JP2003284742A - Absorbent goods - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve wearing feelings by resolving the problems specific to a mesh sheet such as adhesive feelings to skins and sweaty skins and suppress diffusion of body fluid in a width direction and a back-and-forth direction of products, in an absorbent goods using a mesh sheet as a surface sheet. <P>SOLUTION: In a sanitary napkin 1 which involves an absorbent body 4 between a surface sheet 3 with moisture impermeability, made of porous resin film on which a predetermined embossed pattern is created and a rear sheet 2 with moisture impermeability, an embossed pattern created on the resin film (the surface sheet) 3 is formed by embossed projections 6 projected on a skin surface side. The pattern created by the embossed projections 6 is such a pattern in which the embossed projections 6 are aligned at small intervals in approximately length directions of the napkin 1 in the central area of the napkin 1 and the embossed projections 6 are aligned at small intervals, approximately in width directions of the napkin 1 in a back-and-forth area of the napkin 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an absorbent article mainly used for sanitary napkins, vaginal discharge sheets, incontinence pads, medical pads, toiletries and the like, and more specifically to prevent the diffusion of body fluids. The present invention relates to an absorbent article capable of preventing sticking to skin, stuffiness and the like.

[0002]

Conventionally, as absorbent articles such as panty liners, sanitary napkins and incontinence pads, liquid impermeable back sheets such as polyethylene sheet or polyethylene sheet laminated nonwoven fabric, nonwoven fabric or porous resin film (so-called mesh sheet). It is known that an absorbent body made of cotton-like pulp or the like is interposed between the liquid-permeable surface sheet such as).

When the mesh sheet is used as the liquid-permeable surface sheet, it has an advantage that the dry feeling of the surface can be maintained by effectively suppressing the reversion, and it tends to be generally preferred. However, unlike non-woven fabric, it does not have minute gaps or irregularities, so if the discharge of body fluid exceeds a certain amount, sticking to the skin will be felt and this will cause stuffiness etc. .

On the other hand, as the surface sheet, an appropriate embossed pattern is provided according to the purpose of suppressing the moist feeling by reducing the contact area with the skin, or giving a texture and a texture, and enhancing the feel. What has been provided is provided. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-80445 and Patent No.
In 2875504, in a surface sheet made of a non-woven fabric, a large number of ridges and grooves are alternately arranged so as not to have a flat portion, the ridges are curved convexly and the grooves are concave. An absorbent article (conventional example 1) that is curved and has a large number of openings formed at intervals in the groove is disclosed.

Further, as a measure for preventing leakage in the surface sheet, in order to prevent diffusion and flow of body fluid, a fit embossed groove is formed by squeezing from the surface sheet side while the surface sheet is superposed on the upper surface of the absorber. , A predetermined embossed pattern is applied to the surface.

[0006]

In order to improve the feeling of sticking to skin and stuffiness, which is a defect, a mesh sheet is used as a surface sheet with emphasis on the reversion of body fluids and the dry feeling of the surface. When the technique described in Conventional Example 1, that is, when the mesh sheet is corrugated including ridges and grooves, the above defects can be improved to some extent, but in the case of corrugation, most of the ridges contact the skin. Therefore, it is not possible to achieve a satisfactory effect. Also, in the case of corrugated processing, the ridges will surely prevent the product from diffusing in the width direction, but body fluid will easily flow along the grooves along the longitudinal direction of the product, and it will spread in the front-back direction. The flow is not sufficiently suppressed.

Further, in order to prevent the diffusion of body fluid, when a fit emboss or an embossed pattern is provided from the surface side of the surface sheet, the embossed pattern is formed by a concave depression, so that it touches the skin of the surface sheet. Since the flat part remains as it is, there was a problem that the feeling of sticking to the skin and stuffiness could not be improved yet.

