AU2015249159B1

AU2015249159B1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: AU2015249159B1
Application number: AU2015249159A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kazuya Fujimoto; Kaiyo Nakajima
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2014-10-10
Filing date: 2015-02-12
Publication date: 2015-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-12
Also published as: JP2016077857A; AU2015249159C1; CN106794084B; WO2016056257A1; CN106794084A; JP5769896B1; TWI701022B; TW201628579A

Abstract

The pre se t invention provides an absorbent article that efficiently exhi b ts the deodorant function of 5 cyclodextrin and the active component sustained release function of a cyclodextrin complex, to allow them to be adequat.ely exhibited. The absorbent article (1)of the present. invention includes a liquid-permeable layer (2) , a iiquid-impermeable layer (3) , an absorbing layer (SA) 10 situated between both of these layers, and a vclodextrin-containing layer situated between the absorbing lavr (SA) and the liquid---impermeable layer (3)

Description

- 1 DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION Absorbent Article 5 Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article with an odor-reducing function. Background Art 10 [0002] A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common 15 general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. [0002a] Absorbent articles, such as light incontinence pads, sanitary napkins and disposable diapers are used to 20 absorb and retain body fluids, such as urine and menstrual blood that have been discharged by a wearer. Because body fluids absorbed into the absorbent body of an absorbent article usually emit unpleasant odors, research has been carried out on absorbent articles that 25 can reduce the odors of body fluids. [0003] One such absorbent article has been disclosed in PTL 1, as an absorbent article wherein cyclodextrin and a cyclodextrin complex, including at least 3 components in 30 a complex with cyclodextrin, is situated in a layer nearer to body-facing surface than the absorbent core. Citation List Patent Literature [0004] 35 [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013 545587 -2 SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] However, since body fluids, such as urine discharged from a wearer immediately permeate to the layer near the 5 body-facing surface of the absorbent article (for example, the surface sheet), if the cyclodextrin and cyclodextrin complex are situated in a layer near the body-facing surface of the absorbent article, as in the absorbent article disclosed in PTL 1, it is not possible 10 to obtain sufficient contact time between the cyclodextrin and cyclodextrin complex and the body fluids, and the deodorant function of the cyclodextrin and the active component sustained release function of the cyclodextrin complex have often been inadequately 15 exhibited. [0006] It is therefore desirable to provide an absorbent article with efficiency for the deodorant function of cyclodextrin and for the active component sustained 20 release function of the cyclodextrin complex, to allow them to be adequately exhibited. [0007] According to the present invention there is provided an absorbent article including a liquid-permeable layer, 25 a liquid-impermeable layer, an absorbing layer located between both layers, and a cyclodextrin-containing layer located between the absorbing layer and the liquid impermeable layer, the absorbing layer having a lengthwise 30 direction, a widthwise direction and a thickness direction and comprising an absorbent polymer, a liquid permeable sheet holding the absorbent polymer, an adhesive for anchoring of the absorbent polymer to the liquid-permeable sheet and an aromatic present in the 35 edge regions of the absorbing layer in the widthwise direction, the absorbing layer being formed by having - 2a the absorbent polymer sandwiched by the liquid-permeable sheet in the thickness direction, having an absorbent polymer-disposed region at the center region in the widthwise direction and a non-absorbent polymer-disposed 5 region adjacent to the absorbent polymer-disposed region in the widthwise direction, the liquid-permeable sheet being folded over toward the inner side in the widthwise direction by folding lines running in the lengthwise direction in the non-absorbent polymer-disposed region, 10 and the aromatic being present in the region sandwiched in the thickness direction by the liquid-permeable sheet, between the folding lines and the widthwise edges of the liquid-permeable sheet, and the adhesive being coated intermittently 15 on the liquid-permeable sheet and being coated on the liquid-permeable sheet in such a manner that the coating locations on the liquid-permeable sheet located on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent polymer and the coating locations on the liquid-permeable sheet located 20 on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent polymer do not overlap each other in the thickness direction. [0008] 25 With the absorbent article of the present invention, since the cyclodextrin-containing layer is situated between the absorbing layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, when body fluids, such as urine that have been discharged by the wearer permeate the liquid-permeable 30 layer and are absorbed into the absorbing layer, the body fluids pool at the lower side section of the absorbing layer (that is, the section on the cyclodextrin- - 3 containing layer side) by the action of gravity, and the pooled body fluids can contact with either or both the cyclodextrin and cyclodextrin complex in the cyclodextrin-containing layer for prolonged periods 5 across a wide contact area. As a result, it is possible to efficiently and adequately exhibit the deodorant function of cyclodextrin, and the sustained release function for the active components in the cyclodextrin complex (aromatic or deodorant components held in 10 cyclodextrin). Incidentally, in regard to the absorbent article of the present invention, "cyclodextrin containing layer" refers to a layer including either or both cyclodextrin and the cyclodextrin complex described hereunder. 15 [0009] According to the present invention it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can efficiently and adequately exhibit the function of cyclodextrin. Brief Description of Drawings 20 [0010] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a light incontinence pad according to a first embodiment or second embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the thickness direction on the surface sheet side in the unfolded 25 state. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional end view of a light incontinence pad according to the first embodiment of the present invention, along line II-II' in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view for illustration of the body 30 fluid absorbing region, the cyclodextrin disposed region, the adhesive coated region and the aromatic coated region in the light incontinence pad of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of a light incontinence pad according to the second embodiment of 35 the present invention, along line II-II' in Fig. 1.

