JP7088731B2 - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Absorbent articles such as incontinence pads generally include a liquid-permeable front sheet that is placed relatively close to the wearer's skin and a back sheet that is placed relatively far from the wearer's skin. , Consists of an absorber interposed between the two sheets. In recent years, in order to reduce discomfort when wearing an absorbent article, an absorbent article having various functions has been proposed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article containing an agent that conveys perception to the wearer. In the same document, as an agent contained in the absorbent article, an agent targeting a temperature receptor such as a refreshing agent is mentioned, and it is possible to provide a refreshing feeling and a dry feeling to the wearer of the absorbent article. It has been disclosed.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an absorbent article having the above-mentioned general configuration in which a volatile agent such as a cooling sensation agent is applied to the bottom of a second recess of the top sheet. ing. It is also disclosed that the absorbent article described in the same document can make the wearer less susceptible to irritation by a drug such as a cooling sensation agent and enhance the feeling of use.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an absorbent article including microcapsules containing a cooling sensation component in addition to the above-mentioned general configuration. The absorbent article of the same document has a structure in which the number density of microcapsules on the skin contact surface side of the skin contact sheet is lower than the number density of microcapsules on the non-skin contact surface side of the sheet. It is also disclosed that an appropriate cooling sensation effect can be imparted at an early stage and for a long period of time.

Special Table 2004-528090 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-22983 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-12455

By the way, since the absorbent article such as the incontinence pad is mainly worn when the wearer is active, it is not easy to immediately replace the absorbent article after absorbing the liquid. In particular, when the absorbent article after absorbing the liquid is worn for a long time, the body fluid absorbed by the absorber causes a feeling of coldness or other discomfort to the wearer due to the decrease in the temperature of the body fluid. In addition, the wearer's perception of coldness may induce further incontinence or increase anxiety about incontinence.

The absorbent articles described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not take measures against such a feeling of coldness. As a result, urine leakage is further induced and anxiety about urine leakage is further increased.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that can solve the shortcomings of the prior art.

The present invention comprises a front surface sheet located on the skin facing surface side, a back surface sheet located on the non-skin facing surface side, and an absorber interposed between the two sheets, from the ventral side of the wearer via the crotch portion. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction extending to the dorsal side and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
The absorber has a recessed portion extending in the longitudinal direction on the skin facing surface side.
The warming agent is arranged on the skin-facing surface side of the surface sheet.
The warming agent provides an absorbent article encapsulated in a water-disintegrating capsule.

Further, the present invention includes a front surface sheet located on the skin facing surface side, a back surface sheet located on the non-skin facing surface side, and an absorber interposed between the two sheets, and the crotch portion is provided from the ventral side of the wearer. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction extending dorsally through the passage and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
The absorber has a recessed portion extending in the longitudinal direction on the skin facing surface side.
It provides an absorbent article in which a warming agent is disposed between the surface sheet and the absorber.

Further, the present invention includes a front surface sheet located on the skin facing surface side, a back surface sheet located on the non-skin facing surface side, and an absorber interposed between the two sheets, from the ventral side of the wearer via the crotch portion. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction extending to the dorsal side and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
The absorber has a recessed portion extending in the longitudinal direction on the skin facing surface side.
The first warming agent is arranged on the skin-facing surface side of the surface sheet.
The first warming agent is encapsulated in a water-disintegrating capsule, and the second warming agent is arranged between the surface sheet and the absorber to provide an absorbent article. Is.

According to the present invention, at a desired timing such as when excreting body fluid, the wearer's perception of cold feeling and discomfort caused by the perception are suppressed without heating the absorber, and further urine leakage is induced. , Anxiety about urine leakage can be eliminated. That is, it is possible to improve the comfort when wearing it.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. 2 (a) to 2 (d) are enlarged schematic views (corresponding to FIG. 1) showing the arrangement positions of the surface sheet, the absorber and the warming agent in the absorbent article of the present invention. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are enlarged schematic views (corresponding to FIG. 1) showing different arrangement positions of the surface sheet, the absorber and the warming agent in the absorbent article of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of a main part showing the fiber densities of the convex portion and the side wall portion in the surface sheet. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are schematic views showing an apparatus suitably used for manufacturing the surface sheet shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (d).

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings. The absorbent article of the present invention has a vertically long shape having a longitudinal direction corresponding to a direction extending from the ventral side of the wearer to the dorsal side through the crotch portion and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article has a crotch portion arranged in the crotch portion of the wearer, and a ventral side portion and a dorsal portion extending in front of and behind the crotch portion. The inseam has an excretory facing portion that is arranged to face the wearer's excretory portion when the absorbent article is worn, and the excretory portion facing portion is usually at or near the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. Is located in.

The absorbent article of the present invention includes a front surface sheet located on the skin facing surface side of the wearer, a back surface sheet located on the non-skin facing surface side, and an absorbent body interposed between the two sheets. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 includes a front surface sheet 2, a back surface sheet 3, and an absorber 4 interposed between the two sheets 2 and 3. The skin-facing surface is the surface of the front and back surfaces of each member constituting the absorbent article 1 that is arranged on the wearer's skin side when worn, and the non-skin-facing surface is the absorbent article 1. Of the front and back surfaces of each of the constituent members, this is the surface facing the wearer's skin side when worn. In the following description, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper side is the skin facing surface side, and the lower side is the non-skin facing surface side.

