JP3183363B2 - Surface material of absorbent article and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a surface material for an absorbent article and a method for producing the same, and more particularly, to a surface material for an absorbent article which is superimposed on or absorbs an absorbent body. The present invention relates to a surface material for an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin and a method for producing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and pads for incontinent persons are provided at the center with an absorbent for absorbing and retaining body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood excreted from the body. It has a flexible liquid-permeable surface material disposed on the side in contact with the body and a liquid-impermeable back material disposed on the side opposite to the body. By the way, at present, surface materials such as sanitary napkins are roughly classified into a nonwoven fabric type, a mesh type, and a film type. Any surface of the product in the market may be indirectly or directly superimposed on or wrapped around the internal absorbent. For this reason, the most important point of the basic function of the sanitary napkin, the performance of the menstrual absorption surface, depends on the open state of the surface material (fiber thickness, fiber density, pore size, Number of holes).
As the surface material, a fiber material or a film material having the same composition is generally used as a band-like material in a uniform state (basis weight / thickness / opening state). The state of the absorption performance is the same.

[0003]

However, conventional surface materials classified into non-woven fabric type, mesh type and film type have various disadvantages, although they have excellent characteristics of each material. For example, in the nonwoven fabric type, menstrual blood may easily remain in the fiber space, the cost may be relatively high, and stability such as thickness and basis weight may be lacking. In the mesh type, the basis weight and thickness are both very small, and the function of the intermediate layer between the surface material and the absorber affects the performance of the sanitary napkin. Is excellent in performance, but on the contrary, the bleeding of menstrual blood to the surface against external pressure is the worst. In the film type, because it has holes that are regularly or irregularly opened, it is easy for menstrual blood to remain on the film surface existing between the holes, against external pressure, This is because menstrual blood is likely to seep to the surface. From the above, it is important to improve the shape of the surface material in order to further improve the absorption speed and the sarat feeling, which are the basic performances of the absorbent article. In addition, as described above, a single surface material cannot sufficiently overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a wearer with a further sense of salat by using an appropriate material in a preferable shape and in a suitable shape and in the right place, and to be superior in terms of absorption rate, absorption amount, and liquid return. To provide a surface material for an absorbent article. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a surface material of an absorbent article that can continuously and efficiently manufacture the surface material.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a surface material of an absorbent article which is superimposed on an absorber or encloses the absorber to form a body fluid absorbing surface, wherein the surface material is the absorbent surface. Absorbent articles having a plurality of pleats thereon, wherein the pleats are disposed on both sides of a substantially central portion of the absorbent surface, and the inclination direction is directed to the central portion of the absorbent surface. The object has been achieved by providing a surface material.
Further, it is preferable that the folds have a three-layer structure of a nonwoven fabric, a film, and a nonwoven fabric, and the nonwoven fabric on the absorber side in the inclined state of the folds and the film are weakly adhered to each other to form a laminate. It is desirable that an elastic member be provided at the free end side of the.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing a surface material of the absorbent article, wherein the film cut substantially in accordance with the width of the fold is continuously guided to each fold forming position of the nonwoven fabric and joined. After laminating the film and the non-woven fabric by weakly bonding, the non-woven fabric is folded back while the film is held to form the fold, and the fold is obtained by tilting the surface of the absorbent article. A method of manufacturing a material, including a concave roll having a groove formed therein and a convex roll having a protrusion formed to fit into the groove formed between the concave roll and the convex roll. A fold forming means for folding the nonwoven fabric into the groove by the protrusions to form folds, and a groove for guiding the folds separated from the fold forming means are formed, and the grooves are formed with folds. In the direction of travel The above object has been achieved by providing an apparatus for producing a surface material of an absorbent article, comprising: forming guide means for drawing the folds, and tilting means for tilting the folds. It is.

[0006]

