JP6509306B1 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an absorbent article intended for urine, which can exhibit good absorption performance even when urine is repeatedly supplied from the wearer. is there. An absorbent article for urine according to the present invention comprises a ridge (21) having a surface sheet (2) protruding toward a skin-facing surface in a thickness direction and extending in a first direction; And a groove (22) extending in the first direction in parallel with the ridges (21) and recessed in the non-skin facing surface side in the longitudinal direction along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction And a non-woven fabric having a basis weight of 25 g / m 2 to 50 g / m 2 and a thickness of 0.7 mm to 2.0 mm, and the surface sheet (2) further comprising: The groove (22) has a high density portion with a relatively high fiber density, and the surface facing the skin has a protein dispersing means for dispersing the Tamforth frame coprotein contained in the urine. [Selected figure] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article intended for urine, such as (light) incontinence pads and disposable diapers.

  Conventionally, in absorbent articles such as (light) incontinence pads, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, etc., it is possible to rapidly absorb excrement fluid such as urine and menstrual blood excreted from the wearer and prevent it from leaking out. The ability to hold is required.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses, in an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a panty liner, an absorbent article containing a water-soluble compound having three or more nitrogen atoms and one to three carbon atoms. ing. In the absorbent article disclosed in Patent Document 1, the above-mentioned water-soluble compound denatures a protein contained in excrement fluid such as menstrual blood and vaginal discharge (hereinafter referred to as "menstrual blood etc." It is said that the menstrual blood etc. can be quickly fed into the absorber by lowering the viscosity of

JP, 2014-100256, A

On the other hand, in absorbent articles intended for urine, such as (light) incontinence pads and disposable diapers, when an elderly wearer repeatedly discharges urine, the absorption speed of the absorbent article is gradually reduced and worn The subject felt moist, and in some cases urine leaked to the outside. As to the cause of such a decrease in absorption rate, various speculations (for example, solid components contained in urine (eg, magnesium ammonium phosphate calculus, calcium oxalate crystals, etc.) contained in the surface sheet of the absorbent article However, the present inventors diligently investigated the cause of such a decrease in the absorption rate and did not understand the specific cause. Was found to be caused by clogging of the surface sheet with a specific protein, such as Tamm-Horsfall mucoprotein (THP), contained in the urine of the wearer.
In view of such findings, it is expected that the above-mentioned decrease in absorption rate can be avoided by applying the above-mentioned water-soluble compound of Patent Document 1 even to absorbent articles intended for urine. Unlike the above-mentioned menstrual blood and the like, even if it is intended to apply the above-mentioned water-soluble compound of Patent Document 1 to an absorbent article intended for urine, the urine is low in viscosity and easy to reach the absorber. The protein component denatured by the compound reaches the absorber together with urine and adheres to the surface of the absorbent material (for example, superabsorbent polymer (SAP) etc.) in the absorber, resulting in the absorption performance of the absorber and hence There is a possibility that the absorption performance of the absorbent article may be reduced.

  Then, this invention is an absorbent article which made urine the object, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which can exhibit good absorption performance, even when urine is repeatedly supplied from a wearer. I assume.

One aspect (aspect 1) of the present invention is an absorbent article for urine, which has a top sheet and an absorbent body disposed so as to overlap in the thickness direction, and the top sheet has the thickness described above. A ridge projecting in the direction opposite to the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article and extending in the first direction, and a recess in the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent article in the thickness direction parallel to the ridge groove extending in the first direction Te and is, which has a concavo-convex structure disposed alternately along a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, a basis weight of 25g ^/ m ² ~50g / m 2 And the non-woven fabric having a thickness of 0.7 mm to 2.0 mm, and the surface sheet has a high density portion with a relatively high fiber density in the groove portion, and the surface facing the skin side, Disperse Tamforth forum coprotein contained in urine Having a protein dispersion means for a said absorbent article.

