JP5583519B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as urine pads (including incontinence pads), disposable diapers, and sanitary napkins.

  Conventionally, in order to improve the diffusibility of urine or the like in an absorbent article, an absorbent article is known in which an opening is formed in the absorbent core and a diffusion layer is provided below the opening of the absorbent core. For example, Patent Document 1 includes a top sheet, a back sheet, and a storage layer provided between them, an opening is formed in the storage layer, and a lump of synthetic fibers or a polymer foam is formed under the opening of the storage layer. An absorbent article provided with a liquid handling layer is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 2 has a top sheet, a back sheet, and a liquid holding layer provided between them, an opening is provided at the excretion point of the liquid holding layer, and an absorptivity is provided between the liquid diffusion layer and the back sheet. An absorbent article provided with a liquid diffusion layer comprising continuous filaments extending in the longitudinal direction of the article is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-60645 JP 2007-190170 A

  However, in the absorbent articles disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since a relatively wide space is formed in the opening of the storage layer and the liquid holding layer, urine etc. that has passed through the top sheet are opened in the storage layer and the liquid holding layer. There is a risk that urine or the like will not easily migrate to the liquid handling layer or the liquid diffusion layer provided under the opening through the absorbent article, and the urine or the like may not be quickly absorbed by the absorbent article.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The objective is to provide the absorbent article which can absorb urine etc. rapidly.

  The absorbent article of the present invention capable of solving the above problems is an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core provided therebetween. The absorbent core has an opening, and a non-woven diffusion layer is provided between the absorbent core and the backsheet, and the diffusion layer has a receiving part that overlaps the opening and a transfer part that does not overlap the opening. The receiving part is characterized in that it is thicker than the transfer part.

  In the absorbent article of the present invention, since the diffusion layer is formed thicker in the receiving portion that overlaps the opening than the transfer portion that does not overlap the opening, the receiving portion of the diffusion layer is close to or in contact with the top sheet. Will be distributed. For this reason, urine or the like that has passed through the top sheet is easily transferred to the receiving part. Urine or the like that has moved to the receiving part at the opening moves to the lower side of the absorbent core by diffusing in the diffusion layer from the receiving part to the transfer part, and is absorbed by the absorbent core. Alternatively, urine or the like that has moved to the receiving part through the opening travels along the surface of the diffusion layer to the transporting part having a small thickness, or transitions to the boundary between the receiving part and the transporting part. Or it will be absorbed by the absorptive core from the side. Therefore, the absorbent article of the present invention can realize rapid absorption of urine and the like.

  The receiving part preferably has a bulk density smaller than that of the transfer part. If the bulk density of the receiving part is smaller than the bulk density of the transfer part, urine or the like is more quickly absorbed into the diffusion layer in the receiving part.

  It is preferable that the transfer part is present in front of the front end of the opening and / or rearward of the rear end of the opening. Absorbent articles generally have a shape that is long in the front-rear direction. Therefore, if the transfer part is present in front of the front end of the opening and / or rearward of the rear end, urine or the like quickly passes in the front-rear direction beyond the opening. Diffuses into the absorbent core and becomes absorbed by the absorbent core.

The nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer preferably has a weight per unit area of the receiving part and the transfer part of 50 g / m ² or more. If the fabric weight of the nonwoven fabric of a diffusion layer is 50 g / m < ² > or more, a diffusion layer will be formed comparatively bulky and the diffusibility of urine etc. in a diffusion layer will be improved.

  As for the nonwoven fabric of a diffused layer, it is preferable that the transfer part is embossed. If the transfer part is embossed, a non-woven fabric having a receiving part thicker than the transfer part and a bulk density of the receiving part smaller than that of the transfer part can be easily obtained. The transfer part is partially pressurized by a predetermined emboss pattern, so that the thickness of the transfer part is reduced in the pressurized part. On the other hand, in the portion where pressure is not applied, the fiber gap constituting the nonwoven fabric is maintained, so that the diffusibility of urine or the like in the transfer portion can be prevented from being greatly reduced.

  It is preferable that two openings are formed in parallel with the width direction of the absorbent article so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. If the opening is formed in this way, the diffusibility of urine and the like in the opening in the front-rear direction is enhanced, and the strength in the front-rear direction of the absorbent core is easily secured.

  Since the absorbent article of the present invention can easily enhance the diffusibility in the front-rear direction, the width of the absorbent article at the crotch (the part where the wearer's crotch is applied) can be narrowed. At this time, the absorbent article is preferably provided with an opening and a diffusion layer as follows. That is, the width of the absorbent article is such that the absorbent core has a narrow middle portion with respect to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article and the opening extends in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article at the narrowest portion of the middle part. In parallel with the direction, the outer edge at the outermost part of the opening is in the region of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less from the outer edge of the absorbent core at the narrowest part of the middle part, and the outermost part of the diffusion layer It is preferable that a certain outer edge is in a region within 3 mm from the outermost edge at the outermost side of the opening, and the transfer part of the diffusion layer is present 10 mm or more behind the rear end of the opening. If the opening is formed in this way, while the compressive strength in the front-rear direction of the absorbent core is secured, when the intermediate portion receives a force from the outside in the width direction by both thighs between the wearer's crotch, the opening It becomes distorted, and the width and shape of the intermediate part are easily adapted to the wearer's crotch. In addition, if the diffusion layer is provided in this manner, urine or the like is hardly diffused to the outer edge of the lower absorption layer in the narrowest portion of the intermediate portion, so that lateral leakage of urine or the like in the width direction is prevented. Become. A larger amount of urine or the like can diffuse backward beyond the rear end of the opening.

