JP6756427B2 - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

With respect to absorbent articles in which the rate of absorption of body fluids is improved and leakage is effectively prevented.

Generally, absorbent articles include tape-stopping type disposable diapers, light incontinence pads, urine absorbing pads, pants-type disposable diapers, etc., and these absorbent articles depend on the need for long-term care in excretion of the wearer. It is appropriately selected and used. These absorbent articles are composed of a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorber arranged between the two sheets. By adopting such a configuration, body fluids such as urine permeate through the top sheet of the absorbent article and are absorbed by the absorber, and are prevented from leaking to the outside by the back sheet.

By the way, in recent years, in absorbent articles, attempts have been made to increase the absorption amount and the absorption rate by applying various devices to the absorber. For example, in recently known absorbent articles, attempts have been made to increase the absorption rate and amount of body fluid by providing slits in the absorber or bending both ends of the absorber.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorber arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, and an absorber extending outward in the width direction of the absorber. It has a flexible side flap and a stretchable elastic member disposed longitudinally in the inseam region of the side flap, and the longitudinal side edge of the absorber together with the side flap is inside the absorber. Disclosed is an absorbent article that is folded back to form a first folded portion, and the first folded portion is further folded outward of the absorber to form a second folded portion.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 04-051952

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the body fluid may not be retained at an appropriate site on the absorber, and when a large amount of urine is excreted, it is not always rapidly absorbed by the absorber. There was also a problem with the absorption performance of absorbent articles, such as the risk of leakage. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is an absorbent article in which the absorption amount and absorption rate of body fluid are enhanced, and the body fluid is quickly retained at an appropriate site on the absorber. It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article capable of absorbing and preventing leakage.

In view of the above problems, the inventors of the present invention have conducted diligent research. As a result, both ends in the width direction of the absorber are bent over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and in the bent state, both ends in the width direction are separated from each other in the width direction, and the two folding lines of the absorber are separated from each other. It has been found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by an absorbent article provided with a predetermined recess in the intervening region, and the present invention has been completed. Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) The first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorber made of an absorbent fiber and a highly absorbent polymer. The absorber is a pair of fold lines that sandwich the center line in the width direction, and both ends in the width direction are bent toward the body over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and the parts on both sides that sandwich the fold lines face each other. In a state where both ends in the width direction of the absorber are bent toward the body, both ends in the width direction of the absorber are separated from each other in the width direction, and the two ends of the absorber are separated from each other. A recess extending at least to the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorber is provided in the region between the fold lines, and the separation distance between both ends of the absorber in the width direction is larger than the maximum dimension in the width direction of the recess. It is also a narrow, absorbent article.

(2) The second aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to (1), which is highly absorbed by the surface constituting the clothing side of the absorber in a state before the absorber is bent. It is characterized in that the sex polymer is concentrated and present.

(3) A third aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to (1) or (2), wherein the top sheet is bent toward the body side at a folding line together with the absorbent body. The parts on both sides of the fold line are held facing each other, and a gap is formed between the skin and the area between the two fold lines of the absorber when the absorbent article is worn. It is characterized by that.

(4) A fourth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the shortest separation distance between both ends of the absorber in the width direction is 1 cm or more and 5 cm or less. Moreover, it is characterized in that it is 10% or more and 100% or less of the maximum dimension in the width direction of the recess.

(5) A fifth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the absorbent body is thin or the absorbent body has a fold line. It is characterized in that a groove or a slit is formed.

(6) The sixth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the bulk of the absorber is 1 cm ³ / g or more and 25 cm ³ / g or less. It is characterized by being.

(7) A seventh aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein protrusions are provided at both ends in the width direction of the absorber or in the recesses. It is characterized in that both ends of the absorber in the width direction and the portions facing the absorber can be held in a separated state.

The absorbent article of the present invention is a pair of folding lines that sandwich the center line in the width direction, and by bending both ends in the width direction of the absorber over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, both ends in the width direction are bent toward the body. , The parts on both sides of each fold line are opposed to each other, and both ends in the width direction of the absorber are held in a state of being separated from each other. As a result, a space surrounded by the absorber is formed in the region including the widthwise center line on the absorber where the body fluid is excreted. Therefore, by holding the excreted body fluid at this site. , The rapid absorption of body fluids is guaranteed. Further, in the absorbent article of the present invention, a recess extending at least to the longitudinal center of the absorber is provided in the region between the two folding lines of the absorber, so that the width of the folded pair is widened. More body fluid is retained in the directional ends and the recesses to prevent longitudinal leakage and also holds a pair of widthwise ends with the recessed edges folded so that the absorber Will not be crushed and both ends in the width direction will not come into contact with parts on the opposing absorber over the entire length in the longitudinal direction.

