CN113423372B

CN113423372B - Absorbent body and absorbent article provided with absorbent body

Info

Publication number: CN113423372B
Application number: CN202080013901.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 黑原健志; 田代和泉; 吉田英聪; 木村笙子
Original assignee: Oji Holdings Corp
Current assignee: Oji Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2019-02-20
Filing date: 2020-02-20
Publication date: 2023-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-20
Also published as: CN116370201A; WO2020171176A1; CN113423372A; CN116370203A; CN116370202A

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing liquid leakage. An absorbent body comprising: a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric; first SAP layers arranged on both sides of a width direction of a front surface of the base material in a longitudinal direction of the base material and including SAP particles, the SAP being a super absorbent polymer; and a second SAP layer disposed on the rear surface of the substrate and comprising the SAP particles.

Description

Absorbent body and absorbent article provided with absorbent body

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an absorbent body comprising SAP, which is a super absorbent polymer.

Background

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, urine pads, sanitary products include absorbers which absorb liquids such as urine, body fluids. Pulp or Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) is used in the Absorbent body. The absorbent forms a thin sheet, pad, etc. For example, PTL (patent literature) 1 discloses an absorbent composite in which SAP particles are fixed to a nonwoven fabric substrate or the like using a binder such as a thermoplastic resin.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

[ PTL 1] Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2000-24033

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

An absorbent body in which SAP particles are fixed on a nonwoven fabric base material absorbs and retains liquid using SAP. However, there is a risk that liquid that has moved to the end of the nonwoven fabric through the surface or inside of the nonwoven fabric base material may leak from the absorbent body without being absorbed by the SAP.

In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing liquid leakage.

Solution scheme

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, SAP layers including SAP particles, which are super absorbent polymers, are provided on the front and rear surfaces of a substrate formed of a non-woven fabric.

Specifically, the present invention is an absorber including: a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric; first SAP layers arranged on both sides of a width direction of a front surface of the base material in a longitudinal direction of the base material and including SAP particles, the SAP being a super absorbent polymer; and a second SAP layer disposed on the rear surface of the substrate and comprising the SAP particles.

In the above-described absorber, the groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the base material may be formed on the front surface side of the base material and in the central portion in the width direction of the base material.

The absorbent body may include: a first nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover the front surface of the substrate; and a second nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover the rear surface of the base material.

The absorbent body may include: a core-spun sheet covering an outer periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include a substrate, a first SAP layer, a second SAP layer, a first nonwoven sheet, and a second nonwoven sheet.

Further, the present invention may be an absorbent article that absorbs urine discharged by a wearer, the absorbent article including: a liquid impermeable backsheet; a liquid permeable topsheet joined to the backsheet; and any one of the above-described absorbers disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet.

Advantageous effects of the invention

According to the present invention, liquid leakage can be suppressed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorber according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of an absorber according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an absorber according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of an absorber according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of an absorber according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of an absorber according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of an absorbent body according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of an absorber according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of an absorber according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of an absorber according to a fourth embodiment.

Figure 20 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the absorbent body when cut along the cross-sectionbase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A shown in figure 19.

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent body similar to that shown in fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a first example of a portion having a waterproof finish.

Fig. 23 is a diagram showing a second example of a portion having a waterproof finish.

Figure 24 is a sectional view of the absorbent body when cut along the B-B cross-section shown in figure 19.

Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent body similar to that shown in fig. 20.

Fig. 26 is a plan view of an absorber according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a plan view of an absorber according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 30 is a sectional view of an absorber according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a perspective view of a disposable diaper of the tape type.

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of a diaper.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view when the crotch region is cut in the width direction of the crotch region.

Fig. 34 is a sectional view when the crotch region is cut in the width direction of the crotch region.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below merely represent examples of the embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the following aspects.

< first embodiment >

An absorber according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. An absorbent body in which SAP particles are fixed on a nonwoven fabric base material absorbs and retains liquid using SAP. When the SAP absorbs urine, the absorbent body may swell as a whole. In the absorber, a position facing the urethral opening absorbs urine and swells at an early stage of the urination period as compared with other regions. In the absorbent body, if the position facing the urethral orifice swells at an early stage of the urination period, there is a risk that the urine having been discharged may subsequently flow in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body. When liquid such as urine flows in the width direction of the absorbent body, there is a risk that the liquid may leak.

In view of this, an object of the present embodiment is to provide a technique capable of suppressing liquid leakage.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present embodiment, an SAP layer is provided which is arranged on the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer on both sides in the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer along the center portion in the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer, the liquid diffusion layer being formed of a nonwoven fabric.

Specifically, the present embodiment is an absorber including: a liquid diffusion layer formed of a nonwoven fabric; and an SAP layer including SAP particles that are a super absorbent polymer, the SAP layer being disposed on a front surface of the liquid diffusion layer on both sides of the liquid diffusion layer in a width direction thereof along a center portion of the liquid diffusion layer in the width direction and extending in a longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer.

In the above-described absorber, the grooves may be formed on the front surface side of the liquid diffusion layer at the center portion in the width direction and along the SAP layers on both sides.

The absorbent body may include: a first nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer; and a second non-woven fabric sheet disposed to cover the rear surface of the liquid diffusion layer.

The absorbent body may include: a core-spun sheet covering an outer periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include a liquid diffusion layer, an SAP layer, a first nonwoven sheet, and a second nonwoven sheet.

Further, the present embodiment may be an absorbent article that absorbs liquid discharged by a wearer, the absorbent article including: a liquid impermeable backsheet; a liquid permeable topsheet joined to the backsheet; and the absorber disposed between the back sheet and the top sheet.

According to the present embodiment, liquid leakage can be suppressed.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorber according to a first embodiment. The absorber 6A is formed in a sheet shape having a rectangular shape in a plan view. Fig. 1 shows a state in which, when an absorbent body 6A is disposed in an absorbent article such as a diaper, the absorbent body 6A is viewed from a front surface side of a skin-opposing surface opposing the skin of a wearer.

Fig. 2 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the absorbent body 6base:Sub>A when cut along thebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6base:Sub>A) shown in fig. 1. The absorbent body 6A has a uniform cross section throughout the longitudinal direction. Although it is shown in fig. 2 that the respective components of the absorbent body 6A have gaps provided therebetween for easy understanding, in practice, it is difficult to form gaps between the respective components.

The absorber 6A includes a liquid diffusion layer 60. The liquid diffusion layer 60 is formed in a rectangular sheet shape. For the liquid diffusion layer 60, a bulk nonwoven fabric having a thickness of about 1mm to 10mm and manufactured by an air-through method, a needle punching method, or the like is used.

The absorber 6A includes SAP layers 62L and 62R, which are disposed on the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 and include SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) particles that are Super Absorbent polymers. In this case, when the absorbent body 6A is disposed in the absorbent article, the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 is disposed on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the rear surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 is disposed on the side of the non-skin-opposing surface, which is the side opposite to the side of the skin-opposing surface. Center portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R in the width direction are arranged on the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 on both sides of the liquid diffusion layer 60 in the width direction, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60. Note that the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60 is perpendicular to the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60.

When the absorber 6A is arranged in the absorbent article, the SAP layer 62L is positioned on the left side of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the SAP layer 62R is positioned on the right side of the wearer of the absorbent article. The SAP layers 62L and 62R are formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 using an adhesive. In the SAP layers 62L and 62R, the SAP particles are substantially uniformly arranged. The fluid diffusion layer 60 holds SAP layers 62L and 62R. The SAP layers 62L and 62R extend in the entire longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60.

The SAP absorbs liquid 10 to 100 times its own weight. For example, as the SAP, an SAP that exhibits a granular shape before liquid absorption is used. The SAP layers 62L and 62R absorb and hold the liquid diffused by the liquid diffusion layer 60.

As described above, on the front surface side (the side of the skin-opposing surface) of the liquid diffusion layer 60 of the absorber 6A, the SAP is not provided in the center portion in the width direction, and the SAP layers 62L and 62R are arranged on both sides in the width direction. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the absorbent body 6A similar to fig. 2, and shows a state in which the SAP layers 62L and 62R have absorbed liquid and expanded. During urination, the SAP layers 62L and 62R, which have absorbed urine and swelled, act as dams. Since the SAP layers 62L and 62R function as dams, a groove 67 is formed at the center in the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60, the groove extending along the SAP layers 62L and 62R (dams), or in other words, in the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60. When the absorbent body 6A is disposed in the absorbent article, the groove 67 is formed in the absorbent article at a position opposite to the urethral opening (hereinafter referred to as "urethral opening opposing position"), so that urine discharged by the wearer easily flows into the groove 67. The absorbent body 6A diffuses urine in the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60 using the grooves 67 at the last stage of the current urination or during the next urination. Therefore, since the absorbent body 6A diffuses urine over the entire liquid diffusion layer 60, the absorption rate and the diffusion rate can be maintained even during the next and subsequent urination. Further, when the wearer of the absorbent article is a male, the groove 67 may be formed at a position opposite to the urethral opening of the tip of the penis, and the direction of urination from the urethral opening may be guided by the groove 67.

Further, since the absorbent body 6A diffuses urine over the entire liquid diffusion layer 60 using the liquid diffusion layer 60, the SAP layers 62L and 62R can be made to uniformly absorb urine, and the SAP layers 62L and 62R can be expanded substantially uniformly. Accordingly, the absorbent body 6A can prevent the formation of a depression in a dam formed by the SAP layers 62L and 62R when only a part of the SAP layers 62L and 62R is expanded to open a hole in the dam, prevent urine from leaking out of the hole, and thus suppress urine leakage. In addition, the absorber 6A temporarily holds urine that has been diffused over the entire liquid diffusion layer 60 with the liquid diffusion layer 60, and causes the urine to be absorbed and held by the SAP layers 62L and 62R as time elapses. Accordingly, the absorbent body 6A can cause the SAP layers 62L and 62R to uniformly absorb and hold urine.

In addition, the absorber 6A includes: an SAP layer 63 disposed on the rear surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 and including SAP particles. The SAP layer 63 is formed on substantially the entire area of the rear surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60. The SAP layer 63 is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the rear surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 using an adhesive. In the SAP layer 63, the SAP particles are arranged substantially uniformly. The fluid diffusion layer 60 holds the SAP layer 63. By providing the SAP layer 63, the absorbent body 6A increases the absorption amount and retention amount of liquid as a whole. Alternatively, SAP particles may be included in the interstices in the fluid diffusion layer 60.

In addition, the absorber 6A includes: a first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 arranged to cover the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60; and a second non-woven fabric sheet 66 disposed to cover the rear surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60. Liquid-permeable nonwoven fabrics are used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. For example, an air-laid nonwoven fabric is used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. The first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 diffuse liquid in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6A. Therefore, the absorbent body 6A prevents liquid such as urine discharged by the wearer from accumulating at the center in the width direction or the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6A. In addition, the provision of the first nonwoven sheet 65 improves the wearability of the absorbent article by the wearer.