  In the absorbent article of the present invention, the width of the narrowest portion of the middle part of the absorbent core may be 35% or more and 50% or less of the width of the absorbent core. If the absorbent article is formed in this manner, the absorbent article is less bulky in the wearer's crotch (between both thighs), and the fit in the wearer's crotch is also good. In addition, the wearer can easily move the thigh without a sense of incongruity.

  In the absorbent article of the present invention, the diffusion layer is formed thicker in the receiving part that overlaps the opening than the transfer part that does not overlap the opening. Therefore, the urine etc. that have passed through the top sheet quickly move to the receiving part of the diffusion layer, and the urine etc. are quickly absorbed by the absorbent article.

The top view which looked at the absorbent article (urine pad) from the top sheet side as one embodiment of the absorbent article of this invention is represented. The AA sectional view of the absorptive article shown in Drawing 1 is expressed. The BB sectional view of the absorptive article shown in Drawing 1 is expressed. The enlarged view of the intermediate part of the front-back direction of the absorbent laminated body of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1 is represented. As other embodiment of the absorbent article of this invention, the top view which looked at the absorbent article (urine pad) from the top sheet side is represented. The CC sectional drawing of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 5 is represented. The DD sectional view of the absorptive article shown in Drawing 5 is expressed.

  The absorbent article of the present invention has a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core provided therebetween. Examples of the absorbent article of the present invention include urine pads (including incontinence pads), disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and the like.

  The shape of the absorbent article is not particularly limited. When the absorbent article is, for example, a urine pad or a sanitary napkin, the shape of the absorbent article includes a substantially rectangular shape, an hourglass shape, a gourd shape, a battledore shape, and the like.

  When the absorbent article is a disposable diaper, the disposable diaper may be an open-type disposable diaper that is provided with a pair of fastening members on the left and right sides and formed into a pants shape when worn by the fastening member, and a waist opening And a pair of legged disposable diapers in which a pair of leg openings are formed.

  When the absorbent article is, for example, a disposable diaper, the disposable diaper includes a front abdomen, a back part, and a crotch part that is positioned between these parts and is provided with an absorbent core. When the absorbent article is a disposable diaper, as the absorbent article, for example, a laminated body composed of an inner sheet and an outer sheet forms a diaper body composed of a front abdomen, a back part, and a crotch part located between them. The absorbent article which has an absorptive core in the crotch part of a diaper main body may be provided. At this time, a substantially rectangular shape or the like is shown as the shape of the absorbent article. Further, when the absorbent article is a disposable diaper, as the absorbent article, for example, the absorbent article forms a front abdomen, a back part, and a crotch portion located between them, and absorbs the crotch. A core may be provided. When wearing a disposable diaper, the front abdomen, the back part, and the crotch part are referred to as the front part of the abdomen and the part applied to the back side of the wearer is referred to as the back part. A portion located between the back portion and the wearer's crotch is referred to as a crotch portion.

  The absorbent article has a front-rear direction and a width direction. The front-rear direction of the absorbent article means a direction extending in the front-rear direction of the wearer's crotch when the wearer wears the absorbent article. The width direction of the absorbent article means a direction that is on the same plane as the absorbent article in a state where the absorbent article is spread on a plane and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Moreover, in this invention, the upper side means the wearer side at the time of wearing an absorbent article, and a lower side means the opposite side, ie, an outer side, from the wearer at the time of wearing an absorbent article. The direction extending from the upper side to the lower side or the opposite direction is referred to as the vertical direction.

  A top sheet is a sheet | seat located in the wearer side in the case of wear of an absorbent article, and the material will not be specifically limited if it is liquid-permeable. The back sheet is a sheet located on the side opposite to the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the outside, and the material is not particularly limited as long as it is liquid-impermeable. In the present invention, liquid impermeability includes the meaning of water repellency.

  Examples of the top sheet include a nonwoven fabric formed from hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose, rayon, and cotton; and a nonwoven fabric formed from hydrophobic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, and nylon. The surface of which is hydrophilized with a surfactant can be used. As the top sheet, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a plastic film in which holes are formed may be used.

  As the back sheet, a nonwoven fabric formed from hydrophobic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, nylon, a plastic film, or the like can be used. Moreover, you may use the laminated body of a nonwoven fabric and a plastic film.

  When a nonwoven fabric is used as the material of each sheet described above, the nonwoven fabric is preferably manufactured by a spunbond method, an air-through method, a point bond method, a melt blow method, an airlaid method, or a combination of these methods. Moreover, you may use the nonwoven fabric manufactured by SMS method which combined the spun bond method and the melt blow method.

  As described above, when the absorbent article is provided in the crotch portion of the diaper main body formed of the laminate including the inner sheet and the outer sheet, the inner sheet is hydrophilic or liquid impermeable. Preferably, the outer sheet is liquid impermeable.