- 3a Description of Embodiments [0011] Preferred embodiments of the absorbent article of the present invention will now be described in detail 5 with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0012] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a light incontinence pad 1 according to the first embodiment or second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed in the thickness direction D7 from the surfac e sheet (liquid---permeable layer) side (that is, the side facin the skin of the 5 wearer) in the unfolded state, Fig. 2 is a cross sectional end view of the ight incontinence pad of Fig. Ilog line IiI, as a light incontinence pad 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a plan view for illustration of 10 the body fluid absorbing region, cyclodextrin disposed region, adhesive coated region and aromatic coated region in the light incontinence pad of Fig. 1. Throughout the present description, unless otherwise specified, the simple phrase "as viewed flat" will be used to mean 15 "viewed in the thickness direction from the liquid permeable layer side in the unfolded state". [0013] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the light incontinence pad 1 according to the first embodiment of 20 the present invention has, as viewed flat, a rectangular shape with long sides running in the lengthwise uirect on DE and short sides running in the widthwise direction Dw, with both edges -in the lengthwise direction bulging Into arc shapes. However, the shape of the absorbent article 25 of the present invention is not imited to this shape, and any longLtudinal shape ( f or example, rectangular, elliptical, gourd-Shaped or the like) may be used so long it is elongated, with a length dimension in the lengthwise direction DL that is longer than tne width 30 dimension in the widthwise direction Dw. [0014] Incidentally, throughout the present description, the direction toward the center axis line CL running in the lengthwise direction DT of the longitudinal absorbent 35 article will be referred to as the " inner side direction in the widthwise direct on" , and the di rect ion away from the center axis line CL will be referred to as the "outer side direction in the widthwise direction" Similarly, the direction toward the center axis line Cw running in the widthwise direction Dw of the longitudinal absorbent article will be referred to as the innerr side direction 5 in the lengthwise direction", and the direction away from the center axis line Cw will be referred to as the "outer side direction in the lengthwise direction" Also, for the thickness direction D- of the absorbent article, the direction toward the side facing the skin surface of the 10 wearer (the skin-facing surface side) will be referred to as the skin---facing surface side, and the direction toward the side opposite the side facing the skin surface of the wearer (the non-skin- facing surface side) will be referred to as the non-skin-facing surface side. 15 [0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the absorbent article of the present invention has a body fluid absorbing region TA that extends straddling in the widthwise direction Dw the center axis line CL running in the lengthwise direction DL 20 of the absorb eIn article, and also extends straddling in the lengthwise direction DL the center axis line Cw running in te wi dthwise di reaction Dw of the absorbent article, as viewed filat, and further has a region other than the body fluid absorbing region. The term "body 25 fluid absorbing region" refers to the region corresponding to the location off discharge of body fluids by the wearer when the wearer wears the absorbent article, and it is a region appropriate ely determined for each. type of absorbent article, according to the type of 30 absorbent article, and specifically the type of body fluid discharged by the wearer, such as urine, feces, mestrual blood or th e like, the age and -gender of the wearer, the location and region of contact by the excretory opening of the wearer, the structure of the 35 absorbing layer, and other factors. The body fluid absorbing region TI will usually have a length in the lengthwise direction that is at least about 1/3 Of the - 6 full length of the lengthwise direction DL of the absorbent article, and a length in the widthwise direction that is at least about 1/3 of the full length of the widthwise direction Dw of the absorbent article. 5 Also, the term "region other than the body fluid absorbing region" refers to a region outside the body flu id absorbing region that extends inthe directions of the outer sides in the lengthwise direction and the widthwi se direction from the body fluid absorbrin region, 10 such regions including regions that do not absorb body fluids discharged by the wearer, as well as regions that do not correspond to the location of body fluid discharge bv the wearer but can still absorb body fluids discharged by the wearer. 15 [0016] The light incontinence pad 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invent ion, as shown in Fig. constructed from different members including a surface sheet 2 as the liquid-permeable layer, comprising any 20 desired liquid-permeable sheet, such as a liquidpermeable nonwoven fabric, plastic film or the like, situated on the side facing the skin of the wearer in the thicknes direction D, a back sheet 3 as the li qiimpermeable layer, comprising any desired liquid 25 impermeable sheet, such as a liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric or plastic film, situated on the side not facing the skin of the wearer, an absorbent sheet S, as the absorbing layer, situated between the surface sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 and consisting of an absorbent material 30 including at least an absorbent polymer 6 sandwiched between two licuid---ermeable sheets 7, 7 (for example, air-through nonwoven f fabrics) , a vclodextrin-cont aning ayer, situated between the absorbent sheet SA and the back sheet 3 and cons istingf of a cyc odex Lrin-containing 35 absorber layer 4 including a mixture of cyclodextrin, and absorbent polymer and a irquid-retaining substance (for example, pulp) , sandwiched between two carrier sheets 5, 51 comprising iqijd-permeable sheets (for tissues), a pair of side gather sheets 8, 8' running in the lengthwise direction, folded over so as to sandwich the stack from the surface sheet to the back sheet from 5 both outer sides in the widthwise direction and joined to the stack, and having the edges on the inner side in the widthwi.se direction as free ends so as to form gather sections, and string-like elastic members 9, 9' situated near the fold lines of the pair of side gather sheets 8, 10 8' and being arranged with two at each of the pair of side gather sheets. [0017] For this embodiment, the absorbent sheet SA an sorbing layer) is not particularly restricted so long 15 as it has the function of absorbing and retaining body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer; however, preferablv it is one comprising an absorbent material including at least an absorbent polymer 6 as described above, sandwiched by two liquid-permeable sheets, such as 20 air--through nonwoven fabrics. The term "absorbent polvmer" used here is a polymer that can absorb and retain water, and for example, it may be a polymer having a three-dimensionaI network structure with suitable crosslinking of a water-soluble polymer. Specifically, 25 it may be a starch-based, acrylic acid-based or amino acid-based particulate or fil am.ent ous poI ymer . Because such an absorbent polymer absorbs not only water but also odors containing ammonia components and the ljike, can exhibit a deodorant effect. 30 [0018] Furthermore, the absorbent polymer can be suitably used even as a deodorant component- con training absorbent polymer In which a desired deodorant comp on ent has been integrated witn absorbent polymer particles. Here, 35 "deodorant component" means a component that can adsorb odor components, such as ammonia or dimethylamine, and eliminate the odors caused by such odor components.

