JP7098424B2 - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

In absorbent articles such as menstrual napkins, after absorbing body fluids such as menstrual blood, an unpleasant odor may be generated, or problems such as itching may occur due to contact between the wearer's skin and the body fluids. For the purpose of eliminating such inconvenience, various studies have been conducted on the antibacterial function of the absorbent article. For example, in Patent Document 1, a functional absorber containing a functional material that provides at least an additional function such as an antibacterial function in the central portion of the absorbent article, and a functional absorber provided on the wearer side of the functional absorber. Described are absorbent articles comprising a wearer-side absorber that has less diffusivity of body fluid than the functional absorber. Further, Patent Document 2 describes an absorbent article containing an antibacterial active sheet containing an antibacterial agent having a low density portion having a fiber content of less than 50% by mass as compared with the surroundings. Further, in Patent Document 3, the mass ratio of the high-absorbent polymer to the total amount of the mass of the low-moisture-retaining fiber such as synthetic fiber and the mass of the high-absorbent polymer as an absorber in the absorbent article is relatively high. It has a high polymer-rich region and a fiber-rich region having a relatively low mass ratio, and the polymer-rich region contains an antibacterial agent. Further, [0066] of Patent Document 3 describes a form of a composition containing a fragrance as one form of a blood cell flocculant arranged in an absorber.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-110443 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-158509 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-217071

If a bad odor is generated from the absorbent article during use of the absorbent article, it causes embarrassment to the user. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures against the bad odor in the absorbent article. One of the main causes of the malodor from the absorbent article is considered to be the growth of bacteria in the absorbent article. In particular, when the amount of body fluid excreted such as menstrual blood is relatively large or when the absorbent article is worn for a relatively long time, the growth of bacteria is promoted and a bad odor tends to be generated. Although the absorbent articles described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are provided with a certain antibacterial function and have measures against bad odors, they are improved in order to sufficiently cope with the case where such bad odors are likely to occur. There is room.

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article capable of eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, specifically, when the amount of body fluid excreted is relatively large or when the product is used for a long time. Also related to providing absorbent articles that can be used without worrying about odors.

The present invention comprises a liquid-permeable front surface sheet forming a skin facing surface, a back surface sheet forming a non-skin facing surface, and an absorber located between these two sheets, and corresponds to the front-back direction of the wearer. It is an absorbent article having a vertical direction and a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and an antibacterial agent is arranged on the skin facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber, and the wearer when wearing the absorbent body. A slit that penetrates the absorber in the thickness direction is formed in the portion facing the excretion portion of the absorbent article, including the excretion spot portion that is arranged to face the excretion portion of the absorbent article, and the width of the slit is not the width of the absorber. It is an absorbent article that gradually decreases from the skin-facing surface side toward the skin-facing surface side.

According to the present invention, there is provided an absorbent article that can be used without worrying about odor even when the amount of body fluid excreted is relatively large or when the body fluid is used for a long time.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a skin-facing surface side (surface sheet side) of a sanitary napkin, which is a preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the cross section taken along the line I-I of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the skin-facing surface side of the absorber included in the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section along the lateral direction of the absorber included in the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure in the thickness direction of the main body absorbent sheet constituting the absorber shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the absorbent article of the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a menstrual napkin 1 which is an embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the napkin 1 is located between the liquid-permeable front surface sheet 2 forming the skin facing surface, the back surface sheet 3 forming the non-skin facing surface, and both sheets 2 and 3. It is provided with a liquid-retaining absorber 4.

In the present specification, the "skin facing surface" is a surface of the absorbent article or a component thereof (for example, the absorbent body 4) that is directed toward the skin side of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, that is, relatively of the wearer. The side closer to the skin, the "non-skin facing surface" is the side of the absorbent article or its constituents that is opposite to the skin side when the absorbent article is worn, that is, toward the side relatively far from the wearer's skin. It is the surface to be. The term "when worn" as used herein means a state in which the normal proper wearing position, that is, the correct wearing position of the absorbent article is maintained.

As shown in FIG. 1, the napkin 1 has a vertical direction X extending from the ventral side of the wearer to the dorsal side via the crotch portion and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the vertical direction X corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer. Further, in the vertical direction X, the excretion portion facing portion B including the excretion spot portion (not shown) facing the excretion portion such as the wearer's vaginal opening and the wearer's ventral side of the excretion portion facing portion B. It is divided into three parts: a front part A arranged on the (front side) and a rear part C arranged on the back side (rear side) of the wearer with respect to the excretion part facing part B. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the vertical direction X is the direction along the vertical direction X of the absorbent article or the vertical direction X of the absorbent article in its constituent members, and the horizontal direction Y is the lateral direction of the absorbent article. The direction Y or the direction along the lateral direction Y of the absorbent article in the constituent members thereof. The constituent members of the absorbent article include a portion of the absorbent article composed of a plurality of constituent members such as an absorbent main body and a central absorbing portion described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the napkin 1 has an absorbent main body 5 having a shape long in the vertical direction X and both sides of the excretory portion facing portion B in the absorbent main body 5 along the vertical direction X, outward in the horizontal direction Y. It has a pair of wing portions 7, 7 extending to. The absorbent main body 5 is a portion that is the main body of the napkin 1, and includes the front surface sheet 2, the back surface sheet 3, and the absorbent body 4, and has a front portion A, an excretion portion facing portion B, and a rear portion C in the vertical direction X. It is divided into three categories.

The excretory portion facing portion of the absorbent article of the present invention is the vertical direction (longitudinal direction, in the figure) of the absorbent article when the absorbent article has a wing portion as in the napkin 1 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the region having a wing portion in the X direction of Area. Further, although not shown, the excretion portion facing portion in the absorbent article having no wing portion is a region in the center in the vertical direction when the absorbent article is divided into three equal regions in the vertical direction. be.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface sheet 2 covers the entire surface of the absorber 4 facing the skin. On the other hand, the back surface sheet 3 covers the entire non-skin facing surface of the absorber 4, and further extends outward in the lateral direction Y from both side edges along the vertical direction X of the absorber 4, and is a side leakage-proof sheet described later. Together with 6, a side flap portion (a portion made of a member extending outward in the lateral direction Y from the absorber 4) is formed. The back surface sheet 3 and the side leakage-proof sheet 6 are bonded to each other by known bonding means such as an adhesive, a heat seal, and an ultrasonic seal at the extending portions from both side edges of the absorber 4 along the vertical direction X. There is. In the napkin 1, the absorber 4 is thus sandwiched between the front surface sheet 2 and the back surface sheet 3, and the front surface sheet 2 or the side leakage-proof sheet 6 and the back surface sheet 3 are joined around the entire outer edge of the napkin 1. There is. Any bonding means such as an adhesive, a heat seal, and an ultrasonic seal is used for bonding between the sheets constituting the napkin 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the side flap portions greatly project outward in the lateral direction Y at the excretion portion facing portion B, whereby a pair of side flap portions are formed on the left and right sides of the absorbent body 5 along the vertical direction X. Wings 7 and 7 are extended. The wing portion 7 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in which the lower base (the side longer than the upper base) is located on the side portion side of the absorbent main body 5 in a plan view as shown in FIG. 1, and the non-skin facing surface thereof. Is provided with a wing portion adhesive portion (not shown) for fixing the wing portion 7 to clothing such as shorts. The wing portion 7 is used by being folded back toward the non-skin facing surface (outer surface) side of the crotch portion of clothing such as shorts. Further, on the non-skin facing surface of the absorbent main body 5, a main body adhesive portion (not shown) used for fixing clothes such as shorts to a crotch portion is provided. The wing portion adhesive portion and the main body adhesive portion are each covered with a release sheet (not shown) made of a film, a non-woven fabric, paper, or the like before use.

A pair of sides of the absorbent body 5 on the skin-facing surface, that is, the skin-facing surface of the surface sheet 2 so as to overlap the left and right sides along the vertical direction X of the absorber 4 in a plan view. The leakage-proof sheets 6 and 6 are arranged over substantially the entire length of the absorbent body 5 in the vertical direction X. The pair of side leakage-proof sheets 6 and 6 are joined to other members such as the surface sheet 2 by a known joining means such as an adhesive at a joining line extending in the vertical direction X, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the pair of side leakage-proof sheets 6 and 6 have a curved first joint line 61 located at the excretion portion facing portion B and front and rear of the first joint line 61 in the vertical direction X, respectively. The surface sheet 2 is joined to the surface sheet 2 by a zigzag linear second joining line 62 located at, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a linear joining line continuous over the entire length of the absorber 4. The side leakage-proof sheet 6 and the surface sheet 2 may be joined to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the side leakage-proof sheet 6 has a free end 6a not joined to the surface sheet 2 and a fixed end 6b which is an inner end portion of the joining line 61 joined to the surface sheet 2. When the napkin 1 is used, the fixed end 6b and the free end 6a are separated from the surface sheet 2 to form a leak-proof pocket P for preventing lateral leakage.