  The absorbent core is not particularly limited as long as it includes an absorbent material that can absorb excrement such as urine. As the absorbent core, for example, a molded body obtained by molding the absorbent material into a predetermined shape is used, or the absorbent material is covered with a sheet member such as a paper sheet (for example, tissue paper or thin paper) or a liquid-permeable nonwoven sheet. Can be used. Examples of the absorbent material contained in the absorbent core include hydrophilic fibers such as pulverized pulp fiber and cellulose fiber, and water-absorbent resins such as polyacrylic acid-based, polyaspartic acid-based, cellulose-based, starch and acrylonitrile-based resins. Etc. The water-absorbing material may include polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester fibers such as PET, and heat-fusible fibers such as polyamide fibers. These heat-fusible fibers may be subjected to a hydrophilic treatment with a surfactant or the like in order to increase the affinity with body fluid such as urine.

  It is preferable that an absorptive material contains a hydrophilic fiber from the point which improves the absorption speed | rates, such as urine. Moreover, it is preferable that an absorptive material contains a water absorbing resin from the point which raises absorption capacity. As the absorbent material, for example, it is preferable to use a material in which a water-absorbing resin is mixed or dispersed in an aggregate of hydrophilic fibers.

  The shape (planar shape) of the absorbent core is not particularly limited. The shape of the absorbent core may be appropriately determined depending on the application, and examples thereof include a substantially rectangular shape, an hourglass shape, a gourd shape, and a battledore shape.

  The absorbent core has an opening. As will be described later, the opening is provided with a diffusion layer overlapping therewith. Part or all of urine or the like that has passed through the top sheet moves through the opening to the diffusion layer and then diffuses in the diffusion layer. Therefore, in the absorbent article of the present invention, the diffusibility of urine and the like is enhanced by forming an opening in the absorbent core, and urine and the like are quickly absorbed by the absorbent core.

  The shape of the opening is not particularly limited as long as it penetrates the absorbent core in the thickness direction (vertical direction). Examples of the shape of the opening include a rectangle, an ellipse, a polygon, and a rectangle with rounded corners. In addition, since an absorbent article is generally long in the front-rear direction, it is preferable that urine or the like is promoted to diffuse in the front-rear direction in order to achieve quick absorption by the absorbent core. Therefore, it is preferable that the shape of the opening is longer in the front-rear direction than in the width direction of the absorbent article.

  The shape of the opening may be a shape in which the front and rear ends are curved outward in the width direction. If the opening has such a shape, urine or the like easily diffuses in the width direction as well as the front-rear direction at the front end or rear end of the opening.

  The opening is preferably arranged in the absorbent core so that the wearer's urination portion faces when the absorbent article is worn. If the opening is provided in this way, urine or the like excreted from the wearer is received by the opening, and the urine or the like received by the opening diffuses through the diffusion layer.

  For example, when the opening is relative to the front-rear direction of the absorbent core, the front end is 0% and the rear end is 100%, and the front end of the opening is in the range of 15% to 40% (more preferably 25% It is preferable that the rear end of the opening is located in the range of 50% to 90% (more preferably in the range of 60% to 75%). If the opening is formed in this way, when the absorbent article is worn, the opening easily faces the vicinity of the urination portion of the wearer. If the rear end of the opening is located at 50% or more from the front end of the absorbent core, urine etc. diffuses through the opening in the front-rear direction so that the urine can easily reach the rear side of the absorbent core. Become. Therefore, urine or the like excreted from the wearer and received at the front side portion of the absorbent core easily diffuses to the rear side portion of the absorbent core beyond the crotch of the wearer. Furthermore, if the front end of the opening is at a position of 15% or more from the front end of the absorbent core and the rear end of the opening is at a position of 90% or less from the front end of the absorbent core, urine or the like is on the front side of the opening. Even if it diffuses to the end or rear side end, urine and the like are suitably absorbed by the absorbent core, and leakage of urine and the like in the front-rear direction is less likely to occur.

  The number of openings formed in the absorbent core is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. When a plurality of openings are provided, in order to enhance the diffusibility of urine and the like in the front-rear direction, a plurality of openings may be provided in parallel in the width direction of the absorbent article so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. preferable. In order to improve the diffusibility of urine and the like, the opening is formed so that the length in the width direction of the entire opening is widened, and the compressive strength in the front-rear direction of the absorbent core is ensured. The opening is preferably provided in parallel with the width direction. On the other hand, if a large number of openings are provided in parallel in the width direction, the width of each opening becomes narrow, and urine or the like may not easily diffuse in the front-rear direction through the openings. Therefore, the number of openings is preferably 4 or less.

  It is particularly preferable that two openings are formed in parallel with the width direction of the absorbent article so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. If the opening is formed in this way, the diffusibility of urine and the like in the opening in the front-rear direction is enhanced, and the strength in the front-rear direction of the absorbent core is easily secured. At this time, the width (length in the width direction) of the opening is preferably 15 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, preferably 40 mm or less, and more preferably 35 mm or less. Further, the separation distance (closest separation distance) between the two openings is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, further preferably 20 mm or more, preferably 60 mm or less, and more preferably 50 mm or less.

  It is preferable that two openings are formed substantially symmetrically with respect to the center line in the width direction of the absorbent article. If the opening is formed in this way, urine etc. excreted from the wearer easily migrates to both of the two openings formed on both sides of the center line in the width direction, and the urine etc. is efficient in the absorbent core. Easily absorbed.