In the absorbent article of the present embodiment, the surface sheet is formed of the specific nonwoven fabric having the above-mentioned concavo-convex structure, basis weight and thickness, thereby diffusing the urine supplied on the surface sheet along the above-mentioned grooves. While, it can be made to penetrate in the thickness direction of a surface sheet. At this time, the absorbent article of the present embodiment is provided with a protein dispersing means for dispersing the tam force fall mucoprotein (THP) contained in the urine on the surface of the surface sheet facing the skin. The THP dispersed in the top sheet along with the flow of urine is dispersed in the thickness direction of the top sheet while the THP that causes the clogging of the sheet (that is, the cause of the decrease in absorption speed) is dispersed on the top sheet, and the dispersed components of the THP are top sheets While being scattered in the thickness direction and in the surface direction, it can be held at least in the high density portion to be easily held in the top sheet.
Thereby, the absorbent article of this aspect can make it hard to produce clogging by THP in a surface sheet (that is, make it hard to cause a fall of the absorption speed in a surface sheet), and also it dispersed THP (dispersion component of THP). Can be made less likely to reach the absorbent placed on the non-skin facing side of the top sheet and to be attached to the absorbent material in the absorbent body (ie, the absorbent performance of the absorbent decreases) Since it can be made difficult), even when urine is repeatedly supplied from the wearer, it is possible to exhibit good absorbent performance as the absorbent article.

  In another aspect (aspect 2) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of the above aspect 1, the protein dispersing means is a protein denaturant, an anionic surfactant, a salt concentration regulator, a proteolytic enzyme, a weak alkaline agent And at least one component selected from the group consisting of

  The absorbent article of this embodiment is at least one component selected from the group consisting of a protein denaturing agent, an anionic surfactant, a proteolytic enzyme, and a weak alkaline agent, as the protein dispersion means, and these components are THP At the same time as it is a component that can denature or degrade THP in pieces or solubilize it (ie, solubilize it in urine), it is also a component that can be easily applied to the surface sheet, so Can be dispersed more efficiently and more effectively.

  In still another aspect (aspect 3) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of the above-mentioned aspect 2, the protein dispersing means is the protein modifying agent, and the protein modifying agent is a chaotropic salt.

  In the absorbent article of this embodiment, the protein dispersing means is a chaotropic salt, and such chaotropic salt has a strong denaturing effect on THP, and denatures THP so as not to have a salting-out effect and to enhance solubility in water. Therefore, the clogging of the top sheet by the above-mentioned THP can be made less likely to occur more reliably and effectively.

  In still another aspect (aspect 4) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of the above-mentioned aspect 2, the protein dispersing means is the anionic surfactant, and the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

  In the absorbent article of this embodiment, the protein dispersing means is sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and such SDS is a strongly hydrophobic protein which is strongly denatured with respect to proteins and difficult to solubilize by other methods. Even if it is present, it can be solubilized, and since the function of the protein can be inactivated, clogging with the above-mentioned THP can be made even more difficult to occur.

  In still another aspect (aspect 5) of the present invention, in the absorbent article according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 4, the thickness of the ridges of the surface sheet is 0.3 mm to 1 mm as compared with the thickness of the grooves. .5 mm larger, the ridges have a width of 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm, and the grooves have a width of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

In the absorbent article of this aspect, since the ridges and grooves of the surface sheet have the above-described specific structure, the dispersion component of THP in the ridges can be easily dropped into the grooves, and the surface sheet is Even if it gets wet with urine, the ridges can be made difficult to crush.
Thereby, even if urine is repeatedly supplied from the wearer, the absorbent article of the present embodiment exhibits a more excellent absorption performance because it is easy to secure the flow path of urine in the ridges of the surface sheet. can do.

  According to the absorbent article for urine of the present invention, good absorption performance can be exhibited even when urine is repeatedly supplied from the wearer.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light incontinence pad 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an end view of a cross section along line II-II 'in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of an essential part of the top sheet 2 in the light incontinence pad 1.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the absorbent article of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present specification, “an object (for example, an absorbent article, a surface sheet, an absorber, etc.) placed on a horizontal surface in a developed state is "Seeing in the thickness direction of the object from the top sheet side in the case of the absorbent article" is simply referred to as "planar view".