[0008] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to improve the wearing feeling by eliminating problems peculiar to the mesh sheet such as sticking to the skin and stuffiness in an absorbent article using a so-called mesh sheet as a surface sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article capable of suppressing the diffusion and flow of body fluid in the width direction and the front-back direction of the product.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 provides a liquid-permeable front sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet made of a porous resin film provided with a predetermined embossed pattern. An absorbent article in which an absorbent body is interposed between the absorbent article and the porous resin film, wherein the embossed pattern formed on the porous resin film is formed by an embossed protrusion projecting to the skin surface side. To be done.

Conventionally, all the embossed patterns formed on the porous resin film have been formed by the embossed protrusions protruding toward the absorber. However, in the invention according to claim 1,
On the contrary, the embossed pattern is formed by embossed protrusions protruding toward the skin surface. Due to the embossed protrusions, the contact area between the porous resin film and the skin surface can be significantly reduced, the sticking feeling on the skin surface can be eliminated, and stuffiness can be prevented at the same time. Further, the embossed protrusions obstruct the diffusion and flow of body fluid in the width direction and the front-back direction.

As a second aspect of the present invention according to a specific aspect, in the pattern formed by the embossed protrusions, a row direction in which the embossed protrusions are arranged at small intervals in a central region of the absorbent article is substantially the same as the absorbent article. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal direction and a row direction in which the embossed protrusions are arranged at a small interval in a front-rear region of the absorbent article is a substantially width direction of the absorbent article.

As a third aspect of the present invention according to a specific aspect, the pattern formed by the embossing projection is a substantially concentric circular shape, a concentric oval shape, or a concentric gourd-shaped embossed pattern so as to surround a body fluid discharge site. An absorbent article according to item 1 is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the absorbent article according to the first aspect, wherein the pattern formed by the embossed protrusions is a lattice pattern or a rhomboid pattern.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the net spacing between the embossed protrusions in the lattice-shaped pattern and the rhombic lattice-shaped pattern and the net spacing in the row direction in which the embossed protrusions are arranged at small intervals are 5 mm or less. An absorbent article according to any one of 2 and 3 is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the absorbent article according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the height of the embossed protrusion from the surface sheet surface is 0.05 to 2 mm.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the absorbent article according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which an opening for liquid permeation is formed in the inclined surface portion of the embossed protrusion.

The present invention according to claim 8 provides the absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a hydrophilic material is disposed on the inner surface side of the porous resin film.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof (of FIG.
II-II line arrow view), FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part (III of FIG. 1).
-III line arrow view).

The sanitary napkin 1 is mainly used for panty liners, sanitary napkins, vaginal sheets, incontinence pads and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a liquid impermeable back sheet. The absorbent body 4 is interposed between the liquid-permeable topsheet 3 and the liquid-permeable topsheet 2. Around the absorber 4, the liquid-impermeable backsheet 2 and the liquid-permeable topsheet 3 are joined by an adhesive means such as a hot melt adhesive.

The liquid-impervious back sheet 2 is made of a sheet material having at least water-blocking property such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Besides this, a waterproof film is interposed to ensure substantially liquid-impermeability. And a non-woven fabric sheet (in this case, the waterproof film and the non-woven fabric form a liquid-impervious back sheet). In recent years, from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness, those having moisture permeability tend to be preferably used. This water-impermeable / moisture-permeable sheet material is obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet uniaxially or biaxially A sheet is preferably used.

A mesh sheet is used as the liquid-permeable surface sheet 3. For this mesh sheet,
For example, an olefin-based thermoplastic resin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene is preferably used,
Polyamide, nylon and other polyamide resins, EV
A etc. can also be used.

The mesh sheet 3 is provided with a large number of body fluid permeation openings for imparting body fluid permeability. The diameter of the body fluid permeation hole is 0.05 to 2.0 mm,
It is preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mm and the number of openings is 200 to
It is desirable that the number is about 600 pieces / cm ² . To form the openings, the synthetic resin sheet is softened to a temperature near the softening temperature and, while being positioned on the upper surface of the support having a large number of openings, suction is applied from below the support or There are a method of applying air pressure from the upper surface, a method of engraving a large number of slits in the synthetic resin sheet material, and then a method of stretching the sheet material to open the holes, but it can be formed by an appropriate method. The openings are omitted in the figure.

