JP6262981B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, various absorbent articles are known, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet is often provided on the outer surface side of the absorbent article. A pants-type disposable diaper is also known as an absorbent article, and the pants-type disposable diaper has a pants-shaped outer surface. The sheet member (exterior sheet) placed on the outer surface side of the absorbent article is a member that is often touched by the user's hand, and is also a part that comes into strong contact with the wearer's underwear and clothing, and has sufficient strength and goodness It is preferable to have a soft hand. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable diaper in which a sheet member made of a nonwoven fabric embossed on the outer surface side is provided in order to suppress fuzz.

JP 2007-29612 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is an absorbent article in which an exterior sheet is arranged on the outer surface side, and the exterior sheet capable of enhancing both the strength and the contradictory properties. It is providing the absorbent article provided with.

  The absorbent article of the present invention capable of solving the above-mentioned problems is an absorbent article having an exterior sheet on the outer surface side, and the exterior sheet is composed of a nonwoven fabric and is embossed to form a plurality of embossed portions. The embossed portion is characterized by having an outer shape having three or more top portions and the same number of valley portions. In the absorbent article of the present invention, the embossed portion formed on the exterior sheet has an outer shape having three or more top portions and the same number of trough portions. The area of the embossed part can be narrowly provided by the part. As a result, it is possible to improve the feel of the exterior sheet by providing a narrow area of the embossed portion while increasing the strength of the exterior sheet by providing the embossed portion widely.

  It is preferable that the exterior sheet has an inner layer and an outer layer, and the inner layer and the outer layer are bonded to each other at the embossed portion by heat embossing. The outer sheet has an inner layer and an outer layer, and the inner layer and the outer layer are joined to each other at the embossed portion, so that the non-embossed portion of the outer sheet is easily formed in the thickness direction of the absorbent article. Will improve.

  The plurality of embossed portions are preferably arranged at lattice points of an arbitrary lattice, and each embossed portion is preferably formed such that the top portion extends along the side of the lattice. If the embossed part is formed in this way, a lattice pattern such as a square or a hexagon is formed on the exterior sheet by a plurality of embossed parts, and tiles such as a square or a hexagon are regularly arranged on the exterior sheet without any gaps. As a result, the appearance of the exterior sheet and the touch are improved. For example, a plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of a square lattice, each embossed portion has an outer shape having four top portions and the same number of valley portions, and the top portions are in four directions along the sides of the square lattice. If it is formed so as to extend to the exterior, a pattern as if square tiles are regularly arranged is formed on the exterior sheet. A plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the hexagonal lattice, each embossed portion has an outer shape having three tops and the same number of valleys, and the tops extend in three directions along the sides of the hexagonal lattice. If formed in this way, a pattern in which hexagonal tiles are regularly arranged is formed on the exterior sheet. A plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the triangular lattice, each embossed portion has an outer shape having six top portions and the same number of valley portions, and the top portions extend in six directions along the sides of the triangular lattice. If formed in this way, the exterior sheet has a pattern in which triangular tiles are regularly arranged.

  It is preferable that the length of the embossed part in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is longer than the length in the width direction of the absorbent article. When the absorbent article is active while walking in the worn state, it becomes easy to apply a load in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, but the embossed part may be provided in a shape that is long with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. For example, the strength of the exterior sheet with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is increased. Therefore, even if a load in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is applied to the exterior sheet, the exterior sheet is not easily broken, and the constituent fibers are less likely to fall off from the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet.

  It is also preferred that the embossed portion has a length with respect to the orientation direction of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet is shorter than the length with respect to the orthogonal direction. In the nonwoven fabric in which the constituent fibers are oriented in one direction, the breaking strength is weak with respect to the direction orthogonal to the orientation direction of the constituent fibers, but the embossed portion is short with respect to the fiber orientation direction of the nonwoven fabric (that is, the fibers of the nonwoven fabric). By providing so that it may become long with respect to the orthogonal direction of an orientation direction, the constituent fibers of the said nonwoven fabric are firmly joined by the embossed part, and the breaking strength of a nonwoven fabric can be improved.

  Since the absorbent article of the present invention has an exterior sheet on the outer surface side, and the exterior sheet has an embossed part having an outer shape having three or more top parts and the same number of valleys, the embossed part is formed by the top part. It is provided in a wide range, and the area of the embossed part can be narrowly provided by the valley part. Therefore, the touch of the exterior sheet can be improved by providing the embossed portion with a wide area while increasing the strength of the exterior sheet and providing the embossed portion with a small area.

The example of the embossing part provided in an exterior sheet is represented. The example of the embossing part provided in an exterior sheet is represented. The example of the embossing part provided in an exterior sheet is represented. The example of the embossing part provided in an exterior sheet is represented. The example of the embossing part provided in an exterior sheet is represented. The top view which looked at the urine pad from the skin surface side as an absorbent article is represented. The AA sectional view of the urine pad shown in Drawing 6 is expressed. A perspective view of a pants type disposable diaper is shown as an absorptive article. The top view which looked at the state which melt | disengaged joining of the front part and back part of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 8, and was expand | deployed on the plane is represented. The BB sectional drawing of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 9 is represented.

