JP2013255567A - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent unintended deformation of an absorber from being caused by a shrinkage force of gathers, without deteriorating flexibility against the deformation, which is originally possessed by a block-like absorbent core.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 10 includes a side flap 24 which is extended outward in a width direction from both side edges along a longitudinal direction of an absorber 20. An absorbent core 22 comprises a block area 235 and a non-block area 236 positioned on the outer periphery of the block area 235. The block area 235 has a block structure comprising heavy-basis weight parts and light-basis weight parts. The peripheries of the respective heavy-basis weight parts are individually independent of one another in such a manner that the whole areas of them are surrounded by the light-basis weight parts. A side flap elastic member 163 elongated in the longitudinal direction is arranged in a stretched state in the side flap 24. The block area 235 is elongated outward in the longitudinal direction beyond ends 163a and 163b of the side flap elastic member 163.

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper.

  An absorbent article using a block-shaped absorbent body provided with a groove-like space extending in the plane direction is known (see Patent Document 1). This document describes a state in which the absorbent core is divided along a virtual line extending in the front-rear direction and a virtual line extending in the width direction. The cores are separated from each other at the divided portions. Since the liquid-absorbent core has such a configuration, it is described in the document that body fluid is absorbed from the top surface of the core and also from the side surface.

  Regarding an absorbent article using a block-shaped absorbent body (absorbent core), the present applicant also disclosed in Patent Document 2 an absorption having a plurality of small absorbent portions and a base sheet positioned on the non-skin contact surface side. The absorbent article provided with the property core is proposed. The adjacent small absorption parts are divided, and a recess is formed between them. According to this absorbent article, there is an advantage that the amount of absorption and retention is improved due to high liquid diffusion performance, and that a large number of small absorbent portions can be effectively used even in absorption for repeated excretion and the like.

JP-A-11-216161 JP 2011-136034 A

  Due to its structure, the block-shaped absorbent core is easily deformed flexibly against external forces, so it conforms to the complex undulating skin surface and conforms to the human body that contacts the surface without any gaps, and the wearer's body It is excellent in the operation follow-up property that is deformed in accordance with the movement of the skin and maintains the state of contact with the skin surface. However, on the other hand, the absorbent core tends to bend unintentionally due to the shrinkage force of gathers generally used for absorbent articles, and as a result, there are cases where it is difficult to wear.

  Therefore, the subject of this invention is providing the absorbent article which can eliminate the fault which the prior art mentioned above has.

The present invention includes a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and leak-proof walls extending in the longitudinal direction at positions on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the top sheet. Is arranged, and further has an absorbent article having side flaps extending outward in the width direction from both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the absorber,
The absorber has an absorbent core that includes a superabsorbent polymer;
The absorbent core has a block region and a non-block region located on the outer periphery of the block region,
The block area has a block structure composed of a plurality of high basis weight parts having a relatively high basis weight and a low basis weight part having a relatively low basis weight, and the periphery of each high basis weight part is its Surrounded by the low basis weight part over the entire area and individually independent,
A side flap elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged in an extended state on the side flap,
The block region provides an absorbent article that extends outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the end portion of the side flap elastic member.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the deformation | transformation which the absorber which is not due to the contraction force of gathers does not intend can be prevented effectively, without impairing the softness | flexibility with respect to the deformation | transformation which a block-shaped absorbent core inherently has.

Drawing 1 is a top view which looked at a deployment type disposable diaper which is one embodiment of an absorptive article of the present invention from the surface sheet side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of the absorbent core of the diaper shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the absorbent core of the diaper shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the top sheet side. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus in the diaper illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the width direction of a part (concave portion) on the outer peripheral surface side of the rotating drum shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where an absorbent material is deposited in the concave portion of the rotating drum shown in FIG. Fig.8 (a) and (b) are top views which show another embodiment of the absorptive core in the diaper shown in FIG. 9 is a plan view (corresponding to FIG. 1) showing the disposable diaper of Comparative Example 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view (corresponding to FIG. 1) showing the disposable diaper of Comparative Example 2.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a disposable diaper according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper shown in FIG. The diapers shown in these drawings are so-called unfolded disposable diapers. The diaper 10 has a longitudinal direction Y and a width direction X orthogonal thereto.

  In the following description, the “non-skin contact surface side” is the side (surface) that is disposed on the opposite side to the wearer's skin side when worn, among the front and back sides (surfaces) of each member such as the absorbent body 20. It is. “Skin contact surface side” is the side (surface) that is disposed on the skin side of the wearer when worn, out of the front and back sides (surfaces) of each member. Further, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the diaper 10, the abdominal side A side is also referred to as “front side”, and the back side B side is also referred to as “rear side”.

  The diaper 10 includes a top sheet 21 disposed on the skin contact surface side of the wearer, a back sheet 23 disposed on the non-skin contact surface side, and a longitudinal absorption disposed between the both sheets 21 and 23. And a body 20. The top sheet 21 is made of a liquid-permeable sheet and faces the wearer's skin when the diaper 10 is worn. The back sheet is made of a liquid-impermeable or water-repellent sheet and faces outward when worn.

  The diaper 10 is formed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction. The diaper 10 includes a crotch portion C located in a central region in the longitudinal direction, and a ventral side portion A and a back side portion B extending from the crotch portion C forward and backward in the longitudinal direction. The ventral portion A is arranged on the wearer's ventral side when the diaper 10 is worn. The back part B is arranged on the wearer's back side when the diaper 10 is worn. The crotch part C is arranged on the wearer's crotch when the diaper 10 is worn.

