JP7114670B2 - absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins.

Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins containing functional materials such as antibacterial agents are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid-permeable sheet disposed on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the top sheet, and the top sheet and the liquid-permeable sheet have antibacterial properties. Absorbent articles are described which are characterized by containing agents.

JP 2017-6505 A

In the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, the antibacterial agent contained in the top sheet and the liquid-permeable sheet can migrate from these members through repeated contact with excreted liquid. As a result, the antibacterial agent is reduced from these members while the absorbent article is worn, and there is a possibility that a sufficient antibacterial action cannot be exhibited continuously.

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article capable of sustainably exhibiting an antibacterial effect.

An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention includes a liquid-permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and is configured to absorb moisture in the wearer's front-back direction. , a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and a thickness direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.
The absorbent article comprises a functional area containing an antimicrobial agent and located between the topsheet and the backsheet.
The functional area has a first area that further includes a cooling agent coplanar with the antibacterial agent.
In the first region, at least part of the antibacterial agent is covered with the cooling agent.

According to the absorbent article of the present invention, it is possible to exert antibacterial action continuously.

1 is a plan view schematically showing an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view of the absorbent article stretched out on the XY plane, viewed from the side facing the skin. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the absorbent article cut along line II-II of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing functional regions of the absorbent article, where (A) is a plan view, (B) is a cross-sectional view, and (C) is an enlarged view of regions P1 and P2 in (A). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the function and effect of the functional region, where (A) is a schematic plan view of the functional region immediately after wearing the absorbent article, and (B) is a diagram showing the passage of time from the start of wearing the absorbent article. (C) is an enlarged view of region P3 in (A) and region P4 in (B). (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the functional region, and (B) is an enlarged view of regions P5 and P6 in (A). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an absorbent article according to a modification of the above embodiment, which is the same cross-section as FIG. 2 .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Overall configuration of napkin 1]
The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment includes a main body M and a pair of wing portions W, as shown in FIG. The absorbent article 1 is configured as a sanitary napkin and is hereinafter referred to as napkin 1 .
The napkin 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer and a lateral direction Y corresponding to the left-right direction of the wearer and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the napkin 1 has a thickness direction Z orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIG. In this specification, regarding the thickness direction Z, the side close to the wearer's skin when worn is sometimes expressed as the top or skin side, and the side close to the clothing is sometimes expressed as the bottom or non-skin side.
In addition, in this specification, “planar view” means planar view seen from the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the napkin 1 is divided into a front region F, a middle region C, and a rear region R along the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG.
The intermediate region C includes a region facing the wearer's excretory part when worn. When the absorbent article is the napkin 1, the excretory part is the vaginal opening. In FIG. 1, an intermediate region C is a region where wing portions W are provided.
The front region F is a region arranged in front of the intermediate region C (wearer's ventral side), and faces the front of the wearer's excretory part when the garment is worn.
The rear region R is a region arranged behind the intermediate region C (on the wearer's back side), and faces the wearer's excretory part rearward when the garment is worn.
The term "wearing" as used herein means a state in which a normal proper wearing position (an assumed wearing position of the napkin 1) is maintained, and does not include a state in which the napkin 1 is displaced from the wearing position.
In addition, when the napkin 1 does not have the wing portion W, the napkin 1 is divided into three equal parts along the longitudinal direction X, the central area is the intermediate area C, and the area in front of it is the front area. F, the rear region R is the rear region.

The main body M extends along the longitudinal direction X and is fixed to the inner surface of the wearer's clothing when worn by an adhesive portion 9, which will be described later. The main body M has an absorber 4, which will be described later, and has a function of absorbing the wearer's excretory fluid (hereinafter also referred to as "liquid") such as menstrual blood.

The wing portion W is configured to protrude greatly outward in the lateral direction Y in the intermediate region C. As shown in FIG. Note that the napkin 1 may not have the wing portion W.

As shown in FIG. 2, the napkin 1 includes an absorbent body 4, a topsheet 2, a backsheet 3, and a pair of sidesheets 5. As shown in FIG. In the main body M, the napkin 1 has a configuration in which a backsheet 3, an absorbent body 4 and a topsheet 2 are laminated in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG. These structures are appropriately joined and integrated by, for example, joining with an adhesive agent, heat sealing, etc., which will be described later, and embossing with compressed grooves 6 (see FIG. 1). In addition, illustration of the compression groove 6 is abbreviate|omitted in FIG.

The absorbent body 4 extends along the longitudinal direction X and is arranged between the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3 . The skin facing surface of the absorbent body 4 is defined as an upper surface 4a, and the non-skin facing surface is defined as a lower surface 4b. The absorber 4 absorbs the liquid from the upper surface 4a, diffuses it inside, and retains the liquid.
The absorbent body 4 has, for example, an absorbent core 7 and a core wrap sheet 8 .
The absorbent core 7 may be formed, for example, of a fiber assembly composed of hydrophilic fibers such as pulp fibers, or may have a structure in which the fiber assembly holds a water-absorbent polymer. .
The core wrap sheet 8 covers the absorbent core 7 and has a function of retaining the shape of the absorbent core 7, for example. The core wrap sheet 8 is formed of, for example, tissue paper-like thin and soft paper, liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric, or the like.

