JP2022131164A - absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which is equipped with a top sheet with antibacterial properties imparted and a thin absorbent sheet that does not contain fluff pulp, and does not cause rash.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 50 includes a liquid permeable top sheet 10, a liquid impermeable back sheet 30, and an absorber 20 arranged between them. The top sheet 10 is a non-woven fabric including antibacterial fiber of 2.0 or more antibacterial activity. The absorber 20 has: a sheet-like part 24 which does not contain fluff pulp and fixes a high absorbent polymer to non-woven fabric with hot-melt adhesive; and a first absorber cover sheet 25 covering the entire sheet-like part 24. In the first absorber cover sheet 25, with respect to compression characteristics in a KES compression test, compression workload (RC) is 0.2 gf.cm/cm2 or more, and compression resilience (WC) is 50% or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

Absorbent articles generally comprise a liquid-permeable top sheet positioned on the wearer's skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet positioned on the non-skin side of the wearer, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween. and, the absorber absorbs and retains body fluids such as urine that have permeated the top sheet, and the back sheet prevents the body fluids from coming into contact with the wearer's clothing or the like. Absorbent articles are widely used by infants, adults, and the elderly. Recent challenges in absorbent articles include, for example, imparting antibacterial and deodorant functions, and thinning to make them less noticeable when worn.

Various kinds of absorbent articles have been proposed as absorbent articles imparted with antibacterial and deodorizing functions. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a top sheet, an absorbent body, a liquid-diffusing sheet provided on the skin side of the absorbent body, an absorbent-body covering sheet that entirely wraps the absorbent body and the liquid-diffusing sheet, and a back sheet, wherein the absorbent includes a high-absorbent polymer, absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp, and an antibacterial agent, and a deodorant material is arranged between the absorbent covering sheet and the liquid-permeable sheet. An article is disclosed (claim 1, claim 5). According to Patent Document 1, it effectively deodorizes body fluid odor, has a good appearance even after absorbing body fluid (paragraph 0007), and prevents the growth of microorganisms in the absorbent body after absorbing body fluid (paragraph 0041, 0042).

On the other hand, for the problem of thinning the absorbent article, as an absorbent instead of the conventional fluff absorbent containing a high-absorbent polymer and an absorbent fiber such as fluff pulp, a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is provided between two hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics. Absorbent sheets in which a superabsorbent polymer is fixedly supported on the surface have been developed, and various proposals have been made.

In Patent Document 2, the absorbent body is configured as a laminate of a skin-side absorbent body positioned on the wearer's skin side and a non-skin-side absorbent body positioned on the non-skin side of the wearer, and the skin-side absorbent body is composed of two absorbent bodies. An absorbent article has been proposed, which is an absorbent sheet in which an absorbent polymer is fixedly carried between sheets of hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, and the non-skin-side absorbent body is a fluff absorbent body containing absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer. (Claim 1, Claim 4). According to Patent Document 2, it is described that the amount of bodily fluid absorbed is increased while preventing a decrease in the strength of the absorbent body and an increase in the thickness of the absorbent body.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-130951 JP 2018-164633 A

In Patent Document 1, although deodorant and antibacterial functions are imparted to the absorbent article, since the fluff absorbent body containing the superabsorbent polymer and the absorbent fiber is used, the thickness after absorption of the bodily fluid is increased. In particular, in the case of absorbing bodily fluids multiple times, which is the current mainstream, there is a problem that the increase in thickness is large and the feeling of wearing is reduced. The absorbent article described in Patent Literature 2 uses both an absorbent sheet and a fluff absorbent body as an absorbent body, and achieves a certain degree of thinness due to the absorbent sheet. However, since the fluff absorber is also used, it cannot be denied that the thickness of the fluff absorber increases and the comfort of wearing deteriorates when the body fluid is absorbed multiple times.

In view of the above-described current situation, the present inventors, for example, provided antibacterial properties to the top sheet, and then experimentally produced an absorbent article using a thin absorbent sheet that does not contain absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp. This absorbent article reduces rashes by suppressing germs, and improves fit and wear comfort. It has been clarified by the studies of the present inventors that there is a problem that it is easy to cause a rash due to excessive moisture. The present inventors continued research based on this subject.

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that does not cause a rash, comprising a top sheet imparted with antibacterial properties and a thin absorbent sheet that does not contain fluff pulp.

