JP2009254662A - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an absorbent article which performs sufficient skin-care property originated in phospholipid similar polymer, has excellent liquid permeability of a top sheet, and controls the permeability to a desired level. <P>SOLUTION: The absorbent article 1A comprises: an absorber 22; a top sheet 18 at least a part of which comprises a liquid permeable material and which covers a surface of the absorber 22; and a back sheet 20 which comprises liquid nonpermeable material and covers the rear surface of the absorber 22. At least a part of the top sheet 18 is composed of a mixture of: skin-care fiber 50 where the phospholipid similar polymer having phospholipid polar group is adhered onto the fiber surface; and hydrophilic fiber 52 where hydrophilic agent is adhered onto the fiber surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article including an absorbent body, a top sheet, and a back sheet. More specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent article that uses a phospholipid-like polymer that is gentle to the skin and excellent in water absorption and moisture retention as a skin care component.

  In general, an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper or a urine pad is composed of an absorbent body, a top sheet at least partially made of a liquid-permeable material and arranged to cover the surface of the absorbent body, and liquid-impermeable. And a back sheet made of a material and arranged to cover the back surface of the absorber.

  Such an absorbent article is used so that the top sheet comes into contact with the wearer's skin, and excrement passes through the liquid-permeable portion of the top sheet and is absorbed and held by the absorbent body. And the excrement is prevented from leaking outside by the liquid-impermeable back sheet disposed on the back side of the absorber.

  By the way, since the absorbent article is an article that comes into direct contact with the wearer's skin, the absorbent article is preferably made of a material that is less irritating and gentle to the skin. For example, a technique for attaching a skin conditioning agent such as phospholipid to a top sheet or the like that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

  Further, as a substitute for a phospholipid that is a natural product, a fiber treatment agent composition composed of a phospholipid-like polymer simulating the structure of phospholipid has been proposed (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).

  Furthermore, an absorbent article is also disclosed in which a top sheet is formed of a nonwoven fabric in which the phospholipid-like polymer and a hygroscopic agent are attached by padding (see Patent Document 4).

JP 2004-534089 A JP 2002-348778 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-348779 JP 2004-285548 A

  However, the absorbent article described in Patent Document 4 may be inferior in liquid permeability of the top sheet, and there remains a problem to be solved in terms of being difficult to control to a desired level of liquid permeability. It was. The present invention can sufficiently exhibit the skin care properties derived from the phospholipid-like polymer, is excellent in the liquid permeability of the top sheet, and can control the liquid permeability to a desired level. An absorbent article is provided.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, the present inventor has found that 1) the phospholipid-like polymer is widely distributed on the surface of the top sheet in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 4. Therefore, the liquid permeability of the top sheet is inhibited by the hydrophobic phospholipid-like polymer. 2) There is a case where the hygroscopic agent is localized on a part of the fiber surface and is not continuously present on the entire fiber surface. As a result, the hydrophilic area is not continuous in the thickness direction of the top sheet, and the liquid flow does not proceed smoothly. I found out that

  Then, instead of adhering the phospholipid-like polymer and a hydrophilizing agent such as a hygroscopic agent to the top sheet or the like, the fiber to which the phospholipid-like polymer has been adhered in advance and the hydrophilizing agent are adhered. The present invention was completed by conceiving that the above-mentioned problems could be solved by forming the top sheet and the like by mixing these fibers separately and then forming the top sheet and the like. Specifically, the following absorbent articles are provided by the present invention.

[1] An absorber, a top sheet that is at least partially made of a liquid-permeable material and arranged to cover the surface of the absorber, and a liquid-impermeable material that covers the back surface of the absorber A skin care fiber having a phospholipid-like polymer having a phospholipid polar group attached to the fiber surface, and a hydrophilizing agent on the fiber surface. An absorbent article, which is a sheet formed by mixing hydrophilic fibers attached to a surface.

[2] The absorbent article according to [1], wherein the top sheet is configured by mixing the skin care fiber and the hydrophilic fiber at a mass ratio of 10:90 to 70:30.

[3] The top sheet is configured as a multilayer sheet in which a plurality of sheets are laminated, and the uppermost layer sheet that comes into contact with the skin of the wearer mixes the skin care fiber and the hydrophilic fiber. The absorbent article according to the above [1] or [2], which is a configured sheet.

[4] The absorbent article according to [3], wherein the uppermost layer sheet is configured by mixing the skin care fiber and the hydrophilic fiber at a mass ratio of 30:70 to 90:10. .

[5] In the top sheet or the top layer sheet, the skin care fibers and the hydrophilic fibers are accumulated in a mixed state, and the fibers are bonded by heat fusion. ] The absorbent article in any one of.