The surface sheet 2 is configured as a liquid-permeable sheet material and arranged above the absorbent body 4 in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG. The topsheet 2 forms a skin-facing surface 2a facing the wearer's skin during wear. The topsheet 2 may have a plurality of protrusions 2c formed on the skin-facing surface 2a from the viewpoint of reducing the contact area with the wearer's skin and improving the feeling of wearing (Fig. 2). reference).
The surface sheet 2 is bonded to the upper surface 4a of the absorbent body 4 with an adhesive S1 such as a hot-melt adhesive.
Between the topsheet 2 and the absorber 4, there are various factors such as improvement of liquid permeability from the topsheet 2 to the absorber 4, prevention of liquid absorbed by the absorber 4 from returning to the topsheet 2, and the like. From this point of view, a sublayer sheet (second sheet) may be provided.

The back sheet 3 is arranged below the absorbent body 4 in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG. The backsheet 3 forms a non-skin facing surface 3a, which is the opposite surface in the thickness direction Z to the skin facing surface 2a. The backsheet 3 is bonded to the lower surface 4b of the absorbent body 4 with an adhesive S2 such as a hot-melt adhesive. Although a part of the lower surface 4b is separated from the adhesive S2 in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2, the entire lower surface 4b is actually joined to the backsheet 3 by the adhesive S2.
The backsheet 3 is formed of a sheet material having functions such as liquid impermeability, water vapor permeability, and water repellency, for example. As the sheet material, for example, a thermoplastic resin film, a laminate of the film and a nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used.
Between the absorbent body 4 and the back sheet 3, a leak-proof sheet having a function such as liquid impermeability may be arranged.
Further, the non-skin facing surface 3a of the back sheet 3 is provided with adhesive portions 9 for fixing the main body M and the wing portions W to clothing.

A pair of side sheets 5 are arranged outside the top sheet 2 in the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIG. As the material of the side sheet 5, a sheet material having lower hydrophilicity than the surface sheet 2 is preferable. A sheet etc. are mentioned. The side sheet 5 is joined to the top sheet 2 by, for example, an adhesive S3.

[Basic Configuration of Functional Area 10]
The napkin 1 of this embodiment has a functional area 10 located between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 as an area that exerts an antibacterial action and a cooling sensation action.
The functional area 10 may be configured as a sheet material or part thereof disposed between the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3 . Such sheet materials include, for example, a core wrap sheet 8, a sublayer sheet, and a leakproof sheet.
Alternatively, functional area 10 may be an area contained in absorbent core 7 . In this case, the functional area 10 can be an area including, for example, the upper or lower surface of the absorbent core 7 .
In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the functional region 10 is included in the core wrap sheet 8 and distributed over the entire core wrap sheet 8 .

As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 3 , the functional area 10 contains an antimicrobial agent 11 . 3 to 5, molecules of the antibacterial agent 11 or aggregates thereof are schematically represented by circles.
The antibacterial agent 11 means a substance having antibacterial properties. The antibacterial agent 11 is a component having antibacterial properties and can include any component that can be used in absorbent articles without particular limitation, and may contain one component alone, or two or more components. may contain. Preferred specific examples of the antibacterial agent 11 will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the functional area 10 has a first area 10a further including a cooling agent 12. As shown in FIGS. That is, the first region 10 a is a region in the functional region 10 that contains both the cooling agent 12 and the antibacterial agent 11 . The first region 10a may be arranged in a part of the functional region 10, or may be arranged in the whole. In FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the first region 10a is represented by a pattern of diagonal lines extending in two intersecting directions, and the second region 10b, which will be described later, is represented by a pattern of diagonal lines extending in one direction.
The cooling agent 12 means a substance that can volatilize and stimulate thermoreceptors (eg, TRPM8 receptors) on the wearer's skin or mucosal surface to convey coolness and refreshment to the wearer. In the present embodiment, any cooling agent that can be used in absorbent articles can be used as the cooling agent 12 without particular limitation, and specific examples will be described later.
Before the wearer starts wearing the napkin 1, the napkin 1 is typically folded and sealed with the topsheet 2 facing inside. When the package is opened and the napkin 1 is worn, the cooling agent 12 evaporates from the skin-facing surface 2a of the topsheet 2, thereby providing a cool feeling to the wearer.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the antibacterial agent 11 and cooling agent 12 are arranged on the same surface. As used herein, the term “face” means a face that can be formed on each member of the napkin 1 . For example, when the functional region 10 is configured as the above-described sheet material or a part thereof, the antibacterial agent 11 and the cooling sensation agent 12 are arranged on the surface of the sheet material. Alternatively, when the functional region 10 is included in the absorbent core 7, the antibacterial agent 11 and the cooling agent 12 are arranged on the upper or lower surface of the absorbent core 7, for example. In this embodiment, the antibacterial agent 11 and the cooling sensation agent 12 are arranged on the surface of the core wrap sheet 8 .

Antimicrobial agent 11 and cooling agent 12 are applied to the surface by various methods. For example, the antibacterial agent 11 and cooling agent 12 may be placed on the surface in the form of a suspension or solution. Examples of the method of arranging the antibacterial agent 11 and the cooling agent 12 include spraying, coating, immersion, and transfer.

