JP4142518B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, a urinary incontinence pad, and a sanitary napkin, and more particularly to an absorbent article having a surface structure that has excellent fit to the body and can effectively prevent side leakage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Absorbent articles such as conventional disposable diapers, urinary incontinence pads, sanitary napkins are a liquid-permeable top sheet that faces the liquid-receiving side, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet that is provided on the opposite side. And the structure which has the absorptive core which consists of a pulp interposed between both sheets, a superabsorbent polymer, etc. is common.
[0003]
In addition, as a structure to improve the close contact with the genitals and its surroundings when touching the crotch part, so that excretory fluid such as urine and menstrual blood does not leak sideways, A relatively bulky cushion layer composed of a hydrophilic fiber layer, or an absorbent material layer smaller than the absorbent core on the liquid-receiving side of the absorbent core, In addition, a material in which the cushion layer is stacked is also put into practical use.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the absorbent article provided with the cushion layer may not always follow individual differences in the shape of the crotch portion.
[0005]
In particular, disposable diapers for elderly care, urinary incontinence pads, and the like often cannot be reliably adhered to the crotch. In other words, compared to infants, older people have more crotch width differences, flesh differences in crotch, abdomen or buttocks, and individuals such as shaved skin, sagging skin, wrinkles, etc. The difference is intense. Therefore, it is difficult to make all the wearers contact between the crotch.
[0006]
In addition, the amount of urination per elderly person is significantly higher than that of infants, and if the disposable diaper or urinary incontinence pad is not in close contact with the crotch as described above, urine leaks sideways, and clothes and bedding are worn. Easy to get dirty.
[0007]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and the surface structure provided on the liquid receiving side easily adheres to the shape of the crotch, genitals, and ridges, and the side leakage of excretory liquid is unlikely to occur. An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, a liquid-permeable surface structure is provided on the liquid-receiving side of an absorbent core formed of pulverized pulp or a mixture of pulverized pulp and a superabsorbent polymer, and the longitudinal length dimension is lateral. In an absorbent article longer than the width dimension in the direction,
The surface structure includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet that forms a plurality of bulge portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel rows, and the surface sheet and the absorbent core in the bulge portion. It consists of a hydrophilic cushion layer formed of any one of spread fibers, strip fibers, and nonwoven fabrics intervening in
The cross-sectional area of the bulge part is larger than the bulge part located at the side of the bulge part located in the center, and the gap between the bulge parts adjacent to each other is in the height direction from the bottom of the valley part of the gap. It gradually decreases over the middle abdomen, and the surface sheets are in contact with each other in the middle abdomen,
A liquid-permeable second sheet is provided between the cushion layer and the absorbent core, and the top sheet and the second sheet are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction at the valley of the bulge. It is characterized by being joined.
[0011]
The top sheet and the second sheet are liquid permeable sheets such as a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and a film having a large number of openings. The absorbent core is pulverized pulp or a mixture of pulverized pulp and superabsorbent polymer (SAP).
[0012]
The hydrophilic material layer is made of a hydrophilic or hydrophilic-treated fiber. That is, a long fiber called a tow, a strip-like fiber, a web of relatively short fibers, an air-through nonwoven fabric, or the like.
[0013]
In the present invention, a plurality of bulges are formed in a pleated shape, and the cushion layer is formed by the hydrophilic material layer in the bulges. Therefore, the surface structure conforms to individual differences in the wearer's crotch. It becomes easy to fit the part. In addition, when a large amount of excretory fluid such as urine is given, it penetrates into the absorbent core underneath as it flows through the valley between the bulges, so it absorbs the excretory fluid over a wide area of the absorbent core. It is possible to prevent side leakage.
[0014]
In the absorbent article of the present invention, the height of the bulge is preferably 5 mm or more. When the height of the bulging portions forming a row in a pleat shape is 5 mm or more, and preferably 10 mm or more, the liquid receiving side of the absorbent article can easily fit into the uneven shape of individual bodies such as the elderly without gaps.