  In the diaper 10, the left and right side edges of the abdominal side A and the right and left side edges of the back side part B extend outward in the width direction from the left and right side edges of the crotch C. The left and right side edges of the crotch C are curved in an arc shape inward in the width direction, and have a shape in which the central region in the longitudinal direction is constricted inward as a whole. The top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23 respectively extend outward from the left and right side edges and the front and rear end edges of the absorbent body 20. Each of the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23 is joined to each other directly or through another member at an extending portion extending outward from the periphery of the absorbent body 20, and sandwiches and fixes the absorbent body 20. doing.

  The diaper 10 is provided with a pair of fastening tapes F, F on left and right side edges of the back side B. On the outer surface (non-skin contact surface) of the abdominal side A, that is, on the non-skin contact surface of the back sheet 23, a landing tape L for fastening the fastening tapes F and F is provided as shown in FIG. .

  On both side portions along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 10, a leak-proof wall forming sheet 162 having a leak-proof wall elastic member 161 fixed in an extended state in the longitudinal direction is arranged on the side portion of the top sheet 21 and fixed. Has been. As a result, a pair of leak-proof walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 10 is formed on the skin contact surface side of the diaper 10. The leak-proof wall has a fixed end and a free end, and the leak-proof wall elastic member 161 is fixed in an extended state along the free end. The leak-proof wall elastic member 161 has an end portion 161A near the ventral side portion A and an end portion 161B near the back side portion B.

  At a position outward in the width direction from the fixed end of the leak-proof wall, the leak-proof wall-forming sheet 162 and the back sheet 23 are joined, thereby forming a pair of side flaps 24. The side flaps 24 extend outward in the width direction from both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 20, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 10. In the side flap 24, a plurality of side flap elastic members 163 for forming leg gathers are arranged in an elongated state in a longitudinal direction at a portion substantially corresponding to the crotch portion C. The side flap elastic member 163 is sandwiched and fixed between the leakage preventing wall forming sheet 162 and the back sheet 23. The side flap elastic member 163 has an end 163A near the ventral side A and an end 163B near the back side B. Leg gathers are formed in the crotch part C of the diaper 10 by the side flap elastic member 163 contracting.

  An elastic sheet 164 for forming waist gathers is disposed at the longitudinal end of the diaper 10 on the back side B side. The elastic sheet 164 is configured by sandwiching and fixing a plurality of elastic members 165a and 165b extending in the width direction of the diaper 10 between two sheet members 164a and 164b.

  In the elastic sheet 164, of the plurality of elastic members 165a and 165b, the elastic member 165b, which is an elastic member located near the waist opening edge W, is located from a position near one side edge in the width direction of the diaper 10. , And is continuously arranged over a position near the other side edge. On the other hand, the elastic member 165a, which is an elastic member located closer to the absorber than the elastic member 165b, is disposed only on the left and right side portions in the width direction of the diaper 10, and the elastic member 165a is disposed in the center region in the width direction. Not placed. Specifically, the elastic member 165a has one end near the side edge in the width direction of the diaper 10. The other end is terminated before reaching the central region in the width direction of the diaper 10.

  The absorber 20 has a vertically long shape extending in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 in plan view, and is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center line CL. The absorber 20 is arranged from the ventral side A to the back side B of the diaper 10. The left and right side edges of the absorbent body 20 are curved inward in the width direction at a central region in the longitudinal direction, that is, at a portion corresponding to the crotch part C in the diaper 10. The absorbent body 20 is composed of an absorbent core 22 containing a superabsorbent polymer and a covering material that wraps the absorbent core 22.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of the absorbent core 22 containing the absorbent polymer in the absorbent body 20 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the absorbent core 22 has a first surface 223A and a second surface 223B. The first surface 223A is a skin contact surface and faces the surface sheet 21 or an intermediate sheet (not shown) used as necessary. The second surface 223B is the non-skin contact surface side and faces the back sheet 23 side.

  The absorptive core 22 is adjacent to the high basis weight part 234a having a relatively high basis weight and a convex shape protruding toward the back sheet side, and the high basis weight part 234a, and the basis weight is relatively low. A low basis weight portion 234b that is recessed from the back sheet side toward the top sheet side. The high basis weight part 234a and the low basis weight part 234b are integrally formed. The non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent core 22 has an uneven structure, and the skin contact surface side is flat. When the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent core 22 has an uneven structure, the absorbent core 22 is easily deformed flexibly by an external force applied from the width direction of the absorbent core 22. As a result, the fit of the diaper 10 is improved. “Integrally molded” means that these parts are integrated without being separated from each other without using a bonding means such as an adhesive or heat fusion, and are integrally formed from the same material. Means that When these parts are integrally molded, the body fluid has continuity that can move smoothly. A method for manufacturing the absorbent core 22 having such a structure will be described later.

  The absorptive core 22 is comprised from the liquid absorptive material. As the liquid-absorbing material, the same materials as those conventionally used in the technical field of absorbent articles can be used. For example, a highly absorbent polymer made of defibrated pulp or a hydrogel material can be used. In particular, when a layer of a single pulp is formed on the most non-skin facing surface side, that is, when the tip area 234a ′ of the high basis weight portion 234a is composed only of pulp, the non-skin contact surface of the diaper 10 It is preferable because hardness due to the highly water-absorbing polymer can be reduced. The absorbent core 22 may be covered with a liquid permeable sheet made of tissue paper, nonwoven fabric or the like.