About various directions etc. which are used in this specification, unless there is particular notice, it is as follows.
In the present specification, “longitudinal direction” refers to “long direction of the length of a vertically long object (for example, an absorbent article, surface sheet, absorber, etc.) in plan view”, and “width direction” "Longitudinal direction of the long object in plan view (short side direction)" refers to "thickness direction" refers to "perpendicular to the object placed on the horizontal plane in the unfolded state", The longitudinal direction, the width direction and the thickness direction are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, in the present specification, “planar direction” refers to “a direction (that is, a horizontal direction) in which a flat surface of a substantially sheet-like object (for example, an absorbent article, surface sheet (nonwoven fabric), etc.) The plane direction and the thickness direction are orthogonal to each other.
Furthermore, in the present specification, “proximal to the longitudinal central axis _CW located longitudinally in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal object and extending in the width direction” It is referred to as "inward in the longitudinal direction", and "in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinally elongated object, relative to the longitudinal central axis _{CW in the} distal direction" is referred to as "outward in the longitudinal direction". Similarly, “proximal to the width direction central axis line _L located at the center in the width direction of the object in the width direction of the longitudinally elongated object and extending in the longitudinal direction” is “width direction It called inward "," in the width direction of the vertically elongated object, the relatively distal "with respect to the widthwise central axis C _L of" outer side in the width direction ".
Moreover, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, "the proximal side relative to the skin surface of the wearer when wearing the absorbent article" in the thickness direction of the absorbent article is "skin-facing surface It is called "side", and "the distal side relative to the skin surface of the wearer when wearing the absorbent article" is referred to as "non-skin facing surface side". Here, "at the time of wearing" means (while wearing) while maintaining the state from the time when the wearer wears the absorbent article (that is, when the usable state is formed). means.
In addition, in this specification, the "skin facing surface side" and "non-skin facing surface side" of the absorbent article and various members (for example, top sheet, absorber, back sheet, etc.) constituting the absorbent article The “surface of” may be simply referred to as “skin facing surface” and “non-skin facing surface”, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light incontinence pad 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an end view of a cross section of the light incontinence pad 1 taken along line II-II ′ in FIG. Moreover, FIG. 3 is a principal part enlarged end view of the surface sheet 2 in the light incontinence pad 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the light incontinence pad 1 (an example of the “absorbent article” in the present invention) has a longitudinal direction L and a width direction W in plan view, and further, in the longitudinal direction L The both ends have an oblong external shape that protrudes in a circular arc toward the outward side in the longitudinal direction L. In the present invention, the external shape of the absorbent article is not limited to such an aspect, and various applications are provided as long as the length in the longitudinal direction L is longer than the length in the width direction W. Any vertically-long shape (e.g., rectangular, oval, hourglass, etc.) may be employed depending on the like.

Furthermore, light incontinence pad 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the thickness direction T, a specific uneven structure having a convex portion 21 and the groove 22 to be described later and is located on the skin facing side T ₁ A liquid-permeable top sheet 2 made of a non-woven fabric, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3 located on the non-skin facing side T ₂ , and a sheet located between these two sheets (that is, in the thickness direction T) a non-overlapping with the topsheet 2 in the skin-facing surface side T ₂₎ absorbent and a liquid retentive absorbent body 4 includes a main component.
Further, the light incontinence pad 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, located at both ends in the width direction W in skin-facing surface side T ₁ of the topsheet 2, a pair capable of functioning as leakage preventing walls Adhesive for fixing clothes, which is disposed on the surface of the liquid-impermeable side sheets 5 and 5 and the non-skin facing side T ₂ of the back sheet 3 and fixes the light incontinence pad 1 to the clothes such as the underwear of the wearer. part (not shown), are arranged in the non-skin facing side T ₂ of the surface of該着batter fixing adhesive portion, and a release sheet for protecting the clothing securing adhesive section before use (not shown), configured It is further provided as a member.

Incidentally, light incontinence pad 1, when worn, by removing the release sheet described above, the wearer's undergarment the light incontinence pad 1, the garment-fixing pressure-sensitive adhesive portion disposed on the non-skin facing side T ₂ of the surface Etc., and the top sheet 2 is worn so as to face the skin surface of the wearer. When urine is discharged from the wearer, urine, it is applied to the surface of the skin-facing surface side T ₁ of the topsheet 2 of the light incontinence pad 1, the thickness while diffusing the topsheet 2 in the plane direction of transmitted to the non-skin facing side T ₂ of the direction T, so that the absorbed and retained in the absorbent body 4.

And in the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the surface sheet 2 protrudes in the skin facing surface side T ₁ in the thickness direction T and extends in the longitudinal direction L (“in the present invention is an example of the first direction ". a ridge 21 extending), extending in the longitudinal direction L parallel non-skin-depression on the opposite surface side T ₂ and with the convex portion 21 in the thickness direction T groove portion 22 DOO, together with having (an example of the "second direction". in the present invention) relief structure are arranged alternately along the width direction W, and a basis weight of ^{25g / m 2 ~50g / m 2} , It is comprised by the nonwoven fabric which has a thickness of 0.7 mm-2.0 mm. Further, the topsheet 2 is relatively fiber density in the groove 22 have a high-density portion, further, the surface of the skin-facing side T _1, Tam force contained in the urine of the wearer It has a protein dispersing means for dispersing formcoprotein (THP).

