JP7385468B2 - absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

In conventional absorbent articles, a technique using three-dimensional gathers has been proposed to prevent side leakage of body fluids such as urine and feces. In particular, regarding prevention of leakage to the outside, the following various techniques have been disclosed.

Patent Document 1 describes an absorbent article having barrier cuffs for the waist, in which the barrier sheets are doubled to form the barrier cuffs, and near the distal edge and near the proximal edge in the longitudinal direction between the barrier sheets, A structure is disclosed in which each elastic stretch member is provided. It is stated that this structure prevents leakage at the waist even when the auxiliary pad is stacked on the skin side of the absorbent article.

Patent Document 2 discloses a space that is surrounded by an absorbent body, a gathered sheet, a liquid-impermeable film material, and a surface sheet, and has a generally triangular cross-sectional shape in which bodily fluids such as loose stools can be temporarily stored, and has a space portion that is surrounded by an absorbent body, a gathered sheet, a liquid-impermeable film material, and a surface sheet, and has a generally triangular cross-sectional shape in which body fluids such as loose stool can be temporarily stored. An absorbent article is disclosed in which the absorbent material is temporarily stored in the space and then absorbed by the absorbent body. It is stated that this configuration reduces leakage of body fluids, particularly loose stools.

Patent Document 3 discloses that in two pairs of absorbent articles, first three-dimensional gathers made of a liquid-impermeable sheet and second three-dimensional gathers are provided on the outside of the first three-dimensional gathers made of a liquid-impermeable sheet along both longitudinal edges of the absorbent body. A structure is disclosed in which a gap is provided between the upright points in the width direction of both three-dimensional gathers, and a liquid-permeable topsheet is exposed in the region between the upright points. With this structure, body fluids that are dammed up by the second three-dimensional gathers beyond the first three-dimensional gathers on the inside can be absorbed into the inner absorbent body from the surface sheet of the exposed area, preventing leakage. It is also described that the collection property to the absorber is improved.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-293032 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-143874 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-206108

However, conventional absorbent articles still have the problem that it is difficult to reliably prevent leakage when a large amount of urine or soft stool is excreted at once.

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that can easily absorb urine and loose stool excreted in large quantities and prevent leakage.

As a result of repeated research to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has discovered that a highly absorbent material that extends in the longitudinal direction on the outside or inside in the width direction of the first three-dimensional gathers formed along both longitudinal edges of the absorbent body, A second three-dimensional gather including a superabsorbent sheet, which is a predetermined composite nonwoven fabric supporting a super absorbent polymer (hereinafter also referred to as "SAP"), is provided, and a second three-dimensional gather near the free end of the second three-dimensional gather is provided. The inventors have discovered that a desired absorbent article can be obtained by providing a folded portion by folding back a superabsorbent sheet, and have completed the present invention. The present invention provides the following absorbent articles (1) and (2) as preferred embodiments.

(1) An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent article comprising: A pair of first three-dimensional gathers that are provided along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the article in the width direction and include a water-repellent and/or waterproof sheet; a pair of second three-dimensional gathers provided along the direction and including a superabsorbent sheet, the superabsorbent sheet comprising a composite nonwoven fabric and a superabsorbent polymer supported on the composite nonwoven fabric. and an elastic stretchable member disposed at one end in the width direction, and the composite nonwoven fabric includes a spunbond nonwoven fabric and pulp fibers integrated on at least one surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric. a web, the second three-dimensional gather has a pair of upright free ends extending in the longitudinal direction on the top sheet side surface of the absorbent article, and the tip of the upright free end and its vicinity An absorbent article, further comprising a folded part in which the superabsorbent sheet is folded back with the surface of the pulp fiber web facing inside.
(2) The above-mentioned (1), wherein the superabsorbent sheet supports a superabsorbent polymer between the spunbond nonwoven fabric and the pulp fiber web in the composite nonwoven fabric and/or on the surface of the pulp fiber web. absorbent articles.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can easily absorb large amounts of excreted urine and loose stools and prevent leakage.