As a result of intensive research to solve the above problems, the present inventors have obtained a thin absorbent sheet (sheet-like portion) that does not contain fluff pulp after imparting antibacterial properties to the top sheet by a predetermined method. is coated with a sheet having a predetermined compression work load and compression resilience (WC), a desired absorbent article can be obtained, leading to the completion of the present invention. That is, the present invention relates to the following absorbent articles.

(1) An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet,
The top sheet is a nonwoven fabric containing antibacterial fibers having an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more,
The absorber is
a sheet-like portion containing no fluff pulp and having a superabsorbent polymer fixed to a nonwoven fabric with a hot-melt adhesive;
a first absorber covering sheet covering the entire sheet-like portion;
Regarding the compression characteristics in the KES compression test, the first absorbent body covering sheet has a compression work (RC) of 0.2 gf·cm/cm ² or more and a compression resilience (WC) of 50% or more. An absorbent article, characterized in that:
(2) The absorbent article according to (1) above, wherein the first absorbent body covering sheet is an air-through nonwoven fabric.
(3) The absorbent article according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the basis weight of the first absorbent body covering sheet is 20 g/m ² or more and 50 g/m ² or less.
(4) further comprising a liquid-diffusing second sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body, wherein the second sheet is an air-through nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.1 mm or more, The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (3) above.
(5) The above ( The absorbent article according to any one of 1) to (4).
(6) The nonwoven fabric containing antibacterial fibers having an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more, which constitutes the top sheet, is an air-through nonwoven fabric, and has a basis weight of 15 g/m ² or more and 40 g/m ² or less. , the absorbent article according to any one of the above (1) to (5).
(7) The sheet-like portion includes a base nonwoven fabric having one surface that is a raised surface on which a plurality of raised fibers are arranged and the other surface that is a non-raised surface; The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (6) above, characterized in that it contains a superabsorbent polymer and a superabsorbent polymer.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an absorbent article that does not cause a rash is provided, comprising a top sheet imparted with antibacterial properties and a thin absorbent sheet that does not contain fluff pulp.

1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the width direction along the X ₁ -X ₁ cutting line shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of another form of absorbent body. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an absorbent sheet; FIG.

In the present specification, wearing an absorbent article refers to a state in which the absorbent article is worn on the body regardless of whether body fluid is absorbed or not. In the absorbent article, the longitudinal direction is the direction indicated by Y in the drawing, which extends from the front and back of the wearer's body through the crotch portion when the absorbent article is worn on the wearer's body, and the width direction is the longitudinal direction. The thickness direction is the direction indicated by X in the drawing, which is orthogonal to the other, and the direction indicated by Z in the drawing, in which the constituent members are laminated. The skin side refers to the surface that contacts or faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, and the non-skin side refers to the surface that contacts or faces the wearer's clothing. be. Body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body to the outside of the body, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

<Absorbent article>
Hereinafter, an absorbent article 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1-2 show an absorbent article 50. FIG. FIG. 3 shows an absorbent body 25 of another form. FIG. 4 shows absorbent sheet 24 . These drawings do not define the shape, size, size relationship, etc. of each component in the absorbent article 50 .

The absorbent article 50 of the present embodiment can be used as various absorbent articles for infants, adults and the elderly, such as light incontinence products, light incontinence liners, incontinence pads, sanitary napkins and other pad products , pants-type disposable diapers, tape-fastening type disposable diapers, and the like. Among these, it can be suitably used as pad products such as light incontinence products and incontinence pads because it is thin and the absorption amount and absorption rate do not decrease even after multiple absorptions. Moreover, various disposable diaper products as outers may be combined with absorbent articles 50 as inners. Both the longitudinal dimension (maximum dimension) and the width dimension (maximum dimension) of the absorbent article 50 are not particularly limited, but are, for example, in the range of 100 mm or more and 800 mm or less and 50 mm or more and 500 mm or less. . By adjusting the dimensions of the absorbent article 50 within the above range, various forms of absorbent articles can be easily obtained.

The absorbent article 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 10 positioned on the skin side and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 30 positioned opposite the top sheet 10 and positioned on the non-skin side. , the absorbent body 20 arranged between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30, a pair of three-dimensional gathers 40 provided on the skin side surface of the top sheet 10, and between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 20, A second sheet 60 located on the skin side and a second absorbent body covering sheet 70 located on the non-skin side are provided. Here, the absorbent body 20 is a sheet-like portion (hereinafter also referred to as an “absorbent sheet”) that does not contain absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp and is made by fixing a superabsorbent polymer to a nonwoven fabric with a hot-melt adhesive. The first absorbent body covering sheet 25 has a compression work (RC) of 0.2 gf·cm/cm ² or more in terms of compression characteristics in the KES compression test. , compression resilience (WC) of 50% or more.