  The absorbent article of the present invention has an exterior sheet on the outer surface side. Examples of the absorbent article of the present invention include disposable diapers, urine pads (including incontinence pads), sanitary napkins, and the like.

  The absorbent article has a skin surface side and an outer surface side with respect to the thickness direction of the absorbent article. The skin surface side of the absorbent article means the side close to the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, and the outer surface side of the absorbent article is the wearer when the absorbent article is worn. Means the opposite side.

  The exterior sheet is arranged on the outer surface side of the absorbent article. For example, the absorbent article is configured by arranging an absorbent core between the top sheet and the back sheet, but the back sheet is formed on the outer surface side of the absorbent article. The back sheet corresponds to the exterior sheet of the present invention. Further, when the absorbent article is a pants-type disposable diaper, an absorbent main body in which an absorbent core is disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet is provided on the skin surface side of the pants member formed in a pants shape. In some cases, a pants-type disposable diaper may be configured. In this case, at least a part of the pants member may be configured from the exterior sheet of the present invention. Thus, it is preferable that an exterior sheet is provided so that the outer surface of an absorbent article may be comprised.

  The shape of the absorbent article is not particularly limited. When the absorbent article is a urine pad, examples of the shape of the absorbent article include a substantially rectangular shape, an hourglass shape, a gourd shape, and a battledore shape.

  When the absorbent article is a disposable diaper, the absorbent article includes, for example, a front abdomen, a back part, and a crotch portion disposed between them and provided with an absorbent core. A disposable diaper is an open-type (tape-type) disposable diaper that is provided with a pair of fastening members at the left and right side ends of the back, and is formed into a pants shape when worn by the fastening member, or is formed in a pants shape, A pants-type disposable diaper having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings may be used. The disposable diaper has, for example, an absorbent main body in which an absorbent core is arranged between a top sheet and a back sheet on the skin side of an exterior member composed of a front abdomen, a back part, and a crotch part located between them. It may be provided and configured. Moreover, the laminated body by which the absorptive core was distribute | arranged between the top sheet | seat and the back sheet | seat may form a front abdominal part, a back part, and the crotch part located among these, and may comprise a disposable diaper. In addition, a front part corresponds to the part which contacts a wearer's belly side when wearing a disposable diaper, and a back part corresponds to the part which contacts a wearer's back side when wearing a disposable diaper. A crotch part is located between a front part and a back part, and is corresponded to the part which hits a wearer's crotch.

  The exterior sheet is composed of a nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of embossed portions are formed by heat embossing. An exterior sheet made of a nonwoven fabric can be increased in strength by hot embossing, and can be made difficult to break even when pulled, for example. Further, the exterior sheet can come into strong contact with the wearer's underwear and clothing when the absorbent article is used, but by heat embossing the exterior sheet, the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet can be made difficult to fall off. As a result, it is possible to improve the appearance when the absorbent article is used, or to prevent the fibers from dropping from the exterior sheet and adhering to the underwear or the like. On the other hand, since a nonwoven fabric is hardened | cured by carrying out heat embossing, the softness | flexibility of an exterior sheet | seat falls by heat embossing and it becomes easy to deteriorate a touch. Therefore, from the viewpoint of improving the texture of the exterior sheet, it is preferable to make the area where the embossed portion is provided as narrow as possible.

  Therefore, in the absorbent article of the present invention, the exterior sheet is provided with an embossed portion so as to have an outer shape having three or more top portions and the same number of valley portions. Thus, by providing an embossed part, an embossed part can be provided widely by a top part, and the area of an embossed part can be provided narrowly by a trough part. As a result, it is possible to improve the feel of the exterior sheet while increasing the strength and durability of the exterior sheet.

  The embossed part is formed so that the outer shape has top and trough parts alternately. Three or more peaks and valleys are provided. The top portion corresponds to a protruding portion of the outer shape of the embossed portion, and the trough portion corresponds to a recessed portion of the outer shape of the embossed portion. The top portion may be formed in an acute angle shape, may be formed in an arc shape bulging outward, and the tip may have a predetermined width. The embossed portion preferably has a central portion, and the top portion is formed by extending in three or more directions from the central portion. The trough portion may be formed in an obtuse shape (obtuse shape as viewed from the center side of the embossed portion), or may be formed in an arc shape that is recessed inward. A bottom may be formed in the valley.