The surface material has a louver-shaped fold, and the formed fold is formed toward a substantially central portion of the absorption surface, which is a discharge point of body fluids such as menstrual blood. And the pleats on the left and right
５5 sheets), and has an effective shape for the absorbency which is a basic function of the absorbent article, particularly for the lateral leakage occurring in the width direction of the absorbent article. In addition to the prevention of lateral leakage, the folds are also effective in fitting when worn due to the characteristic ease of movement of the bellows structure, and are effective in preventing leakage in general. In the method for producing a surface material, first,
The film is cut to the approximate width of the folds for the formation of the folds, is joined to the fold formation position of the nonwoven fabric (or surface material), is weakly bonded by hot pressing, etc., and then the nonwoven fabric holding the film is And the effective pleats are formed at desired positions.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The surface material of an absorbent article according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional explanatory view of a sanitary napkin provided with a surface material according to the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of an apparatus for manufacturing a surface material of an absorbent article according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. FIGS. 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams of the state of the surface material in each step in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams of the state of the surface material from FIG. 4 in each step in the manufacturing apparatus in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the surface material 2 of the absorbent article (sanitary napkin 1) according to the present embodiment is overlaid on the absorbent body 4 or encloses the absorbent body 4 to absorb the body fluid. It is the same as the conventional surface material in that 2A is formed. The surface material 2 of the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric (in FIG. 1, the cross section is drawn in a spiral shape), and is formed on the absorbing surface 2A. It has a plurality of pleats 5, and the pleats 5 are arranged on both sides of a substantially central portion (pointed arrow P in FIG. 1) of the absorbing surface 2 </ b> A, and the inclination direction is directed to the central portion of the absorbing surface 2 </ b> A. Is provided.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The fold 5 has a three-layer structure of a nonwoven fabric 5a, a film 5b, and a nonwoven fabric 5c. That is, a single nonwoven fabric (surface material 2) forms folds 5 in a state where the film 5b is folded, and about 2 to 5 folds 5 are continuously formed on both sides of the sanitary napkin 1 respectively. ing. In addition, the nonwoven fabric 5c on the absorber side and the film 5b in the inclined state of the fold 5 are laminated with weak adhesion to each other. Further, the width of the pleat 5 is effective in a range of about 4 to 15 mm, and particularly, 5 to 1 mm.
0 mm is preferred. Therefore, in the structure of the fold 5, a single nonwoven fabric 5a layer exists on the skin contact side, and a laminated structure of the film 5b and the nonwoven fabric 5c exists on the absorber side. For this reason, while the nonwoven fabric surface hits the skin contact side and the skin feel is good, the one laminated on the absorber side where the absorption mechanism is dominant is used, and the absorption performance is improved.

Further, an elastic member 6 is provided on the free end of the pleat 5.
(Elastic string material) is provided. The elastic member 6 contributes to the three-dimensional holding of the pleats 5, and the pleats 5 have a louver-shaped height difference, so that the pleats 5 have an effect of facing and absorbing the flowing menstrual blood and secure the stability of the leak prevention effect.

The liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric used as the surface material 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has been conventionally used as a surface material. For example, nylon, cellulose ( Pulp), polyolefin, polyester and the like. The film 5b used for the pleats 5 may be a polyolefin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene, but is not particularly limited as long as it is a known film material. In addition, the material of the back surface material 3 and the absorber 4 can be used without any problem as long as it is a material known per se used in the absorbent article.

In the surface material 2 of the sanitary napkin 1 configured as described above, the louver-shaped folds 5 are tilted toward the central portion (point P in FIG. 1) of the liquid absorbing surface 2A. Acts effectively to prevent menstrual blood leakage in the width direction of the napkin 1, and because the folds 5 have a bellows structure, it has an effect on the fit when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn due to its characteristic ease of movement. Be demonstrated. Although the above embodiment is a surface material of a sanitary napkin, it may be used for other absorbent articles such as incontinence pads.

Next, a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a surface material of an absorbent article according to the present invention will be described. In the method of manufacturing the surface material 2, as shown in FIG. 4A, the film 5b cut substantially in accordance with the width of the fold 5 is continuously guided to each fold formation position of the nonwoven fabric 2 'and merged. . Next, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the film 5b and the nonwoven fabric 2 ′ are laminated with weak adhesion, and then, as shown in FIG. I do. Finally, as shown in FIG.
Is tilted, and the surface material 2 of the sanitary napkin 1 can be manufactured.

To further explain based on the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 is set so as to manufacture the sanitary napkin 1 having the specifications of a napkin width of 70 mm, a napkin length of 200 mm and a napkin thickness of 6 mm. It is a device for a surface material of an absorbent article. The manufacturing device 10 includes a slitter device 11, a guide device 12, a hot press mechanism 13, a fold forming roll 14, an adhesion mechanism 15, and a fold formation guide mechanism 1.
6. Consists of a foldable guide plate 17 and an absorber holding mechanism 18. Supply film roll 20 (thickness 1
A film such as a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0 to 30 μm is supplied from the guide roll 21 to the slitter device 11 and cut into a substantially fold width as shown in FIG. The width of the supply film is [number of pleats (left and right)] x [width of pleats]
Therefore, here, the number of folds 6 × 8 mm width = 48 mm
It has become. Although the slitter 11 may be a commercially available one, it is preferable that the slitter has a tension control mechanism corresponding to the film transport speed because the slit width is preferably as narrow as about 8 mm.

Each of the cut films 5b is supplied to the guide device 1
2 while being fed to the joining roll 23, while the nonwoven fabric of the supply nonwoven fabric roll 22 is sent to the joining roll 23 to be joined. The guide device 12 has a structure in which a small-diameter roller and a guide material are combined, and has a mechanism in which the supply position is adjusted and determined depending on the position of the roller. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the film 5b is accurately guided to each fold forming position of the nonwoven fabric 2 '. The width of the supplied nonwoven fabric is (the circumference of the body of the sanitary napkin 1) +
(Overlapping dimension) + [Number of pleats (left and right) x width of pleats x 2]
In this embodiment, the width is 210 mm.