  In the absorbent article, a non-woven fabric diffusion layer is provided between the absorbent core and the back sheet. At this time, the diffusion layer is preferably provided adjacent to the absorbent core.

  The diffusion layer has a receiving portion that overlaps the opening and a transfer portion that does not overlap the opening. That is, the diffusion layer extends from the opening to the lower side of the absorbent core. By providing the diffusion layer in this way, urine and the like are quickly absorbed by the absorbent core through the diffusion layer.

  The diffusion layer is formed such that the receiving part is thicker than the transfer part. The diffusion layer may be such that at least a part of the receiving part is thicker than the transfer part. If the receiving part is thicker than the transfer part, the diffusion layer tends to have a shape in which the receiving part enters the opening, and as a result, the receiving part of the diffusion layer is arranged near the top sheet or in contact with the top sheet. Become so. And it becomes easy to transfer urine etc. which passed the top sheet to a receiving part promptly. Urine or the like that has moved to the receiving part at the opening moves to the lower side of the absorbent core by diffusing in the diffusion layer from the receiving part to the transfer part, and is absorbed by the absorbent core. Alternatively, urine or the like that has moved to the receiving part through the opening travels along the surface of the diffusion layer to the transporting part having a small thickness, or transitions to the boundary between the receiving part and the transporting part. Or it will be absorbed by the absorptive core from the side. As a result, rapid absorption of urine and the like can be realized.

  The thickness of the diffusion layer is measured by a thickness measuring machine. A thickness gauge SM-130 manufactured by Teclock Co., Ltd. is used as the thickness measuring machine. The diffusion layer is taken out from the absorbent article, the diffusion layer is sandwiched between the anvil and the measuring element, and the thicknesses of the receiving part and the transfer part of the diffusion layer are measured. According to the thickness gauge SM-130, the thickness is measured so that the final pressure is 2.2 N or less. The anvil and the measuring element have a circular contact surface with a diameter of 10 mm and a flat contact surface.

  The diffusion layer preferably has a bulk density of the receiving part smaller than that of the transfer part. If the bulk density of the receiving part is smaller than the bulk density of the transfer part, there will be more voids between the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric in the receiving part than in the transfer part. Accordingly, urine and the like are quickly absorbed by the diffusion layer particularly at the receiving portion, and as a result, urine and the like are quickly absorbed by the absorbent core. In addition, after measuring the thickness of a diffusion layer according to the above, the bulk density of a diffusion layer measures the fabric weight (mass per unit area) of the part which measured the said thickness, and remove | divides a fabric weight by thickness. Is calculated by

  The method of making the thickness of the receiving part thicker than that of the transfer part is not particularly limited. For example, (1) A method of increasing the thickness of the fiber or web constituting the nonwoven fabric by increasing the deposition amount only at the portion where the receiving portion is formed; and (2) the nonwoven fabric at the portion where the receiving portion is formed. A method of laminating layers to increase the thickness of the portion; (3) a method of reducing the thickness of the portion by pressing the nonwoven fabric at the portion where the transfer portion is formed, and the like. In the present invention, the method (3) is particularly preferably used in that the thickness of the receiving part can be made thicker than that of the transfer part and the bulk density of the receiving part can be made smaller than that of the transfer part.

  As for the nonwoven fabric of a diffused layer, it is preferable that the transfer part is embossed. If the transfer part is embossed, a non-woven fabric having a receiving part thicker than the transfer part and a bulk density of the receiving part smaller than that of the transfer part can be easily obtained. For example, even if the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric before embossing is uniform, by embossing the part where the transfer part is formed, the thickness of the receiving part is thicker than the transferring part, and the bulk density of the receiving part Can obtain a nonwoven fabric smaller than the transfer part. The transfer part is partially pressurized by a predetermined emboss pattern, so that the thickness of the transfer part is reduced in the pressurized part. On the other hand, in the portion where pressure is not applied, the fiber gap constituting the nonwoven fabric is maintained, so that the diffusibility of urine or the like in the transfer portion can be prevented from being greatly reduced.

  When the transfer unit is embossed, the embossed portion of the transfer unit may or may not be fused. In the former case, the transfer part is formed by, for example, hot embossing. In the latter case, the transfer part is formed by, for example, pressing an airlaid nonwoven fabric or a chemical bond nonwoven fabric in which fibers or webs are bonded with an adhesive by embossing. In either case, the thickness of the embossed portion is formed thin.

  When the transfer part is embossed, the embossing pattern is not particularly limited, but it is also preferable that the embossing process is performed with a long embossing pattern in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. If the transfer unit is embossed with such an emboss pattern, urine and the like are easily diffused in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

  The material of the nonwoven fabric constituting the diffusion layer is not particularly limited. For example, the nonwoven fabric is formed from hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose, rayon, and cotton; formed from hydrophobic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, and nylon. Nonwoven fabrics: Nonwoven fabrics formed from hydrophobic fibers as exemplified above, where the surface of the hydrophobic fibers is hydrophilized with a surfactant. Among these, as the nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer, it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric formed from hydrophobic fibers or a nonwoven fabric formed from hydrophobic fibers and hydrophilized with a surfactant.