In the napkin 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a second sheet 21 made of a non-woven fabric is arranged between the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4. The second sheet 21 is a sheet that is separate from the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4, and is also called a sublayer sheet in the art, and is provided in a stripe shape or a spiral shape with the surface sheet 2 and / or the absorber 4. It is partially joined with an adhesive or the like. The second sheet 21 is a sheet that plays a role of improving the permeability of the liquid from the surface sheet 2 to the absorber 4 and reducing the return of the liquid absorbed by the absorber 4 to the surface sheet 2. .. The absorbent article of the present invention may not be provided with a second sheet.

As the front surface sheet 2, the back surface sheet 3, and the side leakage-proof sheet 6, various types conventionally used for absorbent articles such as menstrual napkins can be used without particular limitation. For example, as the surface sheet 2, a non-woven fabric having a single-layer or multi-layer structure, a perforated film, or the like can be used. The surface sheet 2 may have irregularities on the side facing the skin, or may have an oil agent or the like for controlling hydrophilicity attached to the surface of the constituent fibers. When the surface sheet 2 has a multi-layer structure, the surface sheet 2 includes a first fiber layer located on the side closer to the wearer's skin and a second fiber layer located on the side farther from the wearer's skin. Both fiber layers are integrated in the thickness direction by a large number of partially formed joints, and the portion of the first fiber layer located between the plurality of joints is convex. It is possible to use a concavo-convex sheet that is raised to form a convex portion having the concavo-convex shape. As the concavo-convex sheet having a solid structure in the convex portion, for example, those described in JP-A-2007-1826662 and JP-A-2002-187228 can be used. As the back sheet 3, a resin film or a laminate of a resin film and a non-woven fabric can be used. As the back surface sheet 3, a liquid impermeable (including liquid impervious) or water repellent material is used, and it is also preferable to use a moisture permeable resin film or the like. As the side leakage-proof sheet 6, a laminated non-woven fabric having high water pressure resistance, a laminated body of a resin film and a non-woven fabric, or the like can be used.

In the napkin 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the absorber 4 has a laminated structure in which a main body absorbent sheet 401 containing a fiber material is laminated in a plurality of layers. More specifically, the absorbent body 4 in the napkin 1 is located on the surface facing surface side (forming the skin facing surface of the absorbent body 4) and the non-skin facing surface side (the absorbent body 4). It has a laminated structure including a back surface side absorbent sheet 42 (which forms a non-skin facing surface of the absorbent body 4), and the sheets 41 and 42 are composed of a main body absorbent sheet 401. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body absorbent sheet 401 has a first region E and a second region F in which the density of the fiber material is higher than that of the first region E in the thickness direction Z (vertical direction in FIG. 4). And have.

Further, in the napkin 1, the front side absorbent sheet 41 and the back surface side absorbent sheet 42 are each a part of one main body absorbent sheet 401, and the length (width) in the lateral direction Y is relatively long. By folding one main body absorbent sheet 401 in the lateral direction Y, a laminated structure including the front side absorbent sheet 41 and the back surface side absorbent sheet 42 is formed. More specifically, in the laminated structure including both sheets 41 and 42, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, one main body absorbent sheet 401 has the first region E on the outside, and the laminated structure ( The absorber 4) is folded so that the overlapping portion 49 of the one end portion and the other end portion of the sheet 401 in the lateral direction Y is located at the central portion of the non-skin facing surface in the lateral direction Y.

Then, in the absorber 4 having a laminated structure (folding structure) laminated in a plurality of layers by folding one main body absorbent sheet 401 in this way, as shown in FIG. 4, one of the sheets 401. The first region E of the front surface side absorbent sheet 41, which is a portion, forms the skin facing surface of the absorber 4, and the first region E of the back surface side absorbent sheet 42, which is another part of the sheet 401, is formed. It forms a non-skin facing surface of the absorber 4. That is, the first region E of the front surface side absorbent sheet 41 forms the skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4, and the first region E of the back surface side absorbent sheet 42 forms the skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorbent body 4. It forms a surface layer on the surface side. Further, the second region F is located inward in the thickness direction Z with respect to each of the first region E forming the skin facing surface of the absorber 4 and the first region E forming the non-skin facing surface.

Further, in the napkin 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a perfume-absorbing sheet 402 containing a fiber material and having a fragrance arranged inside a laminated structure in which the main body absorbent sheet 401 is laminated in a plurality of layers. The central absorbing portion 43 including the above is arranged, and the skin facing surface and the non-skin facing surface of the central absorbing portion 43 are covered with the main body absorbent sheet 401.

In the napkin 1, the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 constituting the central absorbing portion 43 is formed by folding one perfume-absorbing sheet 402 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Has a structure in which is laminated in a plurality of layers. More specifically, the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 has a three-layer laminated structure (folding structure) by being folded in three at two bent portions of the absorber 4 separated in the lateral direction Y. It is formed and folded in a spiral shape as a whole. The bent portion of the perfume absorbing sheet 402 coincides with the side edge (edge of the lateral direction Y) 43s (see FIG. 3) along the vertical direction X of the central absorbing portion 43.

In the present invention, the central absorbing portion 43 is not limited to the form having a laminated structure as shown in FIG. 4, and may be a form having a single-layer structure in which the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 is not laminated. .. Further, the laminated structure of the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 is not limited to the form in which one sheet 402 is folded in three in the lateral direction Y as shown in FIG. 4, for example, one sheet 402 is laterally folded. It may be folded in half in the direction Y, or it may be a form in which two sheets 402, 402 are laminated.

In the present specification, the absorbent sheet is an absorbent body molded into a sheet shape, and is generally distinguished from an absorbent body having a fiber structure in which absorbent materials are stacked. Typical examples of the absorbent sheet include those described in Japanese Patent No. 2963647 and those described in Japanese Patent No. 2955223. As the absorbent sheet, the adhesive strength generated in the highly absorbent polymer in a wet state and the space between the constituent fibers or between the constituent fibers via a binder such as an adhesive or an adhesive fiber added separately are used. Can be preferably used in the form of a sheet or the like obtained by combining the above. As the absorbent sheet, an absorbent sheet containing pulp produced by the method described in JP-A-8-246395, crushed pulp supplied in an air stream, and a highly absorbent polymer are deposited and then bonded. Absorbency obtained by applying a hot melt adhesive, etc. between a dry sheet hardened with an agent (for example, vinyl acetate adhesive, PVA, etc.), paper containing pulp, or a non-woven fabric, and then spraying a highly absorbent polymer. An absorbent sheet or the like obtained by blending a highly absorbent polymer during the sheet, spunbond or melt blown nonwoven fabric manufacturing process can be used. One of these absorbent sheets can be cut into a predetermined shape and used as the above-mentioned sheet-shaped absorber.

In the napkin 1, the central absorbing portion 43 (scented absorbing sheet 402) is arranged on the excretion portion facing portion B as shown in FIG. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central absorbing portion 43 is arranged only in the central portion of the absorber 4 in the lateral direction Y in the excretion portion facing portion B, and is arranged in the lateral direction of the absorber 4. It is not arranged over the entire length (total width) of Y, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, it is arranged only in a part of the vertical direction X of the absorber 4, and is arranged over the entire length of the vertical direction X of the absorber 4. Not distributed. In the present invention, the central absorbing portion 43 may be arranged inside the laminated structure of the main body absorbing sheet 401, that is, arranged between the front side absorbing sheet 41 and the back surface side absorbing sheet 42. It may have a width over the entire width of the absorber 4 and / or may have a length over the entire length of the absorber 4 in the vertical direction X.

