JP2022062384A - Stretchable sheet, absorbent article, and stretchable sheet manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent or suppress loss of shrinkage force of an elastic member due to pull-off of one end part of the elastic member from a part between two joint parts, for example.SOLUTION: An exterior sheet 4 being a stretchable sheet includes: a first sheet 41; a second sheet to be partially joined with the first sheet 41 at a plurality of joint parts 46; elastic members 451 each of which is extended in one direction between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet and where a portion more inward than one end part in the one direction is arranged between mutually adjacent two joint parts 46; and retaining parts 452 each of which is attached to the end part side of the elastic member 451, so as to have contact with the two joint parts 46 in a state where the elastic member 451 is shrinking. Thus, loss of shrinkage force of the elastic member 451 due to pull-off of the end part of the elastic member 451 from a portion between the two joint parts 46, for example, is prevented or suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a stretchable sheet, an absorbent article and a method for manufacturing a stretchable sheet.

In the disposable diaper of Patent Document 1, the inner layer and the outer layer of the exterior sheet are welded at predetermined intervals in the vicinity of both ends of the elastic stretchable member in a state where a tensile force is applied to the elastic stretchable member. As a result, the elastic elastic member whose cross-sectional outer diameter is increased by eliminating the load is fixed to the exterior sheet by the frictional force with the exterior sheet. In the absorbent article of Patent Document 2, an elastic member along the lateral direction is provided between a pair of facing surfaces of the sheet-shaped member facing each other, and a plurality of joining portions for joining the facing surfaces are provided. The joints are arranged at positions on both sides of the elastic member in the vertical direction, and the elastic members are sandwiched between the joints. Further, a side seal portion for welding the sheet-shaped member and another sheet-shaped member at each end in the lateral direction is provided. A part of the joint is provided at a position laterally outward of the side seal, that is, at a position where the elastic member is not stretched when the absorbent article is used. As a result, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the elastic member from coming off the sheet-shaped member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-154998 International Publication No. 2018/154685

By the way, Patent Document 2 proposes a structure for preventing an end portion of an elastic member from coming off between two joint portions, but there is a limitation in the use of the structure because a side seal portion is required. Therefore, there is a need for a novel method for preventing or suppressing the loss of the contractile force of the elastic member, such as when one end of the elastic member comes off between the two joints.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent or suppress the loss of the contractile force of the elastic member due to the one end of the elastic member coming off between the two joints. There is.

The invention according to claim 1 is an elastic sheet used for an absorbent article, the first sheet, a second sheet partially bonded to the first sheet at a plurality of joints, and the first sheet. An elastic member extending in one direction between the sheet and the second sheet and having a portion inside the one end in the one direction arranged between two joints adjacent to each other, and the above. It is provided with a retaining portion that adheres to the one end side of the elastic member and comes into contact with the two joint portions in a state where the elastic member is contracted.

The invention according to claim 2 is the expansion / contraction sheet according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion is formed of a resin.

The invention according to claim 3 is the telescopic sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining portion is not joined to the first sheet and the second sheet.

The invention according to claim 4 is the elastic sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining portion has weak adhesiveness.

The invention according to claim 5 is the telescopic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining portion has a cut mark.

The invention according to claim 6 is the elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the plurality of joint portions is a welded portion between the first sheet and the second sheet. Is.

The invention according to claim 7 is the elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elastic member has a portion inside the other end portion adjacent to each other. It is further provided with another retaining portion which is arranged between the joints and which is attached to the other end side and comes into contact with the other two joints in a state where the elastic member is contracted.

The invention according to claim 8 is an absorbent article and includes the elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

The invention according to claim 9 is a method for manufacturing an elastic sheet used for an absorbent article, wherein a) an adhesive material is attached at a predetermined interval in an elastic member continuum extending in one direction. And b) the elastic member continuum is arranged in an extended state between the first sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum extending along the elastic member continuum. The step of forming a plurality of joints that partially join the one-sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum, and c) the parts of the elastic member continuum on one side of each attachment portion are adjacent to each other. It is arranged between the two joints, and by cutting the first sheet continuum, the second sheet continuum, and the elastic member continuum at predetermined positions, each of the attachment portions is cut into the two joint portions. It is provided with a step of contacting with.

The invention according to claim 10 is the method for manufacturing an elastic sheet according to claim 9, wherein in the step c), the first sheet continuum, the second sheet continuum, and the elastic member continuum are used. It is cut at a position where each of the attached portions is divided.

The invention according to claim 11 is the method for manufacturing an elastic sheet according to claim 9 or 10, and is arranged between the first sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum in the step b). The adhered portion to be formed is in a cured state.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent or suppress the loss of the contractile force of the elastic member, such as when one end of the elastic member comes off between the two joints.

It is a front view of the absorbent article. It is a back view of the absorbent article. It is a top view of the absorbent article in the unfolded state. It is sectional drawing of the absorbent article. It is sectional drawing of the absorbent article. It is a figure which shows the inside of the exterior sheet in the unfolded state. It is sectional drawing of the exterior sheet. It is sectional drawing of the exterior sheet. It is a figure which shows the structure of a manufacturing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the outer peripheral surface of an anvil roll. It is sectional drawing of anvil roll. It is a figure which shows the flow of manufacturing of an exterior sheet. It is a figure which shows the inside of the laminated sheet continuum. It is a figure which shows the inside of the laminated sheet continuum in the unfolded state. It is a figure which shows another example of an exterior sheet. It is a figure which shows another example of an exterior sheet. It is a figure which shows another example of an exterior sheet. It is a figure which shows the other example of an absorbent article.

1 and 2 are front and back views (that is, views of parts located on the ventral and dorsal sides of the wearer) of the disposable absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, respectively. In the following description, the disposable absorbent article 1 is simply referred to as "absorbent article 1". As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 1 has a body opening 11 at the upper end (ie, the upper end in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a pair of leg openings 12 at the bottom. It is a pants-type disposable diaper that you have. The absorbent article 1 receives excrement from the wearer.

FIG. 3 is a plan view seen from the wearer side in a state where the absorbent article 1 is unfolded. In the following description, the vertical direction in FIG. 3 is referred to as "article longitudinal direction", and the horizontal direction in FIG. 3 is referred to as "article width direction". The absorbent article 1 includes an exterior sheet 4 and an absorber 20. The exterior sheet 4 is provided with a body opening 11 and a pair of leg openings 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The exterior sheet 4 includes an exterior sheet main body 40, a pair of leg elastic portions 43 joined to the exterior sheet main body 40, a pair of body elastic portions 44, and a pair of intermediate elastic portions 45. The absorber 20 is a substantially sheet-like member that is mounted on the inner surface (that is, the surface on the wearer side) of the exterior sheet 4 and absorbs excrement from the wearer.

