AU2015269953A1

AU2015269953A1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: AU2015269953A1
Application number: AU2015269953A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Masashi Nakashita; Ichiro Wada
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2014-06-06
Filing date: 2015-02-03
Publication date: 2016-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-03
Also published as: TWI659731B; CN106456390B; CN106456390A; TW201607518A; KR20170016837A; JP6418793B2; BR112016028487A2; WO2015186377A1; AU2015269953B2; JP2015229072A; MY181473A; KR102117144B1

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that includes in the surface thereof a gel composition that has moderate hardness, that spreads, that releases an active component in a controlled manner, and that is not sticky. An absorbent article (1) according to the present invention includes a gel composition in a skin-side surface of a top sheet (2), the gel composition including a low molecular weight styrene thermoplastic elastomer (A1) and a high molecular weight styrene thermoplastic elastomer (A2) in a mass ratio of (A1)/(A2) = 95/5-50/50, the degree of dispersion (Mw/Mn) of molecular weight being 1.25-1.60. For 100 parts by mass of styrene thermoplastic elastomer (A), the gel composition contains 500-4800 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon oil (B) that has a kinetic viscosity of 5-50 mm

Description

AC889-PCT - 1 -

DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention ABSORBENT ARTICLE Technical Field [0001]

The present invention relates to an absorbent article including on its surface a gel composition with moderate hardness, stretching and sustained-release of an active ingredient, and low tack. The present invention further relates to a nonwoven fabric including on its surface a gel composition with moderate hardness, stretching and sustained-release of an active ingredient, and low tack.

Background Art [0002]

As the basic performance, including absorption performance, of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners and diapers has continued to improve with technological development over many years, problems such as leakage after absorption of excreta such as menstrual blood and urine have become less frequent, and currently there is a demand for even higher performance including, for example, an underwear-like feel during wear, as well as excellent flexibility and cushioning properties.

[0003]

In PTL 1, for example, there is disclosed an absorbent article including, in at least a portion of the outer surface of the top sheet, an effective amount of a lotion coating that is semi-solid or solid at 20°C and is capable of partially migrating to the skin of the wearer. According to PTL 1, the lotion coating comprises (i) 10 to 95% of an emollient including essentially no water, and having a plastic or fluid consistency at 20°C, including at least one selected from among petroleum-based emollients, fatty acid ester emollients, alkyl 2 ethoxylate emollients, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) 5 to 90% of an immobilizing substance allowing the emollient to be immobilized on the outer surface of the top sheet, having a melting point of at least 35°C and preferably at least 40°C, the immobilizing substance being selected from among polyhydroxy fatty acid esters, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, C14-C22 fatty alcohols, C12-C22 fatty acids, C12-C22 fatty alcohol ethoxylates, and mixtures thereof.

[0004]

Also, PTL 2 discloses an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable front sheet, a liquid-impermeable or water-repellent back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the two sheets, wherein the front sheet comprises a nonwoven fabric sheet having a high density section and a low density section with mutually different densities and the high density section and the low density section being distributed in the planar direction of the front sheet, and a skin care agent being applied in a greater amount in the low density section than in the high density section.

Moreover, in paragraph [0069] of PTL 2 there is disclosed a skin care agent including a diamide derivative as the active ingredient, and stearyl alcohol, in a mass ratio of 5:5.

[0005]

In the absorbent article of PTL 1, the immobilizing substance having a melting point of 35°C or higher crystallizes at room temperature (25°C) in the lotion coating, increasing the viscosity of the lotion coating, and thereby has an effect of rendering the lotion coating immobile. Furthermore, in the absorbent article of PTL 2, the added stearyl alcohol has a melting point of 58°C, and therefore similar to the absorbent article of PTL 1, it presumably has an effect of immobilizing the skin care agent. 3 [0006]

When the viscosity of a lotion coating or skin care agent is increased in this manner, the active ingredient becomes trapped inside it, limiting release of the active ingredient to a greater extent than necessary, and therefore it becomes impossible to obtain an agent that is satisfactory from the viewpoint of sustained-release of the active ingredient. Moreover, a high-viscosity lotion coating or skin care agent has insufficient flexibility or stretching as a material applied to the front sheet of the absorbent article (i.e., the material that directly contacts the skin), and can thus impair the feel during wear.

[0007]

In PTL 3, on the other hand, there is disclosed a gel composition that exhibits delayed elasticity, for improved gel hardness and stretching. The composition is a gel elastomer comprising a high-molecular-weight triblock styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer with a number-average molecular weight of 130,000 or greater, a low-molecular-weight triblock styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer with a number-average molecular weight of up to 100,000, and a softening agent, the high-molecular-weight triblock styrene-based elastomer ensuring flexibility for the composition by absorbing and holding large amounts of the softening agent, and delayed elasticity being imparted by including the low-molecular-weight triblock styrene-based elastomer; however, even this type of composition has still been inadequate in terms of gel surface tack and sustained release.

