) described above, the interval between two adjacent members forms a slit-shaped opening 27.

  In the laser type bonding apparatus 20 (manufacturing apparatus for a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped), a light passage portion through which laser light can pass is provided. Since it consists of the opening part 27 (slit shape) which penetrates the supporting member 21 in the thickness direction, the part which overlaps with the opening part 27 in the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) (the division | segmentation plan shown by the code | symbol 10C in FIG.5 and FIG.6) The portion) is merely sandwiched by the pressure belt 24 and is not sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member). Strictly speaking, therefore, the pressing force generated by being sandwiched between the members 21 and 24 is not generated in the parting portion 10C. However, the parting portion 10C that overlaps with the opening 27 itself is not sandwiched between the members 21 and 24, but the vicinity thereof, that is, the portion that overlaps with the vicinity of the opening 27 (opening edge) in the diaper continuous body 10. Is sandwiched between the two members 21 and 24, and therefore does not move before and after the irradiation of the laser beam, and therefore, the cutting edge portion generated by the division of the diaper continuous body 10 by the irradiation of the laser beam does not move. That is, the parting planned portion 10C of the diaper continuous body 10 (portion overlapping the opening 27 in the sheet laminate) is a portion restrained by the pressing force between the members 21 and 24, and the pressing force is practically the same. It is an affected part.

  The opening 27 of the support member 21 is viewed in cross section in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 (see FIG. 6), and both end portions 21e and 21e of the support member 21 forming the slit-like opening 27 are respectively connected to each other. A taper 211 is provided in which the interval is wider on the irradiation head 35 side than on the pressing member (pressure belt 24) side. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the taper 211 of the both end portions 21 e and 21 e of the support member 21 is spaced from the pressing member (pressure belt 24) side to the irradiation head 35 side when viewed in cross section. It is formed so as to gradually widen toward it.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the taper angle (θ) of each end 21e of the support member 21 and the focal point f of the laser light 30 irradiated to the belt-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) being conveyed. Of the vertical angle PL (line connecting the focal point f and the rotation center of the cylindrical roll 23) and the imaginary line IL connecting the focal point f and the center of the lens 351 of the irradiation head 35, and the irradiation head The relationship of the condensing angle (θ2) of the laser light 30 condensed by the 35 lenses 351 preferably satisfies the following formula (1).

θ> θ1 + θ2 / 2 (1)

Here, the maximum value (θ1) of the irradiation angle reflects the irradiated laser beam 30 by the mirror 352 of the irradiation head 35 with respect to the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) that is the object being conveyed. Then, the process of scanning the laser beam 30 and irradiating the laser beam 30 along the slit-shaped opening 27 long in the X direction, specifically, the diaper continuum 10 (sheet laminate) on the upstream side On the other hand, the laser beam 30 is irradiated perpendicularly to the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) from the position shown in FIG. 6A where the laser beam 30 is irradiated along the opening 27. The position shown in FIG. 6C where the laser beam 30 is irradiated along the opening 27 to the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) on the downstream side through the position (position where the perpendicular line PL and the virtual line IL overlap). pass In processes including bets, which means an angle at which the imaginary line IL is the most inclined relative to the perpendicular line PL at the focus f of the laser beam 30. In this embodiment, in the process including passing the position shown in FIG. 6C from the position shown in FIG. 6A through the position shown in FIG. 6B, one forward path (one pass). Only the laser beam 30 is irradiated from the irradiation head 35 along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side.

  Further, the taper angle (θ) of each end portion 21e of the support member 21 is gradually increased from the pressing member (pressure belt 24) side to the irradiation head 35 side as in the laser type bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment. When the taper 211 is formed at a constant angle so as to spread, this means the angle. However, when the taper 211 of each end 21e of the support member 21 is not formed at a constant angle, a tangent line TL is drawn from the focal point f of the laser beam 30 toward the taper 211 as shown in FIG. At this time, an angle formed between the tangent TL at the contact closest to the focal point f and the perpendicular PL at the focal point f is defined as a taper angle (θ) of each end 21e of the support member 21.

Specifically, the maximum value (θ1) of the irradiation angle formed between the perpendicular line PL and the virtual line IL is preferably 0 ° to 45 °, and more preferably 0 ° to 40 °.
Further, the condensing angle (θ2) of the laser light 30 is preferably 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less, and more preferably 0.1 ° or more and 20 ° or less.
The taper angle (θ) of each end 21e of the support member 21 is preferably larger than 0 °, more preferably 5 ° or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing the energy loss of the laser beam. The upper limit value of the taper angle (θ) is limited by the material of the support member 21 in order to obtain the strength required for the support member 21, and is about 85 °.

  Further, the laser beam 30 is irradiated from the viewpoint of imparting practically sufficient fusion strength to the side seal portion 4 (seal edge portion) and reducing the processing energy necessary for manufacturing the sheet fusion product. In the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) with respect to the width W of the slit-shaped opening 27 (see FIG. 6B, the length of the opening 27 along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23). The ratio (φ / W) of the diameter φ of the spot of the laser beam 30 (the portion irradiated with the laser beam 30, the irradiation point, the focal point f) is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.1 or more, particularly Preferably 0.4 or more, and preferably 8 or less, more preferably 7 or less, particularly preferably 2 or less, more specifically preferably 0.05 to 8, more preferably 0.1 to 7, particularly Preferably 0.4-2 It is. For example, the width W of the slit-shaped opening 27 is 0.1 to 4.0 mm.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the laser-type bonding device 20 has a slit-shaped opening 27 that is convex on the side opposite to the pressing member (pressure belt 24) side, in other words. The cylindrical lens 50 convex toward the center of the cylindrical roll 23 provided with the annular support member 21 is perpendicular to the conveying direction (in the width direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body), denoted by X in FIG. 4). Extending in the direction shown). The laser light 30 emitted toward the opening 27 by the cylindrical lens 50 can be incident on the continuous diaper 10 (sheet laminate) so as to be refracted toward the center of the opening 27 in the conveyance direction. become. The cylindrical lens 50 is a semi-cylindrical lens, and the laser light 30 reflected by the mirror 352 is converted into parallel light by the cylindrical lens 50. In the laser-type bonding apparatus 20, such a cylindrical lens 50 is arranged for each of the plurality of openings 27 formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21. The cylindrical lens 50 is arranged in the laser bonding apparatus 20 in contact with the support member 21 in the vicinity of the opening 27 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. It may be arranged at a position distant from.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the support member 21 has a recess 28 on the outer surface (contact surface with the workpiece). A plurality of recesses 28 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21, and a slit-shaped opening 27 is formed in a region (convex part) located between two adjacent recesses 28, 28. Is formed. The opening 27 is formed in the center in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21 in the convex portion.