Specifically, the functional region 10 is produced, for example, as follows. First, the antibacterial agent 11 is placed on a predetermined surface of the sheet material, core material, or the like. Preferably, a liquid containing the antibacterial agent 11, such as a suspension or solution, is applied to the predetermined surface. In this case, after applying the antibacterial agent-containing liquid, the liquid containing the antibacterial agent may be dried. For example, when the antibacterial agent 11 is applied as a contained liquid, the antibacterial agent 11 permeates in the thickness direction Z from the predetermined surface. This forms the base of the functional area 10 containing the antimicrobial agent 11 .
Subsequently, a cooling sensation agent 12 is placed on the surface on which the antibacterial agent 11 is placed. Specifically, a liquid containing the cooling agent 12, such as suspension or solution, is applied to the surface. The area coated with the cooling agent 12 can form the first area 10a, and the area not coated with the cooling agent 12 can form the second area 10b described later.
By coating the cooling agent 12 on the surface on which the antibacterial agent 11 is arranged, the cooling agent 12 is arranged so as to cover the periphery of the antibacterial agent 11.例文帳に追加

When the functional region 10 is produced, the antibacterial agent 11 can be partly covered with the cooling agent 12 and partly exposed by devising the following.
(1) As described above, after the member coated with the antibacterial agent-containing liquid is dried, the cooling sensation agent-containing liquid is applied while tension is applied to the member in a desired direction, and the tension is applied. Dry with or without By appropriately selecting the drying conditions, wrinkles are formed on the surface of the member dried after the application of the antibacterial agent. Since it dries, the cooling agent 12 tends to remain in the concave portions of wrinkles, and the cooling agent 12 tends to volatilize in the convex portions, so that only a part of the antibacterial agent 11 can be covered with the cooling agent 12. .
(2) As described above, when the member coated with the antibacterial agent-containing liquid is dried, it is not completely dried, and part of the solvent remains. In this state, the cooling sensation agent-containing liquid is applied and dried to completely evaporate the solvent. At this time, part of the cooling agent 12 volatilizes together with the solvent that coats the antibacterial agent 11 , so that only part of the antibacterial agent 11 can be covered with the cooling agent 12 .
It is more effective to use the method (1) and the method (2) together.

As shown in FIG. 3, at least part of the antibacterial agent 11 is covered with a cooling agent 12 in the first region 10a.
As shown in schematic enlarged views P1 and P2 of FIG. 3(C), at least a part of the antibacterial agent 11 in the first region 10a is covered with a cooling agent 12 around its molecules or molecular aggregates. state. In the enlarged views P1 to P6 of FIGS. 3 to 5, for ease of understanding, the cooling agent 12 covering the periphery of the antibacterial agent 11 molecules or molecular aggregates is expressed as a film. The cooling agent 12 does not have to cover the entire periphery of the molecules of the antibacterial agent 11 or aggregates thereof, and may cover at least a portion of them. It can be confirmed as follows that at least part of the antibacterial agent 11 is covered with the cooling agent 12 .

(Method for confirming that at least part of the antibacterial agent 11 is covered with the cooling agent 12)
An energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) (hereinafter referred to as SEM-EDX) attached to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to map the elements contained in the antibacterial agent.
First, prepare a sample piece on which an antibacterial agent is placed (coated) and for which it is desired to determine whether or not at least part of the antibacterial agent is coated with a cooling agent. This sample piece is attached to an aluminum sample table using a carbon double-sided tape. If necessary, the specimen is coated with platinum/vanadium. The elements contained in the antibacterial agent are displayed by mapping using EDX while observing this sample piece by magnifying it with an SEM. Measurements are performed at an acceleration voltage of 15 kV to 40 kV.
In the sample piece, the region where the elements contained in the antibacterial agent are mapped is judged to be the region where the antibacterial agent is not coated with the cooling agent. In the sample piece, the region where the element contained in the antibacterial agent is not mapped is judged to be the region covered with the antibacterial agent by the cooling agent.
Actually, a sample piece as described below was produced, and it was confirmed that at least part of the antibacterial agent 11 was covered with the cooling agent 12 . After each of the two core wrap sheets was coated with an antibacterial agent (Sansol C (registered trademark, alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride, manufactured by Kao Corporation)) by spraying, these core wrap sheets were dried. A cooling sensation agent (menthol) was applied to one core wrap sheet by spraying to prepare a sample piece. Another core wrap sheet was used as a sample piece without being coated with a cooling agent. These specimens were observed using SEM-EDX (manufactured by JEOL Ltd., product name "JSM-6510") at a magnification of 150 times, and chloride ions (Cl ^- ) contained in the antibacterial agent were observed in green. mapped with As a result, the sample piece not coated with the cooling agent was entirely mapped in green, which indicates chloride ions, while the sample piece coated with the cooling agent was mapped in green, where it was not mapped. was there. As a result, it was confirmed that the sample piece in which the cooling sensation agent was coated on the antibacterial agent contained the antibacterial agent coated with the cooling sensation agent.
Although chlorine (chloride ion) is mapped in the above specific example, the mapping is not limited to this, and a characteristic element of the antibacterial agent to be used may be mapped.

In the above configuration, at least a portion of the antibacterial agent 11 coated with the cooling agent 12 is in a state where it is difficult to mix with the excreted liquid due to the presence of the cooling agent 12 . As a result, when the liquid is excreted after the absorbent article (napkin 1) is worn, the antibacterial agent 11 coated with the cooling agent 12 is prevented from being mixed with the liquid and migrating from the functional area 10. . Therefore, at least part of the antibacterial agent 11 remains in the functional area 10 even after contact with the liquid.
As time passes from the start of wearing, the cooling agent 12 gradually volatilizes, so that the antibacterial agent 11 is exposed from the cooling agent 12 . This makes it easier for the antibacterial agent 11 to gradually mix with the liquid. Therefore, when new liquid is excreted after a lapse of time from the start of wearing, the antibacterial agent 11 exposed from the cooling sensation agent 12 mixes with the liquid, and the antibacterial action is likely to be exerted on the liquid.
Thus, in the above configuration, when the liquid is excreted several times from the start of wearing, the antibacterial agent 11 is gradually mixed with the liquid, and the antibacterial action can be continuously exhibited in the functional area 10. . Therefore, the antibacterial agent 11 effectively suppresses the propagation of bacteria and effectively prevents the generation of offensive odor and the like even after a long period of time has elapsed from the start of wearing.
In addition, in the above configuration, since the functional region 10 containing the cooling agent 12 is positioned below the topsheet 2 in the thickness direction Z, the coating region of the cooling agent 12 does not directly touch the skin, and the cooling agent 12 provides Appropriate cooling sensation is imparted. In addition, the entire antibacterial agent 11 may be covered with the cooling agent 12 .