Citation List Patent Literature [0008] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-509896 [PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-131044 4 [PTL 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-151980

Summary of Invention Technical Problem [0009]

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article including on the surface a gel composition with moderate hardness, stretching and sustained-release of an active ingredient, and low tack. It is another object to the present invention to provide a nonwoven fabric including on the surface a gel composition with moderate hardness, stretching and sustained-release of an active ingredient, and low tack. Solution to Problem [0010]

The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the top sheet including a gel composition on the skin side surface, wherein the gel composition comprises a composition containing, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A) having a molecular weight dispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.25 to 1.60 and including a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and less than 180,000, and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 180,000 or greater and 300,000 or less, in a mass ratio of (Al)/(A2) = 95/5 to 50/50, 500 to 4800 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon oil (B) having a kinematic viscosity of 5 to 50 mm2/s at 37.8°C and 20 to 60 parts by mass of a silicone oil (C) having a kinematic viscosity of 50 to 200 mm2/s at 25°C.

Advantageous Effects of Invention 5 [0011]

According to the present invention there is provided an absorbent article including on the surface a gel composition with moderate hardness, stretching and sustained-release of an active ingredient, and low tack. Brief Description of Drawings [0012]

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment of the present invention. Description of Embodiments [0013]

The absorbent article of the present invention will now be explained in detail.

[0014]

The absorbent article of the present invention includes at least a layered structure having a liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on the side of the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet disposed on the clothing side (i.e., the side opposite the side of the wearer's skin), and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the top sheet further including a gel composition on the skin side surface.

[0015] [gel composition]

According to the present invention, the gel composition comprises a composition containing, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A) having a molecular weight dispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.25 to 1.60 and including a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and less than 180,000, and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 180,000 or greater and 6 300,000 or less, in a mass ratio of (Al)/(A2) = 95/5 to 50/50, 500 to 4800 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon oil (B) having a kinematic viscosity of 5 to 50 mm2/s at 37.8°C and 20 to 60 parts by mass of a silicone oil (C) having a kinematic viscosity of 50 to 200 mm2/s at 25°C.

[0016]

The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2) used in the gel composition are triblock or greater block copolymers comprising a polystyrene-based hard segment and soft segment, preferably block copolymers having two or more block components consisting of styrene-based hard segments in the molecular chain, and more preferably block copolymers wherein the block components at least at both ends of the molecular chain are block components consisting of the aforementioned styrene-based hard segment. There are no particular restrictions on the polystyrene-based hard segment, and for example, it may be a polystyrene-based polymer, such as polystyrene, poly(α-methylstyrene), poly(o-methylstyrene), poly(m-methylstyrene) or poly(p-methylstyrene). There are also no particular restrictions on the soft segment, and for example, it may be a polyolefin-based polymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polybutadiene or polyisoprene.

[0017]

The copolymers used as the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2) are not particularly restricted so long as they are triblock or greater styrene-based block copolymers, and examples include styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), styrene—isoprene—butylene—styrene block copolymer (SIBS), styrene—isoprene—styrene block copolymer (SIS), styrene ethylene—propylene—styrene block copolymer (SEPS), styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEPS), and combinations of any two or more 7 thereof. Preferred among these are styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS) and styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEPS), from the viewpoint of the gel hardness and stretching after application onto the top sheet.

When diblock copolymers are used as the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2), interaction (π π stacking) of the styrene-based hard segments is weakened, and therefore gel hardness and stretching may not be adequately obtained. Presumably, since the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has a mesh-like network structure formed by a plurality of aggregate domains created by interaction of the styrene-based hard segments, and olefin-based soft segments linked to the plurality of aggregate domains, it exhibits a function as an elastic solid. Also, presumably such a mesh-like network structure allows moderate sustained-release of the oils described below (i.e., the hydrocarbon oil (B) and silicone oil (C)), while providing a retaining function.

[0018]

The block copolymer includes preferably 10 to 50 mass% of a styrene-based block component, and approximately 50 to 90 mass% of an olefin-based block component, more preferably 15 to 40 mass% of a styrene-based block component and 60 to 85 mass% of an olefin-based block component, and even more preferably 18 to 35 mass% of a styrene-based block component and 65 to 82 mass% of an olefin-based block component. If the amount of the styrene-based block component is less than 10 mass%, the amount of styrene-based block component forming the aggregate domains will be reduced, making it difficult to form the aforementioned mesh-like network structure by the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer.

If the amount of the styrene-based block component is greater than 50 mass%, on the other hand, the amount of olefin—based block component that retains the oils will 8 be reduced, resulting in a smaller amount of oils that can be retained and a larger amount of aggregate domains formed by the styrene-based hard segments, and therefore the gel applied onto the top sheet will be hard, potentially impairing the feel during wear.

[0019]

According to the present invention, the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A) comprises a mixture of two different styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2) with different weight-average molecular weights.

[0020]

Of the two different styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2), one styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) (hereunder also referred to as "low-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al)") has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 100,000 or greater and less than 180,000, and preferably in the range of 100,000 to 150,000. If the weight-average molecular weight is less than 100,000, the gel hardness and stretching will be reduced after application onto the top sheet. The other styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) (hereunder also referred to as "high-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2)") has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 180,000 or greater and 300,000 or less, and preferably in the range of 220,000 to 280,000. If the weight-average molecular weight is greater than 300,000, tack will tend to be produced on the gel surface.