As described above, the absorber 4 in the napkin 1 has a laminated structure (folding structure) of the perfume absorbing sheet 402 inside the laminated structure (folding structure) of the main body absorbent sheet 401 forming the outer shape (contour) of the absorber 4. The central absorption portion 43 including the structure) is included, and as shown in FIG. 1, the central absorption portion 43 extends from the excretion portion facing portion B to a part of the rear portion C and is in the center of the lateral direction Y. It is partially arranged in the department. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement portion of the central absorption portion 43 in the absorber 4 is a thick portion 4A that is thicker than the peripheral portion and is raised toward the skin side of the wearer. On the other hand, the portion of the absorber 4 other than the thick portion 4A is configured to include the laminated structure of the main body absorbent sheet 401 without including the aroma absorbing sheet 402, and is thicker than the thick portion 4A. It is a small standard absorption unit 4B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the thick portion 4A of the napkin 1 sandwiches the central absorbing portion 43 composed of the three-folded perfume-absorbing sheet 402 between the front-side absorbent sheet 41 and the back-side absorbent sheet 42. It consists of a total of 5 layers of absorbent sheets formed of. The thick portion 4A is formed in the central portion of the absorber 4 in the lateral direction Y, and is formed mainly in the excretion portion facing portion B in the vertical direction X of the absorber 4. The fact that it is mainly formed in the excretion portion facing portion B means that 50% or more of the total length of the wall thickness portion 4A in the vertical direction X is present in the excretion portion facing portion B. Compared to the standard absorbing portion 4B, the thick portion 4A is more likely to come into close contact with the wearer's skin when the napkin 1 is worn, and can contribute to improving the fit and leakage resistance of the napkin 1.

The thickness of the thick portion 4A of the absorber 4 is preferably 0.7 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, and preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less. By setting the thickness of the thick portion 4A of the absorber 4 in such a range, it becomes easy to achieve both a good fit feeling, a high absorption performance, and a high antibacterial effect in the excretion portion facing portion B. Further, when the absorbent article is provided with a wing portion as in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, it becomes easy to suppress the twisting of the absorbent body at the portion facing the excretion portion at the time of mounting.

Further, the thickness of the portion of the absorber 4 other than the thick portion 4A, that is, the standard absorbent portion 4B is preferably 0.3 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and preferably 3 mm or less, more preferably 2. It is 5 mm or less. By setting the thickness of the standard absorbing portion 4B of the absorber 4 in such a range, it is possible to impart high absorption performance to the napkin 1 and improve the followability to the movement of the wearer. The thickness of the absorbent body and the absorbent sheet is measured by the following method.

<Measuring method of thickness of absorbent sheet and absorber>
Place the absorbent sheet or absorber to be measured on a horizontal surface without wrinkles or bends, and measure the thickness under a load of 5 cN / cm ² . A thickness meter PEACOCK DIAL UPRIGHT GAUGES R5-C (manufactured by OZAKI MFG.CO.LTD.) Was used for the thickness measurement in the present invention. At this time, a circular or square plate (acrylic plate with a thickness of about 5 mm) is arranged between the tip of the thickness gauge and the measurement portion of the measurement target, and the load becomes 5 cN / cm ² . Adjust the size of the plate so that.

One of the main features of the napkin 1 is that an antibacterial agent is arranged on the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4. In the napkin 1, as described above, the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4 is formed from the first region E of the surface side absorbent sheet 41 forming a part of the main body absorbent sheet 401, and the absorbent body 4 is formed. Since the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion is formed from the first region E of the back surface side absorbent sheet 42 forming another part of the sheet 401, the antibacterial agent is arranged in the first region E of the sheet 401. Has been done.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional structure of the main body absorbent sheet 401 in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body absorbent sheet 401 contains the fiber material 48, and the density of the first region E and the fiber material 48 is the first in the thickness direction Z of the sheet (vertical direction in FIG. 5). It has a second region F higher than one region E, and has a two-layer structure. The first region E and the second region F cover the entire area in the direction parallel to the surface of the perfume-absorbing sheet 402. The first region E and the second region F may be laminated in a layered manner so that the boundary between the first region E and the second region F is clear, or at the boundary between the two regions, one of the fiber materials 48 However, the interface between the two may be obscured by entering the interfiber voids of the other fiber material 48. In the napkin 1, the antibacterial agent 8 is arranged in the entire area of the first region E where the density of the fiber material 48 is relatively low.

Examples of the fiber material 48 included in the main body absorbent sheet 401 include those obtained by hydrophilizing hydrophobic fibers and hydrophilic fibers that are hydrophilic in themselves. In particular, those that are hydrophilic in themselves and have water retention are preferable. Preferred examples of the hydrophilic fiber include natural fiber, cellulosic regenerated fiber or semi-synthetic fiber. Examples of the hydrophilic fiber having water retention include cellulosic fibers such as wood pulp fiber, rayon fiber, cotton fiber and cellulose acetate fiber. Cellulose-based fibers may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the raw material pulp of the cellulosic fiber include wood pulp such as coniferous kraft pulp and broadleaf kraft pulp; and non-wood pulp such as cotton pulp and straw pulp. As the cellulosic fiber, a crosslinked cellulosic fiber (pulp fiber) obtained by cross-linking the inside or between molecules of cellulose with an appropriate cross-linking agent, a regenerated cellulose fiber such as a rayon fiber having improved crystallinity of cellulose, or the like is used. You can also do it.

As the fiber material 48 included in the main body absorbent sheet 401, synthetic fibers, for example, thermoplastic fibers may be used together with the cellulosic fibers or instead of the cellulosic fibers. The thermoplastic fiber was formed by using a single fiber formed by using a single synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or polyurethane, or by using a synthetic resin such as a composite of two or more of these. Composite fibers such as core-sheath type and side-by-side type formed by using two or more kinds of synthetic resins can also be used.

In the main body absorbent sheet 401, the first region E (the region where the density of the fiber material is relatively low) and the second region F (the region where the density of the fiber material is relatively high) are in the plane direction of the sheet 401. They may overlap each other in the thickness direction over the entire area, or may overlap each other in the thickness direction only in a part of the sheet 401 in the surface direction. In the napkin 1, the former is adopted as shown in FIG. 4, that is, in the main body absorbent sheet 401, the skin facing surface and the non-skin facing surface of the absorber 4 are formed over the entire area of the sheet 401. A first region E and a second region F that overlaps the first region E in the thickness direction Z are provided.

Whether or not the absorbent sheet (absorbent) such as the main body absorbent sheet 401 has the first region E and the second region F in which the densities of the fiber materials are different from each other can be determined by, for example, the following method. can.

<Measurement method of density of fiber material>
A cut surface along the thickness direction of the measurement target (absorbent sheet) using a microscope (for example, "VHX-1000" manufactured by KEYENCE) or a scanning electron microscope (for example, JCM-5100 manufactured by JEOL Ltd.). Is magnified and observed, and image data of the cut surface is acquired. The magnification at the time of observation is such that about 10 to 70 fiber cross sections can be observed, and is usually 20 to 200 times. In the observation field of the cut surface, the area occupied by the fibers per constant field area (0.02 mm ² ) is measured by image analysis. Specifically, the obtained image is binarized by setting a threshold value at the brightness boundary between the fiber and the portion where the fiber does not exist by using image processing software such as ImageJ. Generally, when binarized with white and black, the fiber becomes white and the part where the fiber does not exist becomes black. Therefore, in the thickness direction of the measurement target such as an absorbent sheet, the region having many white parts is the first. The two regions F and the region having many black portions can be distinguished from the first region E. Next, the area having white color and the area having black color in the constant viewing area (0.02 mm ² ) are calculated and converted into the area of the fiber per unit area (1 mm ² ), which is converted into the density of the fiber material (1 mm 2). It shall be mm ² / mm ² ). The density of the fiber material is measured at any three locations of the first region E and the second region F of the measurement target (main body absorbent sheet 401), and the average value thereof is taken as the fiber density of the region. ..

In the main body absorbent sheet 401, the density of the fiber material in the second region F measured by the above method is preferably 1.2 times or more the density of the fiber material in the first region E measured by the same method. , More preferably 2 times or more, and preferably 10 times or less, more preferably 7 times or less. Since the density of the fiber material in the second region F is higher than that in the first region E, as will be described later, the effect of promoting the migration of body fluid due to the sparse and dense gradient is exhibited, and the fiber material is arranged on the perfume-absorbing sheet 402. The masking effect and / or the harmony effect of the fragrance will be stably exhibited for a long period of time.

