JP3423824B2 - Disposable diapers - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disposable diaper, and more particularly to a disposable diaper having a liquid absorbing surface on its entire surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a disposable diaper for infants, various leak-proof mechanisms have been proposed for the purpose of preventing liquid leakage from the legs. For example, inside the leg gathers, a hydrophobic three-dimensional gather is provided along the longitudinal direction of the diaper,
It is known that the three-dimensional gather is laid inward. The three-dimensional gather stands up to some extent when the diaper is worn, and because of its hydrophobicity, it acts as a liquid leak preventer, improving the storage characteristics of excrement, and preventing liquid leak from the leg part when the wearer moves. To prevent.

However, in the above-mentioned three-dimensional gather, although the so-called pocket portion is formed by the three-dimensional gather to improve the storage property of excrement, the three-dimensional gather is crushed by the wearer's body pressure or the like while wearing the diaper. In many cases, the effect cannot be fully exerted. In addition, depending on the wearer's movement, the liquid often diffuses in various directions inside the diaper and leaks out beyond the three-dimensional gather. In such a case, the outer side of the three-dimensional gather is no longer hydrophobic, and since there is no absorber, the leaked liquid flows out to the outside of the disposable diaper without being absorbed. Moreover, since the leg gathers themselves are not three-dimensional, the leg gathers do not have the leak preventive action of the three-dimensional gathers,
Liquid leakage cannot be prevented by the leg gathers.

As a means for solving such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to increase the elastic force of an elastic elastic member arranged at the free edge portion of the above-mentioned three-dimensional gather. There is also an inconvenience of reducing the size of the diaper and damaging the wearer's skin.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable diaper which reliably absorbs liquid and prevents liquid leakage even when the liquid diffuses in various directions as the wearer moves.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have made earnest studies and found that a liquid absorbing area is provided on the entire surface of a disposable diaper, and leg gathers and three-dimensional gathers are integrated to form a three-dimensional and round shape. It was found that the above object can be achieved by forming the leg portion.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the above findings, and has a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and a liquid-retaining property interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. In a disposable diaper provided with an absorbent body, on both sides in the longitudinal direction on the side of the top sheet of the diaper, an inner sheet continuous with the back sheet, an inner edge portion along the longitudinal direction of each of the inner sheets, Leg absorbers are formed by arranging them so as to be located inside both side edge portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorber, and arranging a first elastic member in a connecting portion between the back sheet and the inner sheet. In addition, the second elastic member is disposed on the inner edge of the inner sheet to form a fold gather, and the side edge of the absorber in the longitudinal direction and the inner sheet are formed. The top sheet and the inner sheet are joined together between the side edge portions to form a fold portion such that the fold portion gather becomes a free edge portion, and the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the fold portion gather and the above The object is achieved by providing a disposable diaper characterized in that the inside of the leg gather is joined to the inner side of the center in the longitudinal direction so that the folds and the leg gather stand up.

[0008]

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the disposable diaper of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. here,
1 is a development view showing a first embodiment of the disposable diaper of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in a relaxed state of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
It is a perspective view showing the state where a back waist part and an abdominal waist part are fixed by a locking member.

The disposable diaper 10 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a liquid-permeable top sheet 12, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 14 and an intervening space between the top sheet 12 and the back sheet 12. Liquid-retaining absorber 16
It is equipped with.

The liquid-permeable top sheet 12 can be used without particular limitation as long as it has a property of allowing excrement to permeate into the absorbent body 16.
In particular, it is preferable to use a material having a feel close to that of underwear. Preferable examples of such a liquid-permeable sheet include a woven fabric of a thermoplastic resin, a non-woven fabric such as a card or spunbond, or a porous film. Further, in order to enhance the liquid permeability of the top sheet, a hydrophilic compound such as an alkyl phosphate ester may be applied on the surface thereof.