[0021]

The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A) has a dispersity (i.e., a ratio of weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) (Mw/Mn)) in the range of 1.25 to 1.60, and preferably in the range of 1.35 to 1.55. If the dispersity is less than 1.25, the physical properties of the gel composition will be no different from using a 9 simple styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, and therefore the gel stretching after application onto the top sheet may be insufficient. If the dispersity exceeds 1.60, on the other hand, the difference in cooling solidification time between the two different styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2) will result in non-uniformity of the gel after it has been applied onto the top sheet, potentially impairing the physical properties of the gel, such as stretching and fragility.

[0022]

The weight-average molecular weights (Mw) of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2) and styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A), and the dispersity (Mw/Mn) of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A), can be determined in terms of polystyrene, by GPC measurement under the following conditions using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the mobile phase .

[0023] [GPC measuring conditions]

Apparatus: GPC-8220 (product of Tosoh Corp.)

Column: SHODEX KF-804 (product of Showa Denko K.K.) Temperature: 40°C.

Solvent: THF

Flow rate: 1.0 mL/min

Sample concentration: 0.05 to 0.6 mass%

Injection rate: 0.1 mL

Detection: RI (differential refractometer) [0024]

As mentioned above, according to the present invention the gel composition comprises a mixture of two different styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (Al, A2) with different weight-average molecular weights, where the mixing ratio is in the range of (A1)/(A2) = 95/5 to 50/50, preferably 90/10 to 60/40 and more preferably 80/20 to 70/30, as the mass ratio of the low-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) and the 10 high-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2). For the mass ratio, a mixing ratio of greater than 95 for the low-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) will result in insufficient gel hardness and stretching after application onto the top sheet, while if the mixing ratio is lower than 50, tack will tend to be produced on the gel surface.

[0025]

According to the present invention, the gel composition may further comprise a hydrocarbon oil (B) having a kinematic viscosity of 5 to 50 mm2/s at 37.8°C. The hydrocarbon oil (B) is not particularly restricted so long as it is a compound comprising carbon and hydrogen, and it may have a straight-chain, branched or cyclic structure, and have either saturated or unsaturated bonds. Examples for the hydrocarbon oil (B) include olefin-based hydrocarbons (alkenes with one double bond), paraffinic hydrocarbons (alkanes containing no double bonds or triple bonds), acetylene-based hydrocarbons (alkynes containing one triple bond), hydrocarbons with two or more double bonds and/or triple bonds, and cyclic hydrocarbons such as aromatic hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons. More specifically, there may be mentioned hydrogenated polyisobutene, liquid paraffin, squalane, squalene and the like, with hydrogenated polyisobutene being particularly preferred for use because it does not produce tack in the gel after application onto the top sheet, and also does not produce stickiness by the controlled-release oils.

[0026]

The hydrocarbon oil (B) has a 37.8°C kinematic viscosity in the range of 5 to 50 mm2/s, preferably in the range of 10 to 30 mm2/s and more preferably in the range of 10 to 20 mm2/s. If the kinematic viscosity is less than 5 mm2/s, the hydrocarbon oil (B) will tend to volatilize off during production of the gel composition, 11 and therefore variation may be produced in the physical properties of the gel after application onto the top sheet. If the kinematic viscosity exceeds 50 mm2/s, on the other hand, the gel will become hard after application onto the top sheet, tending to result in a tacky property. The kinematic viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil (B) can be obtained by measurement according to JIS K 2283:2000, "5. Kinematic Viscosity

Test Method", using a Cannon-Fenske reverse-flow viscometer, at a testing temperature of 37.8°C.

[0027]

The content of the hydrocarbon oil (B) is in the range of 500 to 4800 parts by mass, preferably in the range of 800 to 3000 parts by mass and even more preferably in the range of 1000 to 1500 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A). If the content is less than 500 parts by mass, the gel may become hard and have reduced stretching after application onto the top sheet. If the content exceeds 4800 parts by mass, on the other hand, the gel will become too soft, making it difficult to maintain the form of the gel.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the gel composition further comprises a silicone oil (C) with a kinematic viscosity of 50 to 200 mm2/s at 25°C. The silicone oil (C) used may be any known silicone oil without any particular restrictions, so long as it is a silicone oil. Examples for the silicone oil (C) include diorganopolysiloxanes such as dimethylpolysiloxane and methylphenylpolysiloxane, and cyclic siloxanes such as cyclopentasiloxane. Dimethylpolysiloxane is particularly preferred for use since it allows a moderate sustained-release property for the oils to be imparted to the gel composition .

[0029] 12

The silicone oil (C) has a 25°C kinematic viscosity in the range of 50 to 200 mm2/s, preferably in the range of 70 to 150 mm2/s, and more preferably in the range of 80 to 120 mm2/s. If the kinematic viscosity is less than 50 mm2/s, the silicone oil (C) will tend to volatilize off during production of the gel composition, and therefore variation may be produced in the physical properties of the gel after application onto the top sheet. If the kinematic viscosity exceeds 200 mm2/s, on the other hand, the amount of sustained release of the oils will be reduced, and a tacky property will tend to result. The kinematic viscosity of the silicone oil (C) can also be obtained by measurement according to JIS K 2283:2000, "5. Kinematic Viscosity Test Method", using a Cannon-Fenske reverse-flow viscometer, at a testing temperature of 25°C.