  Thus, when the thickness of the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) is not uniform by forming the recess 28 on the outer surface of the support member 21, the relative thickness of the diaper continuous body 10 is relatively small. It is possible to introduce the diaper continuous body 10 onto the outer surface of the support member 21 so that a large portion (for example, an arrangement region of the absorbent main body 2) is accommodated in the recess 28. When the diaper continuous body 10 is thus introduced onto the support member 21, as shown in FIG. 5B, the contact surface (the other surface) of the diaper continuous body 10 with the pressure belt 24 (pressing member). 10b) is substantially flat. Therefore, when the pressure belt 24 is pressed against the diaper continuous body 10, the portion of the diaper continuous body 10 located on the convex portion where the opening 27 is formed (reference numeral in FIG. 5). The entire portion to be divided and its vicinity shown by 10C is uniformly pressed in the thickness direction at a predetermined pressure by wrapping the diaper continuous body 10 around the support member 21 with a predetermined tension and the pressure belt 24. Thus, when the portion that has been pressed in the thickness direction from before being divided by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 is irradiated with the laser beam 30 to divide the portion, the divided portion is configured. Do It becomes possible to more reliably fused to one other cutting edge of several sheets, further improvement in fusion strength of the side seal portion 4 (sealing edge) is achieved.

  In addition, as a constituent material of the support member 21 and the pressing member 24, heat conduction is performed from the viewpoint of forcibly cooling the cut edge portion of the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) and promoting the formation of the fused portion. Examples of such materials include metal materials such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper, and ceramics.

  The laser-type joining device 20 configured as described above is a laser focused from the support member 21 side on the continuous diaper body 10 (sheet laminate) in a state of pressure by a pressing member (pressure belt 24). The light 30 is irradiated along the slit-shaped opening 27 to divide the sheet, and the sheet is bonded in a state where the divided edges overlap with each other, and has a seal edge (a pair of side seal portions 4, 4). A plurality of pants-type disposable diapers 1) having an exterior body 3 having 4 can be manufactured continuously. In addition, since the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes the annular support member 21, the sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion (an outer package having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4) is more efficiently provided. A pants-type disposable diaper 1) having a body 3 can be continuously produced.

  Moreover, since the laser type | mold joining apparatus 20 is provided with the taper 211 in each of the both ends 21e and 21e of the support member 21, the irradiated laser beam 30 is the position shown in FIG. In the process including passing the position shown in FIG. 6C through the position shown in FIG. 6B, it is difficult to hit the both end portions 21e and 21e of the support member 21, and the sheet fusion body (a pair of seal edges) is provided. When manufacturing the underpants-type disposable diaper 1) having the exterior body 3 having the side seal portions 4 and 4, the energy loss of the laser beam can be suppressed. In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the taper 211 of both end portions 21 e and 21 e of the support member 21 is directed from the pressing member (pressure belt 24) side to the irradiation head 35 side in a cross-sectional view. Since it is formed so as to gradually spread, it is difficult for the irradiated laser beam 30 to hit both end portions 21e and 21e of the support member 21, and the energy loss of the laser beam can be further suppressed. Such an effect is not only when the position of the irradiation head 35 of the laser type bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment is the center of the rotation axis of the annular support member 21 but also as shown in FIG. This is an effect particularly exhibited in the case of a device that is arranged with a deviation from the center of rotation of the member 21.

Subsequently, an embodiment of a method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets of the present invention overlap each other is referred to as the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the above-described embodiment. It explains using.
The manufacturing method of the present embodiment is a sheet laminate in which the condensed laser beam 30 can pass through one surface 10a of a belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. The belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) conveyed while being pressed against a support member 21 having a slit-like opening 27 that is long in the width direction (X direction) of the diaper continuum 10). On the other hand, the irradiation head emits laser light 30 having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side and heats the sheet. By irradiating from 35, the strip-shaped sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) is divided, and at the same time, the cut edges of a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state generated by the division are fused. Has the sealing edge of the sealing edge forming a (side sealing portions 4, 4). This will be specifically described below.

  In the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, as a “band-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked”, a plurality of sheet laminates (precursor of a pants-type disposable diaper in which the side seal portion 4 is not formed) The diaper continuous body 10 in which the body) is continuous in one direction is separately manufactured, and the diaper continuous body 10 is individually divided by irradiation with the laser beam 30 as shown in FIG. The cut edges of the plurality of sheets in a pressurized state generated by the above are fused together to form the side seal parts 4 and 4 (seal edges).

  In the “band-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked”, it is preferable that at least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material and is formed using the resin material as a main component. Specifically, for example, the resin material preferably includes a heat-sealable synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene, and is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric, a film, a laminate sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film, or the like. As the nonwoven fabric, those that are usually used in the technical field can be used without particular limitation, and specific examples include an air-through nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, and a melt blown nonwoven fabric. . In the sheet laminate, it is preferable that all of a plurality of sheets constituting the sheet laminate include a resin material. Hereinafter, first, the manufacturing method of the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, a strip-shaped outer layer sheet 31 continuously supplied from an original fabric roll (not shown) and a strip-shaped inner layer sheet continuously supplied from an original fabric roll (not shown). 32, the waist elastic member 5 that forms the waist gathers, the waist elastic member 6 that forms the waist gathers, and the leg elastic member 7 that forms the leg gathers are extended to a predetermined elongation rate. Distribute multiple pieces each. At this time, in this embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is continuously or intermittently applied to the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 by an adhesive application machine (not shown), The leg elastic member 7 is disposed while forming a predetermined leg-circumferential pattern via a known swing guide (not shown) that reciprocates perpendicular to the sheet flow direction. Further, before the belt-like outer layer sheet 31 and the belt-like inner layer sheet 32 are overlapped, an adhesive coating machine (not shown) is attached to a predetermined part of one or both surfaces of both sheets. ) To apply hot melt adhesive. Note that portions where elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waist elastic member 6 are divided by the irradiation of the laser light in both the sheets 31 and 32 (parts where the side seal portion 4 is to be formed) (reference numerals in FIG. 5). 10C, in order to avoid inconveniences such as significant shrinkage of the elastic member and disconnection of the elastic member after the division, It is preferable to apply an adhesive in the vicinity.