Thus, the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment has the surface sheet 2 formed of the specific non-woven fabric having the above-described concavo-convex structure, basis weight and thickness, whereby urine supplied on the surface sheet 2 can be obtained. while diffusing in the longitudinal direction L along the groove portion 22 described above, it can be impregnated into the non-skin facing side T ₂ of the topsheet 2 the thickness direction T. At this time, light incontinence pad 1, the skin-facing surface side T ₁ of the surface of the surface sheet 2, that has a protein dispersing means for dispersing the THP contained in the urine of the wearer, the topsheet 2 The THP dispersed in the thickness direction T of the top sheet 2 is made to flow along with the flow of urine while the THP, which is the cause of clogging (that is, the cause of the decrease in absorption rate), is dispersed on the top sheet 2 While being scattered in the thickness direction T and the surface direction in the sheet 2, the sheet can be held at least in the high density portion to be easily held in the top sheet 2.
Thereby, the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment can make it hard to cause clogging by THP in the surface sheet 2 (that is, make it hard to cause a reduction in the absorption speed in the surface sheet 2), and additionally dispersed THP ( dispersing component of THP) can be hard to occur that as to adhere to the absorbent material of the absorbent body 4 in the absorbent body 4 has reached disposed non-skin facing side T ₂ of the surface sheet 2 ( That is, since the absorption performance of the absorber 4 can be made difficult to reduce), good absorption performance can be exhibited even when urine is repeatedly supplied from the wearer.

  Hereinafter, various members constituting the absorbent article of the present invention will be described in more detail using the light incontinence pad 1 according to the above-described embodiment.

[Front sheet]
In the light incontinence pad 1 according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the surface sheet 2 is the skin of the wearer except for a portion overlapping the pair of side sheets 5 and 5 in the thickness direction T. (A position facing the skin-facing side T ₁ of the light incontinence pad 1), which is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric through which urine excreted from the wearer can permeate There is.

Topsheet 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in plan view, the entire skin-facing surface side T ₁ of the surface of the absorbent body 4 arranged non-skin facing side T ₂ of the topsheet 2 It extends in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W so as to cover it, and both end portions in the longitudinal direction L project in an arc toward the outer side in the longitudinal direction L as in the outer shape of the light incontinence pad 1 Has an oblong external shape. In the absorbent article of the present invention, the outer shape of the top sheet is not limited to such an aspect, and the surface of the absorbent body facing the skin is exposed at least in the region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer. As long as it does not, one having an arbitrary outer shape and size according to various applications and the like can be adopted.

  In the present invention, the non-woven fabric that can be used as the surface sheet is not particularly limited as long as it has various properties (for example, liquid permeability, touch, flexibility, strength, etc.) that can be used as the surface sheet of the absorbent article. Any non-woven fabric such as an air through non-woven fabric, a spun-bonded non-woven fabric, and a point-bonded non-woven fabric can be used. The nonwoven fabric may be subjected to a hydrophilization treatment.

  Further, the fibers constituting the non-woven fabric are also not particularly limited, and for example, resin fibers made of thermoplastic resins such as olefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid can be used. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Then, in the present invention, a nonwoven fabric may be used as the topsheet ^are those having a basis weight of ^{25g / m 2 ~50g / m 2} , the thickness of 0.7Mm～2.0Mm, the. When the surface sheet is constituted by the non-woven fabric having such basis weight and thickness, the dispersed component of THP dispersed by the above-mentioned protein dispersing means penetrates with the urine in the thickness direction T of the surface sheet (non-woven fabric) At the same time, the THP dispersed component can be easily retained at least in the nonwoven fabric because it can be easily held between the constituent fibers inside the nonwoven fabric (in other words, to facilitate removal of the THP dispersed component from urine). It is made to hold so as to be scattered in the thickness direction, and it becomes easy to secure the flow path of urine.

In the present invention, the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is preferably in the range of ^{28g / m 2 ~48g / m 2} , more preferably in the range of ^{30g / m 2 ~45g / m 2} . The thickness of the non-woven fabric is preferably in the range of 0.7 mm to 1.8 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm. In the present specification, the thickness of the non-woven fabric is, as shown in FIG. 3, from the horizontal surface when the non-woven fabric (surface sheet) is placed on a horizontal surface with the surface on the non-skin facing surface side facing downward. Means the distance in the thickness direction between the top of the ridge where the height of the ridge is the highest and the horizontal surface, that is, the thickness d of the entire nonwoven fabric.

  Here, the basis weight of the non-woven fabric can be measured in accordance with 5.2 of JIS L 1906, and the thickness of the non-woven fabric can be measured using a laser displacement meter (for example, high precision two-dimensional laser displacement meter LJ-G manufactured by Keyence Corporation). It can be measured in a noncontact manner using a series (type: LJ-G030)). In addition, the measurement of the thickness of a nonwoven fabric is measured about five different measurement object parts (namely, the top of a convex streak part), and the average value is adopted.