It is a drawing which shows the state before folding and the state after folding of the absorber in one aspect of the absorbent article of this invention. It is a drawing which shows another aspect of the absorbent article of this invention. In another aspect of the absorbent article of the present invention, it is a drawing which shows the state before folding and the state after folding of an absorber.

<Absorbable article>
In the description of the present specification, the time when the absorbent article 1 is worn means at least one of the time when the absorbent article 1 is worn and the time after the absorbent article 1 is worn. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 is a direction extending in front of and behind the wearer when the absorbent article 1 is worn, and is a direction indicated by reference numeral Y in the drawing. Further, the width direction of the absorbent article 1 is a direction laterally or orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and is a direction indicated by reference numeral X in the drawing. Further, the body side surface is the surface of the front and back surfaces of each member such as the absorber 23 that is arranged on the wearer's skin side when worn, and the clothing side surface is the surface of each member such as the absorber 23. Of both the front and back sides, this is the side that faces the wearer's skin side when worn. Body fluid refers to the liquid discharged from the body to the outside of the body, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stool. Further, the use of the absorbent article 1 is not particularly limited, and generally, regardless of whether it is for infants or adults, a tape-stop type disposable diaper, a pants type disposable diaper, a urine absorbing pad, a light incontinence pad, etc. It may be a sanitary product or the like.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a state before folding of the absorber 23 and a state after folding of the absorber 23 in one aspect of the absorbent article 1 of the present invention. The absorbent article 1 of the present invention includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 21, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 22, and an absorber 23 made of an absorbent fiber and a highly absorbent polymer 232. Further, in order to prevent lateral leakage of body fluid excreted by the user, the absorbent article 1 has a pair of three-dimensional objects having elastic members for three-dimensional gathers on the top sheet 21 along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1. It may have gathers. The outer end of the three-dimensional gather in the width direction of the absorbent article 1 is fixed to the back sheet 22, the inner end thereof is fixed to the top sheet 21, and the center thereof is a free end not fixed to the top sheet 21. Gather sheets are arranged. By providing the elastic member for three-dimensional gather along the longitudinal direction, the three-dimensional gather has an upright property and can be deformed according to the body shape of the wearer. For example, a polyurethane thread, a strip-shaped polyurethane film, a thread-shaped or strip-shaped natural rubber, or the like is used as the elastic member for three-dimensional gathers, and the three-dimensional gather sheet is water-repellent or impermeable formed of hydrophobic fibers. Non-woven fabrics such as spunbonded non-woven fabrics, melt-blown non-woven fabrics, and composite non-woven fabrics in which spunbond / melt-blow / spunbond are laminated are used.

[Top sheet]
The top sheet 21 may be formed of a base material having a liquid permeability that allows body liquid to move to the absorber 23. For example, a non-woven fabric such as an air-through non-woven fabric, a thermal bond non-woven fabric, or a spunbond non-woven fabric, or a thermal bond / span. It is formed from a material such as a composite non-woven fabric in which bonds are laminated, an open film such as an opening polyethylene film, a foam film such as polyethylene foam or urethane foam, or a composite sheet in which these are laminated. Further, the surface of the top sheet 21 may be embossed or perforated in order to improve the liquid permeability. As a method for performing these embossing and drilling processes, known methods can be carried out without limitation. Further, in order to reduce irritation to the skin, the top sheet 21 may contain a lotion, an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory component, a pH adjuster, an antibacterial agent, a moisturizer and the like. Further, from the viewpoint of strength and workability, the basis weight of the top sheet 21 is preferably 15 g / m ² or more and 400 g / m ² or less.

[Backsheet]
The back sheet 22 may be formed by using a base material having a liquid impermeable property so that the body fluid held by the absorber 23 does not wet the clothes, and a resin film or a resin film and a non-woven fabric are laminated. It is formed from a material such as a composite sheet. The non-woven fabric used for the composite sheet is not particularly limited in the manufacturing method, and examples thereof include spunbonded non-woven fabrics, melt-blown non-woven fabrics, composite non-woven fabrics in which spunbond / melt-blow, spunbond / melt-blow / spunbond are laminated, and composite materials thereof. Can be mentioned. Examples of the resin film include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and a composite film of polyethylene and polypropylene.