As the surface sheet 2, a sheet having liquid permeability can be used. Examples of such a sheet include non-woven fabrics such as air-through non-woven fabric, spunbond non-woven fabric, spunlace non-woven fabric, meltblown non-woven fabric, resin bond non-woven fabric, and needle punch non-woven fabric. Further, a laminated body in which two or more kinds of these non-woven fabrics are combined, or a laminated body in which these non-woven fabrics and a perforated film or the like are combined can also be used.

The basis weight of the surface sheet 2 is preferably 10 g / m ² or more, more preferably 15 g / m ² or more, and preferably 40 g / m ² or less, more preferably 35 g / m ² or less. The basis weight of the non-woven fabric is preferably 10 g / m ² or more and 40 g / m ² or less, and more preferably 15 g / m ² or more and 35 g / m ² or less. When a laminated body (multilayer) of a non-woven fabric is used as the surface sheet 2, the above-mentioned numerical values indicate the total basis weight of the laminated body (multilayer).

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, for example, the surface sheet 2 may be formed by using two or more non-woven fabrics to form the surface sheet 2 as a multilayer structure, and FIGS. 3A and 3B may be formed. ), The surface sheet 2 can be formed as a single-layer structure by using one non-woven fabric. Further, regardless of the form of the surface sheet 2, the surface sheet 2 may have an uneven shape in which a plurality of concave portions and convex portions are formed on the skin facing surface side thereof, or the surface sheet 2 may have an uneven shape. It may have a ridge-groove shape in which ridges and grooves extending in one direction are alternately formed on the skin-facing surface side, or may have a flat shape having no irregularities and ridges. In the following description, the convex portion or the ridge portion is simply referred to as a “convex portion”, and the concave portion or the groove portion is simply referred to as a “concave portion”.

The surface sheet 2 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D has a structure in which a lower layer nonwoven fabric 2a located on the side far from the wearer's skin and an upper layer nonwoven fabric 2b located on the wearer's skin side are laminated. is doing. Further, in the figure, a plurality of convex portions 21 protruding toward the skin side of the wearer and concave portions 22 located between the convex portions 21 are formed on the skin facing surface side of the upper layer nonwoven fabric 2b in the surface sheet 2. Has been done. The convex portion 21 is formed so as to project so as to be separated from the lower layer nonwoven fabric 2a, and the region 25 defined by the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 22 is hollow. On the other hand, the lower layer nonwoven fabric 2a of the surface sheet 2 is substantially flat.

As described above, since the surface sheet 2 has a hollow structure, the unevenness of the surface sheet is easily crushed when the absorbent article is worn, so that the contact area with the skin becomes large. As a result, a large amount of the warming agent described later is allowed to act on the skin, and the wearer can effectively suppress the perception of cooling sensation. In particular, when the surface sheet 2 having a laminated structure having a hollow region 25 as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D is used, the uneven structure is restored in addition to suppressing the wearer's perception of cooling sensation. It is easy to maintain a soft texture, and as a result, the comfort when wearing the absorbent article can be further improved.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, when the surface sheet 2 has a laminated structure, the fiber density of the constituent fibers of the upper nonwoven fabric 2b is higher than the fiber density of the constituent fibers of the lower nonwoven fabric 2a. It is preferable that it is. With such a fiber density configuration, the moisture containing the warming agent, which will be described later, is easily transferred to the upper non-woven fabric side due to the capillary phenomenon, so that the warming agent can be easily applied to the wearer's skin. As a result, the wearer's perception of coldness can be further suppressed.

The fiber density of the constituent fibers in the upper nonwoven fabric 2b is preferably 10 g / cm ³ or more, more preferably 15 g / cm ³ or more, and more preferably 35 g / cm ³ or less, and 25 g / cm. It is more preferably ³ or less. Similarly, the fiber density of the constituent fibers in the lower layer non-woven fabric 2a is preferably 1 g / cm ³ or more, more preferably 5 g / cm ³ or more, and more preferably 15 g / cm ³ or less. It is more preferably 10 g / cm ³ or less. These fiber densities can be measured by the fiber density measuring method described later.

Even when the surface sheet 2 is formed by using one non-woven fabric as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the skin side of the wearer on the surface sheet 2 A portion and a concave portion located between the convex portions can be formed (not shown). For example, in the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 22 of the single-layer surface sheet 2, for example, the convex portion 21 is composed of a portion having a relatively large thickness in the sheet 2, and the concave portion 22 has a relatively small thickness in the sheet 2. It can be provided by being composed of parts. Such convex portions and concave portions can be formed by, for example, embossing a single-layer sheet or processing the single-layer sheet by pressing it against a mold or the like complementary to a desired shaping shape. ..