  The embossed portion is formed by hot embossing the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet. The embossed portion is preferably formed in a concave shape when viewed from the outer surface side of the exterior sheet. The embossed portion is formed, for example, by applying a heat conductive material to the exterior sheet and melting a part of the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet, or by applying an ultrasonic vibrator to the exterior sheet and by ultrasonic vibration. It can be formed by melting a part of the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet. At this time, it is preferable to apply a heated heat conductive material or an ultrasonic vibrator from the outer surface side of the exterior sheet, and thus, the embossed portion formed in a concave shape when viewed from the outer surface side can be provided on the exterior sheet. As a preferred example of the method for forming the embossed portion of the exterior sheet, the exterior surface of the exterior sheet is hot embossed between a heat emboss roll (a roll that can be heated with a predetermined emboss pattern formed on the surface) and a flat roll. There is a method of feeding it while being in contact with the roll.

  The example of the embossing part provided in an exterior sheet | seat is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 each show an example in which a plurality of embossed portions having an outer shape having three or more top portions and the same number of valley portions are arranged.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of embossed portions 1 having an outer shape having four top portions 2 and four valley portions 3 are arranged vertically and horizontally. Each embossed portion 1 has a star-shaped quadrangle in which a concave portion (valley portion 3) is formed in a curved shape. The top 2 extends in four directions and is formed narrower toward the tip of the top 2. The plurality of embossed portions 1 are arranged at each lattice point of a lattice (square lattice) 4.

  In FIG. 2, a plurality of embossed portions 1 having an outer shape having eight top portions 2 and eight valley portions 3 are arranged vertically and horizontally (in the drawing, vertically and horizontally in an oblique direction). Each embossed portion 1 has a rod-like 8-spoke (4-cross spoke) asterisk shape. Each embossed portion 1 is formed to have a uniform width toward the tip of the top portion 2, and the top portion 2 is formed to extend radially in eight directions. The plurality of embossed portions 1 are arranged at each lattice point of a lattice (square lattice) 4.

  In FIG. 3, the embossed part 1 which has the external shape which has the six top parts 2 and the six trough parts 3 is arranged vertically and horizontally. Each embossed portion 1 has a six-spoke (three-crossed spoke) asterisk shape with a bulging tip. The top 2 extends in six directions, and the tip of the top 2 is formed to swell. The plurality of embossed portions 1 are arranged at each lattice point of a lattice (square lattice) 4.

  In FIG. 4, embossed portions 1 having an outer shape having three top portions 2 and three valley portions 3 are arranged in a hexagonal lattice shape. Each embossed portion 1 has a star-shaped triangle in which a concave portion (valley portion 3) is formed in a curved shape. The top 2 extends in three directions and is formed narrower toward the tip of the top 2. The plurality of embossed portions 1 are arranged at each lattice point of a lattice (hexagonal lattice) 4.

  In FIG. 5, the embossed part 1 which has the external shape which has the six top parts 2 and the six trough parts 3 is distribute | arranged to the triangular lattice form. Each embossed part 1 is formed in a star-shaped hexagon. The top 2 extends in six directions and is formed narrower toward the tip of the top 2. The plurality of embossed portions 1 are arranged at each lattice point of a lattice (triangular lattice) 4.

  About the external shape of an embossed part, the minimum of the number of a top part and a trough part is three pieces. On the other hand, the upper limit of the number of tops and troughs is not particularly limited, but the number of tops and troughs is preferably 10 or less, and 8 or less, from the viewpoint of easily providing an embossed area narrowly. It is more preferable that the number is 6 or less.

  The top of the embossed portion is preferably arranged at the position of the vertex of a polygon (specifically, a convex polygon). If the embossed portion is formed in this way, all the top portions extend from the center portion with a predetermined length or more, and the embossed portion can be provided in a wide range.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the embossed portion is preferably formed so as to narrow toward the tip of the top portion. That is, it is preferable that the embossed part is formed so that the width gradually decreases from the valley part toward the tip of the top part. If the top portion is formed in this way, the area of the embossed portion can be easily formed narrow, and the flexibility of the exterior sheet can be easily increased. As will be described later, when the tops of the embossed portions are formed so as to extend along the sides of the lattice, a lattice pattern such as a quadrangle or a hexagon is easily formed on the exterior sheet by the plurality of embossed portions.

  The valley portion of the embossed portion is preferably formed in an arc shape recessed inward. For example, it is preferable that the embossed portion has adjacent top portions connected in an arc shape, thereby forming a trough portion. Thus, the touch of an exterior sheet | seat can be improved by forming a trough part. That is, a portion (non-embossed portion) other than the embossed portion of the exterior sheet is easily formed by swelling in the thickness direction of the absorbent article with respect to the embossed portion, but in an arc shape in which the valley portion is dented inward of the embossed portion. By being formed, the outer edge of the non-embossed portion is formed in a curved shape at the boundary with the embossed portion, and the touch at that portion is good.

  On the other hand, if the embossed portion is formed such that the tip of the top swells as shown in FIG. 3 or is formed with an equal width toward the tip of the top as shown in FIG. The non-woven fabric of the exterior sheet is firmly heat embossed, making it easier to increase the strength and durability of the exterior sheet.