The liquid-impermeable back sheet 14 is a film sheet obtained by adding a filler of an inorganic compound or an organic compound to a thermoplastic resin, performing melt extrusion from a T die or a circular die, and then uniaxially or biaxially stretching it. A liquid impermeable sheet having moisture permeability is preferable. It is preferable that the back sheet 14 has a feeling particularly close to that of underwear. As such a liquid impermeable sheet, for example, a composite material of a thermoplastic resin film and a non-woven fabric is preferably cited.

Fluff pulp obtained by crushing wood pulp can be used as the liquid-retaining absorber 16.
It is preferable to use a super absorbent polymer in combination therewith. Particularly preferred is a mixture of a thermoplastic resin, fluff pulp and a super absorbent polymer which has been heat treated. The superabsorbent polymer may be used as a mixture with fluff pulp, or may be present only in a specific part of the absorbent body 16, that is, any one of the upper layer part, the middle layer part and the lower layer part.
As the super absorbent polymer, a particulate polymer having a retention performance capable of absorbing and retaining 20 times or more of its own weight of liquid and having a gelling property is preferable. Such superabsorbent polymers include, for example, starch-based, cellulose-based and synthetic polymers, particularly starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymer, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymer, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Preferable examples include crosslinked products and acrylic acid (salt) polymers.

Further, the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a back waist portion 50 located on the back side of the wearer and a belly waist portion 51 located on the ventral side when the diaper is worn. Joined to form a waist opening. In the back waist portion 50 and the abdominal waist portion 51, the top sheet 12, the back sheet 14, and a waist elastic member (not shown) interposed therebetween are hot melt or the like. Are joined together by the fixing means of the back waist gather 5
2 and a ventral waist gather 53 are formed respectively. As the waist elastic member, for example, a thread-shaped or band-shaped material such as polyurethane or natural rubber can be used, and thread rubber, flat rubber, film type rubber or film-shaped polyurethane foam is particularly preferable. Used.

The characteristic parts of the present invention will be described below. In the disposable diaper of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the left and right side portions of the disposable diaper 10 on the top sheet 12 side in the longitudinal direction. And the inner sheets 18, 1 connected to the back sheet 14 respectively.
8 ′ is arranged such that the inner edges of the inner sheets 18 and 18 ′ along the longitudinal direction are located inside the respective longitudinal edge portions 20 and 20 ′ of the absorbent body 16, respectively.

More specifically, in the disposable diaper of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the inner sheets 18 and 18 ', the left and right side portions of the back sheet 14 are on the top sheet 12 side. The back sheet 14 is formed into a continuous body by being folded back. The inner sheets 18 and 18 ′ are arranged over the entire length of the disposable diaper 10 in the longitudinal direction. The widths of the both inner sheets 18, 18 'are substantially the same, and the sum of the widths of the left and right inner sheets 18, 18' is
It is preferable that the width is 55% or more of the width of the disposable diaper 10 from the viewpoint that the leg gathers stand up roundly and three-dimensionally.

The both inner sheets 18, 18 'are
As shown in FIG. 2, the inner edge portions along the respective longitudinal directions are arranged so as to be located inside the respective side edge portions 20 and 20 ′ in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 16. In addition, it is preferable from the viewpoint of absorption performance that the sum of the widths of the portions of the both inner sheets 18, 18 ′ that are present in the absorber 16 is 85% or less of the width of the absorber 16.

Both the inner sheets 18 and 18 'in the disposable diaper 10 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Since the back sheet 14 is formed as a folded continuous body, the inner sheets 18, 1
The material of the 8'sheet is the same as the material of the backsheet 14. However, the material of the inner sheet in the disposable diaper of the present invention may be different from the material of the back sheet as in the third embodiment described later.