Examples of such deodorant components include active carbon; alumina; zeolite; cyclodextrin; and bactericidal deodorant components, such as zeolite substituted with bactericidal metal cations, such as silver or copper, or 5 complexes having quaternary ammonium salt compounds with bactericidal action adhering to the surface of active carbon or alumina, as well as combinations of two or more of such deodorant components. When the urea in urine decomposes by urease enzymes 10 present in the bacteria in urine, ammonia components are generated producing ammonia odor; however, since the aforementioned bactericidal deodorant components act as microbicides against the bacteria in the urine, they can reduce the decomposition of urea by ureases to prevent 15 generation of ammonia odor, and are therefore advantageous deodorant components in this respect. Furthermore, since this effect of preventing generation of ammonia odor can be obtained even when using a microbicide having bactericidal action similar to such 20 bactericidal deodorant components, for example, a microbicide-containing absorbent polymer comprising absorbent polymer particles integrated with a microbicide, obtained, for example, by spraying absorbent polymer particles with an aqueous solution containing 25 such microbicides, may be suitably used for the present invention. [0019] The deodorant component-containing absorbent polymer can be obtained by mixing together and integrating 30 absorbent polymer particles and the deodorant component. The deodorant component-containing absorbent polymer can also be obtained by adding water to absorbent polymer particles to form a water-containing gel and then mixing together and integrating the absorbent polymer in the 35 state of a water-containing gel with the deodorant component. [0020] - 9 According to the present inventi on, absorbent materials that may be used for the absorbent sheet SA (absorbing layer) are not particularly restricted so long as they contain the absorbent polymer, and they include 5 not only absorbent polvmrS but also liquid-retaining substances composed of water-absorbent fibers, such as pulp. When- the absorbent material contains an absorbent polmer an water-absorbent fibers, the content of the absorbent polymer is in the range of 10 to 90% of the 10 mass of the water-absorbent fibers, per unit area of the absorbing layer. According to the present invention, from the viewpoint of efficiently contacting body fluids, such as urIne discharged by the wearer with the cyclodextrin in the cyclodextrin-containing absorber 15 layer situated on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent sheet., the absorbent material used is preferably one containing no liquid-retaining substance, such as pul p. [0021] 20 Also, the liquid-permeable sheet used for the absorbent sheet S (absorbing layer) is nor particularly restricted so long as it is a sheet with liquid permeability, and for example, there may be used a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, such as an air-through 25 nonwoven fabric, spunbond, layered nonwoven fabric (for example, an SBS nonwoven fabric) , tissue or the like. From the viewpoint of I iquid p ermeabili ty, the liquid permeable sheet is preferably an air-through nonwoven fabric. 30 [0022] For the light incontinence pad i of this embodiment, the absorbent sheet SD can be fabricated by a method in whi ch the absorbent polymer 6 (absorbent material) is placed between ttwo 1 quid-permeable sheets 7, 7' coated 35 with an adhesive G, n tne center region in the widthwise direction lD of two liquid-permeable sheets 7, 7', and the region in which the absorbent polymer is disposed (the - 10 absorbent poI ymer-dispo sed region 11) and the region where the absorbent. polymer is not disposed (the non absorbent polymer-disposed region 12) at both edge sides in the widthwise direction Dw of the two liqu-id-permeable 5 sheets 7, 7', after the absorbent polymer has been sandwiched between the two liquid-permeable sheets 7, 7' so that the absorbent polymer is no present in the -regon adj ascent to both sides in the widthwise direction Dw, are folded (also referred to as "frare -ike folded") 10 toward the inner side in the widthwise direction Dw along their respective folding lines running in the lengthwise direction D,. When the non-ab sorbent polymner- disposed regions 12 at both edge sides in the widthwise direction of the two liguid-permeable sheets 7, 7' are folded 15 toward the inner side in the widthwise direction, they may be folded in the direction of either the skin-facing s u race side or the non-skin-facing surface side. By thus folding each non-absorbent polymer-disposed region of the two liquid-permeable sheets sandwiching the 20 absorbent prlymer, it is difficult for the absorbent pol ymer to- - leak from the absorbent sheet, and the sections of the absorbent sheet that are folded (the folded sections) have higher rigidity due to the 4-layer multilayer structure, such that the absorbent sheet will 25 be resistant to deformation even when force is applied from the outer side in the widthwise direction Dw of the absorbent article by, for example, movement of he legs of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn. As a reslt, itis possible to ensur h absorption surface 30 area for body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer, and to maintain satisfactory absorption performance as an absorbent article. [0023] Incidentally, in the absorbent article of t 35 Present invention, the absorbent sheet (absorbig layer) is not limited to the embodiment described above, and for example, it may be formed in a manner in which after the - 11 absorbent material has been held at the center region in the widthwise direction and/or the lengthwi se direction oF the l id- meable sheet, so that one liquid permeable she is folded over and sandwiching it, or so 5 that it is enclosed by 3 or more liqi-permeable sheets, the regions ad-jacent to the center region, being the regions where the absorbent material is not disposed (the non-absorbent material-disposed regions) , are folded toward the inner side in the widthwise direction and/or 10 the lengthwise direction, along the folding lines running in the lengthwise direction and/or the widthwise direction. [0024] Since the absorbent sheet formed in this manner is 15 situated on the lower side of the surface sheet (th non skin-facing surface side), which is the liquid-permeable sheet, when body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer penetrate the surface sheet, the absorbent polymer in the absorbent sheet immediately absorbs odors together 20 with body fluids, such as urine. in addition, since th e absorbent polymer swells at this time, the ickness of the absorbent sheet increases, such that the swelled absorbent polymer acts as a pressure buffer layer even when body pressure has been applied onto the absorbent 25 article by the body weight of the wearer, for example, making it difficult for body fluids absorbed into the absorbent polymer to rewet the surface sheet (liq cuid permeable layer) Furthermore, since the body fluids permeate the absorbent sheet by the action of gravity, it 30 is possible to adequately ensure contact witn cyclodextrin in the cyclodextr-in--containing absorb e r layer situated on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent sheet. In addition, when body fluids pool in the absorbent sheet over long periods, the body fluids 35 diffuse over a. wide area in the in-plane direction of the absorbent sheet, so that the body fluids can contact with th.e cyclodextrin over a wideregion. As a result, it is - 12 possible to more efficiently and more effectively exhibit the deodorant function of cyclodextrin and the sustained release function of the active components of the cyclodextrin complex, in the cyclodextrin-containing 5 absorber layer. [0025] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment is coated with a liquid aromatic agent at the folding sections on 10 both edge sides in the widthwise direction Dw of the absorbent sheet SA, on either one or both of the regions running in the lengthwise direction DL that are sandwiched by the two liquid-permeable sheets 7, 7' (the aromatic coated regions T*, T'Y) . By coating a liquid aromatic 15 agent at these locations, the liquid aromatic agent does not contact with the hot-melt adhesive for anchoring of the absorbent sheet in the light incontinence pad 1, or with the absorbent polymer, and it therefore does not lead to reduction in adhesive force of the adhesive or 20 the absorption performance of the absorbent polymer, allowing the aromatic action of the liquid aromatic agent to be exhibited. In addition, by coating the liquid aromatic agent at a location away from the cyclodextrin in the cyclodextrin-containing layer, the liquid aromatic 25 agent is not easily adsorbed in the non-clathrate cyclodextrin and the aromatic action of the liquid aromatic agent can be consistently exhibited. The liquid aromatic agent to be used in the absorbent article of the present invention is not particularly restricted, and any 30 liquid aromatic agent known in the art, such as a natural aromatic or synthetic aromatic, may be used; however, considering that the absorbent article is to be applied to the human body, it is preferred to use a plant-derived natural aromatic. 35 [0026] In the absorbent article of the present invention, the location where the absorbent sheet (absorbing layer) - 13 is disposed is not part icularIy restricted so long as it between the surface sheet and. the cyclodextrn containing layer, and for example, a separate absorbent sheet may be d disposed at a location on the non---s kin- 5 facing surface side of the cyc lodextrin-containing layer. [0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment. nas an adhesive G for anchoring of thle absorbent polymer 6, intermittently coated on both the 10 iquid-permeable sheet 7 located on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent polymer and the licuidpermeable sheet 7' located on the non--skin-f- acing surface side of the absorbent polymer 6, i-n the abs orent polymer-di sposed region of the absorbent sheet SA. The 15 form of coatingo the adhesive C is not particularly restricted so long as the adhesive G is intermittently coated, and for example, it may be in the form of a plurali t v of lines extending in the lengthwise direction of the liquid-prmeable sheets 7, 7' and aligned in the 20 widthwise di recti on, in the form of a plurality of lines extending in the widthwise direction of the licuidpermeable sheets 7, 7' and aligned in the lengthwise direction, o r In the form of a plurality of dots. The adhesive G is not particularly restricted, and a hot-melt 25 adhesive or the like may be used, for example. When the adhesive G is coated intermittently in this manner in the absorbent polymer-disposed region of the absorbent sheet SA, body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer in the light incontinence pad I permeate 30 through the sections of the liuid-permeable sheet 7 where the adhesive G has not been coated, and are absorbed into the absorbent polymer 6 anchored in the absorbent sheet SA, and therefore they do not inhibit the absorption property of the absorbent sheet SA, and can 35 inhibit movement of the absorbent polymer 6 within the absorbent sheet Si. [0028] - 14 Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the adhesive G in the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment is coated on each of the liquid--permeable sheets 7, 7' in such a manner that the location of the adhesive G coated on the 5 liquid-permeable sheet 7 which is located on the skin facing surface side of the absorbent polymer 6, and the location of the adhesive G coated mn the liquid-permeable sheet 7' which is located on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent polymer 6, do not mutually over-lap 10 in the thickness direction DT. When the adhesive G is coated in this manner, there is less potential for formation or gaps between the liquid-permeable sheet 7 and the liquid-permeable sheet 7', and it is possible to reduce generation of odors resulting from retention of 15 ho dy fluids, such as urine in the gaps. In addition, since body fluids, such as urin tt nave not been absorbed into the absorbent polymer 6 within the absorbent sheet S 7 may flow through the sections of the liquid-permeable sheet 7' that are not coated with the 20 adhesive G, and flow to the non-skin contact surface s de oF the absorbent sheet SA, the body fluids that have flowed out from the absorbent sheet SA can be absorbed by the cyclodextri n-containing layer described below, to-ether with the odors caused by those body fluids. 25 [0029] The absorbent sheet '!" of the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment can be obtained, for example, by intrmtentLy coating the adhesive G On 'e surface of the skin-facing surface side of the liqiid- permeable 30 sheet -7 he t op si de) , avoiding the r gion in which the compressed groove 14 described hereunder is to be foed and placi no the absorbent polymer in the region that has been intermittently coated with the adh"IeSive C, and then the liquid-permeable sheet 7 that has been intermittently 35 coated with the adhesive G on the surface on t.e non skin-facing surface side (the bottom side) is covered over it and -oined th.erewith, after which finally the - 15 non-absorbent polymer-disposed region 12 is folded over. Since the absorbent sheet S A obtained in this manner is not coated with the adhesIv e G for anchoring of the absorbent polymer 6 in the region in which the compressed 5 groove 14 of the liquid-permoable sheet 7' is to be formed, as viewed flat, the absorbent sheet SA has a non absorbent polymer-containing region 13 where tne absorbent polymer 6 is locally absent, within the absorbent polymer-disposed region 11. The area of the 10 non-absorbent polymer-containing region 13 can be appropriately decided according to the aspect of the compressed groove 14 to be formed; however, preferably it is decided so that it lies along the outside of prescribed dimensions (for example, 2 to 5 mm) from the 15 marginal edge of the compressed groove. [0030] In addition, the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment has a compressed groove 14 from the skin facing surface of the surface sheet 2 to at least the 20 interior of the absorbent sheet SA, th compressed groove 14 being formed In the non- absorbent polyme r-containin region 13 as viewed flat. The compressed groove 14 can be-( formed by overlaying the surface sheet 2 (liquid permeable layer) , absorbent sheet SA (absorbing layer) 25 cyclodextrin-containing layer and back sheet (liquid impermeable layer) , and performing heat embossing in the non-absorbent polymer-containing region 13 from the skin facing surface side of the surface sheet 2, as viewed flat. The lower side section at the bottom part of the 30 compressed groove 14 (the non-skin-facino surface side section) has high density sections 15 formed, which have higher fiber density than the surroundings due to the compressing. Since the compressed groove is formed in the non 35 absorbent polymer-containing region, it is possible to prevent. tearing of the surface sheet due to intercalation of the absorbent polymer during comressing. In - 16 addition, since the lower side section at the bottom part of the compressed groove has high density sections formed where the fiber density is higher than the surroundings, body fluids, such as urine that have flowed into the 5 compressed groove can rapidly migrate to the lower side (the non-sin- facing surface s de) by Capi lary action of the hih density sections, allowing the absorption of body fluids and adsorption of odors caused by the body fluids, to be efficiently acco mplished in the 10 cyclodextrin-contaiin located on the lower side (the non skin- facing surfac si de) of the absorbent sheet S A (absorbing layer) Furthermore, the compressed groove may be formed so as to reach from the skin-facing surface of the surface 15 sheet 2 to the interior of the cyclodextrin-containing layer described below, or to the carrier sneet 5' located on the back sheet side of the cyclodextrLn-contaLning layer. When the compressed groove is formed in this manner, it is possible for body fluids, such as urine 20 discharged by the wearer to migrate more rapidly into the cycIodextrin--containing layer, and it is more difficult for caps and twists to be produced between each of the layers of the absorbent article. In addition to the compressed groove, the surface 25 sheet (liguid-permeable layer) may also be provided with protrusions and recesses by embossing or the like. When such protrusions and recesses are provided in the surface sheet., it- s possible to reduce the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the discharged body fluids, 30 thus minimizing skna eruption and the like. [0031] In the igcht incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment, the cyclodextrin-containing layer contains a hot-melt adhesive that bonds at least a portion of the 35 cvclodextrin in the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4 to the carrier sheet 5' located on the non-skin facing surface side of the cyclodextrin (the cycloextrin - 17 nolding sheet , and lies continuously or inter.Mi t tent1v along t hej lengthwise direction DL of the l ight incontinence pad 1 (absorbent article) , while the cvclodextrin-containing layer also has, as viewed flat, 5 an adhesive coated region TH lying in the lengthwise direction D] and the widthwise direction De of the light incontinence pad 1, and a cyclodextrin disposed region T, which is the region where the cyclodextrin is di sposed, l-ing along the lengthwise direction D and tne widthwise 10 direction Dw, both edges ELC, E'LC in the lengthwise direction DL and both edges Ewe, E'we in the widthwise direction Dw of the cvclodextrin disposed region Tc being constructed so as to be located further toward the inner sides in the lengthwise direction D[ and the widthwise 15 direction Dw, respectively, than both edges E-,[., El in the len gthwise direction D T and both edges Ew, E's in the widthwise direction Dw of the adhesive coated region T . [0032] Th1iroughout the present description, "adhesive coated 20 region" means a region as viewed flat in which an adhesive has been coated, and specifically, it refers to a region lying along the lengthwise direct ion DL and widthwise direction D of th e absorbent article, which is the reg-ion enclosed by two imaginary straight lines in 25 the lengthwise direction, connecting the adhesive edges in the wLdthwi se direct on Dw located on the outermost sides, at both sides in the lengthwise direction DL, each along the lengthwise direction DL, and two imaginary straight lines in the widthwise director, -connectini the 30 adhesive edges in the lengthwise direction DL, o cated oi the outermost sides, at both sides in the widthwise direction Dw, each along the widthwise direction D. in Fig. 3, the two imaginary straight lines in the lengthwise direction and the two imaginary straight lines 35 in the wLdthwise direction are only for the sections partitioning the adhesive coated region TH (line segments), and are repr:esented respectively as both edges - 18 EwH, EH in the widthwise direction Dw and both edges ELH, E'LH in the lengthwise direction DL of the adhesive coated region TH. [0033] 5 From the viewpoint of contact eff i ciecy between nody fluids discharged by the wearer and cyclodextrin, as shown in Fig. 3, the adhesive coated region

