JP7343993B2 - absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, absorbent articles include disposable diapers in the form of pad types, tape types, and pants types, as well as sanitary napkins, water-absorbing pads for light incontinence, and the like. Some of these absorbent articles have a structure on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent article as a means to effectively prevent excrement from leaking from the sides of the absorbent article (lateral leakage). Some have three-dimensional gathers that stand up on the skin side.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable diaper that includes a three-dimensional gather 15 that includes a base end that cannot stand up and a standing part 154 that can stand up on the skin side in the thickness direction using the base end as a fulcrum. There is. The base end portion includes a first base end portion 151 located at both outer edges of the upright portion 154 in the longitudinal direction, and a second base end portion 152 located at the outer edge of the upright portion 154 in the width direction. The upright portion 154 partially includes a joint portion 153 where the sheet materials are joined to each other and narrow the length of the upright portion in the width direction. In this configuration, since the joint portion 153 is arranged, the distance between the second base end portion 152 and the inner edge of the three-dimensional gathers 15 is shortened, and the elastic member 155 of the three-dimensional gathers 15 and the second base end portion 152 and It is described that the tension between the first base end portion 151 is easily maintained, and the three-dimensional gathers 15 are difficult to unfold outward in the width direction when worn (paragraphs 0005, 0014, etc.).

Patent No. 6411394

However, even in the disposable diaper disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the wearer lies on his side, the three-dimensional gathers standing up from the main body end up extending along a substantially horizontal direction (FIG. 5). Therefore, if liquid excrement is excreted rapidly, the excrement may migrate to the tip through the three-dimensional gathers, and even come out beyond the three-dimensional gathers, exerting a side leakage prevention function. It may not be possible. Further, in the disposable diaper disclosed in Patent Document 1, the height of the three-dimensional gathers is configured to be low by the joint portion 153 (the distance between the second base end portion 152 and the inner edge of the three-dimensional gathers 15 is short). In situations like this, where excrement flows through the three-dimensional gathers, the side leakage prevention function tends to deteriorate.

In view of the above points, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article provided with three-dimensional gathers having a high lateral leakage prevention function.

A first aspect of the present invention includes a main body including a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent body provided between the two sheets, and a three-dimensional gather that can stand up from the main body. An absorbent article comprising: a gather sheet disposed on both widthwise sides of the top sheet side of the main body; a first elastic member disposed on each side of at least one sheet material included in the gather sheet at a position away from the free end of the three-dimensional gather; A second elastic member is included.

According to the first aspect, since the elastic member is arranged at a position away from the free end of the three-dimensional gathers so as to contract the gather sheet along the front-rear direction, the gathers are is received. Here, since the position where the gathers are gathered and the rigidity is increased tends to be the base point for folding, in this aspect, the three-dimensional gathers are easily folded using the position where the elastic member is arranged as the base point. Thereby, when the gather sheets on both sides rise from the main body due to the contraction force of the elastic member, the free end side area of the three-dimensional gathers can be easily inclined inward in the width direction. Therefore, even if the wearer sleeps on his side (lateral decubitus position) and the excrement travels along the three-dimensional gathers in a substantially horizontal direction, the area on the free end side of the three-dimensional gathers cannot act as a wall. , side leakage can be prevented.

Furthermore, since the elastic members in this aspect are a first elastic member and a second elastic member respectively arranged on each side of at least one sheet material included in the gather sheet, contraction force is applied from both sides of the sheet material. This makes it easy to gather the sheet material and, by extension, the gather sheet. By being able to gather from both sides, it is possible to form a base point that is easy to bend and has further increased rigidity of the sheet material. Thereby, the above-mentioned effect of making it easier to incline the free end side region inward in the width direction is more reliably achieved.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the first elastic member and the second elastic member are located on an outer surface and an inner surface in the width direction of the sheet material, respectively, in an upright state of the three-dimensional gather, and the contraction of the second elastic member The force is greater than the contraction force of the first elastic member.

According to the second aspect, the contractile force of the second elastic member disposed on the inner surface in the width direction of the sheet material in the upright state of the three-dimensional gather is greater than the contractile force of the first elastic member disposed on the outer side in the width direction. Therefore, when the three-dimensional gather is erected, the inner surface in the width direction of the sheet material on which the elastic member is arranged will shrink more than the outer surface in the width direction. Therefore, the three-dimensional gathers as a whole become easily deformed so that the inner surface thereof faces the center of the main body (the center in the width direction and the front-rear direction). Therefore, the region on the free end side of the three-dimensional gather can be made more easily inclined inward in the width direction with respect to the region on the fixed end side.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the first elastic member and the second elastic member are located on the outside and inside of the three-dimensional gather, respectively, in the upright state, and the second elastic member is closer to the first elastic member. It is located near the fixed end.