  The absorbent article of the present invention can sufficiently exhibit skin care properties derived from a phospholipid-like polymer, is excellent in liquid permeability of the top sheet, and controls liquid permeability to a desired level. Is possible.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the absorbent article of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples of pants-type disposable diapers and tape-type disposable diapers. However, the present invention broadly encompasses absorbent articles (for example, urine pads and the like) having the invention-specific matters, and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[1] Definitions etc .:
The “pants-type disposable diaper”, for example, joins corresponding side edges 2a, 6a (2b, 6b) of the front body 2 and the back body 6 like the absorbent article 1A shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. By this, the one waist periphery opening part 10 and a pair of leg periphery opening part 12 (12a, 12b) shall be formed, and it shall mean the disposable diaper comprised beforehand by the underpants type.

  In addition, the “two-piece type” means an absorbent main body 14 in which the absorbent body 22, the top sheet 18, and the back sheet 20 are integrated in a pad shape like the absorbent article 1 </ b> A shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. An exterior member 16 encapsulating the wearer's body is provided, and the absorbent main body 14 is arranged and fixed inside the exterior member 16.

  The “tape-type disposable diaper” includes an absorbent body 22, a top sheet 18, and a back sheet 20 as in the absorbent article 1 </ b> B shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and left and right side edges of the back body 6. The disposable diaper further provided with the fastening tape 11 which fixes the front body 2 and the back body 6 arrange | positioned so that it may extend from 6a, 6b shall be meant.

  The “front body” is the part that covers the abdomen (front of the body) of the wearer when a diaper is worn on the wearer, and the “inseam” is the wearer ’s body when the diaper is worn on the wearer. The part that covers the crotch, “rear body”, means a part that covers the back side (back of the body) of the wearer when the wearer wears a diaper.

[2] Configuration of the top sheet of the absorbent article of the present invention:
The absorbent article of the present invention is characterized by the structure of the top sheet. The “top sheet” is a sheet that is at least partially made of a liquid-permeable material and is arranged so as to cover the surface of the absorbent body (the surface located on the wearer's skin side when the diaper is worn).

  In the absorbent article of the present invention, as in the absorbent article 1A shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, at least a part of the topsheet 18 has a phospholipid-like polymer having a phospholipid polar group attached to the fiber surface. The sheet has a configuration in which the skin care fiber 50 and the hydrophilic fiber 52 in which a hydrophilizing agent is attached to the fiber surface are mixed.

  The absorbent article of the present invention is formed by separately forming a fiber to which a phospholipid-like polymer is previously attached and a fiber to which a hydrophilizing agent is attached, and then mixing the both fibers to form a top sheet. Yes. That is, the phospholipid-like polymer and the hydrophilizing agent are attached to separate fibers.

  By doing so, the hydrophobic phospholipid-like polymer is not distributed planarly only on the surface of the top sheet, and it is difficult to inhibit the liquid permeability of the top sheet. Further, the hydrophilizing agent is continuously present not only on a part of the fiber surface but also on the entire fiber surface, and a hydrophilic region is continuously formed in the thickness direction of the top sheet by a plurality of hydrophilic fibers. Smooth liquid flow is achieved. Therefore, the skin care property derived from the phospholipid-like polymer can be sufficiently exerted, the liquid permeability of the top sheet is excellent, and the liquid permeability can be controlled to a desired level. The constitution of the present invention is particularly effective when the amount of the hydrophobic phospholipid-like polymer is increased and the skin care property of the top sheet is desired to be improved.

[2-1] Skin care fiber:
The “skin care fiber” is a fiber in which a phospholipid-like polymer having a phospholipid polar group is attached to the fiber surface, and is one of the essential constituent fibers of the topsheet. By using this fiber as a constituent fiber of the top sheet, skin care properties, water absorption, moisture retention, and the like can be imparted to the top sheet, and an absorbent article that is gentle to the wearer's skin can be obtained.

  The “phospholipid-like polymer” is a polymer having a phospholipid polar group designed to simulate a phospholipid. Examples of the “phospholipid polar group” include phosphorylcholine group, phosphorylethanolamine group, phosphorylserine group, phosphorylinositol group, phosphorylglycerol group and the like. Of these, a phosphorylcholine group is preferable.

  As the “phospholipid-like polymer”, a methacrylate polymer having a phosphorylcholine group is known. Specifically, a fiber processing agent containing poly 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (also referred to as “MPC polymer”) as a main component is commercially available (for example, “Lipidure (registered trademark)” manufactured by NOF Corporation. etc). The fiber processing agent can also be suitably used in the present invention.

  The fiber to which the phospholipid-like polymer is attached is not particularly limited, and fibers that have been used for conventional absorbent articles, particularly top sheets, can be used. Examples thereof include fibers made of thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and aliphatic polyamide (PA).

  Moreover, as said fiber, it is preferable to use the core-sheath fiber whose melting | fusing point (or softening point) of a sheath part is lower than a core part. Examples of the constituent material of the core-sheath fiber include polypropylene copolymer (CoPP), PP, PET, and the like in which PE and ethylene are blended as a copolymerization component in ascending order of melting point. From these materials, a material having a sheath having a melting point lower than that of the core may be appropriately selected and used. Especially, the core-sheath fiber whose core part is PET and whose sheath part is PE can be used suitably. In this core-sheath fiber, the melting point of the sheath part is lower than that of the core part.