Using the schematic diagram of FIG. 4 showing the functional area 10, the above effects will be described in more detail along with the passage of time.
Immediately after starting to wear the napkin 1 shown in FIG. 4(A), as shown in the enlarged view P3 of FIG. 4(C), the antibacterial agent 11 is mostly covered with the cooling sensation agent 12 . In this state, the functional area 10 can come into contact with discharged fluids. Since the antibacterial agent 11 covered with the cooling agent 12 is in a state where it is difficult to mix with the liquid, it is difficult to move from the functional region 10 .
As shown in FIG. 4(B), the cooling sensation agent 12 covering the antibacterial agent 11 volatilizes as time elapses from the start of wearing the napkin 1 . As the cooling agent 12 volatilizes, the portion of the antibacterial agent 11 that is not covered with the cooling agent 12 increases, as shown in the enlarged view P4 of FIG. 4(C). As a result, the antibacterial agent 11 becomes less susceptible to the cooling sensation agent 12 and is easily mixed with the newly excreted liquid, thereby exhibiting an antibacterial action.
By coating the antibacterial agent 11 with the cooling sensation agent 12 in this way, it is possible to gradually increase the ease with which the antibacterial agent 11 mixes with the liquid as time elapses from the start of wearing. Therefore, the antibacterial action is likely to be exhibited continuously in the functional region 10 .

A part of the antibacterial agent 11 may be covered with the cooling agent 12 on the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4, and the rest of the antibacterial agent 11 may be exposed. By doing so, the antibacterial performance can be exhibited from the beginning of use, and the covered part is prevented from coming into contact with the excreted fluid. Since it is easy to remain, it has an excellent effect of being able to exert its antibacterial performance in the relevant area during long-term use. Note that "a part of the antibacterial agent 11" may be a part of the antibacterial agent molecule or a part of a plurality of antibacterial agent molecules. From a long-lasting point of view, it is preferably part of an antimicrobial molecule.

[Specific Configuration Example of Functional Area 10]
As shown in FIG. 3, the functional area 10 preferably further has a second area 10b that does not contain the cooling agent 12 in addition to the first area 10a.
The second region 10 b contains the antibacterial agent 11 but does not contain the cooling agent 12 . Therefore, the antibacterial agent 11 in the second region 10b is not covered with the cooling agent 12. As shown in FIG.
The second region 10b is formed by, for example, a non-coated region of the cooling agent 12 .

In the above configuration, the antibacterial agent 11 in the second region 10b, which is not covered with the cooling agent 12, is easily mixed with the liquid excreted immediately after the wearer starts to wear it, and antibacterial properties are exerted on the liquid. On the other hand, the antibacterial agent 11 coated with the cooling agent 12 in the first region 10 a is less likely to mix with the liquid, and is prevented from moving from the functional region 10 .
Moreover, when time has passed since the start of wearing, the cooling agent 12 in the first region 10a gradually volatilizes, and the antibacterial agent 11 is gradually exposed. As a result, the antibacterial agent 11 in the first region 10a is easily mixed with the newly excreted liquid after the passage of time from the start of wearing, and a sufficient antibacterial effect is exerted on the liquid as well. be.
As described above, the above-described configuration makes it easier for the sanitary napkin 1 to continuously exert its antibacterial action against the excreted liquid immediately after the napkin 1 is started to be worn.

Regarding the arrangement of the first region 10a and the second region 10b, from the viewpoint of exhibiting a sufficient antibacterial effect on the excreted liquid, the first region 10a is arranged to face the excretory part or its vicinity, Preferably, the two regions 10b are arranged around the first region 10a in the longitudinal direction X and/or the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the first region 10a is preferably arranged at least in the intermediate region C in the longitudinal direction X, and arranged in the center side of the functional region 10 in the lateral direction Y. preferably. For example, in the functional region 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first region 10a is arranged on the center side in the horizontal direction Y, and the second regions 10b are arranged on both sides in the horizontal direction Y across the first region 10a. .
In addition, in FIG. 1, the first region 10a is indicated by a dot-like pattern, but in reality such a pattern is not visually recognized.

The arrangement of the cooling agent 12 in the functional area 10 will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, the functional region 10 is divided into a central portion 10c in the horizontal direction Y and side portions 10d adjacent to the central portion 10c in the horizontal direction Y. As shown in FIG. The central portion 10c means a central area when the functional area 10 is divided into three equal parts in the horizontal direction Y. As shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the central portion 10c is positioned sandwiched between two side portions 10d. When the functional region 10 has two or more layers in the thickness direction Z like the core wrap sheet 8, the portion of each layer included in the central region when divided into three equal parts in plan view is the central portion 10c, A portion adjacent to the central portion 10c of each layer is defined as a side portion 10d.
In this case, the content (basis weight) of the cooling agent 12 per unit area in the central portion 10c is preferably larger than the content (basis weight) per unit area of the cooling agent 12 in the side portion 10d.
Such a configuration can be realized by arranging the first region 10a in at least a part of the central portion 10c and arranging the second regions 10b on both sides thereof in the horizontal direction Y. As shown in FIG.