In the third aspect, when the three-dimensional gathers are erected, the three-dimensional gathers first begin to bend at the position where the first elastic member, which is located closer to the free end, is located. At this time, on the inside of the three-dimensional gather in the width direction, the inner surface of the sheet material will contract locally at the folded position, but if the sheet material is subsequently bent significantly, the inner surface of the folded material will shrink. When the elastic member is arranged, the inner surface of the sheet material becomes difficult to deform, and large bending may become difficult. On the other hand, according to this aspect, the second elastic member disposed on the inner surface in the width direction of the sheet material in the upright state of the three-dimensional gather is arranged closer to the fixed end of the three-dimensional gather than the first elastic member. That is, since the position of the second elastic member disposed on the inner surface is shifted toward the fixed end side with respect to the position of the first elastic member, shrinkage and deformation of the inner surface in the width direction of the sheet material becomes easier. Therefore, the region on the free end side of the three-dimensional gathers can be made more easily inclined inward in the width direction.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the width of the region from the position where the first elastic member is disposed to the free end is 20 to 60% of the entire width of the three-dimensional gather.

According to the fourth aspect, the width of the region on the free end side of the three-dimensional gathers is a predetermined ratio to the width of the entire three-dimensional gathers. As a result, when the wearer sleeps on his/her side, leakage that may occur due to the transfer of excrement flowing through the three-dimensional gathers can be effectively prevented by the area on the free end side of the three-dimensional gathers, and the sufficient standing angle of the three-dimensional gathers can be prevented. can be secured.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the elastic member includes a third elastic member disposed at the free end of the three-dimensional gather.

According to the fifth aspect, since the elastic member is additionally arranged at the free end of the three-dimensional gather, the region on the free end side of the three-dimensional gather can be made more easily inclined inward in the width direction.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the gathered sheet is formed by at least partially stacking a plurality of sheet materials, and the first elastic member and the second elastic member are each sandwiched between the sheet materials, and the first elastic member and the second elastic member are each sandwiched between the sheet materials. The number of sheet materials stacked in the region from the position where the second elastic member is arranged to the fixed end is greater than the number of sheet materials stacked in the region from the position where the first elastic member is arranged to the free end. .

According to the sixth aspect, since both the first elastic member and the second elastic member are sandwiched between the sheet materials, both elastic members are protected. In addition, the number of sheets stacked in the area from the position where the second elastic member is placed to the fixed end is the number of sheets stacked in the area from the position where the first elastic member is placed to the free end. The thickness and rigidity of the region on the fixed end side are higher than those on the free end side. This makes it possible to stably maintain the shape of the region on the fixed end side of the standing three-dimensional gathers, while improving the flexibility of the region on the free end side that tends to come into contact with the skin.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that includes three-dimensional gathers that have a high lateral leak prevention function.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining three-dimensional gathers. It is a figure which shows the modification of three-dimensional gather. 1 is a diagram showing an absorbent article according to the prior art; FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic to help understand the invention.

(Basic structure of absorbent article body)
First, the basic structure of an absorbent article main body according to one embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on an example of a pad type disposable diaper (urinary pad).

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the absorbent article 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the absorbent article 1 is unfolded and stretched into a flat shape. Further, FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B schematically shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the absorbent article 1 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 12, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 11, and an absorbent material provided between both sheets 11 and 12. The main body 10 has a body 13. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the top sheet 12 side becomes the skin side, and the back sheet 11 side becomes the non-skin side that is fixed to an outer (outer diaper), underwear, etc.

The absorbent article main body 10 in this embodiment has a thick and flat shape. Moreover, the planar view shape is an elongated shape as a whole. That is, the main body 10 has a predetermined length in the y direction (front-back direction or longitudinal direction), and has a predetermined width smaller than the length in the x direction (width direction) orthogonal to the y direction. In this specification, the +y direction corresponds to the rear of the main body 10, that is, the direction toward the back side when worn, and the -y direction corresponds to the front of the absorbent article 1, that is, the direction toward the ventral side when worn. Corresponds to the direction. Further, the z direction is a thickness direction perpendicular to the x and y directions, the +z direction is the skin side, and the -z direction is the non-skin side.