  Although the size of the embossed portion is not particularly limited, the distance between the farthest apexes of the embossed portion is preferably 1 mm or more, preferably 7 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less.

  It is preferable that the length of the embossed part in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is longer than the length in the width direction of the absorbent article. When the absorbent article is active while walking in the worn state, it becomes easy to apply a load in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, but the embossed part may be provided in a shape that is long with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. For example, the strength of the exterior sheet with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is increased. Therefore, even if a load in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is applied to the exterior sheet, the exterior sheet is not easily broken, and the constituent fibers are less likely to fall off from the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet. In this case, the length of the embossed portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is preferably 1.1 times or more, more preferably 1.2 times or more, and more preferably 3.0 times or less of the length in the width direction of the absorbent article. Is preferable, and 2.0 times or less is more preferable.

  The embossed portion preferably has an area of 10% or more and 75% or less of a virtual figure formed by connecting adjacent top portions with a straight line. If the embossed portion has an area of 10% or more of the virtual figure, the embossed portion can easily increase the strength of the exterior sheet. If the embossed portion has an area of 75% or less of the virtual figure, it is easy to improve the touch of the exterior sheet. The embossed portion more preferably has an area of 15% or more of the virtual figure, and more preferably has an area of 20% or more. The embossed portion also preferably has an area of 60% or less of the virtual figure, and more preferably has an area of 50% or less. Note that a virtual figure formed by connecting adjacent apexes with a straight line is formed so as to include all embossed portions. For example, when the top is provided in a rounded shape, the straight line connecting adjacent tops is preferably formed as a tangent with a rounded shape.

  The plurality of embossed portions are preferably arranged at each lattice point (all lattice points at any lattice point) of an arbitrary lattice. If the embossed portion is arranged in this way, the embossed portion is regularly arranged on the exterior sheet, and the appearance of the exterior sheet becomes good. The shape of the lattice is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a square lattice, a hexagonal lattice, and a triangular lattice. The square lattice includes a square lattice, an orthorhombic lattice, a rectangular lattice, and the like. Preferably, the square lattice is a square lattice or a rectangular lattice (a lattice in which the unit lattice is a square or a rectangle).

  When a plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the lattice, each embossed portion is preferably formed such that the top portion extends along the side of the lattice. At this time, the embossed portions are provided apart from each other. The grid side means a line segment connecting adjacent grid points. More preferably, all the top portions of each embossed portion are formed so as to extend along the respective sides of the lattice. If the embossed part is formed in this way, a lattice pattern such as a square or a hexagon is formed on the exterior sheet by the plurality of embossed parts, and the non-embossed part surrounded by the lattice is in the thickness direction of the absorbent article rather than the embossed part It is formed to swell. As a result, the exterior sheet has a pattern in which the bulges of a quadrangular shape, hexagonal shape, etc. are regularly arranged like a tile without any gaps, and the exterior sheet has a good appearance and feel. . 1, 4 and 5 show examples in which the embossed portion is formed in this way.

  For example, in the case of applying lattice pattern heat embossing directly to the exterior sheet, it is difficult to form such a tile-shaped pattern on the exterior sheet, and the swelling at the non-embossed portion of the exterior sheet may be insufficient. The embossed portion of the lattice pattern (that is, the portion recessed in the lattice pattern) is easily noticeable. In contrast, as described above, the embossed portion is arranged at each lattice point of the lattice, and the embossed portion is provided so as to form only a part of the lattice side (only the vicinity of the lattice point). This makes the non-embossed portion bulging in the thickness direction of the absorbent article. For this reason, a pattern in which square or hexagonal tiles are regularly arranged without gaps appears on the exterior sheet.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the square lattice, each embossed portion has an outer shape having four top portions and the same number of valley portions, and the top portions are along the sides of the square lattice. It is formed to extend in four directions. In FIG. 1, a pattern in which square tiles are regularly arranged on the exterior sheet is formed.

  In FIG. 4, a plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the hexagonal lattice, each embossed portion has an outer shape having three top portions and the same number of valley portions, and the top portions are along the sides of the hexagonal lattice. It is formed to extend in three directions. In FIG. 4, a pattern in which hexagonal tiles are regularly arranged on the exterior sheet is formed.

  In FIG. 5, a plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the triangular lattice, each embossed portion has an outer shape having six top portions and the same number of valley portions, and the top portions are along the sides of the triangular lattice. It is formed to extend in 6 directions. In FIG. 5, a pattern in which triangular tiles are regularly arranged on the exterior sheet is formed.

  When a plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the lattice, it is preferable that a part of the top of each embossed portion is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. Moreover, it is preferable that a part of the side of the lattice extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. If the embossed portion is formed in this way, when the load is applied to the exterior sheet inward in the width direction of the absorbent article, wrinkles along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article are regularly formed on the exterior sheet. It becomes easy to form and the followability with respect to the said load of an exterior sheet improves. Therefore, the wearing feeling of the absorbent article is good.