In the embodiment described above, the surface sheet 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in projecting the skin facing side T ₁ and the first direction D _{1 (present} embodiment in the thickness direction T is a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction L of the light incontinence pad 1. a convex portion 21 extending in a), the parallel non-skin-depression on the opposite surface side T ₂ and with the convex portion 21 in the thickness direction T a groove portion 22 extending in the first direction D ₁ is, in the first of the second direction D _{2 (this} embodiment is orthogonal to the direction D _1, is a direction corresponding to the width direction W of the light incontinence pad 1. ) Has an uneven structure alternately arranged. When the surface sheet has a concavo-convex structure including such ridges and grooves, the thickness of the surface sheet is diffused while diffusing the urine supplied on the surface sheet along the above-mentioned grooves. It can be made to penetrate gradually to the non-skin opposing side of the direction. At this time, the surface of the surface sheet facing the skin is provided with a protein dispersing means for dispersing THP contained in urine, which causes clogging of the surface sheet (that is, a cause of the decrease in absorption rate) The THP dispersed gradually in the thickness direction of the surface sheet along with the flow of urine while being dispersed in the surface direction on the surface sheet, and the dispersion component of the THP is scattered and scattered in the thickness direction and the surface direction in the surface sheet. Can be As a result, the surface sheet can make it easier to secure the urine flow path, and at the same time, it is possible to make it difficult to cause clogging with THP.

In the present invention, the direction in which the ridges and grooves of the surface sheet extend (i.e., the first direction D ₁ ) corresponds to the aspect of the above-described embodiment (i.e., the direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article). If it is the direction which can diffuse the urine supplied to the surface by the side of the skin opposite side of a surface sheet to a surface direction without being limited, adopting arbitrary directions, such as a direction corresponding to the width direction of an absorptive article, may be adopted. it can. Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ridges and grooves of the surface sheet are disposed on the entire surface sheet (that is, from one side end to the other side in the longitudinal direction) The absorbent article according to the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement, and the ridges and grooves are formed by extending up to and alternately arranging from one end to the other end in the width direction). It may be disposed only on a predetermined portion of the top sheet. In this case, the ridges and grooves are a region overlapping in the thickness direction with the absorber located at least on the non-skin facing surface side of the top sheet (ie, at least at least from the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are more advantageously exhibited). It is preferable to arrange | position in the area | region which covers the whole skin opposing surface of an absorber.

In the present specification, the ridges and grooves of the surface sheet can be partitioned as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the topsheet 2 is non-skin-facing side T ₂ of the surface was placed on a horizontal surface as a lower side, a convex height is the highest it becomes part of the horizontal plane A position where the thickness d of the entire surface sheet (non-woven fabric) is equally divided into two by making "the top 21T" of the strip 21 and making the part where the height from the horizontal surface is the lowest the "bottom 22B" of the groove 22 (ie, the top 21T) And a portion protruding upward from the virtual reference horizontal plane P extending in a direction where the distance in the thickness direction T from the bottom 22B is d / 2) is the “protrusion 21”, and the portion recessed downward Is the “groove 22”.

Note that these ridges and grooves, the second direction D ₂ along the cross-section of the surface sheet to expand observed by magnifying observation means such as a scanning electron microscope, it is possible to determine from the photograph or image.

In the embodiment described above, the surface sheet 2, corresponding to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, ridges 21 and grooves 22 of the surface of the non-skin facing side T ₂ is skin-facing surface side T ₁ It has a concavo-convex structure provided with the recessed part and convex part which were formed, and it has a structure where the internal structure of the convex part 21 becomes hollow. In the absorbent article of the present invention, the surface structure on the non-skin facing surface side of the surface sheet is not limited to such a structure as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. It may have any structure such as a flat structure (that is, a structure in which the internal structure of the ridges is solid), but the liquid permeability (especially, permeability of urine repeatedly supplied) and cushion The surface structure on the non-skin facing surface side of the surface sheet is, as in the embodiment described above, uneven in terms of texture, touch, etc., with recesses and lands corresponding to the ridges and grooves on the skin facing surface. It is preferable to have a structure (that is, a structure in which the internal structure of the ridges is hollow).