T

H is preferably, as viewed flat, the region straddling in the widthwise direction Dw the center axis line CL that runs 10 in the lengthwi se direction DL Of the absorbent article, and extending in the widthwise direction Lw, and straddling in the l e-ngthwise direction D)- the center axis line Cw that runs in the widthwise direct ion DW of th e absorbent article, and extending in the lengthwise 15 direction D], being a region overlapping with the body fluid absorbing region T; of the absorbent article, and more preferably it: is a region fully inciuoing the body fluid absorbing region TA. [0034] 20 Also, throughout the present description, "cyclodextrin disposed region" means a region, as viewed flat, in which cyclodextrin is disposed on the surface of the cyclodextrin holding sheet, and specifically, it refers to a region lying along the lengthwise direction D 25 and widthwise direction D, which is the region enclosed bv two imaginary straight lines in the lengthwise direction connecting the cyclodextrin edges in the widthwise direction Dw Iocated on the outermost sides, each in the lengthwise direction D at both sides in the 30 lengthwise direction DL, and two imaginary straight lines in the widthwise direction con'necting the cyclodextrin enegs in the lengthwise direction D located on the outermost sides, each in the widthwise direction Dw, at both sides in the widthwise direction Dw. In Fig. 3, the 35 two imaginary straight lines in the Iengthwise direction and the two imaginary straight lines in the widthw.i se direction are only for the sections partitioning the - 19 cyclodextrin disposed. region Te (line segments), and are reoresented respectively as both edges Ewc, E'wc in the widthwise direction Dw and both edges ETe, E'Te in the lengthwise direction D 1 of the cyclodextrin disposed 5 region Tc. [0035] From the viewpoint of increasing contact efficiency between body fluids discharged by the wearer and cyclodextrin, as shown in Fin. 3, the cyclodextrin 10 disposed region Te is preferably, as viewed flat, a region straddling in the widthwise direct on D the center axis line C that runs in the lengthwise direction DL of the absorbent article, and extending in the widthfwi se direction Dw, and straddling in the lengthwise direction 15 D[ the center axis line C E that runs in the widthwise direction Dw of the absorbent article, and extending in the lengthwise direction DL, being a region overlapping with the body fluid absorbing region TA of the absorbent article, and ore preferably it is a region fully 20 including the body rluid absorbing region TA. If the cyclodextrin disposed region Te is the region fully including the body fluid absorbing region TA or te absorbent article, t body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer will easily contact with the 25 cyclodextrin, allowing the deodorant function o cvclodext.rin and the sustained release f unction of thne aromatic to be more reliably exhibit ted. [0036] In tihe light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment., 30 the cyclodextrin in the cyclodextrin-containing la er is partially -joined with the carrier sheet 5' (cyclodextrin holding sheet) composed of a tissue or thoe like by the adhesive, and as viewed flat, both edges E-_, Ehe in the lengthwise direction D, and both edges EwE E'wc in the 35 widthwise direction Dw of the cyclodextrin disposed region T have a structure suchi that they are located further toward the inner sides in the lengthwise direction De and the widthwise direction Dw, respectively, than both edges ELH, E'LH -n engthwse directon L and both edges EH, E H in the widthwise directon Dw of the adhesive coated region TH, and therefore in te section where the 5 cyclodextrin is retained in the carri er sheet 5' by the adhesive, it is more difficult for the cyclodextrin in the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4 to move in the in-plane direction cof the carrier sheet 5', while in the section where the cyclodextrin is not retained in the 10 carrier sheet 5' by the adhesive, the cyclodextrin in the cvclodextr in-containing absorber layer 4 can move to a certain extent in the in-plane direction of the carr er sheet 5, although it is core difficult for it to move further toward the outer side due to the adhesive located 15 on the outer sides beyond both edges E, E e in the lengthwise direction D and bothY edges EWe, E WC in tIe widthwise direction Dw of the cyclodextrin disposed regi on Tc Consequ, ently, the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment can keep the cyclodextrin in the cyclodextrin 20 containing layer within the adhsive coated region TH defined by the adhes ve, allowing maldistribution of t cvclodextr in to be effectively prevented. As a result, the licht incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment allows nody fluids, sucn as urine discharged by the wearer to be 25 consistently contacted with the cyclodextrin, so that the deodorant function (the odor component adsorption function) of the cyclodextrin and the sustained release function for active components, such as aromatics can be stably and adequately exhibited. 30 [0037] Incidental' ly, in the licht incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment, the structure is such that both edges ELc, E in the lengthwise direction Dr and both edges Ewe, we in the widthwise direction Dd of the cyclodextrin 35 disposed regi on

