JP2007143889A - Absorbent product and manufacturing method for absorbing element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an absorbent product which has an excellent deodorizing performance while using an aggregate of filaments. <P>SOLUTION: The absorbent product is equipped with an absorbing element 50 for receiving and holding a liquid permeating a top sheet 30 on the side of a use surface. The absorbing element 50 comprises an absorber 56 which has the aggregate of the filaments 52 with opened tows, and a superabsorbent polymer particle 54. Deodorizing particles 53 and 55 are arranged at least on the front and back sides of the absorber 56. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid absorbent article, for example, a disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper and a sanitary napkin.

Absorbent articles such as infant and adult tape-type and pants-type disposable diapers and sanitary napkins are used on the top sheet on the use side, the back sheet that prevents the permeation of liquid on the back side, and interposed between these sheets And an absorption element that receives and holds the excreted liquid that has permeated through the top sheet.
For this basic element, an exterior sheet made of, for example, non-woven fabric is provided on the back side of the back sheet, and a form that improves the touch when a plastic sheet is used as the back sheet, so-called barrier cuffs are formed on both sides of the product. In order to improve the fit around the waist and the abdomen, such as the form, a form that imparts elastic stretchability is appropriately added.
As an absorbent element that receives and holds the liquid that has permeated through the top sheet on the use surface side, conventionally, a fiber stack of pulp short fibers has been generally used. It is also known to use superabsorbent polymer particles (hereinafter also referred to as “SAP”) to increase the amount of absorption in the liquid.
In addition to the case where the SAP is dispersed on the piled short fiber, there is a case where the SAP is dispersed and held in the short fiber (Patent Document 1).
In recent years, it has also been proposed to use an aggregate of filaments as an absorbing element (for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).
However, the filament is semi-synthetic or synthetic fiber, and the specific surface area is small, as can be seen from the extremely low water absorption compared to pulp fiber. There was a problem that physical adsorption by the fiber was small.
JP 2004-65300 A Special Table 2002-524399 (WO99 / 27879) JP-T 2004-500165 (US Pat. No. 6,646,180)

  Then, the main subject of this invention is providing the absorbent article excellent in deodorizing performance, using the aggregate | assembly of a filament.

  In view of the above problems, the present inventors considered to disperse a deodorizing polymer (water-absorbing polymer having a deodorizing property) widely used in adult diapers and the like in an absorbent body. However, in this case, since the deodorizing polymer is mixed with the odor generating source, it has been found that the odor is easily released from the absorber without being deodorized by the deodorizing polymer. The present invention has been made on the basis of such knowledge, and has the following configuration.

<Invention of Claim 1>
It has an absorption element that receives and holds liquid that has passed through the top sheet on the use surface side,
The absorbent element includes an absorbent body having a collection of filaments opened from tow and superabsorbent polymer particles;
At least deodorant particles are disposed on the front and back sides of the absorber,
An absorbent article characterized by the above.

(Function and effect)
In the present invention, since the deodorizing particles are disposed on the front surface side and the back surface side of the absorbent body, even if the odor generated in the absorbent body is released to the front surface side and the back surface side of the absorbent body, the deodorizing particles. Is deodorized and the release to the outside is suppressed. In addition, this was unexpected at first, but when the high-absorbent polymer particles absorb and absorb liquid such as urine in the absorbent body, the expanded material causes a gap between the front and back sides of the absorbent body. Since the air gap is blocked, it is difficult for the deodorant particles to move from the front surface side to the back surface side of the absorber. Therefore, after that, at the stage where odor is generated, even if an external force such as the movement of the wearer is applied, the deodorizing particles are securely held on both sides of the absorber, and the deodorizing effect is reliably exhibited on both sides. The And by these effects, compared with the case where a deodorizing polymer is disperse | distributed in an absorber, more effective deodorization is attained. In the present invention, as long as the deodorant particles are disposed on the front surface side and the back surface side of the absorber, the deodorant particles may be present in the absorber as in the conventional deodorant polymer.

<Invention of Claim 2>
The absorptive article according to claim 1 with which at least the whole surface side and the whole back side of said absorber are covered with a layer which consists of said deodorant particles.

(Function and effect)
Thus, a higher deodorizing performance is exhibited by arranging the deodorizing particles in layers and covering the entire front surface side and the entire back surface side of the absorber.

<Invention of Claim 3>
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at least the entire periphery of the absorber is covered with a layer made of the deodorant particles.

(Function and effect)
Thus, when the whole circumference | surroundings of an absorber are covered by the layer form of a deodorizing particle, higher deodorizing performance is exhibited.

<Invention of Claim 4>
The absorptivity according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent element includes a covering sheet that wraps the absorber, and the deodorizing particles are fixed to the covering sheet. Goods.

(Function and effect)
In the present invention, the arrangement of the deodorant particles is important, and if this moves due to the movement of the user, the effect may be reduced. Therefore, it is also a preferable form to fix the deodorant particles to the covering sheet that wraps the absorber as described in this section.

<Invention of Claim 5>
The absorptive article according to any one of claims 1 to 4 which has said deodorizing particles in the ratio to said aggregate of said filaments 0.1weight% or more.

(Function and effect)
If the amount of the deodorizing particles is too small, the deodorizing effect may be insufficient. Therefore, as described in this section, it is preferable to use 0.1% by weight or more in the ratio to the filament aggregate.

<Invention of Claim 6>
The fineness of the filament is 1 to 5 dtex,
The fiber density of the aggregate of filaments is 0.03 to 0.25 g / cm ³ ;
The superabsorbent polymer particles have an average particle size of 200 to 400 μm,
The average particle size of the deodorant particles disposed on the surface side of the absorber is larger than 400 μm,
The average particle size of the deodorant particles disposed on the back side of the absorber is smaller than 200 μm,
The absorbent article of any one of Claims 1-5.

(Function and effect)
In the invention described in this section, the deodorant particles disposed on the surface side of the absorbent body are sufficiently small to prevent entry into the filament assembly with respect to the assembly having a predetermined fiber density using filaments having a predetermined fineness. The size of the superabsorbent polymer particles is set so that they do not fall out of the filament assembly, and the deodorant particles disposed on the back side of the absorber are sufficiently large to fall off without being held on or in the absorber. It is small. Therefore, the deodorant particles are securely held on both the front and back sides of the absorbent body, and the superabsorbent polymer is securely held in the absorbent body. As a result, the effects of the present invention are more remarkably exhibited. Further, as will be described later, the manufacture is also facilitated.

<Invention of Claim 7>
The absorptive article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the deodorizing particles are zeolite particles obtained by substituting part or all of the ion-exchangeable ions in the zeolite with silver ions.

(Function and effect)
It is preferable to use zeolite particles obtained by substituting part or all of the ion-exchangeable ions in the zeolite with silver ions because not only the deodorizing effect but also the antibacterial effect is exhibited.

<Invention of Claim 8>
Opening the tow to form an assembly of filaments having a fiber density of 0.03 to 0.25 g / cm ³ and a fineness of 1 to 5 dtex,
The superabsorbent polymer particles having an average particle diameter of 200 to 400 μm and an average particle diameter of 200 to 400 μm from above the filament aggregate in a state where the aggregate of filaments is placed on the covering sheet , And after spraying deodorant particles having an average particle size larger than 400 μm, wrap the aggregate of these filaments, the deodorant particles and the superabsorbent polymer particles in a covering sheet,
A method for manufacturing an absorbent element.

(Function and effect)
In this way, deodorant particles that are large enough to make it difficult to enter the filament assembly, and have a size that does not fall out of the filament assembly, with respect to the assembly of a predetermined fiber density using filaments of a predetermined fineness. When absorbent polymer particles and deodorant particles that are small enough to fall off without being held on or in the absorber are formed and the absorber is formed, most of the large deodorant particles after application (including the use stage) Remains on the surface of the filament assembly, most of the superabsorbent polymer particles are retained in the filament assembly, and small deodorant particles fall off without being retained on or in the filament assembly, and the filament assembly and the covering sheet And will be held between. Therefore, the deodorant particles can be reliably held on both the front and back sides of the absorbent body, and the superabsorbent polymer can be securely held in the absorbent body by a simple method of simply spraying.