The absorber 4 interposed between the liquid-impervious back sheet 2 and the liquid-permeable top sheet 3 is, for example, a mixture of pulp with a super absorbent resin, or pulp with chemical fibers. What is mixed with a super absorbent resin is used. As shown in FIG. 2, it is desirable that the absorbent body 4 be surrounded by a crepe paper 5 in order to maintain the shape and quickly diffuse menstrual blood and the like, and prevent the menstrual blood and the like once absorbed from returning. . The planar shape of the absorbent body 4 may be an oval shape as shown in the figure, or may be a fit cut shape (gourd shape) in order to soften the contact with the crotch portion.

Examples of the pulp include those made of cellulose fibers such as chemical pulp and molten pulp obtained from wood, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Softwood pulp having a longer fiber length than hardwood pulp is used. Is preferably used in terms of function and price.

Examples of the highly water-absorbent resin include polyacrylic acid salt crosslinked products, self-crosslinked polyacrylic acid salts,
Acrylic ester-saponified product of vinyl acetate copolymer crosslinked product, isobutylene / maleic anhydride copolymer crosslinked product,
Examples thereof include crosslinked polysulfonates and partially crosslinked water-swellable polymers such as polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide. Among these, acrylic acid or acrylate based ones, which are excellent in water absorption amount and water absorption speed, are preferable. In the manufacturing process, the superabsorbent resin having the above water-absorbing performance can be adjusted in water absorbing power and water absorbing speed by adjusting the crosslinking density and the crosslinking density gradient. The content ratio of the super absorbent polymer is preferably 10 to 60%. When the content of the super absorbent polymer is less than 10%, it is not possible to provide sufficient absorption capacity, and when it exceeds 60%, the entanglement between pulp fibers is lost, and the sheet strength is lowered to cause breakage or cracking. Is likely to occur.

In the present invention, the mesh sheet 3 is used.
An embossed pattern is given to a predetermined portion, preferably the entire surface, of the embossed protrusions 6, 6 ... The embossed pattern can be formed by heating the material sheet to almost the softening point and pressing the material sheet in the process of passing between the embossing roll and the anvil roll.

The embossed pattern shown in FIG. 1 is a pattern formed by the arrangement of dot-shaped embosses. In the central region C of the napkin 1, the embossed protrusions 6, 6 ... So as to be substantially in the longitudinal direction of the napkin 1, two embossed rows are formed on both sides straddling the body fluid discharge region H in an arc line shape that bulges outward in plan view, while the front area F of the napkin 1 is formed. And the rear area B
In, the five embossed rows are formed in an arc line shape that bulges outward in plan view so that the row direction in which the embossed protrusions 6, 6 ... Are arranged at a small interval is substantially the width direction of the napkin 1. ing.

The protrusion height h of the embossed protrusion 6 from the sheet surface is preferably 0.05 to 2 mm. If the projection height h is less than 0.05 mm, the projections are too small, and almost the entire surface of the mesh sheet comes into surface contact with the skin, so it is not possible to prevent sticking to the skin or stuffiness, and also to emboss. The protrusion 6 cannot be an obstacle when the body fluid flows, and the effect desired by the present invention cannot be obtained. Further, when the height h of the protrusion exceeds 2 mm, the protrusion comes into contact with the skin too much, and the user feels uncomfortable at the time of wearing, which is not preferable.

Further, it is desirable that the pure interval P in the row direction in which the embossed protrusions 6 are arranged at a small interval is 5 mm or less. When the pure interval P exceeds 5 mm, the body fluid is embossed with protrusions 6,
It becomes easy to pass between 6 and it is impossible to effectively prevent the diffusion of body fluid. The area ratio of the embossed protrusions 6, 6 ... Is approximately 30 to 5%, preferably 20 to 10%.