According to this embodiment, a thin absorbent sheet that does not contain absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp and is composed of a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and a superabsorbent polymer is used as the first absorbent body covering having a predetermined compression characteristic. By wrapping with the sheet 25, even when the top sheet 10 imparted with antibacterial properties is used, the absorber 20 is imparted with appropriate cushioning properties in the thickness direction, and even if the body fluid remains on the top sheet 10 after the body fluid is discharged, it can be absorbed. It becomes easy to be absorbed by the body 20, water is less likely to accumulate between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 20, and the distance from the superabsorbent polymer layer of the absorbent sheet containing bodily fluids to the wearer's skin is maintained. Because it can reduce the migration of moisture to the skin, not only rashes due to suppression of bacteria but also rashes due to excess moisture are greatly reduced. Also, an absorbent article having excellent antibacterial properties can be obtained.

The absorbent article 50 of this embodiment has the top sheet 10, the absorbent body 20, and the back sheet 30 as basic structural units. Various known modifications such as disposing a liquid-permeable second sheet 60 or a second absorbent body cover sheet 70 between the absorbent body 20 and the absorbent body 10 can be applied. Hereinafter, the constituent members of the absorbent article 50 will be described in more detail in the order of the top sheet 10, the second sheet 60, the second absorbent body covering sheet 70, the absorbent body 20, the back sheet 30, and the three-dimensional gathers 40.

<Top sheet>
The top sheet 10 is a liquid-permeable sheet-like base material that allows bodily fluids to pass quickly toward the absorbent body 20 . The top sheet 10 of the present embodiment is a nonwoven fabric containing as a main component an antibacterial fiber having an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more described later and also containing other fibers, or a nonwoven fabric made of antibacterial fibers having an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more. etc. "Containing as a main component" means containing more than 50% by weight of the whole. Examples of fibers that can be contained in addition to the antibacterial fibers include synthetic fibers made of synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton. In addition, as the form of the nonwoven fabric, a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is preferable from the viewpoint of the body fluid permeation function of the top sheet 10 and the direct contact of the top sheet 10 with the skin of the wearer. Examples include spunlaced nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, and composite nonwoven fabrics obtained by laminating two or more of these.

The antibacterial fiber is not particularly limited as long as it has antibacterial properties and is suitable for the top sheet 10, but synthetic fibers kneaded with an inorganic antibacterial agent are preferred. As the inorganic antibacterial agent, inorganic compounds containing antibacterial metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc can be used without particular limitation. Inorganic porous materials such as hydroxyapatite, clay minerals, alumina, silica, and bentonite are included. An inorganic antibacterial agent can be used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types. Antibacterial fibers can be produced, for example, by adding one or more inorganic antibacterial agents to a synthetic resin in a molten state and then spinning the synthetic resin. Here, examples of synthetic resins to be blended with inorganic antibacterial agents include polyester resins such as polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, Polyvinyl formal etc. are mentioned. The amount of the inorganic antibacterial agent blended into the synthetic resin is, for example, 100% by weight of the total amount of the inorganic antibacterial agent and the synthetic resin, from the viewpoint of keeping the antibacterial activity value within a predetermined range and the strength of the resulting synthetic resin. of 0.005% by weight or more and 0.5% by weight or less. Moreover, the thickness of the obtained antibacterial fiber is, for example, 1.5 dtex or more and 15 dtex or less from the viewpoint of sufficiently exhibiting the antibacterial property and the viewpoint of durability.

The surface of the top sheet 10 may be embossed or perforated from the viewpoint of improving liquid permeability. From the viewpoint of reducing irritation to the skin, the top sheet 10 may contain one or more of lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, and the like. The basis weight of the top sheet 10 is, for example, in the range of 15 g/m ² or more and 40 g/m ² or less from the viewpoint of strength, workability, and liquid return amount. The top sheet 10 may be coated with an organic acid such as citric acid, glutamic acid, malic acid, etc. as a weakly acidic chemical solution within a range that does not impair the water absorption performance. The shape of the top sheet 10 is not particularly limited as long as it covers part or all of the absorbent body 20, which is necessary for guiding bodily fluids to the absorbent body 20 without leakage.