  The arrangement interval of the embossed portions is not particularly limited, but when the embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the lattice, the embossed portions are preferably arranged as follows. That is, the separation distance between the adjacent embossed portions along the side of the lattice is preferably 0.3 times or more, more preferably 0.5 times or more, and more preferably 10 times or less the length of the embossed portion with respect to the extending direction of the side. Is preferably 5 times or less, more preferably 3 times or less. There are a plurality of extending directions of the sides of the lattice, but the separation distance between adjacent embossed portions is preferably in the above range in any direction. If the embossed portion is provided in this manner, it is easy to improve the touch of the exterior sheet while increasing the strength of the exterior sheet. Moreover, the tile-like pattern based on the shape of the lattice is easily raised by the plurality of embossed portions.

  Moreover, when it forms so that a part of top part of each embossed part may be extended in the longitudinal direction of an absorbent article, the space | interval between the embossed parts with respect to the width direction of an absorbent article is an embossed part with respect to the longitudinal direction of an absorbent article. It is preferable to be provided so as to be wider than the interval between them. If the embossed portion is provided in this way, when the load is applied to the exterior sheet inward in the width direction of the absorbent article, wrinkles along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article are regularly formed on the exterior sheet. It becomes easy to form and the followability with respect to the said load of an exterior sheet improves. Therefore, the wearing feeling of the absorbent article is good. In particular, when the embossed portion is arranged at each lattice point of the lattice and a part of the lattice is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, it is preferable that the embossed portion is provided in this way. The lattice is more preferably a square lattice.

  The kind of nonwoven fabric which comprises an exterior sheet is not specifically limited, A spunbond nonwoven fabric, an air through nonwoven fabric, a point bond nonwoven fabric, a chemical bond nonwoven fabric, a melt blown nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, an airlaid nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used. For example, if the exterior sheet is made of a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, the breathability of the exterior sheet can be improved. Since the exterior sheet is arranged on the outer surface side of the absorbent article, the use of a spunbonded nonwoven fabric as the exterior sheet increases the breathability of the exterior sheet and reduces the stuffiness when the absorbent article is worn Can be made. When the exterior sheet is composed of an air-through nonwoven fabric, the exterior sheet can be formed to be bulky to enhance the cushioning property of the exterior sheet.

  When the exterior sheet is composed of a nonwoven fabric in which constituent fibers such as spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, and spunlace nonwoven fabric are oriented in one direction, the embossed portion has a length with respect to the orientation direction of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the exterior sheet, The length is preferably shorter than the length in the orthogonal direction. In the nonwoven fabric in which the constituent fibers are oriented in one direction, the breaking strength is weak with respect to the direction orthogonal to the orientation direction of the constituent fibers, but the embossed portion is short with respect to the fiber orientation direction of the nonwoven fabric (that is, the fibers of the nonwoven fabric). By providing so that it may become long with respect to the orthogonal direction of an orientation direction, the constituent fibers of the said nonwoven fabric are firmly joined by the embossed part, and the breaking strength of a nonwoven fabric can be improved. As a result, even if the exterior sheet is pulled, it can be made difficult to break. In this case, the embossed portion preferably has a length with respect to the fiber orientation direction of 1.1 times or more, more preferably 1.2 times or more, and preferably 3.0 times or less of the length with respect to the orthogonal direction, 2.0 A ratio of 2 times or less is more preferable.

  The orientation direction of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric can be confirmed by observing the surface of the nonwoven fabric with a microscope or the like. For example, in a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, the orientation direction of the constituent fibers is described as follows. A spunbonded nonwoven fabric can be obtained, for example, by melting a polymer raw material, extruding it from a spinneret, stretching it, and accumulating it on a conveyor belt or the like and forming it into a web shape. The webs (fibers) accumulated on the belt are arranged along the traveling direction of the conveyor belt. Therefore, in this case, the web (fiber) is oriented along the traveling direction (MD direction) of the conveyor belt. In the air-through nonwoven fabric, when the nonwoven fabric is manufactured, the orientation direction of the constituent fibers can be aligned by appropriately setting the method for collecting the raw short fibers at the time of forming the fiber mass and the method for opening the fibers at the time of forming the web. In the spunlace nonwoven fabric, when the nonwoven fabric is formed, the orientation of the constituent fibers can be aligned by depositing the fibers by controlling the flow of the water flow in which the short fibers are dispersed.

  The exterior sheet may be composed of a single layer or may be composed of a plurality of layers. That is, the exterior sheet may be composed of one sheet member, or may be composed of two or more sheet members laminated. In addition, when an exterior sheet | seat is comprised from multiple layers, it is preferable that the embossed part demonstrated above is formed in the layer of the outer surface side at least.