In the absorbent article 1, the upper portion in FIG. 3 covers the wearer's anterior side (ie, ventral skin) and the lower portion in FIG. 3 covers the wearer's posterior side (ie, dorsal skin). ). In the following description, of the exterior sheet 4, the portions located on the ventral side and the dorsal side of the wearer are referred to as "front portion 401" and "rear portion 403", respectively. Further, in the exterior sheet 4, the portion between the front portion 401 and the rear portion 403 is referred to as "inseam 402". The inseam 402 is continuous with the anterior 401 and the posterior 403. The inseam 402 covers the wearer's crotch. In the absorbent article 1, the exterior sheet 4 includes a front portion 401, a crotch portion 402, and a rear portion 403, and the absorber 20 reaches the rear portion 403 from the front portion 401 of the exterior sheet 4 via the crotch portion 402. ..

When the absorbent article 1 is manufactured, the exterior sheet 4 of FIG. 3 is bent at the crotch lower portion 402 together with the absorbent body 20. Then, with the crotch portion 402 facing downward, the inner surfaces of both ends of the front portion 401 and the inner surfaces of both ends of the rear portion 403 in the width direction of the article are joined by heat fusion or the like by heating and pressing. To. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a body opening 11 is formed at the upper ends of the front portion 401 and the rear portion 403. Further, a pair of leg openings 12 are formed on the left and right sides of the crotch portion 402 on the lower side of the front portion 401 and the rear portion 403. Further, a pair of joint ends 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the article are formed between the body opening 11 and the pair of leg openings 12. Each joint end portion 13 is a strip-shaped protrusion that protrudes laterally from the connection line connecting the front portion 401 and the rear portion 403.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 cut at the position IV-IV shown in FIG. 3 (ie, inseam 402). In FIG. 4, for convenience of illustration, each configuration of the absorbent article 1 is drawn separately. The same applies to FIG. 5, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the absorber 20 includes a main body portion 2 and a pair of side seats 3. The main body 2 and the pair of side seats 3 extend in the longitudinal direction of the article. The pair of side seats 3 are arranged on both side portions of the main body portion 2 (that is, both sides in the article width direction perpendicular to the article longitudinal direction). Each side sheet 3 is a substantially sheet-like member over the entire length of the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction of the article.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 2 is a substantially sheet-like member, and includes a top sheet 21, a back sheet 23, and an absorption core 22. The top sheet 21 is a liquid-permeable sheet member. The back sheet 23 is a liquid-impermeable or liquid-repellent sheet member. The absorption core 22 is a substantially sheet-like member arranged between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23. The top sheet 21 covers the wearer-side surface of the absorbent core 22. The back sheet 23 covers the surface of the absorption core 22 opposite to the wearer.

The top sheet 21 quickly captures the water content of the excrement from the wearer and transfers the water content to the absorption core 22. The absorption core 22 absorbs and fixes the water that has permeated through the top sheet 21 (that is, the water of the excrement from the wearer). The back sheet 23 prevents the water and the like of the excrement that has reached the back sheet 23 from seeping out to the outside of the main body 2.

In FIG. 3, the outline of the absorption core 22 of the absorber 20 is drawn by a thick broken line in order to facilitate the understanding of the figure. The same applies to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the width at both ends of the absorption core 22 in the longitudinal direction of the article is larger than the width at the central portion of the absorption core 22. In other words, the absorption core 22 is a so-called hourglass type. The back sheet 23 shown in FIG. 4 is joined onto the exterior sheet 4 with a hot melt adhesive or the like. As a result, the absorber 20 is fixed to the exterior sheet 4.

Each of the pair of side seats 3 includes a fixing portion 33 and a side wall portion 34. The fixing portion 33 is a strip-shaped portion on one side of the bending line 39 provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the article in the side sheet 3. The fixing portion 33 is joined to the upper side of the main body portion 2 (that is, the wearer side) by using a hot melt adhesive or the like in the vicinity of the lateral edge of the main body portion 2 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the article. The side wall portion 34 is a strip-shaped portion of the side sheet 3 on the other side of the bending line 39. The side wall portion 34 is a portion continuous from the fixing portion 33 at the bending line 39 (that is, the outer edge of the fixing portion 33 in the width direction of the article). The side wall portion 34 extends on the side portion of the main body portion 2 over approximately the entire length of the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction of the article.

Each side wall portion 34 is overlapped on the fixing portion 33 and fixed to the fixing portion 33 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the article. The side wall portion 34 and the fixing portion 33 are fixed by, for example, heat fusion bonding, ultrasonic bonding, or bonding with a hot melt adhesive or the like. The portion excluding both ends of each side wall portion 34 in the longitudinal direction of the article (that is, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the article) is not joined to the fixing portion 33 and can be separated from the fixing portion 33. A side wall elastic member 35 is joined to the free end of each side wall 34. By contracting the side wall elastic member 35, the central portion of the side wall 34 in the longitudinal direction of the article stands up, and a three-dimensional gather is formed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the excrement received by the absorber 20 between the pair of side wall portions 34 from leaking to the outside of the pair of side wall portions 34.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 cut at the VV position shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the front side of the absorbent article 1, that is, the front portion 401 side. The structure on the rear side of the absorbent article 1 is substantially the same as the structure on the front side shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the exterior sheet main body 40 of the exterior sheet 4 includes a first sheet 41 and a second sheet 42. The second sheet 42 is laminated on the inner surface of the first sheet 41 (that is, on the wearer side), and is joined to the first sheet 41 at a plurality of joint portions 46 (see FIG. 6) described later.

As shown in FIG. 5, the exterior sheet main body 40 further includes an end sheet 5. The end sheet 5 is laminated on the inner surface of the second sheet 42 and bonded to the second sheet 42 with a hot melt adhesive or the like. The upper end portion of the absorber 20 is sandwiched and fixed between the lower end portion of the end sheet 5 and the second sheet 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the end sheet 5 is provided over substantially the entire length of the exterior sheet 4 in the article width direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first sheet 41 includes a folded-back portion 411 that is folded back toward the wearer at the edge 111 of the body opening 11. The lower end of the folded-back portion 411 is located below the upper end of the second sheet 42 and the upper end of the end sheet 5, and above the upper end of the absorber 20. The upper end portion of the second sheet 42 and the upper end portion of the end sheet 5 are sandwiched between the facing portion 412, which is a portion of the first sheet 41 facing the folded portion 411, and the folded portion 411. The folded-back portion 411 is joined to the facing portion 412 and the upper end portion of the end sheet 5.

The pair of body elastic portions 44 are joined to the front portion 401 and the rear portion 403 along the edge 111 of the body portion opening 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5, each body elastic portion 44 includes a plurality of thread-shaped body elastic members 441 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the article. The plurality of body elastic members 441 extend substantially parallel to the width direction of the article. The plurality of body elastic members 441 are arranged, for example, between the folded-back portion 411 and the facing portion 412 of the first sheet 41, and are joined to the folded-back portion 411 and the facing portion 412. In the absorbent article 1, the contraction of the pair of elastic portions 44 causes the exterior sheet body 40 to contract in the vicinity of the opening 11 of the trunk, forming waist gathers in contact with the wearer's waist.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each leg elastic portion 43 is arranged partially along the edge 121 of the pair of leg openings 12, and the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 of the exterior sheet 4 ( It is joined to (see FIG. 4). Both ends of one leg elastic portion 43 are joined to the front portion 401 of the exterior sheet 4, and both ends of the other leg elastic portion 43 are joined to the rear portion 403. Further, a portion (that is, a central portion) other than both ends of each leg elastic portion 43 is joined to the crotch lower portion 402 of the exterior sheet 4. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each leg elastic portion 43 includes a plurality of thread-shaped leg elastic members 431 arranged substantially in parallel. In the absorbent article 1, the contraction of the pair of leg elastic portions 43 causes the exterior sheet body 40 to contract in the vicinity of the pair of leg openings 12, and leg gathers are formed in contact with the wearer's legs.