As for the openings of the mesh sheet 3 described above, it is desirable that the openings 3a for liquid permeation are formed in the inclined surface portion of the embossed projection 6, as shown in detail in FIG. By forming the opening 3a in the inclined surface of the embossed protrusion 6, the flowing body fluid can be captured and effectively absorbed by the absorber 4. As shown in the figure, preferably, the opening 3a has a peripheral edge portion on the back surface side that extends downwardly to form a liquid guiding tube portion 3b, so that the backward movement can be effectively prevented. become. Further, it is more desirable that the direction of the liquid guiding tube portion 3b has a downward angle with respect to the horizontal plane at the portion of the embossed projection 6.

On the lower surface side (absorber side) of the mesh sheet 3, a hydrophilic non-woven fabric is formed between the mesh sheet 3 and the absorbent body 4 in order to accelerate the absorption rate of the body fluid and prevent the body fluid from returning. It is desirable to place a second seat. As shown in FIG. 5, this second sheet may be one in which a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 3B is integrally laminated in advance on the back surface of the mesh sheet 3A.

Various patterns can be considered for the pattern formed by the embossed protrusions. In the case of the sanitary napkin 1B shown as a second embodiment in FIG. 6, a plurality of embossed protrusions having a substantially concentric elliptical shape so as to surround the body fluid discharge site H with the body fluid discharge site H as a center. 7 is an example of forming 7. Since the embossed pattern is continuous in the circumferential direction in this way, the embossed projections 7, 7 ... Are obstructions regardless of the direction and position of the body fluid, so that the body fluid can be more effectively diffused and flowed. Will be able to prevent. The embossed pattern is not limited to the concentric oval shape, and may be formed in a concentric circular shape or a concentric gourd shape.
Since the structure of the sanitary napkin 1B is the same as that of the sanitary napkin 1, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the embossed protrusions formed on the mesh sheet 3 may have a constant repeating pattern. FIG. 7 shows an example of such a form. FIG. 7 (A) shows an example in which the dot-shaped embosses 8 are arranged so as to form a lattice pattern as a whole, and FIG. 7 (B) shows a diamond pattern depending on the arrangement of the dot-shaped embosses 8. It has a checkered pattern. Further, FIG. 7C is an example in which a pattern in which elliptical embosses 9B, 9B, ... Are arranged adjacent to each other in the cross direction around the dot-shaped emboss 9A as a center is repeated to give a grid-like embossed pattern. (D) is an example of the diamond lattice pattern. Also in these lattice-shaped patterns and rhombic lattice-shaped patterns, it is desirable that the pure spacing between the embossed protrusions 8, 9A, 9B be 5 mm or less.

On the other hand, in order to assemble an unprocessed resin film on the absorbent article production line while applying the embossing, as shown in FIG. 8, the resin film 3 delivered from the surface material supply drum 10 is used. Is introduced into a perforated roll 11 in which a large number of holes are arranged, the resin film 3 is heated up to near its softening point, and a large number of perforations are formed in the resin film 3 by suction from inside the perforated roll 11. To do.

Next, the resin film 3 having the openings formed therein is guided to the anvil roll 12 and passed through between the emboss roll 13 to form an embossed protrusion projecting to the upper surface side (skin surface side in the assembled state). Add an embossed pattern. After that, the absorbent article is completed by stacking it with the backsheet 2 and the absorber 4 delivered from the backsheet supply drum 14. The embossing roll 1
The pressing force by 3 is 20 to 70 N / mm, preferably 30 to 50 N / mm. The openings for the resin film may be formed in advance at the stage of the manufacturer who manufactures the resin film 3, or at the manufacturer stage, the openings may be formed and embossed. Good.

