JP2015112306A - Surface sheet of absorbent article, and absorbent article including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a surface sheet excellent in liquid absorbency and having high clarity of an embossment recess.SOLUTION: A surface sheet 10 has a plurality of partition areas 12 partitioned by embossment recesses 11, and has projections 13 more protruded than the embossment recesses 11 in the partition areas 12. The partition areas 12 are defined by causing a plurality of embossment recess lines 221 and 222 where the plurality of embossment recesses 11 are connected in a line at intervals to cross each other. Among the embossment recesses constituting the embossment recess lines 221 and 222, a part of the embossment recesses comprises a linear part of a straight line or curved line with a finite length, having two end points. Only the embossment recess constituting one embossment recess line is arranged in a virtual intersection K of virtual continuous lines L1 and L2 of the first and second embossment recess lines 221 and 222, and the embossment recess constituting the other embossment recess line is absent in the virtual intersection K.

Description

  The present invention relates to a surface sheet used for the skin facing surface of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads, and disposable diapers. Moreover, this invention relates to the absorbent article provided with this surface sheet.

  Attempts have been made to improve various characteristics of the surface sheet by forming a large number of convex portions on the skin facing surface of the surface sheet of the absorbent article. As one of means for forming a convex portion on a surface sheet, it has been proposed to use a fiber that is elongated by application of heat, that is, a heat-extensible fiber, as a constituent fiber of the surface sheet (Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference).

  In the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a web containing a heat-extensible fiber is embossed to form a large number of closed small sections, and the heat-extensible fibers existing in the small sections are heated. Is extended and raised, and the inside of the small section is raised to form a convex portion.

  In particular, in Patent Document 1, linear continuous embossed lines are arranged in a rhombus lattice pattern, and a convex portion is formed by the inside of a closed small section of the rhombus bulging in the thickness direction. The continuous embossed lines intersect so that the inner angle becomes an acute angle at the positions of the two opposing vertices of the rhombus. Due to this, in the vicinity of the acute angle portion, it is difficult to stand up due to the elongation of the heat-extensible fiber. Moreover, the excreted liquid may easily accumulate in the acute angle portion. Furthermore, due to the embossing being a continuous line, the excreted liquid may flow along the continuous embossing line on the surface sheet, and the liquid flow area will be increased.

  In patent document 2, the small compartment of the closed shape is divided by the embossing recessed part which consists of a line segment, and each embossing recessed part does not cross | intersect. In the portion where the embossed concave portions do not intersect, the elongation of the heat-extensible fiber is not inhibited, and thus the heat-stretched fiber rises in the portion. As a result, the excreted liquid easily spreads along the surface direction of the topsheet. In addition, the heat-extensible fiber that stands up in the portion where the embossed recesses do not intersect may conceal the embossed recess located in the vicinity thereof, and as a result, the clarity of the embossed recess is reduced. There is.

JP 2011-137262 A JP2012-239531A

  Therefore, the subject of this invention is providing the surface sheet of the absorbent article which can eliminate the fault which the prior art mentioned above has, and an absorbent article using the same.

The present invention consists of a nonwoven fabric containing heat-extensible fibers, and the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of partitioned regions partitioned by embossed recesses, and has an convex portion protruding from the embossed recesses in the partitioned region. A surface sheet of a functional article,
Each partition area is defined by a plurality of embossed recess rows intersecting in a row with a plurality of embossed recesses arranged at intervals,
Among the plurality of embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row, at least a part of the embossed recesses is composed of a finite-length straight or curved linear part having two end points,
Considering a virtual continuous line formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions constituting the embossed concave row, the embossed concave row includes a first embossed concave row extending in one direction and the one direction And a second embossed concave line extending in a direction different from the virtual continuous line,
At the virtual intersection of the virtual continuous lines of the first and second embossed recess rows, only the embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row among the first and second embossed recess rows are arranged, and at the virtual intersection Provides a top sheet of an absorbent article in which the embossed recesses constituting the other embossed recess array are absent.

Moreover, this invention has the some division area divided by the embossing recessed part, has the convex part which protrudes rather than this embossing recessed part in this division area, The surface of the absorbent article containing a heat | fever extensible fiber A sheet,
Each partition area is defined by a plurality of embossed recesses that are arranged in rows at intervals, and an embossed recess line that is continuous and has a discontinuous portion, and a continuous embossed continuous line intersects.
Among the plurality of embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row, at least a part of the embossed recesses is composed of a finite-length straight or curved linear part having two end points,
Considering a virtual continuous line formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions constituting the embossed concave row, only the embossed continuous line is present at the virtual intersection of the virtual continuous line and the embossed continuous line of the embossed concave row. The top sheet of the absorbent article is provided, in which the embossed recesses constituting the embossed recess array are absent at the virtual intersection.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the surface sheet of an absorptive article which has little liquid remaining amount, suppresses the spread of a liquid, has high clarity of an embossed crevice, and a good appearance impression, and an absorptive article provided with the same The

Fig.1 (a) and (b) are the perspective views which fracture | rupture and show the principal part of one Embodiment of the absorbent article of this invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the top sheet. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a pattern of embossed recesses formed on the top sheet. FIGS. 4A to 4C are plan views showing an arrangement pattern of embossed recess rows. 5A to 5C are plan views showing various patterns of embossed recesses formed on the top sheet. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another pattern of the embossed recesses formed on the top sheet. 7A and 7B are plan views showing still another pattern of the embossed recesses formed in the top sheet. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an apparatus suitably used for manufacturing the top sheet.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are partially broken perspective views showing a main part of an absorbent article 100 having a top sheet of the present invention. The absorbent article 100 is provided with the surface sheet 10 located in the surface side which opposes a wearer's skin at the time of the wear. The top sheet 10 has liquid permeability.

  Moreover, the absorbent article 100 is provided with the back surface sheet | seat (not shown) as a non-skin opposing surface which is a surface located in the side far from a wearer's skin at the time of the wear. An adhesive for fixing the napkin 100 to the wearer's shorts may be applied to the outer surface of the back sheet. The back sheet is liquid-impermeable or liquid-impermeable. The back sheet may have water vapor permeability. A liquid-retaining absorbent core 101 is disposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet. The absorbent body 101 is made of a stacked fiber body in which liquid-absorbing hydrophilic fibers such as fluff pulp are stacked. Or it consists of a pile of the mixture of this hydrophilic fiber and superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent body 101 may be in the form of a sheet in which a superabsorbent polymer is held between two thin papers.