In the illustrated form, the planar shapes of the absorbent article 1 and the main body 10 are symmetrical when viewed in FIG. It does not have to be a symmetrical shape. In addition, as described above, the shape of the absorbent article 1 and the main body 10 in plan view has a constant width in the front and back direction, even if it does not have a narrower part (constricted part) than the front and rear regions. It is also possible to take other shapes, such as a rectangular shape. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the structure of the absorbent article 1 other than the shape (the material, arrangement, etc. of each component) is also symmetrical, but the structure of the absorbent article 1 does not necessarily have to be line symmetrical. good.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 has a crotch corresponding region C near the center when viewed in the front-rear direction. In this specification, the "groin corresponding area" means a portion that corresponds to the wearer's crotch (crotch) when worn. The crotch corresponding region C may be, for example, a range from the front-back center of the absorbent article or its vicinity to a predetermined position in the front, or a predetermined range at the front-rear center of the absorbent article. In the illustrated example, the absorbent article 1 is formed with a constricted portion having a narrow width, and a part of the region where the constricted portion is formed corresponds to the crotch area. Further, the area adjacent to the front of the crotch corresponding area C and extending to the front end of the absorbent article 1 is a front area F, and the area adjacent to the rear of the crotch corresponding area C and extending to the rear end of the absorbent article 1 is a front area F. is the rear area B.

The total length (length in the front-to-back direction) of the absorbent article 1 can be approximately 350 to 700 mm, and the total width (length in the width direction) can be approximately 130 to 400 mm. In addition, the length of the groin corresponding area C in the front and back direction should be approximately 10 to 150 mm, the length of the front region F in the front and rear direction should be approximately 50 to 350 mm, and the length of the rear region B1 in the front and back direction should be approximately 50 to 350 mm. I can do it. Further, when the absorbent article 1 has a constricted portion, the minimum width thereof is preferably about 50 to 90% of the total width of the absorbent article 1 (length in the width direction before and after the constricted portion).

The size of the backsheet 11 is larger than the absorbent body 13 and may correspond to the size of the entire absorbent article 1. The absorbent body 13 can be placed within the range of the backsheet 11. As the liquid-impermeable backsheet 11, in addition to a polyethylene film, a sheet having moisture permeability without impairing water-blocking properties can be used in order to prevent stuffiness. This water-blocking and moisture-permeable sheet is a microporous sheet obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet in uniaxial or biaxial directions. Can be used. Note that the non-skin side surface of the backsheet 11 may be covered with an exterior sheet such as a nonwoven fabric.

The top sheet 12 only needs to cover at least the central region in the width direction of the absorbent article 1, and does not need to cover both end regions in the width direction of the absorbent body 13 as in the illustrated example, or may It may have a size that covers the entire area. When the top sheet 12 does not partially cover the absorbent core 13 as in the illustrated example, at the periphery of the absorbent core 13, the top sheet 12 overlaps and adheres to the back sheet 11, and the gathered sheet 40 (described in detail later) is overlapped and bonded to the back sheet 11 to form a portion.

As the top sheet 12, a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a perforated plastic sheet, or the like can be used. As the material fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric, in addition to synthetic fibers such as olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester-based fibers, and amide-based fibers, recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton can be used.

Note that an intermediate sheet may be interposed between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 13. By providing the intermediate sheet, it is possible to prevent body fluids absorbed by the absorber 13 from returning. Therefore, it is preferable to use a material with low water retention and high liquid permeability, such as various nonwoven fabrics, mesh films, etc., as the intermediate sheet.

The absorbent body 13 has a shape in plan view that has a constricted portion, similar to the shape of the entire absorbent article 1 in plan view. However, regardless of the plan view shape of the absorbent article 1, the absorbent body 13 may have a rectangular shape with a constant width in the front-rear direction without a constricted portion.

The material included in the absorbent body 13 may be a stack of pulp fibers, an aggregate of filaments such as cellulose acetate, a nonwoven fabric, etc., and if necessary, a superabsorbent polymer such as particles may be mixed, fixed, etc. You can use one made by: Further, it may contain superabsorbent polymer fibers, polymer particles other than superabsorbent polymer particles, inorganic particles, and the like.