  The top view which looked at the absorptive core 22 from the surface sheet 21 side is shown by FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1, a plurality of low basis weight portions 234 b extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 22. A plurality of the low basis weight parts 234 b also extend in the width direction of the absorbent core 22. As a result, the low basis weight portion 234b has an orthogonal lattice shape extending in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the absorbent core 22. And the high basic weight part 234a is located in the grating | lattice formed of the low basic weight part 234b. Therefore, each high basic weight part 234a is divided by the low basic weight part 234b, and is independent independently. The shapes of the respective high basis weight portions 234a are substantially the same, are rectangular in plan view, and the length in the longitudinal direction is larger than the length in the width direction. On the other hand, regarding the low basic weight part 234b, the low basic weight part 234b extends in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the absorbent core 22 and is connected to each other to form a continuous body. The width of the low basis weight portion 234b extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 22 and the width of the low basis weight portion 234b extending in the width direction of the absorbent core 22 may be the same or different.

  As described above, the absorbent core 22 has a block structure including a plurality of high basis weight portions 234a having a relatively high basis weight and low basis weight portions 234b having a relatively low basis weight, and The periphery of each high basic weight part 234a is provided with the block area | region 235 which is surrounded by the low basic weight part 234b over the whole area, and is independently independent. Further, the outermost periphery of the block structure is surrounded by the low basis weight portion 234b. The corners of the low basis weight portion 234b located on the outermost periphery of the block structure are preferably rounded to draw a convex curve toward the outside.

  By having the block region 235 composed of the high basis weight portion 234a and the low basis weight portion 234b, the absorbent core 22 becomes flexible both in the longitudinal direction and in the width direction, resulting in absorbency. The core 22 is easy to follow the shape of the wearer's body. Furthermore, the excreted liquid flows while being guided by the low-thickness portion having a small thickness, whereby the diffusibility in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the absorbent core 22 can be improved.

As for the basic weight of the low basic weight part 234b with respect to the basic weight of the high basic weight part 234a, the lower limit becomes like this. Preferably it is 20%, More preferably, it is 30%. The upper limit is preferably 80%, more preferably 70%. The lower limit of the basis weight of the high basis weight portion 234a itself is preferably 300 g / m ² , and more preferably 350 g / m ² . The upper limit is preferably 900 g / m ² , more preferably 800 g / m ² . Regarding the low basis weight part 234b, the lower limit value of the basis weight is preferably 100 g / m ² , and more preferably 150 g / m ² . The upper limit is preferably 500 g / m ² , more preferably 400 g / m ² . The basis weight is measured as follows.
Cut along the boundary line between the high basis weight portion 234a and the low basis weight portion 234b in the absorbent core 22 using a single blade razor manufactured by Feather Corporation. Ten pieces of the high basis weight portion 234a obtained by cutting were each measured using an electronic balance (Electronic balance GR-300 manufactured by A & D, accuracy: 4 digits after the decimal point), and the small piece 1 of the high basis weight portion 234a. Find the average weight of the pieces. The calculated average weight is divided by the average area per piece of the high basis weight portion 234a to calculate the basis weight of the high basis weight portion 234a. The basis weight of the non-block region 236 described later is also calculated in the same manner as the basis weight of the high basis weight portion 234a.
Next, along the boundary line extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the high basis weight portion 234a and the low basis weight portion 234b, the length is 100 mm, and the width is adjusted to the design dimension of the width of the low basis weight portion 234b. Using a single-edged razor made by the company, five small pieces in the Y direction of the thin striped low basis weight portion 234b are cut out. Each of the 5 pieces obtained was measured using an electronic balance (Electronic balance GR-300 manufactured by A & D, accuracy: 4 digits after the decimal point), and averaged to obtain the average weight of one piece of the low basis weight portion 234b. . The obtained average weight is divided by the average area per small piece in the Y direction of the low basis weight portion 234b to calculate the basis weight in the Y direction of the low basis weight portion 224b. For the X direction of the low basis weight portion 234b, the basis weight is calculated in the same manner as the Y direction of the low basis weight portion 234b.

  The high basis weight part 234a not only has a larger basis weight than the low basis weight part 234b, but also has a larger thickness. The lower limit of the thickness of the low basis weight portion 234b relative to the thickness of the high basis weight portion 234a is preferably 30%, and more preferably 40%. The upper limit is preferably 90%, more preferably 80%. The lower limit of the thickness of the high basis weight portion 234a itself is preferably 2 mm, and more preferably 3 mm. The upper limit is preferably 8 mm, more preferably 7 mm. Regarding the low basis weight part 234b, the lower limit of the thickness is preferably 1.5 mm, and more preferably 2.5 mm. The upper limit is preferably 4.5 mm, and more preferably 4 mm. The thickness of the high basic weight part 234a, the low basic weight part 234b (X direction, Y direction) and the non-blocking area | region 236 mentioned later is measured with the following method. A sample is cut into a predetermined size, the measurement site is pressurized at 5 kPa for 10 minutes, and measurement is performed immediately after dewetting. The measurement location is 3 points or more including 1 point or more each of the abdominal side, crotch portion, and back side per one sheet, and the average thickness of 2 diaper samples (6 or more measurement locations) is obtained. For example, the diaper 10 is cut with a sharp razor in the vertical direction (Y direction) or the horizontal direction (X direction) shown in FIG. 1, and the cross section of the cut sample is measured. When it is difficult to measure with the naked eye, the section of the cut sample may be observed and measured at a magnification of 20 to 50 times using, for example, a microscope (VHX-1000 manufactured by KEYENCE).

