CN114206281A

CN114206281A - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN114206281A
Application number: CN201980098742.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中岛广嗣; 渡部芳久
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2019-08-30
Filing date: 2019-08-30
Publication date: 2022-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-30
Also published as: WO2021038875A1; CN114206281B

Abstract

An absorbent article (1) is contained in a packaging material, has a vertical direction, a horizontal direction and a thickness direction which are orthogonal to each other, and includes an application section (R) on which a plurality of microcapsules are applied, the absorbent article (1) being characterized in that both side end sections (S, S) in the left-right direction are folded inward in the left-right direction and inward in the thickness direction along a pair of left and right folding lines (SL) extending in the up-down direction, the absorbent article (1) is folded along an upper and lower folding line (CL) extending in a left-right direction with the skin side surface on the inside, an applying section (R) is provided at one side end section (S) of two side end sections (S, S), at least a part of the coating section (R) is provided at a position not exposed from the absorbent article (1).

Description

Absorbent article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Background

Disposable diapers having an absorbent body that absorbs excrement are used not only for nurturing infants and nursing adults but also for caring for pets.

Patent document 1 discloses an absorbent article capable of preventing pests from entering the absorbent article by providing pest-resistant microcapsules in which natural plant extracts exerting a pest-resistant effect are encapsulated in microcapsules.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Japanese Kohyo publication No. 2012-522618

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, as shown in patent document 1, in the case where the insect-repellent microcapsules are disposed in the back sheet of the absorbent article, there is a risk that the effect cannot be exerted during use because the insect-repellent microcapsules may be damaged and the natural plant extract may flow out before use when the absorbent article is carried in a packaged state in which the absorbent article is housed in a packaging material, for example.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce damage to microcapsules provided in an absorbent article in a packaged state.

Means for solving the problems

A principal aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is an absorbent article contained in a packaging material, the absorbent article having a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other, the absorbent article including: an application portion that is applied with a plurality of microcapsules, the application portion being provided in at least one of both side end portions in a left-right direction of the absorbent article, at least a part of the application portion being provided at a position that is not exposed from the absorbent article, the both side end portions being folded inward in the left-right direction and inward in the thickness direction at a pair of left and right folding lines that extend along the up-down direction, the absorbent article being folded at an upper and lower folding line that extends along the left-right direction with a skin side surface located inward.

Features of the present invention other than those described above will become apparent by reading the description of the present specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, damage to microcapsules provided in an absorbent article in a packaged state can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in a developed and stretched state, viewed from the non-skin side.

Fig. 3A is a schematic view showing how the diaper 1 shown in fig. 1 is folded at the tape folding line TL.

Fig. 3B is a schematic view showing how the diaper 1 shown in fig. 3A is folded at the left and right folding lines SL.

Fig. 4A is a schematic view showing the diaper 1 in a packaged state.

Fig. 4B is a schematic sectional view of the diaper 1 in a packaged state, and is a view along the arrow Y-Y in fig. 4A.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a disposable diaper package 50.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the X portion in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a view showing the coated portion viewed from the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the coating section RX according to another embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating how the sanitary napkin 100 is folded.

Detailed Description

The description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings will make at least the following matters clear.

An absorbent article contained in a packaging material, the absorbent article having a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, the absorbent article comprising: an application portion that is applied with a plurality of microcapsules, the application portion being provided in at least one of both side end portions in a left-right direction of the absorbent article, at least a part of the application portion being provided at a position that is not exposed from the absorbent article, the both side end portions being folded inward in the left-right direction and inward in the thickness direction at a pair of left and right folding lines that extend along the up-down direction, the absorbent article being folded at an upper and lower folding line that extends along the left-right direction with a skin side surface located inward.

According to the absorbent article, since the application section is covered with the absorbent article in a packaged state, the risk of damaging the microcapsules by contact with a packaging material, another absorbent article, or the like can be reduced.

In an absorbent article, it is desirable to encapsulate an insect repellent perfume in the microcapsules.

According to the above-described absorbent article, when the absorbent article is in a packaged state, the risk of damaging the microcapsules due to contact with a packaging material, other absorbent articles, or the like is reduced, so that the effect of the insect-repellent fragrance is more easily exerted during use.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the coating portion is further provided inside in the left-right direction with respect to one side end portion of the two side end portions, and a total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the one side end portion of the two side end portions is larger than a total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the inside of the one side end portion of the two side end portions.

According to the absorbent article, the absorbent body is normally disposed inside in the left-right direction with respect to one of the two side end portions. The risk of the microcapsule interfering with absorption of excrement can be reduced as compared with the case where the total weight of the microcapsule per unit area in the region inside one of the two side ends is larger than the total weight of the microcapsule per unit area in the one of the two side ends.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the applying portion is provided on a sheet member located at a position on the non-skin side of the one of the two side end portions in the worn state.

According to the absorbent article, the microcapsules are more easily broken in a worn state while reducing the risk of direct contact between the microcapsules and the wearer's skin. This makes it easier to exert the effect of the substance encapsulated in the microcapsule in the donned state.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the one of the two side ends has a predetermined fiber density region having a predetermined fiber density, and the coating portion is provided in a region where the fiber density is higher than the predetermined fiber density region.

According to the absorbent article described above, it is possible to reduce the risk that the adhesive effect of the adhesive for the absorbent article is deteriorated due to impregnation of the substance encapsulated in the microcapsules.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the one of the two side ends has a fastening tape portion, and the coating portion is provided in the fastening tape portion.