In this embodiment, the antibacterial activity value is 2.0 using the results of an antibacterial test using a standard cloth (cotton cloth) as a control using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli according to the JIS L 1902 bacterial liquid absorption method. The above antibacterial fibers are used.

<second seat>
The second sheet 60 is arranged on the non-skin side of the top sheet 10 , more specifically between the top sheet 10 and the second absorbent body covering sheet 70 . By arranging the second sheet 60, the cushioning property is increased, the fitting property and the feeling of wearing are improved, and the body fluid diffusing property of the absorbent article 50 is improved. In addition, by disposing the second sheet 60 , it is possible to further suppress accumulation of water between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 20 .

The base material of the second sheet 60 is a bulky nonwoven fabric that has a faster body fluid permeation rate than the top sheet 10 and quickly diffuses body fluids into the absorbent body 20 . The nonwoven fabric is preferably an air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or the like. The thickness of the second sheet 60 is, for example, a range of 0.1 mm or more, or a range of 0.1 mm or more and 4 mm or less, and its basis weight is, for example, a range of 20 g/m ² or more and 60 g/m ² or less, or 22 g/m ² or more. It is in the range of 37 g/m ² or less. If the thickness is less than 0.1 mm, or if the weight per unit area is less than 20 g/m ² or greater than 60 g/m ² , body fluids will not diffuse sufficiently over the entire skin-side surface of the absorbent body 20, and there will be a tendency for wearing comfort to deteriorate. . Moreover, the shape of the second sheet 60 is not particularly limited, but in a preferred embodiment, it is a shape that can completely cover the surface of the absorber 20 .

<Second absorber covering sheet>
The second absorbent body covering sheet 70 is provided between the second sheet 60 and the absorbent body 20 (or the first absorbent body covering sheet 25) on the skin side of the absorbent body 20 (or the first absorbent body covering sheet 25). For example, the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 20 (or the first absorbent body covering sheet 25) further smooth the movement of body fluids from the top sheet 10 to the absorbent body 20. To further prevent body fluids from accumulating between them.

As the base material of the second absorber covering sheet 70, a hydrophilic sheet can be used without particular limitation. Any hydrophilic sheet commonly used in this field can be used, for example, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as thermal bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, air-laid nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics, tissue paper, absorbent paper, and the like. is mentioned. Among these, tissue and absorbent paper containing pulp fibers are preferred, and among hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics, air-laid nonwoven fabric and the like are preferred. The thickness of the hydrophilic sheet is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.25 mm or less, and the basis weight is, for example, 5 g/m ² or more and 40 g/m ² or less.

<Absorber>
The absorber 20 has a lengthwise dimension, for example, in the range of 100 mm to 800 mm, in the range of 150 mm to 500 mm, or in the range of 150 mm to 300 mm. The dimension in the width direction of the absorbent body 20 is, for example, in the range of 50 mm or more and 500 mm or less, 55 mm or more and 400 mm or less, or 60 mm or more and 105 mm or less. In addition, when the absorber 20 has an hourglass shape in plan view, the length dimension is in the range of 180 mm or more and 800 mm or less, and the width dimension of the ventral part and the dorsal part that contact the abdomen and the back of the wearer, respectively. are in the range of 60 mm or more and 400 mm or less, and the width direction dimension of the crotch portion that contacts the wearer's crotch portion is in the range of 90 mm or more and 250 mm or less. All or part of the absorbent body 20 may be embossed. Examples of the planar shape of the absorber 20 include an hourglass shape, an I shape, a rectangle, a square with rounded corners, and an ellipse.

The absorbent body 20 of this embodiment includes an absorbent sheet 24 and a first absorbent body covering sheet 25 that wraps the absorbent sheet 24, as shown in FIG. Also, as another embodiment, the absorber 21 shown in FIG. 3 can be used.

(absorbent sheet)
As shown in FIG. 4, the absorbent sheet 24 of this embodiment has a raised surface 11a on which a plurality of raised fibers 11a are arranged on one side, and a non-raised surface 11b on the other side. and a superabsorbent polymer 12 fixedly supported between a plurality of raised fibers 11a erected on the raised surface 11a of the base nonwoven fabric 11 to form a body fluid absorbing layer, containing absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp. It does not. In this embodiment, the non-raised surface 11b of the base nonwoven fabric 11 is arranged so as to be the skin side of the absorbent sheet 24 . Although the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer 12 in the absorbent sheet 24 is not particularly limited, it is, for example, in the range of 60 g/m ² or more and 390 g/m ² or less or in the range of 100 g/m ² or more and 350 g/m ² or less. The absorbent sheet 24 has a raised surface 11a on which a plurality of raised fibers 11x are arranged, so that the absorbent sheet 24 is rich in cushioning properties and flexibility, and water derived from bodily fluids can be accumulated between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 20. In addition, even after the superabsorbent polymer 12 is fixedly supported, there is a space between the raised fibers 11x, so that even after absorbing body fluids several times, good body fluid diffusion and wet back prevention are exhibited.