In general, the density of the fiber material in this type of absorbent sheet is affected by the type of fiber material, the fiber diameter, the content, and the like. Therefore, by adjusting these appropriately, "second region F> first It is possible to establish a magnitude relationship of "1 region E". For example, the density of the fiber material in the region is increased by beating the fiber material into fibrils or using a fine fiber material having a small fiber diameter, and when a thick fiber material having a large fiber diameter is used, the fiber material in the region is concerned. Since the density tends to decrease, it is conceivable that the second region F having a relatively high density is mainly composed of a fibrillated fiber material and / or a fine fiber material having a small fiber diameter. Further, in the case of manufacturing the main body absorbent sheet 401 by bonding and integrating the first sheet constituting the first region E and the second sheet constituting the second region F, the bonding and integration are performed in advance. By compressing the second sheet by applying pressure in the thickness direction or the like, the density of the fiber material in the second region F can be made higher than that in the first region E in the sheet 401 which is a production product. ..

As shown in FIG. 5, the main body absorbent sheet 401 further contains the highly absorbent polymer 46 in addition to the fiber material 48 and the antibacterial agent 8. As the highly absorbent polymer 46, a particulate polymer is generally used. The shape of the highly absorbent polymer in the form of particles is not particularly limited, and may be spherical, lumpy, bale-shaped, fibrous or amorphous. As the highly absorbent polymer, a polymer or copolymer of acrylic acid or an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid can generally be used. Examples thereof include polyacrylic acid and salts thereof, and polymethacrylic acid and salts thereof. As the polyacrylic acid salt and the polymethacrylic acid salt, sodium salts can be preferably used. In addition, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, acrylamide, 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2- (meth) acryloylethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, styrenesulfonic acid, etc. A copolymer obtained by copolymerizing the comonomer of the above in a range that does not deteriorate the performance of the highly absorbent polymer can also be used.

In the main body absorbent sheet 401, the highly absorbent polymer 46 may be uniformly distributed or unevenly distributed throughout the sheet 401. As shown in FIG. 5, the napkin 1 forms the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4, and absorbs the absorbent body 4 more than the first region E having a relatively low density of the fiber material. The second region F, which is located inward in the thickness direction of the body 4 and has a relatively high density of the fiber material, has a higher content of the highly absorbent polymer. The second region F always contains a highly absorbent polymer, but the first region E may not contain a highly absorbent polymer.

The main body absorbent sheet 401 is, for example, bonded and integrated with the second sheet constituting the second region F after applying an antibacterial agent in the manufacturing process of the first sheet constituting the first region E. It can be manufactured by doing so. As a method of applying the antibacterial agent to the first sheet, 1) a method of applying a solution or a dispersion containing the antibacterial agent to the first sheet before binding to the second sheet, and 2) the first sheet and the second sheet. A method of applying a solution or a dispersion containing an antibacterial agent to the surface of the composite sheet in which the sheets are bonded and integrated, and then heating or naturally drying the composite sheet. Examples thereof include a method of spraying or spraying a particulate antibacterial agent from the sheet side. Examples of the method for applying a solution or dispersion containing an antibacterial agent include a spray method, a transfer method, a die coating method, a gravure coating method, an inkjet method, a method using a known liquid coating device such as screen printing, and the like. .. Further, in the bonding and integration of the first sheet and the second sheet, for example, each sheet is individually manufactured by an arbitrary method such as a wet method or a dry method, and then they are used as an adhesive or a binder fiber. Examples thereof include a method of binding and integrating by the adhesive force of a highly absorbent polymer in a swollen state.

While the body-absorbing sheet 401 (sheets 41, 42) has the above-mentioned structure, the structure of the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 is not particularly limited, and a single-layer structure sheet may be used, and the body-absorbing property may be used. A sheet having the same laminated structure as the sheet 401 may be used. The perfume-absorbing sheet 402 is typically mainly made of a fiber material, and may be paper, various non-woven fabrics, or a composite sheet of paper and non-woven fabric. The perfume-absorbing sheet 402 may be configured in the same manner as the main body-absorbing sheet 401 except that the fragrance is arranged. For example, the first region and the density of the fiber material are different in the thickness direction thereof. It may have a second region higher than the first region, and an antibacterial agent and / or a highly absorbent polymer may be arranged in the first region and / or the second region, which will be described later. Deodorant may be arranged. Further, when the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 has a first region and a second region in the thickness direction, the sheet 402 having such a laminated structure is, for example, a first sheet constituting the first region and a second region. The second sheet constituting the above is individually manufactured by an arbitrary method such as a wet papermaking method or a dry papermaking method, and then they are prepared by using an adhesive, a binder fiber, an adhesive force of a highly absorbent polymer in a swollen state, or the like. It can be manufactured by binding and integrating.

The thickness of each of the above-mentioned absorbent sheets 401 and 402 is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, from the viewpoint of providing a napkin 1 having sufficient liquid diffusivity and liquid retention and a good fit. Is 0.3 mm or more, preferably 2 mm or less, and more preferably 1.5 mm or less.

The number of layers of the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 constituting the central absorption unit 43 is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 3 or more, and preferably 7 or less, more preferably 5 or less. Further, in the absorber 4, the total number of layers of the main body absorbent sheet 401 and the perfume absorbent sheet 402 is preferably from the viewpoint of the absorption capacity and absorption rate at the time of discharging the body fluid, and the feeling of discomfort at the time of wearing. It is 3 or more, more preferably 5 or more, and preferably 10 or less, more preferably 7 or less.

In the napkin 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the absorber 4 (thick portion 4A, standard absorption) is provided in the excretion portion facing portion B including the excretion spot portion which is arranged opposite to the wearer's excretion portion when worn. A slit 45 is formed that penetrates the portion 4B) in the thickness direction. The slit 45 is formed by making a notch in the absorber 4 (absorbent sheets 401, 402), and has a long shape in one direction in a plan view. In the illustrated example, each of the plurality of slits 45 has a linear shape extending in the vertical direction X in a plan view.

As another of the main features of the napkin 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the width of the slit 45, that is, the length in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the slit 45 (vertical direction X in this embodiment) is absorbed. It can be mentioned that the number gradually decreases from the non-skin facing surface side (back surface sheet 3 side) of the body 4 toward the skin facing surface side (front surface sheet 2 side). In the napkin 1, all of the plurality of slits 45 formed in the absorber 4 have such a tapered shape from the non-skin facing surface side to the skin facing surface side.

Further, in the napkin 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of slits 45 extending in the vertical direction X are not only the excretion portion facing portion B, but also the portion of the front portion A near the excretion portion facing portion B and the rear portion C. The slit region 45S is formed by being dispersedly arranged over the portion closer to the excretion portion facing portion B in the above. The slit region 45S has a vertical length from the front end of the slit 45 located at the frontmost position in the vertical direction X to the rear end of the slit 45 located at the rearmost position, and is the slit 45 located on the most one side in the horizontal direction Y. It is a range of a rectangular shape in a plan view having a lateral length from the outer edge to the outer edge of the slit 45 located on the farthest side.

In the napkin 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the slit 45, particularly the slit region 45S in which the slits 45 are dispersedly arranged, is the main body absorbent sheet 401 (sheets 41, 42) and the perfume absorbent sheet in the absorber 4. Since it overlaps with the thick portion 4A, which is the laminated region with the 402 (central absorption portion 43), the slit 45 opens according to the movement of the wearer's body when the napkin 1 is worn, and the antibacterial agent is arranged. The body fluid can be quickly guided to the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4, that is, the first region E of the main body absorbent sheet 401. Further, the slit 45 is a so-called "cut", and unlike an "opening" formed by cutting out a part of the absorber (absorbent sheet) in a plan view, the absorber 4 is in a natural state (a state in which no external pressure is applied). ) Is not substantially open and is in a closed state, so that the antibacterial agent arranged on the main body absorbent sheet 401 (first region E) and the body fluid moved to the central absorption portion 43 side pass through the slit 45. The inconvenience of moving to the skin-facing surface of the napkin 1 (skin-facing surface of the surface sheet 2) is unlikely to occur. As described above, the formation of the slit 45 is useful for improving the antibacterial effect and the absorption performance of the napkin 1.