  The method for attaching the phospholipid-like polymer to the fiber surface is not particularly limited. For example, it can be attached to the fiber surface by dipping, spray coating, roll coating (gravure, flexo, gate roll, etc.).

  As an adhesion amount, it is preferable to adhere 0.02-5g of phospholipid analog polymers with respect to 100g of fibers, and it is more preferable to adhere 0.1-2g. By attaching 0.02 g or more of the phospholipid-like polymer, skin care properties, water absorption, moisture retention and the like can be imparted to the top sheet. On the other hand, by setting the adhesion amount of the phospholipid-like polymer to 5 g or less, it is possible to prevent a problem that the processing machine is contaminated in the subsequent process of forming the nonwoven fabric.

  In the present invention, the phospholipid-like polymer may be attached to the fiber surface, and does not need to penetrate to the fiber center. This is because the object can be achieved if it is attached to a portion that comes into contact with the skin of the wearer. In addition, even if the hydrophilic agent is impregnated inside the fiber, the phospholipid-like polymer completely covers the fiber surface, or after the hydrophilic agent has been previously attached to the fiber surface, Even when the fiber completely covers the fiber surface, it can be used as a skin care fiber in the absorbent article of the present invention.

[2-2] Hydrophilic fiber:
The “hydrophilic fiber” is a fiber in which a hydrophilizing agent is attached to the fiber surface and is one of the essential constituent fibers of the top sheet. By using this fiber as a constituent fiber of the top sheet, it is possible to impart liquid permeability that allows the wearer's urine and body fluid to permeate the top sheet.

  As the “hydrophilic agent”, a surfactant is preferably used. For example, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and fatty acid sorbitan ester; anionic surfactants such as monoalkyl sulfate, alkyl polyoxyethylene sulfate, alkylbenzene sulfonate, and monoalkyl phosphate; alkyl And cationic surfactants such as trimethylammonium salt, dialkyldimethylammonium salt and alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt; amphoteric surfactants such as alkyldimethylamine oxide and alkylcarboxybetaine;

  The fiber to which the hydrophilizing agent is attached is not particularly limited, and the fibers exemplified in the section of the phospholipid-like polymer can be used. The same applies to the point that a core-sheath fiber in which the core part is PET and the sheath part is PE can be suitably used.

  The method for attaching the hydrophilizing agent to the fiber surface is not particularly limited, and as with the phospholipid-like polymer, dipping, spray coating, roll coating (gravure, flexo, gate roll, etc.) can be employed. As an adhesion amount, it is preferable to attach 0.1-2 g of hydrophilizing agent to 100 g of fibers. By attaching 0.1 g or more of the hydrophilizing agent, it is possible to impart to the top sheet liquid permeability that can permeate the wearer's urine and body fluid. On the other hand, when the adhesion amount of the hydrophilizing agent is 2 g or less, the topsheet becomes sticky with the hydrophilizing agent and loses its smooth feel. Also, the excessive hydrophilizing agent causes the skin irritation of the topsheet. Can be prevented from increasing.

  The hydrophilizing agent only needs to be attached to the fiber surface, and does not need to penetrate to the fiber center.

[2-3] Ratio of skin care fiber and hydrophilic fiber, etc .:
The top sheet is preferably composed of a skin care fiber and a hydrophilic fiber mixed at a mass ratio of 10:90 to 70:30. By blending 10% by mass or more of skin care fiber with respect to the total amount of skin care fiber and hydrophilic fiber, skin care property, water absorption, moisture retention, etc. can be imparted to the top sheet, and 30 mass of hydrophilic fiber is provided. By blending at least%, it is possible to impart to the top sheet liquid permeability that allows the wearer's urine and body fluid to permeate.

  In the absorbent article of the present invention, it is sufficient that at least a part of the top sheet is a sheet constituted by mixing skin care fibers and hydrophilic fibers. That is, the entire top sheet may be a sheet formed by mixing skin care fibers and hydrophilic fibers, or only a part thereof may have such a structure.

  As an example in which only a part of the top sheet is a sheet configured by mixing skin care fibers and hydrophilic fibers, a plurality of top sheets 18 are provided as in the absorbent article 1B shown in FIG. 2B. Sheets (uppermost layer sheet 54, second layer sheet 56, third layer sheet 58) are laminated, and the uppermost layer sheet 54 that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is the skin care fiber 50. And a sheet formed by mixing the hydrophilic fiber 52 and the hydrophilic fiber 52.