  The absorbent core 101 is covered with a liquid-permeable covering sheet 102 on the surface facing the top sheet 10, the surface facing the back sheet and the side surface. And the absorber 103 is comprised by the absorptive core 101 and the coating sheet 102 which coat | covers it. As the covering sheet 102, for example, a thin paper manufactured from pulp or a non-woven fabric composed of synthetic resin fibers is used.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the sublayer sheet 104 is disposed on the surface facing the absorbent core 101 out of the two surfaces of the surface sheet 10 so as to be in contact with the surface sheet 10. . On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the sublayer sheet is not disposed on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent core 101, and the covering sheet 102 is in direct contact with the top sheet 10. ing. As described above, in any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the sheet in contact with the topsheet 10 is disposed on the surface of the topsheet 10 facing the absorbent core 101. .

  The absorbent article 100 generally has a vertically long shape having a longitudinal direction and a width direction perpendicular thereto. The absorbent article 100 may include members that enhance various performances of the absorbent article 100 in addition to the above-described members, depending on the specific application. For example, the absorbent article 100 may include a pair of leak-proof cuffs (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction at the left and right side portions in the width direction. The leak-proof cuff has one side edge extending in the longitudinal direction as a free edge and the other side edge as a fixed edge. An elastic body such as an elastic yarn may be fixed to the free edge in an extended state. The fixed edge can be fixed to the skin facing surface of the absorbent article 100. The leak-proof cuff functions as a weir that prevents the excreted liquid from leaking sideways by standing from the fixed edge toward the free edge.

  In the case where the absorbent article 100 is a menstrual blood absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a pair of pairs extending outward from the side edges in the width direction in the center region in the longitudinal direction of the article 100. You may provide the wing part (not shown). A wing part can be comprised from the extension part of the surface sheet 10 and / or a back surface sheet. Or it can comprise from the sheet | seat of a different material from the surface sheet 10 and a back surface sheet. For example, a wing part can be formed from the sheet | seat which comprises the leak-proof cuff mentioned above. An adhesive for fixing the wing to the crotch portion of the underwear may be applied to the back surface of the wing portion.

  When the absorbent article 100 is a urine or feces absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, an exterior sheet (not shown) can be disposed on the outer surface side of the back sheet. The exterior sheet has a shape that forms the outer edge of the absorbent article 100. A pair of fastening tapes for fixing the absorbent article 100 to the wearer's body can be disposed at one end along the longitudinal direction of the exterior sheet at positions on both sides in the width direction of the end. . Alternatively, a waist opening is formed by joining the width direction both side portions of one end portion along the longitudinal direction of the exterior sheet and the width direction both side portions of the other end portion to form a pair of side seal portions. And a pair of leg openings.

  Furthermore, the absorbent article 100 may have a leak-proof groove formed on the skin-facing surface by compacting the topsheet 10 and the absorbent body 103. For example, a pair of leak-proof grooves can be formed at positions on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent article 100 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. The leak-proof groove has a function as a flexible shaft that becomes a starting point of deformation of the absorbent article 100 when the absorbent article 100 is mounted, and also has a function of guiding the excreted liquid in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 100. . The pair of leakage preventing grooves may be connected to one end or both ends in the longitudinal direction. When both ends of the pair of leak-proof grooves are connected, the leak-proof grooves have a closed shape.

  As the material constituting the back sheet, the absorbent core 101, the covering sheet 102, the sublayer sheet 103, the leak-proof cuff, the wing portion, and the like, the same materials as those used so far in the technical field are particularly used. Can be used without limitation. Details of the top sheet 10 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the top sheet 10 in the napkin 100. As shown in the figure, the top sheet 10 is made of a nonwoven fabric having a single-layer structure, and has a plurality of embossed recesses 11 formed by heat-sealing constituent fibers. The topsheet 10 is partitioned into a plurality of partition regions 12 by forming the plurality of embossed recesses 11. The partition region 12 is surrounded by a plurality of embossed recesses 11. The topsheet 10 has a convex portion 13 that is raised above the embossed concave portion 11 in the partition region 12. One convex portion 13 is located in one partition region 12. The topsheet 10 is disposed on the absorbent article 100 so that the convex portion 13 faces the wearer's skin.

  The embossed recess 11 is formed from one surface side of the topsheet 10 by hot embossing that presses the convex portion of the embossing device under heating. And the convex part 13 protrudes in the surface side by which heat embossing was carried out. The other surface of the top sheet 10, that is, the surface opposite to the surface on which the heat embossing has been performed, is generally flat.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a main part of the embossed recess 11 formed in the nonwoven fabric constituting the top sheet 10. In FIG. 3, the vertical direction of the paper surface coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 100, and the left-right direction of the paper surface coincides with the width direction of the absorbent article 100. As shown in the figure, each embossed recess 11 has a vertically long shape having a length and a width. Each embossed recess 11 is composed of a straight line segment. The line segment referred to here is an elongated figure of a finite length that connects two end points. The geometric line segment does not have a width, but the line segment referred to in this specification has a width. Moreover, although the geometrical line segment is a straight line, the line segment referred to in the present invention is not limited to a straight line but includes a curved line. Therefore, in this specification, a linear portion of a finite length straight line or curve having two end points may be referred to as a “line segment” for convenience of explanation. It is preferable that the length of the embossed recess 11 made of a linear portion is approximately 2 to 20 times, particularly 3 to 10 times the width. Moreover, although the length of the embossing recessed part 11 is based on the specific use of the absorbent article 100, it is generally 2 mm or more and 20 mm or less, It is preferable that it is especially 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The width of the embossed recess 11 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, particularly 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, provided that the ratio of length to width is within the above range. Although the width of the embossed recess 11 is equal along the longitudinal direction in FIG. 3, the width of the embossed recess 11 may change depending on the case when viewed along the longitudinal direction.

  The embossed recess 11 has a first embossed recess row 221 and a second embossed recess row 222, a plurality of which are arranged in rows at intervals. The plurality of first embossed recess rows 221 extend linearly in one direction in parallel to each other. On the other hand, as for the 2nd embossed recessed part row | line | column 222, the some stripe | line extends in a straight line toward one direction in parallel with each other, The extending direction differs from the extending direction of the 1st embossed recessed part row | line 221. Therefore, the first embossed recess row 221 and the second embossed recess row 222 intersect each other. Moreover, the 1st embossing recessed part row | line 221 and the 2nd embossing recessed part row | line | column 222 also cross | intersect the longitudinal direction of an absorbent article.

  The first embossed recess row 221 includes a plurality of first embossed recesses 21. Each first embossed recess 21 has the same shape. On the other hand, the second embossed recess row 222 includes a plurality of second embossed recesses 22. Each second embossed recess 22 has the same shape. Further, the first embossed recess 21 and the second embossed recess 21 have the same shape. Each of the first embossed recess 21 and the second embossed recess 22 is composed of a straight linear portion. Accordingly, the embossed recesses 21 and 22 constituting the embossed recess rows 221 and 222 are all formed by straight linear portions. Further, the lengths of the embossed recesses 21 and 22 made of straight linear portions are all equal.