According to the absorbent article, the fastening tape portion is a portion that is easily gripped by hand when the absorbent article is worn, so that the microcapsules can be broken when the absorbent article is worn. This makes it easier to exert the effect of the substance encapsulated in the microcapsule in the donned state.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the fastening band portion is folded at a tape folding line extending along the up-down direction with the skin side being located inside, and the applying portion is provided at a leading end side region of the fastening band portion, the leading end side region being located on a leading end side in the left-right direction with respect to the tape folding line.

According to the absorbent article described above, the leading end side region is a portion that is likely to be gripped by hand when the absorbent article is worn, so that the microcapsules can be more reliably broken when the absorbent article is worn. This makes it easier to exert the effect of the substance encapsulated in the microcapsule in the donned state.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the area of the coating section provided in the leading end side region is equal to or larger than half of the area of the leading end side region.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the applying portion is provided at a front end portion in the left-right direction of the fastening tape portion.

According to the absorbent article described above, the outermost end portion in the left-right direction of the fixed belt portion is a portion that is likely to be particularly pulled up when the absorbent article is worn, so that the microcapsules can be more reliably destroyed when the absorbent article is worn. This makes it easier to exert the effect of the substance encapsulated in the microcapsule in the donned state.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the absorbent article further includes an absorber that is folded at an absorber folding line with a skin side of the absorber positioned inside, the absorber folding line extending in the left-right direction, and the coated portion overlaps with the absorber when viewed in the thickness direction.

According to the absorbent article described above, the absorber is a member having high cushioning properties, and therefore, the coated portion overlapping with the absorber in the thickness direction is less likely to be affected by an impact or the like from the outside in a packaged state. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of accidental damage to the microcapsules in the packaged state.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that a side absorbent portion of the absorbent body, which is located on one side in the thickness direction with respect to the absorbent body fold line, overlaps with the coating portion when viewed in the thickness direction, and a side absorbent portion of the absorbent body, which is located on the other side in the thickness direction with respect to the absorbent body fold line, does not overlap with the coating portion when viewed in the thickness direction.

According to the absorbent article described above, the application portion overlaps with the one side absorption portion when viewed in the thickness direction, reducing the influence of an impact from the outside or the like in a packaged state. In addition, since the coated portion does not overlap with the other side absorbent portion when viewed in the thickness direction, the coated portion is arranged in a space where no absorbent body is present and which is formed by the folded absorbent body. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of the coated portion being compressed in the thickness direction.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the entire application section is provided at a position not exposed from the absorbent article.

According to the absorbent article, since the application section is covered with the absorbent article in a packaged state, the risk of damaging the microcapsules by contact with a packaging material, another absorbent article, or the like can be further reduced.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the coating portion is not provided at the other of the two side end portions.

According to the absorbent article described above, by providing the coating portion only at one of the side end portions at which the microcapsules are more likely to rupture when the absorbent article is worn, the risk of the microcapsules being applied excessively can be reduced.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the one side end portion of the two side end portions includes a compressed portion and a non-compressed portion, and a total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the non-compressed portion is larger than a total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the compressed portion.

According to the absorbent article described above, by applying a larger amount of microcapsules to the non-compressed portions where the microcapsules are more likely to enter between the fibers, the risk of the microcapsules falling off the absorbent article can be reduced, compared to the amount of microcapsules applied to the compressed portions where the microcapsules are less likely to enter between the fibers.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that the coating section has a plurality of regions in which the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area is different.

According to the absorbent article, the applied amount of the microcapsules is reduced, and the coated portion is more easily visually recognized.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings

As an example of the absorbent article according to the present invention, an embodiment will be described using a so-called tape-type open-type disposable diaper. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is also applicable to absorbent articles such as pants-type disposable diapers, urine absorption pads, sanitary napkins, panty liners, animal disposable diapers, and the like.

Disposable diaper 1 has a structure of

The disposable diaper 1 is a so-called tape-type (open-type) disposable diaper (hereinafter also simply referred to as "diaper 1"). The diaper 1 will be described as a disposable diaper for infants, but may also be a disposable diaper for adults.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in a developed and extended state as viewed from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in a developed and extended state, viewed from the non-skin side. The developed state of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the entire diaper 1 is developed flat. The extended state of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the diaper 1 is extended so that wrinkles in the diaper 1 are substantially no longer visible, and a state in which the diaper 1 has been extended so that the dimensions of its constituent members (e.g., a topsheet 3 described later) coincide with or are close to the dimensions of the members themselves. Fig. 1 and 2 show the diaper 1 in a state in which it is taken out of a packaging material (not shown), unfolded and stretched.

In the unfolded and extended state as shown in fig. 1 and the like, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other. Note that the "longitudinal direction" in the unfolded and elongated state corresponds to the "up-down direction" in the natural state and the packaged state. The thickness direction refers to a direction in which the constituent members of the diaper 1 overlap each other. The side in contact with the wearer will be referred to as the "skin side", and the side opposite to the skin side will be referred to as the "non-skin side".

In fig. 1 and the like, the center line C-C is the center in the left-right direction, and the diaper 1 has a shape that is left-right symmetrical about the center line C-C. The center line CL is a center in the longitudinal direction. The ventral portion 1A is located ventrally with respect to the center line CL, and the dorsal portion 1B is located dorsally with respect to the center line CL. In the diaper 1, the stomach-side portion 1A covers the stomach side of the wearer, and the back-side portion 1B covers the back side of the wearer.

The diaper 1 comprises: an absorbent body 2 that absorbs excreted fluid such as urine; a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 that covers the absorbent body 2 from the skin side; a liquid-impermeable leakproof sheet 4 covering the absorbent body 2 from the non-skin side; a back sheet 5 that covers the leakproof sheet 4 from the non-skin side and forms the outer shape of the diaper 1; and a pair of side sheets 6 provided side by side in the width direction on the front sheet 3.