1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line X ₁ -X ₁ of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a folded portion of a superabsorbent sheet included in the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1. FIG. (a) shows the state before body fluid absorption, and (b) shows the state after body fluid absorption.

Hereinafter, the absorbent article 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an absorbent article 1 according to the first embodiment as a schematic plan view seen from the top sheet 10 side. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the astringent article 1 taken along the line X ₁ -X ₁ . FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the folded portion 22 of the superabsorbent sheet 30, in which (a) shows the state before body fluid absorption, and (b) shows the state after body fluid absorption. In each figure, each component is depicted as being in close contact with each other, but there may be one or more gaps between at least one of the components. Moreover, each figure does not define the magnitude relationship of the dimensions of each component of the absorbent articles 1 and 2 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

In this specification, the term "wearing the absorbent article 1" refers to a state in which the absorbent article 1 is worn on the body, regardless of whether before or after absorbing bodily fluids. The absorbent article 1 is usually worn on the body inside clothing, but it may be worn on the body so that at least a portion thereof is exposed to the outside. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 is a direction extending from the front and back of the wearer's body through the crotch region when the absorbent article 1 is worn, and is indicated by the symbol Y in the figure. The width direction of the absorbent article 1 is a direction (width direction) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is indicated by the symbol X in the figure. The thickness direction of the absorbent article 1 is the lamination direction of each component such as the top sheet 10, the absorbent core 11, and the back sheet 12, and is indicated by the symbol Z in the figure. In addition, among both the front and back surfaces of the absorbent article 1 and each component, the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin or faces the wearer's skin when worn is the skin side, and the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's clothes when worn or the side that faces the wearer's skin. The side facing the clothing is the non-skin side. Body fluids refer to fluids discharged from the body, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

Examples of the absorbent article 1 include, but are not limited to, light incontinence pads, pants-type disposable diapers, tape-fastened diapers, etc., regardless of whether they are for babies or adults. You can. Moreover, various paper diapers as an outer and the absorbent article 1 as an inner can be used in combination. The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment can be particularly suitably used as a disposable paper diaper or the like. The longitudinal and widthwise dimensions of the absorbent article 1 are not particularly limited, but are, for example, in the range of 100 mm or more and 800 mm or less, and in the range of 50 mm or more and 500 mm or less, respectively. By adjusting the dimensions of the absorbent article 1 within the above range, it can be used for various purposes.

[Absorbent article]
The absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 10 located on the skin side when worn, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 located on the non-skin side when worn, and a top sheet. 10 and a backsheet 12, an absorbent body 11, first three-dimensional gathers 13, and second three-dimensional gathers 14 are provided. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the second three-dimensional gathers 14 includes a composite nonwoven fabric 15, a superabsorbent polymer 32 supported on the composite nonwoven fabric 15, and a structure extending in the longitudinal direction around the tip 14a. The superabsorbent sheet 30 includes an elastic stretchable member 31 disposed in the superabsorbent sheet 30. Further, the composite nonwoven fabric 15 includes a spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and a pulp fiber web 21 that is integrated with at least one surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and includes pulp fibers.