  When the exterior sheet is composed of a plurality of layers, it is preferable that the exterior sheets are joined to each other at an embossed portion. For example, the exterior sheet has an inner layer and an outer layer (that is, the outer layer is laminated on the outer surface side of the inner layer), and the inner layer and the outer layer are bonded to each other at the embossed portion by heat embossing. It is preferable. When the inner layer and the outer layer of the exterior sheet are bonded to each other at the embossed portion, the non-embossed portion of the exterior sheet is easily formed in the thickness direction of the absorbent article, and the touch of the exterior sheet is improved. In addition, by increasing the visual shielding (visual shielding) by the exterior sheet, for example, when the absorbent core provided on the skin surface side of the exterior sheet contains excrement and is colored, The absorbent core can be made inconspicuous when viewed from the outside.

  The exterior sheet may be a laminate of three or more layers. The exterior sheet may have, for example, a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer from the outer surface side. The first layer, the second layer, and the third layer may be thermally embossed together at the embossed portion and bonded together, and only a part of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are thermally embossed with each other. May be.

  In the exterior sheet, for example, the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are joined to each other by hot embossing at the first embossed portion, and the second layer and the third layer are further joined to each other by hot embossing at the second embossed portion. It may be joined. In this case, the exterior sheet can improve both strength and feel. Among the exterior sheets, the strength of the exterior sheet can be increased by thermally embossing the second layer and the third layer located on the skin side at both the first embossed part and the second embossed part, and By providing the first layer on the outer surface side of the second layer and joining the first layer to the second layer only by the first embossed portion, it is possible to reduce the number of joints by heat embossing and improve the touch of the exterior sheet it can.

  Each layer described above (that is, the inner layer or the outer layer, or the first layer, the second layer, or the third layer) is preferably composed of a nonwoven fabric. Moreover, in order to improve the water resistance of an exterior sheet, you may provide the layer (film layer) which consists of a plastic film in the skin surface side of an exterior sheet.

  The exterior sheet may be provided with an elastic member. When an elastic member is provided on the exterior sheet, the elastic member is attached to the skin side of the exterior sheet, for example. When the exterior sheet is composed of a plurality of layers, the elastic member may be disposed between layers constituting the exterior sheet.

  When the elastic member is provided on the exterior sheet, the embossed portion is preferably provided at least in a region where the elastic member of the exterior sheet is not disposed. For example, the embossed portion is preferably provided in a region overlapping with the absorbent core of the exterior sheet. In detail, it is preferable that an embossed part is provided in the area | region which overlaps with an absorptive core and an elastic member is not arranged in an exterior sheet. If the embossed portion is provided in this manner, the touch of the exterior sheet can be improved in combination with the cushioning property of the absorbent core. In addition, the embossed portion can easily make a pattern in which squares, hexagons, and the like tiles are regularly arranged on the exterior sheet without any gaps, thereby improving the appearance of the absorbent article.

  Next, the structural example of the absorbent article of this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings. In addition, the absorbent article of this invention is not limited to the embodiment shown by drawing.

  6 and 7 show an example in which the absorbent article of the present invention is applied to a urine pad. 6 represents a plan view of the urine pad as seen from the skin surface side, and FIG. 7 represents a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the urine pad shown in FIG. In the drawings, the arrow x represents the width direction, the arrow y represents the longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to the surface formed by the arrows x and y represents the thickness direction z. The longitudinal direction y corresponds to a direction extending in the front-rear direction of the wearer's crotch when the wearer wears the absorbent article, and the width direction x is on the same plane as the absorbent article and is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction y. It means the direction to do.

  The absorbent article (urine pad) 11 includes a top sheet 12, a back sheet 13, and an absorbent core 14 disposed therebetween. The top sheet 12 is provided on the skin surface side of the absorbent article 11 and transmits urine and the like excreted from the wearer. Excrement that has permeated through the top sheet 12 is accommodated by the absorbent core 14. The back sheet 13 is provided on the outer surface side of the absorbent article 11 to prevent excrement from leaking to the outside. In the absorbent article 11, the absorbent core 14 is formed in an hourglass shape.

  The absorbent article 11 is preferably provided with side sheets 15 extending in the longitudinal direction y on both sides of the top sheet 12 in the width direction x. The side seat 15 is provided with a standing elastic member 16 inward in the width direction x. When the absorbent article 11 is used, the inner side of the side seat 15 is the skin of the wearer due to the contraction force of the standing elastic member 16. As a result, side leakage of excrement such as urine is prevented.

  In the absorbent article 11, the exterior sheet according to the present invention can be used for the back sheet 13. In this case, the back sheet 13 is composed of a nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of outer embossed portions having three or more top portions and the same number of valley portions are formed on the nonwoven fabric. By applying the exterior sheet to the back sheet 13, for example, when the absorbent article 11 is attached to the inside of an underwear (pants), the feel of the absorbent article 11 is improved and the absorbent article 11 is backed. The appearance when viewed from the sheet 13 side is improved. Further, the strength of the back sheet 13 can be ensured.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the back sheet 13 has an inner layer and an outer layer, and the inner layer and the outer layer are bonded to each other at a plurality of embossed portions by heat embossing the inner layer and the outer layer. Good. Further, the exterior sheet according to the present invention may be provided on the outer surface side of the back sheet 13.