The absorbent body 13 may consist of a single layer, or may consist of a laminate consisting of a plurality of layers. Moreover, it is preferable that the absorbent body 13 is wrapped in a packaging sheet such as nonwoven fabric or crepe paper. The use of a wrapping sheet is particularly preferred if the absorbent body 13 comprises particulate material such as polymer particles, which can contain spillage of material. When the absorbent body 13 consists of multiple layers, each absorbent layer may be wrapped in a packaging sheet, or the packaging sheet may be sandwiched between the layers. Further, the packaging sheet may be uncolored (ie, white) or colored. The color can be a color that can make the color of the discharged body fluid inconspicuous, for example, a color close to the color of the body fluid, or a color complementary to or close to the color of the body fluid.

(3D gathers)
The absorbent article 1 further includes a pair of three-dimensional gathers provided along the front-rear direction on both sides of the main body 10 in the width direction on the top sheet 12 side. The three-dimensional gathers refer to a stretchable wall-like portion that stands up in the thickness direction (+z direction) of the main body 10 and has gathers. The pair of three-dimensional gathers in this embodiment includes a pair of gather sheets 40, 40 arranged along the front-rear direction on both sides of the top sheet 12 in the width direction, and an elastic band arranged on each gather sheet 40 along the front-rear direction. member or an elastic contractile member. The three-dimensional gathers are configured to be erected by the contraction force of the elastic member. As the elastic member contracts in the front-rear direction, the three-dimensional gathers stand up, and the main body 10 provided with the three-dimensional gathers and the entire absorbent article 1 are also curved so that both ends in the front-rear direction are directed toward the skin side (+z direction). In other words, it can be deformed so that the central part in the front-rear direction protrudes toward the non-skin side (-z direction). FIG. 1 shows, as elastic members, a first elastic member 51 and a second elastic member 52 that overlap in a plan view, and a third elastic member that is spaced apart from and parallel to the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52. 53 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of gather sheets 40, 40 are provided on both sides of the skin side (top sheet 12 side) of the main body 10, that is, on both end areas in the width direction (x direction), in the front and back direction (y direction). located along. As shown in the figure, each gather sheet 40 is arranged from the front end to the rear end of the absorbent article 1 in the front-rear direction, but is preferably arranged at least in the crotch corresponding region C of the absorbent article 1.

As the sheet material constituting the gather sheet 40, a plastic sheet, a nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used. From the viewpoint of good feel to the skin, a nonwoven fabric treated with water repellent treatment using silicone or the like is preferably used.

The gather sheet 40 is overlapped on the skin side (top sheet 12 side) of the main body 10 and is partially fixed. More specifically, the gather sheet 40 is overlapped with the top sheet 12, the absorbent body 13 (packaging sheet if the absorbent body 13 is wrapped with a packaging sheet), or the back sheet 11 depending on the location, and is bonded. has been done. The gather sheet 40 and the main body 10 can be bonded, for example, using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like. In FIG. 1, the bonding areas between both gather sheets 40, 40 and the main body 10 are shown with diagonal lines. As shown in FIG. 1, the widthwise outer portion of each gather sheet 40 is adhered to the main body 10 in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the widthwise outer region Re of each gather sheet 40 is adhered to the main body 10 in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the inner region Ri in the width direction of each gather sheet 40 is bonded to the main body 10 at both ends in the front-rear direction, but not in the region between both ends (center in the front-rear direction). In this embodiment, the section where the width direction inner region Ri of the gather sheet 40 is bonded is called the fixed section S1, S1, and the section where it is not bonded is called the upright section S2. When the contraction force of the elastic member acts on each gather sheet 40, the standing section S2 stands up from the main body 10, forming a three-dimensional gather. Therefore, when the absorbent article 1 is stretched as shown in FIG. 1 (the elastic member is stretched), the three-dimensional gathers 48 hardly stand up (FIG. 2B). Note that, in FIG. 2B, illustrations of the elastic member, folding of the gather sheet, etc. are omitted.

The elastic member disposed on the gather sheet 40 may be made of an elastic material such as thread-like, string-like, band-like (tape-like) material. The elastic member is arranged in the manufacturing process of the absorbent article by fixing the stretched elastic member to the gather sheet 40 by gluing it with an adhesive, sewing it, etc., or by forming gathers on the gather sheet, and then fixing it to the gather sheet 40. This can be done by fixing the elastic member in a contracted state (no force is applied).