  Composite fibers may be used as the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer. Examples of the composite fiber include a core-sheath composite fiber having a cross-sectional component arrangement in a core-sheath type, a parallel composite fiber having a cross-section component arrangement in a parallel type, and a radiation composite fiber having a cross-section component arrangement in a radial type. The components constituting the composite fiber preferably have different melting points, that is, preferably have a high melting point component and a low melting point component. If such a composite fiber is used, a nonwoven fabric can be easily manufactured by the air through method described later. In such a composite fiber, the fibers are fused together by the low melting point component, the rigidity is imparted to the fiber by the high melting point component, and the voids are easily formed favorably between the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric formed from the composite fiber is excellent in diffusibility of urine and the like. A core-sheath composite fiber is particularly preferably used as the composite fiber, and the core-sheath composite fiber preferably has a high-melting component disposed in the core and a low-melting component disposed in the sheath. The core-sheath composite fiber may have a core and a sheath that are concentric or eccentric.

  The material of the composite fiber may be a thermoplastic polymer, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene-1, polyisobutylene; polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). Or the like can be used. As materials for the hollow fiber, these exemplified materials may be used in combination. Among these, the combination of PET and polyethylene, the combination of polypropylene and polyethylene, and the combination of PET and polypropylene are preferable. In the case of the core-sheath composite fiber, a combination using PET for the core and polyethylene for the sheath, a combination using PET for the core and polypropylene for the sheath, and a combination using polypropylene for the core and polyethylene for the sheath are preferable. Among these, a combination of PET and polyethylene or a combination of PET and polypropylene is particularly preferable.

  Although the kind of nonwoven fabric which comprises a diffused layer is not specifically limited, The nonwoven fabric obtained by a chemical bond method, an airlaid method, an air through method, and a spunlace method is preferable. If such a nonwoven fabric is used, it becomes easy to make the nonwoven fabric bulky. Moreover, the fiber gap which comprises a nonwoven fabric can be made comparatively large, and it becomes easy to improve the diffusibility, such as urine. As the nonwoven fabric constituting the diffusion layer, it is particularly preferable to use a nonwoven fabric (air-through nonwoven fabric) obtained by an air-through method.

In the nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer, the basis weight of the receiving part and the transfer part is preferably 50 g / m ² or more, and more preferably 60 g / m ² or more. When the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric constituting the diffusion layer is 50 g / m ² or more, the diffusion layer is formed to be relatively bulky and the diffusibility of urine or the like in the diffusion layer is enhanced. On the other hand, when the fabric weight of the nonwoven fabric of a diffusion layer is too large, there exists a possibility that the thickness of an absorbent article may become thick and a wearing feeling may fall. Therefore, in the nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer, the weight per unit area of the receiving part and the transfer part is preferably 200 g / m ² or less, and more preferably 180 g / m ² or less.

  The fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer preferably have a fineness of 4 dtex or more. In addition, that the fiber which comprises a nonwoven fabric has a fineness of 4 dtex or more means that a nonwoven fabric is comprised only from the fiber which has a fineness of 4 dtex or more substantially. The fineness is more preferably 5 dtex or more. The upper limit of the fineness of the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer is not particularly limited, but the general upper limit of the fineness is preferably 20 dtex or less, and more preferably 10 dtex or less. A non-woven fabric having a fineness of 4 dtex or more has a relatively large fiber diameter among non-woven fabrics used in absorbent articles. If the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer have a fineness of 4 dtex or more, the gap between the fibers of the nonwoven fabric becomes large, and the diffusibility of urine and the like becomes good.

  It is preferable that the transfer part exists in front of the front end of the opening and / or in the rear of the rear end. In other words, the diffusion layer preferably extends from the front end of the opening to the front and / or from the rear end to the rear. Absorbent articles generally have a shape that is long in the front-rear direction. Therefore, if the transfer part is present in front of the front end of the opening and / or rearward of the rear end, urine or the like quickly passes in the front-rear direction beyond the opening. Diffuses into the absorbent core and becomes absorbed by the absorbent core.

  It is preferable that the transfer part exists at least behind the rear end of the opening. Absorbent articles are generally formed so that the rear side of the absorbent core in the front-rear direction has a large area, and if the transfer part is located behind the rear end of the opening, urine etc. It becomes easy to move quickly to the rear side which is a wider part of the absorbent core. Therefore, urine or the like quickly moves to a portion having a higher absorption capacity and is absorbed by the absorbent core.

  The diffusion layer may be provided across the opening in the width direction. Further, the diffusion layer may be provided so as to cover the entire opening. If the diffusion layer is provided in this way, urine and the like are quickly absorbed by the absorbent core through the diffusion layer.

  The opening may be covered by one diffusion layer and two or more diffusion layers may cover different regions of one opening. One diffusion layer may cover two or more openings. In addition, from the point which improves the diffusibility of urine etc. in a diffusion layer, it is preferable that the diffusion layer is continuously provided in one opening. Therefore, it is preferable that one or two or more openings are covered with one diffusion layer.

  The absorbent article may be provided with rising flaps on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent core. The rising flaps may be provided, for example, on the upper side of the absorbent core, along both side edges of the absorbent core, or on both outer sides in the width direction of the absorbent core. The rising flap is bonded to, for example, the top sheet, the back sheet folded back on the top sheet, or both the top sheet and the back sheet. By providing the rising flap, side leakage of excrement such as urine can be prevented. The rising flaps may be formed by raising the inner ends of the side sheets provided on both sides of the top sheet in the width direction. The rising flap and the side sheet are preferably liquid-impermeable.