A plurality of raised fibers 11x erected on the raised surface 11a of the base nonwoven fabric 11 are formed by subjecting the surface of the base nonwoven fabric 11 to a raising process such as raising. Due to the plurality of raised fibers 11x of the base nonwoven fabric 11, in addition to the original bulkiness of the nonwoven fabric, appropriate thickness and softness are imparted to the absorbent sheet 24, and good cushioning properties are generated, and fit and wearability when worn is improved. improve the feeling. Further, when the base nonwoven fabric 11 is raised, the second superabsorbent polymer 12 can be dispersed between the raised fibers 11x and fixedly supported while maintaining the spaces between the raised fibers 11x. Examples of the method for raising the one-side surface 11a of the base nonwoven fabric 11 include a method using a rotating saw blade, a needle punch, etc., and the method using a rotating saw blade is preferable from the viewpoint of in-line productivity and cost.

The degree of raising in the base nonwoven fabric 11 is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient if the raising can be visually confirmed. is. Raising rate means the rate of increase in the thickness of the base nonwoven fabric 11 due to the raising process. When the thickness of the base nonwoven fabric 11 before raising is T1 and the thickness of the base nonwoven fabric 11 after raising is T2, the raising rate (%)=[(T2−T1)/T1]×100. The thicknesses T1 and T2 are measured under no load using a height gauge (manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation). In addition, the non-raised surface 11b may be subjected to a raising treatment within a range that does not impair the mechanical strength of the base nonwoven fabric 11 and the like.

Examples of the base material constituting the base nonwoven fabric 11 include nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, point-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunbonded nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates, spunbond nonwoven fabrics/meltblown nonwoven fabrics/spunbond nonwoven fabrics. Composite nonwoven fabrics such as laminates and the like are included. Among these nonwoven fabrics, an air-through nonwoven fabric is preferable from the viewpoint of increasing the bulk.

The thickness of the base nonwoven fabric 11 is not particularly limited, but is in the range of 0.15 mm or more and 0.80 mm or less, or in the range of 0.20 mm or more and 0.40 mm or less, from the viewpoint of the balance between wearing comfort and absorption performance. Further, the basis weight of the base nonwoven fabric is, for example, in the range of 15 g/m ² to 100 g/m ² , in the range of 20 g/m ² to 70 g/m ² , or in the range of 20 g/m ² to 50 g/m ² . is. The thickness of the fibers forming the base nonwoven fabric 11 is, for example, in the range of 1.6 dtex or more and 14 dtex or less, 1.8 dtex or more and 9.0 dtex or less, or 2.0 dtex or more and 6.0 dtex or less.

(First absorber covering sheet)
The first absorbent body covering sheet 25 entirely wraps the absorbent sheet 24, for example, to spread the body fluid substantially uniformly over the entire body fluid absorption layer and to prevent the superabsorbent polymer 12 from falling off from the body fluid absorption layer. . The first absorber covering sheet 25 is, for example, a body fluid absorbent layer formed by fixing and supporting a superabsorbent polymer 12 between a plurality of raised fibers 11x erected on the raised surface 11a of the base nonwoven fabric 11. is placed on the central portion of the absorber covering sheet 25 in the width direction, adhered as necessary, and both ends in the width direction of the first absorber covering sheet 25 are folded to be C-folded (or folded in three), It can be produced by overlapping the non-raised surface 11b of the base nonwoven fabric 11 on the skin side. The overlapped portions of the first absorber covering sheet 25 may be adhered. The bonding method is, for example, bonding with a hot-melt adhesive, heat embossing, or the like. The hot-melt adhesive used here is appropriately selected from the same hot-melt adhesives used for fixing and supporting the superabsorbent polymer 12 between the raised fibers 11x.