From the viewpoint of strength and workability, the basis weight of the back sheet 22 is preferably 15 g / m ² or more and 50 g / m ² or less. Further, in order to prevent stuffiness at the time of mounting, it is preferable that the back sheet 22 has air permeability. In order to provide the back sheet 22 with breathability, for example, a filler may be blended in the resin film of the base material, or the back sheet 22 may be embossed. Calcium carbonate can be mentioned as the filler, and a known method can be used without limitation as the blending method.

[Absorber]
The absorber 23 preferably contains an absorbent fiber as a base material and a highly absorbent polymer 232 (SAP). The absorbent fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is generally used for absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers and urine absorbing pads. For example, fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper and hydrophilic fiber are used. Examples include rayon. Among these, it is preferable to use fluff pulp from the viewpoint of absorbability. Examples of such fluff pulp include those obtained by defibrating wood pulp, synthetic fiber, polymer fiber, non-wood pulp and the like into a cotton-like shape. The absorbent fiber of the absorber 23 preferably has a basis weight of 100 g / m ² or more and 800 g / m ² or less so as not to impair the absorption performance and the touch. The absorber 23 may be in a high-pressure pressed state.

The highly absorbent polymer 232 of the absorber 23 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow, and is sodium polyacrylate-based, polyaspartate-based, (starch-acrylic acid). Those formed from materials such as a graft copolymer, a (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymer, a (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymer and a saponified product thereof can be used. Among these, sodium polyacrylate is preferable from the viewpoint of the amount of absorption per weight. The SAP amount of the absorber 23 is preferably 50 g / m ² or more and 500 g / m ² or less, and the content is 15% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less so as not to impair the absorption performance and the touch. Is preferable.

In the absorber 23, the morphology of the absorbent fiber and the SAP may be one formed by mixing SAP particles in the absorbent fiber, or a SAP sheet in which the SAP particles are fixed between the absorbent fibers. preferable. Further, for the purpose of preventing leakage of SAP particles and stabilizing the shape of the absorber 23, it is preferable to wrap the absorber 23 in the carrier sheet 26. The base material of the carrier sheet 26 may be any one having hydrophilicity, and examples thereof include hydrophilic non-woven fabrics such as tissue, absorbent paper, air raid non-woven fabric, hydrophilic spunbonded non-woven fabric, and hydrophilic air-through non-woven fabric. When a plurality of carrier sheets 26 are provided, the base materials of the carrier sheets 26 may be the same or different.

The bulkiness of the absorber 23 is preferably 1 cm ³ / g or more and 25 cm ³ / g or less, and more preferably 1.5 cm ³ / g or more and 5 cm ³ / g or less. By setting the bulkiness of the absorber 23 within the above range, it is possible to maintain good absorbency of the excreted body fluid without impairing the fit of the absorbent article 1. Regarding the bulkiness of the absorber 23, the thickness of the absorber 23 is measured by using a dial gauge (“Peacock dial gauge” manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho), and the average thickness of the absorber 23 is measured with a load of 3432 Pa. It was calculated from this average thickness and the area of the absorber 23.

In the present invention, the widthwise both ends 231 of the absorber 23 are bent by a pair of folding lines 25 sandwiching the widthwise center line over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and the widthwise both ends 231 extend over the entire length in the longitudinal direction. It is bent toward the body side, and the portions on both sides of the folding line 25 are held facing each other. In this state, both ends 231 in the width direction of the absorber 23 are separated from each other in the width direction, and a part of the surface constituting the body side surface of the absorber 23 before bending the absorber 23 is It is exposed without being covered by the folded widthwise both ends 231. Then, on the body-side surface of the absorber 23, a recess 24 extending at least to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 23 is provided in the region between the two folding lines 25 of the absorber 23 to absorb the absorber 23. The separation distance A between the bent widthwise both ends 231 of the body 23 is narrower than the maximum width direction B of the recess 24.

By adopting the above configuration, in the folded absorber 23, a space is formed by the pair of widthwise both ends 231 of the absorber 23 and the recesses 24, and the widthwise both ends 231 are separated from each other. Since the body fluid that has flowed through the gap is held in this space, the absorber 23 can hold a large amount of body fluid, preventing leakage of the body fluid from both ends in the longitudinal direction, and holding the body fluid in the recess 24. Since the wall surface is in contact with the wall surface of both end portions 231 in the width direction, the body fluid is rapidly absorbed by the absorber 23. The wall surface of the recess 24 also serves as a weir, but only the height of the wall surface is inclined from the central portion in the longitudinal direction toward both ends, and the height increases from the central portion in the longitudinal direction toward both ends in the longitudinal direction. May be increased. By designing in this way, the body fluid can be spread on the absorbers 23 at both ends in the longitudinal direction while moderately weakening the momentum of the body fluid that develops in the longitudinal direction at high speed. On the other hand, when the weak body fluid reaches the wall surface, the movement of the body fluid may stop there, and as a result, the absorber 23 in the longitudinal direction may not be utilized. Therefore, the height of a part of the wall surface is the same as that of the wall surface. It may be provided at a height.