  When the first virtual continuous line L1 formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions 21 constituting the first embossed concave portion row 221 is considered, the first virtual continuous line L1 is a straight line. Similarly, when the second virtual continuous line L2 formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions 22 constituting the second embossed concave portion row 222 is considered, the second virtual continuous line L2 is also a straight line. The first virtual continuous line L1 and the second virtual continuous line L2 extend so as to intersect with a rhombus lattice. Therefore, the partition region 12 partitioned by the embossed recesses 21 and 22 has a diamond shape. The central area of this rhombus-shaped partition area, that is, the intersection of the two diagonal lines of the rhombus and the area in the vicinity thereof correspond to the top of the convex portion 13.

  In each embossed recess 21 constituting the first embossed recess row 221, adjacent embossed recesses 21 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance when viewed along the direction in which the first virtual continuous line L1 extends. The same applies to the second embossed recess row 222. In each embossed recess 22, when viewed along the direction in which the second virtual continuous line L2 extends, adjacent embossed recesses 22 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, when considered in the first embossed recess line 221, the distance between adjacent embossed recesses 21 when viewed along the direction in which the first virtual continuous line L <b> 1 extends is a distance. A1 is separated. When the length of the 1st embossing recessed part 21 at this time is set to B1, it is preferable that the value of B1 / A1 is 1 or more. The present inventor found for the first time that the clarity of the first embossed recess 21 is improved. Although not shown in the drawing, the same applies to the second embossed concave portion row 222, where the distance between adjacent embossed concave portions 22 is A2, and the length of the second embossed concave portion 22 at this time is B2, the value of B2 / A2 Is preferably 1 or more. In addition, although distance A1 in the 1st embossing recessed part row | line 221 and distance A2 in the 2nd embossing recessed part row | line 22 may be equal or different, from a viewpoint of arrange | positioning the embossing recessed parts 21 and 22 regularly. Are preferably equal to A1 and A2. A1 and A2 are independently from each other 0.5 mm or more, particularly 1.0 mm or more, preferably 5.0 mm or less, particularly 3.0 mm or less.

  In the present embodiment, the first virtual continuous line L1 of the plurality of first recess rows 221 and the second virtual continuous line L2 of the plurality of second recess rows 222 intersect to form a rhombic partition region. Has been. The four vertices of the rhombus coincide with the positions of the virtual intersections K1 to K4 of the first and second virtual continuous lines L1 and L2, as shown in FIG. Focusing on these four virtual intersections K1 to K4, among them, the virtual intersections K1 and K3 are the first embossing that constitutes the first embossed recess row 221 out of the first and second embossed recess rows 221 and 222. Only the recess 21 is arranged. And the 2nd embossing recessed part 22 which comprises the 2nd embossing recessed part row | line | column 222 does not exist in the position of these virtual intersections K1 and K3. On the other hand, for the virtual intersections K2 and K4, only the second embossed recess 22 constituting the second embossed recess array 222 among the first and second embossed recess arrays 221 and 222 is disposed. And the 1st embossing recessed part 21 which comprises the 1st embossing recessed part row | line | column 221 does not exist in the position of these virtual intersections K2 and K4. Thus, at the virtual intersections K to K4 of the two virtual continuous lines L1 and L2 extending in different directions, the embossing that constitutes one of the first and second embossed recess rows 221 and 222 is formed. Only the concave portions are arranged, and the embossed concave portions constituting the other embossed concave portion row are not present at the virtual intersections K to K4. By arranging the embossed recesses 21 and 22 in this way, according to the present embodiment, two types of embossed recesses 21 and 22 extending in different directions are formed to overlap at the virtual intersections K1 to K4. Therefore, the excreted liquid is difficult to collect at the virtual intersections K1 to K4. Moreover, the excreted liquid is difficult to flow along the embossed recesses 21 and 22. In addition, since one embossed recess is always present at the virtual intersections K1 to K4, it is possible to inhibit the standing by the elongation of the thermally stretched fiber. As a result, the embossed recesses located in the vicinity of the virtual intersections K1 to K4 are not easily concealed, and the clarity of the embossed recesses can be maintained.