T

c are lcated -further toward the inner side in the lengthwise direction

T

a and the widthwise direction Dw, than both edges ELH, LH in the lengthwise direction and both edges EWH, 5 'WH in the widthwise direction Dw of the adhesive coated region TH, re spectively; however, the absorbent article of the present invent ion is not limited to such a structure, and 5 it may have a structure in which either both edges Ee, E i in the lengthwise direction D, or both edges Ewe, E We in the widthwise direction Dw of the cyclodextrin disposed ren e Te are located further toward the inner side in the lengthwise direction DL or the widthwise direction Dw than 10 both edges ELH, E LH in the lengthwise direction or both edges EWH, E'W in the widthwise d-irection Dw of the adhesive coated region TH. In an absorbent e having such a structure as we 1, it is possib le to keep the cyclodextrin in the cyclodextrin-containing layer to a 15 certain extent within the adhesive coated region TH defined b1y the adhesive, allowing maldistribution of the cvclodext.rin to be adequately prevented. [0038] As mentioned above, the cyclodextr in-containing 20 layer in the light incontinence pad i of this embodiment has a structure wherein the cyclodextrin---containing absorber layer 4 containing the cyclodextrin and the mixture of the absorbent polymer and the liquid---retaining substance is sandwiched between carrier sheets 5, 5' 25 consisting of two liquid-permeable sheets; however, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the cyclodextrin containing layer may have a construction such that cyclodextrin in any desired form, such as particulate 30 powder, together with the absorbent polymer and/or the liquid--retaining suilstance if necessary, is sandwiched by folding a single liquid-permeable sheet, or is enclosed by 3 or more liquid-permeable sheets, or is covered from the non-skin- facing surface side by a single liquid 35 permeable sheet cyclel odextrin cover sheet) , as in the second embodiment described below. Also, when a plurality of liquid-permeable sheets are used as carrier - 22 sheets, each of the liquid-permeable sheets used may be the same type of liquid-permeable sheet, or different types of liquid- permeable sheets may be used. [0039] 5 The liquid-permeable sheet to be used for th carrier sheet of the present invention may be any desired sheet-like fiber structure, such as a nonwoven fabric (including tissues) , woven fabric or the like, composed of aggregates of fine fibers, such as pulp. The basis 10 weight of the fiber structure is not particularly restricted; however, from the viewpoint of liquid permeability and preventing outflow of cyciodextrin, it S 2 is 1 to 50 g/m, preferably to 3gm or even more preferably 10 to 20 g/m 2 , for example. 15 [0040] The fiber structure preferably has interfiber distances of a. level such that body fluids discharged from the wearer can permeate and such that the cyclodextrin ooes not pass between the constituent fibers 20 of the fiber structure and flow out from the cyclodextrin- containing layer (for example, distances smaller than the particle diameters of the particulate powder of cvclodextrin) Examples of such a fiber struct-ure include fiber structure s in which intefi ber 25 distances of 1 to 300 pm make up at least of the total, and prefeably fiber st uc tres i-n whi interfiber distances of 10 to 150 tm make up at least 90% or the total. [0041] 30 The interfiber distances i n the hfIer structure can be measured using a mercury porosimeter (product of Shimadzu Corp.), based on the mercury porosimetry method (JIS R 1655) . The mercury porosimetry method provides information relating to the structure or a fiber 35 structure, by measuring the pressure applied to mercury nj ected between consti t fibers of a fiber structure that is to be measured with mercury, and the volume of mercury pressed into the spaces between the constituent fibers of the fiber structure. [0042] Specifically, the interfiber distances of a fiber 5 structure can be measured by the following procedure using a mercury porosimeter. 1) The fiber structure to be measured is cut to a size of 24 mm x 15 mm to prepare a measuring sample. Th ree measuring sampIles are prepared. 10 2) The three measuring samples are set n the sample ceIl of the mercury porosimeter (product of Shimadzu Corp.) without overlapping, and then the pressure on the mercury is gradually varied while measuring the volume of mercury that has been pressed into the spaces (i.e. the 15 pores) between the contituent fibers of the fiber structure i.e., the pore volume) . The measurement is conduct-ed in an environment of 22CC, 65% RH. 3) The diameter D (pm) of the pores (that is, the interfiber distance (Lm) of the fiber structure) is 20 calculated by the following formula (1) , and the relationship between the diameter D and the pore volume is obtained as a distribunion curve for the diameter D integral curve) Th measuring conditions for formula (1) below are a mercury surface tension of 0.483 N/r, a 25 contact angle of 1.30', and a mercury pressure of C to 414 MPa (absolute pressure) [Mathematical 11 D 4reo a /P -- - (1) (In the formula, D represents the diameter (interfiber 30 distances) , y represents the surface tension or mercury, 0 represents the contact angle and P represents the pres sure.) 4) based on the obtained distribution curve for the diameter D, the ratio of the volume of pores with diameter D of 1 to 300 pm (or 10 to 150 pm) with respect to the total volume of pores of diameter D of 0 to 500 pm 5 is calculated. 5) The procedure of 2) to 4) is repeated 3 times, and the average value for the obtained volume ratios is recoroe as the percentage (%) of interfiber distances of 1 to 300 pm (or 10 to 150 [pm) among the total. 10 [0043] Also, in the cyclodextrin-containing aver for the eight incontinence pad 1 of this emb1odiment, the cyclodextr in in the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4 is partially joined by an adhesive with the 15 carrier sheet 5' made of a tissue or the l ke disposed on the non-skin- facing surface side of the cyclodextrin; however, the manner of joining the cyclodextrin and the carrier sheet (liquid-permeable sheet) in the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to tnis 20 manner, and for example, the cyclodextrin may be joined to a liquid-permeable sheet disposed on tihe skin-facing surface side of the cyclodextrin, or the cyclodextrin may be joined to liquid-permeable sheets disposed on both the skin-faino surface side and the non-skin-facing surface 25 side of the cyclodextrin. [0044] Here, "cyclodextrin" is a cyclic oligosaccharide of glu copyranose units inked by c-1, 4 bonds, and generally when the number of glucopyranose units per cyclodextrin 30 molecule is 6 it is referred to as C-cyclodextrin, when it is 7 it is referred to as 0-cyclodextrin, and when it is 8 it is referred to as y-cvclodextrin. The cvclodextrin can clathrate other molecules within is cyclic structure (for example, active components, such as 35 aromatic and deodorant components, or odor components in excreta) , by the presence of moisture and the like, while - 25 it can also release other clathrated molecules by external action, such as environmental variation. The cyclodextr in to be used In th absorbent articIe of the present inventi on is not particularly restricted, and may 5 be a-, P-, y-cyclodextrin and/or a mixiture thereof, or chemically modifi ed (for examv ple, methylated or acetylated) a-, $-, y-cyclodextrin and/or a mixture thereof. For the absorbent article of the present invent ion, cyclodextrin" includes not only non-clathrate 10 cyclodextrin but also cyclodextrin holding various active components, such as aromatics. [0045] The cyclodextrin in le absorbent article of the present invention is preferably cyclodextrin holding a 15 desired aromatic, such as a natural aromatic or synthetic aromatic. The cyclodextrin holding such an aromatic, when contacted with body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer, has the function of gradually relea sing the aromatics held in the cyclodextrin, and therefore the 20 released aromatics can mask the odors of body fluids, while the non-clathrated cyclodextrin after release of the aromatics can adsorb odor components, such as ammonia components in the body fluids. Consequently, using cyclodextrin holding such aromatics can effectively 25 inhibit odors produced from body fluids, such as urine that are di charged by the wearer. [0046] The aromatic to be held in the cyclodextrin is not particularly restricted, and any aromatic known in the 30 art, sucn as a natural aromatic or synthetic aromatic, may e used; however, considering that the absorbent article is to be applied to the human body, it is preferred to use a plant-derived natural aromatic. F;urtermore, the aromatic to be held in the cyclodextrin 35 is preferably the same component aS the aforementioned liquid aromatic agent. When the aromatics are the same component, body fluids, such as urine dischar:ged by the wearer will contact with the cvcl odextrin hoding the aromatics, and even if the ar:omatics are released from the cyclodextrin, there will be no change in the aroma due to mixing or different aromas generated by the 5 aromatics, and no production of unpleasant aromas as a result of mixing of multi-ple aromas. In addition, wnen bodv fluids, such as urine have been di scharged by the wearer, aromas are generated by the aromatic released from the cyclodextrin, in addition to the aroma from the 10 liquid aromatic agent, and therefore the aroma emitted from the absorbent article is augmented, and odors during discharge of body fluids can be more forcefully masked. [0047] Furthermore, when non-clathrate c yclodex I i 15 (cyclodextrin not holding aroratics and aromatic-holding cyclodextrin are used in combination in the abSorbent article of the presen-t in-vention, it is posso ensure at least a given amount of non-clathrate cyclodextrin in the absorbent article, in addit ion to the 20 effect of the aromatic-holding cvclodextrin, and therefore the adsorbing action of the non-clathrate cvclodextrin fnr odor components can be more reliably exhibited and the deodorant effect of the absorbent article can be further increased. The non-clathrate 25 cyclodextrin is preferably used in a proportion of to 50 massi to the total amount of cyclodextrin used. Incidentally, "aromatic-holding cyclodextrLn" includes clathrate complexes wherein the aromaic is clathrated inside the cyclic structure or the cVclodextrin moiecuie, 30 and associations of cyclodextrin molecules and aromatics y differ nt in ermolecular forces or intermolecular interact Iin [0048] The form of the cyclodextrin used in the absorbent 35 article of the Present invention is not particularly restricted and. various forms thereof may be used; however, from the viewpoint of di spersibi lity and ease of - 2 7 production during handling, and increase d contact efficiency with body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer, it is preferably used as a cyclodextrin particulate powder with the particle size adjusted using 5 a binder, such as maltocyclodextrin, pullulan or gum arabic. The particle size of the cyclodextrin part iulate powder is not particularly restricted, and for example, it may be about 5 pm to 300 pm and oreferablv 10 pm to 100 pm; however, most: preferably it 10 has a particle size that is larger than the interfiber distance in the fiber structure composing the carrier sheet (liqd-permeable sheet) that is adjacent to the cyclodextrin. When the particle size of the cyclodextrin particulate powder is larger t han the interfiber distance 15 of the fiber structure composing the carrier sneet, this can prevent the cyclodextrin particulate powder from passing through