The pair of intermediate elastic portions 45 are provided in the front portion 401 and the rear portion 403, respectively, over a substantially overall length in the width direction of the article. Each intermediate elastic portion 45 is arranged in a region between both ends of the leg elastic portion 43 and the body elastic portion 44 in the longitudinal direction of the article. In the example shown in FIG. 5, each intermediate elastic portion 45 includes a plurality of thread-shaped intermediate elastic members 451 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the article. The plurality of intermediate elastic members 451 extend substantially parallel to the width direction of the article. The plurality of intermediate elastic members 451 are arranged and held between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42. The details of the structure for holding the intermediate elastic member 451 between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 will be described later. In the absorbent article 1, the outer sheet main body 40 contracts due to the contraction of the pair of intermediate elastic portions 45, and intermediate gathers (that is, body fit gathers) in contact with the lower abdomen and buttocks of the wearer are formed.

The absorption core 22 contains, for example, at least one of a granular or fibrous highly absorbent material and an aggregate of hydrophilic fibers as an absorbent material. As the highly absorbent material, for example, a granular super absorbent polymer (SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer)) or a fibrous super absorbent fiber (SAF (Super Absorbent Fiber)) is used. The aggregate of the hydrophilic fibers is formed, for example, from crushed pulp fibers or cellulose fibers.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the absorption core 22 is formed by wrapping a mixture of the above-mentioned aggregates of hydrophilic fibers with granular SAP with tissue paper, a liquid-permeable non-woven fabric, or the like. This makes it possible to prevent the aggregate of hydrophilic fibers from losing its shape and the SAP from falling off (particularly, falling off after absorbing liquid).

The top sheet 21 is formed of, for example, a liquid-permeable non-woven fabric. The nonwoven fabric is formed of, for example, hydrophobic fibers (polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, nylon, etc.) whose surface is hydrophilically treated with a surfactant. The nonwoven fabric may be formed of hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose, rayon or cotton. The nonwoven fabric is, for example, an air-through nonwoven fabric, a point-bonded nonwoven fabric, a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, a spunlaced nonwoven fabric, or the like.

The backsheet 23 is, for example, an impermeable or liquid-repellent nonwoven fabric (spunbonded nonwoven fabric, meltblow nonwoven fabric, SMS (spunbond, meltblow, spunbond) nonwoven fabric, etc.) formed of hydrophobic fibers, or impermeable. It is formed of a liquid or liquid repellent plastic film. The back sheet 23 may be a laminate of the non-woven fabric and the plastic film. When a plastic film is used for the back sheet 23, a breathable (that is, breathable) plastic film is used from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness of the absorbent article 1 and improving the comfort of the wearer. Is preferable.

The sheet body of the side sheet 3 is formed of, for example, an impermeable or liquid-repellent nonwoven fabric (for example, spunbonded nonwoven fabric, melt blow nonwoven fabric, SMS nonwoven fabric, etc.) formed of hydrophobic fibers. As the side wall elastic member 35, for example, a polyurethane thread, a strip-shaped polyurethane film, a thread-shaped or strip-shaped natural rubber, or the like is used. In this embodiment, the polyurethane thread is used as the side wall elastic member 35.

Like the back sheet 23, the first sheet 41, the second sheet 42, and the end sheet 5 of the exterior sheet body 40 are made of a non-permeable or liquid-repellent non-woven fabric formed of hydrophobic fibers, or an impermeable liquid. It is formed of a sex or liquid repellent plastic film. As the plastic film, it is preferable to use a film having moisture permeability. Further, as the first sheet 41, the second sheet 42 and the end sheet 5, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric may be used as in the top sheet 21.

As the leg elastic member 431, the body elastic member 441, and the intermediate elastic member 451, for example, a polyurethane thread, a strip-shaped polyurethane film, a thread-shaped or strip-shaped natural rubber, or the like is used. In the present embodiment, the leg elastic member 431, the body elastic member 441, and the intermediate elastic member 451 are polyurethane threads.

Next, the structure for holding the intermediate elastic member 451 in the exterior sheet 4 will be described. The exterior sheet 4 that holds the intermediate elastic member 451 is an elastic sheet that can be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate elastic member 451. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of the exterior sheet 4 in the unfolded state, and shows the inside of the exterior sheet 4 with the end sheet 5 and the second sheet 42 removed. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exterior sheet 4 cut at the position of VII-VII in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the exterior sheet 4 cut at the position of VIII-VIII in FIG. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the end sheet 5 is omitted. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the exterior sheet 4 is stretched in the longitudinal direction (article width direction) of the intermediate elastic member 451, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show a state in which the plurality of intermediate elastic members 451 are contracted. 6 to 8 show the vicinity of one end of the plurality of intermediate elastic members 451 but the vicinity of the other end has the same structure.

As described above, the exterior sheet 4 includes a first sheet 41 and a second sheet 42. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 are partially joined to each other at a plurality of joining portions 46. In FIG. 6 from which the second sheet 42 is removed, the joint portion 46 is shown by a thin rectangular line. In a preferred exterior sheet 4, each joint 46 is a welded portion between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 and is formed, for example, by ultrasonic bonding or heat welding. In this case, in the joint portion 46, there is no substance (adhesive or the like) other than the materials constituting the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42. Of course, in the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42, an adhesive may be used other than the joint portion 46. Depending on the design of the absorbent article 1, the joint portion 46 may be formed by using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive.

The plurality of joints 46 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the article and the width direction of the article (vertical direction and horizontal direction in FIG. 6). Specifically, the two joints 46 are provided adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the article as a joint pair 47. Further, a plurality of joint pairs 47 are arranged in a row in the article width direction as a joint pair row 48, and a plurality of joint pairs 48 are arranged in the article longitudinal direction. In the example of FIG. 6, in each joint pair row 48, a plurality of joint portions pairs 47 are arranged at regular intervals in the width direction of the article, but the intervals between the joint portions pairs 47 do not have to be constant. Further, although the plurality of joints / rows 48 are arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the article, the intervals between the joints / rows 48 do not have to be constant.