  Next, the structural example of the absorbent article of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1: shows the top view which looked at the urine pad as an absorbent article from the top sheet side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the absorbent article in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the absorbent article in FIG. In the drawings of the present application, the arrow x represents the width direction, the arrow y represents the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the arrows x, y represents the up-down direction z. In FIG. 1, the upper side of the figure corresponds to the rear side of the absorbent article, and the lower side of the figure corresponds to the front side of the absorbent article.

  The absorbent article 1 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 2, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3, and an absorbent core 4 provided therebetween. The top sheet 2 is disposed so as to face the wearer's skin, and allows excretion such as urine to pass through. The excrement passing through the top sheet 2 is accommodated by the absorbent core 4. The back sheet 3 prevents excrement from leaking outside.

  A non-woven fabric diffusion layer 6 is provided between the absorbent core 4 and the backsheet 3. The absorbent core 4 has an opening 5, and the diffusion layer 6 has a receiving part 6 </ b> A that overlaps the opening 5 and a transfer part 6 </ b> B that does not overlap the opening 5. In the diffusion layer 6, the receiving part 6 </ b> A is formed thicker than the transfer part 6 </ b> B (FIG. 3). The absorbent article 1 is provided with the diffusion layer 6 in this manner, so that urine or the like is quickly absorbed into the absorbent core 4 through the diffusion layer 6.

  In the absorbent article 1, the transfer unit 6 </ b> B exists in front of the front end of the opening 5 and in the rear of the rear end of the opening 5. Accordingly, urine or the like quickly diffuses in the front-rear direction y beyond the opening 5 and is absorbed by the absorbent core.

  In the absorbent article 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, two openings 5 are formed in parallel in the width direction x so as to extend in the front-rear direction y. When a plurality of openings are formed in parallel with the width direction x as described above, it is preferable that the diffusion layer is not provided far beyond the outer edge of the opening located on the outermost side in the width direction x. Specifically, it is preferable that the diffusion layer is not provided in a region exceeding 5 mm (more preferably a region exceeding 3 mm) outward from the outer edge of the opening located most outward in the width direction x. By providing the diffusion layer in this manner, urine and the like are hardly diffused in the width direction, and lateral leakage of the urine and the like in the width direction is prevented.

  Side sheets 8 extending in the front-rear direction y are joined to both ends of the top sheet 2 in the width direction x (FIGS. 1 and 2). The side sheet 8 is composed of a liquid-impermeable plastic film, a liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric, or the like. The side seat 8 is provided with a standing elastic member 10 at the inner end in the width direction x. In the side seat 8, the inner end of the side seat 8 rises toward the wearer's skin due to the contraction force of the standing elastic member 10, whereby a rise flap 9 is formed, and side leakage in the width direction x such as urine is caused. Is prevented. The inner surface of the front and rear end portions of the rising flap 9 may be joined to the top sheet 2, thereby preventing leakage of urine or the like outward in the front-rear direction y.

  Since the absorbent article of the present invention can easily increase the diffusibility in the front-rear direction, the absorbent article can be formed with a narrow width at the crotch part (the part to which the wearer's crotch is applied). Become. That is, even if the absorbent article is formed narrow at the crotch, even if the absorbent article receives urine excreted from the wearer by increasing the diffusibility in the front-rear direction of urine, etc., urine etc. Is quickly diffused in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article, and the lateral leakage in the width direction is less likely to occur. If the absorbent article is formed narrow at the crotch, the absorbent article is less bulky between the wearer's crotch (between both thighs), and the wearer can easily move the thigh without a sense of incongruity. Become. Therefore, such an absorbent article is excellent in wearing feeling.

  The absorbent article 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a crotch portion formed narrower than a commercially available absorbent article (such as a disposable diaper or a urine pad). In the absorbent article 1, the absorbent core 4 has a narrow middle portion in the front-rear direction y. That is, the absorptive core 4 is formed so that the narrowed portion in the width direction x is located in the middle part. A wearer's crotch is applied to an intermediate portion of the absorbent core 4.

  The middle part of the absorbent core 4 in the front-rear direction y means a part formed between the front side part and the rear side part when the absorbent core 4 is divided into three in the front-rear direction y. For example, the front side portion, the middle portion, and the rear side portion occupy regions of 25%, 30%, and 45% of the length of the absorbent core 4 in the front-rear direction y, respectively.

  In FIG. 4, the enlarged view of the intermediate part of the absorptive core 4 was shown about the absorbent article 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line circle is further enlarged. In FIG. 4, the arrow 11 represents the width of the narrowest portion (the length in the width direction x) of the intermediate portion of the absorbent core 4, but the narrowest portion of the intermediate portion of the absorbent core 4. The width is preferably 35% to 50% (more preferably 40% to 50%) of the width of the absorbent core 4. The width of the absorbent core 4 means the maximum length of the absorbent core 4 in the width direction x. If the width of the narrowest part of the middle part of the absorbent core 4 is 50% or less of the width of the absorbent core 4, the absorbent article 1 has a sufficiently narrow width at the crotch, and the absorbent article 1 However, it becomes difficult to be bulky between the wearer's crotch. If the width of the narrowest part of the middle part of the absorbent core 4 is 35% or more of the width of the absorbent core 4, the absorbent article 1 is not excessively narrow between the wearer's crotch, and the absorbent article 1 The fit between the crotch of the wearer is good.