  And as shown in FIG. 8, between the pair of nip rolls 11, 11, a belt-shaped outer layer sheet 31 in which a waist elastic member 5, a waistline elastic member 6 and a leg elastic member 7 are sandwiched in an expanded state and a belt-shaped outer layer sheet 31. By feeding and pressurizing the inner layer sheet 32, the band-shaped exterior body 3 in which a plurality of elastic members 5, 6, 7 are arranged in an expanded state between the band-shaped sheets 31, 32 is formed. Thereafter, in the present embodiment, a plurality of waistline elastic members 6 and a plurality of leg portions are formed using an elastic member precutting means (not shown) so as to correspond to positions where the absorbent main body 2 described later is disposed. The elastic member 7 is pressed and divided into a plurality of pieces so that the contraction function is not expressed. Examples of the elastic member precut means include an elastic member dividing portion used in the method for manufacturing a composite elastic member described in JP-A-2002-253605.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive is applied in advance to the absorbent main body 2 manufactured in a separate process (not shown), and the absorbent main body 2 is rotated by 90 degrees. Then, it is intermittently supplied and fixed on the inner layer sheet 32 constituting the strip-shaped outer package 3. The adhesive for fixing the absorbent main body may be preliminarily applied not to the absorbent main body 2 but to the position where the absorbent main body 2 is arranged in the inner layer sheet 32.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a leg hole LO ′ is formed inside the annular portion surrounded by the leg elastic member 7 in the strip-shaped exterior body 3 in which the absorbent main body 2 is disposed. This leg hole forming step can be carried out by using a technique similar to that in a conventional method for manufacturing this type of article, such as a rotary cutter and a laser cutter. In the present embodiment, the leg hole is formed after the absorbent main body 2 is arranged on the belt-shaped outer package 3, but the leg hole may be formed before the absorbent main body 2 is arranged.

  Next, the belt-shaped exterior body 3 is folded in the width direction (a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the exterior body 3). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, both side portions 3 a, 3 a along the conveying direction of the strip-shaped exterior body 3 are folded back so as to cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 2. After fixing both ends in the longitudinal direction, the outer package 3 is folded in the width direction together with the absorbent main body 2. In this way, the target diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) is obtained.

In the diaper manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) separately manufactured in this way is used as shown in FIG. The pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) having the seal parts 4 and 4 (seal edges) is continuously manufactured.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A in a state where a predetermined tension is applied by a guide roll (not shown). After being introduced onto the outer surface of the support member 21 that forms the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23, wound around the outer peripheral surface of the annular support member 21 and conveyed by a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the cylindrical roll 23, It leaves | separates from this support member 21 with the drawing-out roll, nip roll, etc. which are not shown in figure. As described above, the diaper continuous body 10 is wound around the support member 21 forming the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23 with a predetermined tension and is conveyed so as to be in pressure contact with the pressure belt 24. The portion sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 and the vicinity thereof are in a state of being pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction from before being divided by the irradiation of the laser beam. The diaper continuum 10 can be more efficiently compressed when it is included, and as a result, when the diaper continuum 10 under compression is irradiated with laser light and divided, It becomes possible to fuse the cut edge portions of the plurality of sheets constituting the divided portion more reliably, and further improve the fusion strength of the side seal portion 4 (seal edge portion). It is achieved.

  The rotation angle of the support member 21 (cylindrical roll 23) from when the diaper continuous body 10 is introduced onto the support member 21 to when the diaper continuous body 10 leaves the diaper continuous body 10 can be, for example, 90 to 270 degrees, and more preferably 120. ~ 270 degrees. The range of the angle (pressure contact angle) at which the diaper continuous body 10 is pressed against the support member 21 by the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) is the entire circumference of the cylindrical support member 21 (cylindrical roll 23). When the pressure contact is 360 degrees, it is preferably 90 to 270 degrees, more preferably 120 to 270 degrees.

  The seal edge portion forming step for forming the seal edge portions (side seal portions 4 and 4) in the diaper manufacturing method of the present embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. The pressure belt 24 (pressing member) is pressed against the other surface 10b of the diaper continuous body 10 that is in contact with the surface (the surface opposite to the one surface 10a that is in contact with the support member 21). Pressure state. Then, while conveying the diaper continuum 10 in a pressurized state, the position shown in FIG. 6 (c) through the position shown in FIG. 6 (b) from the position shown in FIG. 6 (a) with respect to the diaper continuum 10. In the process including passing through the diaper continuum 10 by irradiating the laser beam 30 from the irradiation head 35 along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side, The cut edge portions of a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state generated by the division are fused together to form side seal portions 4, 4 (seal edge portions), and a pair of side seal portions 4, 4 (seal A pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) having an exterior body 3 (sheet fused body) having an edge is continuously manufactured. As described above, the irradiation of the laser beam 30 was performed on the diaper continuum 10 in a pressurized state (compressed state) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 by the irradiation. This is preferable from the viewpoint of reliably fusing the cutting edges of a plurality of sheets to improve the fusing strength of the side seal portion 4. Hereinafter, the manufacturing process of the pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) will be described more specifically.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIG. 9, the seal edge forming step is performed on each of the two end portions 21 e and 21 e of the support member 21 that forms the slit-shaped opening 27 when the opening 27 is viewed in cross section. A taper 211 is provided in which the distance between the irradiation heads 32 is larger than that of the belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10). 6 and 9 are diagrams for explaining how the side seal portion 4 (seal edge portion) is formed at the same time as the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is divided by using the laser bonding apparatus 20. Yes, FIG. 6 schematically shows a portion 10C to be divided by the laser beam 30 of the diaper continuous body 10 and its vicinity. As shown in FIG. 6, the scheduled division portion 10 </ b> C of the diaper continuous body 10 in the present embodiment is the center in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction A) in the region where the absorbent main body 2 of the diaper continuous body 10 is not disposed. Such a portion 10C to be divided includes an end portion of the waist opening 8 (see FIG. 1) and its vicinity, an eight-layer structure portion in which eight sheets are stacked, and the other portions are four sheets. It is a four-layer structure part that is superimposed. As shown in FIG. 6, the four-layer structure portion includes two sheets (an outer layer sheet 31 and an inner layer sheet 32) that form one exterior body 3 in the ventral side part 1 </ b> A, and one sheet in the back side part 1 </ b> B. It consists of the same two sheets 31 and 32 which comprise the exterior body 3, and these four sheets are laminated | stacked and comprised. On the other hand, as described above, the eight-layer structure portion is folded so that both side portions 3a and 3a of the strip-shaped outer package 3 cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 2 when the diaper continuous body 10 is manufactured ( 8), two exterior bodies 3 exist on each of the abdominal portion 1A and the back side portion 1B, and a total of these four exterior bodies 3 and 3 are laminated. As a result, 8 The sheets 31 and 32 are laminated. In each of the 4-layer structure portion and the 8-layer structure portion, elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 may be interposed between the overlapping sheets 31 and 32. In FIG. 6, the elastic member is not shown for easy explanation. Hereinafter, the 4-layer structure portion will be mainly described, but unless otherwise specified, the 8-layer structure portion is configured in the same manner as the 4-layer structure portion, and the side seal portion 4 is formed.