  5A to 5C show another form of the embossed recess. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, two embossed recess rows 221, 222 intersecting with each other extend linearly. Moreover, all the embossing recessed parts which comprise an embossing recessed part row | line | column consist of a linear linear part, and all the lengths of the embossing recessed part which consists of a linear linear part are equal. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in the positions of the embossed recesses at the virtual intersections K1 to K4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row is located at virtual intersections K1 to K4. On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 (a), one end point of two end points of the longitudinal direction in the embossed concave portion constituting one embossed concave portion row, that is, two linear linear portions, Located at virtual intersections K1-K4.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, two intersecting embossed recess rows 221 and 222 extend linearly. Moreover, all the embossing recessed parts which comprise an embossing recessed part row | line | column consist of a linear linear part. And the embossing recessed part is comprised from the linear linear part of 2 or more types from which length differs. More specifically, the first embossed recess row 221 includes a long line segment first embossed recess portion 21a having a relatively long straight line portion and a short line segment having a relatively short straight line portion. 1 embossed recess 21b. The long line segment first embossed recesses 21a and the short line segment first embossed recesses 21b are alternately arranged. On the other hand, the second embossed recess row 222 includes a long line segment second embossed recess 22a having a relatively long straight line portion and a short line segment second emboss having a relatively short straight line portion. It is comprised from the recessed part 22b. The long line segment second embossed recesses 22a and the short line segment second embossed recesses 22b are alternately arranged. Short line segment first embossed recesses 21b and short line segment second embossed recesses 22b are arranged at virtual intersections K1 to K4. The virtual intersections K1 to K4 are located at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the short line segment first embossed recess 21b and the short line segment second embossed recess 22b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the distance between the adjacent long line segment first embossed recess 21a and the short line segment first embossed recess 21b is A, which is short, as shown in FIG. The value of B / A is preferably 1 or more, where B is the length of the first embossed recess 21b of the short line segment that is the straight linear portion of the other side. The same applies to the second embossed recess row 222.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, two intersecting embossed recess rows 221 and 222 extend linearly. Each of the embossed recess rows 221 and 222 includes an embossed recess formed of a linear line portion and a dot-shaped embossed recess. Specifically, the first embossed recess row 221 is composed of a first embossed recess 21c made of a linear line portion and a first embossed recess 21d made of a dot. The first embossed recesses 21c and the first embossed recesses 21d are alternately arranged. On the other hand, the 2nd embossed recessed part row | line | column 222 is comprised from the 2nd embossed recessed part 22c which consists of a linear linear part, and the 2nd embossed recessed part 22d which consists of dots. The second embossed recesses 22c and the second embossed recesses 22d are alternately arranged. As apparent from FIG. 5C, the dot-like embossed recess is shared by the first embossed part row 221 and the second embossed part row 222. That is, the first embossed recess 21d is the second embossed recess 22d, and vice versa. A first embossed recess 21d and a second embossed recess 22d, which are dot-like embossed recesses, are disposed at the virtual intersections K1 to K4. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4C, regarding the first embossed recess row 221, the distance between the adjacent first embossed recesses 21c and the first embossed recesses 21d is A, and the smaller embossed recesses When the length (diameter) of the first embossed recess 21d is B, the value of B / A is preferably 1 or more. The same applies to the second embossed recess row 222.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, unlike the embodiments described so far, the two embossed recess rows 221 and 222 both extend in a sine wave shape. And it has the virtual intersection of the virtual continuous line of the two embossed recessed part rows 221, 222 in a plurality of places. The embossed recesses 21 and 22 constituting each embossed recess row 221 and 222 have the same length. The length referred to here is the length along the curved shape of the embossed recesses 21 and 22, and is not the linear distance between the two end points in the embossed recesses 21 and 22 formed of the linear portions of the curve. Moreover, in the 1st embossed recessed part row | line | column 221, the distance between the embossed recessed parts 21 adjacent along a virtual continuation line is the same at any position. The same applies to the second embossed recess row 222.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, only the second embossed recess 22 constituting the second embossed recess row 222 is located at the virtual intersection K of the virtual continuous lines of the two embossed recess rows 221 and 222. Instead of the above, according to the position of the virtual intersection K, any one of the first embossed recess 21 and the second embossed recess 22 may be arbitrarily selected as the embossed recess positioned there. In addition, the second embossed recess 22 located at the virtual intersection K has a virtual intersection K at a substantially central portion of the length along the direction in which the virtual continuous line extends. As shown to Fig.5 (a), you may have the virtual intersection K at the edge part of an embossing recessed part. Moreover, all the embossing recessed parts 21 which comprise the embossed recessed part row | line 221 are comprised from the linear part of the curve. Instead of this, as shown in FIG. 5C, the embossed recess array 221 may be composed of an embossed recess formed of a curved linear portion and a dot-shaped embossed recess. In addition, the lengths of the embossed recesses 21 made of curved linear portions are all equal. Instead of this, as shown in FIG. 5B, the embossed recess array 221 can also be configured by an embossed recess composed of two or more types of curved linear portions having different lengths.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, each partition region 12 does not have a discontinuous portion and an embossed recess row 111 in which a plurality of embossed recesses 11 are arranged in a row at intervals. It is defined by intersecting continuous emboss continuous lines 112. The plurality of embossed recesses 11 constituting one embossed recess array 111 is composed of straight or curved linear portions. When a virtual continuous line formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions 11 constituting the embossed concave row 111 is considered, the virtual intersection K between the virtual continuous line of the embossed concave row 111 and the embossed continuous line 112 is Only the embossed continuous line 112 is arranged. At the virtual intersection K, there is no embossed recess 11 constituting the embossed recess array 111.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the intersecting embossed recess rows 111 and the embossed continuous line 112 both extend linearly. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, both the embossed concave line 111 and the embossed continuous line 112 extend in a sine wave shape, and the virtual continuous line of the embossed concave line 111 and the embossed continuous line 112 are virtual at a plurality of locations. Has an intersection. In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, all the embossed recesses 11 constituting the embossed recess array 111 are composed of linear portions. Instead of this, as shown in FIG. 5C, the embossed recess array 111 may be composed of an embossed recess formed of a linear portion and a dot-shaped embossed recess. In addition, the lengths of the embossed recesses 11 made of linear portions are all equal. Instead, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the embossed recess array 111 can be formed of embossed recesses composed of two or more types of linear portions having different lengths.

  The surface sheet of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 also has a small liquid return amount, suppresses the spread of the liquid, has high clarity of the embossed recess, and has an appearance impression as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Will be good.

  From the viewpoint of further increasing the clarity of the embossed recess, it is advantageous to color the sheet that is located on the lower side of the top sheet 10 and that is in contact with the top sheet 10. For example, the sublayer sheet 104 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A and the covering sheet 102 in the embodiment shown in FIG. By providing a colored layer in contact with the topsheet 10 below the topsheet 10, the difference in appearance between the embossed recess and the non-embossed portion becomes large, and the embossed recess can be clearly seen. The reason for this is that the embossed recess has a thermoplastic resin in a film state or a state close thereto by hot embossing, and as a result, has a higher light transmittance than a non-embossed portion. When the light transmittance is high, the colored layer located on the lower side of the part is more transparent than the non-embossed part.

  Coloring of the colored layer is preferable from the viewpoint of increasing the clarity of the embossed recess as the density increases. On the other hand, the surface sheet 10 side of the absorbent article 100 may appear to be dirty, which may cause discomfort to the user. As a result of the study by the present inventors from this point of view, it has been found that by making the color of the colored layer light blue, the user is not uncomfortable and the clarity of the embossed recess is improved. Specifically, the colored layer preferably has a CIELAB L * value of 50 or more, particularly 60 or more, and preferably 80 or less, particularly 75 or less. The b * value is preferably 10 or less, particularly preferably 0 or less, more preferably −30 or more, and particularly preferably −20 or more. There is no particular limitation on the a * value. The L * value and the b * value can be measured with a simple spectral color difference meter NF333 manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.

  In order to color the sublayer sheet 104 or the covering sheet 102 in the above-described color, for example, in the case of a sheet made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric such as the sublayer sheet 104, a colorant is added to the resin and kneaded. What is necessary is just to manufacture a nonwoven fabric using the fiber colored by (1) as a raw material. When the sheet is made of thin paper containing hydrophilic fibers, such as the covering sheet 102, a colored dye may be added at the time of paper making to color the hydrophilic fibers to make the colored paper. If a printing method is used, it can be colored regardless of whether it is a nonwoven fabric or a thin paper.

  The surface sheet 10 includes heat-extensible fibers as its constituent fibers. The heat-extensible fiber is preferably a heat-fusible fiber. The heat-fusible fiber as the heat-extensible fiber is preferably a composite fiber composed of a heat-fusible component and a high-melting-point component having a higher melting point than the heat-fusible component. More preferably, a core-sheath type composite fiber having a heat fusion component as a sheath and a high melting point component as a core is used. The heat fusion component and the high melting point component are preferably thermoplastic resins. Examples of the heat fusion component include polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene-1, polypentene-1, or a random or block copolymer thereof. Examples of the high melting point component include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides such as nylon-6 and nylon-66, and the like. Preferred combinations of the heat fusion component and the high melting point component include polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene and polypropylene, low melting point polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene and polybutylene terephthalate, etc., but are not limited thereto. Absent. The core-sheath type composite fiber may be a concentric type, an eccentric type, or a fiber having a core component exposed on a part of the entire circumference of the fiber.