  The block region 235 is disposed from the abdominal side A to the back side B of the absorbent core 22. The block region 235 includes an abdominal side high basis weight portion group 237A provided at a position corresponding to the abdominal side portion A and a back side high basis weight portion group 237B provided at a position corresponding to the back side portion B. And a crotch part high basis weight part group 237C provided at a position corresponding to the crotch part C. Each high basic weight part group is connected. In each high basic weight part group, the number of the high basic weight parts 234a arrange | positioned along the width direction differs. Specifically, the number of high basis weight portions 234a in the abdominal portion high basis weight portion group 237A and the back side high basis weight portion group 237B is the number of the high basis weight portions 234a in the crotch high basis weight portion group 237C. More than the number of arrangements. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the abdominal side high basis weight part group 237A and the back side high basis weight part group 237B, the number of high basis weight parts 234a arranged along the width direction is five. On the other hand, in the crotch high basis weight part group 237C, the number of the high basis weight parts 234a arranged along the width direction is three. In this embodiment, since the dimension of the high basic weight part 234a is the same in each high basic weight part group, the high basic weight part in the abdominal part high basic weight part group 237A and the back side high basic weight part group 237C. That the number of the arrangement of 234a is larger than the number of the arrangement of the high basis weight parts 234a in the crotch lower high basis weight part group 237B, that is, the ventral side part A and the back are larger than the width of the block region 235 in the crotch part C. This means that the width of the block region 235 in the side portion B is larger.

  A non-block region 236 is disposed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction and the outer side in the width direction of the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22. That is, the absorptive core 22 is composed of a block region 235 composed of a high basis weight portion 234a and a low basis weight portion 234b, and a non-block region 236. The non-block region 236 surrounds the outer periphery of the block region 235 over the entire area. The block area 235 and the non-block area 236 are partitioned by a low basis weight portion 234b located on the outermost periphery of the block area 235. In the non-blocking region 236, the thickness and basis weight at any position are constant.

  When the diaper 10 is worn on a curved body by reducing the bending rigidity (measurement method will be described later) at the boundary between the block region 235 and the non-block region 236 of the absorbent core 22, the diaper 10 becomes a curved surface of the body. Therefore, there is an advantage that the diaper 10 can be easily attached. From this point, it is preferable that the bending rigidity of the absorbent core 22 is 50 g or less.

Moreover, it is preferable that the absorbent body 20 quickly diffuses after absorbing the liquid, and it is preferable that the liquid spreading area (measurement method will be described later) is large as such a determination index. Specifically, the absorbent 20 used in the present invention preferably has a liquid spreading area of 260 cm ² or more.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the non-block region 236 is substantially the same as the thickness of the high basis weight portion 234 a of the block region 235. However, the relationship between the thickness of the non-blocking region 236 and the thickness of the high basis weight portion 234a is not limited to this, and the thickness of the non-blocking region 236 may be larger, and conversely the thickness of the high basis weight portion 234a. May be large. Specifically, the lower limit of the thickness of the non-blocking region 236 is preferably 2 mm, and more preferably 3 mm. The upper limit is preferably 8 mm, more preferably 7 mm. The method for measuring the thickness is as described above.

  In the non-blocking region 236, it is preferable that the width of the portion located at the end portion in the width direction is wider than the width of the portion located at the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 22. By doing so, the shape retaining property of the diaper 19 can be maintained without being affected by the gather stress, and the diaper 10 can be easily worn. In particular, it is preferable that either one of the ventral part A and the dorsal part B satisfies the above relationship, and that both the ventral part A and the dorsal side B satisfy the above relationship. preferable.

  The high basis weight portion 234a and the low basis weight portion 234b of the block region 235 are integrally formed as described above. In addition to this, a block region 235 composed of a high basis weight portion 234a and a low basis weight portion 234b and a non-block region 236 located on the outer periphery thereof are also integrally formed. The meaning of integral molding is as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the end 163 </ b> A of the side flap elastic member 163 in the ventral side A. Similarly, the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends beyond the end portion 163B of the side flap elastic member 163 to the outside in the longitudinal direction on the back side portion B. By making the relationship between the position of the end portion of the side flap elastic member 163 and the arrangement position of the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 in this way, when the side flap elastic member 163 contracts, the absorbent body 20 is intended. It is effectively prevented to bend at the position where it is not. Therefore, when the diaper 10 is attached to the wearer's body, the diaper 10 is difficult to deform, and the diaper 10 is easily applied to the wearer's body. On the other hand, for example, as in the diaper of Comparative Example 1 shown in FIG. 9, the end portion 163A of the side flap elastic member 163 extends outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22. When the side flap elastic member 163 contracts, the absorbent core 22 is bent at the boundary portion K between the block region 235 and the non-block region 236 (the boundary portion K extends in the width direction of the diaper). This makes it difficult to put the diaper on the wearer's body.

  From the viewpoint of effectively preventing the bending of the absorbent core 22 due to the shrinkage of the side flap elastic member 163, the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 is formed at both ends of the side flap elastic member 163 as in the present embodiment. It is desirable to extend beyond the portions 163A and 163B to the outside in the longitudinal direction. However, if the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends to the outside in the longitudinal direction beyond at least one of the two end portions 163A and 163B of the side flap elastic member 163, the effect of the present invention is achieved. Is played well. When the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends beyond one of the two end portions 163A and 163B of the side flap elastic member 163 to the outside in the longitudinal direction, The block region 235 preferably extends beyond the end 163A, which is the end near the ventral side A, to the outside in the longitudinal direction from the viewpoint of ease of wearing the diaper 10.