[0015]
The absorbent article of the present invention is used as a disposable diaper, a sanitary napkin, a urinary incontinence pad, etc., and the surface opposite to the surface structure of the absorbent core is covered with a liquid-impermeable back sheet. Used as being.
[0016]
Further, the absorbent article of the present invention includes an intermediate part applied to the wearer's crotch, a front part applied to the abdomen side of the wearer continuously to the intermediate part, and a continuous part of the wearer continuously to the intermediate part. And when the direction from the front part to the rear part is the vertical direction, the surface structure is provided at least in the intermediate part, and the longitudinal direction of the bulge parts forming a row is It is preferable to be oriented in the longitudinal direction.
[0017]
That is, the body sheet is formed by stacking the back sheet, the absorbent core, and the second sheet, and the intermediate part, the front part, and the rear part are integrally formed in the body part, and bulges on the second sheet. It can be configured as a surface structure having a portion installed.
[0018]
When the fold-like bulge is oriented in the vertical direction, excretion fluid such as urine given to the surface structure is guided in the vertical direction in the middle valley of the bulge and is difficult to flow in the horizontal direction. Become. Further, when a liquid stop layer is formed in the bulge portion, it becomes difficult for the liquid to flow in a direction crossing the bulge portion in a row, and side leakage such as urine can be prevented.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a basic structure of an absorbent article of the present invention, and is a perspective view including a partial cross section, and FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof. The X direction is the transverse direction (width direction) of the absorbent article, and the Y direction is the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) of the absorbent article.
[0020]
In this absorbent article 1, a back surface sheet (back sheet) 3 is superimposed on the back surface side of the absorbent core 2, and a surface structure 4 is superimposed on the front surface side. The absorbent core 2 is formed of pulverized pulp or a mixture of pulverized pulp and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and is further configured by being wrapped with an absorbent sheet such as tissue. The back sheet 3 is liquid-impermeable and is formed of, for example, an olefin resin sheet. Moreover, when using as a disposable diaper or a sanitary napkin, it is preferable that the back surface sheet 3 is air permeability.
[0021]
The surface structure 4 includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet (top sheet) 5 and a liquid-permeable second sheet 6 that is closer to the absorbent core 2 than the surface sheet 5. The top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 are, for example, non-woven fabrics such as point bonds, air-throughs, spun bonds, or spun laces, which are formed by hydrophilic treatment of hydrophobic fibers or hydrophilic fibers. Alternatively, it may be a resin film such as polyethylene (PE) having a large number of openings.
[0022]
The top sheet 5 is joined to the second sheet 6 by a trough 7 provided at a certain interval P in the lateral direction. Between the valley portion 7 and the valley portion 7, the topsheet 5 is deformed so as to have a bulge, and a bulge portion (fold portion) 8 is formed. The bulges 8 extend in the vertical direction and are formed in parallel with each other. A cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material is interposed between the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 inside the bulging portion 8.
[0023]
The hydrophilic material forming the cushion layer 9 is a long fiber (tow), for example, a hydrophobic fiber such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, a composite fiber of polyester and polyethylene subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, or rayon. It is a hydrophilic fiber. Alternatively, a hydrophilic film or a hydrophilic treatment is performed with a short film or a strip-like fiber. Alternatively, a bulky low-density nonwoven fabric such as an air-through nonwoven fabric formed from fibers subjected to hydrophilic treatment, or a web of relatively short fibers opened (hydrophilic or hydrophilic treatment-treated).
[0024]
The cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material is preferably bulky, easily permeable to liquid, and elastically recoverable (restored) when pressurized. In order to satisfy these requirements, the cushion layer 9 preferably has a density of 0.4 g / cm 3 or less and the fineness of the fibers forming the cushion layer 9 is 1 denier or more.