From the viewpoint of sheet flexibility, the skin-facing surface of the surface sheet 2 has a contour that draws a smooth curve that is convex upward, and the non-skin-facing surface of the surface sheet 2 is smooth and gentle that is convex downward. It is preferable that the contour draws a smooth curve. At this time, the concave portion is provided at the position of the non-skin facing surface of the surface sheet 2 corresponding to the position where the convex portion 21 is provided on the skin facing surface of the surface sheet 2, and the concave portion is provided on the skin facing surface of the surface sheet 2. It is more preferable that the convex portion is provided at the position of the non-skin facing surface of the surface sheet 2 corresponding to the position where the concave portion 22 is provided. By constructing the surface sheet 2 in this way, even if the sheet 2 has a single-layer structure, a hollow region can be formed inside the convex portion 21, and the flexibility of the sheet can be further enhanced.

Further, regardless of whether the surface sheet 2 has a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, when a plurality of convex portions 21 are formed on the surface sheet 2, the fiber density at the top portion 21a of the convex portion 21 is determined by the side wall portion of the convex portion 21. It is preferably higher than the fiber density of 21b (see FIG. 4). Due to the structure of the fiber density in the convex portion 21, when the warming agent described later is arranged on the top portion 21a, the warming agent arranged on the skin facing surface side of the top portion 21a falls off. In addition to preventing this, a large amount of warming agent can be distributed around the top 21a, so that the wearer's perception of cold sensation can be further suppressed.

The ratio of the density of the side wall portion 21b of the convex portion 21 to the fiber density of the constituent fibers in the top portion 21a of the convex portion 21 is preferably 0.15 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, and 0. It is preferably 9.9 or less, and more preferably 0.8 or less. The fiber density of the constituent fibers at the top 21a of the specific convex portion 21 is preferably 90 fibers / mm ² or more, more preferably 100 fibers / mm ² or more, and 200 fibers / mm ² or less. It is preferably 180 lines / mm ² or less, and more preferably 180 lines / mm 2. Similarly, the fiber density of the constituent fibers in the side wall portion 21b of the convex portion 21 is preferably 30 fibers / mm ² or more, more preferably 40 fibers / mm ² or more, and 80 fibers / mm ² or more. It is preferably 70 lines / mm ² or less, and more preferably 70 lines / mm 2. The method for measuring the fiber density is as follows.

[Measurement method of fiber density]
Using a feather razor (product number FAS-10, manufactured by Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd.), the sample non-woven fabric is cut along the thickness direction Z. Regarding the fiber density at the top 21a, when the cut surface of the nonwoven fabric is divided into three equal parts in the thickness direction Z, the upper part including the top 21a is magnified and observed using a scanning electron microscope (about 30 to 60 fiber cross sections). Adjust to a measurable magnification (150 to 500 times) and count the number of cross sections of the fiber cut by the cut surface per fixed area (about 0.5 mm ² ). Next, it is converted into the number of cross sections of the fiber per 1 mm ² , and this is used as the fiber density at the top 21a. The measurement is performed at three points, and the fiber density of the sample is averaged. Similarly, the fiber density of the side wall portion 21b is obtained by measuring the central portion when the nonwoven fabric is divided into three equal parts in the thickness direction Z of the cut surface. As the scanning electron microscope, JCM-5100 (trade name) manufactured by JEOL Ltd. is used.

When the surface sheet 2 described above is subjected to unevenness shaping for forming an uneven shape, ridge groove shaping for forming a ridge groove shape, etc., it is complementary to, for example, embossing or a desired shaped shape. It can be performed by processing such as pressing it against a mold or the like to shape it.

The height H1 of the convex portion 21 (see FIG. 2A) is preferably 0.5 mm or more from the viewpoint of improving the feel of the convex portion 21 and effectively exhibiting the effect of the warming agent described later. It is more preferably 1 mm or more, preferably 8 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less, and preferably 0.5 mm or more and 8 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The height H1 of the convex portion 21 is the distance between the surface of the surface sheet 2 forming the concave portion 22 and the upper surface of the top of the convex portion 21.

The height H1 of the convex portion 21 can be measured as follows. That is, the sample is cut with a sharp razor, the cut end surface thereof is observed, and the shortest distance between the surface forming the concave portion 22 and the upper surface of the top of each convex portion 21 is measured. The obtained value is taken as the height of each convex portion. When it is difficult to measure with the naked eye, the cross section of the cut sample may be observed and measured at a magnification of 20 to 100 times using, for example, a microscope (VHX-1000 manufactured by KEYENCE).

From the viewpoint of improving the feel of the convex portion 21, the total width W1 (see FIG. 2A) of the convex portion 21 in the width direction Y is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 1.5 mm or more, and preferably 1.5 mm or more. It is 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less, preferably 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 1.5 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

Further, the total width W2 (see FIG. 2A) of the recess 22 in the width direction Y is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 1.5 mm or more, and preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less. Further, it is preferably 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 1.5 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

As the back sheet 3, for example, a liquid-impermeable film, spunbond, meltblown, spunbond laminated non-woven fabric, or the like can be used. A plurality of micropores may be provided in a liquid-impermeable film to impart water vapor permeability to the film. For the purpose of further improving the feel of the absorbent article, a sheet having a good texture such as a non-woven fabric may be laminated on the outer surface of the back surface sheet 3.

