PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a welding apparatus and a welding method for welding sheet-like members of an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper.SOLUTION: Provided are a transport mechanism for transporting a sheet-like member 1a along a movement route Tr1a by rotating a rotating member 30 along an outer peripheral surface 30a while holding the sheet-like member 1a in the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 30, a head member 40 provided to face the outer peripheral surface, a drive mechanism for circulating the head member along an orbit Tr40 having both a first route Tr40a corresponding to the movement route and a second route Tr40b for returning the head member to a starting end Pas of the first route from a terminal Pae of the first route, and an energy input mechanism for inputting energy for welding into the sheet-like member through the outer peripheral surface or the head member while the head member is moving in the first route among the orbit. The drive mechanism includes an endless member 41 in which a head member is connected to a prescribed part, and a driving source for circulating the endless member.COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT【課題】使い捨ておむつ等の吸収物品に係るシート状部材を溶着する溶着装置、及び溶着方法を提供する。【解決手段】回転部材30の外周面でシート状部材1aを保持しながら回転部材を外周面30aに沿って回転することにより、シート状部材を移動経路Tr1aに沿って搬送する搬送機構と、外周面に対向して設けられたヘッド部材40と、移動経路に対応する第1経路Tr40a、及び第1経路の終端Paeから第1経路の始端Pasへとヘッド部材を戻す第2経路Tr40bの両者を有する周回軌道Tr40に沿って、ヘッド部材を周回させる駆動機構と、ヘッド部材が周回軌道のうちの第1経路を移動している間に、外周面又はヘッド部材を介してシート状部材に溶着用エネルギーを投入するエネルギー投入機構と、を備える。駆動機構は、ヘッド部材が所定部分に連結された無端状部材41と、無端状部材を周回させる駆動源と、を有する。【選択図】図3