In this embodiment, the free end 14a of the second three-dimensional gathers 14 and its surroundings have a folded part 22 which is folded back toward the rear end with the surface of the pulp fiber web 21 of the superabsorbent sheet 30 facing inside. . In a composite nonwoven fabric 15 in which a pulp fiber web 21 is laminated and integrated on a spunbond nonwoven fabric 20, a relatively minute recess (not shown) is formed on the surface of the pulp fiber web 21, and a highly absorbent material is formed in the recess. This makes it easier for the polymer 32 to be supported. Therefore, the superabsorbent polymer 32 is held inside the folded portion 22 without falling off, and displacement and movement of the superabsorbent polymer 32 is suppressed. Although not shown in FIG. 3 to emphasize the presence of the elastic stretchable member 31, the superabsorbent polymer 32 is also supported on the surface of the pulp fiber web 21 around the folded portion 22. According to the research conducted by the present inventor, it has become clear that such a folded portion 22 has a particularly high ability to absorb loose stools and the like. The area fixed to the skin side of the second three-dimensional gathers 14 has one layer of pulp fiber web 21 carrying the superabsorbent polymer 32, whereas the area fixed to the skin side is the free end 14a of the second three-dimensional gathers 14 and its surrounding area. There are two layers of pulp fiber web 21 around the folded part 22 provided at the top, and the most distal part has the highest number of superabsorbent polymers 32 in the horizontal direction. The superabsorbent sheet 30 swells in a substantially T-shape when viewed in cross section, and exhibits a side leakage prevention effect. In other words, the second three-dimensional gathers 14 after swelling becomes thicker in cross-sectional view as it goes in the upright direction (Z direction) from the skin side to the free-standing end 14a, and has an inwardly curved shape. Therefore, the body fluid is pushed back inward in the width direction by the second three-dimensional gathers 14. Therefore, by arranging the second three-dimensional gathers 14 including the superabsorbent sheet 30 and having the folded portion 22 on the outside or inside of the first three-dimensional gathers 13 in the width direction, the first three-dimensional gathers 13 can be It is possible to reliably prevent body fluids such as urine and loose stools from leaking in the width direction (lateral leakage), which could not be prevented with other methods, and it is possible to quickly absorb and retain body fluids from the top sheet in the thickness direction. Become. As a result, even when a large amount of body fluid such as urine or loose stool is discharged from the absorbent article 1 as a whole, leakage, especially side leakage, can be reliably prevented. In addition, by configuring the folded part 22 to have a space, the swollen superabsorbent polymer 32 after absorbing bodily fluids forms a gel blocking wall within the folded part 22, so that the absorbent article 1 Lateral leakage in the width direction can be more reliably prevented.

Hereinafter, each sheet-like or plate-like component will be explained in detail in the order of the top sheet 10, the absorbent body 11, the first three-dimensional gathers 13, and the second three-dimensional gathers 14. Note that each component may have a three-dimensional shape other than sheet-like or plate-like.

(Top sheet)
The topsheet 10 is composed of a base material having liquid permeability such that body fluids can pass through the topsheet 10 and move to the absorbent body 11. Liquid permeable substrates for the top sheet include, for example, nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal bond nonwoven fabrics, and spunbond nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics made by laminating the same or different types of nonwoven fabrics such as thermal bond/spunbond fabrics, urethane foam, and polyethylene. Examples include foamed films made of foam and the like, and composite sheets that are laminates of two or more of these. Among these, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as thermal bond nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, thermal bond/spunbond composite nonwoven fabrics, etc. is preferred.

The surface of the top sheet 10 may be embossed or perforated, for example, in order to improve liquid permeability. Embossing and perforation can be carried out using known methods without any limitations. Further, in order to reduce irritation to the skin, the top sheet 10 may contain a lotion, an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory component, a pH adjuster, an antibacterial agent, a humectant, and the like.

The basis weight of the top sheet 10 of this embodiment is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of strength, workability, and liquid return amount, it is preferably 15 g/m ² or more and 200 g/m ² or less, more preferably 18 g/m ² or more and 40 g / ^m2 or less. The shape of the top sheet 10 is not particularly limited, but may be any shape that covers the absorbent body 11 and is required to guide body fluids to the absorbent body 11 without leakage.

(Absorber)
The absorbent body 11 arranged between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 12 contains absorbent fibers as a base material and super absorbent polymer (SAP). Absorbent fibers are not particularly limited as long as they are generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, and incontinence pads; examples include fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic fibers. Examples include synthetic nonwoven fabrics. Among these, it is preferable to use fluff pulp from the viewpoint of absorbency. Examples of such fluff pulp include those obtained by defibrating wood pulp, synthetic fibers, polymer fibers, non-wood pulp, etc. into fluff. The basis weight of the absorbent fibers of the absorbent body 11 is preferably 50 g/m ² or more and 800 g/m ² or less from the viewpoint of not impairing absorption performance and texture.