The absorber 4 generally has a vertically long shape having a longitudinal direction corresponding to a direction extending from the ventral side of the wearer to the dorsal side through the crotch portion and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The absorber 4 includes at least a liquid-retaining absorbent core 4a. The absorbent core 4a is a stack of hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose such as pulp, a mixed fiber of the hydrophilic fiber and an absorbent polymer, a deposit of an absorbent polymer, and two absorbent cores. It is composed of a laminated structure in which an absorbent polymer is supported between sheets. The absorbent article of the present invention is provided with an absorbent core 4a, which is a mixed product of hydrophilic fibers and an absorbent polymer, from the viewpoint of eliminating anxiety about urine leakage and enhancing comfort when worn. preferable.

At least the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 4a may be covered with a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet 4b, and includes the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 4a as shown in FIG. The entire surface may be covered with the core wrap sheet 4b. As the core wrap sheet 4b, for example, thin paper made of hydrophilic fibers, the above-mentioned liquid-permeable non-woven fabric, or the like can be used.

When the absorbent core 4a contains the hydrophilic fiber and the absorbent polymer, the absorbent body 4 may be formed by unevenly distributing the amount of the absorbent polymer. Specifically, when the mass ratio of the absorbent polymer to the total mass of the hydrophilic fibers constituting the absorbent core 4a and the absorbent polymer is taken as the average mass ratio of the absorbent polymer, the absorbent core 4a is: In its cross-sectional view, it has a polymer-rich region in which the mass ratio of the absorbent polymer is higher than the average mass ratio of the absorbent polymer, and a fiber-rich region in which the mass ratio of the absorbent polymer is lower than the average mass ratio of the absorbent polymer. It is preferable to do so. For example, when one absorber 4 is virtually bisected in the thickness direction, the absorbency existing in the lower layer portion when the skin facing surface side is the upper layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side is the lower layer portion. The amount of polymer can be greater than or less than the amount of absorbent polymer present in the upper layer. Further, as another example, as the absorber 4 in the absorbent article 1, a laminated body of an absorber having an upper layer absorber located on the skin facing surface side and a lower layer absorber located on the non-skin facing surface side. Can be used, and further, the absorbent polymer may be formed so as to be present in the upper layer absorber or the lower layer absorber.

Of the above aspects, it is preferable that the absorbent polymer contained in the absorber 4 is unevenly distributed on the non-skin facing surface side of the absorber 4. That is, in the cross-sectional view of the absorber 4, it is preferable that the fiber-rich region is arranged on the skin-facing surface side and the polymer-rich region is arranged on the non-skin-facing surface side. In particular, it is more preferable that the polymer-rich region and the fiber-rich region are divided in the thickness direction Z of the absorber 4, and the polymer-rich region is arranged on the non-skin facing surface side. In the fiber-rich region, the absorbent polymer may or may not be present.

Since the absorber 4 has the above-mentioned configuration, a large amount of free water derived from the excrement liquid is likely to be present on the skin-facing surface side of the absorber, so that the warming agent described later is likely to spread beyond the urinary part. , The effect of the warming agent can be exerted on a wide range of areas other than the urination part in the absorbent article. As a result, the wearer's perception of cold sensation can be effectively suppressed.

The absorber 4 has a recessed portion 5 recessed from the skin facing surface side toward the non-skin facing surface side. As shown in FIG. 1, the recessed portion 5 is formed on the skin facing surface side of the absorbent core 4a. Further, as shown in the figure, the recessed portion 5 may be formed only on the absorbent core 4a, or the absorbent core 4a and the core wrap sheet 4b may both be formed by being recessed. The recessed portion 5 is formed alone or in plurality so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 4. When a plurality of recessed portions 5 are formed, the recessed portions 5 are arranged side by side in the width direction Y. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the absorber 4 and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 coincide with each other. Further, the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 22 existing in the surface sheet 2 and the concave portion 5 in the absorber 4 may be formed so as to have the same position and pitch, or may be formed so as to overlap each other. They may be formed differently from each other.

Since the absorber 4 has such a recessed portion 5, the diffusion of free water derived from the excrement liquid is promoted, and the warming agent acts on the region where the warming agent described later is not arranged. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the wearer's perception of cold sensation. In addition, even when the warming agent is placed in an area other than the excretory part that is sensitive to irritation, the diffusion of free water derived from the excretory fluid suppresses excessive irritation to the excretory part by the warming agent while suppressing the excessive irritation to the excretory part. The warming agent can also act, and as a result, the wearer's cold perception can be suppressed more effectively.

The number of the recessed portions 5 formed in the absorber 4 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 2 or more, preferably 100 or less, still more preferably 50 or less. The number of recessed portions 5 formed in the absorber 4 is preferably 1 or more and 100 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 50 or less. The number of recessed portions 5 is defined as the number of recessed portions 5 that intersect the virtual straight line when a virtual straight line is drawn in the width direction Y. When the number of recessed portions 5 differs depending on the position where the virtual straight line is drawn, the maximum number of these recessed portions 5 is defined as the number of recessed portions 5. As described above, by having the recessed portion 5, the excreted body fluid such as urine can be diffused to the entire absorbent article, and the warming agent described later can also be diffused, and as a result, it can be absorbed. It is possible to efficiently perceive a feeling of warmth to the wearer of a sex article.