Further, in the absorber 6A, a groove may be formed in advance in the liquid diffusion layer 60. Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the absorbent body 6A when cut along the B-B cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6A) shown in fig. 4. Grooves 67 are formed on the front surface side of the liquid diffusion layer 60 along the central portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R on both sides in the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60. When the absorbent body 6A is disposed in the absorbent article, the groove 67 is formed at a position opposite to the urethral opening, so that urine discharged by the wearer easily flows into the groove 67. After the liquid diffusion layer 60 is formed, the groove 67 is formed by applying pressure to the groove forming area from the front surface side of the liquid diffusion layer 60. Alternatively, when the liquid diffusion layer 60 is manufactured, the grooves 67 may be formed by reducing the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric in the groove-forming area.

In this way, by providing the grooves 67 in advance on the front surface side (the side of the skin-opposing surface) of the absorbent body 6A, when the SAP layers 62L and 62R swell and form dams, the grooves 67 can become deeper to increase the volume of the grooves 67, and a larger amount of urine can be guided by the grooves 67. Therefore, the absorbent body 6A can diffuse a large amount of urine using the entire liquid diffusion layer 60, and can suppress leakage of urine even when a large amount of urine is discharged.

Further, in the absorbent body 6A, the entirety of the absorbent composite configured to include the liquid diffusion layer 60, the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, and the first and second

nonwoven fabric sheets

65 and 66 is covered with the core sheet 68. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of an absorbent body 6A similar to the absorbent body 6A shown in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 6, the core-spun sheet 68 includes: a first sheet 68A covering one side of the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65; and a second sheet 68B covering the width-direction end portion of the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65, the side surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60, and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 side. The first and

second panels

68A, 68B are joined and integrally wrap the entirety of the absorbent composite. For example, liquid-permeable thin paper such as a paper towel, nonwoven fabric, or the like is used as the core sheet 68. The core sheet 68 enables liquid discharged by the wearer to spread over the entire absorbent body 6A. Alternatively, the core-spun sheet 68 may be comprised of a single sheet.

< second embodiment >

An absorber according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the absorption body, the liquid is preferably kept at a distance from the skin of the wearer. However, in an absorbent body in which SAP particles are fixed on a nonwoven fabric base material, since a certain amount of SAP particles necessary for absorbing and retaining a predetermined amount of liquid is arranged only on the back surface side of the base material at a certain distance from the skin of the wearer, resulting in an excessive increase in the density of SAP on the back surface side, gel blocking occurs more easily after the SAP absorbs the liquid. Therefore, although the SAP is preferably arranged on both surfaces of the nonwoven fabric base material, when the SAP arranged on the front surface of the nonwoven fabric base material becomes a gel, the liquid permeability on the front surface side decreases, the liquid is prevented from spreading over the entire absorbent body, and liquid leakage occurs. For this reason, a balance between liquid absorption rate and liquid permeability is required on the front surface of the nonwoven fabric base material in the absorbent body. Further, when the SAP becomes a gel and the holding amount of the liquid decreases, a back flow occurs in which the liquid initially absorbed by the absorbent body is released to the skin side of the wearer.

In view of this, an object of the present embodiment is to provide a technique capable of suppressing liquid leakage and backflow.

To solve the above problem, in the present embodiment, the liquid permeability of the upper SAP layer is increased, and the liquid absorption rate of the lower SAP layer is increased.

Specifically, the present embodiment is an absorber including: a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric and permeable to liquid; an upper SAP layer disposed on the front surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles that are superabsorbent polymers; and a lower SAP layer disposed on the rear surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles that are superabsorbent polymers, wherein the upper SAP layer has a liquid permeability of 30 (ml/min) or more and the lower SAP layer has a liquid absorbency of 35 (g/g) or more.

In the above-described absorbent body, the upper SAP layer may be arranged on both sides of the base material in the width direction along a central portion of the width direction, and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the base material.

In the above-described absorbent body, the grooves may be formed on the front surface side of the base material at the center portion in the width direction and along the upper SAP layers on both sides.

The absorbent body may include: a first nonwoven sheet arranged to cover the front surface of the substrate; and a second nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover the rear surface of the base material.

The absorbent body may include: a core-spun sheet covering a periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include a substrate, an upper SAP layer, a lower SAP layer, a first nonwoven sheet, and a second nonwoven sheet.

In addition, an absorbent article that absorbs liquid discharged by a wearer and includes: a liquid impermeable backsheet; a liquid pervious topsheet joined to a backsheet; and the absorber disposed between the back sheet and the top sheet.

According to the present embodiment, liquid leakage and backflow can be suppressed.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of an absorber according to a second embodiment. The absorbent body 6 is formed in a sheet shape having a rectangular shape in a plan view. Fig. 7 shows a state in which, when the absorbent body 6 is disposed in an absorbent article such as a diaper, the absorbent body 6 is the side of the skin-opposing surface that opposes the wearer's skin, as viewed from the front surface side.

Fig. 8 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the absorbent body 6 when cut along thebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6) shown in fig. 7. The absorption body 6 has a uniform cross section over the entire longitudinal direction. Although it is shown in fig. 8 that the respective components of the absorbent body 6 have gaps provided therebetween for easy understanding, in practice, it is difficult to form gaps between the respective components.

The absorber 6 includes a base material 61. The base material 61 is formed in a rectangular sheet shape. For the base material 61, a bulk nonwoven fabric having a thickness of about 1mm to 10mm and manufactured by an air-through method, a needle-punching method, or the like is used. The substrate 61 penetrates and diffuses the liquid.

The Absorbent body 6 includes SAP layers 62L and 62R (an example of an "upper SAP layer"), the SAP layers 62L and 62R are disposed on the front surface of the base material 61, and the SAP layers 62L and 62R include SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) particles that are high-Absorbent polymers. In this case, when the absorbent body 6 is disposed in the absorbent article, the front surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the rear surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side other than the skin-opposing surface, which is the side opposite to the side of the skin-opposing surface. Central portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R in the width direction are arranged on the front surface of the base material 61 on both sides of the base material 61 in the width direction, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the base material 61. Note that the longitudinal direction of the base material 61 is perpendicular to the width direction of the base material 61.

When the absorber 6 is arranged in the absorbent article, the SAP layer 62L is positioned on the left side of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the SAP layer 62R is positioned on the right side of the wearer of the absorbent article. The SAP layers 62L and 62R are formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the front surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In the SAP layers 62L and 62R, the SAP particles are substantially uniformly arranged. The substrate 61 holds the SAP layers 62L and 62R. The SAP layers 62L and 62R extend in the entire longitudinal direction of the base material 61.

In addition, the absorber 6 includes: an SAP layer 63 (an example of a "lower SAP layer") is arranged on the rear surface of the substrate 61 and comprises SAP particles. The SAP layer 63 is formed on substantially the entire area of the rear surface of the base material 61. The SAP layer 63 is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the rear surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In the SAP layer 63, the SAP particles are arranged substantially uniformly. Substrate 61 holds SAP layer 63. By providing the SAP layer 63, the absorbent body 6 increases the amount of absorption and retention of liquid as a whole. Alternatively, SAP particles may be included in interstices in the substrate 61.

The SAP absorbs liquid 10 to 100 times its own weight. For example, as the SAP, an SAP in a granular state before absorbing a liquid is used.

The SAP layers 62L and 62R have a higher liquid permeability than the SAP layer 63, but the SAP layer 63 has a higher liquid absorption rate than the SAP layers 62L and 62R. These attributes may be set according to the type of SAP disposed in each SAP layer.

First, a method of measuring the liquid permeability will be described. Fluid penetration is defined by the volume of fluid (ml) penetrated in 1 minute. First, a bio-column (e.g., a bio-column CF-30K manufactured by samovan CORPORATION, etc.) having an inner diameter of 25.4mm and mounted with a filter (e.g., a bio-column filter 30SUS manufactured by samovan CORPORATION, etc.) was prepared. As the bio-column, a bio-column with labels for liquid measurement values of 60ml and 40ml or a bio-column with labels attached to liquid measurement values of 60ml and 40ml is used. Next, 150.0ml (+ -1.5 ml) of a physiological saline solution having a concentration of 0.900% (+ -0.009%) and a temperature of 25 deg.C (+ -2 deg.C) was poured into a 200ml volume beaker. Next, 0.320g (± 0.003 g) of SAP was added to the beaker and soaked for 30 minutes while stirring. Next, after putting all the contents in the beaker into the bio-column, a cylindrical rod (metal mesh having a diameter of 2mm and having a mesh size of 150um fitted to its tip and a diameter of 25 mm) was inserted into the inner cylinder of the bio-column such that the metal mesh was in contact with the SAP, and a weight was placed on top of the cylindrical rod such that a load of 0.3psi was applied to the SAP. Next, the stopcock of the bio-column was opened to lower the liquid level in the bio-column until the liquid level was located about 5cm above the 60ml line, and the liquid was left to stand in this state for 1 minute. Next, the stopcock of the bio-column was opened to measure the time required for the liquid level to drop from the 60ml line to the 40ml line (T1). In addition, a similar test was performed to measure time (T0) in a state where no SAP was added.

The liquid permeability of the SAP was obtained by substituting the T1 and T0 values obtained from the above test into the following equation (1).

Fluid permeability (ml/min) = 20/(T1-T0). (1)

An SAP having a liquid permeability of 30 (ml/min) or more is used in the SAP layers 62L and 62R. Accordingly, the SAP layers 62L and 62R have a liquid permeability of 30 (ml/min) or greater. It should be noted that the SAP layer 63 has a liquid permeability of less than 30 (ml/min).

Next, a method of measuring the liquid absorption rate will be described. Liquid absorbency is defined as the amount of liquid (g) absorbed per 1g of SAP. First, a nylon sheet having a mesh size of 57 μm was cut into a size having a longitudinal dimension of 10cm and a transverse dimension of 40cm, the cut nylon sheet was folded into two in the longitudinal direction, and both ends were heat-sealed to form a nylon bag having a bag shape of 10cm × 20 cm. 1.00g (+ -0.01 g) of SAP was placed in a nylon bag. Next, the nylon bag was placed in a physiological saline solution at a concentration of 0.900% (+ -0.009%) and a temperature of 25 deg.C (+ -2 deg.C) and soaked for 1 hour. Next, the nylon bag was withdrawn and drained for 15 minutes. Next, dehydration was performed for 90 seconds using a centrifugal dehydrator with centrifugal force set to 150G, and the weight (a) of the nylon bag was measured. In addition, a similar nylon bag containing no SAP was produced to perform a similar test, and the weight (B) of the nylon bag was measured.

The liquid absorption rate (liquid absorption amount) of the SAP is obtained by substituting the values of a and B obtained in the above test into the following equation (2).