<Invention of Claim 9>
The deodorant particles having an average particle size smaller than 200 μm, the superabsorbent polymer particles having an average particle size of 200 to 400 μm, and the deodorized particles having an average particle size larger than 400 μm are separately dispersed in this order. Item 9. A method for producing an absorbent element according to Item 8.

(Function and effect)
According to the method of the present invention, when spraying large and small deodorant particles and superabsorbent polymer particles to the aggregate of filaments, these may be mixed and sprayed, or simultaneously sprayed without mixing. Or may be sprayed in any order. However, in some cases, relatively large particles prevent the movement of small particles, making it difficult for deodorant particles and superabsorbent polymer particles to be properly disposed. It is preferable to spray.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the absorbent article is excellent in deodorizing performance while using an aggregate of filaments.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a disposable diaper and its manufacturing equipment.
<Examples of pants-type disposable diapers>
FIG. 1 shows an example of a pants-type disposable diaper. The pants-type disposable diaper 10 includes an exterior sheet 12 on the outer surface (back surface) side and an absorbent main body 20 on the inner surface (front surface) side, and the absorbent main body 20 is fixed to the exterior sheet 12. The absorptive main body 20 is a part that receives and absorbs excrement such as urine and loose stool (or menstrual blood in the case of a sanitary napkin). The exterior sheet 12 is a part for mounting on the wearer.

  The exterior sheet 12 has, for example, an hourglass shape as shown in the figure, and both sides are constricted, and this is a part into which a wearer's leg is put. The absorptive main body 20 can take any shape, but is rectangular in the illustrated form.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exterior sheet 12 is folded back and forth after the absorbent main body 20 is installed and fixed at a predetermined position, and joined regions 12A on both sides of the front body 12F and the back body 12B of the exterior sheet 12. Are joined by heat fusion or the like. Thereby, a pants-type disposable diaper having a structure shown in FIG. 1 and having a waist opening WO and a pair of leg openings LO is obtained.

  An intermediate width in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 20 shown in the drawing (that is, the vertical direction in FIG. 2, which is also the front-rear direction of the product) is shorter than the width connecting the constricted portions of the exterior sheet 12. This width relationship may be reversed or the same width.

  The exterior sheet 12 is preferably composed of two sheets of water-repellent nonwoven fabric, for example, and an elastic elastic member is interposed between these sheets, and a form that fits the wearer by the contraction force is desirable. As the elastic elastic member, thread rubber or elastic foam band can be used, but it is desirable to use a large number of thread rubbers. In the illustrated embodiment, the rubber threads 12C, 12C,... Are provided continuously in the width direction in the waist region W, provided only on both sides in the lower waist region U, and not provided in the crotch region L. Since the rubber threads 12C, 12C,... Are provided in both the waist region W and the lower waist region U, even if the shrinkage force of the rubber thread 12C itself is weak, the rubber waist 12C hits the wearer in the lower waist region U as a whole. The product fits well to the wearer.

(Absorbent body)
As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent main body 20 according to the embodiment includes a top sheet 30 made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric that allows liquid to permeate, an intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40, and an absorbent element 50. A liquid-impermeable sheet (also referred to as a back sheet) 70 made of a plastic sheet or the like is provided on the back surface side of the absorber 56. The exterior sheet 12 is provided on the back side of the liquid-impermeable sheet 70. Further, barrier cuffs 60, 60 are provided on both sides.

(Top sheet)
The top sheet 30 has a property of transmitting liquid. Therefore, the material of the top sheet 30 is sufficient if it exhibits this liquid permeability, and examples thereof include a porous or non-porous nonwoven fabric and a porous plastic sheet. Of these, the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited as to what the raw fiber is. Examples include synthetic fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene such as olefins, polyesters and polyamides, recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, natural fibers such as cotton, and mixed fibers in which two or more of these are used. can do. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric may be manufactured by any processing. Examples of the processing method include known methods such as a spunlace method, a spunbond method, a thermal bond method, a melt blown method, and a needle punch method. For example, the spun lace method is a preferable processing method when the flexibility and drape properties are required, and the thermal bond method is the preferable processing method when the bulkiness and softness are required.
The top sheet 30 may be composed of a single sheet or a laminated sheet obtained by bonding two or more sheets. Similarly, the top sheet 30 may be composed of one sheet or two or more sheets in the planar direction.

(Intermediate sheet)
In order to make the liquid which permeate | transmitted the top sheet 30 transfer to an absorber rapidly, the intermediate | middle sheet | seat 40 normally called a "second sheet | seat" whose liquid permeation | transmission speed is faster than the top sheet 30 can be provided. This intermediate sheet not only improves the absorption performance by the absorber by quickly transferring the liquid to the absorber, but also prevents the “returning” phenomenon of the absorbed liquid from the absorber, and the top sheet 30 is always dried. State.
Examples of the intermediate sheet 40 include the same materials as the top sheet 30, spunlace, pulp nonwoven fabric, a mixed sheet of pulp and rayon, point bond, or crepe paper. In particular, an air-through nonwoven fabric and a spunbond nonwoven fabric are preferable.
The intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 is interposed between the top sheet 30 and the covering sheet 58. As shown in FIG. 5, a configuration in which the intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 is not provided can also be used.
The intermediate sheet 40 in the illustrated form is disposed in the center shorter than the width of the absorber 56, but may be provided over the entire width. The length of the intermediate sheet 40 in the longitudinal direction may be the same as the length of the absorbent body 56 or may be within a short length range centered on the region that receives the liquid. A typical material of the intermediate sheet 40 is a nonwoven fabric having excellent liquid permeability.

(Absorption element)
The absorbent element 50 includes an absorbent body 56 having an aggregate of filaments 52 that have opened tow and superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54..., And deodorant particles 53, arranged on the front and back sides of the absorbent body 56. 55. Moreover, it has the covering sheet | seat 58 which wraps at least the back surface and side surface of the absorber 56. FIG. Further, a holding sheet 80 is provided between the absorbent body 56 and the rear surface side portion (lower portion) of the covering sheet 58.

(Absorber)
The absorber 56 includes an aggregate of filaments 52, 52,..., Opened tow, and superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54,. It is desirable that at least in the liquid receiving region, the superabsorbent polymer particles (SAP particles) are dispersed substantially throughout the thickness direction with respect to the aggregate of the filaments 52, 52. The state of being substantially dispersed throughout the thickness direction is conceptually shown as an enlarged view of the main part of FIG.

  If there is no SAP particle in the upper part, the lower part, and the middle part of the absorber 56, or if there is very little, it cannot be said that the "absorbed throughout the thickness direction". Therefore, “distributed in the entire thickness direction” means “distributed unevenly in the upper, lower, and / or middle portions of the aggregate of filaments, in addition to the form“ uniformly ”distributed in the entire thickness direction. However, it is still included in the form of being dispersed in the upper, lower and middle portions. Further, a form in which some SAP particles do not enter the aggregate of the filaments 52, 52... Remain on the surface, and some SAP particles pass through the aggregate of the filament filaments 52, 52. The form on the sheet 58 and the form on the holding sheet 80 as shown in FIG. 6 are not excluded.

  The aggregate of the filaments 52, 52... Is obtained by opening a tow (fiber bundle) composed of fibers substantially regarded as continuous fibers. Examples of tow fibers include polysaccharides or derivatives thereof (cellulose, cellulose ester, chitin, chitosan, etc.), synthetic polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, polylactamamide, polyvinyl acetate, etc.). In particular, cellulose esters and cellulose are preferable.

  As cellulose, cellulose derived from plants such as cotton, linter, and wood pulp, bacterial cellulose, and the like can be used. Regenerated cellulose such as rayon may be used, and the regenerated cellulose may be a spun fiber.