the constituent fibers of the fiber structure and flowing out from the cycl odextrin containing layer, thereby allowing the deodorant function 20 of the cyclodextrin and the sustained release function for active components, such as aromatic to be stable and adequately exhibited. [0049] Incidentally, the particle size of the cyclodextrin 25 particulate powder can be measured by dry laser diffraction scattering using a laser dif fact / 0/scattering particle size distribution analyzer (for example, an MT3300EXII Mi'crotrac by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) . Dry laser diffraction scattering is a method 30 in which a powder sample is rrradiated with ase r licht while being dispersed in air and the volume- based particle size distribution is measured from the diffraction scattering pattern, and for the purpose of the present description, the media an diameter (D50 35 obtained Irom the particle size distribution is used as the particle size of the particulate powder. The specific measuring conditions for dry laser diffraction scattering are as follows. Measuring frequency: One time Measuring time: 10 seconds Dspersion pressure 100 kPa 5 Particle permeability: Permeable Particle refractive index: 1.81 Particle shape: Non-spherical Solvent: Air Solvent refracive index: 1.00 10 Measurement range: 0.243 to 2000 pim [0050] Also, in addition to the non-clathrate cyclodextrin and aromatic-holding cyclodextrin, the cyclodextrin particulate powder may include small amounts (for 15 example, up to 10 mass%) of cyclodextrin and/or binders holding optional active components, such as deodorant components, or of optional functional components, such as absorbing components (for example, pulp or absorbent polymers) , and adsorbing components (for example, 20 zeolite, silica gel or active carbon) . Examples of such active coirponents include deodorant components and antibacterial components known in the art, as well as mixtures thereof. Cyclodextrin holding such active components also includes clathr-ate complexes wherein the active components are clathrated inside the cyclic structure of the cyclodextrin mol ecule, and associations of cyclodextrin molieculies and the active components by different i nerolecular forces or intermolecular in fraction 30 [0051] Cvclodextrin hol ding the active components (that is, cyclodextrin complexes) have the function of gradually reLeasi ng the act-ive components held in the cyclodextrin ov contacting with moisture in body fluids, such as urine 35 discharged by the wearer, and thereby e xhibiting the action of the active compoinns. Such cyclodexLrin complexes can be easily obtained by, for example, adding aromatics or active components to a solution containing non-clathrate cyclodextrin, ancd stirr-ing and mixing them. The presence or absence of cyclodextrin clahraes can be confirmed by elemental analysis using X -rays, or the 5 like. [0052] In the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment, the cyclodextrin-containing laver has a structure where in the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4 comprising 10 th e aforementioned cyclodextrin and a mixture of the absorbent polymer and the liqud-retaining substance (fo example, pulp) , is sandwiched between carrier sheets 5, 5' consisting of two liquid-permeable sheets (for example, tissues) located on the skin-facing surface side 15 and the non-skin-facing surface side of the cyclodextrin containing absorb ler 4, and at least a portion of the cvclodextrin in the cyclodextrin-contaiinng absoorber layer 4 is held o the surface of the skin-facing surface side of the carrier- sheet 5' (cyclodextrin ho ling sheet) 20 located on the non---skin-facing surface side of the cyclodextrin--containing absorber layer 4, by a hot-melt adhesive. If the cyclodextrin-containing layer is constructed in this manner, when body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer have reached the 25 cyclodextrin-containing layer, the body fluids will migrate to the section on the lower side (no n-skin- facing surface side) in the cyclodext-rin-containing absorber layer 4 by the action of gravity, pooling in that section, and therefore the body fluids pooled in that 30 section will be able to form a state allowing easy contact with the cyclodextrin he d on the surface of the skin---facing surface side of the carrier sheet 5', thus allowing the deodort fnction of -e cyclodextrin and the sustained release function of the active components, 35 such as aromatics to be more efficiently and more effectively exhibited. [0053] - 30 The cyclodextrin-containing layer can be obtained by inig the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4 including the cyclodextrin and thoe mi, xture of the absorbent polymer and the licu d-retaining substance, to 5 the two carrier sheets 5, 5' usin-g a hot-melt adhesive. Specify call] y, the cyclodextrin-containinc layer can be obtained by pe-forming an sive-coating step in which the carrier sheet 5' coni- stng of a tiJssue or tne like (cyclodextrin holding sheet) is set with the side that is 10 to be the side cing the skin of the wearer facing upward, and the adheSi1e is coated onto the surface of the skin--facing surface side of the ca rrier sheet 5' while the carrier sheet 5' is in a stationary state or while being conveyed along the direction corresponding to 15 the lengthwise direction D, of the light incontinence pad 1, a cyclodextrin-disposing st ep in which the cvclodextrin is cisposed on at least the surface of the a adhesive in the adhesive coated region TH that has been coated with the adhesive, a cyclodextrin-containing 20 absorber layer- orming step in which a mixture of the absorbent polymer and a liuid--retaining substance (for example, pulp) is diSposed on at least the surface of the adhesive and t.e cyclodextrin in the adhesive coated region Ti of the carrier sheet 5'to form the 25 cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4, and a carrie sheet-placing st ep in which the carrier sheet 5 is placed on the surface of the skin- facing surface side of the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4, either with or without an adhesive. 30 [0054] In the cvclodextrin-disposing step, the metod for disposing the cyclodextr-in on the surface of the adhesive that has been coated on the carrier sheet i s not particularly restri acted, and may be placement as the 35 aforementioned particulate powder, placement in a form dispersed in a dispersing medium (for example, polysiloxane oil, miner-al oil or the like) , or placement - 31 in the form of a solution dissolved in a solvent (for example, a diol, such as propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol or , 3--butanediol, or an esteric organic solvent, such as triethyl citrate or diethyl phthalate). 5 [0055] Also, in the cyclodextrin-disposing step, the means for disposing the cyclodextrin is not particularly restricted and may be coat~irig in any desired manner, such as spraying or coating in gripes, omega shapes 10 or the like using a non-contact system or contact coaster, for example. The cyclodextrin may be coated without gaps in the vclo dextrin disposed region Tc, as viewed flat, or it may be coated in such a manner that multiple regions without cyclodextrin (that is, cyclodextrin-absent 15 regions) are formed inthe cyclodextrin disposed region IT. Most preferably, the coating is such that the cvclodextrin disposec region Te inci0des an overlapping region that overlaps with the body fluid absorbing region TA of the absorbent article, and multiple cyclodextrin 20 absent regions are formed within the overlapping region. When such cvclodextrin- absent regions are formed, those reg-ions function as channels for body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer, and therefore the body fluids are not blocked by the cyclodextrin-containing 25 absorber laver and can permeate in te thickness direction D- of the absorbent article. As a result, the absorbent article of the present in-vention can exhibit excellent absorption pe rformance along with the deodorant function. 30 [0056] Furthermore, the amount of cyclodextrin coated for the absorbent article of the present invention is not particularly restricted and may be appropriately decided according to the desired deodorant performance and 35 absorption performance, as an amount of, for example e, 20 mg to 100 mg per absorbent article. Also, from the viewpoint of increasing opportunity Of contact between - 32 body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer and the cyclodextrin., the cyclodextrin is preferably disposed in the region that fully includes the body fluid absorbing region TA of the absorbent article as viewed 5 flat, as shown in Fig. 3. [0057] For this embodiment, the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4 in the cyclodextrin-containing layer contains cyclodextrin and a mixture of the absorbent 10 polymer and the liquid-retaining substance, and functions as an absorbing layer. Also for this embodiment, the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer is not particularly restricted so long as it is a layer containing cyclodextrin and having an absorbing pro-perty; 15 however, the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer preferably contains cyclodextrin, anTd a mixture of an absorbent. nolymer and pulp. When this embodiment is used as the cvclodextr in-containing absorber layer, the pulp aggregates that are in the cyclodextrin-containing 20 absorber layer act to diffuse body fluids that have reached the cyclodextrin---containing absorber layer, throughout a wide range in the cyclodextrin-conLaining absorber layer by capillary movement, thereby allowing the body fluids to be absorbed and retained in a wide 25 range of locations in the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer and allowing excellent absorption performanceto be obtained for the absorbent article, anTd furthermore since body fluids can be absorbed and retained in the cyclodextrin-containino absorber layer, 30 even with a large amount of body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer, the body fluids retained inside the cyclodextri n---containing absorbr layer can reliably contact with th cyclodextrin in tE cyclodextrin containing absorber layer for prolonged periods. 