In manufacturing the absorbent article 1, the elastic member is placed on the gather sheet 40 in a stretched state. Therefore, in the contracted state (unstretched state) of the elastic member, the gather sheet 40 is contracted in the direction of contraction of the elastic member, and is in a gathered state. Note that instead of the above method, the elastic member in an unstretched state may be arranged in a gathered state on the gather sheet 40.

Examples of the elastic material constituting the elastic member include natural rubber or synthetic rubber, such as styrene rubber, olefin rubber, urethane rubber, ester rubber, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene-butadiene, silicone, and polyester.

Note that the length of one fixed section S1 in the front-back direction can be 5 to 30% of the length of the absorbent article 1 in the front-back direction. Further, the standing section S2 is at least a section within the crotch corresponding region C, and preferably can be a section including the crotch corresponding region C.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the contraction force of the elastic member in the absorbent article 1 acts and the three-dimensional gathers 48 stand up (the state when the absorbent article 1 is used). FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1, that is, a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2B, but shows the configuration of the three-dimensional gathers 48 more specifically than FIG. 2B. Further, in order to explain the configuration of the three-dimensional gathers 48, FIG. 3(b) shows a cross-sectional view of only the gather sheet 40 stretched flat.

In this embodiment, the gather sheet 40 is formed by partially folding back a sheet material. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the sheet material 41 extending inward from the outer end 40b in the width direction of the gather sheet 40 is located on the side facing the main body 10 on the inner side in the width direction (-z direction side). It is folded back once, and then folded back again to the side facing the main body 10 (the −z direction side) on the outside in the width direction. This forms a portion of the gather sheet 40 in which a plurality of sheet materials 41 are laminated. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the sheet material 41 extends inward from the outer end 40b in the width direction of the gathered sheet 40, and -z at the inner end 40a in the width direction of the gathered sheet 40. The sheet material layer 41a and the sheet material layer 41b are folded back in the direction to form a portion where the sheet material layer 41a and the sheet material layer 41b are overlapped. The sheet material layer (also simply referred to as a layer) 41b extends outward in the width direction, and forms the boundary between the inner region Ri in the width direction and the outer region Re in the width direction of the gather sheet 40 (the fixed end 48b of the three-dimensional gathers 48). The layer 41c is formed on the -z direction side of the layer 41b. In the illustrated form, the layer 41c extends to a position a predetermined distance from the widthwise inner end 40a of the gather sheet 40 (the position that becomes the free end 48a of the three-dimensional gathers 48).

In this way, the gather sheet 40 can have a partially single-layer structure and a partially multi-layer structure. In the illustrated form, the gather sheet 40 includes portions of a single layer, two layers, and three layers of sheet material 41, but there may be a portion where four or more layers of sheet materials are stacked. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, one sheet material 41 is folded back and the sheet materials 41 are stacked, but the gathered sheet 41 can be stacked by overlapping a plurality of sheet materials in whole or in part, without folding. can also be configured.

The portion of the gathered sheet 40 where the sheet materials 41 are laminated can have increased rigidity. Therefore, depending on the configuration of the gather sheet 40, a plurality of sheet materials can be partially overlapped and arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the three-dimensional gathers 48 has a first elastic member 51 and a second 2 elastic members 52. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the first elastic member 51 is sandwiched between the layer 41a and the layer 41b, and the second elastic member 52 is sandwiched between the layer 41b and the layer 41c. caught in between. Therefore, the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 are protected without being exposed to the outside.

Further, when focusing on one sheet material (layer 41b) in the gather sheet 40, the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 are arranged on each surface of the layer 41b, respectively. That is, the first elastic member 51 is arranged on the outer surface in the width direction of the layer 41b, and the second elastic member 52 is arranged on the inner surface in the width direction of the layer 41b in the standing state of the three-dimensional gathers 48.

In this embodiment, two elastic members are arranged on each side of one sheet material 41 (layer 41b), so that the elastic members act from both sides of layer 41b and exert a contractile force in the front-rear direction. This makes it easier to gather the layer 41b. This makes it easier to gather the entire gather sheet 40 and to form the gathers uniformly.