  In this case, it is preferable that the uppermost layer sheet is configured by mixing skin care fibers and hydrophilic fibers at a mass ratio of 30:70 to 90:10. By blending 30% by mass or more of skin care fiber with respect to the total amount of skin care fiber and hydrophilic fiber, skin care property, water absorption, moisture retention and the like can be imparted to the top sheet, and 10 mass of hydrophilic fiber is provided. By blending at least%, it is possible to impart to the top sheet liquid permeability that allows the wearer's urine and body fluid to permeate.

  In the absorbent article of the present invention, the top sheet or the uppermost layer sheet is preferably a product in which skin care fibers and hydrophilic fibers are accumulated in a mixed state and the fibers are bonded together by heat fusion. Because the fibers are heat-sealed, the sheet surface is less likely to fluff, and the fibers are fixed in a state where voids are formed between the fibers, so that air permeability and liquid permeability are improved. There are advantages.

  In this way, when the fibers are heat-sealed, the core-sheath fiber having a lower melting point (or softening point) of the sheath than the core is used as the base of the skin care fiber and the hydrophilic fiber. preferable. This is because such a fiber can easily melt only the sheath portion by heat treatment such as hot air injection and heat-seal the fibers. For the reason that the melting point difference between the core part and the sheath part is large and it is easy to melt only the sheath part, it is preferable to use the core-sheath fiber in which the core part is PET and the sheath part is PE.

[2-4] Other configurations of the top sheet:
Except for the part described above, the top sheet of the present invention can be configured in the same manner as the conventional top sheet.

  As a manufacturing method of the nonwoven fabric which comprises a top sheet, the conventionally well-known thing manufactured by manufacturing methods, such as an air through (card hot air) and card embossing, can be used conveniently.

  The top sheet does not necessarily need to be entirely composed of a liquid permeable material. However, in order for the absorbent body arranged on the back side to absorb the wearer's urine, it is necessary that at least a part of the absorbent body is made of a liquid-permeable material. The vicinity of the body surface is preferably made of a liquid-permeable material.

  In addition, the sheet | seat located in the wearer's skin side of an absorbent article does not need to be comprised with all the top sheets. That is, the sheet in contact with the wearer's skin may be constituted by a plurality of sheets including the top sheet, and the top sheet and other sheets may be joined together in the surface direction of the sheet. For example, in a tape-type disposable diaper, the form which comprises the part which touches a wearer's skin by two types of sheets, the top sheet arrange | positioned at the surface part of an absorber, and the side sheet arrange | positioned at the part of a side flap. Often used.

  For example, the absorbent article 1B shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is a tape-type disposable diaper. A topsheet 18 made of a liquid-permeable material is disposed at the center in the width direction of the diaper, and the side flap 9 portion of the diaper is disposed. Is an example in which a side sheet 19 made of a breathable water-repellent material exhibiting resistance to liquid permeation is disposed.

  The ventilated water-repellent sheet may be a non-woven fabric produced by a method such as card embossing or spunbond, but a non-woven fabric sheet such as SMS or SMMS having a high waterproof property is more preferable.

[3] Configuration of the entire absorbent article:
The absorbent article of the present invention is arranged such that the absorbent body 22 and at least a part thereof are made of a liquid-permeable material and cover the surface of the absorbent body 22 as in the absorbent article 1A shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D. The top sheet 18 is made of a liquid-impermeable material, and the back sheet 20 is disposed so as to cover the back surface of the absorber 22.

[3-1] Absorber:
The absorber is a member for absorbing and holding the wearer's urine. The absorber is made of an absorbent material because it needs to absorb and retain the wearer's urine and body fluid.

  Examples of the absorbent material constituting the absorber include conventionally known absorbent materials usually used for disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as fluff pulp, super absorbent polymer (Super Absorbent Polymer; hereinafter referred to as “SAP”). And a hydrophilic sheet. Use fluff pulp made of wood pulp or non-wood pulp defibrated, SAP as sodium polyacrylate, hydrophilic sheet as tissue paper, absorbent paper, hydrophilized non-woven fabric Is preferred.

  These absorbent materials are usually used as a single-layer or multi-layer mat. Under the present circumstances, 1 type may be used independently among the said absorptive materials, and 2 or more types may be used together. Especially, what used together about 10-500 mass parts SAP with respect to 100 mass parts of fluff pulp is preferable. At this time, the SAP may be uniformly mixed in each mat of fluff pulp, or may be arranged in layers between the layers of the multilayer fluff pulp.

  In addition, a sheet (second sheet) for diffusing liquid such as urine and body fluid may be incidentally disposed on the surface side of the absorber (for example, between the absorber and the top sheet). . When this second sheet is attached, due to the wearer's posture, etc., even when the space on the back side of the top sheet is not sufficiently formed, the absorption rate of urine, body fluid, etc. is difficult to decrease, and the absorption rate decreases. It is possible to prevent leakage of urine and body fluids.