  Examples of cellulose esters that can be suitably used include organic acid esters such as cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, and cellulose propionate; mixed acid esters such as cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, and cellulose nitrate acetate. And cellulose ester derivatives such as polycaprolactone-grafted cellulose ester can be used. These cellulose esters can be used alone or in admixture of two or more. The viscosity average degree of polymerization of the cellulose ester is, for example, about 50 to 900, preferably about 200 to 800. The average substitution degree of the cellulose ester is, for example, about 1.5 to 3.0 (for example, 2 to 3).

  The average degree of polymerization of the cellulose ester can be, for example, 10 to 1000, preferably 50 to 900, more preferably about 200 to 800, and the average degree of substitution of the cellulose ester is, for example, about 1 to 3, preferably 1 to 1. 2.15, more preferably about 1.1 to 2.0. The average degree of substitution of the cellulose ester can be selected from the viewpoint of enhancing biodegradability.

  As the cellulose ester, an organic acid ester (for example, an ester with an organic acid having about 2 to 4 carbon atoms), particularly cellulose acetate is suitable. The degree of acetylation of cellulose acetate is often about 43 to 62%, but about 30 to 50% is particularly preferable because it is excellent in biodegradability. A particularly preferred cellulose ester is cellulose diacetate.

  The tow constituent fiber may contain various additives such as a heat stabilizer, a colorant, an oil agent, a yield improver, a whiteness improver, and the like.

  The fineness of the tow constituent fiber is, for example, 1 to 16 dtex, preferably 1 to 10 dtex, and more preferably 1 to 5 dtex. The tow constituent fiber may be a non-crimped fiber, but is preferably a crimped fiber. The crimped degree of the crimped fiber can be, for example, 5 to 75, preferably 10 to 50, and more preferably about 15 to 50 per inch. Further, a crimped fiber that is uniformly crimped is often used. When crimped fibers are used, a bulky and light absorbent body can be produced, and a tow with high unity can be easily produced by entanglement between the fibers. The cross-sectional shape of the tow constituting fiber is not particularly limited, and may be any one of, for example, a circular shape, an oval shape, an irregular shape (for example, a Y shape, an X shape, an I shape, an R shape) or a hollow shape. Also good. The tow constituting fibers are used in the form of tows (fiber bundles) formed by bundling, for example, about 3,000 to 1,000,000, preferably about 5,000 to 1,000,000 single fibers. can do. The fiber bundle is preferably formed by bundling about 3,000 to 1,000,000 continuous fibers.

  Since the entanglement between fibers is weak, a binder having an action of adhering or fusing the contact portions of the fibers can be used mainly for the purpose of maintaining the shape. Examples of binders include ester plasticizers such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol dipropionate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethoxyethyl phthalate, and triethyl citrate, as well as various resin adhesives, especially thermoplastic resins. Can be used.

  The thermoplastic resin used as the binder is a resin that exhibits an adhesive force when melted and solidified, and includes water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble resins and water-soluble resins. A water-insoluble or poorly water-soluble resin and a water-soluble resin can be used together as necessary.

  Examples of water-insoluble or poorly water-soluble resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, olefinic homo- or copolymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate, methacryl Acid methyl-acrylic acid ester copolymer, acrylic resin such as copolymer of (meth) acrylic monomer and styrene monomer, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer, polystyrene, styrene monomer ( Styrenic polymers such as copolymers with (meth) acrylic monomers, optionally modified polyesters, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 610, nylon 612 and other polyamides, rosin derivatives (eg, rosin esters), Hydrocarbon resin (eg terpene tree , Dicyclopentadiene resins, and petroleum resins), and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins. One or two or more of these thermoplastic resins can be used.

  Examples of water-soluble resins include various water-soluble polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl ether, vinyl monomers, and copolymerizable monomers having a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, or a salt thereof. Vinyl water-soluble resins such as copolymers, acrylic water-soluble resins, polyalkylene oxides, water-soluble polyesters, water-soluble polyamides, and the like can be used. These water-soluble resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Various additives such as stabilizers such as antioxidants and ultraviolet absorbers, fillers, plasticizers, preservatives, and antifungal agents may be added to the thermoplastic resin.

  However, the use of binder components that inhibit the entry of superabsorbent polymer particles should be avoided whenever possible. It is best not to use a binder component that inhibits penetration of the superabsorbent polymer particles.

Since tow can be produced by a known method, it will not be described in detail. Cellulose diacetate tow bales that can be suitably used in the absorbent element 50 are commercially available from Celanese, Daicel Chemical Industries, and the like. Cellulose diacetate tow bale has a density of about 0.5 g / cm ³ and a total weight of 400-600 kg.

From this bale, the tow is peeled off and spread into a wide band so as to have a desired size and bulk. The opening width of the tow is arbitrary, and can be, for example, a width of 100 to 2000 mm, preferably about 100 to 300 mm of the width of the product absorber. Moreover, the fiber density of the filament aggregate can be adjusted by adjusting the degree of tow opening. A preferred fiber density is 0.03 to 0.25 g / cm ³ .

  Tow opening methods include, for example, a method in which the tow is spread over a plurality of opening rolls and the tow width is gradually expanded as the tow progresses, and the tow tension (extension) and relaxation (contraction) And the like, and a method of widening and opening using compressed air can be used.

(Superabsorbent polymer particles)
In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, at least the absorbent body 56 has superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54. Superabsorbent polymer particles mean to include “powder” in addition to “particles”. As the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, those having an average particle size used in this type of absorbent article can be used as they are, and those having an average particle size of 100 to 1000 μm, particularly 200 to 400 μm are desirable. The material of the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 can be used without any particular limitation, but those having a water absorption of 50 g / g or more are suitable. Examples of the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 include starch-based, cellulose-based and synthetic polymer-based polymers, such as starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymer, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymer, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. A cross-linked product or an acrylic acid (salt) polymer can be used. As the shape of the superabsorbent polymer particles, a commonly used granular material is suitable, but other shapes can also be used.

  As the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, those having a water absorption speed of 40 seconds or less are preferably used. When the water absorption speed exceeds 40 seconds, so-called reversion in which the liquid supplied into the absorber 56 returns to the outside of the absorber 56 is likely to occur.

  Moreover, as the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, those having a gel strength of 1000 Pa or more are preferably used. Thereby, even if it is a case where it is set as the bulky absorber 56 by using tow | toe, the stickiness after liquid absorption can be suppressed effectively.

The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 can be appropriately determined according to the required amount of absorption. Therefore, although it cannot be said unconditionally, it can be 50 to 500 g / m ² . By setting the basis weight of the polymer to 50 g / m ² or less, it is possible to prevent the weight reduction effect from becoming difficult to be exhibited by adopting the aggregate of filaments 52 made of tow due to the weight of the polymer. If it exceeds 500 g / m ² , not only the effect is saturated, but also the above-mentioned crisp discomfort is given due to the excess of the superabsorbent polymer particles 54.

  If necessary, the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 can adjust the spray density or spray amount in the plane direction of the absorber 56. For example, it is possible to increase the application amount of the excretion site compared to other sites. When gender differences are taken into account, men can increase the front spray density (amount), while women can increase the center spray density (amount). In addition, a portion where no polymer exists locally (for example, in a spot shape) in the planar direction of the absorber 56 can also be provided.

  If necessary, a plurality of superabsorbent polymer particles 54 having different particle size distributions can be prepared and sequentially dispersed and projected in the thickness direction. For example, after spraying and projecting a particle with a small particle size distribution first, and then spraying and projecting a particle with a large particle size distribution, a particle having a small particle size distribution on the lower side in the absorber 56 Those having a large diameter distribution can be distributed. This form is effective for allowing a particle having a small particle size distribution to penetrate deeply into an assembly of filaments.

  The ratio between the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 and the aggregate of filaments 52 affects the absorption characteristics. As a weight ratio in a planar area of 5 cm × 5 cm in the region directly receiving the liquid in the absorber 56, the superabsorbent polymer particle / filament weight is 0.1 to 14, particularly 0.5 to 9. desirable.