Liquid uptake (g/g) = (a-B)/amount of SAP collected (2)

An SAP having a liquid absorption rate of 35 (g/g) or more is used in the SAP layer 63. Accordingly, the SAP layer 63 has a liquid absorbency of 35 (g/g) or more. It should be noted that the liquid absorbency of both SAP layers 62L and 62R is less than 35 (g/g).

Generally, in an absorbent body including SAP, the closer the SAP is to the wearer's skin, the greater the amount of urine absorbed by the SAP. Therefore, after the absorbent body absorbs urine a plurality of times, the SAP near the wearer's skin becomes swollen and the liquid permeability is lowered, making it difficult for urine to penetrate into the absorbent body or enter the side (lower side) of the non-skin opposite surface, thereby creating a risk that urine may flow on top of the side of the skin opposite surface of the absorbent body and cause leakage.

When the absorber 6 according to the present embodiment is disposed in an absorbent article, the SAP layers 62L and 62R are located on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the SAP layer 63 is located on the side of the non-skin-opposing surface. In other words, the SAP layer 63 is disposed farther away from the wearer's skin than the SAP layers 62L and 62R. In addition, in the absorbent body 6, the SAP layers 62L and 62R have a liquid permeability of 30 (ml/min) or more. Therefore, even after absorbing urine a plurality of times, the absorbent body 6 can ensure the liquid permeability of the SAP layers 62L and 62R disposed closer to the wearer's skin, so that urine can more easily penetrate into the base material 61 or into the SAP layer 63, and leakage of urine can be suppressed. In addition, in the absorbent body 6, the SAP layer 63 has a liquid absorption rate of 35 (g/g) or more. Since the absorbent body 6 according to the present embodiment holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 disposed at a distance from the skin of the wearer, the wet feeling on the skin surface can be suppressed and the deterioration of the wearability can be prevented. In addition, by arranging the SAP layers on the front and rear surfaces of the base material 61, the absorbent body 6 can arrange the amount of SAP required to absorb and hold a predetermined amount of liquid in the distribution substance between the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, prevent the SAP density in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming excessively high, and prevent the occurrence of gel blocking. Further, the absorbent body 6 can prevent the SAP in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming gel, and by preventing a decrease in the absorption/retention amount of the liquid in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, the absorbent body 6 can suppress a back flow in which the liquid initially absorbed flows out to the wearer's skin side.

In addition, on the front surface side (the side of the skin-opposing surface) of the base material 61, the SAP is not provided in the central portion in the width direction, but the SAP layers 62L and 62R are arranged on both sides in the width direction. When the absorbent body 6 is disposed in the absorbent article, the center portion in the width direction on the front surface side of the base material 61 is disposed at a position opposing the urethral opening (hereinafter referred to as "urethral opening opposing position"). In the absorbent body 6, the absence of the SAP at the position opposite to the urethral opening enables the discharged urine to be introduced into the base material 61 and to be diffused to the entirety of the base material 61. Alternatively, the SAP layer may be formed on the entire front surface side of the base material 61. Even in this case, since the liquid permeability of the SAP layer disposed closer to the wearer's skin is high as described above, the absorbent body 6 enables urine to more easily penetrate into the base material 61 or enter the SAP layer 63, and leakage of urine can be suppressed.

In addition, the absorber 6 includes: a first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 arranged to cover the front surface of the base material 61; and a second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 disposed so as to cover the rear surface of the base material 61. Liquid-permeable nonwoven fabrics are used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. For example, an air-laid nonwoven fabric is used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. The first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 diffuse liquid in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6. Therefore, the absorbent body 6 prevents liquid such as urine discharged by the wearer from gathering at the center in the width direction or the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6. In addition, the provision of the first nonwoven sheet 65 improves the wearability of the absorbent article by the wearer.

Further, in the absorber 6, a groove may be formed in the base material 61. Fig. 9 is a plan view similar to fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the absorbent body 6 when cut along the B-B cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6) shown in fig. 9. Grooves 67 are formed on the front surface side of the base material 61 along the center portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R on both sides in the width direction of the base material 61. When the absorbent body 6 is disposed in the absorbent article, the grooves 67 are formed at positions opposite to the urethral opening, so that urine discharged by the wearer easily flows into the grooves 67. The groove 67 is formed after the substrate 61 is formed by applying pressure to the groove formation region from the front surface side of the substrate 61. Alternatively, when the substrate 61 is manufactured, the grooves 67 may be formed by reducing the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric in the groove-forming region.

In this way, by providing the grooves 67 on the front surface side (skin-opposite surface side) of the absorbent body 6, urine can be spread in the entire longitudinal direction of the base material 61, and leakage of urine can be suppressed even when a large amount of urine is discharged.

Further, in the absorbent body 6, the entirety of the absorbent composite configured to include the base material 61, the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, and the first and second

nonwoven fabric sheets

65 and 66 is covered with the core sheet 68. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of an absorbent body 6 similar to that shown in fig. 8. As shown in fig. 11, the core-clad sheet 68 includes: a first sheet 68A covering one side of the first nonwoven sheet 65; and a second sheet 68B covering the end portion in the width direction of the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65, the side surface of the base material 61, and one side of the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. The first and

second panels

68A, 68B are joined and integrally wrap the entirety of the absorbent composite. For example, liquid-permeable thin paper such as a paper towel or nonwoven fabric is used as the core sheet 68. The core sheet 68 is capable of diffusing liquid discharged by the wearer to the entirety of the absorbent body 6. Alternatively, the core-spun sheet 68 may be comprised of a single sheet.

< third embodiment >

An absorber according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the absorption body, the liquid is preferably kept at a distance from the skin of the wearer. However, in an absorbent body in which SAP particles are fixed on a nonwoven fabric base material, since a certain amount of SAP particles necessary for absorbing and retaining a predetermined amount of liquid is arranged only on the back surface side of the base material at a certain distance from the skin of the wearer, resulting in an excessive increase in the density of SAP on the back surface side, gel blocking occurs more easily after the SAP absorbs the liquid. Therefore, although the SAP is preferably arranged on both surfaces of the nonwoven fabric base material, when the SAP arranged on the front surface of the nonwoven fabric base material becomes a gel, the liquid permeability on the front surface side decreases, the liquid is prevented from spreading over the entire absorbent body, and liquid leakage occurs. For this reason, on the front surface of the nonwoven fabric base material in the absorbent body, a balance between liquid absorption rate and liquid permeability is required. Further, when the SAP becomes a gel and the holding amount of the liquid decreases, a back flow occurs in which the liquid initially absorbed by the absorbent body is released to the skin side of the wearer.

In order to solve the above problem, in the present embodiment, the upper SAP layer has a smaller amount of SAP than the lower SAP layer.

Specifically, the present embodiment is an absorber including: a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric and permeable to liquid; an upper SAP layer disposed on the front surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles that are superabsorbent polymers; and a lower SAP layer disposed on the rear surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles that are superabsorbent polymers, wherein the upper SAP layer has a smaller amount of SAP than the lower SAP layer.

In the above-described absorbent body, the upper SAP layer may be arranged on both sides in the width direction of the base material along a central portion in the width direction and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the base material, and the groove may be formed on the front surface side of the base material along the central portion in the width direction of the upper SAP layer on both sides.

In the above-mentioned absorbent body, the upper SAP layer may have a higher liquid permeability than the lower SAP layer.

The absorbent body may include compressed grooves formed by compressing the core-spun sheet, the first nonwoven sheet and the base material.

In addition, an absorbent article may be provided that absorbs liquid discharged by a wearer and includes: a liquid impermeable backsheet; a liquid pervious topsheet joined to a backsheet; and the absorber disposed between the back sheet and the top sheet.

The absorbent article may include compressed grooves formed by compressing a part of the base material of the absorbent body from the top sheet.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of an absorbent body according to a third embodiment. The absorber 6C is formed in a sheet shape having a rectangular shape in a plan view. Fig. 12 shows a state in which, when the absorbent body 6C is disposed in an absorbent article such as a diaper, the absorbent body 6C is the side of the skin-opposing surface opposing the skin of the wearer as viewed from the front surface side.

Fig. 13 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the absorbent body 6C when cut along thebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6C) shown in fig. 12. The absorbent body 6C has a uniform cross section throughout the longitudinal direction. Although it is shown in fig. 13 that the respective components of the absorber 6C have gaps provided therebetween for easy understanding, in practice, it is difficult to form gaps between the respective components.

The absorber 6C includes a base material 61. The base material 61 is formed in a rectangular sheet shape. For the base material 61, a bulk nonwoven fabric having a thickness of about 1mm to 10mm and manufactured by an air-through method, a needle-punching method, or the like is used. The substrate 61 penetrates and diffuses the liquid.

The Absorbent body 6C includes SAP layers 62L and 62R (an example of an "upper SAP layer"), the SAP layers 62L and 62R are disposed on the front surface of the base material 61, and the SAP layers 62L and 62R include SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) particles that are high-Absorbent polymers. In this case, when the absorbent body 6C is disposed in the absorbent article, the front surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the rear surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side other than the skin-opposing surface, which is the side opposite to the side of the skin-opposing surface. Central portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R in the width direction are arranged on the front surface of the base material 61 on both sides of the base material 61 in the width direction, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the base material 61. Note that the longitudinal direction of the base material 61 is perpendicular to the width direction of the base material 61.

When the absorber 6C is disposed in the absorbent article, the SAP layer 62L is positioned on the left side of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the SAP layer 62R is positioned on the right side of the wearer of the absorbent article. The SAP layers 62L and 62R are formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the front surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In the SAP layers 62L and 62R, the SAP particles are substantially uniformly arranged. The substrate 61 holds the SAP layers 62L and 62R. The SAP layers 62L and 62R extend in the entire longitudinal direction of the base material 61.

In addition, the absorber 6C includes: an SAP layer 63 (an example of a "lower SAP layer") is arranged on the rear surface of the substrate 61 and comprises SAP particles. The SAP layer 63 is formed on substantially the entire area of the rear surface of the base material 61. The SAP layer 63 is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the rear surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In the SAP layer 63, the SAP particles are arranged substantially uniformly. Substrate 61 holds SAP layer 63. By providing the SAP layer 63, the absorbent body 6C increases the absorption amount and retention amount of liquid as a whole. Alternatively, SAP particles may be included in interstices in the substrate 61.

In this case, the SAP layers 62L and 62R are given a smaller amount of SAP than the SAP layer 63. The amount of liquid absorbed (liquid retention) in the SAP layer is proportional to the amount of SAP. By including the SAP layer 63 containing a larger amount of SAP than the SAP layers 62L and 62R, the absorbent body 6C according to the present embodiment can suppress leakage of liquid without reducing the absorption amount and the retention amount of liquid as a whole. Further, by making the SAP layers 62L and 62R contain a smaller amount of SAP than the SAP layer 63, the SAP layer 63 at a distance from the wearer's skin can absorb and hold a larger amount of liquid than the SAP layers 62L and 62R closer to the skin when the absorbent body 6C is arranged in the absorbent article. Therefore, since the absorber 6C holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 arranged at a distance from the wearer's skin, wet feeling on the skin surface can be suppressed and a decrease in wearability can be prevented. It should be noted that the amount of SAP in the SAP layer may be defined by basis weight or by applied dose (g).