Further, in the disposable diaper of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the back sheet 14 is used.
And the inner sheet 18, 18 ′ connected to each other (in the present embodiment, the folded portion of the back sheet 14),
The first stretchable elastic members 22, 22 'are arranged and fixed by a fixing means such as hot melt in a stretched state, and as a result, a pair of left and right leg gathers 24, 24' are formed. The first elastic member 22,
22 'is arrange | positioned along the longitudinal direction of the said disposable diaper 10, and from the lower end edge part 52' of the back side waist gather 52 to the lower end edge part 53 'of the abdominal waist gather 53.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner edge portions of both inner sheets 18 and 18 'are provided with a second
With the stretchable elastic members 26 and 26 'stretched,
It is arranged and fixed by a fixing means such as hot melt, and as a result, a pair of left and right fold gathers 28, 28 'are formed. The second elastic members 26, 2
6'is similar to the first elastic members 22 and 22 ',
It is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the disposable diaper 10 and extends from the lower end edge portion 52 'of the back waist gather 52 to the lower end edge portion 53' of the abdominal waist gather 53. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the second elastic members 26, 26 'are disposed at the folded-back portions where the inner edge portions of the both inner sheets 18, 18' are folded back toward the top sheet 12 side. Has been done.

The first elastic member and the second elastic member may be the same as or different from the material used for the waist elastic member, and may be used without particular limitation. .

Further, in the disposable diaper of the present invention, the top sheet 12 and the both inner sheets 18, 1 are
8'is joined and fixed by fixing means such as hot melt. The position of the joining / fixing part is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
It is a position between 0, 20 'and the inner edge of the inner sheet 18, 18' and along the longitudinal direction of the diaper. Therefore, the fold gathers 28, 28 'formed on the inner edge of the inner sheet 18, 18' are formed.
The portion from to the joining / fixing portion is in a so-called free state in which it is not fixed to the top sheet 12. As a result, the disposable diaper 10 has the fold gathers 28, 2 on the top sheet 12 side thereof.
8'A pair of left and right folds 30 and 3 having free edges
0'is formed respectively. That is, the folds 30 and 3
In 0 ′, one side edge in the longitudinal direction is a free edge, and the fold gathers 28, 28 ′ are formed on the free edge, while facing the one side edge. The other side edge is
It is joined and fixed to the top sheet 12.

Furthermore, in the disposable diaper of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
8, 28 'substantially in the longitudinal direction and the leg gather 2
4, 24 'are joined and fixed to the inner side portions of the centers in the longitudinal direction, respectively, so that the folds 30, 30' and the leg gathers 24, 24 'stand up. A fixing means such as hot melt can be used for joining and fixing the fold gathers and the leg gathers. The joining / fixing portion may be joined / fixed with a strength such that the fold gathers and the leg gathers stand up and can maintain the state even during use, and the joining / fixing area ( length,
There is no particular limitation on the width. Also, the above leg gather 2
4, 24 ′ are joined and fixed to the fold gathers 28, 28 ′ at an inner portion substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction thereof, but the position of the inner portion is such that the fold gathers and the leg gathers are successful. It can be adjusted (i.e. further inward or outward) to stand up.

Further, in the disposable diaper of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, locking members 32 and 32 'are provided on both left and right edges of the back waist portion 50 on the top sheet side. Such locking members 32, 32 '
As shown in FIG. 3, the back side waist portion 50 and the abdominal side waist portion 51 are fixed to each other when the disposable diaper of the present invention is attached.

As the locking member, a locking member used in a conventional disposable diaper can be used without particular limitation. In the present invention, it is preferable to use what is known as a mechanical fastener (male type) as the locking member, and to use a nonwoven fabric as the locked member. More specifically, the outer surface of the disposable diaper of the present invention on the back sheet side is made of a nonwoven fabric as the locked member, and the back waist is formed by the nonwoven fabric and a mechanical fastener as the locking member. It is preferable that the portion 50 and the abdominal waist portion 51 are fixed. By using such a locking member and a locked member, the locking member can be fixed at any position of the locked member. The height can be adjusted easily. Moreover, since the locking member is detachable from the locked member, it is easy to re-wear the diaper even if the diaper is temporarily removed from the wearer in order to check the internal condition of the diaper during wearing. Is. That is, the diaper can be attached and removed many times.

Next, the liquid absorbing action of the disposable diaper of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a relaxed state of the disposable diaper of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the wearer wears the disposable diaper of the present embodiment, and FIG.
[Fig. 2] is a sectional view taken along line BB in a relaxed state of the disposable diaper shown in Fig. 1.