The front sheet 3 may be made of a breathable nonwoven sheet or the like, the leakage preventing sheet 4 may be made of a resin film such as a polyethylene film, and the back sheet 5 may be made of a flexible sheet such as a spunbonded nonwoven sheet. The front sheet 3 and the back sheet 5 may be respectively selected from SMS nonwoven sheets (spunbond/meltblown/spunbond nonwoven sheets), spunbond nonwoven sheets, breathable nonwoven sheets, plastic sheets, porous plastic sheets, laminates of these nonwoven sheets, and the like.

The absorbent body 2 has a rectangular shape long in the longitudinal direction in a plan view, and includes an absorbent core (not shown) and a core wrap sheet (not shown) covering the outer peripheral surface of the absorbent core. The absorbent core is obtained by molding a liquid absorbent material into a predetermined shape, and has a substantially hourglass shape in plan view. As one example, the liquid absorbent material may be made of liquid absorbent fibers (e.g., pulp fibers) containing super absorbent polymers (so-called SAP) or the like. The core wrap sheet is, for example, a liquid-permeable tissue paper or nonwoven fabric sheet. But a construction in which the absorbent body does not have a core wrap sheet is also acceptable. Note that the absorbent core may have a rectangular shape such as a rectangle and a shape having portions that narrow inward in the left-right direction like a substantially hourglass shape.

Further, the diaper 1 includes side sheets 6 and elastic members 61 (e.g., elastic threads) in both side portions in the width direction, and the elastic members 61 are stretchable in the longitudinal direction. The side sheet 6 and the elastic member 61 constitute a pair of three-dimensional gathers serving as leakage preventing walls. The elastic member 61 is fixed to the side sheet 6 in a state of being elongated in the longitudinal direction. Providing the three-dimensional gathers reduces the risk of leakage of waste from the left-right direction of the diaper 1.

In addition, a pair of leg elastic members 7 (e.g., elastic threads) which are stretchable in the longitudinal direction are provided at positions corresponding mainly to the crotch portion of the wearer in both side portions of the diaper 1 in the left-right direction so as to be aligned with the legs of the wearer. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, in the expanded and stretched state, the leg elastic member 7 is disposed on the left and right direction outer side of the elastic member 61 for three-dimensional gather. The leg elastic members 7 are fixed to the non-skin side of the side sheet 6 in a state of being elongated in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the lateral side portions of the diaper 1 are fitted around the legs of the wearer in the worn state, and leakage of excrement is suppressed.

The number, shape, material, and the like of the elastic members 61 and the leg elastic members 7 are not limited to those shown in fig. 1 and the like. For example, the number of the elastic members 61 and the leg elastic members 7 may be arbitrarily set. These elastic members may be made of a string-like polyurethane stretchable fiber, a stretchable film in which a thermoplastic elastomer resin is melted to form a film, or a stretchable nonwoven fabric sheet made of a stretchable fiber.

In the developed state (fig. 1 and 2), the diaper 1 has a substantially hourglass shape, and the abdomen-side portion 1A and the back-side portion 1B each have a pair of side flaps 20, 30 extending outward beyond the longitudinal center portion (the crotch portion when the diaper is worn) on both sides in the left-right direction. The side flaps 20 and 30 are formed by the side sheet 6 and the back sheet 5. The fastening band portion 40 is fixed to the left and right outer ends of the pair of side flaps 30 of the back portion 1B.

The fastening tape portions 40 each include a tape base material 41, a hook member 42, and a fixing portion 43. The band base material 41 is, for example, a green nonwoven fabric member, and is formed substantially in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. As shown in fig. 2, in the band base material 41, a plurality of compressed portions 40E each having a substantially rectangular shape are provided in a staggered arrangement over substantially the entire band base material 41. In fig. 1, the compression portion 40E is omitted for convenience. By providing the compressed portion 40E in the band base material 41, the fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the band base material 41 are compacted, and the rigidity of the band base material 41 is increased while maintaining the band shape. This makes it easier for the fastening band portion 40 to be pulled by a user (hereinafter also simply referred to as "user"), such as a parent, who attempts to put the diaper 1 on the wearer. Therefore, the operation of wearing the diaper 1 can be performed more easily. A hook member 42 (e.g., a male member of a hook and loop fastener) is provided on the skin side of the band base material 41 extending outward in the left-right direction from the side flap 30.

In order to put the diaper 1 on, i.e., in a state where the wearer wears the diaper 1, the user or the wearer himself/herself folds the unfolded diaper 1 at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction (the periphery of the center line CL) while arranging the diaper 1 in accordance with the wearer. Subsequently, the pair of side flaps 30 on the back side portion 1B side are folded inward in the left-right direction. Then, the hook members 42 provided on the fastening band portion 40 are fastened to the non-skin side of the stomach side portion 1A. In the diaper 1, a nonwoven fabric sheet is used for the back sheet 5 so that the hook members 42 can be directly fastened to the back sheet 5. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. A member that can fasten the hook member 42, such as a female member of a hook and loop fastener, may be provided separately from the back surface sheet 5. Further, instead of the hook member 42, for example, an adhesive tape may be provided on the fastening band portion 40.

The diaper 1 has a coated portion coated with microcapsules MC encapsulating an insect-repellent fragrance. The coating section will be described in detail later.

Insect repellent fragrances are insect repellents (insect repellents) against pests such as mosquitoes, gnats, non-biting midges, flies and the like, and are fragrances made from synthetic compounds or natural plant extracts. For example, citronellal, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), sesquiterpenes, ethyl butyl acetaminopropionate, petasitin, pyrethroids, cinnamon, rosemary, lavender, mint, eucalyptus, and the like may be used. The insect repellent fragrance can be selected according to the target pest, the target wearer, the fragrance, and the like.