The slit 45 has an opening width W45 (see FIG. 3) on the surface sheet 2 side, preferably 1.2 mm or less, more preferably 1.0 mm or less, still more preferably 0.5 mm or less. The lower limit of the opening width W45 is substantially 0 mm if the slit 45 is formed by a notch, but may be about 0.01 mm. The distance D45 (see FIG. 3) between the slits 45 and 45 in the lateral direction Y is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.2 mm or more, and preferably 1.5 mm or less, more preferably 1. It is 2 mm or less. The opening width W45 of the slit 45 is measured by the following method.

<Measuring method of slit opening width>
The opening width of the slit formed in the absorber (absorbent sheet) is such that the absorber to be measured is taken out from the absorbent article, the absorber is placed horizontally, and a microscope (for example, Keyence digital microscope VHX-1000) is placed. ) To adjust the measurement magnification and magnify it.

Further, the length of the slit 45 (the length in the extending direction of the slit 45) L45 (see FIG. 3) when the absorber 4 is viewed in a plan view is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, and preferably. It is 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less.

In order to form the slit 45 in the absorber 4, the absorber 4 (a laminated body of the absorbent sheets 401 and 402) may be partially cut by a known cutting means. As such a cutting device, for example, a cutter roll having a large number of cutting blades extending in the circumferential direction dispersed on the peripheral surface of the roll in the circumferential direction and the axial length direction of the roll and the blade of the cutter roll are received. An example of a cutting device including an anvil roll can be illustrated. As described above, when the slit 45 having a tapered shape is formed from the non-skin facing surface side toward the skin facing surface side, a cutting blade having an outer shape corresponding to such a shape may be used.

Further explaining the napkin 1, in the napkin 1, it is preferable that the front surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4 and the absorber 4 and the back surface sheet 3 are fixed by applying an adhesive. Further, the layers of the laminated absorbent sheets 401 and 402 constituting the absorber 4 may or may not be adhered, but they are adhered from the viewpoint of twisting or misalignment of the absorber during use. It is preferably bonded with an agent. The adhesive can be applied using known means such as slot coat guns, spiral spray guns, spray guns, or dot guns, and for napkin 1, it can be applied spirally using a spiral spray gun. preferable. As the adhesive to be applied, for example, a hot melt adhesive is preferably used. The amount of the hot melt adhesive applied is preferably 1.5 g / m ² or more and 10 g / m ² or less.

In the napkin 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4 are integrally recessed toward the back surface sheet 3 side on the skin facing surface of the absorbent body 5, and have a planar line-of-sight shape. A squeeze groove 9 is formed. In the squeeze groove 9, both the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4 are recessed, and the density of each fiber which is a constituent member of the surface sheet 2 and the absorber 4 at the position where the squeeze groove 9 is formed is the periphery of the squeeze groove 9. It is higher than that in the department. The squeezing groove 9 may be a continuous line or a discontinuous line such as a broken line, and may be composed of, for example, a row formed by a large number of discontinuous point embosses.

The napkin 1 has vertical squeezing grooves 92 extending in the vertical direction X as squeezing grooves 9 on both side portions (both ends of the horizontal direction Y) along the vertical direction X of the excretion portion facing portion B, and also has a front portion. Each of A and the rear portion C has a lateral pressing groove 91 extending in the lateral direction Y as a pressing groove 9. The presence of the longitudinal squeezing groove 92 is particularly effective in suppressing the lateral spread of the excreted body fluid in the lateral direction Y to prevent leakage, and also in the central absorption portion 43 (second region F) containing the antibacterial agent. It is also effective in collecting body fluids.

The napkin 1 of the present embodiment is used by being fixed to a crotch portion or the like of shorts in the same manner as a normal menstrual napkin.
In the napkin 1, the absorber 4 located at the excretion portion facing portion B where the body fluid such as menstrual blood is concentrated is formed with a slit 45 penetrating the absorber 4 in the thickness direction as described above, and thus absorbs. The body fluid that has reached the skin-facing surface (first region E) of the body 4 diffuses in the extending direction of the slit 45 (vertical direction X in this embodiment) and permeates in the thickness direction of the absorber 4. As a result, it is rapidly absorbed inside the absorber 4 (central absorption unit 43). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the slit 45 formed in the excretion portion facing portion B has a tapered shape from the non-skin facing surface side to the skin facing surface side, as shown in FIG. 2, and therefore the slit 45. The body fluid once absorbed inside the absorber 4 (central absorption portion 43) returns to the surface sheet 2 side due to body pressure or the like when worn, as compared with the case where the width of the absorber 4 is constant in the thickness direction of the absorber 4. , So-called liquid return prevention effect is excellent. As described above, the napkin 1 is excellent in drawing in the excreted body fluid and is unlikely to cause liquid return, so that it is difficult to cause liquid leakage, and the surface sheet 2 is excellent in dryness and wearing feeling on the skin-facing surface.

In particular, in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the main body absorbent sheet 401 forming the outer surface (surface layer portion) of the absorber 4 has a first region E in which the density of the fiber material is relatively low and a second region E in which the density is high. A skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and a non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion, which have a region F in the thickness direction and the first region E is a portion of the absorber 4 that first comes into contact with the body fluid, are formed. Therefore, due to the effect of promoting the transfer of body fluid due to the sparse and dense gradient, the transfer of body fluid from the outside to the inside of the absorber 4 is smoothly performed.

The outer surface (skin facing surface and non-skin facing surface) of the absorber 4 is formed from the viewpoint of ensuring that the action and effect of the sparse and dense gradient in the first region E and the second region F are more reliably exerted. In the first region E where the density of the fiber material is relatively low, it is preferable that the liquid passing time measured by the following method is short. The shorter the liquid passage time, the better the permeability of the body fluid in the thickness direction of the region, the better the so-called liquid passage, and the inconvenience that the antibacterial agent falls off from the first region E or elutes in a short period of time. It means that it is unlikely to occur. From such a viewpoint, when the main body absorbent sheet 401 is manufactured by combining and integrating the first sheet constituting the first region E and the second sheet constituting the second region F, the first sheet (first region). The liquid passage time of the sheet) constituting E is preferably 100 seconds or less, more preferably 75 seconds or less, as measured by the following method.

<Measurement method of liquid passage time>
The measurement is performed in a room with a constant temperature and humidity of 23 ° C. and 50 ± 3%. The measurement target (first sheet) is cut into a square shape in a plan view of 60 mm × 60 mm and used as a test piece. Ion-exchanged water is added to glycerin to prepare an aqueous solution having a glycerin concentration of 85% by mass, and the aqueous solution is used as a test solution. A glass cylinder with a flange (hereinafter, also referred to as a "first cylinder") having an inner diameter of Φ35 mm and open ends in the longitudinal direction is attached to a stand with a clamp. The entire open end of one of the attached first cylinders is covered with silicon packing, and a test piece, another silicon packing, and a second cylinder are superposed on the silicon packing in this order. The second cylinder is the same as the first cylinder, one open end of the second cylinder is entirely covered with another silicone packing, and a clamp is used to secure the first cylinder. Fix it to the stand. In this way, two silicon packings of the same shape and the same size are sandwiched and fixed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder in which the opening ends are arranged so as to face each other, and further, 1 is sandwiched between the two silicon packings. Hold and fix the test pieces. The first cylinder is on the upper side, the second cylinder is on the lower side, and the longitudinal directions of both cylinders are aligned with each other in the vertical direction and fixed. Then, 10 g of the test liquid is injected into the inside at once from the other open end of the first cylinder, and the time required for the entire amount of the test liquid to pass through the test piece is measured and used as the liquid passage time.

Further, in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the second region F located inward in the thickness direction from the first region E contains a larger amount of the highly absorbent polymer than the first region E. Therefore, the body fluid existing in the first region E (that is, the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4) is rapidly attracted to the second region F by the highly absorbent polymer, and the height thereof is increased. Absorbed and retained by the absorbent polymer. Therefore, the napkin 1 of the present embodiment has the effect of uneven distribution of the highly absorbent polymer in the thickness direction, the effect of the slit 45 described above, and the effect of the sparse and dense gradient of the fibers between the first region E and the second region F. Together with, it can develop high liquid absorption capacity.