  When the heat-extensible fiber is a heat-extensible composite fiber, the fiber includes a first resin component made of a high-melting resin and a second resin component made of a low-melting resin having a melting point lower than the melting point of the first resin component. It is preferable that the second resin component has at least a part of the fiber surface continuously in the length direction. The heat-extensible conjugate fiber is a fiber whose length is extended by heating, and is preferably a fiber that is elongated by application of heat of 90 ° C. or more, more preferably 110 ° C. to 140 ° C. When the surface sheet 10 is manufactured, unevenness having a large undulation can be formed on the surface sheet 10 by stretching the heat-extensible conjugate fiber. Therefore, after completion as the top sheet 10, many of them are in an expanded state. In some cases, it may be further stretchable by the application of additional heat. In the following description, when referring to a heat-extensible fiber, there are a case where it means a heat-extensible fiber before extension and a case where it means a heat-extensible fiber in an extended state, depending on the context.

  As the heat-extensible composite fiber, for example, there is a fiber in which the crystalline state of the resin is changed by heating or stretched, or a fiber that has been crimped and whose crimped length is released and the apparent length is elongated. Can be mentioned. As the heat-extensible composite fiber, it is 10 to 30 ° C. higher than the softening point of the heat-fusible component and 10 ° C. lower than the melting point. And is preferable from the viewpoint of remarkably forming an uneven shape. Preferable examples of the heat-extensible conjugate fiber are described in paragraphs [0024] to [0040] of JP-A-2005-350836.

  The elongation ratio of the heat-extensible composite fiber is measured by the following method. A thermomechanical analyzer TMA / SS6000 manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc. is used. As a sample, after preparing a plurality of fibers having a fiber length of 10 mm or more so that the total weight per 10 mm of the fiber length is 0.5 mg, and arranging the plurality of fibers in parallel, The chuck is mounted at a distance of 10 mm, the measurement start temperature is 25 ° C., and the temperature is increased at a temperature increase rate of 5 ° C./min with a constant load of 0.73 mN / dtex applied. The amount of elongation of the fiber at that time is measured, and in the case of a resin having no melting point at a temperature 10 ° C. higher than the melting point of the second resin component, the elongation amount Xmm at a temperature 10 ° C. higher than the softening point is read. Then, the expansion rate is calculated from (X / 10) × 100 [%].

  A preferred method for manufacturing the topsheet 10 of each embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIG. First, the web 20 which becomes the original fabric of the surface sheet 10 is produced using a predetermined web forming means (not shown). The web 20 includes a heat-extensible composite fiber or is made of a heat-extensible composite fiber. Examples of the web forming means include (a) a card method in which short fibers are opened using a card machine, and (b) a method in which melt-spun continuous filaments are directly pulled by air soccer and deposited on a net (spunbond). And (c) a known method such as a method (air array method) in which short fibers are transported in an air stream and deposited on a net.

  Then, the web 20 is introduced into the heat embossing device 51. Then, heat embossing is performed on the web 20 in the heat embossing device 51. The heat embossing device 51 includes a pair of rolls 52 and 53. The roll 52 is a smooth roll having a smooth peripheral surface. On the other hand, the roll 53 is an engraving roll in which convex portions corresponding to the various embossed concave portions 11 described above are formed on the peripheral surface thereof. Each of the rolls 52 and 53 can be heated to a predetermined temperature.

  The heat embossing is performed at a temperature at which the heat-fusible component of the heat-extensible composite fiber in the web 20 is melted. The processing temperature of the heat embossing is preferably performed at a temperature that is equal to or higher than the melting point of the heat-fusible component of the heat-extensible composite fiber in the web 20 and lower than the melting point of the high-melting point component. Moreover, it is preferable to carry out at the temperature below the elongation start temperature of a heat | fever extensible fiber.

  The nonwoven fabric 54 which has the embossed recessed part 11 is obtained by heat embossing. Subsequently, the nonwoven fabric 54 is conveyed to the hot air spraying device 55. In the hot air spraying device 55, the nonwoven fabric 54 is subjected to air-through processing. The hot air blowing device 55 is configured such that hot air heated to a predetermined temperature penetrates the nonwoven fabric 54. The air-through process is performed at a temperature at which the heat-extensible composite fiber in the nonwoven fabric 54 is elongated by heating. And it is performed at the temperature at which the intersection of the heat-extensible composite fibers in a free state existing in the portion other than the embossed recess 11 in the nonwoven fabric 54 is heat-sealed. However, it is preferable that the temperature be lower than the melting point of the high-melting component of the heat-extensible composite fiber.

By such an air-through process, the heat-extensible conjugate fiber contained in the nonwoven fabric 54 is extended at a portion other than the embossed recess 11. Since a part of the thermally stretchable conjugate fiber is fixed by the embossed recesses 11, it is the portion between the embossed recesses 11 that extends. Since a part of the heat-extensible composite fiber is fixed by the embossed recess 11, the stretched part of the stretched heat-extensible composite fiber loses its place in the plane direction of the nonwoven fabric 54, and hot air is blown during air-through processing. The heat stretchable conjugate fiber on the side moves in the thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric 54. That is, the heat-extensible composite fiber stands up. As a result, a convex portion 13 having a top at a substantially central portion of the partition region 12 surrounded by the embossed concave portion 11 is formed. Further, the intersections of the heat-extensible composite fibers existing between the embossed concave portions 11 are joined by heat fusion by air-through processing, and the fiber joining points are formed in a three-dimensionally dispersed state on the convex portions 13. Thus, the target surface sheet 10 is obtained.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the preferable embodiment, this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to various conventionally known absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads, disposable diapers and the like.

  Moreover, although the surface sheet in the said embodiment was comprised from the nonwoven fabric of the single layer, it may replace with this and may comprise a surface sheet from the laminated body of a 2 or more layer nonwoven fabric or web.