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the surface sheet 2 has a high density portion (not shown) having a relatively high fiber density in the groove portion 22. If the surface sheet has such a high density portion in the groove portion, the THP dispersed component permeating in the thickness direction T in the surface sheet (non-woven fabric) together with urine may slip through between the constituent fibers of the non-woven fabric. Since the high density portion of the groove is held, the dispersed component of the THP can be easily held in the surface sheet. Thereby, it can be made difficult for the dispersed component of THP to reach the absorber located on the non-skin facing surface side of the surface sheet and adhere to the absorbent material in the absorber (i.e., the absorber It can be made difficult to reduce the absorption performance). In addition, the presence of such a high density portion in the groove makes it easy to secure the urine flow path in the ridge portion, so that even when urine is repeatedly supplied from the wearer, the surface sheet Liquid permeability can be maintained well.

  Here, the determination of the magnitude of the density (fiber density) in each portion (convex line portion, groove portion, etc.) of the surface sheet (non-woven fabric) is made by comparing the magnitude of the density with a target portion (for example, Each of them can be magnified and observed at a magnification of about 20 to 100 times by a magnifying observation means such as a scanning electron microscope, and it can be judged visually from the number of fibers per unit area and the like.

  In the present invention, the specific structure of the above-described ridges and grooves is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. For example, the height of the ridges (ie, from the above virtual reference horizontal plane P to the top) The distance in the thickness direction) is in the range of 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm, and the depth of the groove (that is, the distance in the thickness direction from the virtual reference horizontal plane P to the bottom) is 0.1 mm to 3.3. The pitch of the plurality of ridges (that is, the distance between the top centers of two ridges adjacent to each other in the second direction) is in the range of 1.0 mm to 10.0 mm. is there.

Also, ridges of width (i.e., as shown in FIG. 3, the convex portion 21 of the skin-facing surface side T ₁ of the surface of the second direction D ₂ length second portion 21W as the longest length) is the direction _{D 2,} is in the range of, for example, 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, the groove width (i.e., as shown in FIG. 3, first in the skin-facing surface side _{T 1} of the surface of the groove 22 2 second length in the direction _{D 2)} length in a direction _{D 2} of the portion 22W of the longest, for example in the range of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm. The width of the ridges and the width of the grooves may be the same or different.

As described above, in the present invention, the structure of the ridges and grooves of the surface sheet is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. However, as in the surface sheet 2 shown in FIG. part thickness (i.e., the top portion 21T of the thickness _{t 1} of the convex portion 21 in FIG. 3) is groove thickness (i.e., thickness _{t 2} of the bottom portion 22B of the groove 22 in FIG. 3) than 0.3mm~1.5mm It is preferable that the ridges have a width of 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm and the grooves have a width of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. When the top sheet has such a specific structure, the dispersed components of THP can be easily dropped into the grooves in the ridges, and the ridges are not easily crushed even if the top sheet is wet with urine. can do. Thereby, even when urine is repeatedly supplied from the wearer, it is easy to secure the flow path of the urine in the ridges of the top sheet (that is, it is easy to maintain the liquid permeability of the top sheet), As the absorbent article, it is possible to exhibit a further excellent absorption performance.

  The pitch and width of the ridges and grooves described above can be measured from a planar image or a cross-sectional image by observing the nonwoven fabric in a non-pressured state by magnifying observation means such as a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the height, depth, thickness, etc. of the ridges and grooves may be measured by magnifying observation with a magnifying electron microscope such as a scanning electron microscope as well as the pitch and width described above. It may be used to measure in a non-contact manner.

  The method of forming the above-mentioned concavo-convex structure in the surface sheet (nonwoven fabric) is not particularly limited. For example, gas (for example, air etc.) is continuously applied to one surface of the fiber web before forming the nonwoven fabric. (Hereinafter, may be referred to as "gas blowing method"), a method of using gear processing (hereinafter, may be referred to as "gear processing method"), vacuum molding or compression molding is used. Any shaping method such as the method of Among them, a gas blowing method or a gear processing method is preferable in that it is easy to form a high density portion with high fiber density in the groove while shaping the above-described concavo-convex structure.

  In addition, even if the top sheet is joined to the non-skin facing surface of the pair of side sheets described above or joined to the skin facing surface or non-skin facing surface of the absorber, it is joined to the skin facing surface of the back sheet Or may be bonded to any of them. The bonding method is also not particularly limited, and any bonding means such as a hot melt adhesive or heat fusion may be employed.

[Protein dispersion means]
Next, the protein dispersion means that can be used for the absorbent article of the present invention will be described.
In the present invention, the protein dispersion means is applied to the surface of the surface sheet facing the skin, and contacts the urine of the wearer supplied to the surface of the surface sheet facing the skin, It has an action of dispersing a specific protein called tam forsform mucoprotein (THP) contained in urine. In the present specification, “to disperse the protein” means to fragment or disperse the protein (ie, solubilize in urine).