From the viewpoint of ensuring that the above-mentioned action effect (effect of attracting body fluid to the second region F) by the highly absorbent polymer is more reliably exerted, the high absorption arranged in the second region F of the main body absorbent sheet 401. The sex polymer is preferably distributed over the entire second region F in the direction parallel to the plane of the sheet 401. From the same viewpoint, the content of the highly absorbent polymer in the second region F is preferably 5 g / m ² or more, more preferably 15 g / m ² or more, and preferably 60 g / m ² or less in terms of basis weight. , More preferably 40 g / m ² or less. If the content of the highly absorbent polymer in the second region F is too low, it is meaningless to use it, and conversely, if it is too high, absorption inhibition due to gel blocking occurs, causing not only liquid return and leakage but also body fluid. If a large amount of the absorbed highly absorbent polymer is present in the vicinity of the skin of the wearer of the napkin 1, the humidity in the shorts during wearing may increase, creating an environment in which bacteria can easily grow. As described above, the first region E does not contain the highly absorbent polymer, or contains a smaller amount of the highly absorbent polymer than the second region F.

Further, in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, since the slit 45 penetrates the central absorbing portion 43 (perfume absorbing sheet 402) in the thickness direction, the body fluid is not from the skin facing surface side. The transition to the skin facing surface side can be particularly smooth.

Further, the napkin 1 is excellent not only in liquid absorption ability but also in antibacterial performance, and can be used without worrying about odor even when the amount of body fluid excreted is relatively large or when it is used for a long time. That is, where the growth of bacteria is considered to be one of the main causes of the generation of malodor from the napkin 1, the body absorbability that forms the skin facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4. Since an antibacterial agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria is arranged in the first region E of the sheet 401, the growth of bacteria on the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the absorber 4 is effectively suppressed. .. Further, since the presence of sufficient water is required for the growth of the fungus, as described above, the absorber 4 is formed with a slit 45 having a tapered shape from the non-skin facing surface side to the skin facing surface side. Since it is difficult for water to remain in the first region E, the growth of the fungus is effectively suppressed in this respect as well. As described above, according to the napkin 1, the antibacterial agent arranged on the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion (first region E) of the absorber 4 is synergistic with the tapered slit 45. Due to the effect, the generation of bad odor is effectively suppressed.

In particular, in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the antibacterial agent in the main body absorbent sheet 401 is arranged in the first region E where the density of the fiber material is relatively low and therefore the movement resistance of the body fluid is relatively small. Therefore, inconveniences such as the antibacterial agent falling off from the first region E or elution in a short period of time due to the transfer of body fluid can be effectively prevented, and excellent antibacterial performance can be stably exhibited over a long period of time. ..

Further, as described above, the absorber 4 in the napkin 1 is configured by being laminated in a plurality of layers by folding one main body absorbent sheet 401, thereby absorbing as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Similarly to the skin facing surface and the non-skin facing surface of the absorber 4, the outermost layer is composed of the first region E and is more than the outermost layer in both side portions (standard absorbing portion 4B) along the vertical direction X of the body 4. When the second region F is located inward, for example, when a large amount of body fluid is excreted at one time and the body fluid reaches the standard absorption unit 4B directly without passing through the skin facing surface of the absorber 4. However, the same action and effect as when passing through the skin facing surface is exhibited.

Further, in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a slit 45 is formed in the overlapping portion 49 of the one end portion and the other end portion of the main body absorbent sheet 401 in the lateral direction Y. The overlapping portion 49 is a portion where the weight (basis weight) per unit area of the antibacterial agent is larger than the portion where the main body absorbent sheets 401 do not overlap each other, and such an overlapping portion having a high antibacterial agent basis weight. Since the slit 45 is formed in the 49, the excreted body fluid can quickly reach the overlapping portion 49 through the slit 45, so that the effect that the antibacterial agent can be effectively used is achieved, and as a result, a high antibacterial effect is achieved. can get.

From the viewpoint of further enhancing the antibacterial performance of the central absorption portion 43, it is preferable that the antibacterial agent is arranged not only in the first region E but also in the second region F. Lipids, sugars, proteins, plasma, etc. are present in body fluids such as menstrual blood, and it is considered that these substances promote the growth of bacteria, which makes it more likely that a foul odor is generated. As described above, in the second region F in 1, a larger amount of the highly absorbent polymer is arranged than in the first region E, and the substance is easily attracted to the vicinity of the highly absorbent polymer. By arranging the antibacterial agent in the second region F, more excellent antibacterial performance can be obtained. The antibacterial agent arranged in the second region F may be the same type as that arranged in the first region E, or may be different from each other. Further, when the antibacterial agent is arranged in the second region F, the content (basis weight) of the antibacterial agent in the second region F may be equal to or higher than the content (basis weight) of the antibacterial agent in the first region E. , Usually a smaller amount is sufficient.

From the viewpoint of increasing the contact area with the body fluid and improving the antibacterial effect, the antibacterial agent arranged in the first region E is distributed over the entire area of the first region E in the direction parallel to the surface of the main body absorbent sheet 401. It is preferable to have. The basis weight of the antibacterial agent can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the antibacterial agent and the like, but for example, it is preferably 0.005 g / m ² or more, more preferably 0.03 g / m ² or more. And it is preferably 5.0 g / m ² or less, and more preferably 3.0 g / m ² or less. The basis weight when the antibacterial agent is arranged in the second region F may be the same as or different from that in the first region E. That is, the basis weight of the antibacterial agent in the second region F may be larger or smaller than that in the first region E.

From the same viewpoint, the content of the antibacterial agent in the main body absorbent sheet 401 is preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, and preferably, with respect to the total mass of the sheet 401. Is 12% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less.

Further, in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, since the central absorbing portion 43 including the fragrance-absorbing sheet 402 is arranged inside the absorber 4, a bad odor is tentatively generated from the napkin 1 in use. Even so, the bad odor is effectively deodorized by the masking effect and / or the harmony effect of the fragrance. Therefore, according to the napkin 1, due to the synergistic effect of the antibacterial agent and the fragrance, it can be used without worrying about the odor even when the amount of excreted body fluid is relatively large or when it is used for a long time.

Further, if the absorber 4 is simply scented, most of the scented fragrance component is volatilized from the absorber 4 when the napkin 1 is used, and there is a possibility that the predetermined deodorizing effect may not be exhibited. Although there is concern, in the napkin 1, the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 (central absorption portion 43) is included in the laminated structure (folding structure) of the main body absorbent sheet 401, and the sheet 401 is the density of the fiber material. Is composed of a second region F which is relatively high (that is, poor in air permeability and liquid permeability), so that such concern is dispelled, and excellent deodorizing performance is stably maintained for a long period of time. Can be expressed.

It is preferable that the area of one surface of the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 constituting the central absorbing portion 43 is smaller than the area of one surface of the main body absorbing sheet 401. With such a configuration, while improving the liquid absorption and fit in the excretory portion facing portion B, the body fluid is appropriately absorbed on the non-skin facing surface side of the main body absorbent sheet 401 and is arranged on the non-skin facing surface side. The effect is that the antibacterial agent that has been used can be effectively used.

The fragrance used in the present invention may be any fragrance that can volatilize the fragrance component into the atmosphere under atmospheric pressure and mask and / or harmonize the unpleasant odor caused by the excrement such as menstrual blood with the fragrance. , Ordinary fragrances that can perceive the fragrance in an environment of normal temperature and pressure can be used without particular limitation, and those conventionally used for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers can be used. Examples of the fragrance include fragrances having a green herbal-like fragrance described in JP-A-2007-244764, plant extracts, citrus extracts and the like.

The content of the fragrance in the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 (central absorption portion 43) is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set according to the type of fragrance and the like. For example, the content of the fragrance in the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 in the developed state is preferably 0.1 g / m ² or more and 1 g / m ² or less, more preferably 0.2 g / m ² or more and 0.6 g / m ² or less. Is.

As the antibacterial agent used in the present invention, those used for antibacterial use in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins can be used without particular limitation. For example, an antibacterial metal, an antibacterial metal carrier, an organic antibacterial agent and the like can be mentioned.
Examples of the metal having antibacterial activity include copper, silver, gold, lead, nickel, tin, zinc, iron, zirconium and the like.
Examples of the antibacterial metal carrier include silver zeolite, divinylbenzene-2-vinylpyridine-2-vinylpyridine silver copolymer (for example, those described in JP-A-2006-307404), and aluminum / silver / sodium silicate silicate. (For example, those described in JP-A-2005-232654), a composite of silicon dioxide, zinc oxide, and aluminum oxide carrying silver or zinc (specifically, a metal-substituted canclinite-like mineral carrying an antibacterial metal). , Silver zirconium phosphate, a mixture of silver and zinc zeolite, and other poorly water-soluble or water-insoluble antibacterial agents.
As the organic antibacterial agent, a quaternary ammonium salt is preferable, and among them, poorly water-soluble benzalkonium chloride, cetyl phosphate benzalkonium and the like are preferably mentioned.