The microcapsule MC means a capsule having a diameter of 1 to 1000 μm and having a space for encapsulating a core material (an insect-repellent fragrance in the present embodiment). The shape of the microcapsule MC is not particularly limited as long as it can encapsulate the core material and control the discharge of the core material. Examples of the outer shape include spherical and amorphous. Further, the microcapsule MC may be a single-core capsule having one space for holding the core material, or a multi-core capsule having a plurality of spaces for holding the core material. Examples of spatial shapes include spherical and amorphous.

In the microcapsule MC, a coating film (also referred to as a wall member or the like) encapsulating a core material changes due to a physical stimulus or a chemical stimulus to discharge components encapsulated therein. Examples of the physical stimulus include application of heat, physical pressure, physical impact, vibration, light, or the like to the coating film of the microcapsule MC. Examples of the chemical stimulus include contact between a liquid (aqueous solution) such as a body fluid and a membrane of the microcapsule MC.

By applying physical or chemical stimulation to the membrane of the microencapsulated MC, deterioration, denaturation, softening, porosification, dissolution, disintegration, or decomposition of the membrane can be caused.

As a result, the core material in the microcapsule MC can start to be discharged, or if the core material is gradually discharged before stimulation, the degree of discharge can be promoted.

As a material for the microcapsule MC, an inorganic material or an organic material can be used. Examples of materials include sugars, monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), disaccharides (e.g., sucrose), polysaccharides (e.g., dextrin, glucomannan, sodium alginate, water-soluble starch), gelatin/gum arabic, water-soluble polymers (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate), melamine resins, urea/formalin resins, polyurethane resins, polystyrene, ethyl cellulose, polyamides, polyacrylic acid, silicone resins, carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like.

It is preferable that the material for the microcapsule MC is selected according to the physical properties of the core material and the conditions and environment in which the release of the core material is desired. In the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, microcapsules made of a polyurethane resin having a film thickness of 2 μm are used as the microcapsules MC, and citronellal is used as the insect-repellent fragrance. The citronellal has a herbal fragrance and is also a fragrance which readily produces an insect repellent impression. In particular, as the bladder, it is preferable to use a bladder that is damaged by physical stimulation, such as a urethane resin.

The microcapsules are applied to the coating portion together with a predetermined solvent. It is preferable that the microcapsule MC is insoluble in the solvent, and it is preferable that the microcapsule MC does not swell in the solvent as a dispersion medium of the microcapsule MC. This configuration is adopted in view of protecting the core material encapsulated in the microcapsules MC. It should be noted that the solvent in which the microcapsules are dispersed may be referred to as a first solvent to distinguish it from a second solvent, which may be encapsulated in the microcapsules together with the insect repellent fragrance.

The solvent solubility of the microcapsule MC at 25 ℃ with respect to 100g of the solvent as the dispersion medium of the microcapsule is preferably 1.0g or less, more preferably 0.5g or less, and even more preferably 0.1g or less. Solvent solubility was evaluated by adding a 1.0g (0.5g, 0.1g, etc.) sample to 100g of solvent at 25 ℃, allowing the mixture to stand for 24 hours, stirring gently as needed, and then visually evaluating whether the sample was dissolved.

Preferably, the solvent retains the insect repellent fragrance encapsulated in the microcapsules and also retains the functional ingredient, i.e., the solvent dissolves the functional ingredient but does not dissolve or swell the microcapsules.

The amount of the insect-repellent perfume released may vary depending on the amount, vapor pressure, damage degree of the microcapsule to physical stimulus, thickness of the layer of the microcapsule, particle diameter of the microcapsule, and the like.

As a result, the diaper 1 can be easily and easily manufactured

When the diaper 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2 in an unfolded and extended state is folded in the order shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the diaper 1 can be brought into a packaged state shown in fig. 4A. Fig. 3A is a schematic view showing how the diaper 1 shown in fig. 1 is folded at the tape folding line TL. Fig. 3B is a schematic view showing how the diaper 1 shown in fig. 3A is folded at the left and right folding lines SL. Fig. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing the diaper 1 in a packaged state. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a disposable diaper package 50.

First, in the diaper 1 in the unfolded and extended state, the fastening tape portion 40 (the face provided with the hook member 42) is folded at the tape folding line TL with the skin side on the inner side. A plurality of temporary fastening compressed portions F are formed on the folded fastening band portion 40 from the skin side toward the non-skin side (from the non-skin side of the fastening band portion 40), and the state shown in fig. 3A is achieved. The tape folding line TL is a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction) and is provided outside the side flap 20 in the left-right direction. Note that the temporary fastening compressed portion F is a compressed portion provided for maintaining the folded state of the fastening band portion 40, and functions as temporary fastening so that the fastening band portion 40 can be brought into the unfolded state shown in fig. 1 and 2 when the diaper 1 is put on. The temporary fastening compressed portions F are compressed portions having a circular shape and are provided in a staggered arrangement.

Subsequently, the left-right direction side end portions S of the diaper 1 in the state shown in fig. 3A are folded inward in the left-right direction and inward in the thickness direction (toward the skin side) at the left-right folding lines SL, so that the diaper 1 is in the state shown in fig. 3B. The left and right folding lines SL are a pair of folding lines extending in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the left and right folding lines SL are provided on the outer side of the absorbent body 2 and on the inner sides of the topsheet 3 and the side flaps 30, respectively, in the left-right direction. In fig. 1 and 2, the area of the side end S is indicated by a hatched portion.