In the exterior sheet 4, each intermediate elastic member 451 is arranged in a gap between each joint pair 47 included in one joint pair row 48. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, between the joint portions 47, an annular portion 471 that surrounds the intermediate elastic member 451 over the entire circumference is formed by the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42. Each intermediate elastic member 451 is held by an annular portion 471 in a plurality of joint portions 47 included in the joint portion pair row 48. In a state where the exterior sheet 4 is extended in the width direction of the article, a certain amount of gap is provided between each intermediate elastic member 451 and the annular portion 471. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a gap is provided between the intermediate elastic member 451 and the annular portion 471 even when the intermediate elastic member 451 contracts and becomes thicker. Depending on the design of the exterior sheet 4, the intermediate elastic member 451 may be in close contact with the annular portion 471 in a state where the intermediate elastic member 451 is contracted. Typically, the width of the gap between the junction pairs 47 is about the same for the plurality of (all) junction pairs 47, but may be different.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, each end of the intermediate elastic member 451 is provided with a retaining portion 452. The retaining portion 452 is a deposit that adheres to the end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451. For example, the retaining portion 452 is formed of resin. In the present embodiment, the retaining portion 452 is a cured adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. The retaining portion 452 firmly adheres to the intermediate elastic member 451. The length of the retaining portion 452 in the article width direction is larger than, for example, the width of the gap between the joints vs. 47. The length of the retaining portion 452 in FIG. 6 is smaller than the distance between two joint portions 47 adjacent to each other in the width direction of the article.

In the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4 described later, the adhesive to be the retaining portion 452 comes into contact with the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 after curing. The retaining portion 452 is non-bonded to the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42, and the retaining portion 452 after curing does not have adhesiveness to the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42. Further, since the adhesive to be the retaining portion 452 is cut after curing, the retaining portion 452 has a cutting mark. The retaining portion 452 may have a weak adhesiveness. The weakly adhesive retaining portion 452 adheres to the first sheet 41 and / and the second sheet 42, but due to a certain amount of force (for example, a contraction force generated in the intermediate elastic member 451 in a state of being stretched in the width direction of the article). It peels off from the sheet. The weakly adhesive retaining portion 452 is bonded containing a low tackifier (tackiness-imparting resin 30% by weight or less) among various hot-melt adhesives such as α-olefin-based, SIS-based, SBS-based, and SEBS-based. The agent is cured. The retaining portion 452 adheres, for example, over a half circumference or more of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate elastic member 451 and preferably adheres over almost the entire circumference.

As shown in FIG. 6, the retaining portion 452 is arranged further outside the joint portion pair 47 (hereinafter, referred to as “outermost joint portion pair 47”) arranged on the outermost side in the width direction of the article. FIG. 6 shows a band-shaped region 49 that is a part of the joint end portion 13 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and the retaining portion 452 is arranged between the outermost joint portion pair 47 and the strip-shaped region 49. For example, the maximum value of the cross-sectional area of the retaining portion 452 on the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate elastic member 451 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the substantially circular annular portion 471.

In a state where the plurality of intermediate elastic members 451 are contracted, each retaining portion 452 comes into contact with the outermost joint pair 47, and is inward (opposite to the band-shaped region 49) of the outermost joint pair 47 of the retaining portion 452. Movement is prevented or suppressed. In FIG. 8, the cross sections of the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 at the position of the outermost joint pair 47 are shown by broken lines. As shown in FIG. 6, even when the exterior sheet 4 is extended in the width direction of the article, the retaining portion 452 is in contact with the outermost joint portion vs. 47, and the retaining portion 452 is inward from the outermost joint portion pair 47. Do not move. As described above, the exterior sheet 4 has a retaining structure that prevents or suppresses the intermediate elastic member 451 from coming off between the outermost joint portions 47. A part of the retaining portion 452 may enter between the outermost joint portions 47.

Next, a method of manufacturing the exterior sheet 4 having the retaining structure will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a manufacturing apparatus 7 for manufacturing the exterior sheet 4. In the following description, in order to pay attention to the formation of the retaining structure, steps other than the formation of the retaining structure in the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4 (joining of the leg elastic member 431, the body elastic member 441 and the end sheet 5, and the leg portion). The formation of the opening corresponding to the opening 12 and the like) is omitted. The actual manufacturing apparatus 7 has a more complicated structure than that shown in FIG. 9, and a complicated operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the manufacturing apparatus 7 includes a bonding portion forming portion 71, a joining portion forming portion 8, and a post-process portion 72. The adhesive portion forming portion 71 has a nozzle for ejecting a predetermined adhesive material, and applies the adhesive material to a plurality of elastic member continuums 93. The adhesive material is to be a retaining portion 452, and in the present embodiment, it is an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. The post-process portion 72 performs processing such as cutting on the laminated sheet continuum 90 described later produced by the joint portion forming portion 8 to complete the exterior sheet 4.

The joint portion forming portion 8 includes an anvil roll 81 and an ultrasonic vibration portion 82. The anvil roll 81 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface 811 centered on the central axis J1. The anvil roll 81 is connected to a rotation mechanism (not shown), and the rotation mechanism causes the anvil roll 81 to rotate at a constant speed about the central axis J1. In the example of FIG. 9, the anvil roll 81 rotates clockwise about the central axis J1. The first sheet continuum 91, the plurality of elastic member continuums 93, and the second sheet continuum 92 are sequentially stacked on the outer peripheral surface 811 of the anvil roll 81. The first sheet continuum 91, the elastic member continuum 93, and the second sheet continuum 92 are all long members, and a part thereof becomes the first sheet 41, the intermediate elastic member 451 and the second sheet 42, respectively. ..

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of the outer peripheral surface 811 of the anvil roll 81. The horizontal direction in FIG. 10 is an axial direction parallel to the central axis J1 of the anvil roll 81, and the vertical direction in FIG. 10 is along the circumferential direction centered on the central axis J1. A plurality of convex portions 86 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 811 of the anvil roll 81. As will be described later, each convex portion 86 is used to form a joint portion 46 (see FIG. 6) in the exterior sheet 4.