Further explaining the antibacterial agent used in the main body absorbent sheet 401, the antibacterial agent arranged in each part (first region E, second region F) of the sheet 401 moves the arranged portion by water in the thickness direction. Only those in a state of being easy to move (antibacterial agent existing with water mobility) may be used, and those in a state of being difficult to move by the water (antibacterial agent existing with water mobility). ), But a plurality of types having different water mobility (the degree of movement of the antibacterial agent when water moves in the thickness direction of the sheet in the arrangement portion of the antibacterial agent on the sheet). It preferably contains an antibacterial agent. That is, the antibacterial agent arranged on the main body absorbent sheet 401 is, in a relative relationship, a state in which the sheet 401 is easily moved by water moving in the thickness direction and a state in which the sheet 401 is difficult to move by the water. It is preferable to include it. The antibacterial agent arranged on the main body absorbent sheet 401 exists as an antibacterial agent having a relatively high water solubility and high water mobility and an antibacterial agent having relatively low water solubility and water mobility. It is more preferable to include both of them with an antibacterial agent. In particular, it is preferable that the main body absorbent sheet 401 (particularly the first region E) forming the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4 contains a plurality of types of antibacterial agents having different water mobility as described above.

The antibacterial agent that was present with water mobility in the main body absorbent sheet 401 (first region E) forming the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4 was menstrual blood or the like when the napkin 1 was used. As the body fluid moves the absorber 4 from the skin facing surface side to the non-skin facing surface side, it tends to move to the non-skin facing surface side of the absorber 4. Further, as described above, the absorber 4 is formed with a slit 45 having a tapered shape from the non-skin facing surface side toward the skin facing surface side, so that the liquid does not easily move (return) in the same direction. Therefore, it is unlikely that the antibacterial agent once moved to the non-skin facing surface side as described above moves to the skin facing surface side due to liquid return. Therefore, the antibacterial agent that was present on the skin-facing surface side (surface sheet 2 side) of the absorber 4 when the napkin 1 was not used has water mobility, and is the wearer of the napkin 1 when the napkin 1 is used. It comes to be present in a relatively high concentration on the non-skin facing surface side (back surface sheet 3 side) of the absorber 4, which is a portion relatively distant from the skin, and as a result, the back surface sheet 3 side has antibacterial efficiency and antibacterial properties. The inconvenience that the unpleasant odor component is evaporated to the outside through the back sheet 3 and the clothes can be effectively suppressed for a long period of time. The action and effect of the water-movable antibacterial agent on the non-skin facing surface side of the absorber 4 is particularly effective when the back surface sheet 3 has moisture permeability.

On the other hand, in the main body absorbent sheet 401 (first region E) forming the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber 4, the antibacterial agent that was present with water-difficulty mobility was menstrual blood when the napkin 1 was used. Even if the body fluid such as the above moves the absorber 4 from the skin facing surface side to the non-skin facing surface side, it is difficult to move due to the movement of the body fluid, and the skin facing surface of the absorber 4 in which the antibacterial agent is initially arranged. It may exist stably on the side (surface sheet 2 side). Therefore, on the skin-facing surface side of the absorber 4, the water-difficult-to-move antibacterial agent stably antibacterializes and deodorizes, and there is an inconvenience that an unpleasant odor component is evaporated to the wearer's skin side via the surface sheet 2. Can be effectively suppressed.

The main factors that affect the water mobility are the properties of the antibacterial agent itself and the arrangement form of the antibacterial agent.
With respect to water mobility, it is the arrangement form of the antibacterial agent that has a particularly large effect. Specifically, the antibacterial agent has water mobility as long as it is an arrangement form that can be easily moved in the presence of water. It is thought that it is easy to exist. In general, when the antibacterial agent is arranged in a peripheral portion (for example, the fiber material of the absorber) without a strong fixing means (for example, an adhesive), or when the antibacterial agent is arranged in a gap between fibers constituting the arranged portion. The antibacterial agent is water-movable when it is arranged without entanglement with the fibers because it is smaller than, specifically, for example, when it is supported on an aggregate of fiber materials without fixing means. Is easy to exist. Regarding water mobility, it is considered that the properties of the antibacterial agent itself, that is, whether the antibacterial agent is water-soluble, sparingly water-soluble, or water-insoluble, has little effect.

On the other hand, it is considered that the property of the antibacterial agent itself has a particularly large effect on the water mobility, and specifically, it is soluble in water. That is, it is possible to determine the degree of water-difficulty mobility in a predetermined portion (for example, the first region E) of the antibacterial agent depending on the level of water solubility of the antibacterial agent. In general, the lower the solubility of an antibacterial agent in water, the more easily the antibacterial agent has water-slow mobility, that is, the water-slowly soluble or water-insoluble antibacterial agent has relatively water-slow mobility. It's easy to do. However, even if it is a water-soluble antibacterial agent, as described above, the antibacterial agent can impart water-difficulty mobility to a predetermined portion depending on the arrangement form of the antibacterial agent. For example, as described above, the second region F of the main body absorbent sheet 401 in the napkin 1 of the present embodiment has a relatively high density of the fiber material as compared with the first region E, and therefore, is compared with the first region E. Since the antibacterial agent is unlikely to fall off due to the transfer of body fluid, even if the antibacterial agent arranged in the second region F has a relatively high solubility in water, the antibacterial agent has a water-difficulty transfer property in the second region F. It may be present and may be difficult to shed from the second region F due to the transfer of body fluids. Therefore, in order for the antibacterial agent to be present in a predetermined portion such as the first region E or the second region F with water-difficulty mobility, both the solubility of the antibacterial agent in water and the arrangement form of the antibacterial agent are considered. There is a need.

As the antibacterial agent that is difficult to move (exists with water-difficulty mobility) by water that moves in the thickness direction of the absorber 4, a water-soluble or water-insoluble agent is preferable. Here, the fact that the antibacterial agent is sparingly soluble in water means that the solubility in 100 g of ion-exchanged water at 25 ° C. is less than 20 g, and that the antibacterial agent is water-insoluble means that the solubility is 0.1 g or less. Means the case. As is clear from such a definition, water-insoluble antibacterial agents are also sparingly soluble in water. Incidentally, the fact that the antibacterial agent is water-soluble means that the solubility is 20 g or more.

The solubility can be measured by the following method. To 100 g of ion-exchanged water at 25 ° C in a 200 mL beaker, add a sufficiently dried measurement target (antibacterial agent), insert a stirrer chip with a length of 20 mm and a width of 7 mm, and stir with a magnetic stirrer at 600 rpm. The amount of the antibacterial agent added immediately before it cannot be dissolved even after stirring for 1 hour is defined as the solubility of the antibacterial agent in water at 25 ° C. As the magnetic stirrer, HPS-100 manufactured by AS ONE Corporation or the like can be used.

The solubility of the poorly water-soluble or water-insoluble antibacterial agent per 100 g of ion-exchanged water at 25 ° C. is preferably 10 g or less, more preferably 1 g or less. Further, as described above, if the location of the antibacterial agent is the second region F in which the density of the fiber material is relatively high, even if the antibacterial agent is water-soluble, the second region F has water-difficulty mobility. It is possible to use water-soluble antibacterial agents as they may be present.

The above-mentioned antibacterial metal carrier can be exemplified as the poorly water-soluble or water-insoluble antibacterial agent preferably used in the main body absorbent sheet 401, particularly in the first region E, in consideration of the above-mentioned water-difficulty mobility. It should be noted that the antibacterial metal carrier is poorly water-soluble or water-insoluble, even if the supported metal is water-soluble, the carrier carrying the antibacterial metal (preferably porous particles) is poorly water-soluble or water-soluble. It means that it is insoluble.

On the other hand, as the antibacterial agent that easily moves (exists with water mobility) by water moving in the thickness direction of the absorber 4, an ionic one is preferable. As an antibacterial agent having high water mobility, a highly water-soluble agent is preferable, but if it is not fixed to the constituents of the absorber such as adhesion, even if the water solubility is low, the affinity with bacteria is considered. Therefore, an organic antibacterial agent can be preferably used. In particular, as an ionic antibacterial agent in consideration of water mobility and an organic antibacterial agent in consideration of affinity with bacteria, cations such as benzalkonium cetyl phosphate, benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, and cetylpyridinium chloride Sexual antibacterial agents and the like are preferable.