In addition, the SAP layers 62L and 62R are given a higher liquid permeability than the SAP layer 63. These attributes may be set according to the type of SAP disposed in each SAP layer. Fluid penetration is defined by the volume of fluid (ml) penetrated in 1 minute. First, a bio-column (e.g., a bio-column CF-30K manufactured by sutrax corporation, etc.) having an inner diameter of 25.4mm and mounted with a filter (e.g., a bio-column filter 30SUS manufactured by sutrax corporation, etc.) was prepared. As the bio-column, a bio-column with labels for liquid measurement values of 60ml and 40ml or a bio-column with labels attached to liquid measurement values of 60ml and 40ml is used. Next, 150.0ml (+ -1.5 ml) of a physiological saline solution having a concentration of 0.900% (+ -0.009%) and a temperature of 25 deg.C (+ -2 deg.C) was poured into a 200ml volume beaker. Next, 0.320g (± 0.003 g) of SAP was added to the beaker and soaked for 30 minutes while stirring. Next, after putting all the contents in the beaker into the bio-column, a cylindrical rod (metal mesh having a diameter of 2mm and having a mesh size of 150um fitted to its tip and a diameter of 25 mm) was inserted into the inner cylinder of the bio-column so that the metal mesh was in contact with the SAP, and a weight was placed on top of the cylindrical rod so that a load of 0.3psi was applied to the SAP. Next, the stopcock of the bio-column was opened to lower the liquid level in the bio-column until the liquid level was located about 5cm above the 60ml line, and the liquid was left to stand in this state for 1 minute. Next, the stopcock of the bio-column was opened to measure the time (T1) required for the liquid level to fall from the 60ml line to the 40ml line. In addition, a similar test was performed to measure time (T0) in a state where no SAP was added.

The liquid permeability of the SAP is obtained by substituting the T1 and T0 values obtained from the above test into the following equation (3).

Fluid permeability (ml/min) = 20/(T1-T0). (3)

An SAP having a liquid permeability of 30 (ml/min) or more may be used in the SAP layers 62L and 62R. In this case, the SAP layers 62L and 62R have a higher liquid permeability than the SAP layer 63 of 30 (ml/min) or more. It should be noted that the SAP layer 63 has a liquid permeability of less than 30 (ml/min).

Generally, in an absorbent body including SAP, the closer the SAP is to the wearer's skin, the greater the amount of urine absorbed by the SAP. Therefore, after the absorbent body absorbs urine a plurality of times, the SAP near the wearer's skin becomes swollen and the liquid permeability is lowered, making it difficult for urine to penetrate into the absorbent body or enter the side (lower side) other than the skin-facing surface, thereby creating a risk that urine may flow on top of the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body and cause leakage.

When the absorber 6C according to the present embodiment is disposed in an absorbent article, the SAP layers 62L and 62R are located on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the SAP layer 63 is located on the side of the non-skin-opposing surface. In other words, the SAP layer 63 is disposed farther away from the wearer's skin than the SAP layers 62L and 62R. In addition, in the absorbent body 6C, the SAP layers 62L and 62R are given a higher liquid permeability than the SAP layer 63. Therefore, even after absorbing urine a plurality of times, the absorber 6C can ensure the liquid permeability of the SAP layers 62L and 62R disposed closer to the wearer's skin, so that urine can more easily penetrate into the base material 61 or into the SAP layer 63, and leakage of urine can be suppressed. In addition, by arranging the SAP layers on the front and rear surfaces of the base material 61, the absorbent body 6C can arrange the amount of SAP required to absorb and hold a predetermined amount of liquid in the distribution substance between the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, prevent the SAP density in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming excessively high, and prevent the occurrence of gel blocking. Further, the absorbent body 6C can prevent the SAP in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming gel, and by preventing a decrease in the absorption/retention amount of the liquid in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, the absorbent body 6C can suppress a back flow in which the liquid initially absorbed flows out to the wearer's skin side.

In addition, on the front surface side (the side of the skin-opposing surface) of the base material 61, the SAP is not provided in the central portion in the width direction, but the SAP layers 62L and 62R are arranged on both sides in the width direction. When the absorbent body 6C is disposed in the absorbent article, the center portion in the width direction on the front surface side of the base material 61 is disposed at a position opposing the urethral opening (hereinafter referred to as "urethral opening opposing position"). In the absorbent body 6C, the absence of the SAP at the position opposite to the urethral opening enables the discharged urine to be introduced into the base material 61 and to be diffused to the entirety of the base material 61. Alternatively, the SAP layer may be formed on the entire front surface side of the base material 61. Even in this case, since the liquid permeability of the SAP layer disposed closer to the wearer's skin is high as described above, the absorbent body 6C enables urine to more easily penetrate into the base material 61 or into the SAP layer 63, and leakage of urine can be suppressed.

In addition, the absorber 6C includes: a first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 arranged to cover the front surface of the base material 61; and a second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 arranged to cover the rear surface of the base material 61. Liquid-permeable nonwoven fabrics are used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. For example, an air-laid nonwoven fabric is used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. The first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 diffuse liquid in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6C. Therefore, the absorbent body 6C prevents liquid such as urine discharged by the wearer from gathering at the center in the width direction or the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6C. In addition, the provision of the first nonwoven sheet 65 improves the wearability of the absorbent article by the wearer.

Further, in the absorber 6C, grooves may be formed in the base material 61. Fig. 14 is a plan view similar to fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the absorbent body 6C when cut along the B-B cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6C) shown in fig. 14. Grooves 67 are formed on the front surface side of the base material 61 along the center portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R on both sides in the width direction of the base material 61. When the absorber 6C is disposed in the absorbent article, the groove 67 is formed at a position opposite to the urethral opening, so that urine discharged by the wearer easily flows into the groove 67. The groove 67 is formed after the substrate 61 is formed by applying pressure to the groove formation region from the front surface side of the substrate 61. Alternatively, the grooves 67 may be formed by reducing the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric in the groove-forming region when the base material 61 is manufactured.

In this way, by providing the grooves 67 on the front surface side (skin-opposite surface side) of the absorbent body 6C, urine can be spread in the entire longitudinal direction of the base material 61, and leakage of urine can be suppressed even when a large amount of urine is discharged.

Further, in the absorbent body 6C, the entirety of the absorbent composite configured to include the base material 61, the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, and the first and second

nonwoven fabric sheets

65 and 66 is covered with the core sheet 68. Fig. 16 is a sectional view of an absorber 6C similar to the absorber shown in fig. 13. As shown in fig. 16, the core-spun sheet 68 includes: a first sheet 68A covering one side of the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65; and a second sheet 68B covering the end portion of the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 in the width direction, the side surface of the base material 61, and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 side. The first and

second panels

68A, 68B are joined and integrally wrap the entirety of the absorbent composite. For example, liquid-permeable thin paper such as a paper towel or nonwoven fabric is used as the core sheet 68. The core-wrapped sheet 68 can spread the liquid discharged by the wearer over the entire absorbent body 6C. Alternatively, the core-spun sheet 68 may be comprised of a single sheet.

In addition, compressed grooves may be formed by compressing the core-spun sheet 68 and the first nonwoven sheet 65 toward the front surface of the base material 61. Fig. 17 is a plan view of the absorbent body 6C when viewed from the first sheet 68a side of the core sheet 68 shown in fig. 16. When the absorbent body 6C is disposed in the absorbent article, the first sheet 68a is disposed on the side of the skin-opposed surface.

Compression grooves

70 and 71 are formed on the front surface of first sheet 68a. The

compressed grooves

70 and 71 are formed linearly in plural obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6C. The compressed grooves 70 are formed in plurality such that the compressed grooves 70 extend from the upper left corner to the lower right corner of the absorbent body 6C facing the paper surface and are parallel to each other. In addition, the compressed grooves 71 are formed in plurality such that the compressed grooves 71 extend from the upper right corner to the lower left corner of the absorbent body 6C facing the paper surface and are parallel to each other.

Compression grooves

70 and 71 intersect each other at approximately right angles. The

compressed grooves

70 and 71 are formed in a grid-like pattern as a whole. The formation pattern of the

compressed grooves

70 and 71 is not limited to this, and for example, the

compressed grooves

70 and 71 may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6C or formed in a curved shape.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the absorbent body 6C when cut along the C-C cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6C) shown in fig. 17. The

compression grooves

70 and 71 are formed by compressing the core-spun sheet 68, the first nonwoven sheet 65 and the base material 61. In addition, the

compressed grooves

70 and 71 are formed at a depth reaching a part of the base material 61 from the front surface side of the absorbent body 6C. The absorbent body 6C allows air to flow in the

compressed grooves

70 and 71 to improve liquid permeability. In addition, since the liquid flows in the

compression grooves

70 and 71, the diffusivity of the liquid is increased. In this way, the

compressed grooves

70 and 71 are provided to improve the liquid permeability and liquid diffusibility of the absorbent body 6C.

The

compressed grooves

70 and 71 are formed by performing a compression process in which the core-spun sheet 68 and the first nonwoven sheet 65 are compressed toward the front surface of the base material 61 by passing a press roll forming a convex grid-like pattern through the absorbent body 6C. In this case, when the SAP layer is formed on the front surface of the base material 61, when the compression treatment is applied from the front surface side of the absorbent body 6C, there is a risk that the SAP may break the core-wrapped sheet or the nonwoven fabric sheet. However, in the absorbent body 6C according to the present embodiment, the amount of SAP in the SAP layers 62L and 62R arranged on the front surface side of the absorbent body 6C is reduced. Accordingly, when the compression treatment is applied, the damage of the SAP to the first nonwoven sheet 65 or the first sheet 68a of the core sheet 68 can be suppressed. In addition,

compression grooves

70 and 71 are also formed on the front surface of the base material 61 at the central portion in the width direction of the base material 61 where the SAP layer is not formed. Since there is no SAP layer when the compression treatment is applied on the widthwise central portion of the base material 61, the SAP does not damage the first nonwoven sheet 65 or the first sheet 68a of the core sheet 68. In this way, the absorber 6C according to the present embodiment can improve the yield (yield) when the compression process is performed.

< fourth embodiment >

An absorber according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An absorbent body in which SAP particles are fixed on a nonwoven fabric base material absorbs and retains liquid using SAP. However, since the nonwoven fabric substrate to which the SAP particles are fixed is bulky, the diffusivity of liquid discharged by the wearer in the planar direction is low, and the liquid does not diffuse in the planar direction but penetrates into the interior of the nonwoven fabric substrate, or in other words, in the thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric substrate. Therefore, there is a risk that liquid penetrating into the interior of the nonwoven fabric may leak from the absorbent body instead of being absorbed by the SAP particles.