Then, with the skin-side surface of the diaper 1 positioned on the inside, the diaper 1 in the state shown in fig. 3B is folded at the upper and lower folding lines CL, so that the diaper 1 is in the state shown in fig. 4A and 4B. The upper and lower folding lines CL are folding lines extending in the left-right direction, and are also center lines CL of the centers in the longitudinal direction. The packaged state of the diaper 1 shown in fig. 4A and 4B is also the state of the diaper 1 housed in the packaging material 51 shown in fig. 5. That is, the diaper 1 shown in fig. 4A and 4B is also the diaper 1 taken out from the packaging material 51 in which the diaper 1 is stored. It should be noted that the package 50 is a product having a handle 52 and in which a plurality of diapers 1 are housed inside a package material 51, and the diapers 1 are in a packaged state in which the diapers 1 are sealed by the package material 51. It should be noted that fig. 5 shows a package 50 including a plurality of diapers 1, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the package may be a package in which a single wrapper holds a single absorbent article.

Coating section, and coating method

The coating portion may be provided in the entire skin side and the non-skin side of the side end portion S or a part of the side end portion S. The lateral ends S are all areas suitable for applying microcapsules. The side end portion S is a region on the left-right direction outer side with respect to the left-right folding line SL of the diaper 1, and specifically, a region including the fastening band portion 40 and disposed on the left-right direction outer side with respect to the left-right folding line SL. The coating portions may be provided at side end portions S and S located at both sides in the left and right direction, respectively, according to the effect of the substance provided in the microcapsules MC (the insect-proof effect in the present embodiment). Further, the coating portion may be provided only at the side end portion S located at one side in the left-right direction. By providing the coating portion only in the side end portion S on one side in the left-right direction, the risk of coating of excessively applying the microcapsules can be reduced, so that the diaper 1 can be manufactured at a lower cost.

Further, a configuration may be acceptable in which the absorbent body 2, the side end portion S on the other side, and the side end portion S on one side overlap in the back side portion 1B of the diaper 1 in a packaged state, as viewed from the non-skin side in the thickness direction. Specifically, the diaper in the packaged state may be made as follows: in the diaper 1 in the developed state in fig. 1, the side end portion S on the other side is folded at the left and right folding lines SL with the skin side located inside, and then, the side end portion S on one side is folded at the left and right folding lines SL in such a manner as to cover the non-skin side of the side end portion S on the other side with the skin side located inside, and then the diaper is folded at the upper and lower folding lines CL. In the case of such a packaged state, when the diaper 1 is brought into an unfolded state from the packaged state for use, first, the fold of the diaper is unfolded at the upper and lower fold lines CL, and subsequently, the fold of the side end portion S on one side at the left and right fold lines SL is unfolded. That is, by providing the coating portion in the side end portion S on one side, the wearer or user can recognize the presence of the side end portion S at an early stage before the entire diaper 1 is developed. In addition, when the side end portion S is unfolded at one of the left and right folding lines SL, since a part of the side end portion S is pulled, the microcapsules MC in the pulled part are broken, and the effect of the insect repellent fragrance is easily exerted. In this way, the wearer or user can recognize the presence of the microcapsules MC and the effect of the insect-repellent perfume at an early stage in the step from the packaged state to the unfolded state.

In addition, as shown in fig. 4A, in the diaper 1 in a packaged state, the side end portion S is not exposed from the diaper 1, and therefore the coating portion provided in the entire or a part of the side end portion S is not exposed from the diaper 1. By folding the diaper 1 at the pair of left and right folding lines SL and the upper and lower folding lines CL, both side end portions S are covered so as to be sandwiched in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) in the region located inside the pair of side end portions S in the left-right direction. Therefore, the both side end portions S are located inside the diaper 1 in the packaged state, and the application portion is arranged inside the diaper 1 in the packaged state. Note that it is more preferable that the entire coated portion is provided at a position not exposed from the diaper 1 in a packaged state.

When the coated portion is brought into a state of not being exposed from the diaper 1, in the package 50 as shown in fig. 5, it is possible to reduce the risk that the contact of a plurality of diapers 1 causes the microcapsules in the coated portion themselves to be damaged, or the risk that the contact of the coated portion with the packaging material 51 causes the microcapsules to be damaged, flowing out of the substance (insect-repellent fragrance) encapsulated in the microcapsules. This reduces the risk of failure to exert an insect-repellent effect during use due to excessive damage to the microcapsules in the packaged state. Therefore, the insect-proof effect is more easily exerted in the using process. In addition, in the process of manufacturing the package 50, before the diaper 1 is put into the packaging material 51, the coated portion is covered with the diaper 1, and the diaper is carried in a state where the coated portion is not exposed from the diaper 1. Therefore, the risk that the conveyor belt or the like comes into contact with the coating portion to damage the microcapsules can be reduced.

Note that, in fig. 1 and 2, the skin side and the non-skin side of the side end S are set as regions suitable for applying microcapsules. However, it is preferable to provide the coating portion on the non-skin side of the side end portion S. Further, it is more preferable that the application section is provided on the sheet member (the back sheet 5 or the non-skin side surface of the tape base 41) which is located most on the non-skin side in the worn state. The sheet member located at the most non-skin-side position in the worn state is a portion of the diaper 1 which is frequently subjected to contact from the outside when the diaper is worn or during use. Therefore, by preventing damage to the microcapsules of the diaper 1 in a packaged state, the insect-repellent effect of the insect-repellent fragrance is prevented from being exerted in a packaged state, while the microcapsules are more easily damaged at the time of putting on the diaper or during use, so that the effect of the insect-repellent fragrance is more easily exerted.