  The opening 5 is preferably formed in the absorbent core 4 so as to extend in the front-rear direction y at the narrowest portion of the intermediate portion. If the opening 5 is formed in this way, the urine etc. excreted from the wearer and received at the front side of the absorbent core 4 easily diffuses to the rear side of the absorbent core 4 across the crotch of the wearer. Become. In the absorbent article 1, the opening 5 is formed in the absorbent core 4 in this way.

  When a plurality of openings 5 are provided in parallel in the absorbent core 4, it is preferable that the opening 5 is formed near the outer edge of the absorbent core 4 in the narrowest portion of the intermediate portion. If the opening 5 is formed in this way, the intermediate portion exerts a force from the outside in the width direction x by both thighs between the wearer's crotch while securing the compressive strength in the front-rear direction y of the absorbent core 4. When received, the opening 5 is distorted, and the width and shape of the intermediate portion are easily adapted to the wearer's crotch.

  Specifically, in the case where a plurality of openings 5 are provided in parallel in the absorbent core 4, the opening 5 is the narrowest part of the middle part, and the outer edge of the outermost part of the opening 5 is the absorbent core 4. It is preferable that it exists in the area | region of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less from an outer edge. There are a total of two outer edges on the outermost side of the opening 5 on one side and the other side (right side and left side) in the width direction x. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, when a plurality of openings 5 are provided in the narrowest part of the intermediate part, the center line in the width direction x (center line extending in the front-rear direction y) is sandwiched. On the side or the other side, the outer edge (outer edge of the opening 5) located on the outermost side in the width direction x becomes the outer edge located on the outermost side of the opening 5. In FIG. 4, the length between the outermost edge of the opening 5 and the outer edge of the absorbent core 4 in the narrowest portion of the middle part in the front-rear direction y of the absorbent core 4 is represented by an arrow 12. ing. And it is preferable that the length of the part represented by the arrow 12 is 5 mm-20 mm. If the outer edge at the outermost side of the opening 5 is in an area of 5 mm or more from the outer edge of the absorbent core 4, the absorbent core is sufficient to maintain the opening 5 outward from the outer edge at the outermost side of the opening 5. 4 (absorbent material) comes to exist. If the outer edge on the outermost side of the opening 5 is in a region within 20 mm from the outer edge of the absorbent core 4, the absorbent core 4 on the outer side of the outer edge on the outermost side of the opening 5 Against distortion. Accordingly, the width and shape of the intermediate portion are easily adapted to the wearer's crotch.

  When a plurality of openings 5 are provided in parallel in the absorbent core 4 and the opening 5 is formed near the outer edge of the absorbent core 4 at the narrowest part of the intermediate part, diffusion of urine or the like in the front-rear direction y In order to promote and prevent lateral leakage in the width direction x, the diffusion layer 6 is preferably provided as follows. That is, at the narrowest portion of the intermediate portion, the outermost edge of the diffusion layer 6 is in a region within 3 mm from the outermost edge at the outermost side of the opening 5 (more preferably, the region within 2 mm). It is preferable that the transfer part 6B of the layer 6 exists 10 mm or more (more preferably 20 mm or more) behind the rear end of the opening 5. When the diffusion layer 6 is thus arranged, the diffusion layer 6 does not extend to the outer edge of the absorbent core 4 in the narrowest portion of the intermediate portion. Accordingly, urine or the like hardly diffuses to the outer edge of the absorbent core 4 in the portion, and side leakage of the urine or the like in the width direction x is prevented. A larger amount of urine or the like can diffuse backward beyond the rear end of the opening 5.

  There are a total of two outer edges on the outermost side of the diffusion layer 6 on one side and the other side (right side and left side) in the width direction x. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, when a plurality of diffusion layers 6 are provided in the narrowest part of the intermediate part, one side across the center line in the width direction x (center line extending in the front-rear direction y) Alternatively, on the other side, the outer edge (outer edge of the diffusion layer 6) that is outermost in the width direction x is the outer edge that is outermost of the diffusion layer 6. In FIG. 4, the length between the outermost edge of the diffusion layer 6 and the outermost edge of the opening 5 at the narrowest portion of the middle portion of the absorbent core 4 in the front-rear direction y is an arrow. 13. And it is preferable that the length of the part represented by the arrow 13 is 3 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 4, the outermost edge on the outermost side of the diffusion layer 6 may be more outward in the width direction x than the outer edge on the outermost side of the opening 5, and is on the outermost side of the diffusion layer 6. The outer edge and the outer edge at the outermost side of the opening 5 may coincide with each other, and the outermost edge at the outermost side of the diffusion layer 6 is located inward in the width direction x with respect to the outer edge at the outermost side of the opening 5. May be.

  The absorbent article of the present invention can be suitably applied to an absorbent article having a narrow crotch like the absorbent article 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, but also to other absorbent articles Naturally applicable.