The superabsorbent polymer (SAP) used in the absorbent body 11 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb and retain body fluids and prevent backflow, such as polyacrylates, polyaspartates, ( Examples include starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof. Among these, from the viewpoint of absorption per weight, polyacrylates are preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is more preferred. One type of superabsorbent polymer can be used alone or two or more types can be used in combination. The amount of SAP in the absorber 11 is preferably set to a basis weight of 10 g/m ² or more and 500 g/m ² or less, and the content is 15% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, so as not to impair absorption performance and texture. is preferred.

The form of the absorbent fibers and SAP in the absorbent body 11 is preferably in the form of a laminated mat formed by mixing SAP particles in the absorbent fibers. It is also possible to use SAP formed into fiber form. Furthermore, for the purpose of preventing leakage of SAP particles and stabilizing the shape of the absorbent body 11, it is preferable to wrap the absorbent body 11 in a carrier sheet. The base material of the carrier sheet may be any material as long as it has hydrophilic properties, and examples thereof include tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as air-laid nonwoven fabrics. When a plurality of carrier sheets are provided, the base materials of the carrier sheets may be the same or different.

The absorbent body 11 may be composed of two or more absorbent layers, for example, an upper absorbent layer and a lower absorbent layer may be laminated. In this case, the longitudinal and widthwise dimensions of the upper absorbent core and the lower absorbent core may be such that the upper absorbent core may be larger than the lower absorbent core, and the upper absorbent core may have the same dimensions as the lower absorbent core. Alternatively, the dimensions of the upper absorbent core may be smaller than those of the lower absorbent core.

(back seat)
The backsheet 12 is made of an air-permeable or non-air-permeable liquid-impermeable base material that prevents body fluids held by the absorber 11 from wetting clothing or adhering to the skin surface. Examples of the backsheet base material include a resin film, a composite sheet that is a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric, and the like. Examples of the resin film include films made of synthetic resins such as polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, and polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene. The manufacturing method of the nonwoven fabric used in the composite sheet is not particularly limited, and examples include spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, composite nonwoven fabric that is a laminate of spunbond nonwoven fabric and meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, and spunbond nonwoven fabric. Examples include composite nonwoven fabrics that are laminates with. Among these, breathable, non-air permeable, and liquid-impermeable plastic films are preferred from the viewpoint of preventing lateral leakage of body fluids.

The basis weight of the backsheet 12 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of strength and workability, it is preferably 15 g/m ² or more and 40 g/m ² or less. Further, in order to prevent stuffiness when worn, the back sheet 12 is preferably provided with breathability. The method of imparting air permeability to the backsheet 12 is not particularly limited and any known method can be adopted, but for example, a method of making a resin film, which is the base material for the backsheet, porous, a method of embossing the base material of the backsheet, etc. Examples include methods of applying An example of a method for making a resin film porous is a method in which a resin is made to contain a filler to form a film, and the filler is removed from the obtained film. Examples of fillers include inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate.

(first three-dimensional gather)
The first three-dimensional gathers 13 are provided, for example, to prevent side leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the user of the absorbent article 1. The first three-dimensional gathers 13 of this embodiment are provided around both ends in the width direction along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1, and one end in the width direction is provided around both ends in the width direction of the skin side of the backsheet 12. The middle part in the width direction is fixed near both ends in the width direction of the skin side of the top sheet 10, and the other end in the width direction is a bendable upright free end 13a. The fixing position of the first three-dimensional gathers 13 is not limited to this embodiment, and for example, along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1, at both widthwise ends of the top sheet 10, and at the widthwise side of the non-skin side of the backsheet 12. It may be configured as a pair of bendable members extending outward in the width direction from both ends or the like.