The plurality of protrusions 86 are arranged in the axial direction and the circumferential direction. Specifically, the two convex portions 86 are provided adjacent to each other in the axial direction as a convex portion pair 87. Further, a plurality of convex portion pairs 87 are arranged in a row in the circumferential direction as a convex portion pair row 88, and a plurality of convex portion pair rows 88 are arranged in the axial direction. In the example of FIG. 10, a plurality of convex portion pairs 87 in each convex portion pair row 88 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction (different intervals) except for a part of the region 812 extending in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface 811. It may be arranged in.). On the other hand, the convex portion 86 is not arranged in the region 812. Hereinafter, the region 812 is referred to as a "convex non-existing region 812". In the example of FIG. 10, a plurality of convex pair rows 88 are arranged at regular intervals in the axial direction, but the spacing between the convex pair rows 88 does not have to be constant.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the anvil roll 81, showing a cross-sectional view of a plurality of convex portions 87 on a surface including the central axis J1. The horizontal direction in FIG. 11 is the axial direction, and the vertical direction in FIG. 11 is the radial direction centered on the central axis J1. As described above, the first sheet continuum 91 and the plurality of elastic member continuums 93 are sequentially stacked on the outer peripheral surface 811 of the anvil roll 81. The plurality of elastic member continuums 93 are arranged in the axial direction in a state of being substantially parallel to each other, and as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. Be placed. As shown in FIG. 11, each elastic member continuum 93 superimposed on the first sheet continuum 91 on the outer peripheral surface 811 has a convex pair 87 (two adjacent to each other) included in one convex pair row 88. It is arranged between the convex portions 86) via the first sheet continuum 91. In this way, on the outer peripheral surface 811 the elastic member continuum 93 is sandwiched and held between the convex portions 87 included in the convex portion pair rows 88.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic vibration unit 82 has a head 821 facing the outer peripheral surface 811 of the anvil roll 81. In the vicinity of the ultrasonic vibration unit 82, the second sheet continuum 92 is superposed on the first sheet continuum 91 so as to sandwich the plurality of elastic member continuums 93. The ultrasonic vibration unit 82 applies ultrasonic vibration to the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92 via the head 821, and joins the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92 to each other. do. In the following description, the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92 joined to each other are referred to as "laminated sheet continuum". In FIG. 9, reference numeral 90 is attached to the laminated sheet continuum. The laminated sheet continuum 90 also includes a plurality of elastic member continuums 93. The longitudinal direction of the laminated sheet continuum 90 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the first sheet continuum 91, the second sheet continuum 92, and the plurality of elastic member continuums 93.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of manufacturing of the exterior sheet 4. In the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4, in the manufacturing apparatus 7 of FIG. 9, the first sheet continuum 91, the plurality of elastic member continuums 93, and the second sheet continuum 92 are continuously conveyed at a constant speed. At the position facing the attachment portion forming portion 71, the plurality of elastic member continuums 93 extend in the same direction and are substantially parallel to each other, and are extended at a predetermined extension rate. FIG. 12 shows a process relating to one portion of the elastic member continuum 93 in the longitudinal direction, and in reality, the process of FIG. 12 is sequentially performed on a plurality of portions in the longitudinal direction.

The adhesive portion forming portion 71 applies and adheres the adhesive material to the plurality of elastic member continuums 93 at predetermined intervals (at regular intervals in the example of FIG. 9). The adhesive material is a thermoplastic resin such as a hot melt adhesive. The adhering material cures in a short time and becomes an adhering portion 931. In this way, in the attachment portion forming portion 71, a plurality of attachment portions 931 are sequentially formed for each elastic member continuum 93 (step S11). As will be described later, since the attachment portion 931 is divided in half to form the retaining portion 452, the length of the attachment portion 931 in the present embodiment is twice the length of the retaining portion 452. In the present embodiment, the interval at which the attachment portion 931 is provided is substantially the same as the width of the absorbent article 1 in the article width direction. In the adhesive portion forming portion 71, a thermosetting resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like is used as an adhesive material, and the cured adhesive portion 931 may be obtained quickly. Since the adhering material contains a resin that can be cured quickly, the adhering portion 931 can be easily formed.

The first sheet continuum 91 (the portion to be sequentially conveyed) is superposed on the outer peripheral surface 811 of the rotating anvil roll 81, and subsequently, a plurality of elastic member continuums 93 on which the attachment portion 931 is formed are superposed. .. On the outer peripheral surface 811 each elastic member continuum 93 is arranged via the first sheet continuum 91 between the convex portions 87 included in the convex portion pair row 88. At this time, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 10, the attachment portion 931 formed on the elastic member continuum 93 is arranged in the convex portion absent region 812. Preferably, the attachment portion 931 is arranged in the center of the convex portion absent region 812 in the circumferential direction. Since the adhesive portion 931 is in a cured state and does not have adhesiveness, it is not bonded to the first sheet continuum 91.

The adhered portion 931 after curing may have weak adhesiveness. In this case, the adhered portion 931 weakly adheres to the first sheet continuum 91, and the elastic member continuum 93 on the first sheet continuum 91 The position is less likely to shift. Further, even when the second sheet continuous bodies 92 are stacked as described later, the relative positions of the first sheet continuous body 91 and the second sheet continuous body 92 are less likely to shift due to the weakly adhesive adhesive portion 931. Become. A plurality of suction holes may be provided on the outer peripheral surface 811 of the anvil roll 81, and the first sheet continuous body 91 (and the second sheet continuous body 92) on the outer peripheral surface 811 may be held by suction.

The first sheet continuum 91 and the plurality of elastic member continuums 93 on the outer peripheral surface 811 of the anvil roll 81 of FIG. 9 move in the same direction as the outer peripheral surface 811 at the same speed (in the second sheet continuum 92 described later). Similarly). When the first sheet continuum 91 and the plurality of elastic member continuums 93 on the outer peripheral surface 811 reach the vicinity of the ultrasonic vibrating portion 82 by the rotation of the anvil roll 81, the first sheet continuum 91 and the plurality of elastic member continuums are continuous. The second sheet continuum 92 is superposed on the body 93. On the outer peripheral surface 811 the stretched elastic member continuum 93 extends along the circumferential direction, and the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92 also extend along the elastic member continuum 93.

After that, with the elastic member continuum 93 arranged between the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92, the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92 are subjected to the ultrasonic vibration unit 82. Passes between the head 821 and the anvil roll 81. At this time, the head 821 applies ultrasonic vibration to the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92. As a result, in the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92, the region facing the convex portion 86 (see FIG. 11) is welded by ultrasonic vibration. In FIG. 11, the two-dot chain line shows the head 821 and the second sheet continuum 92. The region facing the convex portion 86 is a joint portion 46 (see FIG. 6) in the exterior sheet 4. Since the elastic member continuum 93 is arranged in the concave portion between the convex portions 87, it is not affected by the ultrasonic vibration in principle.

As described above, in the joint portion forming portion 8, a plurality of joint portions 46 for partially joining the first sheet continuous body 91 and the second sheet continuous body 92 are formed (step S12). The first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92 (that is, the laminated sheet continuum 90) joined to each other are separated from the anvil roll 81 and transported to the post-process portion 72.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a part of the laminated sheet continuum 90, and shows the inside of the laminated sheet continuous body 90 with the second sheet continuous body 92 removed. In FIG. 13, the joint portion 46 is shown by a thin rectangular line (similar to FIG. 14 described later). The horizontal direction in FIG. 13 is the longitudinal direction of the laminated sheet continuum 90, and the vertical direction in FIG. 13 is the width direction of the laminated sheet continuum 90 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

As described with reference to FIG. 10, since the attachment portion 931 of each elastic member continuum 93 is arranged in the convex portion absent region 812 of the anvil roll 81, the laminated sheet continuum 90 shown in FIG. 13 also has. , The attachment portion 931 is arranged in the non-existent region 901 of the joint portion 46 (hereinafter, referred to as “joint non-existent region 901”). The joint non-existent region 901 is a region on the anvil roll 81 that overlaps with the convex non-existent region 812. In the exterior sheet 4 of FIG. 3, since the joint portion 46 and the intermediate elastic member 451 are provided only on the front portion 401 and the rear portion 403, the joint portion 46 and the elastic member continuous portion are continuously provided on the entire laminated sheet continuous body 90 in the width direction. The body 93 is not provided.