In order to solve the above problem, in the present embodiment, the front surface of the base material is provided with a waterproof finish region centered on the urethral orifice opposing position opposing the urethral orifice of the wearer.

Specifically, the present embodiment is an absorber including: a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric; and an SAP layer disposed on the front surface and the rear surface of the substrate and containing SAP particles which are a super absorbent polymer, wherein the front surface of the substrate is provided with a waterproof finish area centered on a urethral orifice opposing position opposite to a urethral orifice of a wearer.

It should be noted that the water-repellent finish area may be arranged such that: the farther from the opposite position of the urethral opening, the waterproofness is lowered.

In addition, the waterproof finish regions may be arranged alternately with the non-waterproof finish regions toward the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and disposed such that the ratio of the waterproof finish regions to the non-waterproof finish regions per unit area gradually decreases.

Further, a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the base material may be formed on one side of the front surface of the base material at a widthwise central portion of the base material.

In addition, the absorber may include: a first nonwoven sheet arranged to cover the front surface of the substrate; and a second nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover the rear surface of the base material.

Further, the absorber may include: a core-spun sheet covering the periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include a substrate, an SAP layer, a first nonwoven sheet, and a second nonwoven sheet.

In addition, the present embodiment may be an absorbent article that absorbs urine discharged by a wearer, the absorbent article including: a liquid impermeable backsheet; a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet; and any one of the above-described absorbers disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet.

According to the present embodiment, liquid leakage can be suppressed.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of an absorber according to a fourth embodiment. The absorber 6D is formed in a sheet shape having a rectangular shape in plan view. Fig. 19 shows a state in which, when the absorber 6D is disposed in an absorbent article such as a diaper, the absorber 6D is the side of the skin-opposing surface that opposes the wearer's skin, as viewed from the front surface side.

Fig. 20 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the absorbent body 6D when cut along thebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6D) shown in fig. 19. The absorbent body 6D has a uniform cross section throughout the longitudinal direction. Although it is shown in fig. 20 that the respective components of the absorber 6D have gaps provided therebetween for easy understanding, in practice, it is difficult to form gaps between the respective components.

The absorber 6D includes a base material 61. The base material 61 is formed in a rectangular sheet shape. For the base material 61, a bulk nonwoven fabric having a thickness of about 1mm to 3mm and manufactured by an air-through method, a needle-punching method, or the like is used.

The absorber 6D includes SAP layers disposed on the front surface and the rear surface of the base material 61, and the SAP layers include SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) particles that are high-Absorbent polymers. In this case, when the absorbent body 6D is disposed in the absorbent article, the front surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the rear surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side other than the skin-opposing surface, which is the side opposite to the side of the skin-opposing surface. SAP layer 62 is disposed on the front surface of substrate 61 and SAP layer 63 is disposed on the back surface of substrate 61. The SAP layer 62 is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the front surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In a similar manner, the SAP layer 63 is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the rear surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In the SAP layers 62 and 63, the SAP particles are arranged substantially uniformly. Substrate 61 holds SAP layers 62 and 63. The SAP layer 62 is arranged along the entire longitudinal direction of the front surface side of the base material 61. The SAP layer 63 is arranged on substantially the entire area of the rear surface of the substrate 61. Alternatively, SAP particles may be included in interstices in the substrate 61.

The SAP absorbs liquid 10 to 100 times its own weight. For example, as the SAP, an SAP in a granular state before absorbing a liquid is used. The SAP layers 62 and 63 absorb and retain liquid diffused by the substrate 61.

The SAP layer 62 disposed on the front surface of the base material 61 is disposed on both sides of the width direction of the base material 61 in the longitudinal direction of the base material 61. When the absorbent body 6D is disposed in the absorbent article, a urethral orifice opposing position opposing the urethral orifice of the wearer is disposed in the widthwise central portion of the base material 61. Therefore, as described above, when the SAP layer 62 is arranged on both sides of the width direction of the base material 61 in the longitudinal direction of the base material 61, urine discharged by the wearer is more easily absorbed by the SAP layer 62 via the base material 61 and is more easily absorbed by the SAP layer 63 via the base material 61.

In addition, the absorber 6D includes: a first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 arranged to cover the front surface of the base material 61; and a second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 arranged to cover the rear surface of the base material 61. Liquid-permeable nonwoven fabrics are used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. For example, an air-laid nonwoven fabric is used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. The first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 diffuse liquid in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6D. Therefore, the absorbent body 6D prevents liquid such as urine discharged by the wearer from gathering at the center in the width direction or the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6D. In addition, providing the first nonwoven sheet 65 improves the wearability of the absorbent article by the wearer.

Further, in the absorber 6D, a groove may be formed in the base material 61. Fig. 21 is a sectional view of an absorber 6D similar to the absorber shown in fig. 20. A groove 67 extending in the longitudinal direction of the base material 61 is formed on one side of the front surface of the base material 61 at the widthwise central portion of the base material 61. When the absorbent body 6D is disposed in the absorbent article, the groove 67 is formed at a position opposite to the urethral opening, so that urine discharged by the wearer easily flows into the groove 67. The groove 67 is formed after the substrate 61 is formed by applying pressure to the groove formation region from the front surface side of the substrate 61. Alternatively, when the substrate 61 is manufactured, the grooves 67 may be formed by reducing the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric in the groove-forming region.

The grooves 67 immediately guide liquid discharged from the urethral opening of the wearer to the outside of the opposed position of the urethral opening and diffuse the liquid into the base material 61 in the region other than the opposed position of the urethral opening. Therefore, the absorbent body 6D can suppress side leakage in which liquid leaks from one side of the side surface of the base material 61.

In this embodiment, a water repellent finish is applied to the front surface of the substrate 61 to spread urine voided by the wearer across the substrate 61. A water repellant finish refers to the application of a treatment that renders the front surface of the substrate 61 liquid repellent, and during the portion of the application treatment, liquid is less likely to flow from the front surface of the substrate 61 into the substrate 61.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a first example of a portion having a waterproof finish. In fig. 22, the portion enclosed by the broken line indicates the relative position of the urethral orifice. In the present embodiment, since the waterproof finish is applied with the urethral orifice opposite position as the center of application on the front surface of the base material 61, the vicinity of the urethral orifice opposite position has the highest waterproofness, and the farther from the urethral orifice opposite position, the waterproofness gradually decreases. In other words, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown by hatching in fig. 22, the largest waterproof finish region 69 is provided at the urethral opening opposing position, and the non-waterproof finish region to which the waterproof finish is not applied and the waterproof finish region 69 are alternately provided so that the area of the waterproof finish region 69 per unit area gradually decreases as it becomes farther from the urethral opening opposing position. Thus, in the example shown in fig. 22, the water repellant finish area 69 can be described as being formed in a striped pattern that tracks along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61. It should be noted that the waterproof finish centered on the urethral meatus opposing positions is not a concept for the waterproof finish (in which the urethral meatus opposing positions are the precise central positions, and the waterproofness is precisely decreased from the central positions), but a concept including the waterproof finish (in which the waterproofness is slightly higher mainly in the vicinity of the urethral meatus opposing positions than in other positions).

Only the desired waterproof finish is applied so that urine voided by the wearer spreads throughout the substrate 61 and is not limited to the waterproof finish areas 69 having a striped pattern as shown in fig. 22. For example, the water repellent finish may be applied uninterrupted in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61 such that: the waterproofing property is highest near the opposite position of the urethral opening, and gradually decreases with increasing distance from the vicinity of the opposite position of the urethral opening, or the size of the non-waterproofing region dispersedly disposed in the region to which the waterproofing finish is applied gradually increases as the distance from the opposite position of the urethral opening increases. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing a second example of a portion having a waterproof finish. For example, as shown in fig. 23, a waterproof finish may be applied in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61, and non-waterproof areas may be provided in a dot pattern within the waterproof finish areas 69.

For example, a water repellant finish may be achieved by applying a physical treatment (e.g., heat or pressure) or a chemical treatment (e.g., application of a water repellant ink) to the front surface of the substrate.

Fig. 24 is a sectional view of the absorbent body 6D when cut along the B-B cross section (cross section along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6D) shown in fig. 19. In fig. 24, the flow of moisture discharged from the urethral orifice is indicated by a blank arrow. In the present embodiment, since the waterproof finish for diffusing urine discharged by the wearer throughout the entire substrate 61 is applied to the front surface of the substrate 61, as shown by the blank arrows in fig. 24, the liquid discharged from the urethral orifice of the wearer is not diffused into the substrate 61 in the vicinity of the relative position of the urethral orifice, but is guided to a position on the front surface of the substrate 61 at a distance from the relative position of the urethral orifice, and the liquid is diffused throughout the substrate 61 in the non-waterproof region. In addition, the liquid diffused from the front surface of the base material 61 to the entire base material 61 through the non-water repellent region is absorbed by the SAP layer 62 provided on the front surface of the base material 61 or the SAP layer 63 provided on the rear surface of the base material 61. Therefore, the absorbent body 6D can suppress side leakage in which liquid leaks from one side of the side surface of the base material 61.

In the absorbent body 6D, the entirety of the absorbent composite configured to include the base material 61, the SAP layers 62 and 63, and the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet is covered with the core sheet. Fig. 25 is a sectional view of an absorber 6D similar to the absorber shown in fig. 20. As shown in fig. 25, the core-clad sheet 68 includes: a first sheet 68A covering the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65; and a second sheet 68B covering the width-direction end portion of the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65, the side surface of the base material 61, and one side of the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. The first and

second panels

68A, 68B are joined and integrally wrap the entirety of the absorbent composite. For example, liquid-permeable thin paper such as a paper towel or nonwoven fabric is used as the core sheet 68. The core-wrapped sheet 68 can spread the liquid discharged by the wearer over the entirety of the absorbent body 6D. Alternatively, the core-spun sheet 68 may be comprised of a single sheet.

< fifth embodiment >

An absorber according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this absorbent body, it is preferable to keep the liquid as far as possible from the wearer's skin from the viewpoint of being able to suppress the backflow of the liquid. However, in the absorbent body in which the SAP particles are fixed to the nonwoven fabric base material, since the SAP particles are arranged only on the back surface side of the base material (at a distance from the skin of the wearer), the absorption amount of liquid is reduced. With an absorbent body having a reduced absorption amount, there is a risk that liquid leakage may occur.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present embodiment, the liquid absorption rate of the upper SAP layer is increased, and the liquid absorption rate of the lower SAP layer is increased.

Specifically, the present embodiment is an absorber including: a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric and permeable to liquid; an upper SAP layer disposed on the front surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles that are superabsorbent polymers; and a lower SAP layer disposed on the rear surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles that are superabsorbent polymers, wherein the upper SAP layer has a liquid absorption rate of 45 (seconds) or less and the lower SAP layer has a liquid absorption rate of 35 (g/g) or more, as measured according to the eddy current method.