  Other than the sheet constituting the outer layer sheet 31 and the one surface 10a constituting the one surface 10a (the contact surface with the support member 21) of the diaper continuum 10 in the planned division portion 10C of the four-layer structure in the diaper continuum 10 One or both of the sheets (inner layer sheet 32) absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. In the present embodiment, all of the four sheets 31 and 32 constituting the parting planned portion 10 </ b> C are sheets (nonwoven fabrics) that absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. Further, the two overlapping sheets in the part to be divided 10C and the vicinity thereof may be joined by an adhesive or the like before irradiation with the laser light 30, or may not be joined at all.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the diaper continuous body 10 is supported so as to rotate in the direction of arrow A so that one surface 10 a abuts on the support member 21 and the parting portion 10 C is located on the slit-shaped opening 27. While being introduced onto the member 21 and being pressed against the other surface 10b by the pressure belt 24 (pressing member), it is pressurized (compressed) in the thickness direction while being conveyed in the direction of arrow A. 6C from the upstream position shown in FIG. 6 (a) through the position shown in FIG. 6 (b) with respect to the parting portion 10C that is being transported and pressurized. In the process including passing the position, the laser beam 30 is irradiated along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side. As described above, the irradiation point (focal point f) of the laser beam 30 is configured to be arbitrarily movable in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 by the mirror 352, and the opening 27 is moved along the circumferential direction. Since the scanning is set so as to follow, the laser beam 30 is continuously irradiated for a certain period of time to the parting planned portion 10C located on the opening 27 during the conveyance.

  Thus, along the width direction (X direction) of the diaper continuous body 10 which is the object being conveyed, the laser beam 30 is moved downstream from the position shown in FIG. In the process including passing through the position shown in c), the irradiation is performed, but the taper 211 is provided at each end portion 21e of the support member 21 forming the slit-shaped opening 27, so that the irradiation is performed. The laser beam 30 is difficult to hit each end 21e of the support member 21, and the laser beam 30 can be irradiated with reduced energy loss. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the laser bonding apparatus 20 has a cylindrical lens 50 disposed in the slit-shaped opening 27. Therefore, the laser beam 30 is irradiated through the cylindrical lens 50 disposed in the slit-shaped opening 27, and the laser beam 30 irradiated toward the opening 27 by the cylindrical lens 50 is applied to the opening 27. It can be made to enter into the belt-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) so as to be refracted in the center in the conveying direction. That is, since the cylindrical lens 50 is disposed, the belt-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) is configured so that the laser light 30 irradiated toward the opening 27 is refracted to the center of the opening 27 in the conveyance direction. Can be efficiently incident.

  When the laser beam 30 is irradiated to the parting portion 10C having the four-layer structure, the forming materials (fibers, etc.) of the sheets 31 and 32 existing in the parting portion 10C are vaporized by the heat generated by the direct irradiation of the laser light 30 and disappear. The forming material existing in the vicinity of the parting portion 10 </ b> C is indirectly heated by the laser beam 30 and melted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the diaper continuous portion 10 </ b> C having a four-layer structure is divided, and a single sheet stack (diaper precursor) is cut from the diaper continuous body 10. At the same time that the body 10 is divided, the cut edges of the four sheets 31 and 32 in the sheet laminate of the single sheet produced by the division, and the four pieces in the separated diaper continuous body 10 are separated. The cut edges of the sheets 31 and 32 are fused together. Each of these cut edges is pressed (compressed) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 from before the formation (before the diaper continuous body 10 is divided by irradiation with the laser beam 30). ).

  According to the manufacturing method of the diaper of the present embodiment, as described above, with a single laser light irradiation, the strip-shaped sheet laminate is divided, and the sheets in the two pressed states generated by the division are cut. In order to carry out the fusion of the edges at the same time, the laser output is approximately half that of the method of fusion of the two fusion spots by two laser beam irradiations (the method outside the scope of the present invention). A sheet fusion body (exterior body 3 (sheet fusion body)) having a sealing edge portion (side seal portion 4) fused in a state where the edge portions of the sheets can be overlapped can be performed in the same process. The pants-type disposable diaper 1) provided can be efficiently manufactured. In addition, since fusion and division can be performed in the same process, a non-sealing edge in which the cut edges of the sheet are not fused is not generated, so that there is an effect of reducing material.

  The cut edges of the sheets 31 and 32 are heated and melted during the irradiation of the laser beam 30 and immediately after the end of the irradiation, but are separated from the diaper continuous body 10 by the irradiation of the laser beam 30. The leaf sheet laminate (diaper precursor) and the diaper continuum 10 are maintained in a pressurized state by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24, and after the irradiation is completed, the outside air and the support member 21 are added. The material is quickly cooled and solidified by heat transfer to the pressure belt 24 to form the fused portion 40 in which the forming material (fiber or the like) of the cut edge is fused and integrated. Thus, by forming the fused part 40, one of the pair of side seal parts 4, 4 in one diaper 1 is formed. If necessary, the cutting edge portions of the sheets 31 and 32 may be forcibly cooled by using known cooling means such as a suction device and an exhaust device to promote the formation of the fused portion 40.