In the post-process portion 72, the laminated sheet continuum 90 (the portion to be sequentially conveyed) is bent by a folding curve extending in the longitudinal direction at substantially the center in the width direction, and the portion on one side of the folding curve and the portion on the other side are bent. The parts are overlapped. Subsequently, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13, in the joint region 902 set in the joint non-existent region 901, the one-sided portion and the other-side portion are joined to each other (step). S13). The joint region 902 is preferably located in the center of the joint non-existent region 901 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, heat fusion bonding is performed on the bonding region 902.

At this time, the bonding portion 931 overlaps with the bonding region 902, but in reality, the heating unit that performs heat fusion bonding applies heat to the region avoiding the bonding portion 931, so that the bonding portion 931 melts. There is no. In the example of FIG. 13, both ends of the adhesive portion 931 are located outside the joint region 902, so that the entire adhered portion 931 is more reliably prevented from melting. If the adhering portion 931 does not melt, heat may be applied to the region where the heating portion overlaps with the adhering portion 931. Further, ultrasonic bonding or the like may be performed on the bonding region 902, or bonding may be performed by an adhesive in a region that does not overlap with the bonding portion 931.

After that, in the post-process portion 72, the laminated sheet continuum 90 is cut along a cutting line 903 (shown by a alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13) located in the region where the joint portion does not exist, which is substantially parallel to the width direction. A part of the laminated sheet continuum 90 is separated (step S14). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a part of the laminated sheet continuous body 90 in the unfolded state (the state where the portions joined in the joining region 902 are separated from each other), and the laminated sheet continuous body 92 is removed and the laminated sheet continuous body 92 is removed. It shows the inside of the body 90.

As shown in FIG. 14, each portion of the separated laminated sheet continuum 90 becomes an exterior sheet 4 (see FIG. 6) having a retaining structure. The portions of the first sheet continuum 91, the second sheet continuum 92, and the elastic member continuum 93 that have been cut and separated are the first sheet 41, the second sheet 42, and the intermediate elastic member 451 of the exterior sheet 4, respectively. Become. As shown in FIG. 13, the cutting line 903 overlaps the joining region 902 and the attachment portion 931. In the laminated sheet continuum 90, the joint region 902 is divided into two by a cutting line 903 to become a band-shaped region 49 which is a part of the joint end portion 13. Further, the attachment portion 931 is divided into two by the cutting line 903 to become the retaining portion 452.

Focusing on each attachment portion 931 in FIG. 13, in the elastic member continuum 93, a portion on one side of the attachment portion 931 and a portion on the other side are arranged between the joint portions 47. Therefore, by cutting the laminated sheet continuum 90 (first sheet continuum 91, second sheet continuum 92, and elastic member continuum 93) as described above, the portion of the elastic member continuum 93 and the portion on one side thereof and the elastic member continuum 93. The other side contracts. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the two portions (two retaining portions 452) of the attachment portion 931, more precisely, the divided attachment portion 931, come into contact with the joint portion vs. 47, respectively. Even when the adhesive portion 931 has weak adhesiveness, in principle, the adhesive portion 931 comes into contact with the joint portion vs. 47 due to the contraction force of the elastic member continuum 93.

In the example of FIG. 14, each attachment portion 931 is divided by cutting the laminated sheet continuum 90, but depending on the design of the exterior sheet 4, the cutting line avoiding the attachment portion 931 in each joint non-existent region 901. The laminated sheet continuum 90 may be cut. In this case, the elastic member continuum 93 is preliminarily joined to and fixed to the first sheet continuum 91 and / or the second sheet continuum 92 in the vicinity of the side opposite to the attachment portion 931 with respect to the cutting line. Further, each attachment portion 931 may be formed as two attachment portion elements slightly separated in the longitudinal direction of the elastic member continuum 93 (that is, in a pre-divided state). In this case, the cutting line of the laminated sheet continuum 90 is set between the two attachment elements. As described above, in step S14, the laminated sheet continuum 90 is cut at a position predetermined according to the design of the exterior sheet 4.

As described above, in the exterior sheet 4 of FIG. 6, which is an elastic sheet, an intermediate elastic member 451 extending in one direction is provided between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42. In the intermediate elastic member 451 a portion inside the one end in the one direction is arranged between two joints 46 (outermost joints vs. 47) adjacent to each other. Further, a retaining portion 452 is attached to the end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451 so that the retaining portion 452 comes into contact with the two joint portions 46 in a state where the intermediate elastic member 451 is contracted. As a result, in the exterior sheet 4, it is possible to prevent or suppress the end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451 from coming off between the two joints 46 and losing the contractile force of the intermediate elastic member 451.

Further, in the intermediate elastic member 451 a portion inside the other end portion is arranged between two other joint portions 46 (outermost joint portions vs. 47) adjacent to each other. Another retaining portion 452 is attached to the other end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451 so that the other retaining portion 452 comes into contact with the other two joining portions 46 in a state where the intermediate elastic member 451 is contracted. do. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress each of both end portions of the intermediate elastic member 451 from coming off between the outermost joint portions 47. Depending on the design of the exterior sheet 4, the retaining portion 452 may be provided only on one end of the intermediate elastic member 451 and the other end may be fixed by an adhesive or the like.

In the exterior sheet 4, the retaining portion 452 is not joined to the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42. As a result, the outer portion of the outermost joint portion to 47 in the exterior sheet 4 can be made into a non-shrinkable portion on which the elasticity of the intermediate elastic member 451 does not act. As a result, it is possible to prevent the joint end portion 13 (the portion of the band-shaped region 49), which is the outer portion of the absorbent article 1 and has relatively high rigidity, from biting into the wearer's skin.

In the preferred exterior sheet 4, each joint 46 is a welded portion between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42. As described above, by not using an adhesive in joining the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42, it is possible to suppress the feeling of stiffness in the exterior sheet 4. Further, a portion between both ends of the intermediate elastic member 451 is arranged between the joint portions 47 and is held without using an adhesive. As a result, the amount of the adhesive used in the exterior sheet 4 can be reduced, and the stiff feeling in the exterior sheet 4 can be further suppressed. When the portion between both ends of the intermediate elastic member is temporarily bonded with an adhesive, the expansion and contraction of the intermediate elastic member may be hindered by the adhesive, but in the intermediate elastic member 451 where the portion between both ends is not adhered, It prevents the expansion and contraction from being hindered.

In the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4 which is an elastic sheet, a plurality of adhesive portions 931 are formed by adhering adhesive materials at regular intervals on the elastic member continuum 93 extending in one direction. Subsequently, while arranging the elastic member continuum 93 in an extended state between the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum 92 extending along the elastic member continuum 93, the first sheet continuum 91 and the second sheet continuum A plurality of joints 46 are formed to partially join the two-sheet continuum 92. At this time, in the elastic member continuum 93, the portion on one side of each attachment portion 931 is arranged between the two joint portions 46 (joint portions vs. 47) adjacent to each other. Then, by cutting the first sheet continuum 91, the second sheet continuum 92, and the elastic member continuum 93 at predetermined positions, the adhesive portion 931 comes into contact with the two joint portions 46. Thereby, the exterior sheet 4 having the retaining structure of the intermediate elastic member 451 can be easily manufactured.