  From the viewpoint of further effectively suppressing the bending of the absorbent core 22 at the boundary portion K between the block region 235 and the non-block region 236, the leak-proof wall elastic member 161, which is another elastic member attached to the diaper 10. In this regard, it is advantageous that the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the end of the leak-proof wall elastic member 161. Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends to the outside in the longitudinal direction beyond the end portion 161 </ b> A of the leak-proof wall elastic member 161 on the ventral side A. It is extended. Similarly, the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends beyond the end portion 161B of the leak-proof wall elastic member 161 to the outside in the longitudinal direction at the back side portion B.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends beyond the both end portions 161 </ b> A and 161 </ b> B of the leak-proof wall elastic member 161 to the outside in the longitudinal direction. The block region 235 of the absorbent core 22 may extend outward in the longitudinal direction beyond at least one of the two end portions 163A and 163B of the side flap elastic member 163. In this case, the block region 235 in the absorbent core 22 extends beyond the end 161A, which is the end near the ventral side A, to the outside in the longitudinal direction. This is preferable from the viewpoint of ease of use.

  Next, the suitable manufacturing method of the absorber 20 of the diaper 10 mentioned above is demonstrated. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the absorbent body 20 and a manufacturing apparatus used therefor. In the following description, the absorbent core is denoted by reference numeral 41. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent body 20 includes a rotary drum 50 that is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 and a duct that supplies an absorbent material 45 including a superabsorbent polymer that is a raw material of the absorbent core 41 to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50. 60, a transfer roll 70 disposed obliquely below and downstream of the rotating drum 50 and driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R2, and a vacuum disposed between the duct 60 and the transfer roll 70 in the circumferential direction of the rotating drum 50 A mesh belt 75 that is a sheet-like breathable member disposed between the box 65, the vacuum box 65 and the rotary drum 50, and between the transfer roll 70 and the rotary drum 50; And a vacuum conveyor 80 disposed below.

  The rotating drum 50 has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 5 and receives power from a prime mover such as a motor, so that members forming the outer peripheral surface rotate around a horizontal axis. A space 56 capable of depressurizing the inside is formed in a non-rotating portion inside the rotating drum 50 (on the rotating shaft side). A known exhaust device (not shown) such as an intake fan is connected to the space 56, and the interior of the space 56 can be maintained at a negative pressure by operating the exhaust device. On the other hand, piping (not shown) capable of taking in air outside the apparatus is connected to the spaces 57 and 58 on the inner side (rotating shaft side) of the rotating drum 50.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of drum recesses 51 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the absorbent core 41 to be manufactured are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 50 at equal intervals in the R1 direction. As shown in FIG. 6, a mesh plate 52 in which a large number of pores are formed and a metal or resin impermeable member 53 are disposed on the bottom surface of each drum recess 51. Here, the air-impermeable member 53 is provided so as to protrude on the mesh plate 52, and is disposed so as to correspond to the shape and position of the low basis weight portions 234b and 234b described above. As shown in FIG. 6, the region 54 consisting only of the mesh plate 52 partitioned by the air-impermeable member 53 arranged in this way becomes a portion corresponding to the high basis weight portions 234 a and 234 a, and A region 55 consisting only of the mesh plate 52 in the entire outer periphery of the partitioned portion is a portion corresponding to the non-block portions 236 and 236. Moreover, the part of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 50 in which the drum recessed part 51 is not formed consists of the frame body of the rotating drum 50 which consists of metal rigid bodies, and is non-breathable.

  As shown in FIG. 5, one end side of the duct 60 covers the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50 positioned on the space 56 maintained at a negative pressure, and a fiber material introduction device is provided on the other end side (not shown). Have. The fiber material introducing device includes, for example, a pulverizer that pulverizes sheet-like wood pulp into defibrated pulp, and sends the defibrated pulp (fiber material) into the duct. A superabsorbent polymer introduction part to be introduced is provided.

  The transfer roll 70 has a cylindrical outer peripheral portion having air permeability, and the outer peripheral portion rotates in the R2 direction upon receiving power from a prime mover such as a motor. In the non-rotating portion on the inner side (rotating shaft side) of the transfer roll 70, a space 71 that can be depressurized is formed. A known exhaust device (not shown) such as an intake fan is connected to the space 71, and the interior of the space 71 can be maintained at a negative pressure by operating the exhaust device.

  The vacuum box 65 is disposed between the downstream end 61 of the duct 60 and the transfer roll 70 in the rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 50. The vacuum box 65 has a box-like shape and has an opening that opens in the direction of the rotating drum 50 at a portion facing the rotating drum 50. The vacuum box 65 is connected to a known exhaust device (not shown) such as an intake fan via an exhaust pipe 67, and the inside of the vacuum box 65 can be maintained at a negative pressure by the operation of the exhaust device. .

  The mesh belt 75 is a belt-shaped breathable belt having a mesh connected endlessly, and is continuously guided along a plurality of free rolls and transfer rolls 70 to move along a predetermined path. The mesh belt 75 is driven by the rotation of the transfer roll 70. While the mesh belt 75 passes in front of the opening of the vacuum box 65, the mesh belt 75 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50, and the transfer roll 70 and the rotary drum 50 are closest to each other. In the vicinity of the portion, the transfer drum 70 moves away from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 50.

  The vacuum conveyor 80 includes an endless breathable belt 83 that is stretched between the drive roll 81 and the driven roll 82, and a vacuum box 84 that is disposed at a position facing the transfer roll 70 with the breathable belt 83 interposed therebetween. ing.

  Next, a method for continuously manufacturing the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core 41) using the above-described absorbent body manufacturing apparatus will be described. First, the exhaust device connected to each of the space 56 in the rotary drum 50 and the vacuum box 65 is operated to make negative pressure. This is because such a negative pressure in the space 56 causes an air flow in the duct 60 to convey the liquid absorbent material 45 to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50. Next, the rotating drum 50 and the transfer roll 70 are rotated, and the vacuum conveyor 80 is operated. When the fiber material introducing device is operated to supply the fiber material and the superabsorbent polymer into the duct 60, the liquid absorbent material 45 rides on the air flow flowing through the duct 60 and is in a scattered state. It is supplied toward the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 50. In particular, in the absorbent body obtained by supplying the fiber material and the superabsorbent polymer after first supplying the fiber material such as pulp and first depositing the fiber material on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50. The non-skin facing surface side can be formed only from a fiber material such as pulp.