  Examples of the material constituting the second sheet include hydrophilic and liquid-permeable materials such as woven fabric, non-woven fabric, porous plastic, and fluff pulp. Examples of these constituent materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, acetate, or composite fibers thereof, and pulp. As the pulp, crimped fibers such as curly cellulose fibers can be suitably used.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the shape of an absorber, The shape used in the conventional disposable diaper and other absorbent articles, for example, a rectangular shape, an hourglass type, a gourd type, a T shape etc. can be mentioned.

  The entire absorbent body is preferably encapsulated by a hydrophilic sheet. Such a configuration has an advantage that SAP can be prevented from leaking from the absorber and shape stability can be imparted to the absorber.

  Usually, the absorber is interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet by being sandwiched between the top sheet and the back sheet and sealing the peripheral edge thereof. Therefore, the flap part in which the absorber is not interposed is formed between the top sheet and the back sheet at the peripheral part of the absorber. The absorbent body may be interposed at least in the crotch region, and the absorbent body may extend to the front body and the back body.

[3-2] Backsheet:
A backsheet is a sheet | seat arrange | positioned so that the back surface (surface located in the side far from a wearer's skin at the time of mounting | wearing of a diaper) may be coat | covered. The back sheet is made of a liquid-impermeable material because it is necessary to prevent the wearer's urine from leaking outside the diaper.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the arrangement position of a back seat | sheet. From the viewpoint of preventing leakage of urine absorbed by the absorber, it is preferable that a back sheet is disposed at least in a portion where the absorber exists.

  Examples of the liquid-impermeable material constituting the backsheet include a liquid-impermeable film made of a resin such as polyethylene. Among these, a microporous polyethylene film is preferably used. This microporous polyethylene film has a large number of fine pores of 0.1 to several μm, and is liquid impervious but has moisture permeability, so that the inside of the diaper can be prevented from being steamed There is.

  2B, a cover sheet 24 may be bonded to the outer surface side of the back sheet 20. This cover sheet is used to reinforce the back sheet and improve the feel (tactile feeling) of the back sheet.

  Examples of the material constituting the cover sheet include woven fabric and non-woven fabric. Especially, it is preferable to use the dry nonwoven fabric and wet nonwoven fabric which consist of thermoplastic resins, such as polyethylene, a polypropylene, and polyester.

[3-3] Solid gathering:
The absorbent article of the present invention is preferably made of a water-repellent sheet and includes at least a pair of three-dimensional gathers arranged on both sides of the absorbent body.

  The three-dimensional gather is a member for preventing side leakage of the urine excreted by the wearer, and is a leak-proof wall configured to stand up three-dimensionally. By forming such a three-dimensional gather, the three-dimensional gather becomes a leak-proof wall, and leakage (so-called “lateral leakage”) from the opening around the leg, the side edge, etc. of the absorbent article can be effectively prevented. .

  The structure of a three-dimensional gather can employ | adopt the structure used for the conventional disposable diaper and other absorbent articles. For example, like the absorbent article 1A shown in FIG. 1B and the absorbent article 1B shown in FIG. 2B, an elastic material (three-dimensional gather elastic material 36) is sandwiched and fixed between layers of the water-repellent sheet 32, and the three-dimensional gather elastic material is obtained. A material in which a gather is formed by a contraction force of 36 can be suitably used. In these examples, the three-dimensional gather stretchable material 36 is sandwiched and fixed to the folded portion of the water-repellent sheet 32.

  The three-dimensional gather may be separately provided with a water-repellent sheet for three-dimensional gather as described above, or may be formed by a part of the sheet material constituting the diaper. For example, the absorbent article 1 </ b> B illustrated in FIG. 2B is an example in which the three-dimensional gathers 26 a and 26 b are formed by a part of the water-repellent sheet 32 constituting the side sheet 19. The water-repellent sheet may be a nonwoven fabric produced by a production method such as card embossing or spunbonding, but a nonwoven fabric sheet such as SMS or SMMS having a high waterproof property is more preferable.

[3-4] Fastening tape:
The absorbent article of this invention may be provided with the fastening tape for fixing the front body and the back body arrange | positioned so that it may extend from the left and right side edges of a back body. That is, the absorbent article of the present invention includes so-called tape-type disposable diapers.

  The fastening member of the fastening tape may be an adhesive fastener that is fixed by an adhesive, but a mechanical fastener (planar fastener) that is fixed by mechanical coupling is preferably used. In addition to high fastening force, the mechanical fastener has an advantage that the fastening force does not decrease even when the detachment is performed a plurality of times.

  For example, the absorbent article 1B shown in FIG. 2A is an example in which a mechanical fastener 46 is used as a fastening member. A hook material 46 a is attached near the tip of the fastening tape 11, while a front patch 13 made of a loop material 46 b is attached to the front body 2, and the fastening tape 11 is attached to the front patch 13. It is comprised so that it can stop.

  The number of fastening tapes is not particularly limited, and an appropriate number of fastening tapes may be attached according to the dimensions of the wearer's body shape (specifically, around the waist, around the legs, etc.). In general, a pair of disposable diapers for infants (one each on the left and right) is attached, and a pair of disposable diapers for adults (two on the left and two on the left) are attached.