Fig. 26 is a plan view of an absorber according to a fifth embodiment. The absorber 6E is formed in a sheet shape having a rectangular shape in a plan view. Fig. 26 shows a state in which, when the absorbent body 6E is disposed in an absorbent article such as a diaper, the absorbent body 6E is the side of the skin-opposing surface opposing the skin of the wearer as viewed from the front surface side.

Fig. 27 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the absorbent body 6E when cut along thebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6E) shown in fig. 26. The absorbent body 6E has a uniform cross section throughout the longitudinal direction. Although it is shown in fig. 27 that the respective components of the absorbent body 6E have gaps provided therebetween for easy understanding, in practice, it is difficult to form gaps between the respective components.

The absorber 6E includes a base material 61. The base material 61 is formed in a rectangular sheet shape. For the base material 61, a bulk nonwoven fabric having a thickness of about 1mm to 10mm and manufactured by an air-through method, a needle-punching method, or the like is used. The substrate 61 penetrates and diffuses the liquid.

The Absorbent body 6E includes SAP layers 62L and 62R (an example of an "upper SAP layer"), the SAP layers 62L and 62R are disposed on the front surface of the base material 61, and the SAP layers 62L and 62R include SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) particles that are high-Absorbent polymers. In this case, when the absorbent body 6E is disposed in the absorbent article, the front surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the rear surface of the base material 61 is disposed on the side other than the skin-opposing surface, which is the side opposite to the side of the skin-opposing surface. Central portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R in the width direction are arranged on the front surface of the base material 61 on both sides of the base material 61 in the width direction, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the base material 61. Note that the longitudinal direction of the base material 61 is perpendicular to the width direction of the base material 61.

When the absorber 6E is disposed in the absorbent article, the SAP layer 62L is positioned on the left side of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the SAP layer 62R is positioned on the right side of the wearer of the absorbent article. The SAP layers 62L and 62R are formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the front surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In the SAP layers 62L and 62R, the SAP particles are substantially uniformly arranged. The substrate 61 holds the SAP layers 62L and 62R. The SAP layers 62L and 62R extend in the entire longitudinal direction of the base material 61.

In addition, the absorber 6E includes: an SAP layer 63 (an example of a "lower SAP layer") is arranged on the rear surface of the substrate 61 and comprises SAP particles. The SAP layer 63 is formed on substantially the entire area of the rear surface of the base material 61. The SAP layer 63 is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the front surface of the base material 61 using an adhesive. In the SAP layer 63, the SAP particles are arranged substantially uniformly. Substrate 61 holds SAP layer 63. By providing the SAP layer 63, the absorbent body 6E increases the absorption amount and retention amount of liquid as a whole. Alternatively, SAP particles may be included in interstices in the substrate 61.

The SAP layers 62L and 62R have a higher liquid absorption rate than the SAP layer 63, but the SAP layer 63 has a higher liquid absorption rate than the SAP layers 62L and 62R. These attributes may be set according to the type of SAP disposed in each SAP layer.

First, a method of measuring the liquid absorption rate will be described. The liquid absorption rate of the SAP may be measured according to the eddy current method. First, 50.0ml (+ -0.5 ml) of a physiological saline solution having a concentration of 0.900% (+ -0.009%) and a temperature of 25 deg.C (+ -2 deg.C) was poured into a beaker having a volume of 100 ml. Next, the beaker was placed on a magnetic stirrer and a stir bar was placed in the beaker. Next, the stirring rod was rotated at 600rpm (+ -30 rpm) to confirm that the physiological saline solution in the beaker was vortexed in a stable manner. Next, at the instant of adding 2.00g (± 0.02 g) of SAP to the beaker, the measurement was started using a stopwatch, and the time until the vortex disappeared and the liquid level leveled out was measured.

The liquid absorption rate of the SAP may be obtained according to the above-described vortex method. In the SAP layers 62L and 62R, SAP having a liquid absorption speed of 45 (seconds) or less as measured according to the eddy current method is used. Therefore, the liquid absorption speed of the SAP layers 62L and 62R measured according to the eddy current method is 45 (seconds) or less. It should be noted that the SAP layer 63 has a liquid absorption speed higher than 45 (seconds) measured according to the eddy current method.

Next, a method of measuring the liquid absorption rate (liquid absorption amount) will be described. Liquid absorbency is defined as the amount of liquid (g) absorbed per 1g of SAP. First, a nylon sheet having a mesh size of 57 μm was cut into a size having a longitudinal dimension of 10cm and a transverse dimension of 40cm, the cut nylon sheet was folded into two in the longitudinal direction, and both end portions were heat-sealed to form a nylon bag having a bag shape of 10cm × 20 cm. 1.00g (+ -0.01 g) of SAP was placed in a nylon bag. Next, the nylon bag was placed in a physiological saline solution at a concentration of 0.900% (+ -0.009%) and a temperature of 25 deg.C (+ -2 deg.C) and soaked for 1 hour. Next, the nylon bag was withdrawn and drained for 15 minutes. Next, dehydration was performed for 90 seconds using a centrifugal dehydrator in which the centrifugal force was set to 150G, and the weight (a) of the nylon bag was measured. In addition, a similar nylon bag containing no SAP was produced to perform a similar test, and the weight (B) of the nylon bag was measured.

The liquid absorption rate of the SAP is obtained by substituting the values of a and B obtained from the above test into the following equation (4).

Liquid uptake (g/g) = (a-B)/amount of SAP collected (4)

When the absorbent body 6E according to the present embodiment is disposed in an absorbent article, the SAP layers 62L and 62R are located on the side of the skin-opposing surface, and the SAP layer 63 is located on the side of the non-skin-opposing surface. In other words, the SAP layer 63 is disposed farther away from the wearer's skin than the SAP layers 62L and 62R. In addition, in the absorbent body 6E, the SAP layers 62L and 62R have a liquid absorption speed of 45 (seconds) or less. Therefore, the absorbent body 6E can quickly absorb urine and suppress leakage of urine using the SAP layers 62L and 62R which are arranged closer to the wearer's skin and have a relatively high liquid absorption rate. In addition, in the absorbent body 6E, the SAP layer 63 has a liquid absorption rate of 35 (g/g) or more. Since the absorbent body 6E according to the present embodiment holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 arranged at a distance from the wearer's skin, the wet feeling of the skin surface can be suppressed and the decrease in wearability can be prevented. In addition, in the absorbent body, when pressure is applied to the absorbent body by body weight or the like, it is possible to effectively suppress backflow of liquid by holding the liquid at a position as far as possible. Since the absorbent body 6E according to the present embodiment holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 disposed at a distance from the wearer's skin, it is possible to suppress the backflow of liquid.

Further, in general, when a wearer assumes a sleeping posture while wearing an absorbent article, urine flows on the surface of the diaper during urination, and the urine causes leakage. On the other hand, by arranging the SAP layers 62L and 62R having a high liquid absorption speed on the side of the skin-opposed surface, the absorbent body 6E according to the present embodiment can absorb urine flowing on the front surface of the absorbent body 6E with the SAP layers 62L and 62R and prevent urine leakage.

In addition, on the front surface side (the side of the skin-opposing surface) of the base material 61, the SAP is not provided in the central portion in the width direction, but the SAP layers 62L and 62R are arranged on both sides in the width direction. When the absorbent body 6E is disposed in the absorbent article, the center portion in the width direction on the front surface side of the base material 61 is disposed at a position opposing the urethral opening (hereinafter referred to as "urethral opening opposing position"). In the absorbent body 6E, the absence of the SAP at the position opposite to the urethral opening enables the discharged urine to be introduced into the base material 61 and to be diffused to the entirety of the base material 61. Alternatively, the SAP layer may be formed on the entire front surface side of the base material 61.

In addition, the absorber 6E includes: a first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 arranged to cover the front surface of the base material 61; and a second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 arranged to cover the rear surface of the base material 61. Liquid-permeable nonwoven fabrics are used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. For example, an air-laid nonwoven fabric is used as the first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66. The first nonwoven fabric sheet 65 and the second nonwoven fabric sheet 66 diffuse liquid in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6E. Therefore, the absorbent body 6E prevents liquid such as urine discharged by the wearer from gathering at the center in the width direction or the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6E. In addition, the provision of the first nonwoven sheet 65 improves the wearability of the absorbent article by the wearer.

Further, in the absorber 6E, grooves may be formed in the base material 61. Fig. 28 is a plan view similar to fig. 26. Fig. 29 is a sectional view of the absorbent body 6E when cut along the B-B cross section (cross section along the width direction of the absorbent body 6E) shown in fig. 28. Grooves 67 are formed on the front surface side of the base material 61 along the center portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R on both sides in the width direction of the base material 61. When the absorbent body 6E is disposed in the absorbent article, the groove 67 is formed at a position opposite to the urethral opening, so that urine discharged by the wearer easily flows into the groove 67. The groove 67 is formed after the substrate 61 is formed by applying pressure to the groove formation region from the front surface side of the substrate 61. Alternatively, when the substrate 61 is manufactured, the grooves 67 may be formed by reducing the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric in the groove-forming region.

In this way, by providing the grooves 67 on the front surface side (skin-opposite surface side) of the absorbent body 6E, urine can be spread in the entire longitudinal direction of the base material 61, and leakage of urine can be suppressed even when a large amount of urine is discharged.

Further, in the absorbent body 6E, the entirety of the absorbent composite configured to include the base material 61, the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, and the first nonwoven sheet 65 and the second nonwoven sheet is covered with the core sheet 68. Fig. 30 is a sectional view of an absorbent body 6E similar to the absorbent body shown in fig. 27. As shown in fig. 30, the core-spun sheet 68 includes a first sheet 68A and a second sheet 68B, the first sheet 68A covers one side of the first nonwoven sheet 65, and the second sheet 68B covers the width-direction end of the first nonwoven sheet 65, the side surface of the base material 61, and one side of the second nonwoven sheet 66. The first and

second panels

68A, 68B are joined and integrally wrap the entirety of the absorbent composite. For example, liquid-permeable thin paper such as a paper towel or nonwoven fabric is used as the core sheet 68. The core-wrapped sheet 68 can spread the liquid discharged by the wearer over the entire absorbent body 6E. Alternatively, the core-spun sheet 68 may be comprised of a single sheet.

< sixth embodiment >

< absorbent article Using absorbent >

The tape-type disposable diapers shown in fig. 31 to 34 will be described as examples of absorbent articles using the above-described absorbers 6A to 6E. Fig. 31 is a perspective view of a disposable diaper 1 of tape type (hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper"). The diaper 1 has: a crotch region 1B that covers a genital region of a wearer in a wearing state; a precursor zone 1F located on the front side of the crotch zone 1B; and a rear body region 1R located on the rear side of the crotch region 1B. At the edges of the left and right sides of the rear body region 1R,

adhesive tapes

2L and 2R are provided, which are capable of adhering to the front patch 2F provided on the surface of the front body region 1F on the non-wearer side. Therefore, when the

tapes

2L and 2R are adhered to the front patch 2F in a state where the front body region 1F is arranged on the abdominal side of the wearer and the rear body region 1R is arranged on the back side of the wearer, the diaper 1 is fixed on the body of the wearer in a state where the diaper 1 surrounds the abdominal circumference and thighs of the wearer.