  When one portion 10C to be divided is divided in this way, the laser beam 30 is moved so that the irradiation point (focal point f) hits another opening 27 adjacent in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction A. It is irradiated to another parting plan part 10C located on it through the opening part 27 of this. As a result, another part 10C to be divided is divided and fused in the same manner as described above, and the other side seal part 4 (fused part 40) that forms a pair with the previously formed side seal part 4 is formed. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) including the exterior body 3 (sheet fused body) having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edge portions) is continuous. Manufactured.

  FIG. 10 shows another modification of the laser type bonding apparatus shown in FIG. About this modification, a different component from the laser type joining apparatus 20 mentioned above is mainly demonstrated, the same component is attached | subjected the same code | symbol and description is abbreviate | omitted. For the components not specifically described, the description of the laser type bonding apparatus 20 is appropriately applied.

  4 irradiates a laser beam 30 from an irradiation head 35 provided in a hollow portion of a hollow cylindrical roll 23 toward a support member 21 that forms a peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23. In contrast to this, the laser type bonding apparatus 20A shown in FIG. 10 is pressurized from the irradiation head 35 provided in the space surrounded by the pressure belt 24A of the belt type pressure apparatus 26. The laser beam 30 is radiated toward the belt 24A. In other words, the laser type bonding apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 4 irradiates the diaper continuum 10 with the laser light 30 from the irradiation head 35 that is arranged in the hollow portion of the hollow cylindrical roll 23. The laser type joining apparatus 20A shown in 10 irradiates the diaper continuous body 10 with the laser beam 30 from the irradiation head 35 that irradiates the annular pressing member 23A. More specifically, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20A includes a cylindrical roll 23A (pressing member) that is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A, and a belt-type pressure device 26 that includes an endless pressure belt 24A. 23A is a pressing member, and the pressure belt 24A is a support member 21 having a light passage portion (not shown) through which the laser beam 30 can pass. The cylindrical roll 23A has a solid cylindrical shape, and its peripheral surface portion 23Aa is smooth. However, when the thickness of the diaper continuous body 10 is not uniform, the peripheral surface portion 23Aa may have a concave portion in which a relatively thick portion (for example, an arrangement region of the absorbent main body 2) in the diaper continuous body 10 is accommodated. . The light passing portion (not shown) of the pressure belt 24A (support member 21) is a rectangular slit in plan view, like the opening 27 of the support member 21 (circumferential surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23) in the laser type bonding apparatus 20. The longitudinal direction is made to coincide with the width direction of the pressure belt 24A (direction parallel to the respective rotation axes of the three rolls 25a, 25b, 25c around which the pressure belt 24A is stretched). A plurality of pressure belts 24A are formed at predetermined intervals in the length direction. As the pressure belt 24 </ b> A (support member 21), the same belt as the pressure belt 24 as a pressing member in the laser type bonding apparatus 20 can be used. Note that, at both ends of the support member 21 (pressure belt 24A) forming the slit-shaped opening, the taper is such that the distance between the irradiation head 35 side and the space between the pressing member (cylindrical roll 23A) is wider. (Not shown) is provided.

  In the manufacturing method of the pants-type disposable diaper using the laser-type joining device 20A, as shown in FIG. 10, the diaper continuous body 10 is placed on the other side 10b by a cylindrical roll 23A (holding member) by a guide roll (not shown). ) Is introduced onto the peripheral surface portion 23Aa so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface portion 23Aa, and is continuously conveyed so as to be wound around the cylindrical roll 23A, while the laser beam 30 can pass through the one surface 10a. The pressure belt 24A (support member 21) having an opening (light passage portion) (not shown) is brought into contact with the outer surface of the pressure belt 24A and the other surface 10b is pressed against the peripheral surface portion 23Aa of the cylindrical roll 23A. The diaper continuous body 10 is irradiated with the laser beam 30 from the pressure belt 24A side through the opening to the continuous diaper body 10). The exterior which has a pair of side seal parts 4 and 4 (seal edge part) by fuse | melting the cutting edge part of the several sheet | seat in the said pressurization state produced by the parting simultaneously with dividing | segmenting 10 A pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) having a body 3 (sheet fused body) is continuously produced.

  As another modification of the laser type bonding apparatus shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the laser type bonding apparatus 20 </ b> A shown in FIG. 10, the flat diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) is parallel using a flat support member 21. It may be an apparatus that irradiates the continuous diaper 10 (sheet laminate) with the laser beam 30 from the upper irradiation head 35 while being moved.

The laser light according to the present invention will be described. Laser light having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheets constituting the sheet laminate and generates heat is used as the laser light applied to the sheet laminate. Here, the “sheet constituting the sheet laminate” is not limited to a sheet (for example, the outer layer sheet 31 in the above embodiment) constituting one surface of the sheet laminate (contact surface with the support member). Any sheet may be used as long as it constitutes the laminate. Whether the laser beam applied to the sheet laminate is an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet and generates heat for the individual sheets constituting the sheet laminate is determined by the material of the sheet and the laser used. It depends on the relationship with the oscillation wavelength of light. When the sheet constituting the sheet laminate is a non-woven fabric or film made of a synthetic resin widely used for manufacturing absorbent articles (sanitary goods) such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins as in the above embodiment, laser light It is preferable to use a CO ₂ laser, a YAG laser, an LD laser (semiconductor laser), a YVO4 laser, a fiber laser, or the like. Moreover, when the sheet | seat which comprises a sheet | seat laminated body contains polyethylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polypropylene etc. as a synthetic resin, as an oscillation wavelength which can be absorbed into this sheet | seat and can make this sheet | seat generate | occur | produce favorably, 8.0- It is preferable to use 15 μm, and it is particularly preferable to use 9.0 to 11.0 μm of the oscillation wavelength of a CO ₂ laser in which a high-power laser device exists. The spot (irradiation point, focal point f) diameter of laser light, laser output, and the like can be appropriately selected in consideration of the material and thickness of the sheet constituting the sheet laminate.