  In the absorbent article of the present invention, an auxiliary absorbent core may be provided between the absorbent core and the top sheet. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-7, the absorbent article which provided the auxiliary | assistant absorbent core 7 between the absorbent core 4 and the top sheet 2 of the absorbent article 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3 was shown. FIG. 5: represents the top view which looked at the urine pad as an absorbent article from the top sheet side. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the absorbent article in FIG. 7 represents a DD cross-sectional view of the absorbent article of FIG. In the following description, the description of the part which overlaps with the embodiment of FIGS.

  The absorbent article 1 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is provided with an auxiliary absorbent core 7 between the absorbent core 4 and the top sheet 2. The auxiliary absorbent core 7 is preferably provided so as not to cover at least the front portion of the opening 5 of the absorbent core 4. By providing the auxiliary absorbent core 7 in this way, urine and the like can easily migrate to the opening 5 of the absorbent core 4 so that urine and the like can diffuse through the diffusion layer 6 provided in the opening 5. Become. In addition, the auxiliary | assistant absorptive core 7 should just be comprised from the absorptive material which can be used for the absorptive core 4. FIG.

  The auxiliary absorbent core 7 is preferably provided so as to cover the rear end of the opening 5 of the absorbent core 4. In this case, a pocket 5P capable of accommodating urine or the like is formed at the rear end of the opening 5. If the auxiliary absorbent core 7 is provided in this way, even if a large amount of urine or the like moves to the rear end of the opening 5 at once, urine etc. is returned to the front of the opening 5 by the pocket 5P, and It is absorbed by the absorbent core 4 and the auxiliary absorbent core 7 without overflowing from the opening 5.

  The auxiliary absorbent core 7 is preferably provided so that the wearer's buttocks rest when the wearer of the absorbent article is seated. Therefore, the auxiliary absorbent core 7 is preferably provided so as to overlap the rear side portion of the absorbent core 4. If the auxiliary absorbent core 7 is provided in this way, even if urine or the like accumulates in the opening 5 of the absorbent core 4, the wearer feels uncomfortable due to reversion of urine or the like in the vicinity of the buttocks that strongly presses the absorbent article. It becomes difficult to remember and the feeling of wear improves.

  In addition, the auxiliary absorbent core 7 has a notch formed on the front side edge in order to secure a wider portion where the opening 5 is not covered with the auxiliary absorbent core 7 while allowing the wearer's buttocks to rest upon sitting. It is preferable. If a notch is formed in the front edge of the auxiliary absorbent core 7, the left and right sides of the wearer's buttocks are placed on the auxiliary absorbent core 7 in a portion where the front edge notch is not formed or a portion where the notch is shallowly formed. This makes it easier to place the wearer's buttocks on the auxiliary absorbent core 7 when sitting. On the other hand, in the portion where the notch on the front side edge is deeply formed, a larger portion of the opening 5 is not covered with the auxiliary absorbent core 7 and the diffusibility of urine or the like in the opening 5 is improved.

  The shape of the notch formed in the front side edge of the auxiliary absorbent core 7 is not particularly limited. Examples of the shape of the cutout include a substantially V shape, a substantially U shape, and a shape in which the base of the trapezoid is cut off, and a substantially V shape is preferable. If the shape of the notch is substantially V-shaped, the area of the opening 5 where the auxiliary absorbent core 7 does not overlap can be easily increased, and the area of the auxiliary absorbent core 7 can be increased.

1: Absorbent article (urine pad)
2: Top sheet 3: Back sheet 4: Absorbent core 5: Opening 6: Diffusion layer

Claims (10)

An absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core provided therebetween,
The absorbent core has an opening;
Between the absorbent core and the back sheet, a diffusion layer made of a chemical bond nonwoven fabric, an airlaid nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, or a spunlace nonwoven fabric is provided,
The said diffusion layer has a receiving part which overlaps with the said opening, and a transfer part which does not overlap with the said opening, The said receiving part is thicker than the said transfer part, The absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned.   The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the receiving part has a bulk density smaller than that of the transfer part.   The absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2 in which said transfer part exists in the back from the front side end of said opening, and / or the back side end of said opening. The nonwoven fabric of the diffusion layer, the absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 weight per unit area of the transfer portion and the receiving portion is 50 g / m ² or more.   The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-woven fabric of the diffusion layer has an embossed transfer portion. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the transfer section is embossed with an emboss pattern having a long shape in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. A plurality of the openings are formed in parallel with the width direction of the absorbent article so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article,
The said diffusion layer is not provided in the area | region more than 5 mm outward from the outer edge of the opening located most outward with respect to the width direction of the said absorbent article. Absorbent article. The opening, said so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which are formed two approximately symmetrically with respect to the width direction of the center line of the absorbent article Absorbent articles. The absorbent core has a narrow intermediate portion with respect to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article,
A plurality of the openings are formed in parallel with the width direction of the absorbent article so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article at the narrowest portion of the intermediate portion,
In the narrowest part of the intermediate portion, the outer edge at the outermost side of the opening is in a region within 5 mm to 20 mm from the outer edge of the absorbent core, and the outer edge at the outermost side of the diffusion layer is the opening. In the area within 3mm from the outer edge of
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the transfer part of the diffusion layer is present 10 mm or more behind the rear end of the opening. The absorptive article according to claim 9 whose width of the narrowest part of said middle part of said absorptive core is 35% or more and 50% or less of the width of said absorptive core.

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