In addition to the recessed portion 5 described above, the absorber 4 may further have a second recessed portion recessed from the non-skin facing surface side toward the skin facing surface side. The second recess is formed on the non-skin facing surface side of the absorbent core 4a. The positions of the recessed portion 5 and the second recessed portion may or may not overlap in the thickness direction. As for other explanations regarding the second recessed portion, the above-mentioned description of the recessed portion 5 is appropriately applied.

As a result of diligent studies to solve the problems of the prior art, the present inventor has placed a warming agent on a specific member and region on an absorbent article, so that the wearer can use it even after excretion of body fluid such as urine. It was found that the perception of cold sensation could be suppressed.

As mentioned above, the absorbent article of the present invention comprises a warming agent. As used herein, the warming agent is an agent containing a compound that causes the wearer to perceive a warming sensation when the warming agent comes into contact with the wearer's skin.

The warming agent may be arranged on the surface sheet, may be arranged between the surface sheet and the absorber, or may be arranged in a combination thereof. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 3 (a), the warming agent 6 may be arranged only on the skin-facing surface side of the surface sheet 2, and FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b) and FIG. As shown in 3 (b), it may be arranged only between the surface sheet 2 and the core wrap sheet 4b in the absorber 4.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the warming agent 6 is arranged on the skin-facing surface side of the surface sheet 2 and between the surface sheet 2 and the core wrap sheet 4b in the absorber 4. However, as shown in FIG. 2D, between the warming agent 6 (first warming agent 6A) arranged on the surface sheet and the core wrap sheet 4b in the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4. The warming agent 6 (second warming agent 6B) arranged in may be arranged at different positions in the plane direction of the surface sheet 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2D, the first warming agent 6A is arranged in the convex portion 21 and the second warming agent 6B is arranged in the concave portion 22, and the surface sheet 2 is viewed from above. Occasionally, the warming agents 6A and 6B are arranged so as not to overlap each other. In addition to these, the warming agents 6A and 6B may be arranged in different regions of the absorbent article so that the warming agents 6A and 6B do not overlap each other. For example, by arranging the first warming agent 6A in the inseam and the second warming agent 6B in the ventral and dorsal parts, the warming agents 6A and 6B do not overlap each other. You may arrange it.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a), (c) and (d) and FIG. 3 (a), from the viewpoint of allowing the wearer to perceive the warm sensation caused by the warming agent at an appropriate timing such as when excreting body fluid. The warming agent 6 (first warming agent 6A) arranged on the skin-facing surface side of the surface sheet 2 is preferably encapsulated in water-disintegrating microcapsules. The water disintegration property means that the shape held during drying easily disintegrates when it comes into contact with an aqueous solution such as water or body fluid. That is, the water-disintegrating microcapsules in the present invention can release the warming agent contained in the capsules when the capsules come into contact with water. By having such a configuration, the warming agent can be acted on at a desired timing such as when excreting body fluid, and the wearer's cold perception can be effectively suppressed, and as a result, when worn. Can improve the comfort of the body.

When the warming agent is encapsulated in water-disintegrating microcapsules, the mechanism for releasing the warming agent in the capsule is, for example, a mechanism in which the capsule absorbs water in excrement and dissolves or disintegrates, or the capsule. A mechanism known in the art, such as a mechanism in which the capsule swells by absorbing water in the excrement and a pore capable of releasing a warming agent opens in the capsule, can be adopted. Further, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the release of the warming agent, in addition to the above-mentioned mechanism, the mechanism in which the capsule dissolves or disintegrates due to the heat of the excrement and the pH of the excrement liquid or the like cause the capsule. A mechanism may be adopted in which the substance dissolves or disintegrates.

As a material for microcapsules that expresses such a mechanism, those known in the art can be used. Examples of the material of the microcapsules in the present invention include monosaccharides such as glucose, disaccharides such as sucrose, polysaccharides such as dextrin, glucomannan, sodium alginate, and water-soluble starch, and water-soluble components such as polyvinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate. Examples thereof include sex polymers and gelatin.

From the viewpoint of quickly expressing the warmth caused by the warming agent at an appropriate timing such as when excreting body fluid, the warming agent 6 is preferably arranged on the portion facing the excretion portion of the absorbent article 1. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, for example, the warming agent arranged on the facing portion of the excretion portion is used as the first warming agent 6A on the skin facing surface side of the surface sheet 2. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b), the second warming agent 6B may be arranged between the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4. Often, the warming agents 6A and 6B may be arranged in the above combination. In particular, when the warming agent 6 (second warming agent 6B) is arranged between the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4 in the portion facing the excretion portion of the absorbent article 1, immediately after excretion of body fluid such as urine. Not only that, even after a certain period of time has passed after excretion, the warming agent can act in a wide range with the diffusion of free water in the absorber, and the warmth caused by the action of the warming agent. It is more preferable because the feeling can be perceived by the wearer. When the warming agent 6 is arranged on the excretion portion facing portion of the absorbent article 1, the warming agent 6 may be further arranged in a region other than the excretion portion facing portion, and the warming agent 6 may be further arranged in a region other than the excretion portion facing portion. It does not have to be arranged in.