In the above configuration, the central portion 10c faces the wearer's excretory portion when worn, and thus is a portion that is more likely to come into contact with liquid than the side portions 10d. In the above configuration, since the content per unit area of the cooling sensation agent 12 in the central portion 10c is large, the antibacterial agent 11 in the central portion 10c can be sufficiently covered with the cooling sensation agent 12 . As a result, most of the antibacterial agent 11 in the central portion 10c is prevented from moving from the functional region 10 by the liquid excreted immediately after the start of wearing. Moreover, as time passes from the start of wearing, the cooling agent 12 in the central portion 10c gradually volatilizes, and the antibacterial agent 11 in the central portion 10c gradually becomes easier to mix with the liquid. As a result, the antibacterial agent 11 tends to stay in the central portion 10c of the functional region 10, which tends to come into contact with a large amount of liquid multiple times, and gradually mixes with the excreted liquid, thereby maintaining the antibacterial action and being effective. can be demonstrated in

From the viewpoint of effectively obtaining the above effects, the ratio of the basis weight of the cooling agent 12 in the central portion 10c to the basis weight of the cooling agent 12 in the side portion 10d is preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.2. It is 5 or more, preferably 5 or less, more preferably 3 or less.
The basis weight of the cooling agent 12 in the central portion 10c is preferably 1.5 g/m ² or more, more preferably 2.5 g/m 2 or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing excessive cooling sensation while sufficiently covering the antibacterial agent 11 . m ² or more, preferably 10.0 g/m ² or less, more preferably 8.0 g/m ² or less.
A method for measuring the basis weight of the cooling agent 12 will be described later.

In addition, in the first region 10a, from the viewpoint of more reliably covering the antibacterial agent 11 with the cooling agent 12, the content (basis weight) of the cooling agent 12 per unit area is It is preferably larger than the content (basis weight).
In the above configuration, the cooling agent 12 easily covers the antibacterial agent 11 in the first region 10a. This more effectively suppresses most of the antibacterial agent 11 in the first region 10a from moving due to the liquid excreted immediately after the start of wearing. Therefore, more antibacterial agent 11 stays in the first region 10a even when time has passed since the start of wearing, and can effectively exert antibacterial action on newly excreted fluid.

From the viewpoint of effectively obtaining the above effects, in the first region 10a, the ratio of the basis weight of the cooling sensation agent 12 to the basis weight of the antibacterial agent 11 is preferably 30 or more, more preferably 40 or more. It is 100 or less, more preferably 80 or less.
The basis weight of the antibacterial agent 11 in the first region 10a is preferably 0.005 g/ ^m2 or more, more preferably 0.02 g/m2 or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing production costs while exhibiting a sufficient antibacterial effect. ² or more, preferably 0.5 g/m ² or less, more preferably 0.3 g/m ² or less.
The basis weight of the cooling sensation agent 12 in the first region 10a is preferably 1.5 g/m ² or more, more preferably 2.5 g, from the viewpoint of suppressing excessive cooling sensation while sufficiently covering the antibacterial agent 11. /m ² or more, preferably 7.0 g/m ² or less, more preferably 5.0 g/m ² or less.
A method for measuring the basis weights of the antibacterial agent 11 and the cooling sensation agent 12 will be described later.

[Configuration example when functional region 10 is included in absorber 4]
As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, for example, the absorbent body 4 includes functional regions 10 .
As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5A, the first region 10a includes the upper surface (skin-facing surface) 4a of the absorbent body 4 and has a thickness in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG. That is, the first region 10a extends from the upper surface 4a of the absorber 4 to the inner side in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG. Note that the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A exaggerates the thickness more than that of FIG. 3B.
The thickness in the thickness direction Z of the first region 10a is preferably 2 mm or more, more preferably 3 mm or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing production costs while sufficiently exhibiting the antibacterial action and the cooling sensation action. It is 10 mm or less, more preferably 8 mm or less.
In such a first region 10a, for example, the upper surface 4a is coated with a liquid containing the antibacterial agent 11, and the upper surface 4a is further coated with a liquid containing the cooling agent 12, and these coated liquids is formed by soaking in the thickness direction Z.

In the first region 10 a , the degree of coverage of the antibacterial agent 11 with the cooling agent 12 is preferably higher on the inner side of the absorbent body 4 in the thickness direction Z than on the upper surface 4 a side of the absorbent body 4 .
For example, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the antibacterial agent 11 (enlarged view P6) on the inner side in the thickness direction Z of the absorbent body 4 than the antibacterial agent 11 (enlarged view P5) on the upper surface 4a side of the absorbent body 4 The one is sufficiently coated with the cooling agent 12 .

The degree of coverage of the cooling agent 12 with respect to the antibacterial agent 11 is an image using SEM-EDX of the first region 10a, and the element in the image displayed by mapping the elements contained in the antibacterial agent 11 is It means the width of the undetected part. In the first region 10a, the portion where the element is detected is the portion where the antibacterial agent 11 not sufficiently coated with the cooling agent 12 is detected. On the other hand, in the first region 10 a , the portion where the element is not detected is the portion where the antibacterial agent 11 is sufficiently covered with the cooling agent 12 . That is, in the image using SEM-EDX of the first region 10a, the wider the region where the element is not detected, the more the antibacterial agent 11 sufficiently coated with the cooling agent 12, and the coating of the site corresponding to the image judged to be high.
The degree of coverage may be determined, for example, by observing an SEM image in which the elements contained in the antibacterial agent 11 are mapped, or by image processing the image.