[0030]

The content of the silicone oil (C) is in the range of 20 to 60 parts by mass and preferably in the range of 30 to 50 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A). If the content is less than 20 parts by mass, the amount of sustained release of the oils will be reduced. If the content is greater than 60 parts by mass, on the other hand, the amount of sustained release of the oils will be too high and the gel surface will become oily.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the gel composition may also contain one or more of any desired additives such as stabilizers, antioxidants (for example, BHT (2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propyl gallate or the like), light stabilizers, coloring agents, pigments (for example, titanium oxide, zinc oxide or the like), aromatics, inorganic powders (for example, alumina, talc, mica, calcium carbonate, clay or the like) or organic powders (for example, PE, PP, silicone resin powder or the like), or other components, in ranges that do not impede the 13 object of the present invention.

[0032]

Examples of other components include oils with skin care functions (for example, jojoba oil or camellia oil), vitamins, various amino acids, peptides, zeolite, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid, lecithin, ceramide, skin astringents, anti-pimple medications, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-cellulite agents, skin whiteners, antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, antiinflammatory components, pH regulators, humectants and the like.

[0033]

The gel composition can be produced by mixing each of the aforementioned compounding ingredients using any known mixing means. For example, the gel composition can be produced by supplying the different compounding ingredients into a mixer either simultaneously or in any desired order, and melt mixing them in the mixer. There are no particular restrictions on the means for melt mixing, and any known means may be employed using a mixer such as, for example, a single-screw extruder, twin-screw extruder, roll, Banbury mixer, any of various types of kneaders, or a mixing kiln.

[0034]

Since the gel composition has a sustained-release property in addition to moderate hardness and stretching, its adhesion to the coating apparatus or molding apparatus can be inhibited, while also allowing it to be coated and molded. Furthermore, since the gel composition contains more low-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer than high-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, it exhibits a suitable flow property even under temperature conditions of near 100°C, so that it can be easily layered by application or integrally molded with various types of substrates such as nonwoven fabrics, paper, cloths, olefin-based resins, PET resins and the like. 14 [0035]

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article (sanitary napkin) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sanitary napkin 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 2 disposed on the side of the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet (not shown) disposed on the clothing side (i.e., the side opposite the skin side), and an absorbent body 3 disposed between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet. The sanitary napkin 1 in Fig. 1 also comprises a side sheet 4 and embossed sections 5.

[0036]

The top sheet 2 includes a gel composition 6 in a plurality of ridges coated in a mutually parallel manner on the skin side surface, along the lengthwise direction of the sanitary napkin 1. The coating pattern for the gel composition is not particularly restricted for the absorbent article of the present invention.

[0037]

Fig. 2 is a plan view of another absorbent article (sanitary napkin) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sanitary napkin 1 shown in Fig. 2 includes a gel composition 6 as a plurality of dots coated in a zigzag on the skin side surface of the top sheet 2 .

[0038]

The gel composition is applied in the region where the top sheet and the absorbent body overlap in a plane view, preferably at an area ratio of 1 to 50% of the region, more preferably it is applied at an area ratio of 3 to 40% of the region, and most preferably it is applied at an area ratio of 5 to 30% of the region. If the gel composition is applied at an area ratio of less than 1% of the region, the amount of gel composition on the top sheet will be minimal, making it impossible to adequately exhibit the effect provided by the gel composition. If the gel composition is applied at an area ratio exceeding 15 50% of the region, on the other hand, the region on the top sheet coated with the gel composition will not absorb excreta, and therefore the region of the top sheet that can absorb excreta will be reduced and the absorption performance of the absorbent article may be lowered.

[0039]

Furthermore, the top sheet on which the gel composition has been coated includes the gel composition at a content of preferably 1 to 30 g/m2, more preferably 2 to 20 g/m2 and most preferably 3 to 10 g/m2. Throughout the present description, the content of the gel composition is determined in the following manner. (1) A prescribed region of the gel composition-coated top sheet that is to be measured is cut out using a sharp blade such as a cutter replacement blade, while avoiding any alteration in thickness, to obtain a sample for measurement of the content. (2) The area of the cut out sample: SA (m2) and the mass: SMo (g) are measured. (3) The measured sample is dipped in a solvent in which the gel composition is soluble, such as an aromatic solvent (for example, xylene) and stirred for at least 3 minutes for elution of the gel composition into the solvent. (4) The sample in the solvent is filtered using mass-measured filter paper, and the sample is thoroughly rinsed with the solvent on the filter paper. Each rinsed sample filter paper sheet is thoroughly dried in an oven at 100°C. (5) The masses of the dried filter paper and the sample are measured, and the pre-measured mass of the filter paper is subtracted from that value to calculate the dry sample mass: SMi (g) . (6) The gel composition content GBs (g/m2) is calculated by the following formula (1). 16 [Mathematical Formula 1]

Gbs (g/mz) = [SM0 (g) -SM, (g) ] /SA (m2) (1) [0040]

In order to reduce measurement error for the gel composition content, multiple samples are cut out from multiple absorbent articles, so that the total area of the sample exceeds 100 cm2, and each sample is measured according to (2) to (6) above, employing the average value for the content GBs obtained from the measuring operations .

[0041]

The method of applying the gel composition for the present invention is not particularly restricted, and any publicly known coating means may be employed. For example, the gel composition may be applied onto the top sheet using an extrusion device comprising a discharge nozzle; or a coating applicator such as a non-contact coater, such as spiral coater, curtain coater, spray coater or dip coater; or a contact coater.