From the viewpoint of suppressing excessive irritation of the warming agent to the excretory portion of the wearer, the warming agent 6 may be arranged in a region other than the excretory portion facing portion in the absorbent article 1. In this case, the warming agent 6 may be further arranged on the excretion portion facing portion, or may not be arranged on the excretion portion facing portion. In particular, from the viewpoint of further suppressing excessive irritation of the warming agent to the excretory portion of the wearer, the warming agent 6 arranged in the absorbent article is arranged in the excretory portion facing portion in the absorbent article 1. It is preferable that the absorbent article 1 is arranged in at least one of the crotch, ventral and dorsal parts other than the part facing the excretion part. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, for example, the warming agent arranged in the region other than the excretion portion facing portion is used as the first warming agent 6A on the skin facing surface side of the surface sheet 2. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b), the second warming agent 6B may be arranged between the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4. Often, the warming agents 6A and 6B may be arranged in the above combination.

In particular, since the absorber 4 has a recessed portion 5 extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, even when the warming agent 6 is arranged in a region other than the portion facing the excretion portion of the absorbent article 1, the excrement liquid can be collected. The moisture and the warming agent 6 can be diffused through the recessed portion 5 to a region where the warming agent 6 is not arranged, for example, a portion facing the excretion portion. As a result, the warming agent 6 can be allowed to act in a wide range while suppressing excessive irritation to the excretory portion by the warming agent 6, so that the wearer can more effectively perceive the warmth.

From the viewpoint of effectively expressing the wearer's perception of warmth, as shown in FIGS. When the shaping of the above is simply referred to as “concavo-convex shaping, etc.”), it is preferable that the warming agent 6 is arranged on the top of the convex portion 21 on the skin-facing surface side of the surface sheet 2. As shown in the figure, it is also preferable that the warming agent 6 adheres to the convex portion 21 with a certain spread around the top of the convex portion 21.

From the viewpoint of making the wearer more effectively perceive the warmth and suppressing the wearer's perception of the coldness, the warmth agent used in the present invention binds to a sensory receptor that perceives the warmth. It is preferably an agent containing a compound. As such a sensory receptor, a compound that binds to at least one of the TRPV1 receptor and the TRPV3 receptor is preferable.

The warming agent used in the present invention chemically comprises, for example, a compound having a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl group in its chemical structure such as gingerol, shogaol, zingerone, eugelol and vanillylbutyl ether, and a vanillylamide group such as capsaicin. It contains compounds having a structure, such as piperin, sanshool, 1,4-cineol, 1,8-cineol, caffeine, and tocopherol nicotinate. These compounds may be contained alone or in combination of two or more. These compounds may be in a form dispersed or dissolved in a solvent such as water or ethanol, or may be in a dry state such as a granular substance or a powdery substance.

Further, as the warming agent, an extract of a crude drug containing the above-mentioned compound may be used. When an extract of a crude drug is used as a warming agent, the extract may be in a form dispersed or dissolved in a solvent, or may be in a dry state such as a granule or a powder. As the solvent used for extraction, for example, water, an organic solvent such as ethanol, or a mixed solvent thereof can be used. Examples of the crude drug extract used as a warming agent include ginger tincture, ginger extract, ginger tincture, ginger extract, sansho extract, and sage extract.

When the above-mentioned warming agent is encapsulated in water-disintegrating microcapsules, the warming agent and solvent should be added so that the water-disintegrating microcapsules do not disintegrate in the absence of aqueous solutions such as water and body fluids. It is preferable to select an appropriate one. Examples of such a combination include an embodiment in which a dry (solvent-free) warming agent is encapsulated in water-disintegrating microcapsules.

In addition to the above-mentioned front sheet, back sheet and absorbent body, the absorbent article is provided on both sides of the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction on the skin-facing surface side, depending on the specific use of the absorbent article, along the longitudinal direction. A leak-proof cuff that extends may be placed. Leak-proof cuffs generally have a base end and a free end. The leak-proof cuff has a base end portion on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent article and stands up from the skin-facing surface side. The leak-proof cuff is made of a liquid-resistant or water-repellent and breathable material. An elastic member made of rubber thread or the like may be arranged in an extended state at or near the free end of the leak-proof cuff. By contracting this elastic member while the absorbent article is worn, the leak-proof cuff stands up toward the wearer's body, and the liquid excreted on the surface sheet travels on the surface sheet and absorbs. Leakage of the article outward in the width direction is effectively prevented.

The absorbent article may further have an adhesive portion on the non-skin facing surface of the back sheet. The adhesive portion is used to fix the absorbent article to underwear or another absorbent article in the wearing state of the absorbent article and prevent the absorbent article from being displaced when worn.