By the way, as in JP-A-2008-154998 and International Publication No. 2018/154685 (Patent Documents 1 and 2 above), elastic members are arranged between joints in a stretched state and contracted to increase in diameter. When the elastic member is sandwiched and fixed between the joints, it is necessary to change the width of the gap between the joints when changing the thickness and the elongation rate of the elastic member. In this case, it is necessary to replace parts (anvil rolls, etc.) for forming the joint in the manufacturing apparatus, which makes the work complicated.

On the other hand, in the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4, even when the thickness and the elongation rate of the intermediate elastic member 451 are changed, only the amount of the adhered material applied to the adhered portion forming portion 71 is changed as necessary. , It is possible to realize the above-mentioned retaining structure. As described above, since it is not necessary to change the width of the gap between the joint portions 47, the exterior sheet 4 can be easily manufactured without performing complicated work.

In the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4, the adhesive portion 931 arranged between the first sheet continuous body 91 and the second sheet continuous body 92 is in a cured state. Thereby, the retaining portion 452 which is not joined to the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 can be easily formed. Further, the first sheet continuum 91, the second sheet continuum 92, and the elastic member continuum 93 are cut at a position where the attachment portion 931 is divided, and a retaining portion 452 having a cut mark is formed. By cutting the attachment portion 931 in this way, it is possible to form the two retaining portions 452 simultaneously and efficiently.

In the above example, in the intermediate elastic member 451, the retaining portion 452 that contacts only the outermost joint pair 47 is provided, but the retaining portion that contacts the other joint pair 47 in addition to the outermost joint pair 47. 452 may be provided. In the example of FIG. 15A, a retaining portion 452 that comes into contact with two or more joint portions 47 arranged in the width direction of the article (longitudinal direction of the intermediate elastic member 451) is provided at the end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451. The length of the retaining portion 452 in the article width direction is, for example, 1/4 or less of the width of the absorbent article 1. In this way, by providing the retaining portion 452 that comes into contact with the two or more joint portions 47, the end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451 comes out of the two or more joint portions pair 47, and the contraction force of the intermediate elastic member 451 is increased. Loss can be more reliably prevented or suppressed.

By the way, in the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4 of FIG. 15A, the attachment portion 931 (the retaining portion 452 before cutting) partially overlaps with the convex portion 86 of the anvil roll 81 via the first sheet continuum 91 (see FIG. 11). ). In this case, even if the joint failure between the first sheet continuous body 91 and the second sheet continuous body 92 occurs in the portion where the convex portion 86 and the adhesive portion 931 overlap, the convex portion is in the portion where the convex portion 931 does not overlap. Since the joint portion 46 is formed by the 86, the gap between the joint portions 47 including the joint portion 46 has a width that hinders the passage of the retaining portion 452 (similarly in the examples of FIGS. 15B and 15C described later). ). Therefore, even when the intermediate elastic member 451 is contracted, the state in which the retaining portion 452 and the joint portion pair 47 are in contact with each other is maintained. As a result, it is prevented or suppressed that the retaining portion 452 comes out from between the joint portions 47 and the contractile force of the intermediate elastic member 451 is lost. It is preferable that the retaining portion 452 (adhesive portion 931) does not have adhesiveness or has weak adhesiveness (similar to the examples of FIGS. 15B and 15C described later). As described above, when the adhesive portion 931 has weak adhesiveness, it is possible to suppress the misalignment of the elastic member continuum 93 at the time of manufacturing the exterior sheet 4.

Depending on the contraction force of the intermediate elastic member 451 and the like, as shown in FIG. 15B, it is conceivable that the retaining portion 452 is pulled out from the outermost joint portion vs. 47 in the exterior sheet 4. Even in this case, the shrinking force of the intermediate elastic member 451 (the state in which the exterior sheet 4 is stretched in the width direction of the article) is caused by the retaining portion 452 coming into contact with any of the joint portions 47 inside the outermost joint portion pair 47. The contraction force) is prevented or suppressed from becoming less than a predetermined value. In the stretched state of the exterior sheet 4, if the stretch ratio of the intermediate elastic member 451 is maintained at, for example, 1.1 times or more, it can be considered that the contraction force of the intermediate elastic member 451 is not lost. It is possible. In the exterior sheet 4, the retaining portion 452 does not come off from the end portion in the article width direction beyond the joint portion 47 located within the range of 1/4 of the width of the exterior sheet 4 (width of the absorbent article 1). Is preferable. In the example of FIG. 15B, by making the width of the gap between the joint portions 47 located inside the retaining portion 452 smaller, the retaining portion 452 can be more reliably prevented from coming off from the joint portion vs. 47. It may be suppressed (similar in the examples of FIGS. 15A and 15C).

As shown in FIG. 15C, a retaining portion 452a is provided at a position away from the end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451 on the end side, that is, a portion from the center of the intermediate elastic member 451 to the end portion. May be good. In the intermediate elastic member 451 in the upper part of FIG. 15C, the contraction force of the intermediate elastic member 451 is prevented or suppressed from being lost due to the contact of the retaining portion 452 and / and the retaining portion 452a with any of the joints to 47. To. In the intermediate elastic member 451 at the lower stage of FIG. 15C, the retaining portion 452 at the end is omitted, and the contracting force of the intermediate elastic member 451 is lost when the retaining portion 452a comes into contact with any of the joints to 47. Can be prevented or suppressed.

As described above, in the exterior sheet 4, it is possible to prevent or suppress the loss of the contractile force of the intermediate elastic member 451 due to the one end of the intermediate elastic member 451 coming off between the two joints 46 and the like. It suffices to provide a retaining portion that adheres to one end side of the intermediate elastic member 451 and comes into contact with the two joint portions 46 in a state where the intermediate elastic member 451 is contracted. The same applies to the other end side of the intermediate elastic member 451. In the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4 having the retaining portion 452a, the attachment portion 931 to be the retaining portion 452a may be formed at a position overlapping with the convex portion 86 of the anvil roll 81 (see the solid line retaining portion 452a in FIG. 15C). ), It may be formed at a position that does not overlap with the convex portion 86 (see the broken line retaining portion 452a in the lower intermediate elastic member 451 in FIG. 15C).