[0042]

Also, the gel composition may be applied during production of the material for the top sheet, such as a nonwoven fabric, or it may be applied onto the top sheet in the manufacturing line for the absorbent article.

From the viewpoint of minimizing equipment investment, the gel composition is preferably coated on the top sheet in the manufacturing line for the absorbent article, and particularly from the viewpoint of minimizing contamination by shedding of the oils, it is preferably coated on the top sheet during a downstream step of the manufacturing line (for example, just before the step of separately packaging the product).

[0043]

The liquid-permeable top sheet used for the 17 absorbent article of the present invention may be a sheet-like fiber structure such as a nonwoven fabric or woven fabric, for example. When a nonwoven fabric or woven fabric is to be used as the top sheet, the fibers composing the woven fabric or nonwoven fabric may be natural fibers or chemical fibers, and specifically these include cellulose fibers such as ground pulp and cotton; regenerated cellulose such as rayon and fibril rayon; semi-synthetic cellulose such as acetate and triacetate, thermoplastic hydrophobic chemical fibers, and hydrophilicized thermoplastic hydrophobic chemical fibers. Also, examples of thermoplastic hydrophobic chemical fibers include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monofilaments, and fibers composed of PE and PP graft polymers.

[0044]

Examples of nonwoven fabrics include air-through nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, point bond nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, needle punching nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, as well as combinations thereof (such as SMS and the like).

[0045]

The nonwoven fabric or woven fabric is preferably subjected to hydrophilicizing treatment. The method for hydrophilicizing treatment is not particularly restricted, and it may be a method of coating the hydrophilic agent on the surface of a nonwoven fabric or woven fabric, a method of coating the hydrophilic agent on the surfaces of the fibers composing the nonwoven fabric or woven fabric, or a method of adding a hydrophilic agent to the synthetic resin as the starting material for the fibers composing the nonwoven fabric or woven fabric.

[0046]

On the other hand, the liquid-impermeable back sheet may be a film comprising PE, PP or the like, an air- 18 permeable resin film, a multilayer article formed by attaching an air-permeable resin film to a spunbond or spunlace nonwoven fabric, a multilayer nonwoven fabric such as SMS, or the like. In consideration of flexibility of the absorbent article, a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film with a basis weight of about 15 to about 30 g/m2, for example, is preferred.

[0047]

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent article may be one including a second sheet between the liquid-permeable top sheet and the absorbent body. The second sheet used may be any of the same examples as for the liquid-permeable top sheet.

[0048]

The absorbent body in the absorbent article of the present invention is not particularly restricted, and any absorbent body known in the relevant field may be used. One example for the absorbent body is one having an absorbent core covered with a core wrap. Examples of components for the absorbent core include hydrophilic fibers, and more specifically, cellulose such as ground pulp or cotton; regenerated cellulose such as rayon or fibril rayon; semi-synthetic cellulose such as acetate or triacetate; particulate polymers; filamentous polymers; thermoplastic hydrophobic chemical fibers; and hydrophilicized thermoplastic hydrophobic chemical fibers; as well as any combinations of the foregoing.

The component of the absorbent core may also be, for example, granules comprising a super-absorbent polymer, such as sodium acrylate copolymer.

[0049]

The core wrap is not particularly restricted so long as it has sufficient liquid permeability to allow permeation of fluids such as body fluids discharged from the human body and has a sufficient barrier property to prevent permeation of the component of the absorbent core enclosed therein, and examples include sheet-like fiber 19 structures, such as woven fabrics and nonwoven fabrics. A woven fabric or nonwoven fabric may have natural fibers, chemical fibers, tissue, or the like.

[0050]

Another example of the absorbent body is an essentially sheet-like structure formed from an absorbing sheet or polymer sheet, the thickness being preferably in the range of 0.3 to 5.0 mm. The absorbing sheet or polymer sheet may be used without any particular restrictions so long as it is one that can be used in a common absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin.

[0051]

The preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention is not particularly restricted so long as it is an article for absorption of excreta discharged from the human body, and for example, it may be a sanitary napkin, panty liner, diaper, urineabsorbing pad or the like.

[0052]

The present invention further relates to a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric of the present invention has the aforementioned gel composition on at least a portion of the region that contacts the skin of the user. The makeup of the gel composition to be used on the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is as described above.

Since a nonwoven fabric of the present invention has a gel composition with moderate hardness, stretching and sustained-release of the active ingredient, and low tack, on at least a portion of the region contacting with the skin of the user, it has an excellent feel during wear and easy manageability, and can continuously release the active ingredient onto the skin of the wearer.

[0053]

The gel composition in the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is arranged as ridges or dots, for example, on at least a portion of the region that contacts with the skin of the user. The product 20 including the nonwoven fabric may be a mask, wet tissue or the like.

Examples [0054]

The present invention will now be explained in greater detail using examples and comparative examples, with the understanding that the present invention is not limited only to the examples.

[0055]

For production of the gel compositions in the absorbent articles of the examples and comparative examples of the present invention, the following commercial products were used as the different compounding ingredients.