  While the portion covered with the duct 60 is being conveyed, the liquid absorbent material (mixture of fiber material and superabsorbent polymer) 45 is sucked into the drum recess 51 of the rotary drum 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid absorbing material 45 is gradually deposited on the mesh plate 52 in each region 54 and region 55 of the drum recess 51. In the deposit 46 thus obtained, a portion (a portion corresponding to the non-breathable member 53) 46 a formed by depositing the liquid-absorbing material 45 on the non-breathable member 53 is relatively deposited of the liquid-absorbent material 45. The amount of the liquid absorbing material 45 is relatively large in the other portions (corresponding to the region 54) 46b and the portion (corresponding to the region 55) 46c, and the deposit 46 as a whole has an uneven structure. To have.

  Then, when the rotary drum 50 rotates and the drum concave portion 51 comes to the position opposite to the vacuum box 65, the deposit 46 in the drum concave portion 51 is sucked to the mesh belt 75 by the suction from the vacuum box 65. It becomes. In this state, the deposit 46 in the drum recess 51 is conveyed to a position immediately before the closest portion between the transfer roll 70 and the rotary drum 50, and is sucked from the transfer roll 70 side in the vicinity of the closest portion to the mesh belt. The mold is released from the drum recess 51 while being sucked by 75 and moved onto the transfer roll 70.

  In this way, the deposit 46 having the concavo-convex structure transferred onto the transfer roll 70 together with the mesh belt 75 is adsorbed to the mesh belt 75 on the transfer roll 70 and is transferred to the vacuum conveyor 80 (the lowermost end of the transfer roll 70). And is transferred to the vacuum conveyor 80 by suction by the vacuum box 84 at the delivery section.

  In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a covering material 42 made of tissue paper or a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is introduced onto a vacuum conveyor 80 before the deposit 46 is placed. Then, the deposit 46 moves on the covering material 42. Further, after the covering material 42 is folded by a folded plate (not shown) and the deposit 46 is wrapped with the covering material 42, the deposit 46 in the state wrapped with the covering material 42 is cut at a predetermined interval. Thus, the absorber precursor 49 cut to the size of one absorber is continuously manufactured.

  And in the absorber manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment, the absorber precursor 49 obtained in this way is compressed by the pressurizing means 90, and the thickness of the deposit 46 which comprises the absorber precursor 49 is actively reduced. Thus, the intended absorber 20 (absorbent core 41) is obtained. As shown in FIG. 5, at least one of the pressurizing means 90 includes a pair of rolls 91 and 92 having a smooth surface, and pressurizes an object to be pressed introduced between the rolls 91 and 92 from above and below the thickness direction. It is configured to be compressible.

  When the absorber precursor 49 is compressed by the pressurizing means 90, the portion (region 54 corresponding portion) 46b and the portion (region 55 corresponding portion) 46c having a relatively large liquid absorbing material and a large thickness are disposed in the liquid absorbing material 45. Is compressed more strongly than a relatively thin portion (a portion corresponding to the breathable member 53) 46a. As a result, in the absorber manufactured using the above-described manufacturing apparatus, the portion (region 54 corresponding portion) 46b (convex portion) and the portion (region 55 corresponding portion) 46c in the deposit 46 are absorbed by the absorber 20 (absorption). In the porous core 41), the high basis weight portion 234 a and the non-blocking region 236 having a relatively high density are formed, and a portion (corresponding portion) 46 a (concave portion) in the deposit 46 is relatively in the absorbent body 41. The low basis weight portion 234b has a low density.

  8A and 8B show another embodiment of the absorbent core 22 used in the diaper 10 of the present embodiment. The absorptive cores 22A and 22B shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B have a relatively high basis weight and protruded toward the non-skin contact surface side, similarly to the absorptive core 22 shown in FIG. A block structure comprising a high basis weight portion 234a having a shape of a low basis weight portion 234b adjacent to the high basis weight portion 234a and having a relatively low basis weight and recessed toward the skin contact surface side. doing. The high basis weight part 234a and the low basis weight part 234b are integrally formed. The non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent core 22 has an uneven structure, and the skin contact surface side is flat.

  A non-block region 236 is disposed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction and the outer side in the width direction of the block region in the absorbent cores 22A and 22B. That is, the absorbent cores 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B are configured by a block region including the high basis weight portion 234 a and the low basis weight portion 234 b and the non-block region 236. The non-block region 236 surrounds the entire periphery of the block region.