  In the present invention, the protein dispersing means is not particularly limited as long as it can disperse THP contained in the urine of the wearer and can be applied to the surface sheet of the absorbent article, for example, a protein denaturant, Ingredients such as anionic surfactants, salt concentration regulators, proteolytic enzymes, weak alkaline agents, etc. may be mentioned. These components are components that can denature or degrade THP to fragment or hydrolyze THP (ie, solubilize in urine), as well as components that can be easily applied to the surface sheet. This is preferable in that THP contained in the urine of the wearer can be dispersed more efficiently and more effectively. As these components, each component may be used alone or two or more components may be used in combination.

In the present invention, a protein modifying agent that can be used as a protein dispersing means is not particularly limited as long as it can denature and disperse THP, but chaotropic salts can be suitably used. Specific examples of chaotropic salts, strong denaturing effect on proteins in Hofmeister ^{series, I -, ClO 4-, SCN} -, Li +, Mg 2+, Ca 2+, Ba 2+, Gu + ( guanidinium ions) And the like. Among them, guanidine compounds having a guanidino group (for example, guanidine, 1-methyl guanidine, arginine and the like), hydrochlorides thereof and urea can be particularly preferably used.
Such a chaotropic salt is strongly denatured to THP, and THP can be denatured to have no salting-out effect and to increase the solubility in water. It can be made hard to occur reliably and effectively.

  The anionic surfactant which can be used as a protein dispersing means is not particularly limited as long as it can disperse THP, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) can be suitably used. Such an SDS can strongly solubilize even a strongly hydrophobic protein which is difficult to solubilize by other methods because it has a strong denatured action of the protein and can inactivate the function of the protein. Clogging with THP can be further reduced. In addition, when using an anionic surfactant as a protein dispersion | distribution means, it is necessary to use it by the addition amount which becomes more than a critical micelle concentration value.

  In addition, a salt concentration regulator that can be used as a protein dispersing means is not particularly limited as long as it can regulate the concentration of salt in urine to a concentration that increases the solubility of THP (that is, makes it salt soluble). It is possible to use any salt such as sodium salt or potassium salt of a predetermined concentration.

  Furthermore, the proteolytic enzyme that can be used as a protein dispersing means is not particularly limited as long as it can degrade THP, and any protease such as serine protease, thiol protease, acid protease, metal protease and the like can be used.

  In addition, as a weakly alkalizing agent that can be used as a protein dispersing means, it is possible to change the urine supplied on the surface sheet so as to exhibit weak alkalinity (that is, a pH within the range of 8.0 to 11.0). The base is not particularly limited, and any base component can be employed.

The position of the surface sheet (non-woven fabric) to which the protein dispersing means is applied is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. For example, even if applied to only one of the ridges and grooves of the surface sheet , And may be applied to both the ridges and grooves (that is, the entire surface of the surface facing the skin).
The means for applying the protein dispersing means to the surface sheet (non-woven fabric) is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. For example, an extrusion device equipped with a discharge nozzle; spiral coater, curtain coater, spray coater, dip A non-contact coater such as a coater; any coating means such as a contact coater can be used. In addition, when applying the protein dispersion means to the whole surface sheet, an impregnation method in which the non-woven fabric constituting the surface sheet is impregnated with a solution containing the protein dispersion means, a method in which the constituent fibers of the non-woven fabric are coated in advance with the protein dispersion means, etc. You may use. The amount of applying the protein dispersion means topsheet (nonwoven) (dose) varies depending on the type of protein dispersion means, for example, employing an amount in the range of 1g / m ² ~300g / m ² Can.

[Back sheet]
Next, the back sheet which can be used for the absorbent article of this invention is demonstrated.
In the light incontinence pad 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the back sheet 3 is disposed at the non-skin opposing surface T ₂ in the thickness direction T of the light incontinence pad 1 as shown in FIG. It is formed of a liquid-impervious sheet that functions to prevent the permeation of urine excreted from the urine and to prevent the urine from leaking out to the wearer's underwear and the like. In addition, although the liquid impermeable sheet which can be used as a back surface sheet does not permeate | transmit liquids, such as urine, it is preferable to have predetermined | prescribed air permeability. When the back sheet has such air permeability, the moisture released from the absorber (specifically, the moisture derived from urine absorbed and held by the absorber) is absorbed through the back sheet. Since it is easy to discharge | release to the exterior of a sex article, it can make it hard to collect moisture between the inside of an absorbent article, or an absorbent article, and a wearer's skin surface.