In the diaper 1, an absorber capable of absorbing and retaining liquid is disposed so as to be centered mainly in the vicinity of the crotch region 1B. The absorbent body 6 functions as an absorbent body. Alternatively, the absorbent body 6 may be replaced with any one of the absorbent bodies 6A to 6E according to the first to fifth embodiments described above. In addition, in order to suppress formation of a gap serving as a liquid outflow path between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin, the diaper 1 is provided with three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR at a portion around the thighs of the wearer and a waist gather 3R at a portion around the abdominal circumference of the wearer. The three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR and the waist gather 3R are in close contact with the wearer's skin due to the elastic force of the rubber thread. Thus, liquid discharged from the genital area of the wearer hardly leaks from the diaper 1, but is absorbed by the absorbent body of the diaper 1.

Fig. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper 1. In addition, fig. 33 is a sectional view when the crotch region is cut in the width direction of the crotch region 1B. The diaper 1 has a cover sheet 4 which forms the outer surface in the mounted state. The cover sheet 4 is a sheet-like member having an approximately rectangular appearance, which is provided with narrow portions 4KL and 4KR at portions corresponding to the long sides. Constrictions 4KL and 4KR are provided at the location of the thighs of the wearer. The cover sheet 4 is provided for reinforcing and improving the texture of the back sheet 5, and for example, a nonwoven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin may be used as its material to suppress leakage of excrement. Examples of the liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin include Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

Further, the diaper 1 has a back sheet 5, an absorber 6 and a top sheet 7, which are laminated in order on the wearer-side surface of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5, the absorbent body 6, and the top sheet 7 are sheet-like members having an approximately rectangular appearance, and are laminated on the cover sheet 4 in this order in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof matches the longitudinal direction of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5 is a sheet formed using a nonwoven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin as a base material in order to suppress leakage of excrement in a similar manner to the cover sheet 4. In addition, the top sheet 7 is a sheet-like member that is disposed on the skin surface side of the wearer so as to cover the water absorption surface (front surface) of the absorbent body 6. The top sheet 7 is partly or wholly liquid permeable. Therefore, in a state where the diaper 1 is worn, liquid discharged by the wearer passes through the top sheet 7 which can be in contact with the skin of the wearer and enters the absorbent body 6 to be absorbed by the absorbent body 6. For example, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a porous film may be used as the material of the topsheet 7. Further, the top sheet 7 may have hydrophilicity.

In addition, when the genital area of the wearer is covered with the cover sheet 4 on which the back sheet 5, the absorbent body 6, and the top sheet 7 are laminated, both ends of the respective longitudinal directions of the back sheet 5, the absorbent body 6, and the top sheet 7 become positioned on the abdominal side and the back side of the wearer. In other words, the genital area of the wearer is covered by the absorbent body 6 from the abdomen side to the back side of the wearer. Therefore, even when the wearer discharges liquid to the outside of the wearer's body in any one of the abdomen-down posture and the back-down posture, the discharged liquid is in contact with the absorbent body 6 via the top sheet 7.

In addition, the diaper 1 has

side sheets

8L and 8R, and the

side sheets

8L and 8R have elongated stripe shapes for forming the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR described previously. The

side sheets

8L and 8R are provided in portions of the long sides of the topsheet 7. In a manner similar to the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR of the diaper 1, the

side panels

8L and 8R are provided with constrictions 8KL and 8KR at the positions of the wearer's thighs. Further, rubber threads 8EL and 8ER are woven into the narrowed portions 8KL and 8KR in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the diaper 1 assumes a worn state, or in other words, when the diaper 1 assumes a state in which the diaper 1 has a U-shape in side view, the narrowing portions 8KL and 8KR are pulled out in the longitudinal direction and raised from the topsheet 7 by the contraction force of the rubber threads 8EL and 8ER, thereby forming three-dimensional gathers that prevent liquid from flowing out.

Further, a rubber thread 9ER for forming the waist gather 3R is provided between the back sheet 5 and the top sheet 7 at a position toward the back side than the end of the absorbent body 6. The rubber thread 9ER is provided between the back sheet 5 and the top sheet 7 in an orientation in which the longitudinal direction as the extending and contracting direction matches the left-right direction of the diaper 1. Therefore, when the

tapes

2L and 2R provided on the left and right sides of the rubber thread 9ER are adhered to the front patch 2F on the wearer's abdomen, the rubber thread 9ER exhibits a contractive force and brings the diaper 1 into close contact with the wearer and prevents a gap from being formed between the diaper 1 and the wearer's abdomen. Note that rubber threads 9SL and 9SR that prevent a gap from being formed between the diaper 1 and the abdominal circumference of the wearer are also provided on both sides of the absorber 6.

As shown in fig. 1 to 6, the absorber 6A according to the first embodiment described above includes SAP layers 62L and 62R, the central portions of the SAP layers 62L and 62R in the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60 are arranged on the front surface of the liquid diffusion layer 60 on both sides in the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60, a large nonwoven fabric is used for the liquid diffusion layer, and the SAP layers 62L and 62R extend in the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60.

In the diaper 1 configured as described above, when the wearer discharges liquid, the discharged liquid contacts the absorbent body 6 via the top sheet 7. In addition, as described above, the absorbent body 6 diffuses urine throughout the liquid diffusion layer 60, and causes the SAP layers 62L and 62R to uniformly absorb and retain urine. The SAP layers 62L and 62R that have absorbed urine and expanded function as a dam. Since the SAP layers 62L and 62R function as dams, a groove 67 is formed at the center in the width direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60, the groove extending along the SAP layers 62L and 62R (dams), or in other words, in the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60. The groove 67 is formed at a position opposite to the urethral opening so that urine discharged by the wearer easily flows into the groove 67. The absorbent body 6 uses the grooves 67 to diffuse urine in the longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer 60 at the last stage of the current urination or during the next urination. Therefore, since the diaper 1 spreads the urine over the entire liquid diffusion layer 60, the absorption speed and the diffusion speed can be maintained even during the next and subsequent urination. Further, when the wearer of the diaper 1 is a male, the groove 67 may be formed at a position opposite to the urethral opening at the tip of the penis, and the direction of urination from the urethral opening may be guided by the groove 67.

Further, since the diaper 1 diffuses urine over the entire liquid diffusion layer 60 using the liquid diffusion layer 60, the SAP layers 62L and 62R can be made to absorb urine uniformly, and the SAP layers 62L and 62R can be expanded substantially uniformly. Accordingly, the absorbent body 6 can prevent the formation of a depression in a dam formed by the SAP layers 62L and 62R when only a part of the SAP layers 62L and 62R is expanded to open a hole in the dam, prevent urine from leaking out of the hole, and thus suppress urine leakage. In addition, the diaper 1 temporarily retains urine that has diffused over the entire liquid diffusion layer 60 with the liquid diffusion layer 60, and causes the urine to be absorbed and retained by the SAP layers 62L and 62R as time elapses. Thus, diaper 1 can have

SAP layers

62L and 62R uniformly absorb and retain urine.

As shown in fig. 7 to 11, the absorbent body 6B according to the previously described second embodiment includes SAP layers 62L and 62R on the front surface of a base material 61 using a bulky nonwoven fabric.

In the diaper 1 configured as described above, when the wearer discharges liquid, the discharged liquid contacts the absorbent body 6 via the top sheet 7. In addition, as described above, even after absorbing urine a plurality of times, the absorbent body 6 can ensure the liquid permeability of the SAP layers 62L and 62R, which are arranged closer to the wearer's skin so that urine can more easily penetrate into the base material 61 or into the SAP layer 63, and can suppress leakage of urine. Further, in the absorbent body 6, the SAP layer 63 has a liquid absorption rate of 35 (g/g) or more. Since the diaper 1 according to the present embodiment holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 disposed at a distance from the wearer's skin, the wet feeling of the skin surface can be suppressed and the decrease in wearability can be prevented. In addition, by arranging the SAP layers on the front and rear surfaces of the base material 61, the diaper 1 can arrange the amount of SAP required to absorb and hold a predetermined amount of liquid in the distribution substance between the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, prevent the SAP density in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming excessively high, and prevent the occurrence of gel blocking. Further, the diaper 1 can prevent the SAP in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming gel, and by preventing a decrease in the absorption/retention amount of the liquid in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, the diaper 1 can suppress the back flow in which the initially absorbed liquid flows out to the side of the wearer's skin.

As shown in fig. 12 to 18, in the absorbent body 6C according to the previously described third embodiment, the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 are arranged on the base material 61 using a bulky nonwoven fabric.

In the diaper 1 configured as described above, when the wearer discharges liquid, the discharged liquid contacts the absorbent body 6 via the top sheet 7. Further, as described above, by including the SAP layer 63 containing a larger amount of SAP than the SAP layers 62L and 62R, the diaper 1 can suppress leakage of liquid without reducing the absorption amount and the retention amount of liquid as a whole. Furthermore, by having SAP layers 62L and 62R contain a smaller amount of SAP than SAP layer 63, diaper 1 enables SAP layer 63 at a distance from the skin of the wearer to absorb and retain a larger amount of liquid than SAP layer 62 which is closer to the skin. Therefore, since the diaper 1 holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 disposed at a distance from the wearer's skin, the wet feeling on the skin surface can be suppressed and the deterioration of the wearability can be prevented. In addition, by arranging the SAP layers on the front and rear surfaces of the base material 61, the diaper 1 can arrange the amount of SAP required to absorb and hold a predetermined amount of liquid in the distribution substance between the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, prevent the SAP density in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming excessively high, and prevent the occurrence of gel blocking. Further, the diaper 1 can prevent the SAP in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63 from becoming gel, and by preventing a decrease in the absorption/retention amount of the liquid in the SAP layers 62L, 62R, and 63, the diaper 1 can suppress the back flow in which the initially absorbed liquid flows out to the side of the wearer's skin.

In addition,

compressed grooves

70 and 71 may be formed in the absorbent body 6 in a manner similar to the absorbent body 6C. In the diaper 1, the amount of SAP in the SAP layers 62L and 62R arranged on the side of the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 6 is reduced. Therefore, when the absorbent body 6 is subjected to the compression treatment, the SAP can be inhibited from damaging the first nonwoven sheet 65 or the first sheet 68a of the core sheet 68. In addition,

compression grooves

70 and 71 are also formed on the front surface of the base material 61 at the central portion in the width direction of the base material 61 where the SAP layer is not formed. Since there is no SAP layer when the compression treatment is applied on the widthwise central portion of the base material 61, the SAP does not damage the first nonwoven sheet 65 or the first sheet 68a of the core sheet 68. In this way, the diaper 1 according to the present embodiment can improve the yield when the compression process is performed.