  The block regions in the absorbent cores 22A and 22B are arranged from the abdominal side A to the back side B. The block area includes abdominal side high basis weight portion group 237A provided at a position corresponding to the ventral side portion A, and a back side high basis weight portion group 237B provided at a position corresponding to the back side portion B. And crotch part high basis weight part group 237C provided in a position corresponding to crotch part C. Each high basic weight part group is connected. The number of high basis weight parts 234a in the ventral side high basis weight part group 237A and the back side high basis weight part group 237B is more than the number of high basis weight parts 234a in the crotch high basis weight part group 237C. Has also increased. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, in the abdominal side high basis weight part group 237A and the back side high basis weight part group 237B, the number of high basis weight parts 234a arranged along the width direction is five. In contrast, in the crotch high basis weight portion group 237C, the number of high basis weight portions 234a arranged along the width direction is three. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, in the abdominal side high basis weight part group 237A and the back side high basis weight part group 237B, the number of high basis weight parts 234a arranged along the width direction is six. In contrast, in the crotch high basis weight portion group 237C, the number of high basis weight portions 234a arranged along the width direction is two. Thus, as for the absorptive core 22A, 22B of each embodiment, the width of the block area in the abdominal part A and the back part B is larger than the width of the block area in the crotch part C. . Even when these absorbent cores 22A and 22B are used, the same advantageous effects as those obtained when the absorbent core 22 shown in FIG. 1 is used are produced.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the preferable embodiment, the range of this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment. For example, although the said embodiment is an example which applied the absorbent article of this invention to the deployment type disposable diaper, this invention also applies to absorbent articles other than a deployment type disposable diaper, for example, an underpants type absorbent article etc. The same can be applied.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the block area | region 235 in the absorptive core 22 was flat on the skin contact surface side, and the non-skin contact surface side was uneven | corrugated, it replaces with this and non-skin The contact surface side may be flat and the skin contact surface side may be uneven.

This invention discloses the following absorbent articles further regarding embodiment mentioned above.
<1>
A top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a leak-proof wall extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged at positions on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the top sheet. And an absorbent article having side flaps extending outward in the width direction from both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the absorber,
The absorbent body has an absorbent core containing an absorbent polymer;
The absorbent core has a block region and a non-block region located on the outer periphery of the block region,
The block area has a block structure composed of a plurality of high basis weight parts having a relatively high basis weight and a low basis weight part having a relatively low basis weight, and the periphery of each high basis weight part is its Surrounded by the low basis weight part over the entire area and individually independent,
A side flap elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged in an extended state on the side flap,
The absorbent article in which the block region extends outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the end portion where the side flap elastic member is disposed.

<2>
A leakproof wall elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction of the leakproof wall is disposed in an extended state at the free end of the leakproof wall, and the block region extends beyond the end of the leakproof wall elastic member. The absorbent article according to <1>, which extends outward in the direction.
<3>
The block area has a convex shape in which the skin contact surface side is flat and the non-skin contact surface side protrudes toward the back sheet side and the back sheet side <1> or <2> which has the said low basic weight part dented toward the said surface sheet side.
<4>
The non-blocking region is any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the width of the portion located in the end portion in the width direction is wider than the width of the portion located in the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core. An absorbent article according to any one of the above.

<5>
The absorbent article according to <3> or <4>, wherein the absorbent core has a pulp single layer formed on the most non-skin facing surface side.
<6>
A crotch part located in a central region in the longitudinal direction of the article, and a ventral part and a dorsal part extending from the crotch part in the longitudinal direction forward and backward, respectively,
The left and right side edges of the ventral side part and the left and right side edges of the back side part respectively extend outward in the width direction from the left and right side edges of the crotch part,
The left and right side edges of the crotch are curved in an arc shape inward in the width direction of the article, and the article as a whole has a shape in which a central region in the longitudinal direction of the article is constricted inward. Have
The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the top sheet and the back sheet respectively extend outward from left and right side edges and front and rear side edges of the absorber.

<7>
An elastic sheet for forming waist gathers is disposed at the longitudinal end of the article on the back side,
In the elastic sheet, among the plurality of elastic members, an elastic member located near the waist opening edge is located near one side edge in the width direction of the article and near the other side edge. The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <6>, which is continuously arranged over the position.
<8>
In the elastic sheet, the elastic members positioned closer to the absorber than the elastic members are disposed only on the left and right sides in the width direction of the article, and the elastic members are disposed in the center region in the width direction. The absorbent article as described in <7> which is not arrange | positioned.

<9>
The low basis weight portion has an orthogonal lattice shape extending in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the absorber, and the high basis weight portion is located in a lattice formed by the low basis weight portion. The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <8>.
<10>
The shape of each high basic weight part is the same, The absorbent article as described in any one of <1> thru | or <9> which is carrying out the rectangle in planar view.

<11>
The basis weight of the low basis weight part relative to the basis weight of the high basis weight part is the absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <10>, whose lower limit is 20%.
<12>
The basic weight of the said low basic weight part with respect to the basic weight of the said high basic weight part is an absorbent article as described in <11> whose lower limit is 30%.
<13>
The basis weight of the low basis weight part relative to the basis weight of the high basis weight part is the absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <12>, wherein an upper limit value is 80%.
<14>
As for the basic weight of the said low basic weight part with respect to the basic weight of the said high basic weight part, the upper limit is an absorbent article as described in <13> which is 70%.

<15>
The thickness of the said low basic weight part with respect to the thickness of the said high basic weight part is an absorbent article of any one of <1> thru | or <14> whose lower limit is 30%.
<16>
The thickness of the said low basic weight part with respect to the thickness of the said high basic weight part is an absorbent article as described in <15> whose lower limit is 40%.
<17>
The thickness of the said low basic weight part with respect to the thickness of the said high basic weight part is an absorbent article of any one of <1> thru | or <16> whose upper limit is 90%.
<18>
The thickness of the said low basic weight part with respect to the thickness of the said high basic weight part is an absorbent article as described in <17> whose upper limit is 80%.

<19>
The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <18>, which is an unfolded disposable diaper.
<20>
The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <18>, which is a pants-type disposable diaper.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such examples.