(Deodorant particles)
In the present invention, the deodorant particles 53 and 55 are disposed on at least the front and back sides of the absorber 56. That is, the deodorizing particles are provided between the absorbent body 56 and the covering sheet 58, between the absorbent body 56 and the holding sheet 80, as shown in the figure, and between the top sheet 30 and the covering sheet 58, in the middle. It can also be provided between the sheet 40 and the covering sheet 58, between the covering sheet 58 and the liquid-impermeable sheet 70, between the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 and the exterior sheet 12. Further, as long as the deodorant particles 53 and 55 are arranged on both the front and back sides of the absorber 56, the deodorant particles can be arranged in the absorber 56.

  Although the deodorizing particles 53 and 55 may be provided discontinuously on the outer surface of the absorber 56, the entire surface side and the entire back surface side of the absorber 56 are deodorized particles 53 and 55 as shown in the figure. It is preferable that each of the layers is covered. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, it is also preferable that the entire periphery of the absorbent body 56 (that is, the front and back sides and the left and right sides) is covered with a layer of deodorant particles 53 and 55. In addition, * mark in FIG. 5 has shown the adhesive agent.

  The amount of the deodorant particles 53 and 55 can be determined as appropriate, but it is preferably 0.1% by weight or more, particularly preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the filament aggregate. If the amount of the deodorizing particles 53 and 55 used is too small, not only the deodorizing ability is lowered, but also the probability that the odor released from the absorber 56 contacts the deodorizing particles 53 and 55 is lowered. When the amount of the deodorant particles 53 and 55 used is too large, the product becomes heavy, and when the product is touched from the outside, there is a problem that it feels uncomfortable and the cost effectiveness deteriorates.

  The deodorizing particles 53 and 55 may be placed and moved freely without being fixed to the surrounding members, but if necessary, the surrounding members, for example, as shown in FIG. It is also a preferable form to fix to the covering sheet 58 which wraps 56 using an adhesive agent. * Mark in FIG. 5 has shown the adhesive agent.

Further, by making the sizes of the deodorant particles and the superabsorbent polymer particles different, the former can be more securely held above and below the absorber and the latter can be held in the absorber. Specifically, when the fineness of the filament 52 is 1 to 5 dtex and the fiber density of the aggregate of the filaments 52 is 0.03 to 0.25 g / cm ³ , the average particle diameter is 200 as the superabsorbent polymer particles. Those having a particle diameter of ˜400 μm are used, and deodorant particles having an average particle diameter larger than 400 μm and those having an average particle diameter smaller than 200 μm are used.

  In this case, the deodorant particles 53 having a relatively large average particle diameter are difficult to enter the filament aggregate and are held on the surface side of the absorber 56, and the superabsorbent polymer particles enter the filament aggregate but are difficult to fall off. The deodorized particles 55 that are held in the absorber 56 and have a relatively small average particle size are easily held off without being held in the filament aggregate, and are thus held on the back side of the absorber 56. Therefore, as a result of reliably holding the deodorant particles and the superabsorbent polymer particles at appropriate sites, the effects of the present invention are more remarkably exhibited. Of course, deodorant particles having the same average particle diameter can be used on both sides of the absorber 56, and deodorant particles having the same average particle diameter as the superabsorbent polymer particles can also be used.

The deodorant particles that can be used in the present invention are not particularly limited, and any known particles can be used. However, a part or all of the ion-exchangeable ions in the zeolite particles are replaced with silver ions. It is preferable to use antibacterial and deodorant zeolite particles. As the zeolite particles, either natural or synthetic zeolite can be used, but synthetic zeolite is preferred from the viewpoint of cost and availability. Zeolites are aluminosilicates having a three dimensional skeletal structure represented by general formula _{aM 2 / n 0 · xAl 2} O 3 · ySiO 2 · zH 2 O. In the formula, a, x, y, and z are integers representing the numbers of metal oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, and crystal water, respectively. M is a cation, and the antibacterial deodorant zeolite particles contain at least silver ions as M. Examples of other cation types include zinc, alkali metal (sodium ion, potassium ion), alkaline earth metal (calcium ion, magnesium ion), ammonium ion, and the like. As the cation M, those containing silver ions and zinc ions are suitable. N in the above general formula is the valence of the cation. The ratio of x: y is not particularly limited, but is usually 1: 1 to 1:10, preferably about 1: 2 to 1: 5. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular regarding z showing the number of crystal waters in the said general formula. Specific examples of zeolite include, for example, A-type zeolite, X-type zeolite, Y-type zeolite, T-type zeolite, high-silica zeolite, etc., and A-type zeolite, X-type zeolite, and Y-type in that the deodorizing effect is excellent. Zeolite is preferable, and A-type zeolite is particularly preferable.

(Absorber size / weight)
On the other hand, the size of the absorber 56 is preferably such that the planar projection area is 100 cm ² or more and the thickness is 1 to 10 mm, particularly 1 to 8 mm. When the size of the absorber is within this range, it is extremely advantageous to improve the resilience without increasing the weight, thickness and cost. Moreover, it is preferable that the weight of the absorber is 40 g or less, particularly 5 to 35 g. When the weight of the absorber is within this range, the advantage of not using a dedicated member becomes particularly remarkable.

(Enveloping sheet)
As the covering sheet 58, tissue paper, particularly crepe paper, non-woven fabric, polylaminated non-woven fabric, a sheet with small holes, and the like can be used. However, it is desirable that the superabsorbent polymer particles be a sheet that does not escape. When a nonwoven fabric is used instead of the crepe paper, a hydrophilic SMMS (spunbond / meltblown / meltblown / spunbond) nonwoven fabric is particularly suitable, and polypropylene, polyethylene / polypropylene, etc. can be used as the material. The basis weight is preferably 8 to 30 g / m ² , particularly 10 to 25 g / m ² .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the covering sheet 58 has a form of covering the entire layer of the aggregates of the filaments 52, 52... And the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54. It is also possible to cover only the back and side surfaces. Although not shown, only the upper surface and side surfaces of the absorbent body 56 are covered with crepe paper or nonwoven fabric, and the lower surface is covered with a liquid-impermeable sheet such as polyethylene. The upper surface of the absorbent body 56 is covered with crepe paper or nonwoven fabric, and the side surfaces and For example, the lower surface may be covered with a liquid-impermeable sheet such as polyethylene (each of these materials becomes a component of the covering sheet). If necessary, the aggregate of the filaments 52, 52, and the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54 ... may be sandwiched between two upper and lower sheets or arranged only on the lower surface. This is not a desirable form because it is difficult to prevent movement.

(Holding sheet)
In the present invention, the deodorizing particles 55 are disposed on the back side of the absorber 56. In addition, the deodorant particles 53 and the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 disposed on the surface side of the absorber 56 pass through the absorber 56 at the time of manufacture, the subsequent process, or the distribution process until the consumer uses it. , May fall out. The unevenness of these particle groups gives a sense of incongruity when touched by a hand when used by a consumer. Therefore, a holding sheet 80 having a particle holding performance is interposed between the absorbent body 56 and the covering sheet 58. The holding sheet 80 reinforces the stiffness that is not sufficient only by the covering sheet 58 such as tissue paper (crepe paper), and reduces or prevents a sense of incongruity when touched by the hand when the consumer uses it.

  The material of the holding sheet 80 is not particularly limited as long as it has a particle holding performance. Specifically, for example, non-woven fabric, crimped pulp, low-absorbency cotton fiber (for example, non-degreased cotton fiber, degreased cotton fiber, rayon fiber treated with a water repellent or a hydrophobizing agent, etc.). ), Polyethylene fiber, polyester fiber, acrylic fiber, polypropylene fiber, silk, cotton, hemp, nylon, polyurethane, acetate fiber and the like.

If the holding sheet 80 and the nonwoven fabric, its holding sheet 80, the compression energy 0.01~10.00gfcm / cm ² based on KES test, preferably, at 0.01~1.00gfcm / cm ^2, and compressed The non-woven fabric has a resilience of 10 to 100%, preferably 70 to 100%.