[0025]
In the valley portion 7, the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 are joined. This joining is adhesion by an adhesive such as hot melt. When the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 include heat-fusible fibers, the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 may be heat-sealed and joined at the valley portion 7.
[0026]
In the trough portion 7, the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 are bonded or heat-sealed , and this bonded portion or heat-sealed portion is formed with an interval in the vertical direction (Y direction) and bonded. A non-adhesive part is provided between the parts . Therefore , in the trough portion 7, the second sheet 6 can easily transmit the liquid to the absorbent core 2 at an intermediate non-adhesive portion between adjacent adhesive portions or heat fusion portions.
[0027]
The height h of the bulging portion 8 from the surface of the second sheet 6 is preferably 5 mm or more and 50 mm or less. Furthermore, it is preferably 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less. If it sets to such height, it will become easy to fit a surface structure to the uneven | corrugated shape of a wearer's body.
[0028]
Further, in the middle part 11 of the bulging part 8, the gap between the bulging parts 8 is preferably narrower than the width of the valley part 7. As described above, in the abdomen 11 in the height direction of the bulge portion 8, the gap between the bulge portions 8, rather narrower than the gap between the bulge at the bottom of the valley 7, in the abdominal 11, the surface When the sheets 5 are in contact with each other, the surface side (liquid receiving side) of the valley portion 7 having the adhesion portion or the heat fusion portion is covered with the bulging portion 8, and excretion liquid such as urine is given. Sometimes, the excretory fluid easily permeates into the bulging portion 8 and can reduce the amount of the liquid directly applied to the valley portion 7 where the adhesive portion and the heat fusion portion are formed. Makes it easier to absorb the liquid.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 constituting the surface structure 4 and the back sheet 3 are joined to each other in the outer region of the absorbent core 2 so that the joint portions 12 and 12 are formed. Is formed. In the joint portions 12 and 12, the sheets 3, 5, and 6 are adhered by an adhesive such as hot melt or joined by heat fusion.
[0030]
In this absorbent article 1, the surface structure 4 has a plurality of bulging portions 8 extending in parallel rows, and is hydrophilic so that the bulging portions 8 are bulky and have a low density. Since the cushion layer 9 of the material is provided, when the surface structure 4 hits the wearer, the individual bulges 8 are deformed according to the shape of the wearing part, and thus the surface structure 4 is changed by the wearer. It touches the skin without any gaps.
[0031]
In particular, since the individual cushion layers 9 of the surface structure 4 are deformed according to individual differences in the shape of the wearer's crotch, genitals, and heel, the adhesiveness is good, and as a result, the excretory fluid is absorbed into the absorbent article Difficult to leak outside of 1.
[0032]
Excreted fluid such as urine passes through the top sheet 5, the hydrophilic material cushion layer 9, and the second sheet 6 and is absorbed by the absorbent core 2. When a large amount of urine or the like is given to the surface structure 4, the liquid that cannot penetrate into the bulging portion 8 is guided in the vertical direction (Y direction) through the valley portion 7, and the surface sheet is in the middle of being guided 5 and the second sheet 6 are transmitted to reach the absorbent core 2, so that the liquid hardly leaks in the lateral direction (X direction), and the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent core 2 over a wide range. Therefore, the liquid can be evenly absorbed in a wide range of the absorbent core 2, and the absorbent capacity of the absorbent article 1 can be enhanced as a whole. Even if the thin absorbent core 2 is used, the liquid can be sufficiently absorbed. Can be absorbed.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view including a partial cross section showing an absorbent article 1A which is a modification of the basic structure of the present invention.
[0034]
In this absorbent article 1 </ b> A, a liquid stopper layer 15 is provided inside the bulging portion 8. In the example shown in FIG. 3, this liquid stop layer is a resin film or a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. Alternatively, a hydrophilic non-woven fabric may be used. In this case, the density of the non-woven fabric is higher than the fiber density of the hydrophilic material of the cushion layer 9, and the liquid that has penetrated into the cushion layer 9 is laterally ( X direction) can be completely or partially dammed.