[0056] 1) Styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al, A2) a) Low-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) • KRATON G1652 (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) with Mw of 80,000, product of Kraton Polymer) • SEPTON 4033 (styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEPS) with Mw of 100,000, product of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) • SEPTON 8004 (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) with Mw of 110,000, product of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) [0057] b) High-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) • KRATON G1654 (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) with Mw of 200,000, product of Kraton Polymer) • SEPTON 4055 (styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene- styrene block copolymer (SEEPS) with Mw of 250,000, product of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) • SEPTON 2005 (styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene 21 block copolymer (SEPS) with Mw of 260,000, product of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) • SEPTON 2006 (styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS) with Mw of 280,000, product of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) [0058] 2) Oils a) Hydrocarbon oil (B) • PARLEAM EX (hydrogenated polyisobutene with 37.8°C kinematic viscosity of 10 mm2/s, product of NOF Corp.) • PARLEAM 6 (hydrogenated polyisobutene with 37.8°C kinematic viscosity of 20 mm2/s, product of NOF Corp.) • Super Squalane (squalane with 37.8°C kinematic viscosity of 18 mm2/s, product of Squatech) • MORESCO WHITE P-200 (liquid paraffin with 37.8°C kinematic viscosity of 44 mm2/s, product of Moresco) • Liquid paraffin (liquid paraffin with 37.8°C kinematic viscosity of 75 mm2/s, product of Kishida Chemical Co., Ltd.) [0059] b) Silicone oil (C) -SH200-100cs (dimethylpolysiloxane with 25°C kinematic viscosity of 100 mm2/s, product of Dow Corning Toray) -SH200-500cs (dimethylpolysiloxane with 25°C kinematic viscosity of 500 mm2/s, product of Dow Corning Toray) [0060] 1. Production of gel compositions

The compounding ingredients listed above were charged into a separable flask with the compositions shown in Table 1 below, and after melt mixing at 140°C for 5 hours while stirring the contents, the mixture was cooled to obtain gel compositions No. 1-1 to 1-6 and 2-1 to 2-8. The physical properties of each of the obtained gel compositions were evaluated by the following test 22 methods (1) to (4). The results for each test and evaluation are shown in Table 1.

[0061] 2. Evaluation of gel compositions (1) Hardness

The gel composition obtained as described above was used to produce a test piece comprising a cylindrical gel with a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 8 mm. The test piece was set in an EzTest desktop tester (product of Shimadzu Corp.) on which was mounted a stainless steel compression jig with a diameter of 120 mm, and the test force (N) was measured with the test piece compressed 4 mm at a rate of 5 mm/min. The measured value was evaluated based on the following criterion.

2 points: 6N or greater, less than 41N

1 point: 41N or greater, less than 101N 0 points: Less than 6N, or 101N or greater [0062] (2) Fragility

The test piece whose hardness had been evaluated was visually observed, and the state of the test piece was evaluated based on the following criterion. 2 points: No fissuring 1 point: Slight fissuring 0 points: Fissuring [0063] (3) Stretching

The gel composition obtained as described above was hot pressed under conditions of 120°C, 10 kg/cm2 pressure, to fabricate a 60 mm x 60 mm x 1 mm thickness gel sheet, after which the gel sheet was cut to fabricate a 20 mm x 60 mm test strip. Both edges of the test strip in the lengthwise direction were gripped using the thumbs and index fingers of both hands, both edges were pulled in reciprocal directions (i.e., directions causing both edges to separate), and the presence or absence of 23 tearing was observed when the test strip was stretched 5 cm, 7 cm and 10 cm from the original length before pulling. The test was repeated if the test strip tore in the hand. The observation results were evaluated based on the following criterion. 2 points: Tearing with stretching of +10 cm 1 point: Tearing with stretching of +7 cm 0 points: Tearing with stretching of +5 cm [0064] (4) Sustained-release property

The gel composition obtained as described above was used to produce a test piece comprising a cylindrical gel with a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 8 mm. A commercially available tissue paper (2-ply) whose mass had been measured in advanced was placed on the top side of the test piece, and a 100 g load was set on the tissue paper and allowed to stand at room temperature (23°C) for 24 hours, after which the tissue paper was removed and the mass was measured. Also, the mass increase rate of the tissue paper was calculated based on the following formula (2), from the previously measured mass (Wi) and the mass measured after 24 hours (W2) , and was evaluated based on the following criterion, with the mass increase rate as the amount of sustained release.

[Mathematical Formula 2]

Mass increase rate (%) = (W2 - Wi) /Wi x 100 (2) 2 points: Mass increase rate (amount of sustained release) of >1.5% and <9.1% 1 point: Mass increase rate (amount of sustained release) of >9.1% 0 points: Mass increase rate (amount of sustained release) of <1.5% [0065] [Table 1]