The upper surface 4a of the absorbent body 4 is the upper surface of the core wrap sheet 8 when the absorbent body 4 includes the core wrap sheet 8, and the absorbent core 7 when the absorbent body 4 consists of only the absorbent core 7. is the upper surface of "The upper surface 4a side of the absorber 4" means, for example, a region within 100 µm in the thickness direction Z from the upper surface 4a.
On the other hand, the inner side of the absorbent body 4 is a region located below the upper surface 4a in the thickness direction Z (non-skin side). The inner side of the absorbent body 4 may be the side facing the absorbent core 7 of the core wrap sheet 8 when the core wrap sheet 8 is included, or may be the absorbent core 7 .

In the above configuration, since the coverage of the cooling agent 12 on the upper surface 4a side of the absorbent body 4 is low, excessive volatilization of the cooling agent 12 from the upper surface 4a is suppressed. As a result, the cooling sensation agent 12 provides an appropriate cooling sensation.
Furthermore, when the napkin 1 starts to be worn, the antibacterial agent 11 on the upper surface 4a side of the absorbent body 4 is in a state where it is easy to mix with the liquid. Easier to work. In addition, when time passes from the start of wearing, the cooling agent 12 covering the antibacterial agent 11 inside the absorbent body 4 gradually volatilizes, so that the inside antibacterial agent 11 is also mixed with the liquid. easier. As a result, the antibacterial agent 11 on the inner side exerts an antibacterial effect on the newly excreted liquid. Therefore, with the above configuration, immediately after the napkin 1 starts to be worn, the antibacterial action is likely to be exhibited continuously.

A specific configuration example of the core wrap sheet 8 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent body 4 comprises an absorbent core 7 and a core wrap sheet 8 covering the absorbent core 7, and more preferably the core wrap sheet 8 includes a functional region 10. As shown in FIG.
The functional region 10 may be arranged on the entire core wrap sheet 8 or may be arranged on a part thereof. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the functional area 10 is arranged over the entire core wrap sheet 8 . That is, in this configuration, the entire core wrap sheet 8 contains the antibacterial agent 11 .

In the above configuration, the antibacterial agent 11 is gradually mixed with the liquid in contact with the core wrap sheet 8 . As a result, not only the liquid absorbed by the absorbent core 7 but also the liquid that has passed through the core wrap sheet 8 but is not absorbed by the absorbent core 7 and the liquid that has returned from the absorbent core 7 can be treated. , exerts an antibacterial effect. Therefore, the antibacterial action is exerted on many liquids in contact with the core wrap sheet 8, and the generation of offensive odors is effectively prevented.

A more specific configuration example of the core wrap sheet 8 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the core wrap sheet 8 has, for example, a front surface area 8a located on the top sheet 2 side and a back area 8b located on the back sheet 3 side. The surface region 8a covers the upper surface of the absorbent core 7 and forms the upper surface 4a of the absorbent body 4. As shown in FIG. The back surface region 8b covers the lower surface of the absorbent core 7 and forms the lower surface 4b of the absorbent body 4. As shown in FIG. The core wrap sheet 8 is wound in the lateral direction Y around the absorbent core 7 . Note that the side ends 8e of the core wrap sheet 8 in the lateral direction Y are arranged to overlap, for example, in the back surface region 8b. This overlapped portion is joined by an adhesive S4 such as a hot-melt adhesive.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the functional regions 10 are arranged on both the surface region 8a and the back surface region 8b.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first region 10a is arranged at least in the surface region 8a from the viewpoint that the volatilized cooling agent 12 stimulates thermoreceptors on the wearer's skin or mucous membrane surface to easily provide a cool feeling. preferably. In particular, the first region 10a is preferably arranged in the central portion 10c of the surface region 8a, which has many chances of contact with liquid.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second region 10b is preferably arranged at least in the back surface region 8b. As a result, when the liquid absorbed by the absorbent core 7 reaches the back surface region 8b, the antibacterial agent 11 not covered with the cooling agent 12 is quickly mixed with the liquid. When this liquid returns to the surface region 8a side due to an external force or the like during wearing, the antibacterial action can be exhibited also on the surface region 8a side.

Further, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 6, the first region 10a may be arranged in both the surface region 8a and the back surface region 8b, and for example, may be arranged so as to extend from the surface region 8a to the back surface region 8b. may have been

[More detailed description of cooling agent 12 and antibacterial agent 11]
The cooling agent 12 preferably has lower solubility in water than the antibacterial agent 11 .
The solubility of the cooling agent 12 and the antibacterial agent 11 in water is determined by the amount of purified water (for example, ion-exchanged water) that dissolves 1 g of the cooling agent 12 and the amount of purified water that dissolves 1 g of the antibacterial agent 11. at the same temperature (eg, 25° C.). In other words, when the amount of purified water that dissolves 1 g of the cooling agent 12 is greater than the amount of purified water that dissolves 1 g of the antibacterial agent 11, the solubility of the cooling agent 12 in water is higher than that of the antibacterial agent 11. judged to be low.