In the disposable diaper of the present invention, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the gathers 28, 28 'in the longitudinal direction and the inner portion in the approximate center in the longitudinal direction of the leg gathers 24, 24' are joined together to form the fold portion 30. , 30 'and the leg gathers 24, 24' stand upright. Then, these folds and leg gathers are in an upright state when the disposable diaper of the present invention is unfolded (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and further, as shown in FIG. 4, the disposable diaper of the present invention is relaxed. In the raised state, it is more upright. Therefore, unlike conventional disposable diapers,
Not only the folds but also the leg gathers have a three-dimensional shape, and these are integrated. Therefore, the leakage of the liquid from the wearer's leg is effectively prevented as compared with the conventional disposable diaper. Moreover, when the diaper is worn, the folds and leg gathers have a round shape, and as shown in FIG. 5, the leg gathers 24, 24 'come into surface contact with the wearer's leg ( (Indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5),
The fit is extremely high, and liquid leakage is more effectively prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a so-called pocket portion for containing excrement is formed between the folds 30, 30 'and the top sheet (FIG. 6).
(Shown by the middle arrow), the excrement storage characteristics are significantly improved.
The pocket portion exerts an effect of preventing liquid leakage especially from the waist portion.

Further, in the disposable diaper of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, even when the liquid leaks out beyond the folds 30, 30 'due to the motion of the wearer, etc., the folds Since the absorber 16 exists between the leg gathers, the leaked liquid is absorbed by the absorber and is unlikely to flow out of the diaper. As a result, liquid leakage is prevented even more effectively. In order to more effectively absorb the leaked liquid between the folds and the leg gathers, the outer surface of the folds (that is, the leg gathers are opposed to each other when the folds are erected). surface)
Is preferably hydrophilic. To make such a portion hydrophilic, for example, the folds may be formed of a hydrophilic material or may be subjected to a hydrophilic treatment with a surfactant or the like.

Next, second and third embodiments of the disposable diaper of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 (each corresponding to FIG. 2). 7 and 8, the same points as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 will not be described in detail,
The description in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 applies as appropriate. Further, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The disposable diaper of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is constructed in substantially the same manner as the disposable diaper of the first embodiment, except that the inner sheet is impermeable to the nonwoven fabric 36 and liquid. The film is laminated with the film 34 and the non-woven fabric is disposed so as to be located on the skin contact surface of the diaper. The back sheet is made of a laminate of a liquid-impermeable film 34 and a non-woven fabric 36, and the back sheet is arranged so that the non-woven fabric 36 is located on the non-skin-contacting surface (outer surface) of the diaper. There is. The inner sheet disposed on the top sheet 12 side of the diaper is formed of a continuous body from the back sheet. As described above, in the disposable diaper of the present embodiment, since the outer surface (non-skin contact surface) is formed of the non-woven fabric, the disposable diaper has a cloth-like feel and a comfortable use feeling. Further, by using the above-mentioned mechanical fastener as the locking member, the locking member can be fixed at any position of the non-woven fabric. Therefore, the waist circumference of the diaper can be appropriately adjusted according to the wearer's physique. can do.
Moreover, since the locking member can be attached and removed any number of times, even if the diaper is temporarily removed from the wearer, it is easy to wear it again. In the present embodiment, the non-woven fabric 36 in the back sheet may be laminated on the entire surface of the back sheet, or only a part thereof, for example, a portion to which the locking member is fixed, Outer surface of the back waist (non-skin contact surface)
It may be laminated only on.