  The liquid impermeable sheet which can be used as the back sheet is not particularly limited, and, for example, any hydrophobic thermoplastic resin fiber (for example, polyolefin fiber such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) And the like), various composite fibers such as core-sheath type, etc.); porous or non-porous resin film formed of hydrophobic thermoplastic resin such as PE or PP; A laminate obtained by laminating a non-woven fabric to a resin film; any liquid-impermeable sheet such as a laminated non-woven fabric such as an SMS non-woven fabric can be used.

  The thickness, basis weight, outer shape and the like of the back sheet are not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, and any thickness, basis weight, outer shape and the like according to desired leakproof performance, air permeability, strength, etc. Can be adopted.

[Absorber]
Next, an absorbent which can be used for the absorbent article of the present invention will be described.
In the light incontinence pad 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the absorbent body 4 is disposed between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3, and can absorb and retain urine transmitted through the top sheet 2. It is formed of an absorbent member having a liquid property and a liquid holding property. The absorber 4 extends over a wide range in the longitudinal direction L of the light incontinence pad 1 in plan view as shown in FIG. 1, and a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction L is in the width direction W. It has a vertically long outer shape that narrows toward the side. In the absorbent article of the present invention, the outer shape of the absorber is not limited to such an aspect, and any outer shape (for example, rectangular, oval, hourglass, etc.) according to various uses and the like And those of the size can be adopted.

  The absorbent member usable as the absorbent is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb and retain at least urine, and any absorbent member known in the art can be employed. As an example of such an absorptive member, what covered at least one absorptive core constituted by absorptive material with core wrap sheets, such as a tissue which has hydrophilicity, etc. are mentioned. Here, examples of the absorbent material constituting the absorbent core include hydrophilic fibers and highly absorbent polymers, and more specifically, cellulose fibers such as crushed pulp, cotton, rayon and acetate; acrylic There may be mentioned particulates composed of a superabsorbent polymer such as an acid sodium copolymer, and mixtures obtained by optionally combining these.

  The thickness, basis weight and the like of the absorber are not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, and any thickness, basis weight and the like according to desired absorption performance, flexibility and the like can be adopted. In addition, the thickness, basis weight, and the like of the absorber may be constant or may be partially different over the entire surface direction of the absorber.

  In the light incontinence pad 1 described above, the absorber 4 is joined to the top sheet 2 on the skin-facing surface and the back sheet 3 on the non-skin-facing surface by any bonding means such as a hot melt adhesive. ing.

  The present invention can be applied to various absorbent articles for absorbing urine, such as panty liners, incontinence pads (incontinence pads), disposable diapers, etc., in addition to the light incontinence pad of the embodiment described above. . In addition, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the like, and can be appropriately combined, substituted, or changed without departing from the object and the purpose of the present invention. In the present specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the items to which the ordinal numbers are attached, and mean the order, priority, importance, etc. of each item. It is not something to do.

1 Light incontinence pad (absorbent article)
2 top sheet 21 convex line 22 groove 3 back sheet 4 absorber 5 side sheet

Claims (5)

What is claimed is: 1. An absorbent article intended for urine, comprising a surface sheet and an absorbent body disposed so as to overlap in the thickness direction,
The top sheet protrudes in the thickness direction to the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent article and extends in the first direction, and the recess is on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent article in the thickness direction. And a groove extending in the first direction in parallel with the ridge, and having a concavo-convex structure alternately arranged along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and 25 g / m ² Consisting of non-woven fabric having a basis weight of 50 g / m ² and a thickness of 0.7 mm to 2.0 mm,
Furthermore, the surface sheet has a high density portion having a relatively high fiber density in the groove portion, and has a protein dispersing means for dispersing the tum force fall mucoprotein contained in urine on the surface on the skin facing surface side. , The absorbent article.   The absorption according to claim 1, wherein the protein dispersion means is at least one component selected from the group consisting of a protein denaturant, an anionic surfactant, a salt concentration regulator, a proteolytic enzyme, and a weak alkaline agent. Sex goods.   The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the protein dispersing means is the protein modifying agent, and the protein modifying agent is a chaotropic salt.   The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein said protein dispersing means is said anionic surfactant, and said anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.   In the surface sheet, the thickness of the ridges is 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm larger than the thickness of the grooves, the ridges have a width of 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm, and the grooves have a width of 0. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a width of 5 mm to 2.0 mm.

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