35 [0058] Moreover, the contents or the absorbent polymer and the liquid-retaining substance in the cyclodextrin- - 33 containing absorber layer are not particularly restricted but are preferably no greater than 60 parts by mass and at least 40 parts by mass, respectively, ba sed on their total of 100 parts by mass. If the absorbent polymer 5 content in the cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer is 60 parts by mass or less, it will be easier for body fluids to be present that have not- been absorbed into the absorbent. polmer, and therefore the amount of bodv fluid that can contact with the cyclodextrin and the contact 10 time will increase, while if the liquid-retaining substance content is at least 40 parts by mass, it will be easier for the body fluids to diffuse over a wider range by capillary movement of the liquid---retai ni ng substance, and therefore the body fluids and cyclodextrin 15 will be able to contact over a wider range of area. [0059] In the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment, the cyclodextrin-containino absor-ber layer 4 has at least a port ion of the cyclodextrin in the cyc lodextr-in 20 containing absorber layer 4 joined to the carrier sheet 5' (cyclodextrin holding sheet) by a hot-melt adhesive; however, the adhesive used for joining of the cyclodextrin and the cyclodextrin holding sheet in the absorbent article of the present invention is not 25 particularly restricted and may be any desired adhesive known in the prior art. [0060] Also, the adhesive in the light incontinence pad I of this embodiment is disposed so as to extend in the 30 lengthwise direction DL between the carrier sheet 5' (cyclodextrin holding sheet) and the cyclodextrin containing absorber layer 4, and aligned in multiple rows in the widthwise direction Dw. When the adhesive is disposed in this manner, regions where no adheSivTe is 35 present (that is, adhesi\e-absent regions) are partially formed. in the adhesive coated region Tf, as viewed flat, and those regions function as channels for body fluics, - 3 4 such as urine discharged by the wearer, and therefore the body fluids can permeate to the non-skin-facing surface side of the thickness direction D- while diffusinc in the lengthwise direction D 1 of the cyclodextrin holding sheet, 5 without beino, blocked by the adhesive, and furthermore when the body fluids permeate from the skin-facing surface side to the non-skin-facing surface side of the cvcl odext rin holding sheet, the permeation withO diffuion1 in the in-plane ir ecti-on of the cyclodxtrin holding 10 sheet allows the body f fluids t hat ave d if fused in the in-plan di re ion of the cyclodextrin holding sheet to contact the cyclodextrin over a wide range of locations. As a result, the absorbent article of the present invention is provided with satisfactory absorption 15 performance as an absorbent article, while allowing the deodorant function and aromatic sustained release function of the cyclodextrin to be more effectively and more efficiently exhibit ted. [0061] 20 In the light incontinence pad 1 of this embodiment, the manner of coating the adhesive is not particularly restricted and may be any desired manner, such as, for example coating in a inear solid line or broken line fashion as straight- or wavy-line, spiral, zigzag or 25 omega shapes, in a dotted fashion, or as geometri patter-ns, such as a lattice pattern, as viewed flat. Also, the adhesive used to join the cyclodextrin and the cvclodextrin holding sheet may be coated on the cyclodextrin holding sheet Over the entire surface (i.e. 30 matte coating), in such a manner that the adhesive is present without caps in the adhesive coated region TH, as viewed fla. If the adhesive is coated in such a matte coatino style, the adhesive wil 1 rrmeate between the cons i tuent fibers of the fiber structure composing the 35 cvclodextrin holding sheet and will fill the gaps in the fiber structure, thereby making it diffficul t ffor the cyclodextrin held in the cycl odextr in holding sheet to - 35 penetrate the liquid-permeable sheet and flow out from the cyclodextrin-containing layer, while also increasing the strength of the liquid-permeable sheet to minimiZe rupture when worn, and helping to prevent constriction by 5 heat As a result, the absorbent article of the present invention can stably maintain the structure of the cyclodextrin-containing layer, and therefore thne deodorant function and aromatic sustained release function of the cyclodextrin in the cyclodextrin 10 containing layer can be more stably and reliably eib it ed Incidentally, in an absorbent article having a structure where the cyclodextrin is joined to a sheet located on the skin-- facing surface side of the cyclodextrrin, as in the second embodiment described 15 below, it is not desirable for the adhesive to be matte coated onto the cyclodextrin holding sheet as described above, because the iquid permeability -f the cyclodextrin holding sheet will be blocked by the adhos ive. 20 [0062] Also, for the absorbent article of the present invention, the coating amount of the adhesive is not particularly restricted and may be decided as appropriate for the desired bonding strength, liquid d permeabilitv and 25 deodorant performance, and it may be, for example, 1 to 40 g/,, preferably 2 to 20 g/m2 and even more preferably 4 to 10 gj /-m 2 [0063] A second. embodiment of the present invention will 30 now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1, as a plan view of a light incontinence pad according to the first embodiment of the present invention, is also a plan view-v of a light incontinence pad according to the second embodiment of 35 the Present invention. Also, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of a light incontinence pad according to the second embodiment of the present invention, along line - 36 LI-Il in Fig. 1. The light incontinence pad 1 of the second embodiment has the same constructLion as the embodiment described above, ex cept ta the layer containining the cyclodextrin (the cyclodextrin-containing 5 absorber layer 4 in the first embodiment) is a cyclodextrin layer 4' composed of cyclodextrin alone, at least a portion oth cVcIodextrin is he-l.d on the urface of the non-ski--facing surface side (the holding surface) of the l'iqi d-pnermeable sheet 7' located between 10 the surface sheet 2 and the cyclodextrin layer 4', and the liquid-permeable sheet 7' holds an absorbent material, such as the absorbent polymer 6 on the surface on the opposite side from the holding surface, forming the absorbent sheet SA (absorbing layer) together with the 15 liquid-permeable sheet 7 situated on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent material, and the cvclodext.rin being covered from the non-skin-facing surface side by a cyclodextrin-cover ng sheet 10 composed of a liquid-permeable sheet, such as tissue (that is, the 20 cvclodextrin-containing layer includes the cvclodextrin layer 4' and a cyclodextrin-covering sheet 10) [0064] Since the layer containing the cyclodextrin in the light incontinence pad 1 of this embod imen t is composer 25 of cyclodextrin alone, thiS can increaSe the opportunity for body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer to contact with the cyclodextrin, whl.ile the thickness of the layer containing the cyclodextri cant be reduced and it is s bible to realize desired product designs with 30 snal h icknesses adapted for different absorption amount s. [0065] M or e over, in the light incontinence pad 1 of this embnodiment, at least a portion of the cyclodextrin is 35 held on the holding su-lfface of the non-skin--facing surface side of the iquid-permeable sheet 7' located between the surface sheet and the cyclodextrin layer 4 37 and the liqud-permeable sheet 7' holds an absorbent material 1 , such as the absorbent polymer 6 on the surface on the side opposite the holding surface (that is, the surface on the skin-facing surface side) , forming the 5 absorbent sheet SA (absorbing layer) together with the liquid-permeable sheet 7 situated on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent material. If the light incontinence pad 1 is constructed in this manner, when body fluids, such as urine discharged by the wearer have 10 reached the absorbent. sheet A, the body fluids migrate to the section on the lower side in th- absorbent sheet SA (the non-skin--facing surface side) by the action of gravity, pooling in that section, and therefore the body fluids that have pooled in that section gradually 15 cerreate into the liquid-permeable sheet 7, while dif -Fsig in the inpnlane direction of the absorbeti sheet Sj., allowing the body fluids to contact wi th the cyclodext rin held on the non-skin-facing surface side of the liquid-permeab'e s'eet 7 across a wider range of 20 area. As a result, it is possible to more efficient ly and more effectively exhibit the deodorant function or cyclodextrin and the sustained release function for the active components, such as aromatics. [0066] 25 Incidentally, in the light incontinence pad 1 of the second embodiment, the aebsorbentset SA may be fabricated in the same manner as the absorbent sheet of the light incontinence pad 1 of the first embodiment described above. Also according to the second 30 embodiment, a hot-melt adhesive may be coated on toe surface of the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent sheet SA (that is, the holding surface f the l qu id permeable sheet 7' on the non-s kin-facing surface side forming the absorbent sheet) , along the direction 35 corresconding to the lengthwise director DL o fthe light incont inence pad 1, and then cyclodextr.in disposed or at least the surface of the adhesive in the adhesive coated - 38 region TH where the adhesive has been coated, to form the cyclodextr in layer 4', and the cyclodextrin layer 4' may h further covered with _ the cyclodextrin---covering sheet 10 consisting of a liqui-permeable sheet, to obtain a 5 cyclodextrin-containing layer including the cyclodextrin containing absorber layer 4 and the cyclodextrin-covering sheet 10 joined to 'he absorbent sheet 5 A. [0067] In addition, since the light incontinence pad 1 of 10 this embodiment nas the cyclodextrin held in the liquid permeable sheet 7' covered from the non--skin-facing surface side by the cyclodextrin---covering sheet 10 consisting of a liquid---permeable sheet, such as a tissue, the cyclodextrin can be consistently held on the holding 15 surface of the liquid-permeable sheet 7', and the deodoranit function and active sustained re ease function for active components, such as aromatics, can be stably exhibited by the cyclodext in. [0068] 20 For the cyclodextrin- covering sneet 10 of this embodiment there is preferably used a fiber structure or the same material as the carrier sheet of the light incontinence pad 1 of the first embodiment described above, such as a tissue. When such a fiber structure is 25 used as the cyclodextrin-covering sheet 10, the body fluids that have re ached theyclodextrin-covering sheet 10 can be diffused in the in -plane direction of the cYclodext.rin-coverIng sheet 10, and therefore the body fluids can contact with the cyclodextrin located on the 30 skin- f ac Iur f e side of the cyclodextrin-covering sheet 10 over a wide range of area. When the aforementioned fiber structure is used as the cyclodextrin-covering sheet 10, the fiber struct-ure pr e ferably has interfiber distances of sizes such that 35 the cvclodext.rin does not pass through the cost iuent fibers of the fiber structure (for example, smaller than the particle size of the cycle odextrin particulate - 39 powder). [0069] The present invention can be applied not only to a light incontinence pad according to the different 5 embodiments described above, but also to various types of absorbent articles, such as panty liners, sanitary napkins and disposable diapers. Furthermore, the absorbent article of the present invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above and can 10 incorporate appropriate combinations and modifications within a range that is not outside of the object and gist of the present invention. Incidentally, the ordinal terms "first" and "second" as used throughout the present description serve merely to distinguish between the 15 numbered embodiments and are not used to mean any relative ordering, precedence or importance. [0069a] Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification (including 20 the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or group thereto. 25 Reference Sign List [0070] 1 Light incontinence pad (absorbent article) 2 Surface sheet (liquid-permeable layer) 3 Back sheet (liquid-impermeable layer) 30 4 Cyclodextrin-containing absorber layer 4' Cyclodextrin layer 5 Carrier sheet 5' Carrier sheet 6 Absorbent polymer (absorbent material) 35 7 Liquid-permeable sheet on skin-facing surface side - 39a 7' Liquid-permeable sheet on non-skin-facing surface side 8, 8' Side gather sheets 9, 9' String-like elastic members 10 Cyclodextrin cover sheet 5 11 Absorbent polymer-disposed region 12 Non-absorbent polymer-disposed region 13 Non-absorbent polymer-containing region 14 Compressed groove 15 High density section 10 G Adhesive TA BodY fuid absorbing region Tc Cyclodextrin disposed region TH Adhesive coated reciDon