[3-5] Various elastic materials:
When the absorbent article of the present invention is a disposable diaper, it is preferable to dispose a leg elastic member and a waist elastic material.

  The leg circumference elastic material is an elastic material arranged along the leg circumference opening. By arranging the leg-stretchable material, a gather (leg gather) rich in stretchability can be formed in the leg-surrounding opening. Therefore, it is difficult to form a gap around the leg, and urine leakage from the opening around the leg can be effectively prevented.

  For example, the absorbent article 1A shown in FIG. 1A is a pants-type disposable diaper, and is an example in which leg gathers are arranged in a curved manner along the curve of the leg circumference opening of the diaper to form leg gathers. On the other hand, the absorbent article 1B shown in FIG. 2A is a tape-type disposable diaper, which is an example in which leg gathers are formed by arranging three leg-around elastic members 40 linearly along the longitudinal direction of the diaper. The leg-surrounding elastic member 40 is made of thread rubber or flat rubber.

  The leg stretchable material is preferably formed with a leg stretchable material 40 at a portion outside the standing line of the three-dimensional gather 26, for example, as in the absorbent article 1B shown in FIG. 2A. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the wearing feeling and wearing feeling of the crotch part while ensuring a sufficient leakage preventing effect of the three-dimensional gather.

  The waist elastic material is an elastic material arranged along the waist opening. By arranging the elastic material around the waist, a gather (waist gather) rich in elasticity can be formed in the waist opening. This waist gather makes it difficult for gaps to be formed around the waist, preventing urine leakage from around the waist, and improving the fit of the diaper to the wearer, thereby preventing the diaper from falling down.

  For example, the absorbent article 1A shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is an example in which a plurality of waist elastic members 42 are arranged along the opening end of the diaper waist opening.

  On the other hand, the absorbent article 1B shown in FIG. 2A is an example in which a band-shaped waist-circular stretchable material 42 is disposed along the edge of the back body 6 of the diaper. The belt-like waist elastic member 42 is made of an elastic foam such as urethane foam. In the illustrated example, the waist elastic member 42 is disposed only on the back body (back side), but the waist elastic material may be disposed on the front body (abdominal side).

  An abdominal circumference elastic material is an elastic material arrange | positioned in the part (namely, part equivalent to a wearer's abdominal circumference) between a waist circumference opening part and a leg circumference opening part. By arranging the elastic material around the abdomen, it is possible to form a highly elastic tammy gather around the abdomen of the wearer. This Tammy Gather, together with West Gather, can make the diaper fit and anti-slip effect even better.

  The absorbent article 1A shown in FIG. 1B includes a plurality of absorbent articles 1A so as to surround the circumference of the wearer's abdomen in a portion between the waist circumference opening and the leg circumference opening (that is, a portion corresponding to the circumference of the wearer's abdomen). This is an example in which a belly circumference elastic member 44 is arranged.

  For these stretchable materials, after considering the degree of shrinkage of gathers, etc., the constituent material, the elongation rate of the material, the stretched state at the time of fixing, etc. may be determined.

  As an elastic material, the elastic material which has been used with the conventional disposable diaper can be used conveniently. Specific examples include elastic rubber, elastic film, elastic foam (urethane foam, etc.), etc. in addition to natural rubber flat rubber and synthetic rubber (urethane rubber, etc.) elastic thread. it can.

  The stretchable material is preferably fixed in the stretched state in order to exert a sufficient stretch force. For example, when the elastic material is a flat rubber made of natural rubber or a thread rubber made of an elastic thread of synthetic rubber, it is preferably fixed in an extended state of 120 to 400%, and fixed in an extended state of 200 to 300%. More preferably. By fixing in the extended state in such a range, it is possible to apply a sufficient expansion / contraction force without applying an excessive tightening force to the wearer.

  The stretchable material as described above is fixed to other constituent members of the diaper by an adhesive or other means. The fixing method may be, for example, adhesion using a hot melt adhesive or other highly fluid adhesive, or may be welding by heat such as heat sealing or ultrasonic waves.

[3-6] Application target:
In addition, the absorbent article of this invention is applicable also to urine pads other than disposable diapers, such as a pants-type disposable diaper and a tape-type disposable diaper.

  The “urine pad” is also referred to as an inner pad or an auxiliary pad, and is an absorption pad exclusively for urine absorption. This urine pad is used in a state of being placed on the inner surface of the underwear or the surface of the top sheet of the disposable diaper. Like a disposable diaper, the urine pad includes an absorbent body, a top sheet disposed so as to cover the surface of the absorbent body, and a back sheet disposed so as to cover the back surface of the absorbent body. Generally, it is configured in a small pad shape that does not have a portion that encloses a person's waist.

  The absorbent article of the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. However, the absorbent article of the present invention encompasses all absorbent articles having the invention-specific matters, and is not limited to the following examples.