Next, the disposable diaper of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is constructed in substantially the same manner as the disposable diaper of the first embodiment described above, except that the backsheet is made of the nonwoven fabric 36. It is configured, and the film 34 is continuously provided on both side portions along the longitudinal direction. Then, the film 34 is folded back to the side of the top sheet 12 of the diaper to form the inner sheet. For joining the continuous portion of the film 34 and the nonwoven fabric 36, a fixing means such as hot melt or heat seal can be used. Also in the disposable diaper of the present embodiment, similarly to the disposable diaper of the second embodiment, by using the mechanical fastener described above as a locking member, the locking member can be placed at any position of the nonwoven fabric. Since it can be fixed, the waist circumference of the diaper can be appropriately adjusted according to the physique of the wearer. Moreover, since the locking member can be attached and removed any number of times, even if the diaper is temporarily removed from the wearer, it is easy to wear it again. Further, in the disposable diaper of the present embodiment, the amount of the non-woven fabric 36 used can be reduced, so that the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

The disposable diaper of the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiment. However, the disposable diaper of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various modifications are possible. For example, a liquid-impermeable sheet is interposed between the top sheet and the absorber in the back waist portion and / or the abdominal waist portion to prevent the liquid from oozing from the absorber when the wearer reclines. You may form a so-called waist barrier for preventing.
Further, the inner sheet does not need to be arranged over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the diaper, and the lower sheet edge 52 ′ of the back waist gather 52 is connected to the abdominal waist gather 5.
It may be disposed only on the lower end edge portion 53 ′ of No. 3. Further, as the locking member, an adhesive tape such as a fastening tape may be used instead of the mechanical fastener.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, even when the liquid diffuses in various directions due to the motion of the wearer, the liquid is surely absorbed and the liquid is prevented from leaking. A diaper is provided. Further, by forming the back sheet from a laminate of a liquid-impermeable film and a non-woven fabric, and disposing the non-woven fabric on the outer surface of the diaper, the back sheet is provided to give a cloth-like feel and comfort. A disposable diaper having a comfortable feeling can be obtained. Furthermore, by using a mechanical fastener together as a locking member, the locking member can be fixed at any position of the non-woven fabric, so that the waist circumference of the diaper can be adjusted appropriately according to the size of the wearer. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a development view showing a first embodiment of a disposable diaper of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1 in a relaxed state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a back waist portion and an abdominal waist portion are fixed by a locking member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the disposable diaper of the first embodiment is relaxed.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the wearer has worn the disposable diaper of the first embodiment.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1 in a relaxed state.

FIG. 7 is a view (corresponding to FIG. 2) showing a second embodiment of the disposable diaper of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view (corresponding to FIG. 2) showing a third embodiment of the disposable diaper of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 disposable diapers 12 Liquid-permeable topsheet 14 Liquid impermeable backsheet 16 Liquid-retaining absorber 18,18 'inner sheet 20, 20 'Side edge of absorber 16 22, 22 'First elastic member 24,24 'leg gather 26, 26 'Second elastic member 28,28 'Fold gather 30,30 'Fold 32, 32 'locking member 34 film 36 non-woven fabric

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-89302 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61F 13/15-13/84 A61F 5 / 44

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A disposable diaper comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and a liquid-retaining absorber interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein On both side portions in the longitudinal direction on the side of the top sheet, inner sheets continuously provided to the back sheet, inner edge portions along the longitudinal direction of the respective inner sheets are more than side edge portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorber. Each of them is arranged so as to be located inside, and the first elastic member is arranged at the connecting portion between the back sheet and the inner sheet to form leg gathers, and at the inner edge portion of the inner sheet. A second stretchable elastic member is provided to form a fold gather, and the top sheet and the top sheet are provided between the side edge portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorber and the inner edge portion of the inner sheet. Joining the inner sheet to form a fold portion such that the fold gather is a free edge portion, and a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the fold gather and an inner portion in the longitudinal center of the leg gather. A disposable diaper characterized by being joined together so that the folds and the leg gathers stand up. 2. The disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein the back sheet is made of a laminate of a non-woven fabric and a film, and the non-woven fabric is arranged so as to be located on a non-skin-contacting surface of the diaper. 3. The disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein the inner sheet is made of a laminate of a non-woven fabric and a film, and the non-woven fabric is arranged so as to be located on the skin contact surface of the diaper. 4. A locking member is provided on each of the left and right side portions of the back waist portion on the top sheet side so that the back waist portion and the abdominal waist portion can be fixed by the locking member when the diaper is worn. The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2. 5. The disposable diaper according to claim 4, wherein the engaging member is provided with a mechanical fastener on the surface of the support.