Table 1

Kine- Gel composition No. Compound- matic ing ingredient Product name Mw viscosity 1 (mm2/ s) 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 CO Styrene- KRATON G1652 80,000 - 60 based SEPTON 4033 100,000 - 70 70 70 100 90 70 thermo plastic elastomer SEPTON 8004 110,000 - 70 70 70 33 70 70 (Al) Styrene- KRATON G1654 200,000 - 30 based SEPTON 4055 250,000 - 100 thermo- SEPTON 2005 260,000 - 30 30 30 30 30 10 30 67 30 30 plastic Compos i- elastomer SEPTON 2006 280,000 - 40 tion <A2) PARLEAM EX - 10 1330 1330 1330 900 4800 400 3200 1330 1330 1330 PARLEAM 6 - 20 1330 Hydrocarbon oil (B) Super Squalane - 18 1330 MORESCO WHITE P-200 - 44 1330 Liquid paraffin - 75 1330 Silicone SH200-100cs - 100 43 43 43 43 43 43 50 50 25 43 33 43 0 oil (C) SH200-500cs - 500 43 Composition of (A) Mass ratio (Al)/(A2) 70/30 70/30 70/30 70/30 70/30 70/30 100/0 0/100 90/10 70/30 33/67 60/40 70/30 70/30 GPC measure- Weight-average molecular (A) weight (Mw) of 160,000 160,000 160,000 130,000 160,000 160,000 100,000 250,000 110,000 160,000 240,000 170,000 160,000 160,000 ment results Dispersity (Mw/Mn) of (A) 1.40 1.40 1.53 1.27 1.53 1.40 1.12 1.30 1.30 1.53 1.24 1. 69 1.40 1.40 Test Hardness (N) 15 21 9 11 14 29 81 3 130 36 6 12 25 20 results Amount of sustained release {%) 3.5 3.5 4.3 4. 9 2.9 1.7 7.8 15.0 0.7 1.1 11.9 10.4 1.1 0.3 Phys ical Hardness 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 property Fragility 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 2 0 2 2 1 2 2 evalua- Stretching 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 2 0 2 1 0 2 2 tion Sustained-release 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 0

For the kinematic viscosity, the kinematic viscosities of the hydrocarbon oil (B) and silicone oil (C) are those at 37.8°C and 25°C 25 [0066] 3. Production of absorbent articles

The gel compositions No. 1-1 to 1-6 and 2-1 to 2-8 obtained as described above were coated in ridges on the top sheet of commercially available sanitary napkins, to obtain absorbent articles (sanitary napkins) for Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8.

[0067] 4. Evaluation of absorbent articles

Using the absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8 obtained as described above, the surface of the gel composition coated on each top sheet was stroked 10 times right and left with the finger, and the feel during that time was evaluated from the viewpoint of "softness" and "wettability and tack".

For this organoleptic evaluation, 10 participants were asked to touch the gel compositions after they had been coated on the top sheet and stood overnight at 23°C, and a questionnaire was taken based on the following evaluation criteria. The results of the questionnaire were summarized as the average of the 10 participants.

[0068] [Softness] 2 points: Elastic and soft 1 point: Non-elastic but soft, or elastic but hard 0 points: Non-elastic and hard [0069] [Wettability and tack] 3 points: Finger wetted and no tack 2 points: Finger wetted and slight tack 1 point: Finger wetted and tack 0 points: Finger not wetted regardless of tack [0070] <Comprehensive evaluation>

Based on the physical property evaluation for gel compositions (1) to (4) as described above and the total points for the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent 26 articles, the absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8 were comprehensively evaluated based on the following criterion. The results for the organoleptic evaluation and comprehensive 5 evaluation of the absorbent articles are shown in Table 2 . G: Total of at least 11.0 points, with no organoleptic evaluations of 0 points F: Total of at least 11.0 points, with some 10 organoleptic evaluations of 0 points P: Total of less than 11.0 points [0071] [Table 2]

Table 2 Example Comparative Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gel composition No. 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 2-8 Organoleptic Softness 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.0 1.0 0.2 1.4 1.0 1. 6 1.7 2.0 evaluation Wettability and tack 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.3 1. 6 3.0 1.2 0.0 0.8 1.3 2.3 0.7 0.0 Total points 13.0 13.0 13.0 12.5 12.1 11.4 7.0 7.2 0.2 8.2 8.3 7 . 9 8.4 8.0 Comprehensive evaluation G G G G G G P P P P P P P P μ 28 [0072]

As shown in Table 2, the absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 6 exhibited satisfactory results in the comprehensive evaluation. In particular, with the absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 4, the gel compositions No. 1-1 to 1-4 that were used were superior in all of the aspects of hardness, stretching and sustained-release property, and high evaluation results were also obtained in the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent articles.

[0073]

On the other hand, the absorbent article of Comparative Example 1, wherein the gel composition No. 2-1 used contained only a low-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) as the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, had a hard gel, and fragility was also observed.

[0074]

The absorbent article of Comparative Example 2, wherein the gel composition No. 2-2 used contained only a high-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) as the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, had excellent gel stretching; however, the amount of sustained release was increased and tack was confirmed in the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent article .

[0075]

With the absorbent article of Comparative Example 3, wherein the gel composition No. 2-3 used had a hydrocarbon oil (B) content of less than 500 parts by mass, the gel was hard, the amount of sustained release was low and the wettability was poor in the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent article.

[0076]

With the absorbent article of Comparative Example 4, wherein the 37.8°C kinematic viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil (B) in the gel composition No. 2-4 used was greater 29 than 50 mm2/s, the amount of sustained release was low and tack was confirmed in the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent article.

[0077]

With the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5, wherein the mass ratio (Al)/(A2) of the low-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) and the high-molecular-weight styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) of the gel composition No. 2-5 was outside of the range of 95/5 to 50/50, the amount of sustained release was increased and tack was confirmed in the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent article.