  The sheet fusion product produced in the present invention can be used as various articles as it is or integrated with other members. Examples of various articles include absorbent articles other than the above-described pants-type disposable diapers, for example, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, and the like, and besides absorbent articles, floor cleaning sheets, Examples include a body wiping sheet and a heating tool for warming the body. For example, as a sheet fusion body which constitutes an absorptive article, a) a top sheet which forms a skin contact surface of an absorptive article, and a back sheet which forms a non-skin contact surface from the peripheral part of an absorber B) In the sanitary napkin, the top sheet and the wing part forming sheet, the wing part forming sheet and the back sheet, the top sheet, the wing part forming sheet, and the back sheet in the sanitary napkin are melted. The thing which I wore etc. is mentioned.

  In particular, since the sheet fusion product produced in the present invention is excellent in the flexibility and touch of the seal edge, when the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin, the step of producing the sheet fusion product, You may use for the outer periphery seal | sticker part formation which joins the surface sheet and back surface sheet which interposed the absorber along the outer periphery of the sanitary napkin. In addition, the process of manufacturing the sheet fusion body is performed by forming an outer peripheral seal part that joins the top sheet and the back sheet with the absorbent body interposed along the outer periphery of the main body part (part excluding the wing) of the sanitary napkin. It may be used.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the preferable embodiment and preferable embodiment, this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment or the said embodiment, and changes suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. Is possible. For example, the sheet laminated body may be one in which two, three, or five or more sheets are stacked in addition to those in which four sheets are stacked as shown in FIG. Further, the tension of the diaper continuous body 10 is controlled on the laser bonding apparatus 20 in order to wrap the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) around the cylindrical roll 23 (support member 21) without generating wrinkles or sagging. A mechanism may be provided. Further, in order to remove the gas generated by laser light irradiation from the opening 27, the laser bonding apparatus 20 may be provided with a means for exhausting the gas or a means for blowing air to the opening 27. Further, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 may include a mechanism for removing resin or the like attached to the contact surface of the pressing member 24 with the diaper continuous body 10. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the cylindrical lens 50 is disposed in the laser bonding apparatus 20 for each opening 27 of the cylindrical support member 21. Also good. All the parts of the above-described one embodiment or embodiment can be used as appropriate.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the laser bonding apparatus 20 is provided with a cylindrical lens 50 in the opening 27 of the cylindrical support member 21, but instead of the cylindrical lens 50. In addition, a toric lens may be arranged. The toric lens is a lens having a shape obtained by bending a cylindrical lens, and the position of the refracting surface can be changed so as to be focused in accordance with the optical path length. Further, the toric lens is effective in that the cylindrical lens 50 can collect and diverge light in one direction arbitrarily while the cylindrical lens 50 collects and diverges in only one direction. . In addition, the toric lens is also provided with an annular support member 21 so that the convexity of the toric lens is convex on the side opposite to the pressing member (pressure belt 24) side, in other words, like the cylindrical lens 50. It arrange | positions so that it may become convex toward the center of the cylindrical roll 23 with which it was equipped.

  The following additional notes are further disclosed with respect to the above-described embodiment or embodiment of the present invention.

<1>
An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets overlap with each other,
An irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light, a support member that conveys while supporting one surface of a belt-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material at least partially are stacked, and the belt shape A pressing member that brings the belt-shaped sheet laminate into contact with the support member from the other surface side of the sheet laminate and puts it in a pressurized state,
The support member has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser light can pass from the support member side,
When the opening is viewed in cross section, both ends of the support member that form the slit-shaped opening are provided with a taper in which the distance between them is larger on the irradiation head side than on the pressing member side. And
The belt-shaped sheet laminate in a pressurized state by the pressing member is divided by irradiating the laser beam condensed from the support member side along the slit-shaped opening, and the edge of the division is divided. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body, in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the seal edge are continuously manufactured by fusing in an overlapping state.

<2>
The taper angle (θ) of each end of the support member, the perpendicular at the focal point of the laser beam irradiated on the belt-shaped sheet laminate being conveyed, the focal point, and the center of the lens of the irradiation head The relationship between the maximum value (θ1) of the irradiation angle formed by the connecting virtual line and the condensing angle (θ2) of the laser light condensed by the lens of the irradiation head is <1 where θ> θ1 + θ2 / 2. > An apparatus for producing the sheet fusion product according to the description.
<3>
The sheet fusion body according to <1> or <2>, wherein the taper at the both end portions of the support member is formed so that a distance from each other gradually increases from the pressing member side toward the irradiation head side. Manufacturing equipment.
<4>
The maximum value (θ1) of the irradiation angle is preferably 0 ° or more and 45 ° or less, and more preferably 0 ° or more and 40 ° or less. The sheet according to any one of the above items <1> to <3>. Fusion production equipment.
<5>
The condensing angle (θ2) of the laser light is preferably 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less, and more preferably 0.1 ° or more and 20 ° or less. Any one of the above items <1> to <4> The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body of description.
<6>
The taper angle (θ) of each end of the support member is preferably larger than 0 °, more preferably 5 ° or more, and the upper limit of the taper angle (θ) is about 85 °. It is preferable that the apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of the above items <1> to <5>.
<7>
In the slit-shaped opening, a cylindrical lens convex on the side opposite to the pressing member side is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and the cylindrical lens causes the opening to be disposed in the opening. The sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the laser beam irradiated toward the center is incident on the belt-shaped sheet laminate so as to be refracted toward the center of the opening in the conveyance direction. Manufacturing equipment.
<8>
The said cylindrical lens is a manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body as described in said <7> which is a semi-cylindrical lens.
<9>
The support member is an annular support member that rotates around a rotation axis, and the belt-shaped sheet laminate is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the annular support member and conveyed, as described in <1> to <8>. The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body of any one.
<10>
The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the pressing member is an endless pressure belt.
<11>
A tension adjusting mechanism that can increase or decrease the tension of the pressing member (pressure belt) wound around the outer peripheral surface of the supporting member, and by adjusting the tension, the supporting member and the pressing member (pressure belt) The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein a pressure applied to the sheet laminate can be appropriately adjusted.