Although it is preferable that the coating portion is provided in the side end portion S, the coating portion may be provided inside in the left-right direction with respect to the side end portion S. For example, there are cases where microcapsules are applied to the side end portion S and the inside in the left-right direction with respect to the side end portion S, or in the packaged state shown in fig. 4A, microcapsules applied to the side end portion S are transferred to the absorbent body 2 in contact with the side end portion by overlapping with the side end portion in the thickness direction. In this case, it is preferable that the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area of the coating portion applied to the side end portion S is greater than the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area of the coating portion applied to the inside of the side end portion S.

Normally, the absorber 2 is disposed inside the side end S in the left-right direction. When applying the microcapsules to the absorbent body 2, there is a risk that: the undamaged microcapsules act as barriers to the absorption of the excreta by the absorbent body 2; the insect-repellent fragrance flowing out of the damaged microcapsules is absorbed by the absorbent body 2, so that the insect-repellent fragrance does not exert its effect completely, or absorption of excrement by the absorbent body 2 becomes poor. By contrast, by making the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area of the coating portion applied to the side end portion S larger than the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area of the coating portion applied to the inside of the side end portion S, the risk of the microcapsules obstructing absorption of excrement and the risk of the insect-repellent fragrance deteriorating can be reduced as compared with the case where the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area of the coating portion applied to the side end portion S is smaller than the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area of the coating portion applied to the inside of the side end portion S.

The total weight of the microcapsules per unit area can be measured by known methods. For example, sample pieces are prepared by cutting out a target region per unit area, and the weight of each sample piece is measured. At this time, the weight of the coated sheet member was measured in advance, and the weight of the sheet member was subtracted from the weight of each sample sheet. By comparing the weight of the sample pieces minus the weight of the sheet member, the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area can be compared. Note that, when comparing the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area, for a predetermined solvent (first solvent) applied together with the microcapsules, the ratio of the weight of the solvent to the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area is approximately constant. Therefore, by calculating the weight of the solvent with respect to the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area in advance, the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area can be compared more accurately. The following comparison of the total weight of microcapsules per unit area can be made in the same manner.

Specifically, the application portion R of the diaper 1 of the present embodiment will be explained. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the X portion in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 6, in the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, the application portion R is provided on the non-skin side of the fastening tape portion 40 in the side end portion S and in the front end side region Q on the front end side with respect to the tape folding line TL. The coating portion R is applied evenly to the band base material 41 on which the plurality of compressing portions 40E are formed in advance. The coating pattern of the coating portion R is not limited thereto, and may be a shape such as a plane, a straight line, a spiral, a Z-shape, or a dot.

Further, it is preferable that the tape base material 41 has hydrophilicity so that the microcapsules MC are easily entangled with the fibers of the nonwoven fabric sheet 45 of the tape base material 41 of the fastening tape portion 40. The microcapsules are applied to the coating portion R in such a manner that the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area is substantially uniform. The tape base material 41 of the diaper 1 is green, and the coated portion R applied to the tape base material 41 is pale white due to microcapsules or a solvent. Therefore, by providing the application portion R in the fastening band portion 40, the presence of the application portion R is easily recognized by the wearer or user.

The fastening band portion 40 is a portion of the side end portion S that is likely to be gripped by hand when the diaper is put on. Therefore, when the user is ready to put on the diaper, the microcapsules applied to the fastening band portion 40 are gripped and damaged by hand, causing the insect-repellent fragrance in the microcapsules to flow out, so that a state in which the effect of the insect-repellent fragrance is exerted in the put-on state can be achieved.

Fig. 7 is a view of the application portion R when viewed from the non-skin side in the thickness direction. As shown in fig. 7, the microcapsules MC are all spherical and include an insect-repellent fragrance inside. The microcapsules MC in a state of being applied to the fastening belt portion 40 have respectively non-uniform sizes, and are arranged in a manner of being entangled with the nonwoven fabric sheet 45. It should be noted that the microcapsules MC of the diaper 1 are balloons having a non-uniform size, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the bladder may be of uniform size and may have any shape, such as oval or rectangular.

As shown in fig. 6, it is preferable that the applying portion R is provided in a leading end side region Q of the fastening tape portion 40, the leading end side region Q being located on the leading end side with respect to the tape folding line TL. It is more preferable that the coating portion is provided in the left-right direction front end portion q of the fastening tape portion 40. The front end side region Q and the front end portion Q of the fastening band portion 40 are portions which are likely to be engaged by the wearer or the user when the diaper 1 is worn. Therefore, the microcapsule is more reliably damaged when the diaper is worn, so that the effect of the insect-repellent fragrance in the microcapsule is more easily exerted in a worn state. The front end q is a region 5mm inward in the left-right direction from the front end of the belt member 40.

Note that it is preferable that the applying portion R provided in the leading end side region Q not overlap the tape folding line TL. The tape base material 41 is folded at the tape folding line TL, and therefore, in the portion of the tape base material 41 overlapping the tape folding line TL due to the folding, their fibers are more easily compressed and the microcapsules are more easily damaged. Therefore, by avoiding the overlapping of the applying portion R with the tape folding line TL and disposing the applying portion R in the front end side region Q located on the front end side with respect to the tape folding line TL, the risk of damaging the microcapsules during the manufacturing process or in a packaged state is reduced. In addition, this makes it easier to exert the effect of the insect-repellent fragrance in the microcapsule during use.

Further, it is preferable that the area of the coating portion R provided in the leading end side region Q is equal to or larger than half of the area of the leading end side region Q. Since the front end region Q is likely to be gripped by hand when putting on the diaper, the microcapsules can be more reliably damaged when putting on the diaper by making the area of the application portion R equal to or larger than half the area of the front end region Q. This makes the effect of the insect-repellent fragrance in the microcapsule more readily exerted in the worn state.