A hydrophilic nonwoven fabric can be used as a base material for forming the first absorber covering sheet 25 . The hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include thermal bonded nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-laid nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, and pulp-containing nonwoven fabric. Among these, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunbonded nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics and the like are more preferred, and air-through nonwoven fabrics and the like are more preferred. One layer of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric may be used alone, or two or more layers may be laminated. Here, the pulp-containing nonwoven fabric refers to a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a nonwoven fabric obtained by integrating a pulp fiber web on at least one surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric (eg, US Pat. No. 5,284,703). A pulp-containing nonwoven fabric is produced, for example, by striking pulp fibers to a spunbond nonwoven fabric under a high-pressure water stream by a hydroentanglement method.
The basis weight of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric forming the first absorber covering sheet 25 is, for example, in the range of 20 g/m ² or more and 50 g/m ² or less.

The first absorber covering sheet 25 has a compression work (WC) of 0.2 gf cm/cm ² or more in a compressibility test using an automated pure bending tester KES-FB3 manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd. It is in the range of 1.0 gf·cm/cm ² or less, and the compression resilience (RC) is in the range of 50% or more. Compression work (WC) is the amount of energy consumed when pushing a nonwoven fabric up to 50 g, and the larger the value, the more energy is required for compression. Compression resilience (RC) represents the recoverability when fibers are compressed, and the closer the value is to 100, the better the recoverability. By setting the compression work (WC) and compression resilience (RC) within the ranges described above, the cushioning properties of the absorbent body 20 are improved. 20, it is easily absorbed, while the distance between the body fluid-absorbing layer containing body fluid and the skin is kept within a predetermined range, and the transfer of water derived from body fluid to the wearer's skin can be reduced.

The methods of measuring compression work (WC) and compression resilience (RC) are as follows. First, the first absorber covering sheet 25 was placed as a sample on a test table, and a copper pressurizer having a circular plane with an area of 2 cm ² was applied from above the sample at a speed of 0.002 cm/sec and a maximum compressive stress of 50 gf/cm ² . The sample is pushed under the conditions and compressed. Compression work (WC) and compression resilience (RC) are calculated by numerical processing based on the measured data. The compression work WC represents the work of compression, and the larger the numerical value, the better the bulging feeling. Compression resilience RC represents compression recovery, and the larger the value, the smaller the hysteresis.

<Absorbent body of another embodiment>
The absorbent body 21 of another embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is obtained by C-folding the absorbent sheet 24 shown in FIG. 4 so that the surface of the body fluid absorbent layer is on the outside and the non-raised surface 11b is on the inside, and this is shown in FIG. Similar to the absorber 20 shown, the first absorber covering sheet 25 is C-folded or folded in three. Width direction end faces 1A and 1B of the absorber sheet 24 face each other in the width direction inside the absorber 21, and both end portions including the width direction end faces 25a and 25b of the first absorber covering sheet 25 are formed on the skin side thereof. are overlapping. Even if the absorbent body 21 is used, the same effect as that of the absorbent body 20 can be obtained.

(super absorbent polymer)
The superabsorbent polymer 12 in the absorbent sheet 24 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb bodily fluids and prevent backflow, such as polyacrylate, polyaspartate, (starch-acrylic acid) graft. copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers and saponified products thereof. Among these, polyacrylates are preferred, alkali metal polyacrylates are more preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is even more preferred, from the viewpoint of absorption per weight. A superabsorbent polymer can be used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

The superabsorbent polymer 12 is used, for example, in the form of particles, fibers, etc., but is preferably used in the form of particles from the viewpoint of ease of handling. At this time, by avoiding the use of a fine powder superabsorbent polymer 12 with poor fluidity as a powder and using a superabsorbent polymer 12 having a medium particle size, the basic performance related to absorption is improved and the absorption It is possible to reduce the rugged tactile sensation that occurs when the body 20 becomes hard. The median particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 12 is, for example, in the range of 50 μm or more and 600 μm or less or in the range of 100 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

A hot-melt adhesive, for example, is used to fix and hold the superabsorbent polymer 12 between the plurality of raised fibers 11x erected on the raised surface 11a of the base nonwoven fabric 11 . As the hot-melt adhesive, those having a melting point of 100° C. or higher and 180° C. or lower can be used without particular limitation. Examples include hot-melt adhesives, olefin-based hot-melt adhesives such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, and the like. As a method for applying the hot melt adhesive, known methods such as a curtain coating method and a spiral method in which the molten hot melt adhesive is applied from a nozzle in a non-contact manner, and a slot method in which the adhesive is applied in a contact manner can be used. The content of the hot-melt adhesive is, for example, in the range of 10 g/m ² or less from the viewpoint of not impairing the absorbency of the superabsorbent polymer and the touch when worn.