<12>
The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to <9>, wherein the irradiation head is arranged so as to be shifted from a position of a center of a rotation axis of the annular support member.
<13>
The ratio (φ / W) of the diameter φ of the laser beam spot in the strip-shaped sheet laminate to the width W of the slit-shaped opening 27 (the length along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll) is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.1 or more, particularly preferably 0.4 or more, and preferably 8 or less, more preferably 7 or less, particularly preferably 2 or less, more specifically preferably 0. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <12>, which is 05 to 8, more preferably 0.1 to 7, and particularly preferably 0.4 to 2.
<14>
The width | variety W of the said slit-shaped opening part is a manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body in any one of said <1>-<13> which is 0.1-4.0 mm.
<15>
The support member has a recess on an outer surface thereof (a contact surface with the workpiece), and a plurality of the recesses are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member and adjacent to each other. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <14>, wherein the slit-shaped opening is formed in a region (convex portion) positioned between the two concave portions.
<16>
Using the apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims <1> to <15>,
A belt-shaped sheet laminate (a continuous body of pants-type disposable diapers) separately manufactured in advance is irradiated with laser light to continuously remove the pants-type disposable diapers having an exterior body having a pair of side seal portions. Manufacturing equipment for pants-type disposable diapers to manufacture.
<17>
A method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped,
At least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material,
A support member having a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser beam can pass through one surface of the belt-like sheet laminate in which the plurality of sheets are stacked. With respect to the belt-shaped sheet laminate that is conveyed while being brought into contact with pressure, the sheet is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate along the slit-shaped opening from the support member side. By irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that generates heat from the irradiation head, the strip-shaped sheet laminate is divided at the same time, and the cut edges of the plurality of sheets in the pressurized state generated by the division are separated from each other. A seal edge forming step of forming the seal edge by fusing
In the sealing edge forming step, the irradiation head has a space between the both ends of the support member that forms the slit-shaped opening in cross-section and is closer to the belt-shaped sheet laminate than the belt-shaped sheet laminate. A method for producing a sheet fusion product, which is performed by providing a taper that widens on the side.
<18>
The irradiation head has a lens that collects laser light;
The taper at each end of the support member has a taper angle (θ), a perpendicular at the focal point of the laser beam irradiated on the belt-shaped sheet laminate being conveyed, the focal point, and the focal point of the irradiation head. The relationship between the maximum value (θ1) of the irradiation angle formed by the virtual line connecting the centers of the lenses and the condensing angle (θ2) of the laser light collected by the lens of the irradiation head is θ> θ1 + θ2 / 2. The method for producing a fused sheet according to <17>.
<19>
The sheet according to <17> or <18>, wherein the taper at each of the end portions of the support member is formed such that a distance between the support members gradually increases from the belt-shaped sheet laminate side toward the irradiation head side. A method for producing a fused body.

<20>
The seal edge forming step performs laser light irradiation through a cylindrical lens disposed in the slit-shaped opening, and the laser light irradiated toward the opening by the cylindrical lens is applied to the opening. The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <17> to <19>, wherein the sheet is refracted to the center in the conveyance direction and is incident on the belt-shaped sheet laminate.
<21>
In the sealing edge forming step, a pressing member is used to press and apply pressure from the other surface of the belt-shaped sheet laminate that is in contact with the support member, and the pressure is applied to the belt-shaped sheet stack. And the manufacturing method of the sheet | seat fused | fusion body in any one of said <17>-<20> which irradiates a laser beam along the said slit-shaped opening part from this support member side.
<22>
The support member used in the seal edge forming step is an annular support member that rotates around a rotation axis, and the belt-like sheet laminate is wound around and transported around the outer peripheral surface of the annular support member. >-<21> The manufacturing method of the sheet | seat melt | fusion body of any one of <21>.
<23>
Pressure is applied to the other surface of the belt-shaped sheet laminate (a continuous body of pants-type disposable diapers) that is in contact with the support member (the surface opposite to the one surface that is the contact surface with the support member) The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <17> to <22>, wherein the belt (pressing member) is pressed to be in a pressurized state.
<24>
The method for manufacturing a sheet-fused body according to <22>, wherein the irradiation head used in the seal edge portion forming step is arranged so as to be shifted from a position of a rotation axis center of the annular support member.
<25>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <17> to <24>, wherein the belt-shaped sheet laminate includes a heat-fusible synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene as a resin material. .
<26>
The belt-shaped sheet laminate is the method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <17> to <25>, which includes a nonwoven fabric, a film, a laminate sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film, and the like.
<27>
The method for producing a sheet fusion product according to any one of <17> to <26>, wherein the nonwoven fabric is an air-through nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, or the like.
<28>
<17> in which the cutting of the belt-shaped sheet laminate and the fusion of the cut edges of the two sheets in a pressurized state generated by the cutting are simultaneously performed by one laser light irradiation. The manufacturing method of the sheet | seat melt | fusion body any one of-<27>.
<29>
When the sheet constituting the belt-shaped sheet laminate is a synthetic resin non-woven fabric or film, the laser beam may be a CO ₂ laser, YAG laser, LD laser (semiconductor laser), YVO ₄ laser, fiber laser, or the like. The method for producing a fused sheet according to any one of <17> to <28>, which is used.
<30>
As the laser light, when the sheet constituting the belt-shaped sheet laminate includes polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, or the like as a synthetic resin, the oscillation wavelength is 8.0 μm or more and 15.0 μm or less <17> to <29> The method for producing a sheet-fused body according to any one of the above.
<31>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <17> to <30>, wherein the laser light has an oscillation wavelength of 9.0 μm or more and 11.0 μm or less of a CO ₂ laser.