  Another structural example of the absorbent article of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 8-10 shows the example which applied the absorbent article of this invention to the underpants type disposable diaper. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper, and FIG. 9 is a view of the state where the front abdomen and the back part of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 9.

  The absorbent article (pants-type disposable diaper) 21 includes a pants member 24 having a waist opening 22 and a pair of leg openings 23, and an absorbent main body 27 provided on the skin surface side of the pants member 24. The pants member 24 is composed of a front abdomen P, a back part Q, and a crotch part R located between them, and is formed in a pant shape by joining the front abdomen P and the back part Q.

  In the absorbent article 21, the exterior sheet according to the present invention can be used for the pant member 24. 8 to 10, the exterior sheet 25 (the exterior sheet according to the present invention) is used on the outer surface side of the pant member 24, and the interior sheet 26 is laminated on the skin surface side of the exterior sheet 25. Therefore, the exterior sheet 25 is comprised from a nonwoven fabric, and the embossed part of the external shape which has three or more top parts and the same number of troughs will be formed in the said nonwoven fabric. By disposing the exterior sheet 25 on the outer surface side of the absorbent article 21, the strength of the pant member 24 is ensured, and the touch and appearance of the absorbent article 21 can be improved. Although not shown in the drawings, the exterior sheet 25 has an inner layer and an outer layer, and the inner layer and the outer layer are bonded to each other at a plurality of embossed portions by heat embossing the inner layer and the outer layer. Good.

  The absorptive main body 27 is provided at least on the skin surface side of the crotch portion R of the pant member 24, and includes a top sheet 28, a back sheet 29, and an absorptive core 30 disposed therebetween (FIGS. 9 and 10). ). In the absorbent article 21, the absorbent main body 27 and the absorbent core 30 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Further, the back sheet 29 is folded at the edge in the width direction x of the absorbent core 30 and joined to the top sheet 28.

  The absorbent main body 27 is provided with rising flaps 31 on both sides in the width direction x (FIGS. 9 and 10). By providing the rising flap 31, it is possible to prevent side leakage of excrement such as urine. The rising flap 31 is preferably liquid impermeable. A standing elastic member 32 is provided at an upper end portion (end portion on the wearer side) in a state where the rising flap 31 is raised, and the rising flap 31 is urged to stand by the contraction force of the rising elastic member 32.

  A plurality of waist elastic members 33 are provided along the edge of the waist opening 22 at the end of the pant member 24 in the longitudinal direction y. The waist elastic member 33 forms a waist gather along the circumference of the wearer's waist and prevents excrement such as urine from the back side and the abdomen side from leaking.

  A plurality of trunk elastic members 34 extending in the width direction x are provided on the front abdomen P and the back part Q of the pant member 24. The body elastic members 34 are arranged at wider intervals than the waist elastic members 33. The torso elastic member 34 enhances the fit around the wearer's torso.

  The pant member 24 is provided with leg elastic members 35 and 36 along the edge of the leg opening 23. The leg elastic member includes a front leg elastic member 35 provided along the front edge of the leg opening 23 and a rear leg elastic member 36 provided along the rear edge of the leg opening 23. Thus, the leg elastic member is provided over substantially the entire circumference of the edge of the leg opening 23 by the front leg elastic member 35 and the rear leg elastic member 36. Leg gathers along the circumference of the wearer's leg are formed by the leg elastic members 35 and 36, and excrement such as urine from the crotch is prevented from leaking.

  The waist elastic member 33, the body elastic member 34, and the leg elastic members 35 and 36 may be provided between the exterior sheet 25 and the interior sheet 26. At this time, each elastic member is preferably joined to the exterior sheet 25 and / or the interior sheet 26 in an expanded state. The waist elastic member 33 is configured such that the exterior sheet 25 is folded back to the interior sheet 26 side at the edge of the waist opening 22 of the pant member 24 and is sandwiched between the folded exterior sheets 25 and joined to the exterior sheet 25. Also good.

  The material of each member constituting the absorbent article of the present invention will be described. The top sheet is a sheet positioned on the wearer side when the absorbent article is worn, and is preferably liquid permeable. As the top sheet, for example, a nonwoven fabric formed from hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose, rayon, and cotton, and a hydrophobic property such as polyolefin (eg, polypropylene, polyethylene), polyester (eg, PET), polyamide (eg, nylon), etc. A non-woven fabric formed from fibers, in which the surface of hydrophobic fibers is hydrophilized with a surfactant, can be used. Further, as the top sheet, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a plastic film in which holes are formed, or the like may be used.