The fastening tape portion 40 is a portion of the diaper 1 in which the fiber density of the nonwoven fabric is particularly high. In the side end portion S located on one side, for example, a region adjacent to the fastening band portion 40 in the left-right direction is a predetermined fiber density region Z having a predetermined fiber density of the nonwoven fabric. The fiber density of the nonwoven fabric in the fastening band portion 40 is higher than the fiber density of the nonwoven fabric in the predetermined fiber density region Z. In the case where the application portion R is provided in the region where the fiber density of the nonwoven fabric is high as described above, even if the insect-repellent fragrance that has been encapsulated in the microcapsules flows out due to damage of the microcapsules, the insect-repellent fragrance is more likely to remain in the tape base material 41. This can reduce the risk of deterioration of the adhesive effect of the adhesive due to impregnation of the adhesive with the insect-repellent fragrance with which the members of the diaper 1 are adhered to each other.

As shown in fig. 6, the fastening band portion 40 includes a plurality of compressed portions 40E extending over substantially the entire band base material 41 in the side end portion S located on one side, and the compressed portions 40E are provided in a staggered arrangement. Non-compression portions are provided between the compression portions 40E adjacent to each other in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. That is, the compressed portion 40E is a concave portion, and the non-compressed portion is a convex portion.

It is preferable that, in the coating portion R, the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the non-compression portion is greater than the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the compression portion 40E. In the compressed portion 40E, since the fibers of the nonwoven fabric are compacted by compression, the gaps between the fibers are small, so that the applied microcapsules are less likely to be entangled with the fibers of the nonwoven fabric. Therefore, in the compressed portion 40E, the microcapsules may be placed only on the surface of the compressed portion 40E, resulting in a risk of the applied microcapsules falling off each time the diaper 1 is moved. In contrast, in the non-compressed portion, the microcapsules are more likely to enter between the fibers of the belt base material 41. Therefore, by making the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the non-compressed portion larger than the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the compressed portion 40E, the number of microcapsules that fall off the diaper 1 can be further reduced. Further, this makes it easier to exert the effect of the insect-repellent fragrance encapsulated in the microcapsule in the worn state.

It is preferable that the application portion R overlaps with the absorbent body 2 when the diaper 1 is viewed in the thickness direction in a packaged state. Fig. 4B is a schematic sectional view of the diaper 1 in a packaged state, and is a view along the arrow Y-Y in fig. 4A. As shown in fig. 4A, a part of the upper and lower folding lines CL along which the absorbent body 2 is folded with the skin side located inside is an absorbent body folding line 2L. The coated portion R of the diaper 1 is disposed on the non-skin side of the fastening band portion 40. Therefore, as shown in fig. 4B, in the packaged state, since the fastening tape portion 40 and the absorbent body 2 overlap each other in the thickness direction, the application portion R overlaps the absorbent body 2. The absorbent body 2 is a member having particularly high cushioning properties in the diaper 1. Therefore, in the packaged state, even when an impact or the like from the outside is received, the application portion R overlapping the absorbent body 2 is likely to be protected by the absorbent body 2. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of damaging the microcapsules in the packaged state.

In addition, as shown in fig. 4B, it is more preferable that an abdominal side absorbent portion (one side absorbent portion) 2A located on an abdominal side (one side in the thickness direction) with respect to the absorbent body folding line 2L overlaps the application portion R when viewed in the thickness direction, and a back side absorbent portion (the other side absorbent portion) 2B located on a back side (the other side in the thickness direction) with respect to the absorbent body folding line 2L does not overlap the application portion R when viewed in the thickness direction. In the coated portion R overlapping with the abdominal-side absorbent portion 2A in the packaged state of the diaper 1, even when affected by external impact or the like, the abdominal-side absorbent portion 2A functions as a cushion, so that the impact or the like can be alleviated. On the other hand, the coating portion R does not overlap the back-side absorption portion 2B, and therefore the portion where the coating portion R is provided has a space having a thickness corresponding to the back-side absorption portion 2B in the thickness direction. Therefore, even in the case where a force is applied to the diaper 1 in a packaged state in the thickness direction, the risk of compressing the application portion R in the thickness direction can be reduced.

In other embodiments, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described

Although the above embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, they are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way. The present disclosure may be changed or modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure covers equivalents thereof.

In the coating portion R of the above embodiment, the microcapsules are applied so that the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area is substantially uniform, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in fig. 8, the coating portion RX may have a plurality of regions that differ in total weight of the microcapsules per unit area. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the coating section RX according to another embodiment. In fig. 8, the compression section 40E is omitted. The coating portion RX has a plurality of regions R1 in which the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area is large and a plurality of regions R2 in which the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area is smaller than the region R1. In the coating section RX, the regions R1 and R2 are alternately arranged from one side in the left-right direction, such as the region R1, the region R2, the region R1, and the region R2 … …. Note that the regions R2 shown in fig. 8 are all regions where no microcapsules are applied, but it is sufficient that the total weight of microcapsules per unit area of each region R2 is different from that of the region R1. In the case where the application portion RX is provided in the colored portion, for example, in the green fastening band portion 40, this makes it easier for the wearer or user to recognize the presence of the application portion RX. Further, in the case where the microcapsule is applied to the entire coating section RX, the coating amount can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the fastening band portion 40 is provided as a member different from the back surface sheet 5 and the side sheet 6, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the fixing band portion 40 may be formed using the back sheet 5 or the side sheet 6.

In the above-described embodiment, the applying section is provided in the tape-type open-type disposable diaper, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 9, the sanitary napkin may be provided with an applicator portion. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating how the sanitary napkin 100 is folded. The sanitary napkin 100 has a longitudinal direction and a left-right direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Note that the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 100 corresponds to the up-down direction of the diaper 1 described above. The sanitary napkin 100 is packaged with the packaging material 120 to form a package 150. The package 150 shown in fig. 9D is the sanitary napkin 100 in a packaged state.