The location where the sheet is gathered and has increased rigidity is likely to become a point of origin for folding. The position where the gathers are most reliably gathered is the position where the elastic member is placed, so if the elastic member is placed along the front-back direction, the gathers will be gathered most reliably at the position where the elastic member is placed. This makes it easier to fold the gather sheet. In the illustrated form, the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 overlap in plan view, that is, are arranged at the same position in the width direction, so the three-dimensional gathers 48 It is easy to bend at the position where the elastic member 52 is arranged. Here, since the gather sheet 40 is bonded to the main body 10 at both ends (fixed sections S1, S1) in the front-rear direction (FIGS. 1 and 2A), when the three-dimensional gathers 48 are erected, the gathers in the erected section S2 are A force that is pulled inward in the width direction acts on the inner end 40a of the sheet 40 in the width direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the region 48A on the free end 48a side of the three-dimensional gathers 48 tends to be inclined inward in the width direction. In addition, since the ease of bending is improved compared to the case where only one elastic member is arranged, most of the force that is pulled inward in the width direction can be received by the free end side region 48A. The area 48B on the fixed end 48b side of the three-dimensional gathers 48 will not be pulled unnecessarily and the standing angle will not become small. That is, the inclination of the free end side region 48A of the three-dimensional gathers 48 does not prevent the three-dimensional gathers 48 from standing up.

Here, FIG. 5 shows an absorbent article 101 having a conventional configuration. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the wearer is lying on his side while wearing a conventional absorbent article 101, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the width direction at the position of the crotch corresponding part of the absorbent article 101. . FIG. 5 schematically shows a cross section of the body (legs LG and groin region BD) of the absorbent article wearer. As shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent article 101 includes a main body 110 including a top sheet 112, a back sheet 111, an absorbent body 113 disposed between these sheets 111 and 112, and a gathered sheet 140. have. When the wearer wears the device and sleeps sideways (in a lateral position), the three-dimensional gathers 148 that stand up from the main body 110 can be in a state where they extend substantially horizontally. Therefore, when liquid excrement is rapidly excreted, the excrement flows along the gather sheet 140, as shown by arrow U, and there is a possibility that solid objects may leak beyond the gathers 148. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the free end side area 48A of the three-dimensional gathers 48 can be tilted inward in the width direction, so that even when the wearer is lying on his/her side, the excreta can flow easily. A wall is formed (indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5) to prevent side leakage.

In this embodiment, the contractile force of the second elastic member 52 is preferably larger than the contractile force of the first elastic member 51. In the upright state of the three-dimensional gathers 48, the contractile force of the second elastic member 52 located on the inner surface in the width direction is larger than the contractile force of the first elastic member 51 located on the outer surface in the width direction, so that a larger contractile force is exerted on the layer 41b. It works on the inner surface in the width direction and can contract the inner surface in the width direction more than the outer surface. Therefore, both end portions of the three-dimensional gathers 48 in the front and back direction can be deformed so as to approach the center of the width direction of the main body 10. This makes it particularly easy to bring both ends of the three-dimensional gathers 48 closer to the main body 10 in the width direction, that is, tilting it inward in the width direction. It can be made easier.

In the upright state of the three-dimensional gathers 48, the angle formed by the free end region 48A and the fixed end region 48B after the free end region 48A is tilted can be 90 to 160°, preferably 100 to 140°. .

The contractile force of an elastic member is determined by the number, thickness, and material of the elastic materials that make up the elastic member, as well as the elongation rate or tension when arranging the elastic member during the manufacturing process (the length in the contracted state is assumed to be 100%). This can be changed by changing one or more of the length of the case (as placed). Therefore, for example, by making the elongation rate of the second elastic member 52 larger than the elongation rate of the first elastic member 51, it becomes easier to incline the free end side region 48A inward in the width direction with respect to the fixed end side region 48B. It is possible to improve the effect of

The elongation rate of the first elastic member 51 is preferably 120 to 300%, more preferably 140 to 250%. The elongation rate of the second elastic member 52 is preferably 120 to 300%, more preferably 140 to 250%. By setting the elongation rate within the above range, the three-dimensional gathers 48 can be made to stand up reliably, the free end side region 48A can be appropriately inclined inward in the width direction, and the entire absorbent article 1 can be prevented from being too curved.

Further, the ratio of the elongation rate of the second elastic member to the elongation rate of the first elastic member 51 ((elongation rate of the second elastic member)/(elongation rate of the first elastic member 51)) is 1.2 to It is preferably 2.5, and more preferably 1.5 to 2.0. By setting the ratio of the elongation rate of the second elastic member to the elongation rate of the first elastic member 51 within the above range, the free end side region 48A of the three-dimensional gathers 48 can be inclined inward in the width direction at an appropriate angle. I can do it.