[0036]

[Examples] A sanitary napkin (invention product) using a porous resin film in which an embossed pattern is formed by an embossed protrusion protruding toward the skin surface, and an embossed pattern formed by an embossed protrusion protruding toward the absorber side A sanitary napkin (comparative product) using the porous resin film was prepared, and a liquid flow test and a sensory test for feeling of sticking to skin and stuffiness were performed to verify the effect of the present invention.

Concretely, a PE / EVA porous resin film (opening rate 25%, basis weight 35 g / m ² ) was used, and FIG.
Topsheet imparted with embossed pattern shown (C), the second sheet treated hydrophilized air-through nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 25 g / m ^2, air laid absorbent having a basis weight of 220g / m ^2, PE resin film (basis weight 25 g / m ² ) Back sheet,
A product of the present invention was prepared by arranging the embossed pattern on the surface sheet so as to project to the skin side, and a comparative product was prepared by arranging the embossed pattern on the surface sheet so as to project toward the absorber.

In the liquid flow test, the specimens were placed on a table inclined at 45 °, and a buret was installed at a position 10 mm above the specimen, and a total of 3 drops of horse blood from the buret at intervals of 1 drop / sec. Drop, drip. Then, the distance from the dropping point to the lowest point where the horse blood flowed was measured. Test 10 times,
The average value was defined as the liquid flow distance.

Further, 15 women were asked to wear two test pieces each for 2 hours or more, and then they were asked to report the sticking feeling or the presence of stuffiness. The evaluation was performed by the number of people who answered that they were good.

[0040]

[Table 1] From the results in Table 1 above, it is understood that the product of the present invention has a smaller liquid flow distance and less diffusion / flow of body fluid than the comparative product. Also, it can be seen that many women feel that the stickiness and stuffiness have improved.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in an absorbent article using a so-called mesh sheet as a surface sheet, the problems peculiar to the mesh sheet such as the feeling of sticking to the skin and stuffiness are eliminated and the feeling of wearing is improved. As a result, the diffusion and flow of body fluid in the width direction and the front-back direction of the product can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof (a view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part (a view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another example of the embossed protrusions 6.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing another example of the mesh sheet.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1B according to a second embodiment.

7A to 7D are diagrams showing other examples of embossed patterns.

FIG. 8 is an assembly line diagram of the sanitary napkin.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sanitary napkin, 2 ... Liquid-impermeable backsheet, 3 ... Liquid-permeable topsheet, 4 ... Absorber, 5 ... Crepe paper, 6.7
・ 8 ・ 9A ・ 9B ... Embossed protrusion

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An absorbent article in which an absorbent body is interposed between a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet made of a porous resin film provided with a predetermined embossed pattern, wherein the porous resin film has An absorbent article, wherein the imparted embossed pattern is formed by an embossed protrusion protruding toward the skin surface side. 2. The pattern formed by the embossed protrusions is such that the row direction in which the embossed protrusions are arranged at a small interval in the central region of the absorbent article is substantially the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article and the front and rear portions of the absorbent article are arranged. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a row direction in which the embossed protrusions are arranged at a small interval in a region is a substantially width direction of the absorbent article. 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the pattern of the embossed protrusions is a substantially concentric circular shape, a concentric elliptical shape, or a concentric gourd-shaped embossed pattern so as to surround a body fluid discharge site. 4. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the pattern of the embossed protrusions is a lattice pattern or a rhombus lattice pattern. 5. The net spacing between the embossing protrusions in the lattice pattern or the rhombus lattice pattern and the net spacing in the row direction in which the embossing protrusions are arranged at small intervals are 5 mm or less. Absorbent article. 6. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the height of the embossed protrusion from the surface sheet surface is 0.05 to 2 mm. 7. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein an opening for liquid permeation is formed in the inclined surface portion of the embossed protrusion. 8. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a hydrophilic material is arranged on the inner surface side of the porous resin film.