In the present invention, the recess 24 of the absorber 23 may be divided into a plurality of recesses 24 as long as at least one recess 24 extends to the central portion in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the dimensions of the divided recess 24 and the dimensions of the boundary portion thereof are arbitrarily set. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the recess 24 may be divided in the longitudinal direction, or may be divided in the width direction as shown in FIG. When the recess 24 is divided and provided, the boundary of the divided recess 24 and both ends 231 in the width direction come into contact with each other, and the boundary of the divided recess 24 supports the bent both ends 231 in the width direction. Will be done. As a result, the space formed by the both end portions 231 in the width direction and the recess 24 is held without being crushed. When the recess 24 is divided in the width direction, the maximum dimension B in the width direction of the recess 24 is the outermost in the width direction in all of the plurality of divided recesses 24 and the region including the boundary portion thereof. It is calculated as the dimension between the wall surfaces of the recess 24 located in.

In particular, when the recess 24 is divided in the longitudinal direction, protrusions 27 may be provided on both ends 231 in the width direction of the absorber 23 or the recess 24, and the protrusions 27 are the absorber 23. Both ends 231 in the width direction and the portion facing the both ends 231 may be held in a separated state. By adopting such a configuration, the space formed by the widthwise both end portions 231 of the absorber 23 and the recess 24 can be more reliably held.

(Distance between both ends in the width direction)
In the folded state of the absorber 23, the shortest separation distance A of both ends 231 in the width direction of the absorber 23 is 1 cm or more and 5 cm or less, and 10% or more of the maximum dimension B of the recess 24 in the width direction 100. % Or less, more preferably 20% or more and 90% or less. By setting the separation distance A of both end portions 231 in the width direction within the above range, the excreted body fluid can be appropriately guided to the recess 24, and the end portions 231 in the width direction and the recess 24 are completely in contact with each other. It is possible to increase the contact area between the body fluid held in the space formed by the concave portion 24 and both end portions 231 in the width direction and the absorber 23. It should be noted that the widthwise end portion does not necessarily have to be formed in a straight line, and an arc may be drawn. In such a case, for example, the separation distance A of both end portions 231 in the width direction can be widened only in a part of the region such as the excretion portion of the body fluid, and the capacity of accommodating the body fluid can be improved.

(Arrangement of highly absorbent polymer)
Here, in the present invention, it is preferable that the highly absorbent polymer 232 is concentrated and present on the surface constituting the clothing side of the absorber 23 in the state before the absorber 23 is bent. That is, it is preferable that the highly absorbent polymer 232 is present in a larger amount on the clothing side surface than on the body side surface of the absorber 23 in this state. As a result, in the folded state of the absorber 23, the body fluid held inside the absorber 23 is absorbed by the highly absorbent polymer 232 existing on the outer surface of the absorber 23, and the highly absorbent polymer 232 is absorbed. Is swelled, so that the movement of the body fluid is blocked by the swollen highly absorbent polymer 232, and the body fluid held inside the absorber 23 can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the absorber 23. The absorber 23 may be formed by laminating an upper layer absorber and a lower layer absorber, but in this case, by unevenly distributing the highly absorbent polymer 232 in the lower layer absorber, the absorber 23 may be formed. It is possible to realize a configuration in which the highly absorbent polymer 232 is concentrated and present on the surface on the clothing side. The length of the upper layer absorber and the lower layer absorber in the longitudinal direction and the width direction may be such that the length of the upper layer absorber is longer than the length of the lower layer absorber and the length of the upper layer absorber is the same as the length of the lower layer absorber. The length of the upper layer absorber may be shorter than the length of the lower layer absorber. Further, the SAP sheet in which the highly absorbent polymer 232 is intensively arranged may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the central portion of the product. By adopting the SAP sheet, the SAP sheet swells due to the swelling of the SAP at the time of absorption, and as a result, the central part of the concave shape that does not originally touch the skin is specifically raised and becomes a convex shape to come into contact with the skin. The effect of wiping off the body fluid remaining on the skin is exhibited.