In relation to the above-described embodiment, the present invention further discloses the following surface sheets of absorbent articles and absorbent articles.
<1>
The surface of the absorbent article which consists of the nonwoven fabric containing a heat | fever extensible fiber, this nonwoven fabric has the some division area divided by the embossing recessed part, and has the convex part which protrudes rather than this embossing recessed part in this division area A sheet,
Each partition area is defined by a plurality of embossed recess rows intersecting in a row with a plurality of embossed recesses arranged at intervals,
Among the plurality of embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row, at least a part of the embossed recesses is composed of a finite-length straight or curved linear part having two end points,
Considering a virtual continuous line formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions constituting the embossed concave row, the embossed concave row includes a first embossed concave row extending in one direction and the one direction And a second embossed concave line extending in a direction different from the virtual continuous line,
At the virtual intersection of the virtual continuous lines of the first and second embossed recess rows, only the embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row among the first and second embossed recess rows are arranged, and at the virtual intersection Is a surface sheet of an absorbent article in which the embossed recesses constituting the other embossed recess array are absent.

<2>
The first embossed recess array is composed of a plurality of first embossed recesses, and each first embossed recess has the same shape,
The 2nd embossed crevice row is constituted from a plurality of 2nd embossed crevice, and each 2nd embossed crevice is the surface sheet of an absorptive article given in the above <1> which has the same shape.
<3>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to <2>, wherein the first embossed recess and the second emboss have the same shape.
<4>
The first embossed concave portion and the second embossed concave portion are composed of the straight linear portions,
The first and second embossed recesses constituting the first and second embossed recess rows are all composed of the linear portions,
The top sheet of the absorbent article according to <2> or <3>, wherein the first and second embossed concave portions formed of the linear portions are all equal in length.
<5>
In each first embossed recess constituting the first embossed recess row, adjacent embossed recesses are separated by a predetermined distance when viewed along the direction in which the first virtual continuous line extends,
In each of the second embossed recesses constituting the second embossed recess line, the adjacent embossed recesses are separated from each other by a predetermined distance when viewed along the direction in which the second virtual continuous line extends. 4> The surface sheet of the absorbent article according to any one of 4>.
<6>
Adjacent first embossed recesses are separated by a distance A1,
When the length of the first embossed recess is B1, the top sheet of the absorbent article according to <5>, wherein the value of B1 / A1 is 1 or more.

<7>
Adjacent first embossed recesses are separated by a distance A1,
Adjacent second embossed recesses are separated by a distance A2,
A1 and A2 are each independently 0.5 mm or more, preferably 1.0 mm or more, and preferably 5.0 mm or less, particularly preferably 3.0 mm or less, according to the above <5> or <6> A surface sheet of an article.
<8>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the embossed concave portion constituting one embossed concave row is located at a virtual intersection.
<9>
<1> to <7> in which one end point of two end points of the linear portion, which is an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the embossed recess portion constituting one embossed recess row, is located at a virtual intersection. The surface sheet of the absorbent article according to any one of the above.
<10>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein two intersecting embossed recess rows extend linearly.
<11>
A surface sheet of an absorbent article having a plurality of partitioned regions partitioned by embossed recesses, having convex portions protruding from the embossed recesses in the partitioned regions, and comprising heat-extensible fibers,
Each partition area is defined by a plurality of embossed recesses that are arranged in rows at intervals, and an embossed recess line that is continuous and has a discontinuous portion, and a continuous embossed continuous line intersects.
Among the plurality of embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row, at least a part of the embossed recesses is composed of a finite-length straight or curved linear part having two end points,
Considering a virtual continuous line formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions constituting the embossed concave row, only the embossed continuous line is present at the virtual intersection of the virtual continuous line and the embossed continuous line of the embossed concave row. A top sheet of an absorbent article that is disposed and has no embossed recesses forming an embossed recess array at the virtual intersection.

<12>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to the above <11>, wherein the embossed recess rows intersecting with each other and the embossed continuous line extend linearly.
<13>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <12>, wherein all of the embossed recesses constituting the embossed recess array are formed of the linear portions.
<14>
The embossed recess formed of the linear portion has a length of approximately 2 to 20 times, particularly 3 to 10 times the width, and any one of the above <1> to <13> The surface sheet of the absorbent article as described.
<15>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <14>, wherein the embossed recess has a length of 2 mm to 20 mm, particularly 3 mm to 10 mm.
<16>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <15>, wherein the embossed recess has a width of 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm, particularly 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

<17>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <16>, wherein the lengths of the embossed concave portions formed of the linear portions are all equal.
<18>
The embossed recesses constituting the embossed recess row are all composed of the linear portions,
The embossed recess is a top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <16>, wherein the embossed recess is composed of two or more types of linear portions having different lengths.
<19>
The embossed recess array is composed of a long first segment embossed recess with a relatively long linear portion and a shorter first segment embossed recess with a relatively short linear portion. Has been
The long line segment first embossed recesses and the short line segment first embossed recesses are alternately arranged,
When the distance between adjacent long line segment first embossed recesses and short line segment first embossed recesses is A and the length of the short line segment first embossed recess 21b is B, the value of B / A is 1 or more. The surface sheet of the absorbent article according to <18>.
<20>
Two intersecting embossed concave rows extend in a straight line,
The embossed recess array is a top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of the above items <1> to <19>, which includes an embossed recess made of the linear portion and a dot-like embossed recess.
<21>
The surface sheet of an absorbent article according to the above <20>, wherein a dot-like embossed recess is disposed at a virtual intersection.

<22>
The value of B / A is 1 or more, where A is the distance between the embossed recess made of the linear portion and the dot-like embossed recess, and B is the length (diameter) of the dot-like embossed recess. The surface sheet of the absorbent article according to <20> or <21>.
<23>
The top sheet of an absorbent article according to <1> or <11>, wherein both the first and second embossed recess rows extend in a sinusoidal shape.
<24>
It has the surface sheet as described in any one of said <1> thru | or <23> in the surface side which opposes a wearer's skin, and this surface sheet is arrange | positioned so that the said convex part may oppose a wearer's skin. Absorbent articles that have been.
<25>
The absorbent article according to <24>, wherein a colored layer is disposed on the surface facing the absorbent core in the surface sheet so as to be in contact with the surface sheet.
<26>
The colored layer is the absorbent article according to <25>, wherein the CIELAB L * value is 50 or more and the b * value is 10 or less.

<27>
The colored layer has an L * value of CIELAB of 50 or more, particularly preferably 60 or more, and preferably 80 or less, particularly preferably 75 or less, according to <25> or <26>.
<28>
The colored layer has a CIELAB b * value of 10 or less, particularly preferably 0 or less, and preferably −30 or more, particularly preferably −20 or more, according to any one of the above items <25> to <27>. Absorbent article.
<29>
The absorbent article according to any one of <25> to <28>, wherein the colored layer is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric.
<30>
The absorbent article according to any one of <25> to <29>, wherein the colored layer is made of thin paper containing hydrophilic fibers.