<Back seat>
The back sheet 30 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable base material that does not allow the body fluid retained by the absorbent body 20 to wet clothes. and a composite sheet, which is a laminate of a nonwoven fabric and the like. The nonwoven fabric used for the composite sheet is not particularly limited in manufacturing method, and examples include single-layer nonwoven fabrics such as spunbond nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates, spunbond nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric/spunbond nonwoven fabric laminates. Composite nonwoven fabrics such as bodies, composite materials thereof, and the like. Examples of resin films include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene, and the like.

The basis weight of the backsheet 30 is, for example, in the range of 15 g/m ² or more and 60 g/m ² or less from the viewpoint of strength and workability. In addition, it is preferable that the back sheet 30 has air permeability in order to prevent stuffiness during wearing. In order to make the back sheet 30 air-permeable, for example, a filler may be added to the base resin film, or the back sheet 30 may be embossed. Calcium carbonate can be used as a filler, and a known method can be used without limitation as a method for blending the filler.

<Three-dimensional gather>
The three-dimensional gathers 40 are formed along the length direction of the absorbent article 50 near both ends in the width direction of the absorbent article 50 in order to prevent lateral leakage of body fluid excreted by the wearer of the absorbent article 50, for example. 10 is fixed to the skin side. The three-dimensional gathers 40 include an elastic stretchable member 40a and a water-repellent and/or waterproof sheet member 40b.

The elastic stretchable member 40a is arranged in the vicinity of the free end (the other end) of the sheet member 40b along the length direction, and provides the free end with uprightness so that the free end of the sheet member 40b and its neighboring area can be worn. Make it deformable according to the body shape of the person. In the present embodiment, the sheet member 40b has one widthwise end (fixed end) fixed near both widthwise ends of the non-skin side surface of the backsheet 30, and a widthwise middle portion near both widthwise ends of the skin side surface of the top sheet 10. The free end is fixed and the other end in the width direction is an upright free end. The fixed position of the fixed end (one end in the width direction) of the sheet member 40b is not limited to the position of the present embodiment. Examples include the vicinity of both width direction both ends of the skin side or non-skin side of the whole or part of each edge, the vicinity of both width direction ends of the skin side of the top sheet 10, and the like.

The sheet member 40b is a water-repellent and/or waterproof sheet, and is made of, for example, non-woven fabric. As the nonwoven fabric for the first sheet member, a water-repellent and/or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers can be used without particular limitation. Composite nonwoven fabrics (SMS nonwoven fabrics), which are nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric/spunbond nonwoven fabric laminates, and the like can be mentioned. The basis weight of the sheet member 40b is, for example, in the range of 13 g/m ² or more and 20 g/m ² or less. As the elastic stretchable member 40a, for example, a string-like, string-like, or belt-like member made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, or the like can be used as appropriate.

<Method for manufacturing absorbent article>
The absorbent article 50 can be manufactured by a known manufacturing method. For example, the absorbent sheet 24 is C-folded or tri-folded with the first absorbent covering sheet 70 as shown in FIG. a step of laminating the top sheet 10, the second sheet 60 and the second absorbent body covering sheet 70 in this order to form a laminate, and placing the absorbent body 20 between this laminate and the back sheet 30; A step of fixing the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30 partially or entirely using a hot-melt adhesive, heat embossing, ultrasonic embossing, high-frequency embossing, etc.; and a step of installing the three-dimensional gathers 40 in the . When the absorbent article 50 is a urine absorption pad or a light incontinence pad, the absorbent article 50 may be individually wrapped in a package and then folded in three in the longitudinal direction. In addition, leg gathers, waist gathers, side flaps, etc. can be provided as necessary.

Although the present invention has been described using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments and examples. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. In addition, it is clear from the description of the scope of the claims that forms with such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES Examples and comparative examples are given below to describe this embodiment more specifically.