In the above configuration, the cooling sensation agent 12 is less likely to dissolve in the excreted liquid. This suppresses the dissolution of the antibacterial agent 11 coated with the cooling agent 12 into the liquid, and more reliably suppresses the movement of the antibacterial agent 11 from the functional region 10 . On the other hand, the antibacterial agent 11 that is not coated with the cooling agent 12 is highly soluble in water, easily dissolved in liquid, and can exhibit antibacterial properties. Therefore, the volatilization of the cooling agent 12 satisfactorily controls the solubility of the antibacterial agent 11 in the liquid, and the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent 11 is maintained more effectively.

More preferably, cooling agent 12 is sparingly water-soluble and an agonist for the TRPM8 receptor, and antimicrobial agent 11 is water-soluble.
The term "poorly water-soluble" as used herein means a solubility of 1 g or less in 1 L of water (purified water) at 25°C. More preferably, the cooling agent 12 has a solubility of 0.5 g or less in 1 L of water (purified water) at 25°C.
An "agonist for the TRPM8 receptor" means a substance that acts on the TRPM8 receptor, which is a type of thermoreceptor on the skin or mucosal surface of the wearer, to give a feeling of coolness.
The term "water-soluble" means that more than 1 g of the substance dissolves in 1 L of water (purified water) at 25°C. More preferably, the antibacterial agent 11 has a solubility of 2 g or more in 1 L of water (purified water) at 25°C.

With the above configuration, the sustained antibacterial action described above can be obtained more reliably. In addition, since the cooling agent 12 is poorly water-soluble, the cooling agent 12 does not dissolve but easily volatilizes after coming into contact with the liquid, so that the cooling sensation of the cooling agent 12 can be obtained more reliably. Therefore, with the above-described configuration, both the cooling sensation of the cooling sensation agent 12 and the sustained antibacterial action of the antibacterial agent 11 can be effectively obtained.

The cooling agent 12 specifically contains one or more components selected from cyclohexyl derivatives, cyclohexanol derivatives, carboxamides, ketones, and the like. Cyclohexyl derivatives, cyclohexanol derivatives, and carboxamides include, for example, components described in paragraphs [0006] to [0086] of JP-A-2015-12918. Ketones include, for example, camphor. In particular, the cooling sensation agent 12 is poorly water-soluble and preferably contains at least one of menthol, camphor, and menthyl lactate, and more preferably contains menthol and camphor, from the viewpoint of obtaining a good cooling sensation.

The antibacterial agent 11 specifically includes one or more components selected from metals, metal oxides, antibacterial metal supports, organic antibacterial agents, and the like.
Examples of the metal include copper, silver, gold, lead, nickel, tin, zinc, iron, zirconium and the like.
Examples of the metal oxides include zinc oxide and silica.
Examples of the antibacterial metal-supported material include silver zeolite, divinylbenzene-2-vinylpyridine-2-vinylpyridine silver copolymer, aluminum/silver/sodium nitrate silicate (for example, those described in JP-A-2005-232654). ), a composite of silicon dioxide/zinc oxide/aluminum oxide, silver zirconium phosphate, a mixture of silver/zinc zeolite, and the like.
“Organic antibacterial agent” means an antibacterial agent containing a component mainly composed of an organic compound. From the viewpoint of having high water solubility, the antibacterial agent 11 of the present embodiment preferably contains a cationic antibacterial agent as an organic antibacterial agent. Examples of cationic antibacterial agents include those described in paragraphs [0015] to [0018] of the specification of JP-A-8-99841. Among them, it is preferable to use a quaternary ammonium salt as the cationic antibacterial agent from the viewpoint of water solubility, antibacterial properties, and safety (low irritation to skin).
Quaternary ammonium salts include alkylpyridinium salts, benzethonium salts, benzalkonium salts, monoalkyltrimethylammonium salts, dialkyldimethylammonium salts and the like.
The antibacterial agent 11 of the present embodiment preferably contains a benzalkonium salt as a quaternary ammonium salt, and among these, it preferably contains benzalkonium chloride from the viewpoint of having high water solubility.

[Supplementary explanation of this embodiment]
(Arrangement example of functional area 10 in plan view)
As shown in FIG. 1, the functional region 10 preferably extends in the longitudinal direction X in the middle region C, and further preferably extends from the front region F to the rear region R through the middle region C. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the functional region 10 preferably extends over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 4 .
The first region 10 a may be arranged only in a part of the functional region 10 in the longitudinal direction X, or may be arranged over the entire length of the functional region 10 . Like the functional region 10, the first region 10a preferably extends in the longitudinal direction X in the intermediate region C, and further preferably extends from the front region F through the intermediate region C to the rear region R. For example, it preferably extends over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 4 .
In this specification, "extending in the longitudinal direction X" is not limited to extending in a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and includes extending from the front to the rear as a whole.