   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 core-sheath type composite fiber (core is polypropylene and sheath is polyethylene) having a fineness of 4 dtex and an elongation rate of 8% was used as the heat-extensible fiber. This core-sheath type composite fiber was passed through a card machine to form a web. The basis weight of this web was 25 g / m ² . This web was introduced into a heat embossing device 51 shown in FIG. 8 to obtain a nonwoven fabric in which embossed recesses were formed in the pattern shown in Table 1 below (pattern shown in FIG. 3). As for the shape of the embossed recess, the length B of the embossed recess composed of straight linear portions was 3.0 mm, the width was 0.6 mm, and the interval A between adjacent embossed recesses was 1.0 mm. The crossing angle between the first embossed portion row and the second embossed portion row was 30 degrees. The nonwoven fabric was conveyed to a hot air spraying device 55 and subjected to an air through process of blowing hot air at 136 ° C. to obtain a surface sheet.

A sanitary napkin having a structure shown in FIG. 1 was produced using the obtained surface sheet. As the sublayer sheet 104 in the figure, an air-through nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 25 g / m ^{2 made} of polyester / polyethylene composite fiber was used. The air-through nonwoven fabric was hydrophilized with a surfactant to make it liquid permeable. Table 1 shows the results of measuring the L * value and b * value of the nonwoven fabric by the method described above.

[Examples 2 and 3]
The sub-layer sheet 104 was a colored air-through nonwoven fabric. The air-through nonwoven fabric was colored as shown in Table 1 by spraying a liquid in which a colorant and a binder were dispersed in water onto the nonwoven fabric by spraying. A sanitary napkin was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

Example 4
The pattern shown in FIG.5 (b) was employ | adopted as the embossing pattern of a surface sheet. The length of the long line segment first and second embossed recesses was 3.0 mm, and the width was 0.6 mm. The length B of the short line segment first and second embossed recesses was 1.5 mm, and the width was 0.6 mm. The distance A between adjacent long line segment embossed concave portions and short line segment embossed concave portions was 1.0 mm. The crossing angle between the first embossed portion row and the second embossed portion row was 30 degrees. A sanitary napkin was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

Example 5
The pattern shown in FIG.5 (c) was employ | adopted as the embossing pattern of a surface sheet. The length of the embossed recess composed of straight linear portions was 3.0 mm, and the width was 0.6 mm. The diameter B of the embossed recess made of dots was 1.0 mm. A distance A between an embossed concave portion made of adjacent linear linear portions and an embossed concave portion made of dots was 1.0 mm. The crossing angle between the first embossed portion row and the second embossed portion row was 30 degrees. A sanitary napkin was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

Example 6
The pattern shown in FIG. 7A was adopted as the emboss pattern of the top sheet. The length of the embossed recess composed of straight linear portions was 4.0 mm, and the width was 0.6 mm. The width | variety of the continuous embossing recessed part which does not have a discontinuous location was 0.6 mm. The distance between the embossed recesses formed by adjacent linear portions was 2.0 mm. The crossing angle between the first embossed portion row and the second embossed continuous line was 30 degrees. A sanitary napkin was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[Comparative Example 1]
The pattern shown in Table 1 was employ | adopted as an embossing pattern of a surface sheet. The width of the embossed recess was 1.0 mm. The crossing angle of the embossed part was 30 degrees. A sanitary napkin was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[Comparative Example 2]
The pattern shown in Table 1 was employ | adopted as an embossing pattern of a surface sheet. As for the shape of the embossed recess, the length of one diagonal line in the rhombus lattice was 10 mm, and the length of the other diagonal line was 7 mm. No embossed recess was formed in a circle having a radius of 2 mm from each apex of the rhombus. The width of the embossed recess was 0.6 mm. A sanitary napkin was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[Evaluation]
The sanitary napkins obtained in the examples and comparative examples were evaluated for the clarity of the embossed recesses and the little color discomfort seen from the top sheet side by the following methods. Further, the remaining amount of liquid and the spread area of the liquid were evaluated by the following methods. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Clarity of embossed recess and little discomfort of color]
Five panelists were allowed to visually observe the surface sheet of the sanitary napkin to determine the clarity of the embossed recesses. Apart from this, it was judged that there was little color discomfort. Points were given to each napkin, with 3 points when judged good, 2 points when judged slightly good, and 1 point when judged bad. The points were averaged and scored according to the following evaluation criteria based on the average value.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
3.0: Score 5
2.5 or more and less than 3.0: Score 4
2.0 or more and less than 2.5: Rating 3
1.5 or more and less than 2.0: Rating 2
1.0 or more and less than 1.5: Rating 1

[Liquid remaining amount]
Only a surface sheet was removed from a commercially available sanitary napkin (trade name “Laurie Speed + Slim Guard” manufactured in 2013) manufactured by Kao Corporation to obtain a napkin absorbent body. Separately from this, the nonwoven fabric to be measured was cut into MD120 mm × CD60 mm to produce cut pieces. 1 so that the back surface of the non-woven fabric 10 in FIG. 1 faces the napkin absorbent body at a location where the top sheet exists in the napkin absorbent body (on the skin contact surface of the napkin absorbent body). Bonded and fixed with an adhesive. In addition, when a colored sublayer was used, the napkin sublayer was replaced with a colored one and bonded and fixed. This obtained the sanitary napkin which used the nonwoven fabric of a measuring object as a surface sheet. Next, on the surface of the obtained sanitary napkin, an acrylic plate having a cylindrical transmission hole having a diameter of 10 mm was overlapped, and a constant load of 100 Pa was applied to the napkin. Under such a load, 3.0 g of defibrinated horse blood was poured from the permeation hole of the acrylic plate. Three minutes after pouring the horse blood, 3.0 g of defibrinated horse blood was further poured. Three minutes after pouring the horse blood, 3.0 g of defibrinated horse blood was further poured. The acrylic plate was removed 60 seconds after a total of 9.0 g of horse blood was poured. Next, the weight (W2) of the nonwoven fabric was measured, and the difference (W2−W1) from the weight (W1) of the nonwoven fabric before pouring horse blood, which had been measured in advance, was calculated. The above operation was performed three times, and the value obtained by rounding off the average value of the three rounds to the first decimal place was defined as the remaining liquid amount (mg). The liquid remaining amount is an index of how much the wearer's skin gets wet. The smaller the liquid remaining amount, the higher the evaluation. A score was assigned according to the following evaluation criteria based on the remaining amount of the liquid.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
135mg or less: Rating 5
Over 135mg and below 140mg: Score 4
Over 140 mg and 145 mg or less: Score 3
Over 145 mg and below 150 mg: Score 2
Over 150mg: Score 1