(Examples 1 to 4, Comparative Examples 1 and 2)
First, one side surface of an air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight: 25 g/m ² , width: 70 mm) as a base nonwoven fabric was physically raised with a rotating saw blade, and subjected to a fluffing process (thickness after raising: 1.2 mm, raising rate: 20). %). A superabsorbent polymer was sprinkled on the raised surface of this air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight: 300 g/m ² ) and fixedly supported between the raised fibers with a hot-melt adhesive to prepare an absorbent sheet. The obtained absorbent sheet was folded into three with a first absorbent covering sheet (width 160 mm) having the physical properties shown in Table 1, and both ends of the first absorbent covering sheet were attached to the non-raised surface of the base nonwoven fabric. The absorbent body covering sheet 1 covers the entire SAP fixed support layer, both width direction end faces, and the non-raised face of the base nonwoven fabric. Absorbers of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 having a length of 220 mm and a width of 70 mm were produced.

Next, as a top sheet, an antibacterial air-through nonwoven fabric (18 After time antibacterial activity Staphylococcus aureus 3.4, Escherichia coli 3.8, basis weight 25 g/m ² ), air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight 30 g/m ² ) is used as the second sheet, and second absorber covering sheet A tissue (basis weight: 15 g/m ² ) is used, and each absorbent body obtained above is used so that the non-raised surface of the absorbent sheet in the absorbent body faces the skin side, and is used as a liquid-impermeable back sheet. A breathable polyethylene sheet (basis weight: 30 g/m ² ) was used, and a composite nonwoven fabric (basis weight: 15 g/m ² ), which was a laminate of spunbond nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric/spunbond nonwoven fabric, was used as a three-dimensional gather, and length was 270 mm. , and a width of 105 mm.

The absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 obtained above were evaluated as follows. Table 1 shows the results.
(liquid return)
After pouring 120 ml of physiological saline toward the center of the absorbent article and leaving it for 10 minutes, filter paper (No. 2 filter paper manufactured by ADVANTEC Co., Ltd., diameter 55 mm) weighed in advance was placed on the physiological saline absorption site. A weight of 35 kgf/cm 2 was placed on the filter paper, and after 60 seconds had passed, the weight of the filter paper was measured. The smaller the liquid return amount, the better the liquid return property.
(sensory evaluation)
Sensory evaluation was performed in this example. Ten panelists were evaluated for the presence or absence of rash when using the absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. The subject was asked to select one of the following evaluations: "(a) there was a rash" and "(b) there was no rash". When the evaluation of (a) is 3 or more, "×" is displayed, when the evaluation of (a) is 1 or 2, "△" is displayed, and when the evaluation of (a) is 0, "○" is displayed. .

From Table 1, it can be seen that by using an absorbent body in which an absorbent sheet is wrapped with a first absorbent body covering sheet having a predetermined compression characteristic, an antibacterial and thin absorbent article with an extremely small amount of wetback and no rash is obtained. is obtained.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 top sheet 11 base nonwoven fabric 11a raised surface 11b non-raised surface 11x raised fiber 12 superabsorbent polymer 20 absorbent body 24 sheet-like portion (absorbent sheet)
25 first absorbent body covering sheet 30 back sheet 40 three-dimensional gathers 40a elastic stretchable member 40b sheet member 50 absorbent article 60 second sheet 70 second absorbent body covering sheet

Claims (7)

An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet,
The top sheet is a nonwoven fabric containing antibacterial fibers having an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more,
The absorber is
a sheet-like portion containing no fluff pulp and having a superabsorbent polymer fixed to a nonwoven fabric with a hot-melt adhesive;
a first absorber covering sheet covering the entire sheet-like portion;
Regarding the compression characteristics in the KES compression test, the first absorbent body covering sheet has a compression work (RC) of 0.2 gf·cm/cm ² or more and a compression resilience (WC) of 50% or more. An absorbent article, characterized in that: 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said first absorbent covering sheet is an air-through nonwoven fabric. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the basis weight of the first absorbent body covering sheet is 20 g/ ^m2 or more and 50 g/ ^m2 or less. Claim 1, further comprising a liquid-diffusing second sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body, wherein the second sheet is an air-through nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.1 mm or more. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It further comprises a second absorbent body covering sheet disposed between said absorbent body and said top sheet, said second absorbent body covering sheet containing pulp fibers. Item 5. The absorbent article according to any one of Item 4. The nonwoven fabric containing antibacterial fibers having an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more, which constitutes the top sheet, is an air-through nonwoven fabric, and has a basis weight of 15 g/m ² or more and 40 g/m ² or less. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The sheet-like portion includes a base nonwoven fabric having one surface that is a raised surface on which a plurality of raised fibers are erected and the other surface that is a non-raised surface; 7. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an absorbent polymer.

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