[0078]

With the absorbent article of Comparative Example 6, wherein the dispersity of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A) in the gel composition No. 2-6 used was greater than 1.60, the gel stretching was poor and fragility was also observed.

[0079]

With the absorbent article of Comparative Example 7, wherein the 25°C kinematic viscosity of the silicone oil (C) in the gel composition No. 2-7 used was greater than 200 mm2/s, the amount of sustained release was reduced and tack was confirmed in the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent article.

[0080]

With the absorbent article of Comparative Example 8, wherein the gel composition No. 2-8 used contained no silicone oil (C), the amount of sustained release was greatly reduced and the wettability was poor in the organoleptic evaluation of the absorbent article.

[0081]

Exemplary aspects of the present invention will now be described.

[0082]

One aspect (aspect 1) of the present invention is an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a 30 liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the top sheet including a gel composition on the skin side surface, wherein the gel composition comprises a composition containing 100 parts by mass of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A) having a molecular weight dispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.25 to 1.60 and including a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and less than 180,000, and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 180,000 or greater and 300,000 or less, in a mass ratio of (A1)/(A2) = 95/5 to 50/50, with 500 to 4800 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon oil (B) having a kinematic viscosity of 5 to 50 mm2/s at 37.8°C and 20 to 60 parts by mass of a silicone oil (C) having a kinematic viscosity of 50 to 200 mm2/s at 25°C.

[0083]

According to another aspect (aspect 2) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of aspect 1, the block copolymer has two or more block components composed of styrene-based hard segments in the molecular chain .

[0084]

According to another aspect (aspect 3) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of aspect 2, the block components at least at both ends of the molecular chains of the block copolymer are block components composed of styrene-based hard segments.

[0085]

According to yet another aspect (aspect 4) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 3, the block copolymer is at least one selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-butylene-31 styrene block copolymer, styrene-isoprene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer and styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer.

[0086]

According to yet another aspect (aspect 5) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 4, the hydrocarbon oil (B) is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated polyisobutene, liquid paraffin, squalane and squalene.

[0087]

According to yet another aspect (aspect 6) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 5, the silicone oil (C) is a diorganopolysiloxane or cyclic siloxane.

[0088]

According to yet another aspect (aspect 7) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 6, the silicone oil (C) is at least one selected from the group consisting of dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane.

[0089]

According to yet another aspect (aspect 8) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 7, the gel composition is coated in a ridged or dotted manner on the skin side surface of the top sheet, in a plane view.

[0090]

According to yet another aspect (aspect 9) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 8, the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin, panty liner, diaper or urine-absorbing pad.

[0091]

Another aspect (aspect 10) of the present invention is a nonwoven fabric having a gel composition on the 32 surface, the gel composition comprising a composition containing 100 parts by mass of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A), having a molecular weight dispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.25 to 1.60 and including a 5 styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and less than 180,000, and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a 10 weight-average molecular weight of 180,000 or greater and 300,000 or less, in a mass ratio of (Al)/(A2) = 95/5 to 50/50, with 500 to 4800 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon oil (B) having a kinematic viscosity of 5 to 50 mm2/s at 37.8°C and 20 to 60 parts by mass of a silicone oil (C) 15 having a kinematic viscosity of 50 to 200 mm2/s at 25°C.

Reference Sign List [0092] 1 Absorbent article 2 Top sheet 20 3 Absorbent body 4 Side sheet 5 Embossed section 6 Gel composition

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the top sheet including a gel composition on a skin side surface, wherein the gel composition comprises, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A), having a molecular weight dispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.25 to 1.60 and including a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and less than 180,000, and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 180,000 or greater and 300,000 or less, in a mass ratio of (Al)/(A2) = 95/5 to 50/50, 500 to 4800 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon oil (B) having a kinematic viscosity of 5 to 50 mm2/s at 37.8°C and 20 to 60 parts by mass of a silicone oil (C) having a kinematic viscosity of 50 to 200 mm2/s at 25°C.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the block copolymer has two or more block components composed of styrene-based hard segments in a molecular chain.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the block components at least at both ends of the molecular chain of the block copolymer are block components composed of styrene-based hard segments.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the block copolymer is at least one selected from a group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-isoprene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer and styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hydrocarbon oil (B) is at least one selected from a group consisting of hydrogenated polyisobutene, liquid paraffin, squalane and squalene.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the silicone oil (C) is a diorganopolysiloxane or cyclic siloxane.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the silicone oil (C) is at least one selected from a group consisting of dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gel composition is coated in a ridged or dotted manner on the skin side surface of the top sheet, in a plane view.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin, panty liner, diaper or urine-absorbing pad.

10. A nonwoven fabric having a gel composition on a surface, the gel composition comprising, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer mixture (A), having a molecular weight dispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.25 to 1.60 and including a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and less than 180,000, and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (A2) composed of a triblock or greater block copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 180,000 or greater and 300,000 or less, in a mass ratio of (Al)/(A2) = 95/5 to 50/50, 500 to 4800 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon oil (B) having a kinematic viscosity of 5 to 50 mm2/s at 37.8°C and 20 to 60 parts by mass of a silicone oil (C) having a kinematic viscosity of 50 to 200 mm2/s at 25°C.