The first three-dimensional gathers 13 may include, for example, a three-dimensional gathers sheet (not shown) and an elastic elastic member (not shown) disposed along the longitudinal direction around the widthwise end of the three-dimensional gathers sheet. can be mentioned. By arranging the elastic stretchable members as described above, the free end 13a of the first three-dimensional gathers 13 can be given erectability and can be configured to be deformable according to the wearer's body shape. The three-dimensional gather sheet may be a water-repellent and/or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers, such as spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric/spunbond nonwoven fabric. Examples include laminated composite nonwoven fabrics (SMS nonwoven fabrics). As the elastic member for the three-dimensional gathers, for example, thread-like, string-like, or band-like materials made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc. can be used as appropriate. The basis weight of the first three-dimensional gathers 13 is, for example, 10 g/m ² to 100 g/m ² .

(Second three-dimensional gather)
The second three-dimensional gathers 14 includes a superabsorbent sheet 30, is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1, and has one end in the width direction outside the first three-dimensional gathers 13 in the width direction. It is fixed to the skin side surface, and the other end in the width direction becomes the upright free end 14a, and the free end 14a and its surroundings have a fixed end side (rear end) with the surface of the pulp fiber web 21 of the superabsorbent sheet 30 inside. ) has a folded part 22 folded back. In the present embodiment, the folded portion 22 has a closed space 40 which is an internal space, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the facing surfaces of the pulp fiber webs 21 may be partially or entirely in close contact with each other. good. The fixing position (or attachment position) of the second three-dimensional gathers 14 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the fixing position at one end in the width direction may be the non-skin side of the back sheet 12, the top sheet 10 and the back sheet. Examples include the area around the widthwise end of the bag 12 and the widthwise end of the skin side of the top sheet 10. Further, in the present embodiment, the second three-dimensional gathers 14 are provided on the outside in the width direction of the first three-dimensional gathers 13, but the second three-dimensional gathers 14 are provided on the inside in the width direction of the first three-dimensional gathers 13. Therefore, the same effect as this embodiment can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the superabsorbent sheet 30 includes a composite nonwoven fabric 15, an elastic elastic member 31 disposed near the free end 14a, and a high absorbent material supported on the surface and/or inside of the composite nonwoven fabric 15. an absorbent polymer 32. The composite nonwoven fabric 15 can quickly absorb body fluids such as urine and loose stool, and the superabsorbent polymer 32 supported on the composite nonwoven fabric 15 is in contact with and adjacent to the hydrophilic pulp fibers, temporarily absorbing them into the pulp fibers. It has a high body fluid absorption capacity by efficiently absorbing the retained water, and the superabsorbent polymer 32 that comes into contact with the composite nonwoven fabric 15 efficiently absorbs and retains the body fluid collected by the composite nonwoven fabric 15. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3(b), in the folded part 22, the swollen superabsorbent polymer 32 after absorbing body fluid can form a gel blocking wall, so the more it absorbs, the more the second three-dimensional gathers is more leak proof. In addition, since the swollen superabsorbent polymer 32 is easily maintained in the concave portions of the uneven surface of the pulp fiber web 21, even after absorption of body fluid, it moves from the upright free end 14a side of the second three-dimensional gather 14 to the fixed end side. Displacement and movement are reduced, and a stable wall of the superabsorbent polymer 32 can be formed. Therefore, even if body fluid reaches the vicinity of the second three-dimensional gathers 14, leakage of the body fluid to the widthwise outer side of the second three-dimensional gathers 14 (lateral leakage of body fluid) can be almost certainly prevented. Incidentally, sheets that are folded back at the folded portion and facing each other may be bonded together using an adhesive, but it is preferable that the amount is such that it does not impair absorbency. In addition, the first and second three-dimensional gathers 13 and 14 are joined together in a grid pattern extending in the thickness direction or horizontal direction using existing techniques such as ultrasonic or heat sealing, and joints are provided within the grid pattern. It is also possible to provide small sections without any. By doing so, the superabsorbent polymer that falls from the upright free end 14a side to the fixed end side due to a strong impact when worn can be held in that position.