(Arrangement of top sheet and carrier sheet when the absorber is folded)
FIG. 2 is a drawing showing another aspect of the absorbent article 1 of the present invention. As described above, the absorber 23 is preferably wrapped in the carrier sheet 26. Therefore, when the absorber 23 is bent, as shown in FIG. 2, the absorber 23 wrapped in the carrier sheet 26 may be bent to bend both ends 231 in the width direction of the absorber 23. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, after the absorber 23 is laminated with the top sheet 21, the absorber 23 may be bent to bend both ends 231 in the width direction of the absorber 23. In this case, the top sheet 21 is bent toward the body along the folding line 25 together with the absorber 23, and the portions on both sides of the folding line 25 are held facing each other. With such a configuration, due to the repulsive force of the bent carrier sheet 26 and the top sheet 21, the entire length of both ends 231 in the width direction of the absorber 23 comes into contact with the portions of the absorbers 23 facing each other. When the absorber 23 is bent together with the top sheet 21, a gap is formed between the skin and the region between the two fold lines 25 of the absorber 23 when the absorbent article 1 is worn. Therefore, the excreted body fluid can be quickly guided to the space formed by the widthwise both ends 231 of the folded absorber 23 and the recesses 24, and as a result, the body fluid is absorbed by the absorber 23. Can be absorbed quickly.

(Fold line)
A pair of folding lines 25 for folding the absorber 23 are formed with the center line in the width direction in between. Here, in the present invention, it is preferable that the absorber 23 is thin or the absorber 23 is formed with a groove or a slit in the folding line 25. With such a configuration, the absorber 23 can be easily folded in the manufacturing process of the absorbent article 1, and both ends 231 in the width direction of the folded absorber 23 are bent toward the body side. The shape can also be maintained stable.

<Manufacturing method of absorbent articles>
As a method for producing the absorbent article 1, a well-known method can be adopted. For example, (A) the absorbent fiber is laminated together with the highly absorbent polymer 232 to form an absorbent mat, and the absorbent 23 is formed. (B) The process of fixing and integrating the top sheet 21 and the three-dimensional gather with a hot melt adhesive, (C) Applying the hot melt adhesive to the inside of the top sheet 21, the three-dimensional gather, and the back sheet 22. Step of construction, (D) In the collective drum, a step of arranging a top sheet 21 on the upper part of the absorber 23 and a back sheet 22 on the lower part of the absorber 23, and fixing and integrating each component, (E) absorption. Examples thereof include a manufacturing method including a step of cutting a semi-finished product of the sex article 1 to the product size by a cutter device and separating the individual absorbent article 1. Then, in the present invention, the absorber 23 of the absorbent article 1 is formed by a folding line 25 sandwiching the center line in the width direction together with the top sheet 21 and the carrier sheet 26 at any stage of the manufacturing process of the absorbent article 1. It may be bent by bending it toward the body.

1 Absorbent article 21 Top sheet 22 Back sheet 23 Absorbent 231 Width direction both ends 232 Highly absorbent polymer 24 Recesses 25 Folded line 26 Carrier sheet 27 Protrusions A Width direction separation distance B Maximum dimensions of the recesses in the width direction Y Longitudinal direction X width direction

Claims (7)

An absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorber made of an absorbent fiber and a highly absorbent polymer.
The absorber is a pair of fold lines that sandwich the center line in the width direction, and both ends in the width direction are bent toward the body over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and the parts on both sides that sandwich the fold lines are held facing each other. Has been
In a state where both ends in the width direction of the absorber are bent toward the body, both ends in the width direction of the absorber are separated from each other in the width direction.
The region between the two fold lines of the absorber is provided with a recess extending at least to the longitudinal center of the absorber.
An absorbent article in which the distance between both ends of the absorber in the width direction is narrower than the maximum dimension of the recess in the width direction. The absorbable article according to claim 1, wherein the highly absorbent polymer is concentrated and present on the surface constituting the clothing side of the absorber in a state before the absorber is bent. The top sheet is bent toward the body along the fold line together with the absorber, and the portions on both sides of the fold line are held facing each other.
The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gap is formed between the skin and the area between the two fold lines of the absorber when the absorbent article is worn. According to any one of claims 1 to 3, the shortest separation distance between both ends of the absorber in the width direction is 1 cm or more and 5 cm or less, and 10% or more and 100% or less of the maximum dimension of the recess in the width direction. The absorbent article described. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorber is thinned or a groove or slit is formed in the absorber at the folding line. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bulk of the absorber is 1 cm ³ / g or more and 25 cm ³ / g or less. 1. A claim 1 in which protrusions are provided on both ends of the absorber in the width direction or recesses thereof, and the ends of the absorber in the width direction and the portions facing the same can be held in a separated state. The absorbent article according to any one of 6 to 6.

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