<32>
An absorbent body and an exterior body arranged on the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent body and fixing the absorbent body, and both side edges of the exterior body in the abdominal side of the pants-type disposable diaper A pants-type disposable diaper in which a pair of side seal parts, a waist opening part, and a pair of leg openings are formed by joining the outer part and both side edges of the exterior body at the back side part of the pant-type disposable diaper ,
The side seal portion supports the diaper continuum in a pressurized state from the support member side while conveying the diaper continuum in a pressurized state as a precursor of the pants-type disposable diaper with a support member. By irradiating laser light from the irradiation head along the slit-shaped opening of the member, the diaper continuum is divided individually, and at the same time, a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state generated by the division A pants-type disposable diaper that is formed by fusing the cut edges together.
<33>
The diaper continuous body is introduced onto the rotating support member so that one surface abuts on the support member and a portion to be divided is positioned on the slit-shaped opening, and the other surface is disposed on the other surface. When the pressure belt (pressing member) is pressed, it is pressurized (compressed) in the thickness direction while being conveyed and is in a pressurized state, and the side seal portion is a part to be divided during conveyance and in the pressurized state. On the other hand, in a process including passing a position downstream from a position upstream of the position where the laser beam is perpendicularly irradiated to the diaper continuous body, from the support member side along the slit-shaped opening. The pants-type disposable diaper according to <32>, which is formed by irradiation with laser light.
<34>
The diaper continuum is a waist elastic member that forms a waist gather between a belt-like outer layer sheet continuously supplied from a raw fabric roll and a belt-like inner layer sheet continuously supplied from a raw fabric roll. The <32> or the <32> formed by arranging a plurality of waistline elastic members forming the waistline gathers and a plurality of leg part elastic members forming the leg gathers in an extended state extended to a predetermined extension rate. 33> The pants-type disposable diaper described in 33>.
<35>
By feeding and pressing a belt-like outer layer sheet and a belt-like inner layer sheet sandwiching a waist elastic member, a waistline elastic member, and a leg elastic member in a stretched state between a pair of nip rolls, a plurality of pieces are provided between the belt-like sheets. The pants-type disposable diaper according to any one of <32> to <34>, wherein a strip-shaped exterior body, which is a precursor of the exterior body, is provided with a stretched elastic member.

1 Pants-type disposable diaper (absorbent article, sheet fusion product)
1A Abdominal side 1B Back side 2 Absorbent body 3 Exterior body (sheet fusion body)
31 Outer layer sheet 32 Inner layer sheet 4 Side seal part (seal edge)
4a Outer edge 40 of side seal part Fusion part 10 Diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminated body)
10C Scheduled parts 20, 20A Laser type joining devices 21, 21A Support member 211 Taper 21e End 23A Cylindrical roll (pressing member)
24 Pressure belt (pressing member)
24A Pressure belt (support member)
27 Slit-shaped opening (light passage)
28 Concave portion 30 Laser beam 35 Irradiation head 351 Lens 352 Mirror 50 Cylindrical lens f Focus

Claims (14)

An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets overlap with each other,
An irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light, a support member that conveys while supporting one surface of a belt-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material at least partially are stacked, and the belt shape A pressing member that brings the belt-shaped sheet laminate into contact with the support member from the other surface side of the sheet laminate and puts it in a pressurized state,
The support member has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser light can pass from the support member side,
When the opening is viewed in cross section, both ends of the support member that form the slit-shaped opening are provided with a taper in which the distance between them is larger on the irradiation head side than on the pressing member side. And
The belt-shaped sheet laminate in a pressurized state by the pressing member is divided by irradiating the laser beam condensed from the support member side along the slit-shaped opening, and the edge of the division is divided. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body, in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the seal edge are continuously manufactured by fusing in an overlapping state.   The taper angle (θ) of each end of the support member, the perpendicular at the focal point of the laser beam irradiated on the belt-shaped sheet laminate being conveyed, the focal point, and the center of the lens of the irradiation head The relation between the maximum value (θ1) of the irradiation angle formed by the connecting virtual line and the condensing angle (θ2) of the laser beam condensed by the lens of the irradiation head is θ> θ1 + θ2 / 2. The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body of description.   3. The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the taper of the both end portions of the support member is formed so that a distance between the taper gradually increases from the pressing member side toward the irradiation head side. .   In the slit-shaped opening, a cylindrical lens convex on the side opposite to the pressing member side is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and the cylindrical lens causes the opening to be disposed in the opening. The production of the sheet fusion bonded body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the laser beam irradiated toward the center is incident on the belt-shaped sheet laminate so as to be refracted toward the center of the opening in the conveyance direction. apparatus.   5. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the support member is an annular support member that rotates about a rotation axis, and the belt-shaped sheet laminate is wound around and transported around an outer peripheral surface of the annular support member. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to item.   The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the irradiation head is arranged so as to be shifted from a position of a rotation axis center of the annular support member.   The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support member does not allow laser light to pass through a portion other than the opening. Using the apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A manufacturing method for a pants-type disposable diaper that continuously manufactures a pants-type disposable diaper having an exterior body having a pair of side seal portions by irradiating a laser beam to a belt-shaped sheet laminate separately manufactured in advance. . A method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped,
At least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material,
A support member having a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser beam can pass through one surface of the belt-like sheet laminate in which the plurality of sheets are stacked. With respect to the belt-shaped sheet laminate that is conveyed while being brought into contact with pressure, the sheet is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate along the slit-shaped opening from the support member side. By irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that generates heat from the irradiation head, the strip-shaped sheet laminate is divided at the same time, and the cut edges of the plurality of sheets in the pressurized state generated by the division are separated from each other. A seal edge forming step of forming the seal edge by fusing
In the sealing edge forming step, the irradiation head has a space between the both ends of the support member that forms the slit-shaped opening in cross-section and is closer to the belt-shaped sheet laminate than the belt-shaped sheet laminate. A method for producing a sheet fusion product, which is performed by providing a taper that widens on the side. The irradiation head has a lens that collects laser light;
The taper at each end of the support member has a taper angle (θ), a perpendicular at the focal point of the laser beam irradiated on the belt-shaped sheet laminate being conveyed, the focal point, and the focal point of the irradiation head. The relationship between the maximum value (θ1) of the irradiation angle formed by the virtual line connecting the centers of the lenses and the condensing angle (θ2) of the laser light collected by the lens of the irradiation head is θ> θ1 + θ2 / 2. A method for producing a sheet fusion product according to claim 9.   11. The sheet fusion body according to claim 9, wherein the taper at each end of the support member is formed such that a distance between the support members gradually increases from the belt-shaped sheet laminate side toward the irradiation head side. Manufacturing method.   In the sealing edge forming step, a pressing member is used to press and apply pressure from the other surface of the belt-shaped sheet laminate that is in contact with the support member, and the pressure is applied to the belt-shaped sheet stack. The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein laser light is irradiated along the slit-shaped opening from the support member side.   The said support member used for the said seal edge part formation process is a cyclic | annular support member rotating around a rotating shaft, The said strip | belt-shaped sheet | seat laminated body is wound around the outer peripheral surface of this cyclic | annular support member, and it conveys. The manufacturing method of the sheet fusion body of any one of -12.   The method of manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to claim 13, wherein the irradiation head used in the seal edge portion forming step is arranged so as to be shifted from a position of a center of a rotation axis of the annular support member.

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