  The reason for providing the holding sheet 80 is to hold particles positioned on the back surface side of the absorber 56, for example, as mentioned above. Therefore, since the user comes into contact with the particles via the covering sheet 58 and the holding sheet 80, it becomes difficult for the user to feel a sense of incongruity. In particular, when the nonwoven fabric has the above-described compression energy and compression resilience, this function is sufficiently exhibited.

  Further, since the deodorant particles and the superabsorbent polymer are held by the holding sheet 80 and do not move on the covering sheet 58, the possibility that the deodorizing ability and the absorbing ability are biased is reduced. In particular, in order to prevent the particles from moving on the holding sheet 80, a hot-melt adhesive having adhesiveness can be applied on the holding sheet 80 in advance. Moreover, you may make it prevent the movement of particle | grains by making the upper surface (surface which goes to a use surface side) of the holding sheet 80 into a rough surface. Examples of the roughening or fluffing means for this purpose include a non-net surface that is not a net surface during the production of the nonwoven fabric, a marble process, a needle punch process, and a brushing process.

  Even if the holding sheet 80 is provided only below the absorber 56 as shown in FIG. 3 or the like, the holding sheet 80 passes through the side surface of the absorber 56 and extends up to the upper surface of the absorber 56 as shown in FIG. May be. It is also possible to use a plurality of holding sheets 80 in a stacked manner.

  The above example is an example in which the holding sheet 80 is provided between the absorber 56 and the back side portion of the covering sheet 58, but the holding sheet 80 may be on the back side from the covering sheet (the form is In short, if the holding sheet 80 is provided on the back surface side with respect to the absorbent body 56, it is possible to reduce or not cause a crisp discomfort when touching from the back surface of the product.

(Liquid impervious sheet)
The liquid-impermeable sheet 70 disposed on the back side of the absorber 56 prevents the liquid component from moving further outward from the absorber. Accordingly, the liquid-impermeable sheet is not particularly limited as long as it does not transmit the liquid. Specifically, for example, an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a laminated nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating a nonwoven fabric on a polyethylene sheet or the like, a nonwoven fabric that substantially ensures liquid impermeability by interposing a waterproof film (in this case, A liquid-impermeable sheet is comprised with a waterproof film and a nonwoven fabric.) Etc. can be illustrated. Of course, in addition to this, materials having liquid impermeability and moisture permeability, which have been used and used in recent years from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness, can also be exemplified. As the sheet of the material having liquid impermeability and moisture permeability, for example, an inorganic filler is kneaded in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and the sheet is formed, and then stretched in a uniaxial or biaxial direction. Examples of the microporous sheet obtained in this way can be given.

  The liquid impervious sheet 70 can be prevented from laterally leaking liquid by extending it to the use surface in a so-called framed form (not shown). However, in the embodiment, for the lateral leak, the barrier cuff is used. This is prevented by interposing the second liquid-impermeable sheet 72 between the double barrier sheets 64 forming the layer 60. According to this embodiment, since the second liquid-impermeable sheet 72 extends until the barrier cuff 60 stands up, the liquid diffused laterally along the top sheet 30 and the side of the soft stool between the barrier cuffs 60, 60 are arranged. There is also an advantage that leakage can be prevented.

(Barrier cuffs)
Barrier cuffs 60, 60 provided on both sides of the product are provided to prevent urine and soft stool that travel laterally along the top sheet 30 and prevent side leakage. It is.
The illustrated barrier cuff 60 is a doubled water-repellent non-woven sheet, and is formed so as to protrude from the back side of the absorbent body 56 to the lower side of the top sheet 30 and to protrude to the front side. Yes. In order to prevent urine moving in the lateral direction along the top sheet 30, in particular, the side of the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 is inserted between the double nonwoven fabric sheets, and the barrier cuff 60 protruding from the surface side It extends halfway.
The shape of the barrier cuff 60 itself can be designed as appropriate. However, in the example shown in the drawing, an elastic elastic member, for example, a rubber thread 62 is fixed to the tip and middle of the protruding portion of the barrier cuff 60 under stretch, The barrier cuff 60 stands up due to the contraction force in use. As shown in FIG. 3, the base side of the barrier cuff 60 is positioned so that the middle rubber thread 62 is positioned at the center side of the front rubber thread 62, 62 and fixed to the front and rear end portions of the top sheet 30. It rises diagonally toward the center side, and the tip part stands up diagonally outward from the intermediate part.

(Embossing)
You may form the recessed part E by embossing from the surface side of the top sheet 30 to the thickness direction. In this case, the embossed recess E is formed only on the top sheet 30, and the embossed recess E is formed on both the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40 as shown in FIG. A concave portion by embossing can be formed (not shown) so as to reach a part of the absorbent body 56 in the thickness direction or substantially the whole from the side. In order to form the recess E by embossing on both the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40, the intermediate sheet 40 has a basis weight of 8 to 50 g / m ² , a thickness of 0.2 to 10 mm, and the top sheet 30 It is desirable that the basis weight is in the range of 15 to 80 g / m ² and the thickness is in the range of 0.2 to 3.5 mm in that embossing can be sufficiently performed under conditions that do not impair liquid permeability.

  Moreover, you may form the recessed part by embossing only in the intermediate sheet 40, without forming a recessed part in the top sheet 30, and also emboss only in the absorption element 56, without forming a recessed part in the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40. In addition, the embossed recess may be formed only in the absorbent body 58 without forming the recess in the top sheet 30, the intermediate sheet 40, and the covering sheet 58.

  The recess E has an effect of inducing and diffusing the liquid in the extending direction. Therefore, when the recesses E are substantially continuous in a groove shape (including the case where a plurality of recesses are arranged in rows and form a single groove), the liquid is formed on the surface side layer before reaching the absorber. It becomes diffused along the recess E, so that a wider part of the absorber can be used for absorption. Therefore, the absorbent capacity of the entire product is increased, and the absorbent article is less likely to cause side leakage or reversal due to insufficient absorbent capacity.

  On the other hand, the absorber 56 made of tow is liable to be less rigid than a conventional pulp product, but it is preferable to form a recess by embossing in the absorber 56 because the rigidity can be increased. Although not shown, in order to increase the rigidity of the absorbent element 50, it is also a preferred form to form a concave portion by embossing in the thickness direction from the back surface side (the side opposite to the top sheet 30 side) of the absorbent body 56. In order to form the recess on the back surface side, embossing is integrally performed so as to reach the absorber 56 from the back surface side of the holding sheet 80, the covering sheet 58, the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 or the exterior sheet 12. Can do. Moreover, it is preferable to form such a concave portion on the back surface side together with the concave portion E on the front surface side, but it is also possible to form only the concave portion on the back surface side without forming the concave portion E on the front surface side. When the concave portions are provided on both the front and back sides, the shape of the concave portions may be common to the front and back sides, or may be different from each other.

  The embossed recess has the effect of inducing and diffusing the liquid in the extending direction. It also has the effect of increasing rigidity. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the shape of the embossed recess in consideration of these effects. For example, the recesses are substantially continuous in the shape of a groove (including the case where a plurality of recesses are arranged in a row and form a single groove), and the plurality of recesses are arranged in a dotted pattern at intervals. It may be. In addition, as the planar pattern, groove-shaped or dot-shaped concave portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction, the width direction, a lattice shape combining these, a zigzag shape (zigzag shape) reciprocating in the width direction, or irregularly arranged. Forms can be taken. Furthermore, appropriate forms such as a pin shape, a Mt. Fuji shape, and a bellows shape can be adopted.

(Other)
In addition, although not shown in figure, each structural member of the absorptive main body 20 is mutually fixed by solid, bead, spiral, summit, curtain application | coating, etc., such as a hot-melt-adhesive.

(Example of tape-type disposable diapers)
8 and 9 show examples of tape-type disposable diapers. FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8, but the absorbent main body 20 is slightly exaggerated.

  The tape-type disposable diaper 10A has fastening pieces attached to both end portions on the back side of the diaper, has a hook element on a fastening surface of the fastening piece, and a back sheet constituting the back side of the diaper is laminated with a nonwoven fabric. The diaper is configured to be able to engage with a hook element of the fastening piece at an arbitrary position on the surface of the back sheet when the diaper is used as a body.