[0035]
The liquid stop layer 15 such as the resin film or the nonwoven fabric is provided along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) inside the bulging portion 8 so that the direction of the width dimension W rises from the surface of the absorbent core 2. That is, the direction of the width dimension W is directed from the surface of the absorbent core 2 to almost the top of the peak of the bulging portion 8. Therefore, in the bulging portion 8, the hydrophilic material cushion layer 9, the liquid stopper layer 15, and the hydrophilic material cushion layer 9 are arranged in this order in a transverse direction across the bulging portion 8.
[0036]
In this absorbent article 1A, when the liquid that has permeated through the surface sheet 5 of the surface structure 4 and does not permeate through the second sheet 6 flows through the bulging portion 8, the liquid stopper layer 15 The movement in the lateral direction (X direction) is suppressed, and the liquid passes through the second sheet 6 while mainly flowing in the Y direction, and is absorbed by the absorbent core 2. Therefore, the liquid in the bulging portion 8 does not leak laterally, and the lateral leakage of liquid can be effectively prevented.
[0037]
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are partial cross-sectional views showing other embodiments of the absorbent article 1A. In FIG. 4 (A), the liquid stop layer 15a in the bulging part 8 is comprised by the fiber layer. The fiber layer constituting the liquid stop layer 15a is a hydrophobic fiber such as a composite fiber or a single fiber of polypropylene and polyethylene and is not subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. The density of the fiber layer constituting the liquid stop layer 15a is higher than the density of the hydrophilic fiber constituting the cushion layer 9, and the cushion layer 9 is laterally (X direction) inside the bulging portion 8. The liquid stopper layer 15a and the cushion layer 9 are arranged in this order, and the liquid stopper layer 15a is sandwiched between the cushion layer 9 and the cushion layer 9 in the lateral direction.
[0038]
In FIG. 4B, the second sheet 6 rises from the surface of the absorbent core 2 and extends into the bulging portion 8 to form a liquid stop layer 15 b. In FIG.4 (C), the surface sheet 5 hangs down from the approximate vertex of the bulging part 8 toward the absorptive core 2, and, thereby, the liquid stop layer 15c is formed.
[0039]
The liquid stop layers 15b and 15c shown in FIGS. 4 (B) and 4 (C) are liquid-permeable and hydrophilic surface sheets 5 or second sheets 6 that are folded and bonded to each other by an adhesive such as hot melt. Or folded and heat-sealed to each other so that the liquid is less permeable than the hydrophilic material constituting the cushion layer 9.
[0040]
4 (A) to 4 (C) also, the liquid is difficult to move in the lateral direction in the bulging portion 8 and flows in the bulging portion 8 along the longitudinal direction (column direction). It will be effectively absorbed.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an absorbent article 1B according to an embodiment of the present invention based on the basic structure. In the absorbent article 1B, the cross-sectional area of the bulge portion is different respectively, the cross-sectional area of the central bulge portion 8a is larger, the sectional area of both sides of the bulge portion 8b is small.
[0042]
For example, when used as a disposable diaper or a sanitary napkin, the bulging portion 8a having a large cross-sectional area at the center can be deformed so as to follow the shape of the crotch portion or the genitals, thereby improving fit. In addition, the bulges 8b on both sides have a small cross-sectional area, and a large number of bulges 8b can be arranged at a short pitch in the lateral direction (X direction). As a result, side leakage of the liquid can be effectively prevented.
[0043]
Sectional area of The bulges may be gradually reduced toward both sides from the center.
[0044]
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example in which a disposable diaper is configured with the absorbent article of the present invention with the liquid receiving side facing forward. A urinary incontinence pad and a sanitary napkin can be configured with the same structure.