The

compression grooves

70 and 71 may be formed by compressing portions of the topsheet 7, the first sheet 68a of the core-spun sheet 68, the first nonwoven sheet 65 and the base material 61. Fig. 34 is a sectional view when the crotch region is cut in the width direction of the crotch region 1B in a manner similar to fig. 33. The diaper 1 comprises compressed

grooves

70 and 71 which are formed by compressing a part of the base material 61 of the absorption body 6 from the topsheet 7. Note that the formation pattern of the

compressed grooves

70 and 71 may be similar to the example shown in fig. 17. By including the

compressed grooves

70 and 71, the diaper 1 is capable of improving liquid permeability and liquid diffusibility.

In the diaper 1 including the absorbent body 6D according to the fourth embodiment described above, when the wearer discharges liquid, the discharged liquid comes into contact with the absorbent body 6D via the top sheet 7. In addition, as described above, since the waterproof finish is applied to the front surface of the base material 61, the discharged liquid will spread over the entire base material 61 mainly along the longitudinal direction of the base material 61, and over time, the liquid will be absorbed and retained by the SAP in the SAP layers 62 and 63. Thus, the diaper 1 can suppress leakage of liquid.

As shown in fig. 26 to 30, the absorbent body 6E according to the previously described fifth embodiment includes SAP layers 62L and 62R on the front surface of a base material 61 using a bulky nonwoven fabric.

In the diaper 1 configured as described above, when the wearer discharges liquid, the discharged liquid contacts the absorbent body 6E via the top sheet 7. In addition, as described above, in the absorbent body 6E, the SAP layers 62L and 62R have a higher liquid absorption speed than the SAP layer 63, which is 45 (sec) or less. Therefore, the absorbent body 6E can rapidly absorb urine and suppress leakage of urine using the SAP layers 62L and 62R which are closer to the wearer's skin and have a relatively high liquid absorption rate. In addition, in the absorbent body 6E, the SAP layer 63 has a higher liquid absorption rate than the SAP layers 62L and 62R, which is 35 (g/g) or more. Since the diaper 1 according to the present embodiment holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 disposed at a distance from the wearer's skin, the wet feeling of the skin surface can be suppressed and the decrease in wearability can be prevented. In addition, in the absorbent article, even when pressure is applied to the absorbent body due to the body weight or the like, it is possible to effectively suppress the backflow of the liquid by keeping the liquid at a position as far as possible. Since the diaper 1 according to the present embodiment holds a relatively large amount of urine with the SAP layer 63 arranged at a distance from the wearer's skin, the backflow of liquid can be suppressed.

Further, in general, when a wearer assumes a sleeping posture while wearing an absorbent article such as a diaper, urine flows on the surface of the diaper during urination, and the urine causes leakage. On the other hand, by arranging the SAP layers 62L and 62R having a high liquid absorption speed on the side of the skin-opposed surface, the diaper 1 according to the present embodiment can absorb urine flowing on the front surface of the diaper 1 (the front surface of the topsheet 7) with the SAP layers 62L and 62R and prevent urine leakage.

Although the adhesive tape type disposable diaper is exemplified in the above embodiment, the absorbers 6A to 6E can be applied to absorbent articles of other modes. Examples of absorbent articles to which the absorbers 6A to 6E can be applied include absorbent articles having various patterns of gathers, such as underpants type disposable diapers, urine pads and light incontinence pads, and flat absorbent articles having no gathers.

The absorber according to the above embodiment may be organized as follows.

(A1)

An absorbent body, comprising:

a liquid diffusion layer formed of a nonwoven fabric; and

and an SAP layer including SAP particles, the SAP being a super-absorbent polymer, a center portion of the SAP layer in the width direction being arranged on a front surface of the liquid diffusion layer on both sides of the liquid diffusion layer in the width direction and extending in a longitudinal direction of the liquid diffusion layer.

(A2)

The absorbent body according to A1, wherein

Grooves are formed on the front surface side of the liquid diffusion layer along the SAP layers on both sides and at the center portion in the width direction.

(A3)

The absorber according to A1 or A2, comprising:

a first nonwoven cloth sheet arranged to cover a front surface of the liquid diffusion layer; and

a second non-woven fabric sheet disposed to cover the rear surface of the liquid diffusion layer.

(A4)

The absorber according to A3, comprising:

a core-spun sheet covering an outer periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include a liquid diffusion layer, an SAP layer, a first nonwoven sheet, and a second nonwoven sheet.

(A5)

An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharged by a wearer, the absorbent article comprising:

a liquid impermeable backsheet;

a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet; and

the absorbent body according to any one of A1 to A4, which is arranged between a backsheet and a topsheet.

(B1)

An absorbent body, comprising:

a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric and permeable to liquid;

an upper SAP layer disposed on the front surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles, the SAP being a superabsorbent polymer; and

a lower SAP layer arranged on the rear surface of the substrate and comprising SAP particles, the SAP being a superabsorbent polymer, wherein

The upper SAP layer has a liquid permeability of 30 (ml/min) or more, and

the liquid absorbency of the lower SAP layer is 35 (g/g) or higher.

(B2)

The absorbent body according to B1, wherein

The central portion of the upper SAP layer in the width direction is arranged on both sides of the base material in the width direction and extends in the longitudinal direction of the base material.

(B3)

The absorbent body according to B2, wherein

The grooves are formed on the front surface side of the base material at the center portion in the width direction and along the upper SAP layers on both sides.

(B4)

The absorber according to any one of B1 to B3, comprising:

a first nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover the front surface of the substrate; and

a second nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover the rear surface of the base material.

(B5)

The absorber according to B4, comprising:

a core-spun sheet covering an outer periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include a liquid diffusion layer, an upper SAP layer, a lower SAP layer, a first nonwoven sheet, and a second nonwoven sheet.

(B6)

a liquid impermeable backsheet;

a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet; and

the absorbent body according to any one of B1 to B5, which is arranged between a backsheet and a topsheet.

(C1)

An absorbent body, comprising:

a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric and permeable to liquid;

The upper SAP layer has a smaller amount of SAP than the lower SAP layer.

(C2)

The absorbent body according to C1, wherein

The central portion of the upper SAP layer in the width direction is arranged on both sides of the width direction of the base material and extends in the longitudinal direction of the base material, and

grooves are formed on the front surface side of the base material along the central portion of the upper SAP layer on both sides in the width direction.

(C3)

The absorbent body according to C1 or C2, wherein

The upper SAP layer has a higher liquid permeability than the lower SAP layer.

(C4)

The absorber according to any one of C1 to C3, comprising:

(C5)

The absorber of C4, comprising:

(C6)

The absorber of C5, comprising:

a compressed groove formed by compressing the core-spun sheet, the first nonwoven sheet and the base material.

(C7)

An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharged from a wearer, the absorbent article comprising:

a liquid impermeable backsheet;

a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet; and

the absorbent body according to any one of C1 to C6, which is arranged between a backsheet and a topsheet.

(C8)

The absorber of C7, comprising:

a compressed groove formed by compressing a part of the base material of the absorbent body from the topsheet.

(D1)

An absorbent body, comprising:

a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric; and

an SAP layer disposed on the front and back surfaces of the substrate and comprising SAP particles, the SAP being a superabsorbent polymer; wherein

The front surface of the base material is provided with a waterproof finish region centered on the position opposite the urethral opening of the wearer.

(D2)

The absorbent body according to D1, wherein

The water repellant finish area is configured such that: the farther from the opposite position of the urethral opening, the waterproofness is lowered.

(D3)

The absorbent body according to D1 or D2, wherein

The waterproof finish areas and the non-waterproof finish areas are alternately arranged towards the longitudinal direction of the substrate such that the ratio of waterproof finish areas to non-waterproof finish areas per unit area gradually decreases.

(D4)

The absorber according to any one of D1 to D3, wherein:

a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the base material is formed on the front surface side of the base material at the center portion in the width direction of the base material.

(D5)

The absorber according to any one of D1 to D4, comprising:

(D6)

The absorber of D5, comprising:

a core-spun sheet covering the periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include a substrate, an SAP layer, a first nonwoven sheet, and a second nonwoven sheet.

(D7)

An absorbent article for absorbing urine discharged by a wearer, the absorbent article comprising:

a liquid impermeable backsheet;

a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet; and

the absorbent body according to any one of D1 to D6, which is arranged between a backsheet and a topsheet.

(E1)

An absorbent body, comprising:

a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric and permeable to liquid;

The upper SAP layer has a liquid absorption rate of 45 (seconds) or less, as measured by eddy current method, and

the liquid absorbency of the lower SAP layer is 35 (g/g) or higher.

(E2)

The absorbent body according to E1, wherein

(E3)

The absorbent body according to E2, wherein

(E4)

The absorber according to any one of E1 to E3, comprising:

(E5)

The absorber according to E4, comprising:

(E6)

a liquid impermeable backsheet;

a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet; and

the absorbent body according to any one of E1 to E5, which is disposed between a backsheet and a topsheet.

[ description of reference numerals ]

1. Diaper (Disposable diaper with adhesive tape)

1F precursor region

1R afterbody region

2F front paster

2L adhesive tape

2R adhesive tape

3BL three-dimensional drape

3BR three-dimensional drape

3R waist fold

4. Cover sheet

5. Back sheet

6. Absorbent body

7. Topsheet

8EL rubber line

8ER rubber thread

8L side sheet

8R side sheet

9ER rubber thread

9SL rubber thread

9SR rubber wire

60. Liquid diffusion layer

61. Base material

62L SAP layer

62R SAP layer

62 SAP layer

63 SAP layer

65. The first nonwoven fabric sheet

66. Second non-woven fabric sheet

67. Groove

68. Core-spun sheet

69. Waterproof veneer area

70. Compressed groove

71. Compressed groove

Claims

1. An absorbent body, comprising:

a substrate formed of a nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 1mm to 10 mm;

a first SAP layer arranged on both sides of a width direction of a front surface of the substrate in a longitudinal direction of the substrate and comprising SAP particles, the SAP being a superabsorbent polymer; and

a second SAP layer disposed on the rear surface of the substrate and comprising the SAP particles, wherein:

a non-through groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the base material is formed in a central portion in the width direction of the base material and on the front surface side of the base material.

2. The absorbent body according to claim 1, comprising:

a first nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover a front surface of the base material; and

a second nonwoven fabric sheet arranged to cover a rear surface of the base material.

3. The absorbent body according to claim 2, comprising:

a core-spun sheet covering an outer periphery of an absorbent composite configured to include the substrate, the first SAP layer, the second SAP layer, the first nonwoven sheet, and the second nonwoven sheet.

4. An absorbent article for absorbing urine discharged by a wearer, the absorbent article comprising:

a liquid impermeable backsheet;

a liquid pervious topsheet joined to said backsheet; and

the absorbent body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, said absorbent body being disposed between said backsheet and said topsheet.