  The absorbent main body 20 has an absorbent body 56 interposed between the top sheet 30 and the liquid-impermeable sheet 70. The absorbent body 56 is entirely wrapped by a covering sheet 58 made of tissue paper, and has a rectangular shape in plan view. A holding sheet 80 is provided between the absorber 56 and the covering sheet 58.

  Further, an intermediate sheet 40 is interposed between the top sheet 30 and the absorber 56. The liquid-impermeable sheet 70 has a rectangular shape wider than the absorbent body 56, and a back sheet 12A made of an hourglass-shaped non-woven fabric is provided on the outside thereof.

  The top sheet 30 has a rectangular shape wider than the absorbent body 56, extends slightly outward from the side edge of the absorbent body 56, and is fixed to the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 by a hot melt adhesive or the like.

  Barrier cuffs 60A projecting to the use surface side are formed on both sides of the diaper. The barrier cuffs 60A are formed of a barrier sheet 64 made of a nonwoven fabric substantially continuous in the width direction, and an elastic elastic member such as a thread rubber. And one or a plurality of leg rubber elastic members 62 as elastic elastic members for the leg periphery. 130 is a fastening piece by a hook-and-loop fastener.

  The inner surface of the barrier sheet 64 has a fixing start edge at a position separated from the side edge of the top sheet 30, and the outer portion in the width direction extends from the fixing start edge to the extending edge of the liquid-impermeable sheet 70. It is fixed by. The outer surface of the barrier sheet 64 is fixed to the back sheet 12A with a hot melt adhesive or the like on the lower surface thereof. Further, an elastic expansion / contraction member for gasket cuff, for example, thread rubber 66 is provided.

  The beginning of fixing of the inner surface of the barrier sheet 64 to the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 forms an upstanding end of the barrier cuff 60A. Around the leg, the inside of the standing end is a free part that is not fixed to the product body, and this free part comes to stand by the contraction force of the rubber thread 62.

  In this example, by using a hook-and-loop fastener as the fastening piece 130, it can be mechanically fastened to the backsheet 12A. Therefore, a so-called target tape can be omitted, and a fastening position by the fastening piece 130 can be freely selected.

  The fastening piece 130 has a base portion of a fastening base material made of plastic, polylaminated nonwoven fabric, paper, or the like joined to the back sheet 12A, for example, with an adhesive, and has a hook element 130A on the tip side. The hook element 130A is bonded to the fastening substrate with an adhesive. The hook element 130A has a large number of engaging pieces on the outer surface side thereof. A temporary fixing adhesive portion 130B is provided on the tip side from the hook element 130A. At the end of the assembly of the product, the temporary fixing adhesive portion 130B is adhered to the barrier sheet 64, thereby preventing the fastening piece 130 from being peeled off at the front end side. At the time of use, it peels off against the adhesive force and brings the front end of the fastening piece 130 to the front body. The fastening base material is exposed at the tip side of the temporary fixing adhesive portion 130B, and is a tab portion.

  A target printing sheet 74 as a design sheet is provided on the inner surface side of the back sheet 12A on the opening side of the front body, and a design that serves as a guide for the position at which the hook element 130A of the fastening piece 130 is fastened is applied. Target printing is performed so that the target can be visually recognized through the back sheet 12A.

  When the diaper is mounted, the diaper is mounted on the body in the shape of a boat, and the contraction force of the rubber thread 62 acts. Therefore, the barrier cuff 60A stands up around the leg by the contraction force of the rubber thread 62.

  The space surrounded by the standing part forms a confined space for urine or soft stool. When urinating into this space, the urine is absorbed into the absorbent body 56 through the top sheet 30, and the rising part of the barrier cuff 60A becomes a barrier for the solid matter of soft stool, and the overpass is prevented. The In the unlikely event that urine leaks laterally over the standing distal side edge of the standing part, side leakage is prevented by the stop function by the flat contact part.

In this embodiment, it is desirable that the barrier sheet 64 forming each standing cuff is not liquid-permeable but substantially liquid-impervious (may be semi-liquid-permeable). Further, the surface sheet (nonwoven fabric laminate) of the present invention may have a property of repelling liquid by silicon treatment or the like. In any case, it is preferable that the barrier sheet 64 and the back sheet 12A are air permeable, and the barrier sheet 64 and the back sheet 12A are sheets having a water pressure resistance of 100 mmH ₂ O or more. Thereby, it becomes air permeable in the width direction side part of a product, and a wearer's stuffiness can be prevented.

  The other points, for example, the material used for each part, etc. are the same as in the case of the above-described pants-type paper diaper, and therefore the description is omitted.

<Embodiment of manufacturing method of absorbent element>
Next, a manufacturing example of the above-described paper diaper will be described. The example shown in FIG.10 and FIG.11 has shown the manufacturing equipment example of the pants-type disposable diaper shown in FIG.1, FIG.2 and FIG.6.
The covering sheet 58 is supplied to the line from the upstream side, and then the holding sheet 80 is supplied. In order to prevent the movement of the particles 53, 54 or 55 to be supplied later, an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive having adhesiveness can be applied to the covering sheet 58 and the holding sheet 80 in advance. . FIG. 11 shows the adhesive applicator 104.

  Subsequently, an aggregate 52Z of filaments 52 formed by opening the tow (details of the opening process will be described later) is supplied from above, and further, deodorized particles and superabsorbent polymer particles are supplied from the particle spraying means 90 thereon. Is supplied by spraying. Thereafter, the wrapping sheet 58 is wrapped by passing the sailor 92, and the absorbent element 50 is obtained. At this time, next, the cutter device 94 divides it in the line direction to form individual absorbing elements 50.

  Furthermore, since the intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 has a structure shorter than the entire length of the absorbent element 50 in the embodiment, the intermediate sheet (second sheet) is supplied intermittently.

  Subsequently, the components of the barrier cuff 60 and the top sheet 30 are supplied from above, and the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 is supplied from below. Here, in the supply line of the barrier sheet 64 constituting the barrier cuff 60, the thread rubber 62 is stretched between the two nonwoven fabrics and the second liquid-impermeable sheet 72 is fixed in advance by a device (not shown). Supply is made in a state and is supplied to the main line together with the top sheet 30. The components of the barrier cuff 60, the top sheet 30 and the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 supplied to the main line are folded into a shape shown in FIG.

  At the end of the line of the absorbent main body 20, the rectangular absorbent main body 20 having a longitudinal direction along the line is obtained by cutting with the cutter device 98. The obtained absorbent main body 20 is turned 90 degrees by the turning device 100 so that the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 20 is orthogonal to the line.

  On the other hand, in the line of the exterior sheet 12, the thread rubber 12C flows in a state where the nonwoven fabric sheet is interposed in advance (not shown in FIG. 10), and a cutter is used to form a leg-surrounding portion. (Not shown) is cut into an oval shape, and when reaching the combination station 102, an absorbent main body 20 that has been rotated is installed between the cut-out portions, and is fixed by a hot melt adhesive or the like. Combined with the sheet 12. Then, it is folded up and down with the horizontal line in FIG. 10 as a boundary, and the joining regions 12A on both sides of the front body 12F and the back body 12B of the exterior sheet 12 are joined by heat fusion or the like. Thereafter, the product is divided in the line direction (the dividing means is not shown) to obtain individual products.

  An opening process is implemented by the line of the form shown, for example in FIG. That is, the toe 52Y is pulled out from the bail 52X, and is gradually widened through the widening device 120 and is guided to the thickening device 110 through the first nip 126A, the second nip 126B, and the third nip 126C. After the thickness is increased to a substantially final filament aggregate 52Z, the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are sprayed and supplied by the superabsorbent polymer particle spraying means 90, and then to the sailor 92. It is sent. The tow is pulled out from the bale 52X by being pulled in by the first nip 126A (corresponding to a driving nip roll).