First, as shown in fig. 9B, with the skin side of the sanitary napkin 100 being located inside, the sanitary napkin 100 shown in fig. 9A is placed on the packaging material 120, and the sanitary napkin 100 is brought into a state of being folded at a pair of left and right folding lines F0, the left and right folding lines F0 extending in the longitudinal direction. Subsequently, as shown in fig. 9C and 9D, with the skin side positioned on the inner side, the sanitary napkin 100 is further folded at the upper and lower folding lines F1 and F2, both of which extend in the left-right direction, F1 and F2. The seal 121 is tightened to form the package 150.

Also in the sanitary napkin 100, the side end portions s, which are respectively regions on the left and right outer sides with respect to the left and right folding lines F0, are regions suitable for applying microcapsules. As shown in fig. 9B to 9D, when the package 150 is formed, the side end s becomes an area not exposed from the sanitary napkin 100. Therefore, in a state where the microcapsules applied to the whole or part of the side end portions s are covered with the folded sanitary napkin 100, the risk of damage to the microcapsules due to the following reasons is reduced: the sanitary napkin 100 in the packaged state is in contact with the packaging material 120; the sanitary napkin 100 is in contact with other packaging 150; impact from the outside, and the like. This makes it possible to reduce the risk that the microcapsules are excessively damaged in a packaged state and fail to exert an insect-repellent effect during use. Therefore, this makes it more likely to exert an insect-repellent effect when the diaper is worn.

In the above embodiment, the insect-repellent fragrance having an herbal fragrance is microencapsulated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The microcapsules may encapsulate substances having known functional ingredients each having a predetermined fragrance, such as a warming agent having a warming ingredient, a cooling agent having a cooling ingredient, a perfume having a fragrant ingredient, a deodorant having a deodorizing ingredient, an antibacterial agent having an antibacterial function, and a skin care agent having a skin care ingredient.

List of reference numerals

1: diaper (open type disposable diaper, tape type disposable diaper, disposable diaper), 1A: ventral portion, 1B: back side, 2: absorber, 3: dough sheet, 4: leak protection sheet, 5: back sheet, 6: side sheet, 7: leg elastic member, 20: side flap, 30: side flap, 40: fastening band portion, 41: tape base material, 40E: compression section, 42: hook member, 43: fixing part, 50: packaging, 51: packaging material, 61: elastic member, F: temporary tightening compression portion, MC: microcapsule, M1: machining mark part, M2: machining mark portion (tip end portion), M3: machining mark portion, P1: machining mark portion, P2: machining mark portion, P3: machining mark portion, P4: machining a marking part, DC: damaged capsule, NC: undamaged bladder, Q: tip region, R: coating section, S: a lateral end portion.

Claims

1. An absorbent article contained in a packaging material,

the absorbent article has a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, and includes:

a coating section coated with a plurality of microcapsules,

the applying portion is provided in at least one of both side end portions in the left-right direction of the absorbent article,

at least a part of the applying section is provided at a position not exposed from the absorbent article,

the two side end portions are folded inward in the left-right direction and inward in the thickness direction at a pair of left and right folding lines,

the pair of left and right folding lines extend in the up-down direction,

folding the absorbent article at the upper and lower fold lines with the skin side on the inside,

the upper and lower folding lines extend in the left-right direction.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1,

an insect repellent fragrance is encapsulated in the microcapsules.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the coating portion is further provided inside in the left-right direction with respect to one side end portion of the two side end portions, and

the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the one side end portion of the two side end portions is greater than the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the inside of the one side end portion of the two side end portions.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the applying portion is provided on a sheet member located at a position closest to a non-skin side of the one of the two side end portions in a worn state.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,

the one of the two side ends has a predetermined fiber density region having a predetermined fiber density, and

the coating section is provided in a region where the fiber density is higher than the predetermined fiber density region.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

one of the two side ends has a fastening band portion, and

the coating portion is provided in the fastening tape portion.

7. The absorbent article of claim 6,

folding the fastening band portion at the band folding line with the skin side on the inside,

the belt folding line extends in the up-down direction, and

the applying portion is provided at a leading end side region of the fastening tape portion, the leading end side region being located on a leading end side in the left-right direction with respect to the tape folding line.

8. The absorbent article of claim 7,

the area of the coating portion provided in the leading end side region is equal to or larger than half of the area of the leading end side region.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein,

the coating portion is provided at a front end portion in the left-right direction of the fastening tape portion.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the absorbent article further comprises an absorber,

folding the absorbent body at an absorbent body folding line with the skin side of the absorbent body positioned inside,

the absorber folding line extends along the left-right direction, and

the coated portion overlaps with the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction.

11. The absorbent article of claim 10,

one side absorbing portion of the absorber overlaps with the coating portion when viewed in the thickness direction,

the one-side absorbent part is located on one side in the thickness direction with respect to the absorbent body folding line, and

the other side absorbent part of the absorbent body does not overlap the coated part when viewed in the thickness direction,

the other side absorbent portion is located on the other side in the thickness direction with respect to the absorbent body folding line.

12. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein,

the entire application section is provided at a position not exposed from the absorbent article.

13. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein,

the coating portion is not provided at the other of the two side end portions.

14. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein,

the one side end portion of the two side end portions includes a compressed portion and a non-compressed portion, and

the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the non-compressed portion is greater than the total weight of the microcapsules per unit area applied to the compressed portion.

15. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein,

the coating section has a plurality of regions having different total weights per unit area of microcapsules.