T

F T F Aromatic--disposed regions

Claims

1. An absorbent article including a liquid permeable layer, a liquid-impermeable layer, an absorbing layer located between both layers, and a cyclodextrin 5 containing layer located between the absorbing layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, the absorbing layer having a lengthwise direction, a widthwise direction and a thickness direction and comprising an absorbent polymer, a liquid 10 permeable sheet holding the absorbent polymer, an adhesive for anchoring of the absorbent polymer to the liquid-permeable sheet and an aromatic present in the edge regions of the absorbing layer in the widthwise direction, 15 the absorbing layer being formed by having the absorbent polymer sandwiched by the liquid-permeable sheet in the thickness direction, having an absorbent polymer-disposed region at the center region in the widthwise direction and a non-absorbent polymer-disposed 20 region adjacent to the absorbent polymer-disposed region in the widthwise direction, the liquid-permeable sheet being folded over toward the inner side in the widthwise direction by folding lines running in the lengthwise direction in the non-absorbent polymer-disposed region, 25 and the aromatic being present in the region sandwiched in the thickness direction by the liquid-permeable sheet, between the folding lines and the widthwise edges of the liquid-permeable sheet, and the adhesive being coated intermittently 30 on the liquid-permeable sheet and being coated on the liquid-permeable sheet in such a manner that the coating locations on the liquid-permeable sheet located on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent polymer and the coating locations on the liquid-permeable sheet located 35 on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent polymer do not overlap each other in the thickness direction. - 42

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbing layer contains no pulp fiber.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 5 2, wherein the absorbing layer has a non-absorbent polymer-containing region where the absorbent polymer is locally absent in the absorbent polymer-disposed region, as viewed flat, and the absorbent article has a compressed groove running from the skin-facing surface of 10 the liquid-permeable layer to at least the interior of the absorbing layer, the compressed groove being formed in the non-absorbent polymer-containing region as viewed flat. 15

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claim 1 to 3 wherein the cyclodextrin-containing layer includes a cyclodextrin complex comprising aromatic holding cyclodextrin, and non-aromatic-holding cyclodextrin. 20

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cyclodextrin-containing layer includes cyclodextrin particulate powder comprising either or both cyclodextrin and a cyclodextrin complex, 25 and an absorbent material.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the absorbent material is a mixture of an absorbent polymer and a liquid-retaining substance and 30 comprises the absorbent polymer and liquid-retaining substance at 60 parts by mass or less and 40 parts by mass or greater, respectively, with 100 parts by mass as their total. 35

7. The absorbent article according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cyclodextrin-containing layer further comprises the cyclodextrin particulate powder and a - 43 cyclodextrin holding sheet located between the absorbent material and the liquid-impermeable layer, holding at least a portion of the cyclodextrin particulate powder. 5

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the cyclodextrin-containing layer comprises cyclodextrin particulate powder including either or both cyclodextrin and a cyclodextrin complex, and a cyclodextrin cover sheet located between the 10 cyclodextrin particulate powder and the liquid impermeable layer and covering the cyclodextrin particulate powder, at least a portion of the cyclodextrin particulate powder being anchored in the absorbing layer. 15