  Characteristically, the tow 52Y pulled out from the bail 52X is subjected to a first nip through a nip of a free nip roll 124 composed of a pair of nip rolls configured to rotate freely after the angle is changed by the turn portion 122. It is drawn in by 126A. In such a configuration, the transfer resistance of the free nip roll 124 (determined according to the nip pressure and the roll weight) functions as a brake that suppresses the pull-in speed of the tow 52Y, and the tension after the free nip roll 124 becomes stable. This is because the rotation of the free nip roll 124 occurs only when the tow passes.

  The nip pressure and the own weight of the free nip roll 124 may be determined as appropriate. In normal cases, the nip pressure is preferably more than 0 MPa and less than 5 MPa, and the roll weight is more than 0 kg and less than 10 kg per roll. Is preferred. Within this range, stabilization of the tension can be easily realized.

  Thus, the supply amount of the tow 52Y to the first nip 126A that controls the supply amount of the tow becomes stable, so that the size, weight, and quality of the absorbent body become stable.

  The tow 52Y pulled out from the bale 52X is between the bale 52X and the free nip roll 124, between the free nip roll 124 and the first nip 126A, between the first nip 126A and the second nip 126B, and second. The widening device 120 provided between the nip 126B and the third nip 126C respectively widens in steps to a desired width. At this time, it can also be enlarged in the thickness direction.

  Details of the widening device 120 are shown in FIGS. The widening device 120 has a rectangular tube passage 120A having a predetermined width X through which the tow passes, and a compressed air jet outlet 120B formed on a surface along the width direction on the inner surface of the passage 120A, and is introduced into the passage 120A. The tow 52Y is widened to the full width of the passage by the force of compressed air. The height of the passage is equal to or greater than the thickness of the tow 52Y to be introduced. When the thickness of the passage is higher than the thickness of the tow 52Y, the tow 52Y is also expanded in the thickness direction.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the jet outlet 120 </ b> B is symmetrical with respect to the center in the width direction of the passage 120 </ b> A, and has a dogleg shape (or V-shape) positioned downstream in the toe passage direction toward the center in the width direction of the passage 120 </ b> A. Shape) is a slit.

  When the tow enters the passage 120A in a state where air is ejected from the slit 120B, the tow 52Y has a width so as to receive the force of the compressed air in a balanced manner even if the entry position is deviated from the center in the width direction. The tow 52Y is naturally guided to the center in the width direction of the passage 120A. That is, the introduction position of the toe 52Y can be centered using compressed air for widening. Further, in this embodiment, since the tow 52Y is guided in a non-contact manner, there is an advantage that damage and collapse of the tow are less likely to occur compared to the case where the tow 52Y is guided by contact. Further, the widening device 120 having such a centering function exhibits not only the centering in the widening but also the function of correcting the transfer position.

  When performing the centering using the compressed air as described above, the shape of the slit is not limited to the square shape, the line is symmetrical with respect to the center in the width direction of the passage 120A, and the toe passing direction is directed toward the center in the width direction of the passage 120A. As long as the conditions located on the downstream side are satisfied, it may be formed in a curved shape, an arc shape, or the like.

  On the other hand, tension is applied between the first nip 126A and the second nip 126B so as to apply tension to the tow 52Y, and conversely, the second nip 126B and the third nip 126C are relaxed. In addition, the peripheral speed of each nip roll is set. As a result, tension is applied to the tow 52Y between the first nip 126A and the second nip 126B, so that the entanglement between the filaments is forcibly removed to some extent, and the separation of the filaments is promoted. With the separation, the toe 52Y is widened by the widening device 120, so that the tow 52Y can be further uniformly widened. Further, the tow 52Y is widened by the widening device 120 while the tow 52Y is relaxed between the second nip 126B and the third nip 126C, so that the toe 52Y can be further uniformly widened.

  In a more preferred form, one roller of the second nip 126B is formed with a large number of continuous grooves in the circumferential direction at small intervals in the longitudinal direction. This groove has a function of accelerating tow breaking by allowing the filament to enter into a large number of grooves. Further, in this case, in order to enhance the effect of the groove, the holding angle of the toe 52Y (the rotation direction angle of the toe contact portion) in one grooved roller of the second nip 126B is increased, and the tow 52Y and the grooved roller are Increasing the contact area is also a preferred form. Specifically, the angle formed by the tow 52Y upstream of the second nip 126B and the tow 52Y downstream, that is, the direction change angle by the grooved roller is less than 180 degrees, particularly an acute angle (smaller than 90 degrees). It is preferable to configure.

  In addition, the first nip 126A, the second nip 126B, and the third nip 126C may have different combinations of roll diameters, but in that case, the tension applied to the tow 52Y between the rolls due to the difference in peripheral speed, Since the contact resistance between the roll and the tow 52Y and the like may be non-uniform in the toe width direction, it is preferable that all of them be configured in common.

  Next, the tow that has passed through the third nip 126 </ b> C is guided to the thickening device 110. The thickening device 110 has a structure similar to that disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-500392 (WO 83/03267), and schematically shows an inlet 110A and an outlet 110B as shown in FIG. A venturi section 110b is formed between the venturi section 110b, a compressed air inlet 110a on the inlet side, and an air exhaust hole 110c in the venturi section 110b. In plan view, it has a substantially rectangular shape and is flat in a direction penetrating the paper surface of FIG.

  When the compressed air is blown from the blowing port 110a, air enters from the inlet 110A by the ejector effect, and as a result, the tow 52Y is drawn and a forward force is applied. When the toe 52Y reaches the venturi section 110b, the air is exhausted from the air exhaust hole 110c, and the space of the venturi section 110b is enlarged, so that the bulk of the tow 52Y mainly increases in the thickness direction, and the thickness increases. Enlarged. In addition, widening is possible as shown in the lower part of FIG.

  On the other hand, as the particle spraying means 90, the illustrated form includes a first spraying device 91 for spraying small-diameter superabsorbent polymer particles 55, a second spraying device 92 for spraying superabsorbent polymer particles 54, and a large-diameter. A third spraying device 93 for spraying the deodorant particles 53 is provided in this order from the upstream side, and each particle is sequentially sprayed and supplied. After spraying (including the use stage), most of the large deodorizing particles 53 remain on the surface side of the filament assembly 52 due to the relationship between the size of the particle size and the size of the gaps of the filament assembly. Most of the deodorized particles 55 are retained within the filament assembly, and fall off without being retained on or inside the filament assembly, and are retained between the filament assembly and the covering sheet. Therefore, the deodorant particles 53 and 55 can be reliably held on the front and back sides of the absorbent body 56 and the superabsorbent polymer 54 can be reliably held in the absorbent body 56 by a simple method of simply spraying. .

  In particular, as shown in the figure, when the particles are dispersed in order from relatively small particles, the deodorant particles 53 and 55 and the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are appropriately prevented without disturbing the movement of the small particles. It becomes easy to arrange. However, of course, it may be sprayed in another arbitrary order, and the large and small deodorant particles 53 and 55 and the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 may be mixed and sprayed from one spraying device.

  As the spraying devices 91 to 93, it is desirable to apply not only a drop force due to the weight of the particles themselves but also an acceleration force. An example of this is shown in FIG. That is, a rotary drum 90b having a projection hole 90d in a casing 90a having an opening in the lower part is configured to rotate in the moving direction of the web (counterclockwise in FIG. 16), and a shutter drum 90c is provided therein. It is a thing. The projection unit 90A including these elements is connected to a hopper 90B (see FIG. 11), and the particles 53, 54 or 55 from the hopper 90B are configured to be supplied into the rotary drum 90b.

  In this apparatus, the opening position of the shutter drum 90c is adjusted in advance with respect to the opening position of the casing 90a. In the state of FIG. 15, the fully opened state is shown. Further, the projection holes 90d of the rotary drum 90b are divided into four groups in the circumferential direction as shown in the drawing as a group divided in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in the process shown in the drawing, four sheets of paper diapers are rotated. The particles are scattered and projected on the screen.

  The particles 53, 54, or 55 may be continuously dispersed and projected onto the aggregate of filaments 52, but as shown in FIG. 10, the absorbent element 50 is divided in the line direction by the cutter device 94, and individually. When the absorbing element 50 is used, the blades of the cutter device 94 are worn out in a short time due to the presence of the particles 53, 54 or 55. Therefore, it is desirable that the particles 53, 54, or 55 are not sprayed and projected continuously, but intermittently sprayed and projected only in the zone Z as shown in FIG.