Various modifications are possible in the manufacture of the exterior sheet 4, the absorbent article 1, and the exterior sheet 4.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the front portion 401, the intermediate elastic members 451 may be provided only on both side portions (the same applies to the rear portion 403). In the example of FIG. 16, an absorption core is included, and an end portion of the absorption portion 20a extending in the longitudinal direction of the article is joined to the central portion of the front exterior sheet 4a extending in the width direction of the article. An intermediate elastic member 451 is arranged between each end portion in the width direction and the absorption portion 20a. Each intermediate elastic member 451 is located between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 of the front exterior sheet 4a (see FIG. 5). Further, the intermediate elastic member 451 is held by a plurality of joint pairs 47 arranged in the width direction of the article. A retaining portion 452 is provided at each end of the intermediate elastic member 451. In the state where the intermediate elastic member 451 is contracted, the retaining portion 452 on the end side (outside in the width direction of the article) of the front exterior sheet 4a comes into contact with the joint portion vs. 47 located near the end portion. The retaining portion 452 on the absorption portion 20a side comes into contact with the joint portion pair 47 located in the vicinity of the absorption portion 20a. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress the loss of the contractile force of the intermediate elastic member 451 due to the respective ends of the intermediate elastic member 451 coming out from between the joints 47.

Further, the retaining structure may be used for elastic members other than the intermediate elastic member 451. For example, when the retaining structure is used for the body elastic member 441, a plurality of joints 46 are formed between the folded-back portion 411 of the first sheet 41 and the facing portion 412 (see FIG. 5), and the trunk is formed. A retaining portion is formed on the elastic member 441. In this way, the retaining structure may be formed by folding back one sheet and using the two portions facing each other as the first sheet and the second sheet, respectively.

Further, the retaining structure may be used in a sheet other than the exterior sheet 4. For example, in the side sheet 3 shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to use the retaining structure for the side wall elastic member 35. As described above, the retaining structure can be used in various elastic sheets used for the absorbent article 1.

In the above embodiment, the attachment portion 931 is formed only by the attachment material, but for example, the attachment portion 931 is formed by attaching a predetermined member (for example, a solid member) to the elastic member continuum 93 with the attachment material. May be done. That is, the retaining portion 452,452a may be formed by attaching a predetermined member to the intermediate elastic member 451.

The retaining portion 452,452a may be joined to the first sheet 41 and / or the second sheet 42 in a state of being substantially in contact with the joining portion pair 47. In this case, even when the joint between the retaining portion 452,452a and the first sheet 41 and / or the second sheet 42 is disengaged, the end portion of the intermediate elastic member 451 is brought to the joint portion vs. 47 by the retaining portion 452,452a. It is prevented or suppressed from getting out of the way.

The elastic sheet having the retaining structure may be used in various absorbent articles other than pants-type disposable diapers (for example, tape-type disposable diapers, auxiliary absorbents, incontinence pads or sanitary products).

The above-described embodiments and configurations in the respective modifications may be appropriately combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

1 Absorbent article 4 Exterior sheet 4a Front exterior sheet 41 First sheet 42 Second sheet 46 Joint 47 Joint to 91 First sheet continuum 92 Second sheet continuum 93 Elastic member continuum 451 Intermediate elastic member 452 452a Retracting part 931 Adhesive part S11-S14 Step

The invention according to claim 1 is an elastic sheet used for an absorbent article, the first sheet, a second sheet partially bonded to the first sheet at a plurality of joint portions, and the first sheet. An elastic member extending in one direction between the sheet and the second sheet and having a portion inside the one end in the one direction arranged between two joints adjacent to each other, and the above. It is a deposit that adheres to the one end side of the elastic member, and includes a retaining portion that comes into contact with the two joint portions in a state where the elastic member is contracted, and the retaining portion is the first sheet and the said. Not fixed to the second sheet .

The invention according to claim 3 is the elastic sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining portion has weak adhesiveness.

The invention according to claim 4 is the telescopic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the retaining portion has a cut mark.

The invention according to claim 5 is the elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein each of the plurality of joint portions is a welded portion between the first sheet and the second sheet. Is.

The invention according to claim 6 is the elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the elastic member has a portion inside the other end portion adjacent to each other. It is further provided with another retaining portion which is arranged between the joints and which is attached to the other end side and comes into contact with the other two joints in a state where the elastic member is contracted.
The invention according to claim 7 is the telescopic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an annular portion surrounding the elastic member over the entire circumference is formed between the two joint portions. , A gap is provided between the elastic member formed by the first sheet and the second sheet and in a contracted state and the annular portion.

The invention according to claim 9 is a method for manufacturing an elastic sheet used for an absorbent article, in which a) an adhesive material is attached at a predetermined interval in an elastic member continuum extending in one direction. And b) the elastic member continuum is arranged in an extended state between the first sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum extending along the elastic member continuum. The step of forming a plurality of joints that partially join the one-sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum, and c) the parts of the elastic member continuum on one side of each attachment portion are adjacent to each other. It is arranged between the two joints, and by cutting the first sheet continuum, the second sheet continuum, and the elastic member continuum at predetermined positions, each of the attachment portions is cut into the two joint portions. Each of the adhering portions is not fixed to the first sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum .

Claims (11)

An elastic sheet used for absorbent articles.
The first sheet and
A second sheet that is partially joined to the first sheet at a plurality of joints,
An elastic member that extends in one direction between the first sheet and the second sheet, and a portion inside the one end in the one direction is arranged between two joints adjacent to each other. When,
A retaining portion that adheres to the one end side of the elastic member and comes into contact with the two joints in a state where the elastic member is contracted.
A telescopic sheet characterized by being equipped with. The telescopic sheet according to claim 1.
A stretchable sheet characterized in that the retaining portion is formed of a resin. The elastic sheet according to claim 1 or 2.
A stretchable sheet in which the retaining portion is not joined to the first sheet and the second sheet. The elastic sheet according to claim 1 or 2.
A stretchable sheet characterized in that the retaining portion has weak adhesiveness. The elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A stretchable sheet in which the retaining portion has a cutting mark. The elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A stretchable sheet, wherein each of the plurality of joints is a welded portion between the first sheet and the second sheet. The elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
A portion of the elastic member inside the other end is arranged between two other joints adjacent to each other, adheres to the other end side, and the elastic member contracts. An elastic sheet further comprising another retaining portion that comes into contact with the other two joints. It is an absorbent article
An absorbent article comprising the elastic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A method for manufacturing elastic sheets used for absorbent articles.
a) A step of forming a plurality of adhesive portions by adhering adhesive materials at predetermined intervals in an elastic member continuum extending in one direction.
b) The first sheet continuum and the second sheet while arranging the elastic member continuum in an extended state between the first sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum extending along the elastic member continuum. The process of forming multiple joints that partially join the continuum,
c) In the elastic member continuum, a portion on one side of each attachment portion is arranged between two joints adjacent to each other, and the first sheet continuum, the second sheet continuum, and the elastic member. A step of bringing each of the attached portions into contact with the two joints by cutting the continuum at a predetermined position.
A method for manufacturing an elastic sheet, which comprises. The method for manufacturing an elastic sheet according to claim 9.
A method for manufacturing an elastic sheet, characterized in that, in the step c), the first sheet continuum, the second sheet continuum, and the elastic member continuum are cut at positions where the respective attachment portions are divided. The method for manufacturing an elastic sheet according to claim 9 or 10.
A method for manufacturing an elastic sheet, characterized in that, in the step b), the adhesive portion arranged between the first sheet continuum and the second sheet continuum is in a cured state.

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