In this embodiment, body fluid leaking sideways from the first three-dimensional gathers 13 is absorbed and retained by the second three-dimensional gathers 14 located outside the first three-dimensional gathers 13. On the other hand, around the free end 14a of the second three-dimensional gathers 14, body fluid that has leaked laterally as well as body fluid that has returned from the top sheet 10 is likely to leak. Returning body fluids can also contribute to side leakage. On the other hand, a part of the free end 14a of the second three-dimensional gather 14 has a folded part 22 which is folded back with the surface of the pulp fiber web 21 carrying the superabsorbent polymer 32 facing inside. Therefore, the amount of the superabsorbent polymer 32 can be set to a large value while preventing the superabsorbent polymer 32 from moving or shifting, regardless of whether before or after body fluid is absorbed. Thereby, even bodily fluids that leak from around the free end 13a and are difficult to absorb can be absorbed and retained relatively easily. In this way, by providing a double side leakage prevention mechanism, side leakage can be almost certainly prevented.

The composite nonwoven fabric 15 of this embodiment is an integrated product of a spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and a pulp fiber web 21. Here, when the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and the pulp fiber web 21 are integrated, specifically, in normal use, pulp fibers mainly contained in the pulp fiber web 21 are easily separated from the composite nonwoven fabric 15. This means that it will not fall off. Particularly when the pulp fibers are hydroentangled with the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 by a water jet, it is very difficult for the pulp fibers to fall off from the composite nonwoven fabric 15. In a preferred embodiment of the integrated product, for example, on one surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20, some of the fibers that make up the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and some of the pulp fibers that make up the pulp fiber web 21 are intertwined with each other. An example is a configuration in which the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and the pulp fiber web 21 are firmly adhered to each other, and a portion of the pulp fibers penetrate the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 in the thickness direction and are exposed on the other side of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20. Such an integrated product can be obtained, for example, by a hydroentangling method.

As the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 included in the composite nonwoven fabric 15, a nonwoven fabric produced by a spunbond method, a melt blow method, a flash spinning method, etc. can be used without particular limitation. Synthetic resins such as , nylon (trade name), vinylon, polyester, acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene can be preferably used. The spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 is made using synthetic resin fibers made of these materials, and may contain a plurality of synthetic resin fibers. The basis weight of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of tensile strength and soft touch, it is 7 g/m ² or more and 20 g/m ² or less.

As the pulp fiber web 21, a nonwoven fabric mainly composed of pulp fibers can be used without particular limitation, and the pulp fiber web 21 may also be formed by spraying pulp fibers onto the surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 by a hydroentangling method. The pulp fiber used here is not particularly limited, but preferably bleached kraft pulp (NBKP) of softwood such as radiata pine, slash pine, southern pine, lodgepole pine, spruce, and Douglas fir. NBKP can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The basis weight of the pulp fiber web is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30 g/m ² or more and 70 g/m ² or less, for example, from the viewpoint of uniformity, feel, absorbency, etc.

The weight composition ratio of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and the pulp fiber web 21 in the composite nonwoven fabric 15 is, for example, (weight of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20/weight of the pulp fiber web 21) from the viewpoint of absorbency and diffusibility of body fluids. ) is 40/60% by weight or more and 10/90% by weight or less. By setting it as this range, the support of the pulp fiber web 21 by the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and the absorbency of the pulp fiber web 21 are compatible at a high level in a well-balanced manner, and it is effective in preventing side leakage of body fluids.

Regarding the composite nonwoven fabric 15, in a tensile strength test using Tensilon, the force (tensile strength) required to extend a test piece formed to a width of 25 mm by 2 mm in the longitudinal direction is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.5 N/ It is 25 mm or more and 5.0 N/25 mm or less.

The composite nonwoven fabric 15 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a step of laminating and integrating a spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and a pulp fiber web 21, and pressing the obtained laminate using a roll or the like as necessary. and/or a heating process. Furthermore, the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and the pulp fiber web 21 may be integrated using an adhesive or by sewing. Further, the composite nonwoven fabric 15 can also be obtained by a manufacturing method including a water jet entangling step in which the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 is injected with a water jet (water stream) and pulp fibers constituting the pulp fiber web. The composite nonwoven fabric 15 may be embossed.