[Example 1]
A baby disposable disposable diaper having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 was manufactured. The basis weight of the absorber, the high basis weight portion and 570 g / m ² in the non-block area was 292 g / m ² in the low basis weight portion. The absorber was composed of a mixed product of defibrated pulp and polyacrylic acid-based superabsorbent polymer. The mass ratio between the defibrated pulp and the superabsorbent polymer was 7:10. This diaper had the bending rigidity when the diaper was bent at the position of the folding line extending in the width direction in the landing tape L portion as shown in Table 1 below. This bending rigidity is an index of the diaper's softness. About this diaper, the wearing property of the diaper was evaluated by the following method, and the liquid spreading area was measured. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Diaper wearability]
When wearing a baby model with a diaper, the state of the landing tape was observed and the wearability was evaluated according to the following indices.
When the landing tape is flat: A (good)
When the landing tape is curved inward: B (possible)
If the landing tape is bent inward: C (bad)

[Diaper bending stiffness]
The bending stiffness of the measurement sample was measured using a handle meter. The smaller the measured value of the handle-ometer, the easier it is for the measurement sample to bend, indicating that it is flexible and easy to wear and has good fit. The method for measuring the bending stiffness using a handle-ometer is as follows. Leg gathers and three-dimensional gathers are removed from the sample diaper to produce a measurement sample having the same width as the absorber, and the measurement sample is placed on a support table of a handleometer with a groove having a width of 40 mm. It arrange | positions so that the longitudinal direction of a sample may orthogonally cross this groove | channel. Then, the center of the landing tape portion of the measurement sample (absorber) is pushed with a blade having a thickness of 2 mm, and the force required to bend the measurement sample is measured. The average value at the center of the measurement sample is taken as the measurement value. As the handle oh meter, for example, a texture tester (handle oh meter method) manufactured by Daiei Kagaku Seiki Seisakusho, HOM-3 type can be used.

[Liquid spreading area]
160 cc physiological saline while applying a load of 8.5 g / cm ² with a transparent acrylic plate with a pouring spout at the injection point at a position 30 mm from the center of the absorbent body in the diaper to the diaper longitudinal direction Water was injected. And 10 minutes after injection | pouring, the liquid spreading area was measured.

[Example 2]
A baby disposable disposable diaper having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 was manufactured. The basis weight of the absorber, 460 g / m ² the high basis weight portion and the unblocked areas was 170 g / m ² the low basis weight portion. The absorber was composed of a mixed product of defibrated pulp and polyacrylic acid-based superabsorbent polymer. The mass ratio between the defibrated pulp and the superabsorbent polymer was 10.8: 10. Except this, it was the same as Example 1. About this diaper, the same measurement and evaluation as Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Comparative Example 1]
The diaper shown in FIG. 9 was manufactured. In this diaper, in the ventral side A, the end 163A of the side flap elastic member 163 extends outward in the longitudinal direction from the block region 235 of the absorbent core 22. The other structure is the same as that of the diaper of Example 1. About this diaper, the same measurement and evaluation as Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Comparative Example 2]
The diaper shown in FIG. 10 was manufactured. In this diaper, there is no block region in the absorbent core 22, and the thickness and basis weight are the same regardless of which part of the absorbent core 22. The other structure is the same as that of the diaper of Example 1. About this diaper, the same measurement and evaluation as Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Comparative Example 3]
The diaper shown in FIG. 9 was manufactured. In this diaper, the end 163A of the side flap elastic member 163 extends outward in the longitudinal direction from the block region 235 of the absorbent core 22 in the ventral side A. The other structure was the same as that of the diaper of Example 2. About this diaper, the same measurement and evaluation as Example 2 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

  As is apparent from the results shown in Table 1, the diaper of the first and second embodiments (the product of the present invention) exhibits the advantage of a block region that is flexible and has a large liquid spreading area without impairing the wearability. I understand. On the other hand, in the diapers of Comparative Examples 1 and 3, although the flexible and liquid spreading area is large, the absorbent core is bent at the boundary between the block region and the non-block region. Has fallen. In the diaper of Comparative Example 2, since the block region is not formed in the absorbent core, the bending of the absorbent body and the wearability due to it do not occur, but the block region is not formed. The bending moment of the absorber has increased. Further, the liquid spreading area could not be increased.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Disposable diaper 20 Absorber 21 Top sheet 22 Absorbent core 23 Back sheet 234a High basis weight part 234b Low basis weight part 235 Block area 236 Non-block area 237A Abdominal side high basis weight part group 237B Dorsal side high basis weight part Group 237C Inseam high basis weight part group 24 Side flap 161 Leakproof wall elastic member 161A, 161B End 163 Side flap elastic member 163A, 163B End L Landing tape

Claims (5)

A top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a leak-proof wall extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged at positions on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the top sheet. And an absorbent article having side flaps extending outward in the width direction from both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the absorber,
The absorber has an absorbent core that includes a superabsorbent polymer;
The absorbent core has a block region and a non-block region located on the outer periphery of the block region,
The block area has a block structure composed of a plurality of high basis weight parts having a relatively high basis weight and a low basis weight part having a relatively low basis weight, and the periphery of each high basis weight part is its Surrounded by the low basis weight part over the entire area and individually independent,
A side flap elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged in an extended state on the side flap,
The absorbent article in which the block region extends outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the end portion where the side flap elastic member is disposed.   A leakproof wall elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction of the leakproof wall is disposed in an extended state at the free end of the leakproof wall, and the block region extends beyond the end of the leakproof wall elastic member. The absorbent article according to claim 1, which extends outward in the direction.   The block area has a convex shape in which the skin contact surface side is flat and the non-skin contact surface side protrudes toward the back sheet side and the back sheet side The absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2 which has said low basic weight part dented toward said surface sheet side.   4. The non-blocking region according to claim 1, wherein the width of the portion located at the end portion in the width direction is wider than the width of the portion located at the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core. Absorbent article according to item.   The absorbent article according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the absorbent core is formed with a layer of a single pulp on the most non-skin facing surface side.

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