(Method for detecting cooling agent 12 and measuring basis weight)
First, a target member or target portion of the absorbent article is sampled. At this time, from the viewpoint of suppressing volatilization of the cooling agent, it is preferable to decompose the absorbent article in a chamber at 5° C., for example, and take out the member or region to be measured.
The sampled target member or cooling agent of the target site is extracted with a solvent, and the extracted solution is analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). The measurement can be performed, for example, with a hydrogen flame ionization detector (for example, "7890A" manufactured by Agilent Technologies) attached to a gas chromatograph. Specifically, the relationship between the concentration of the compound constituting the cooling agent and the peak area is drawn in advance as a calibration curve, and the quantitative work is performed based on the calibration curve. As a result, it is possible to detect the cooling sensation agent in the target member or the target site, and to measure the content.
A case where the cooling sensation agent contains at least one of menthol, menthyl lactate, and camphor will be described as an example. The cooling agent is extracted from the target member or site using methanol as a solvent. Using methanol as a solvent, about 3 to 5 levels of cooling agent solutions with different concentrations are prepared in advance, and the peak area of each concentration is calculated from the GC chromatogram. Using n-pentyl alcohol as a standard sample, a calibration curve is prepared by plotting the peak area against the concentration of the standard sample. By analyzing the extract under the same conditions as the analysis for creating the calibration curve, the obtained peak area is applied to the calibration curve to calculate the cooling sensation agent content.
The basis weight of the cooling sensation agent can be calculated as the content per unit area by dividing the obtained content by the area of the target member or target portion measured in advance.

(Method for measuring basis weight of antibacterial agent 11)
First, a target member or target portion of the absorbent article is sampled. The content of the antibacterial agent in the target member or target site can be measured with a liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer (trade name: 6140 LC/MS, manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc., ionization method: ESI). Alternatively, it is also possible to prepare a calibration curve and measure the content of the antibacterial agent based on this.
The basis weight of the antibacterial agent can be calculated as the content per unit area by dividing the obtained content by the area of the target member or target site measured in advance.

(Material of core wrap sheet 8)
The core wrap sheet 8 is typically a non-woven fabric mainly composed of hydrophilic fibers, a sheet-like material such as paper. Hydrophilic fibers contained in the core wrap sheet 8 include natural fibers such as wood pulp such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, non-wood pulp such as cotton pulp and hemp pulp; modified pulp such as cationized pulp and mercerized pulp; Regenerated fibers such as cupra and rayon; semi-synthetic fibers such as atate; hydrophilic synthetic fibers such as polyvinyl alcohol fibers and polyacrylonitrile fibers; The fiber etc. which were applied are mentioned, These 1 type can be used individually or in mixture of 2 or more types. Typical hydrophilic fibers in the core wrap sheet 8 are natural fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, or semi-synthetic fibers.
The core wrap sheet 8 may further contain synthetic fibers (hydrophobic fibers) such as thermoplastic fibers in addition to hydrophilic fibers. Thermoplastic fibers include, for example, single fibers formed using a single synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polyurethane, or synthetic resins such as composites of two or more of these. Composite fibers, for example, core-sheath type or side-by-side type composite fibers formed using two or more kinds of synthetic resins can also be used.

(Other Components Contained in Core Wrap Sheet 8)
From the viewpoint of controlling the volatility of the cooling sensation agent 12, the core wrap sheet 8 may contain a compound having holes or cavities. Compounds having vacancies or cavities include aluminosilicates such as zeolite, mullite and kaolin, and cyclodextrins. As a result, rapid volatilization of the cooling sensation agent 12 is suppressed, and the antibacterial properties are continuously exhibited even when time has passed since the start of wearing.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the functional area 10 may not include the second area 10b, and may be entirely composed of the first area 10a. In this case, for example, the entire core wrap sheet 8 may be composed of the first region 10a.
For example, the absorbent body 4 may not have the core wrap sheet 8 . In this case, the absorbent body 4 is formed by, for example, an absorbent core 7, and the antibacterial agent 11 and the cooling sensation agent 12 are arranged on the upper surface or the lower surface of the absorbent core 7 (absorbent body 4). The functional area 10 is the area containing the antibacterial agent 11 in the absorbent core 7 .
For example, when the absorbent core 7 has a layered structure of absorbent sheets, the functional region 10 may be included in at least part of the layer.
For example, the functional region 10 may be a region included in a member other than the absorbent body 4 such as a sublayer sheet, a leak-proof sheet, etc., which is arranged between the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3 .

In the above embodiments, sanitary napkins have been exemplified as absorbent articles, but the present invention is not limited to this. The absorbent article of the present invention may be, for example, a urine absorbing pad, a vaginal discharge sheet, a disposable diaper, or the like.

1... Absorbent article (sanitary napkin, napkin)
2 Topsheet 3 Backsheet 4 Absorber 10 Functional area 10a First area 10b Second area 11 Antibacterial agent 12 Cooling agent

Claims (7)

A liquid-permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorber arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a vertical direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer and a vertical direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and a thickness direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction,
a functional region comprising an antimicrobial agent and located between the topsheet and the backsheet;
The functional region has a first region further including a cooling agent arranged on the same plane as the antibacterial agent,
At least part of the antibacterial agent in the first region is covered with the cooling agent ,
The absorber includes the functional region,
The first region includes the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body and has a thickness in the thickness direction,
In the first region, the degree of coverage of the cooling agent with respect to the antibacterial agent is higher on the inner side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction than on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body.
absorbent article. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the functional area further has a second area that does not contain the cooling agent. The functional region is divided into a central portion in the horizontal direction and side portions adjacent to the central portion in the horizontal direction in a plan view,
The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content per unit area of the cooling agent in the central portion is higher than the content per unit area of the cooling agent in the side portion. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the first region, the content of the cooling agent per unit area is higher than the content of the antibacterial agent per unit area. The absorber is
an absorbent core;
and a core wrap sheet covering the absorbent core,
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the core wrap sheet includes the functional area. 6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the cooling agent has lower solubility in water than the antibacterial agent. the cooling agent is poorly water-soluble and an agonist for the TRPM8 receptor;
7. The absorbent article according to claim 6 , wherein said antimicrobial agent is water soluble.

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