Among the above-mentioned manufacturing methods, a method using a hydroentangling method is preferable from the viewpoint of achieving both softness in appearance and feel and strength. In the hydroentangling process, from the viewpoint of balance between appearance, softness of touch, and efficiency, it is preferable that the hole diameter Φ of the water jet nozzle that sprays the water jet is 0.06 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less; It is preferable that the interval is 0.4 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less.

As the superabsorbent polymer 32 supported on the composite nonwoven fabric 15, the same superabsorbent polymer as used for the absorber 11 can be used. The superabsorbent polymer 32 is applied to one or more locations selected from, for example, between the spunbond nonwoven fabric 20 and the pulp fiber web 21, in the layers of the pulp fiber web 21, on the surface of the pulp fiber web 21, etc. using a known method. carried according to. In particular, by supporting the particulate superabsorbent polymer 32 on the surface of the pulp fiber web 21, the misalignment with the first three-dimensional gathers 13 is reduced, and the first and second body fluids are prevented from leaking sideways. The three-dimensional gathers 13 and 14 can work together to prevent side leakage. Although the shape of the superabsorbent polymer 32 is particulate in this embodiment, it is not limited to this, and may be fibrous or the like.

The elastic elastic member 31 is disposed along the longitudinal direction around or near the free end 14a. As the elastic stretchable member 31, any material commonly used in this technical field can be used. For example, thread-like, string-like, or band-like materials made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc. can be used as appropriate. The arrangement of the elastic stretchable member 31 provides the free end 14a with erectability.

[Manufacturing method of absorbent article]
The method for manufacturing the absorbent article 1 is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method can be adopted. 10 and the back sheet 12 are fixed partially or entirely using hot melt adhesive, heat embossing, ultrasonic embossing, high frequency embossing, etc., and then the first three-dimensional gathers 13 are fixed in a predetermined position. However, the absorbent article 1 can be manufactured by further fixing the second three-dimensional gathers 14 on the outside in the width direction and/or on the inside in the width direction. Then, after wrapping this individually in a package, it may be folded into three in the longitudinal direction.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above embodiments, and various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that this is possible. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that forms with such changes or improvements may also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Absorbent article 10 Top tote 11 Absorber 12 Back sheet 13 First three-dimensional gathers 13a Free end 14 Second three-dimensional gathers 14a Free end 15 Composite nonwoven fabric 16 Inner surface of folded part 20 Spunbond nonwoven fabric 21 Pulp fiber web 22 Folded part 30 Highly absorbent sheet 31 Elastic stretchable member 32 Highly absorbent polymer 40 Internal space of folded part

Claims (2)

An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet,
a pair of first three-dimensional gathers that are provided along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the absorbent article in the width direction and include a water-repellent and/or waterproof sheet;
Further comprising a pair of second three-dimensional gathers that are provided along the longitudinal direction outside or inside the pair of first three-dimensional gathers in the width direction and include a superabsorbent sheet,
The superabsorbent sheet includes a composite nonwoven fabric, a superabsorbent polymer supported on the composite nonwoven fabric, and an elastic stretchable member disposed at one end in the width direction,
The composite nonwoven fabric includes a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a pulp fiber web integrated into at least one surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric ,
The second three-dimensional gather has a pair of upright free ends extending in the longitudinal direction on the top sheet side surface of the absorbent article, and at the tip of the upright free end and in the vicinity thereof, the high absorbent The absorbent material further comprises a folded part in which the elastic sheet is folded back with the surface of the pulp fiber web facing inside , and the facing superabsorbent sheets that are folded back at the folded part are joined with an adhesive. Goods. The absorbent sheet according to claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent sheet supports a superabsorbent polymer between the spunbond nonwoven fabric and the pulp fiber web in the composite nonwoven fabric and/or on the surface of the pulp fiber web. Goods.