The absorber 4 contains an antibacterial metal carrier and an ionic organic antibacterial agent. When the excrement liquid infiltrates from the skin facing surface side of the absorber 4, the ionic organic antibacterial agent having relatively high water mobility easily moves to the non-skin facing surface side of the absorber 4, and is relative. Since the antibacterial metal carrier having low water mobility is difficult to move in the thickness direction of the absorber 4, the presence distribution of each antibacterial agent changes with the movement of the excrement liquid.

The absorber 4 preferably contains a deodorant in addition to the above-mentioned antibacterial agent, and particularly preferably the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 (central absorption unit 43) contains a deodorant. By blending the deodorant with the absorber 4 such as the perfume-absorbing sheet 402, the generation of unpleasant odors caused by bacteria can be more effectively suppressed by combining with the antibacterial agent.

The content of the deodorant in the perfume-absorbing sheet 402 (central absorption portion 43) is preferably 0.2% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the sheet 402. And it is preferably 2.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 1.0% by mass or less.

The deodorant itself is a substance that can directly act on an odor (odorous substance), that is, adsorb, neutralize, decompose, etc. the odor (odorous substance) to exhibit a deodorizing effect. In the field as well, those that are widely used for deodorant applications can be used. Examples of the deodorant used in the present invention include porous particles and a water-soluble pH buffer.

The porous particles as a deodorant are particles having at least a large number of pores on the surface of the particles, and can collect, adsorb and / or include volatile odorous components in the pores. Examples of the material of the porous particles include an organic compound, an inorganic compound, a polymer thereof, or a combination thereof. Specific examples thereof include synthesizing acrylic acid-based polymers such as porous methacrylic acid polymers and porous acrylic acid polymers, aromatic polymers such as porous divinylbenzene polymers and porous pyridine copolymers, and copolymers thereof. Porous polymers; Natural porous polymers such as chitin and chitosan; Zinc oxide, activated charcoal, silica, silicon dioxide (silica), calcium silicate, aluminosilicate compounds, high silica zeolite (hydrophobic zeolite), sepiolite, canclinite. , Polymer, and metal-supported porous materials such as hydrated inorganic porous materials such as zirconium oxide, and preferably contain at least one selected from the group consisting of these. The odorous components derived from excrement such as urine and menstrual blood to be deodorized are a mixture of a plurality of components such as ammonia, amines, fatty acids, hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans. Generally, since the molecular size of these odorous components is 1 nm or more, it is possible to effectively adsorb a plurality of odorous components by using porous particles having an average pore diameter of 2 nm or more as a deodorant. can.

The average pore size of the porous particles as a deodorant means the peak of the pore size in the pore size distribution. The peak of the pore size of the porous particles may be smaller than the size of the odor component from the viewpoint of the odor adsorption effect and the above-mentioned fragrance component that is difficult to be adsorbed and the fragrance is difficult to be altered or reduced. It is preferably 0.1 μm or less, more preferably 0.04 μm or less, and preferably 0.005 μm or more. The peak of the pore size of the porous particles is measured by the following method.

<Measurement method of peak pore diameter of porous particles>
The peak of the pore size of the porous particles can be measured by a multi-point method using liquid nitrogen using a pore distribution measuring device (Nippon Bell Co., Ltd., trade name: BELSORP mini II). The peak top in the pore distribution is defined as the peak of the pore diameter. The measurement sample is pretreated by heating at 110 ° C. for 1 hour.

Further, the water-soluble pH buffer as a deodorant is an agent that neutralizes acidic and alkaline odorous components generated in the liquid phase such as excrement and reduces the change in pH. That is, it is a neutralizing deodorant by equilibrium action. Such agents are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include weak acids and conjugate bases thereof, or mixtures thereof or salts thereof, weak bases and conjugate acids thereof, or mixtures thereof or salts thereof. Specific examples of the water-soluble pH buffer include citric acid as a weak acid and metal salts such as Na, K and Ca as salts thereof. Examples of the weak base include polyhydroxyamine compounds such as tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane.

Particularly preferred as a water-soluble pH buffer as a deodorant is one containing citric acid and tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane. Due to such a combination of weak acid and weak base component, not only the odor derived from acidic and alkaline odor components but also the odor near neutral that could not be suppressed only by the deodorant having pH buffering property is included. Production can be strongly suppressed. According to the napkin 1 provided with the absorber 4 containing such a preferable pH buffer, the unpleasant odor derived from the excreted body fluid is almost noticed around the wearer even when the wearing time is relatively long. A high deodorizing effect that does not occur can be realized.

Among the above-mentioned deodorants, the porous particles can carry an antibacterial or bactericidal metal. In that case, the porous particles have the properties of both a deodorant and an antibacterial agent. The napkin 1 preferably contains porous particles carrying an antibacterial metal in the absorber 4 (particularly the central absorbent portion 43). In that case, the content of the porous particles carrying the antibacterial metal is considered as both the antibacterial agent and the deodorant. That is, when the absorber 4 contains the porous particles carrying the antibacterial metal, it is understood that the absorber 4 contains the antibacterial agent and also contains the deodorant. Then, the contents of each of the antibacterial agent and the deodorant are calculated.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the preferred embodiment thereof, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be appropriately modified.
For example, the absorber 4 in the above embodiment is configured to include the absorbent sheets 401 and 402, but the absorber according to the present invention is not limited to the one including the absorbent sheet and needs to be. Is sufficient as long as it has a skin-facing surface side surface layer portion on which an antibacterial agent can be placed and a non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion, and a slit (tapered-shaped slit) penetrating in the thickness direction can be formed. It may be an absorber having a so-called fiber structure formed by stacking sex materials, or it may be a composite of an absorbent sheet and an absorber having a fiber structure.
Further, the absorbent article of the present invention may not have one or both of the above-mentioned vertical pressing groove 92 and the horizontal pressing groove 91, or all of the pressing grooves 9.
The absorbent article of the present invention may be a panty liner (pantyliner sheet) or the like in addition to the sanitary napkin as shown in the figure.

1 Menstrual napkin (absorbent article)
2 Front side sheet 3 Back side sheet 4 Absorber 4A Thick part 4B Standard absorption part 401 Main body absorbent sheet 41 Front side absorbent sheet 42 Back side absorbent sheet E 1st area F 2nd area 402 Perfume absorbing sheet 43 Center Absorber 45 Slit

Claims (6)

It is provided with a liquid-permeable front surface sheet that forms a skin-facing surface, a back surface sheet that forms a non-skin-facing surface, and an absorber located between these two sheets. An absorbent article having a lateral direction orthogonal to
An antibacterial agent is arranged on the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion of the absorber.
A slit that penetrates the absorbent body in the thickness direction is formed in the excretion portion facing portion of the absorbent article, including the excretion spot portion that is arranged to face the excretion portion of the wearer when worn.
The width of the slit gradually decreases from the non-skin facing surface side of the absorber toward the skin facing surface side .
The antibacterial agent on the surface layer on the skin-facing surface side of the absorber is in a state of being easily moved by water moving in the thickness direction on the surface layer on the skin-facing surface side in a relative relationship, and is difficult to move by the water. Absorbent articles , including those in state . The absorbent body has a laminated structure in which a main body absorbent sheet containing a fiber material is laminated in a plurality of layers, and the main body absorbent sheet has a first region and a density of the fiber material first in the thickness direction thereof. It has a second region that is higher than the region,
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the skin-facing surface side surface layer portion and the non-skin facing surface side surface layer portion are each formed from the first region. In the laminated structure, one main body absorbent sheet has the first region on the outside, and the lateral central portion of the non-skin facing surface of the laminated structure has one lateral end portion and the other end portion of the sheet. The absorbent article according to claim 2, which is configured to be folded so that the overlapping portion of the above is located. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the slit is formed in the overlapping portion. Inside the laminated structure, a central absorbing portion including a perfume-absorbing sheet on which a fragrance is arranged is arranged, and the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the central absorbing portion are covered with the main body absorbing sheet. ,
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the area of one surface of the perfume-absorbing sheet is smaller than the area of one surface of the main body-absorbing sheet. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the slit penetrates the central absorbing portion in the thickness direction.

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