The combined nonwoven fabric 2 'and film 5b are weakly bonded and laminated by a hot press mechanism 13. As shown in FIG. 4B, the press roll unit of the hot press mechanism 13 is a pressure roll 30 made of iron and having a diameter of 2 mm on the surface and having round pins at every 3 mm pitch, and a rubber having a hardness of 80 ° on the surface. The core lined with the material 31 is composed of a receiving roll 32 made of iron, and an air cylinder is driven by compressed air as pressurization. As shown in FIG. 4C, the nonwoven fabric 2 'bonded to the film 5b is folded back while the film 5b is held by the fold forming roll 14. The fold forming roll 14 includes a concave roll 34 in which the groove 33 is formed and a convex roll 36 in which a protrusion 35 is formed to be fitted in the groove 33. FIG. 4 (c)
In order to facilitate the explanation, the projection 35 is drawn away from the groove 33. The groove portions 33 are formed so as to be on both sides of the nonwoven fabric / film composite portion, each having six rows, a groove width of 4 mm, a groove depth of 8 mm, and a pitch of 8 mm excluding the central portion.

Further, in the fold forming roll 14, the elastic member 6 is supplied into the fold 5 formed in the groove 33 and merged. In this case, the elastic member 6 is
The adhesive for fixing the non-woven fabric 2 'and the non-woven fabric 2'
Applied to The fold 5 integrated with the elastic member 6 is guided to a fold forming guide mechanism 16 serving as a rising conveyor. As shown in FIG. 3, the fold forming guide mechanism 1
6, the concave roll 3
The groove portion 38 of the same kind as the groove portion 4 of No. 4 is formed, and the inlet 38a is formed relatively wide, and is formed narrower toward the outlet 38b. Therefore, the folds 5 are subjected to drawing and bonding for forming a three-dimensional shape.

Next, as the nonwoven fabric 2 'is conveyed, the folds 5 are processed by the fold inclining guide plate 17 so as to be pushed down toward the center, thereby forming the surface material 2 of the present embodiment. The surface material 2 holds the absorber 4 by the holding mechanism 18 and is used for the sanitary napkin 1. The liquid absorption characteristics of the sanitary napkin 1 configured as described above were evaluated by comparing with the conventional commercially available products. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0019]

[Table 1]

[0020]

As described above, the surface material of the absorbent article according to the present invention can give a wearer a more salat feeling by appropriately forming a suitable material into a preferable shape and using the right material in the right place, thereby improving the absorption speed,
It is excellent in terms of absorption amount and liquid return. In the method for producing a surface material of an absorbent article according to the present invention, the surface material can be continuously and efficiently produced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory sectional view of a sanitary napkin provided with a surface material according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of an apparatus for producing a surface material of an absorbent article according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 2;

4 (a) to 4 (c) are explanatory views of the state of a surface material in each step in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 2;

5 (a) to 5 (c) are explanatory views of the state of the surface material from FIG. 4 in each step in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sanitary napkin 2 Surface material 2 'Nonwoven fabric 3 Backing material 4 Absorber 5 Fold 5a Nonwoven fabric layer 5b Film 5c Nonwoven fabric layer 6 Elastic member 10 Absorbent article surface material manufacturing device 11 Slitter device 12 Guide device 13 Heat press mechanism 14 Fold forming roll 15 Bonding mechanism 16 Fold forming guide mechanism 17 Tilt guide plate 18 Absorber holding mechanism 33 Groove section 34 Concave roll 35 Protrusion section 36 Convex roll

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A surface material of an absorbent article which is superimposed on an absorber or encloses the absorber to form an absorbent surface for bodily fluid, wherein the surface material is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric. A plurality of pleats, and the pleats are arranged on both sides of a substantially central portion of the absorbent surface, and a tilt direction thereof is directed to a central portion of the absorbent surface. Wood. 2. The nonwoven fabric, a film, and a nonwoven fabric having a three-layer structure, wherein the nonwoven fabric on the absorber side in the inclined state of the folds and the film are weakly adhered to each other and are laminated. Surface material for absorbent articles. 3. The surface material of an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is provided on a free end side of the fold. 4. The method for producing a surface material of an absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the film cut to substantially match the width of the fold is continuously guided to each fold formation position of the nonwoven fabric. After the film and the nonwoven fabric are weakly bonded and laminated, the nonwoven fabric is folded back while the film is held to form the folds, and the folds are tilted to obtain an absorption. A method for producing a surface material of a conductive article. 5. The manufacturing apparatus for a surface material of an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the grooved portion is formed with a concave roll, and the grooved portion is formed with a protrusion formed with a protrusion. And a fold forming means for folding the nonwoven fabric between the concave roll and the convex roll into the groove by the protrusions to form a fold. A groove guide for guiding the pleats is formed, and the groove is formed narrower in the direction of movement of the pleats, and forming guide means for drawing the pleats, and tilting means for inclining the pleats, An apparatus for producing a surface material of an absorbent article, comprising: 6. The apparatus for manufacturing a surface material of an absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein a film cut substantially in accordance with the width of the fold is continuously formed at each fold of the nonwoven fabric before the fold forming means. A guide means for guiding the nonwoven fabric to the position, and a hot press means for weakly bonding the guided film and the nonwoven fabric, and the groove is formed by the ridges while the nonwoven fabric is held by the fold forming means. An apparatus for producing a surface material of an absorbent article, wherein the apparatus is folded into a strip.