[Example 1]
As the absorbent article of Example 1, a tape-type disposable diaper was produced. The specific structure was the structure of the absorbent article 1B shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This absorbent article 1B is of an L size for infants, and the length in the front-rear direction is 485 mm, and the width of the back body 6 (the length between the side edges 6a and 6b) is 325 mm.

[1] Top sheet:
The top sheet 18 was a multi-layer sheet composed of three layers of an uppermost layer sheet 54, a second layer sheet 56, and a third layer sheet 58. The top sheet 18 is arranged only in the center part in the width direction of the diaper, and the side sheet 19 is arranged in the side flap 9 portion of the diaper.

[1-1] Skin care fiber (fiber A):
The skin care fiber 50 was formed by attaching a phospholipid-like polymer to the surface of a base fiber by a dipping method. The adhesion amount was set to a ratio of 0.1 g of the phospholipid-like polymer to 100 g of the fiber.

  As the base fiber, a PET / PE core-sheath fiber having a core part made of PET and a sheath part made of PE and having a thickness of 2.2 dtex was used. As the phospholipid-like polymer, a fiber processing agent (“Lipidure (registered trademark)” manufactured by NOF Corporation) mainly composed of a methacrylic acid ester-based polymer having a phosphorylcholine group is used and 0.1% by mass with respect to the base fiber. Attached.

[1-2] Hydrophilic fiber (fiber B1):
The hydrophilic fiber 52 was formed by attaching a hydrophilizing agent to the surface of the base fiber by a dipping method. The adhesion amount was set to a ratio of 0.6 g of hydrophilizing agent to 100 g of fiber. In addition, as said base fiber, the said PET / PE core-sheath fiber was used. As the hydrophilizing agent, alkyl sulfonate sodium salt was used, and 0.6 mass% was adhered to the base fiber.

[1-3] Hydrophilic fiber (fiber B2):
The hydrophilic fiber (fiber B2) was formed by adhering a hydrophilizing agent to the surface of the base fiber by a dipping method. The adhesion amount was set to a ratio of 0.6 g of hydrophilizing agent to 100 g of fiber.

  As the base fiber, a PET / PE core-sheath fiber having a core part made of PET and a sheath part made of PE and having a thickness of 3.3 dtex was used. The PET / PE core-sheath fiber was used. As the hydrophilizing agent, the alkyl sulfonate sodium salt was used, and 0.6 mass% was adhered to the base fiber.

[1-4] Formation of top sheet:
First, the hydrophilic fiber (fiber B2) was carded, and a card web A (weight per unit area 7 g / m ² ) to be the third layer sheet 58 was formed on the net conveyor. On the upper surface of the card web A, the hydrophilic fiber (fiber B2) is carded to form a card web B (weight per unit area: 7 g / m ² ) to be the second layer sheet 56 to obtain a two-layer laminated sheet. Further, the upper surface of the card web B is carded with a mixed fiber in which the skin care fiber (fiber A) and the hydrophilic fiber (fiber B1) are mixed 50 to 50, thereby forming the uppermost sheet 54. (Weight per unit area 7 g / m ² ) was formed to obtain a three-layer laminated sheet. Thereafter, the air was blown onto the three-layer laminated sheet to heat-seal the fibers to form an integrated air-through nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 21 g / m ² . This air-through nonwoven fabric was used as the top sheet 18.

  In the top sheet 18, the mass ratio of the skin care fiber (fiber A) and the hydrophilic fiber (fiber B 1) in the top layer sheet 54 is 50:50, and the skin care fiber (fiber A) and the hydrophilic fiber in the entire top sheet 18. The mass ratio of (fibers B1, B2) was 17:83.

[1-5] Side sheet:
As the side sheet 19, a ventilated water repellent sheet was used. Specifically, a spun pond nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene resin and having a basis weight of 18 g / m ² was used.

[2] Other configurations:
The absorbent body 22 was an absorbent body containing 10 g of fluff pulp and 10 g of SAP per diaper, and the whole was wrapped with tissue. The absorber 22 was formed in a rectangular shape, sandwiched between the top sheet 18 and the back sheet 20, and sealed between the peripheral portions thereof, thereby being interposed between the top sheet 18 and the back sheet 20.

The backsheet 20 was composed of a microporous polyethylene film having a water vapor transmission rate of 5000 g / m ² · 24 h in which a large number of fine holes were formed. And the cover sheet 24 which consists of a nonwoven fabric made from polyethylene was bonded together on the outer surface side of the back sheet 20.

  The fastening tape 11 was disposed on the left and right side edges 6 a and 6 b of the back body 6. The fastening tape 11 is composed of a base material made of a non-woven fabric and a hook material 46a of a mechanical fastener 46 attached to the surface of the base material. On the other hand, on the front body 2, the front patch 13 made of the loop material 46b of the mechanical fastener 46 is arranged so that the hook material 46a can be fixed.