[Liquid spreading area]
Only a surface sheet was removed from a commercially available sanitary napkin (trade name “Laurie Speed + Slim Guard” manufactured in 2013) manufactured by Kao Corporation to obtain a napkin absorbent body. Separately from this, the nonwoven fabric to be measured was cut into MD120 mm × CD60 mm to produce cut pieces. 1 so that the back surface of the non-woven fabric 10 in FIG. 1 faces the napkin absorbent body at a location where the top sheet exists in the napkin absorbent body (on the skin contact surface of the napkin absorbent body). Bonded and fixed with an adhesive. When using a colored sublayer, the napkin sublayer was replaced with a colored one and bonded and fixed. This obtained the sanitary napkin which used the nonwoven fabric of a measuring object as a surface sheet. Next, on the surface of the obtained sanitary napkin, an acrylic plate having a cylindrical transmission hole having a diameter of 10 mm was overlapped, and a constant load of 100 Pa was applied to the napkin. Under such a load, 3.0 g of defibrinated horse blood was poured from the permeation hole of the acrylic plate. 120 seconds after pouring the horse blood, 3.0 g of defibrinated horse blood was further poured. The acrylic plate was removed 60 seconds after a total of 6.0 g of equine blood was poured. Next, the surface sheet was quickly peeled off from the napkin, and the spread area of the liquid on the surface sheet was measured. Specifically, a transparent sheet was placed on the top sheet, the shape of the liquid spread was copied, and the area was measured. Various methods can be used to measure the area. In this example, the area was measured with an image analyzer. The above operation was performed three times, and the value rounded off to the first decimal place of the average value of the three times was defined as the liquid spreading area (cm ² ). A score was assigned according to the following evaluation criteria based on the liquid spreading area.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
10 cm ² or less: Score 5
More than 10 cm ² 12 cm ² or less: Score 4
More than 12 cm ² 14 cm ² or less: Score 3
More than 14 cm ² 16 cm ² or less: Score 2
Over 16 cm ² : Rating 1

  As is clear from the results shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the napkin of each example has a small liquid remaining amount and a small liquid spreading area. Moreover, in Examples 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, it turns out that it is excellent in the clarity of an embossing recessed part, and the little discomfort of a color. On the other hand, in the napkin of Comparative Example 1, although the clarity of the embossed recesses is good, the embossed recesses consist of continuous lines and intersect so that they overlap, so the liquid remaining amount increases. Moreover, the area of the liquid spread has increased. In the napkin of Comparative Example 2, although the liquid remaining amount was small, the liquid spreading area was large. Moreover, the clarity of the embossed recess was lacking.

  In particular, with regard to the clarity of the embossed recess and the less color discomfort, in each example, the clarity of the embossed recess is low unless a colored layer is disposed in the lower layer. Further, Example 3 in which the color of the colored layer is too dark is uncomfortable. Example 2 in which the L * value of CIELAB of the colored layer is 50 or more and the b * value is 10 or less achieves high clarity of the embossed recess and less discomfort. On the other hand, since the comparative example 2 is a non-closed pattern, the thickness is small or the fiber at the virtual intersection is floating, and the clarity of the embossed concave portion is lowered, which is not preferable compared to the example. .

  As for the remaining amount of liquid, the embossing is firm in each embodiment, and as a result, the remaining amount of liquid is reduced. On the other hand, in the comparative example 1, since it was a closed pattern, the liquid was likely to remain, resulting in an undesirable result. Since the comparative example 2 is a non-closed pattern, the thickness is small, or the fibers at the virtual intersections are floating, and the liquid is poorly drawn.

  Regarding the liquid spreading area, each example has a sufficient thickness and a solid embossing pattern, so that the amount of liquid returning is small and the liquid spreading is suppressed. On the other hand, since the comparative example 1 is a closed pattern, the liquid tends to remain, resulting in poor liquid drawability, which is somewhat undesirable. In Comparative Example 2, the embossed portion is floated, the thickness is small, or the fibers around the embossed portion are covered with the embossed when viewed in a cross section. Has no result.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Top sheet 11 Embossed recessed part 12 Compartment area 13 Convex part 21 1st embossed recessed part 22 2nd embossed recessed part 100 Absorbent article 101 Absorbent core 102 Cover sheet 103 Absorber 104 Sublayer sheet 221 1st embossed recessed part row | line | column 222 2nd embossed Recessed row

Claims (10)

The surface of the absorbent article which consists of the nonwoven fabric containing a heat | fever extensible fiber, this nonwoven fabric has the some division area divided by the embossing recessed part, and has the convex part which protrudes rather than this embossing recessed part in this division area A sheet,
Each partition area is defined by a plurality of embossed recess rows intersecting in a row with a plurality of embossed recesses arranged at intervals,
Among the plurality of embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row, at least a part of the embossed recesses is composed of a finite-length straight or curved linear part having two end points,
Considering a virtual continuous line formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions constituting the embossed concave row, the embossed concave row includes a first embossed concave row extending in one direction and the one direction And a second embossed concave line extending in a direction different from the virtual continuous line,
At the virtual intersection of the virtual continuous lines of the first and second embossed recess rows, only the embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row among the first and second embossed recess rows are arranged, and at the virtual intersection Is a surface sheet of an absorbent article in which the embossed recesses constituting the other embossed recess array are absent. A surface sheet of an absorbent article having a plurality of partitioned regions partitioned by embossed recesses, having convex portions protruding from the embossed recesses in the partitioned regions, and comprising heat-extensible fibers,
Each partition area is defined by a plurality of embossed recesses that are arranged in rows at intervals, and an embossed recess line that is continuous and has a discontinuous portion, and a continuous embossed continuous line intersects.
Among the plurality of embossed recesses constituting one embossed recess row, at least a part of the embossed recesses is composed of a finite-length straight or curved linear part having two end points,
Considering a virtual continuous line formed by virtually connecting the embossed concave portions constituting the embossed concave row, only the embossed continuous line is present at the virtual intersection of the virtual continuous line and the embossed continuous line of the embossed concave row. A top sheet of an absorbent article that is disposed and has no embossed recesses forming an embossed recess array at the virtual intersection.   The top sheet of an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein two embossed recess rows intersecting each other extend linearly.   The top sheet of an absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the intersecting embossed recess rows and the embossed continuous line extend linearly.   The top sheet of an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein all of the embossed recesses constituting the embossed recess array are composed of the linear portions.   The top sheet of an absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the lengths of the embossed concave portions made of the linear portions are all equal.   It has the surface sheet as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6 in the surface side which opposes a wearer's skin, and this surface sheet is arrange | positioned so that the said convex part may oppose a wearer's skin. Absorbent article.   The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein a colored layer is disposed on the surface of the surface sheet facing the absorbent core so as to be in contact with the surface sheet.   The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the colored layer has a CIELAB L * value of 50 or more and a b * value of 10 or less.   The absorbent article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the colored layer is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric.

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