The absorbent article may contain a fragrance. The fragrance may be any fragrance whose aroma component volatilizes in the atmosphere under atmospheric pressure, and it is preferable that the fragrance can be perceived in an environment of normal temperature and pressure. By using such a fragrance, an unpleasant odor caused by excrement such as urine and menstrual blood can be masked by the fragrance.

The above has described the absorbent article of the present invention. Hereinafter, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 (a), (b) and (d) are taken as examples, and the surface sheet used in these embodiments is suitable. The manufacturing method will be described with reference to the manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. This manufacturing method is a step of joining the first and second nonwoven fabrics by sandwiching the first nonwoven fabric and the second nonwoven fabric which has been subjected to unevenness shaping and the like by a heat roll or the like. The warming agent contained in the water-disintegrating capsule is roughly classified into a step of applying a warming agent to the top of a convex portion formed on the first non-woven fabric and its vicinity thereof. Each process will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the second roll 112 and the first heat have a shape that meshes with the uneven shape of the first roll with respect to the peripheral surface of the first roll 111 having a concave-convex shape. The roll 113 and the second heat roll 114 are arranged so as to face each other. The second roll 112, the first heat roll 113, and the second heat roll 114 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction R of the first roll 111. Details of the first roll 111 and the second roll 112 will be described later. The first heat roll 113 and the second heat roll 114 are flat rolls having no unevenness on the peripheral surface, respectively.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first nonwoven fabric 2f is unwound from the original roll (not shown) of the first nonwoven fabric 2f (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “first nonwoven fabric 2f”). Separately from this, 2 g of the second nonwoven fabric is unwound from the raw fabric roll (not shown) of the second nonwoven fabric 2 g (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “second nonwoven fabric 2 g”). Then, as shown in the figure, the unwound first nonwoven fabric 2f is engaged with the meshing portion between the first roll 111 and the second roll 112 to shape the first nonwoven fabric 2f into unevenness. At this time, it is preferable that the first roll 111 is sucked from the peripheral surface thereof toward the inside of the roll to promote the uneven shaping of the first nonwoven fabric 2f.
The first non-woven fabric 2f and the second non-woven fabric 2g are a series of strip-shaped non-woven fabrics, respectively. The first nonwoven fabric 2f becomes the upper nonwoven fabric 2b of the surface sheet 2, and the second nonwoven fabric 2g becomes the lower nonwoven fabric 2a of the surface sheet 2.

Next, the first nonwoven fabric 2f is continuously sucked onto the peripheral surface of the first roll 111, and the second nonwoven fabric 2 g is superposed while maintaining the shaped state, and the superposed product is smoothed on the peripheral surface with the first roll 111. It is sandwiched under heating with the first heat roll 113. At this time, both the first roll 111 and the first heat roll 113 or only the first heat roll 113 are heated to a predetermined temperature. As a result, the first nonwoven fabric 2f located on the convex portion 111a in the first roll 111 and the second nonwoven fabric 2g are joined by heat fusion.

Subsequently, the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S of the first nonwoven fabric 2f and the second nonwoven fabric 2g bonded by heat fusion (hereinafter, this is also simply referred to as the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S) was continuously sucked and held on the peripheral surface of the first roll 111. It is moved under the condition, and the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S is sandwiched between the first roll 111 and the second heat roll 114 having a smooth peripheral surface. At this time, both the first roll 111 and the second heat roll 114 or only the second heat roll 114 are heated to a predetermined temperature. As a result, the first nonwoven fabric 2f and the second nonwoven fabric 2g are further bonded by heat fusion. In this way, the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S having a two-layer structure with unevenness shaping and the like is continuously manufactured.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the warming agent 6 (hereinafter referred to as “heat sensitizer 6”) encapsulated in a water-disintegrating capsule at the top of the convex portion formed on the first nonwoven fabric 2f in the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S and in the vicinity thereof. (Also referred to as capsule-type warming agent 6) is applied. As shown in FIG. 5B, a mixture of the capsule-type warming agent 6 and the adhesive is supplied from the warming agent supply unit 120 to the peripheral surface of the warming agent supply roll 130, and is supplied to the peripheral surface of the roll 130. Apply continuously. In this state, while transporting the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S in the transport direction MD, the peripheral surface of the warming agent supply roll 130 and the top of the convex portion formed on the first nonwoven fabric 2f of the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S are brought into contact with each other to form a capsule. Apply the mold warming agent 6. In this way, the warming agent 6 contained in the water-disintegrating capsule is applied to the convex portion 2T of the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S. The uncoated mixture of the capsule-type warming agent 6 and the adhesive is removed by a removing member 140 such as a scraper as the warming agent supply roll 130 rotates. The removing member 140 is a substantially plate-shaped member extending along the axial direction of the warming agent supply roll 130, and its end edge is arranged so as to be in contact with the peripheral surface of the roll 130.