The thickness of the second elastic member 52 is preferably larger than the thickness of the first elastic member 51. The thickness of the first elastic member 51 is preferably 310 to 1240 dtex, more preferably 470 to 620 dtex. The thickness of the second elastic member 52 is preferably 310 to 1240 dtex, more preferably 620 to 940 dtex. The value of the ratio of the thickness of the second elastic member to the thickness of the first elastic member 51 ((thickness of the second elastic member)/(thickness of the first elastic member 51)) is 1.2 to 2. It is preferably 0, and more preferably 1.3 to 1.6.

In this embodiment, the width of the free end side region 48A of the three-dimensional gathers 48 that falls inward in the width direction (the length of the gather sheet in the width direction (x direction) when the gather sheet 40 is stretched), that is, from the free end 48a The length of the three-dimensional gathers 48 to the bending position is preferably 20 to 60% of the width of the three-dimensional gathers 48 as a whole. When the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 are arranged at the same distance from the free end 48a, the bending position is such that the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 are arranged at the same distance. position. Further, when either the first elastic member 51 or the second elastic member 52 is arranged closer to the free end 48a in the width direction of the gather sheet 40, the elastic member closer to the free end 48a is arranged. It can be a position where

As described above, the gather sheet 40 in this embodiment is formed by partially overlapping sheet materials 41. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the free end side region 48A of the gather sheet 40 constituting the three-dimensional gathers 48 is formed from two layers in which sheet material layers 41a and 41b are overlapped. The fixed end side region 48B includes a three-layer structure in which sheet material layers 41a, 41b, and 41c are stacked one on top of the other. In this way, the number of overlapping layers (number of sheets) of the sheet materials 41 constituting the gather sheet 40 is increased in the fixed end side region 48B, so that the rigidity of the fixed end side region 48A can be made higher. can. Therefore, when the three-dimensional gathers 48 are in an upright state, the shape of the fixed end region 48B, which is the base of the three-dimensional gathers 48, can be stably maintained, while the flexibility of the free end region 48A, which is likely to come into contact with the wearer's skin, can be increased. I can do it.

In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in addition to the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52, the free end 48 of the three-dimensional gathers 48 (the inner end 40a of the gather sheet 40 in the width direction) is additionally provided with a A third elastic member 53 is arranged along. In the illustrated form, the third elastic member 53 is arranged at the folding position of the sheet material 41 at the inner end 40a in the width direction of the gathered sheet 40, but it can also be arranged at a position a predetermined distance away from the folding position. . However, the predetermined distance is preferably 50% or less of the width of the free end region 48A within the free end region 48A that is bent inward in the width direction.

The same material as described for the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 can be used for the third elastic member 53. The contractile force of the third elastic member 53 is preferably smaller than the contractile force of the first elastic member 51 and the contractile force of the second elastic member 52, whichever is smaller. Further, the elongation rate of the third elastic member 53 is preferably smaller than the elongation rate of the first elastic member 51 and the elongation rate of the second elastic member 52, whichever is smaller.

The elongation rate of the third elastic member 53 is preferably 120 to 300%, more preferably 140 to 250%. The ratio of the elongation rate of the third elastic member 53 to the smaller one of the elongation rate of the first elastic member 51 and the elongation rate of the second elastic member 52 can be set to 1.0 to 1.5. The thickness of the third elastic member 53 is preferably 310 to 1240 dtex, more preferably 470 to 940 dtex.

(Variation example of three-dimensional gathers)
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the three-dimensional gathers 48 in the absorbent article 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the three-dimensional gathers 48 are erected by the contraction force of the elastic member in the absorbent article 1 (the state when the absorbent article 1 is used). Moreover, in order to explain the structure of the gather sheet 40, FIG. 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view of only the gather sheet 40 stretched flat. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively.

Also in the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 are arranged on both sides of the sheet material layer 41b of the gather sheet 40, respectively. However, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the position of the first elastic member 51 and the position of the second elastic member 52 do not overlap in plan view. More specifically, the second elastic member 52 is arranged closer to the fixed end 48b of the three-dimensional gathers 48 than the first elastic member 51 is.