  The three-dimensional gather 26 is provided with a pair of three-dimensional gathers 26a and 26b linearly in the front-rear direction of the diaper. The three-dimensional gather 26 is a water-repellent sheet and is an inward-turning type three-dimensional gather integrally formed with the side sheet 19. And the height (length from a lower end edge to an upper end edge) of the three-dimensional gather 26 was 45 mm. Moreover, the three-dimensional gather 26 is formed in the length which covers the longitudinal direction whole region of the absorbent article 1B.

  Two three-dimensional gather stretchable members 36 are arranged in the vicinity of the upper end edge of the three-dimensional gather 26. The three-dimensional gather stretchable material 36 is disposed so that the free end side (the end portion on the side not fixed to the top sheet 18) of the water repellent sheet 32 is folded back and sandwiched between the folded portions. The three-dimensional gather stretchable material 36 was fixed to the water-repellent sheet 32 at an elongation rate of 280%.

  Three leg-surrounding elastic members 40 were linearly arranged in a portion outside the lower end edge (fixed end, standing line) of the three-dimensional gather 26 along the longitudinal direction of the diaper. Further, the waist elastic member 42 is provided with a belt-like elastic material along the edge of the back body 6 of the diaper. This belt-shaped elastic material was made of urethane foam.

[Comparative Example 1]
As the absorbent article of Comparative Example 1, a tape-type disposable diaper was produced. The specific structure was the same as that of the absorbent article of Example 1, except that the structure of the top sheet was changed as follows.

  The top sheet was a top sheet used in the absorbent article of Example 1 without the top layer sheet, that is, a two-layer laminated sheet composed only of the second layer sheet and the third layer sheet. Except for the top sheet, it was configured in the same manner as the absorbent article of Example 1.

〔Evaluation methods〕
A total of 20 absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were worn on 50 babies, and the occurrence of rash was compared and evaluated. Evaluation is based on the occurrence of rash after using the absorbent article on the infant's mother (redness of the buttocks, rash, etc.), and the absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are less likely to rash. The thickness was compared. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

〔Evaluation results〕
As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the absorbent article of Example 1 was less susceptible to rash than the absorbent article of Comparative Example 1.

  The absorbent article of the present invention can be used for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and urine pads for infants or adults such as the elderly and disabled persons who need nursing care. In particular, it can be suitably used as an absorbent article considering skin care.

It is a schematic plan view which shows the state which expand | deployed the absorbent article of this invention and was seen from the top sheet side. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the A-A 'cross section of the absorbent article shown to FIG. 1A. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which assembled the absorbent article shown to FIG. 1A and was seen from the front side. It is a partially notched top view which shows another embodiment of the absorbent article of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state which expand | deployed the absorbent article and was seen from the top sheet side. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the A-A 'cross section of the absorbent article shown to FIG. 2A.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B: Absorbent article, 2: Front body, 2a, 2b: Side edge, 4: Crotch, 6: Rear body, 6a, 6b: Side edge, 8: Joint, 9: Side flap, 10: Waist Around opening, 11: Fastening tape, 12, 12a, 12b: Opening around leg, 13: Front patch, 14: Absorbent body, 16: Exterior member, 18: Top sheet, 19: Side sheet, 20: Back Sheet, 22: Absorber, 24: Cover sheet, 26, 26a, 26b: Three-dimensional gather, 32, 32a, 32b: Water-repellent sheet, 36, 36a, 36b: Three-dimensional gather elastic material, 40: Leg elastic material, 42 : Elastic material around waist, 44: elastic material around waist, 46: mechanical fastener, 46a: hook material, 46b: loop material, 50: skin care fiber, 52: hydrophilic fiber, 54: top layer sheet, 5 : The second layer sheet, 58: third layer sheet.

Claims (5)

An absorber, at least partly made of a liquid-permeable material, a top sheet arranged to cover the surface of the absorber, and a liquid-impermeable material so as to cover the back surface of the absorber With a backsheet arranged,
At least a part of the top sheet is a mixture of a skin care fiber having a phospholipid-like polymer having a phospholipid polar group attached to the fiber surface and a hydrophilic fiber having a hydrophilic agent attached to the fiber surface. Absorbent article which is a sheet composed of   2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the top sheet is configured by mixing the skin care fiber and the hydrophilic fiber at a mass ratio of 10:90 to 70:30. The top sheet is configured as a multilayer sheet in which a plurality of sheets are laminated,
The absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2 whose uppermost layer sheet which contacts a wearer's skin is a sheet constituted by mixing said skin care fiber and said hydrophilic fiber.   The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the uppermost layer sheet is configured by mixing the skin care fiber and the hydrophilic fiber at a mass ratio of 30:70 to 90:10.   The top sheet or the top layer sheet is one in which the skin care fiber and the hydrophilic fiber are accumulated in a mixed state, and the fibers are bonded together by heat fusion. Absorbent article as described in 1.

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