  For this reason, as described above, the projection hole 90d of the rotary drum 90b is divided into four groups in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. Is intermittently scattered and projected only in the zone Z. As a result, the zone Z can be divided between the zones Z by the cutter device 94, and wear of the blade of the cutter device 94 can be suppressed.

  Note that the amount of particles dispersed can be adjusted mainly by adjusting the opening diameter of the projection hole 90d and the position of the opening of the shutter drum 90c with respect to the opening position of the casing 90a. When the position of the opening is made to follow the speed of the processing line. good. The particle distribution pattern can be adjusted by the arrangement of the divided projection holes 90d.

  If necessary, the particles 53, 54 or 55 can be sprayed and projected onto the assembly of filaments 52 with pressurized air. However, since the particles dispersed and projected on the aggregate of the filaments 52 may be scattered by the pressure air, it is not recommended.

  Further, if necessary, the particles 53, 54, or 55 dispersed on the filament aggregate may be sucked from below the filament 52 aggregate.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the rotating roll of FIG. 10 is replaced with a vacuum roll 106, and not a spraying device that sprays particles by applying the centrifugal force described above, but a general-purpose type that simply drops particles by their own weight. The particles 53, 54, or 55 can be sprayed onto the aggregate 52 </ b> Z of the filaments 52 from above the vacuum roll 106 by the spraying device. In this case, the suction force by the vacuum roll 106 acts on the dispersed particles 53, 54 or 55, and the movement of the particles is promoted.

  FIG. 17 shows another manufacturing form, which is particularly suitable when the deodorant particles 53 and 55 are bonded to the covering sheet 58 as shown in FIG. 5 described above. The covering sheet 58 is supplied to the line from the upstream side, and then the holding sheet 80 is supplied. An adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive is applied to the covering sheet 58 and the holding sheet 80 by the coating device 104 over the entire width direction. Odor particles 53 and 55 are sprayed. Thereafter, the filament aggregate 52Z is placed on the deodorant particles, and the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are sprayed and supplied from the superabsorbent polymer particle spraying device 95 thereon. As these spraying devices 94 and 95, in addition to the type that projects particles with acceleration force, a general-purpose type that drops by its own weight can be used, and the same type can be used for both devices, or they can be made different. it can.

  After the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are dispersed, both sides of the covering sheet 58 are folded back and fixed to the upper side of the absorbent body 56 by the sailor 92 as shown in FIG. In addition, * mark in FIG. 18 has shown the adhesive agent. As in the example shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent element manufactured in this way is entirely covered with the layer of the deodorant particles 53 and 55 and the deodorant particles 53. 55 are bonded and fixed to the covering sheet 58 directly or indirectly via the holding sheet 80 by an adhesive. Others are the same as the above-mentioned manufacturing form.

  On the other hand, FIG. 19 has shown the example of a manufacturing method of the tape-type disposable diaper shown in FIG.8 and FIG.9. Up to the supply of the intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 is basically the same as in the case of the pants type. After the intermediate sheet 40 is intermittently supplied, the top sheet 30 is supplied from above and the liquid-impermeable sheet 70 is supplied from below, and then the barrier sheet 64 constituting the barrier cuff 60 is supplied. In the supply line of the barrier sheet 64, supply is performed in a state where the thread rubber 62 is fixed under stretch between two nonwoven fabrics in advance by a device (not shown). At the end of the line, the semi-finished product with the absorbent main body is divided by the cutter device 98 to obtain the product 10.

  The present invention is suitable for manufacturing absorbent bodies in absorbent articles such as paper diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, and absorbent pads used in combination with diaper covers.

It is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper. It is an expanded state top view of a pants type disposable diaper. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of another example. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of another example. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of a modification. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of another example. It is an expanded state top view of a tape type disposable diaper. It is IX-IX sectional drawing of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of manufacturing facilities of a pants-type paper diaper. It is the principal part schematic diagram. It is a schematic diagram of a widening apparatus. It is XIII-XIII sectional drawing of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of a fiber-spreading apparatus. It is a schematic diagram of the example of a particle dispersal means. It is a schematic diagram of another particle dispersion form. It is sectional drawing which shows another manufacturing form. It is sectional drawing of the absorber of a manufacture stage. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of manufacturing equipment of a tape-type disposable paper diaper.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pants type disposable diaper, 10A ... Tape type disposable diaper, 12 ... Exterior sheet, 12A ... Back sheet, 20 ... Absorbent main body, 30 ... Top sheet, 40 ... Intermediate sheet, 50 ... Absorbing element, 52 ... Filament, 52X ... Veil, 52Y ... Tow, 52Z ... Aggregation of filaments, 53 ... Deodorant particles (large diameter), 54 ... Super absorbent polymer particles, 55 ... Deodorant particles (small diameter), 56 ... Absorber, 58 ... Encapsulation Sheet, 60, 60A ... Barrier cuff, 64 ... Barrier sheet, 70 ... Liquid impermeable sheet, 72 ... Second liquid impermeable sheet, 80 ... Holding sheet, 90 ... Super absorbent polymer particle spraying means, 90A ... Projection Part, 90a ... casing, 90b ... rotating drum, 90c ... shutter drum, 92 ... sailer, 94 ... cutter device, 98 ... cutter device, 100 ... turning , 102 ... combination station, 104 ... adhesive application device, 110 ... thickening device, 110a ... pressurized air blowing port, 110b ... venturi section, 120 ... widening device, 124 ... free nip roll, 126A ... first nip, 126B ... 2nd nip, 126C ... 3rd nip, 130 ... Fastening piece, E ... Recess, Z ... Superabsorbent polymer particle spreading zone.

Claims (9)

It has an absorption element that receives and holds liquid that has passed through the top sheet on the use surface side,
The absorbent element includes an absorbent body having a collection of filaments opened from tow and superabsorbent polymer particles;
At least deodorant particles are disposed on the front and back sides of the absorber,
An absorbent article characterized by the above.   The absorptive article according to claim 1 with which at least the whole surface side and the whole back side of said absorber are covered with a layer which consists of said deodorant particles.   The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at least the entire periphery of the absorber is covered with a layer made of the deodorant particles.   The absorptivity according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent element includes a covering sheet that wraps the absorber, and the deodorizing particles are fixed to the covering sheet. Goods.   The absorptive article according to any one of claims 1 to 4 which has said deodorizing particles in the ratio to said aggregate of said filaments 0.1weight% or more. The fineness of the filament is 1 to 5 dtex,
The fiber density of the aggregate of filaments is 0.03 to 0.25 g / cm ³ ;
The superabsorbent polymer particles have an average particle size of 200 to 400 μm,
The average particle size of the deodorant particles disposed on the surface side of the absorber is larger than 400 μm,
The average particle size of the deodorant particles disposed on the back side of the absorber is smaller than 200 μm,
The absorbent article of any one of Claims 1-5.   The absorptive article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the deodorizing particles are zeolite particles obtained by substituting part or all of the ion-exchangeable ions in the zeolite with silver ions. Opening the tow to form an assembly of filaments having a fiber density of 0.03 to 0.25 g / cm ³ and a fineness of 1 to 5 dtex,
The superabsorbent polymer particles having an average particle diameter of 200 to 400 μm and an average particle diameter of 200 to 400 μm from above the filament aggregate in a state where the aggregate of filaments is placed on the covering sheet , And after spraying deodorant particles having an average particle size larger than 400 μm, wrap the aggregate of these filaments, the deodorant particles and the superabsorbent polymer particles in a covering sheet,
A method for manufacturing an absorbent element.   The deodorant particles having an average particle size smaller than 200 μm, the superabsorbent polymer particles having an average particle size of 200 to 400 μm, and the deodorized particles having an average particle size larger than 400 μm are separately dispersed in this order. Item 9. A method for producing an absorbent element according to Item 8.

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