When the three-dimensional gathers 48 stand up, when a force is applied to the free end 48a of the three-dimensional gathers 48 inward in the width direction, the three-dimensional gathers 48 moves to the position where the first elastic member 51 is located near the free end 48a. It starts to bend from the base point. Here, if an attempt is made to bend the three-dimensional gathers 48 even further, the members arranged on the inner surface of the sheet material may prevent the inner surface of the sheet material from shrinking and deforming, and may even become a hindrance to bending. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), if the second elastic member 52 is shifted from the position of the first elastic member 51 toward the fixed end 48b, the sheet is The inner surface of the material layer 41b is easily contracted and deformed, and the region 48A on the free end 48a side of the three-dimensional gathers 48 can be more easily tilted inward in the width direction.

In plan view, the positional deviation between the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 may be 0.5 to 2 mm in the width direction. According to this embodiment, contraction force acts on both sides of the sheet material, making it easier to gather the sheet material at a predetermined position, and making it possible to bend the free end side region 48A largely.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described above using a pad type disposable diaper as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific form. For example, the above-described embodiments can be applied to disposable diapers of other forms than the pad type, such as tape type and pants type, sanitary napkins, light incontinence pads, and the like.

1 Absorbent article 10 Absorbent article main body 11 Back sheet 12 Top sheet 13 Absorber 40 Gathered sheet 40a Inner end in the width direction of the gathered sheet 40b Outer end in the width direction of the gathered sheet 41 Sheet materials 41a, 41b, 41c Sheet material layer 48 Solid Gathers 48a Free end 48A of three-dimensional gathers Free end region 48b of three-dimensional gathers Fixed end 48B of three-dimensional gathers Fixed end region 51 of three-dimensional gathers First elastic member 52 Second elastic member 53 Third elastic member B Back region C Corresponding to the crotch Region F Front region Re Widthwise outer region Ri of the gathered sheet Widthwise inner region S1 of the gathered sheet Fixed section S2 Standing section

Claims (6)

A main body including a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body provided between the top sheet and the back sheet ;
An absorbent article comprising three-dimensional gathers that can stand up from the main body,
The three-dimensional gathers include a gather sheet disposed on both widthwise sides of the top sheet side of the main body, and a string-like elastic member disposed so as to contract the gather sheet along the front-rear direction,
The elastic member includes a first elastic member and a second elastic member respectively disposed on each side of at least one sheet material included in the gather sheet at a position away from the free end of the three-dimensional gathers,
The absorbent article wherein the sheet material is not folded at any position apart from the fixed end and the free end of the three-dimensional gather. A main body including a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body provided between the top sheet and the back sheet ;
An absorbent article comprising three-dimensional gathers that can stand up from the main body,
The three-dimensional gathers include a gather sheet disposed on both widthwise sides of the top sheet side of the main body, and an elastic member disposed so as to contract the gather sheet along the front-rear direction,
The elastic member includes a first elastic member and a second elastic member respectively disposed on each side of at least one sheet material included in the gather sheet at a position away from the free end of the three-dimensional gathers,
The first elastic member and the second elastic member are respectively located on the outer surface and inner surface in the width direction of the sheet material in the upright state of the three-dimensional gather,
The absorbent article wherein the contractile force of the second elastic member is greater than the contractile force of the first elastic member. A main body including a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body provided between the top sheet and the back sheet ;
An absorbent article comprising three-dimensional gathers that can stand up from the main body,
The three-dimensional gathers include a gather sheet disposed on both widthwise sides of the top sheet side of the main body, and an elastic member disposed so as to contract the gather sheet along the front-rear direction,
The elastic member includes a first elastic member and a second elastic member respectively disposed on each side of at least one sheet material included in the gather sheet at a position away from the free end of the three-dimensional gathers,
The gathered sheet is at least partially formed by overlapping a plurality of sheet materials,
The first elastic member and the second elastic member are each sandwiched between the sheet materials,
The number of sheet materials stacked in the region from the position where the second elastic member is arranged to the fixed end is the number of sheet materials stacked in the region from the position where the first elastic member is arranged to the free end. More absorbent articles. The first elastic member and the second elastic member are respectively located on the outer surface and inner surface in the width direction of the sheet material in the upright state of the three-dimensional gather,
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second elastic member is disposed closer to the fixed end than the first elastic member. According to any one of claims 1 to 4, the width of the region from the position where the first elastic member is arranged to the free end is 20 to 60% of the overall width of the three-dimensional gather. absorbent articles. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic member includes a third elastic member disposed at the free end of the three-dimensional gather.

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