  The back sheet is a sheet located on the side opposite to the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, that is, on the outer surface side, and is preferably liquid-impermeable. As the back sheet, a non-woven fabric formed from hydrophobic fibers such as polyolefin (for example, polypropylene, polyethylene), polyester (for example, PET), polyamide (for example, 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. In the present invention, liquid impermeability includes the meaning of water repellency.

  The pant member (interior sheet, exterior sheet) may be liquid permeable or liquid impermeable, and a sheet material usable for a top sheet or a back sheet can be used.

  When a nonwoven fabric is used as each sheet material described above, the nonwoven fabric may be a spunbond nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, a point bond nonwoven fabric, a melt blown nonwoven fabric, an airlaid nonwoven fabric, an SMS nonwoven fabric, or the like. In the exterior sheet according to the present invention, since the nonwoven fabric layers are bonded to each other by hot embossing, heat of polyolefin (for example, polypropylene, polyethylene), polyester (for example, PET), polyamide (for example, nylon) or the like. It is preferable that fusible fibers are included.

  The absorbent core is not particularly limited as long as it includes an absorbent material that can absorb excrement such as urine. As an absorptive core, the molded object which shape | molded the absorptive material in the predetermined shape can be used, for example. The absorbent core may be covered with a sheet member such as a paper sheet (for example, tissue paper or thin paper) or a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric. Examples of the absorbent material contained in the absorbent core include hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose fibers (for example, pulverized pulp fibers), polyacrylic acid-based materials, polyaspartic acid-based materials, cellulose-based materials, starch-acrylonitrile-based materials, and the like. Water-absorbing resin etc. are mentioned. Moreover, the heat-fusible fiber may be contained in the absorbent material. 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. Therefore, it is preferable that an absorptive core contains a hydrophilic fiber (especially pulp fiber) and a water absorbing resin. In this case, it is preferable to use, for example, a mixture of hydrophilic fibers mixed or dispersed in an aggregate of hydrophilic fibers.

  The absorbent core may be a sheet-like absorber. Examples of the sheet-like absorber include those formed so as to have a water-absorbing resin between nonwoven fabrics and have no pulp fibers. Since the sheet-like absorbent body thus formed has a water-absorbing resin between the nonwoven fabrics, a high absorption capacity can be realized. Moreover, since a sheet-like absorber does not have pulp fibers between nonwoven fabrics, it can be formed thin without being bulky.

  As a sheet-like absorber, a water-absorbing fiber may be used as an absorbent material. Also in this case, the sheet-like absorbent body is not bulky and is formed thin. Examples of the water-absorbing fiber include a fiber containing a protonated or salt-formed carboxyl group. For example, as disclosed in JP-B-52-42916, water-absorbing fibers can be obtained by hydrolyzing acrylic fibers and converting nitrile groups contained in the acrylic fibers into carboxyl groups. At this time, it is preferable that the carboxyl group contained in the water-absorbing fiber forms an alkali metal salt or an ammonia salt. Moreover, a water absorbing fiber can be manufactured by immersing a hydrophilic fiber in acrylic acid and precipitating acrylic acid on the fiber surface.

1: Embossed portion 2: Top portion 3: Valley portion 4: Lattice 11, 21: Absorbent article 12, 28: Top sheet 13, 29: Back sheet (exterior sheet)
14, 30: Absorbent core 24: Pants member 25: Exterior sheet 26: Interior sheet

Claims (6)

An absorbent article having an exterior sheet on the outer surface side,
The exterior sheet is composed of a nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of embossed portions are formed by heat embossing,
The embossing unit may have a profile having three or more top and therewith many valleys, the length in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is characterized in that longer than the length to width direction of the absorbent article absorbs Sex goods. An absorbent article having an exterior sheet on the outer surface side,
The exterior sheet is composed of a nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of embossed portions are formed by heat embossing,
The embossing unit may have a profile having three or more top and therewith many valleys, and wherein the length of the alignment direction of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the outer sheet may be shorter than the length to a direction perpendicular thereto Absorbent article. The exterior sheet has an inner layer and an outer layer,
The absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2 by which said inner layer and said outer layer are joined mutually by said embossed part by carrying out heat embossing. A plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the square lattice,
Each embossed portion has an outer shape having four top and therewith many valleys, both said top portion of claim 1 to 3, which is formed so as to extend in four directions along the sides of the rectangular grid An absorbent article according to any one of the above. A plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the hexagonal lattice,
Each embossed portion has a profile having three tops and therewith many valleys, both said top portion of claim 1 to 3 wherein is formed so as to extend in three directions along a hexagonal lattice sides An absorbent article according to any one of the above. A plurality of embossed portions are arranged at each lattice point of the triangular lattice,
Each embossed portion has a contour having six top and therewith many valleys, both said top portion of claim 1 to 3 which is formed to extend in six directions along the sides of the triangular lattice An absorbent article according to any one of the above.