Finally, the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S coated with the above-mentioned warming agent is supplied to the manufacturing process of the absorbent article such as an incontinence pad or a diaper to obtain the surface sheet 2 of the absorbent article 1. Since the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S and the surface sheet 2 are substantially the same, the convex portion 2T formed on the first nonwoven fabric 2f and the convex portion 21 on the surface sheet 2 are substantially the same. Further, the region where the first nonwoven fabric 2f and the second nonwoven fabric 2g are joined becomes a recess 22 in the surface sheet 2. In this way, the surface sheet 2 having a two-layer structure with unevenness shaping and the like is manufactured in a state where the capsule-type warming agent 6 is arranged on the convex portion 21.

The adhesive used for coating the capsule-type warming agent 6 may have the property of having adhesiveness or adhesiveness in the absence of moisture and having the property of losing adhesiveness or adhesiveness in the presence of moisture. preferable. Examples of the adhesive having such properties include water-soluble adhesives such as starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and saccharides.

In the production of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 (c) and 2 (d), in addition to the capsule-type warming agent 6 (corresponding to the first warming agent 6A in the figure), the lower layer in the surface sheet 2 It is preferable to continuously or intermittently apply the second warming agent 6B to the non-skin facing surface of the nonwoven fabric 2a or the skin facing surface of the absorber 4. The coating of the second warming agent 6B on the surface sheet 2 may be performed in the state of the laminated nonwoven fabric 2S, may be performed after the surface sheet 2 is formed, or the capsule-type warming agent 6 may be applied. It does not matter before or after painting. Examples of the coating method of the second warming agent 6B include spraying or coating by spraying, coating by a die coater or the like, coating by a gravure method, a flexographic method or the like.

In the production of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the above-mentioned method can be appropriately adopted. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, a mixture of one surface of the nonwoven fabric constituting the surface sheet 2 and the capsule-type warming agent 6 and the adhesive supplied to the peripheral surface of the warming agent supply roll 130. The capsule-type warming agent 6 can be applied to the skin-facing surface of the surface sheet 2 in contact with the surface sheet 2. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 (b), one surface of the non-woven fabric constituting the surface sheet 2 or the skin facing the absorber 4 is used in the same manner as the method of applying the second warming agent 6B described above. The warming agent 6 can be applied to the surface.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as a method of applying a capsule-type warming agent, only the adhesive is applied in advance to the area of the surface sheet to which the capsule-type warming agent is to be applied, and then the capsule-type warming agent is sprayed on the coated surface. Can be painted.

Further, as the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the embodiment of the surface sheet 2 having the laminated structure shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the single-layer surface sheet 2 may be used. good. When the surface sheet 2 is made into a single layer, it is preferable that the surface sheet 2 is formed into irregularities and the convex portion is hollow from the viewpoint of flexibility.

1 Absorbent article 2 Front sheet 21 Convex part of surface sheet 22 Concave part of front sheet 25 Hollow area 3 Back sheet 4 Absorbent 5 Recessed part 6 Warm-sensing agent 100 Manufacturing equipment 120 Warming agent supply part 130 Warm-sensing agent supply roll 140 Removal member 2S Laminated non-woven fabric 2T Convex part of laminated non-woven fabric MD Transport direction

Claims (7)

It is provided with a front sheet located on the skin-facing surface side, a back sheet located on the non-skin-facing surface side, and an absorber interposed between the two sheets, and extends from the ventral side of the wearer to the dorsal side via the crotch portion. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
The absorber has a recessed portion extending in the longitudinal direction on the skin facing surface side.
The first warming agent is arranged on the skin-facing surface side of the surface sheet, the first warming agent is encapsulated in a water-disintegrating capsule, and the second warming agent is the surface. It is arranged between the sheet and the absorber ,
An absorbent article in which the first warming agent and the second warming agent are arranged at different positions in the plane direction of the surface sheet . It has a lower crotch that is placed in the crotch area.
The inseam has an excretion portion facing portion which is arranged to face the excretion portion of the wearer.
The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first warming agent and the second warming agent is arranged on the opposite portion of the excretion portion. A crotch portion arranged in the crotch portion and a ventral side portion and a dorsal portion extending in front of and behind the crotch portion are provided.
The inseam has an excretion portion facing portion which is arranged to face the excretion portion of the wearer.
At least one of the first warming agent and the second warming agent is arranged in at least one of the inseam, the ventral side, and the dorsal part other than the excretion portion facing portion. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the surface sheet has a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the skin side of the wearer. The surface sheet has a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the wearer's skin side, and has a plurality of protrusions.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the warming agent or the first warming agent is arranged on the top of the convex portion. The absorber comprises fibers and an absorbent polymer.
The absorber is the mass of the absorbent polymer when the mass ratio of the absorbent polymer to the total mass of the mass of the fiber and the mass of the absorbent polymer is taken as the average mass ratio of the absorbent polymer in a cross-sectional view. It has a polymer-rich region in which the ratio is higher than the average mass ratio and a fiber-rich region in which the mass ratio of the absorbent polymer is lower than the average mass ratio.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the polymer-rich region is arranged on the non-skin facing surface side. The absorber includes an upper layer absorber located on the skin facing surface side and a lower layer absorber located on the non-skin facing surface side.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the absorbent polymer is present only in the lower absorber.

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