[0045]
This absorbent article 1D has a disposable diaper as a whole, an intermediate part 21 applied to the wearer's crotch part, a front part 22 applied to the abdomen side, and a rear part applied to the buttocks side. 23 are continuously formed. That is, the laminated body of the back sheet 3, the absorbent core 2, and the second sheet 6 has an hourglass shape, and the intermediate portion 21, the front portion 22, and the rear portion 23 are integrally formed. At this time, the joining portion 12 where the back sheet 3, the second sheet 6, and the top sheet 5 are joined protrudes on both sides at the front portion 22 and the rear portion 23.
[0046]
A plurality of bulging portions 8 (or 8a, 8b) forming a row extend in the vertical direction from the front portion 22 toward the rear portion 23. In this absorbent article 1D, the liquid given to the surface structure 4 is less likely to flow in the lateral direction, and therefore leakage from the intermediate portion 21 in the lateral direction can be prevented.
[0047]
In addition, the whole shape of 1 A of absorbent articles as shown in FIG. 6 can be variously changed according to a use, for example, the planar shape of the absorptive core 2 may be a rectangle.
[0048]
In addition, in each said figure, although the bulging part 8 (8a, 8b) is extended linearly in the vertical direction, for example, the bulging part 8 extended to the vertical direction (Y direction) is constant in the vertical direction. The top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 may be joined at a constant interval in the vertical direction, that is, the cushion layer 9 may be interrupted. That is, when the bulging portions 8 forming a row are viewed from a plane, the valley portions 7 are parallel to each other and extend in the vertical direction, and the size of each bulging portion 8 is short in the horizontal direction (X direction) and in the vertical direction ( It is sufficient that the (Y direction) is long.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, the surface structure can be freely deformed according to individual differences in the crotch portion, and can easily fit the wearer's skin. Further, when the bulging portions extend in a row in the vertical direction, it is possible to effectively prevent the liquid from leaking sideways.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic structure of an absorbent article according to the present invention including a partial cross section;
2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a modification of the absorbent article having the basic structure of the present invention, including a partial cross-section;
4 (A), (B), and (C) are partial cross-sectional views showing modifications of the liquid stopper layer of the absorbent article of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example in which a disposable diaper is configured with the absorbent article of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1D Absorbent article 2 Absorbent core 3 Back surface sheet 4 Surface structure 5 Surface sheet 6 Second sheet 7 Valley part 8 Swelling part 9 Cushion layer 12 Joint part 21 Intermediate part 22 Front part 23 Rear part

Claims (5)

A liquid-permeable surface structure is provided on the liquid-receiving side of the absorbent core formed of pulverized pulp or a mixture of pulverized pulp and a superabsorbent polymer, and the longitudinal length dimension is the transverse width dimension. In longer absorbent articles,
The surface structure includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet forming a plurality of bulge portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel rows, and between the surface sheet and the absorbent core in the bulge portion. It consists of a hydrophilic cushion layer formed of any one of spread fibers, strip fibers, and nonwoven fabrics intervening in
The cross-sectional area of the bulge part is larger than the bulge part located at the side of the bulge part located in the center, and the gap between the bulge parts adjacent to each other is in the height direction from the bottom of the valley part of the gap. It gradually decreases over the middle abdomen, and the surface sheets are in contact with each other in the middle abdomen,
A liquid-permeable second sheet is provided between the cushion layer and the absorbent core, and the top sheet and the second sheet are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction at a valley portion of the bulge portion. An absorbent article characterized by being bonded. Toward bulging portions located on both sides from bulging portion located in the center, the absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area gradually decreases. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cushioning layer is a tow of long fibers. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a liquid stopper layer having a liquid permeability lower than that of the cushion layer is provided along the longitudinal direction of the bulge part. . When having a middle part applied to the wearer's crotch, a front part that continues to the middle part, and a rear part that also continues to the middle part, and the direction from the front part to the rear part is the vertical direction, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the surface structure is provided at least in the intermediate portion, and a longitudinal direction of the bulging portions forming a row is directed to the longitudinal direction.

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