JP7433107B2 - absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article suitable for absorbing loose stool.

Regarding absorbent articles, various techniques have been proposed to improve the absorbency of soft stools such as watery stools and muddy stools. The present applicant has also proposed the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example. This prior art has a basic structure that includes an absorbent element and a top sheet placed on the front side of the absorbent element, and employs a perforated top sheet through which soft stool can pass through, and a fiber aggregate layer that can absorb soft stool on the top. It is located adjacent to the back of the seat. In this prior art, loose stool passes through the top sheet and reaches the fiber aggregate layer, and among these, the liquid and minute solids that can be absorbed by the absorbent element are transferred to the absorbent element, and the solids that cannot be absorbed by the absorbent element are transferred to the absorbent element. The components remain in the fiber aggregate layer and are retained (filtration effect). As a result, compared to a top sheet without a perforated top sheet and a fiber aggregate layer, not only is it less likely that loose stools will remain on the top sheet, but also that loose stools remaining on the fiber aggregate layer will be less likely to return onto the top sheet. Become something.

In this prior art absorbent article, reducing the density of the fiber aggregates can improve the uptake rate of loose stools and reduce the spread of loose stools on the topsheet, but if the density of the fiber aggregates is too low, The ability to retain soft stools decreases, and the ability to prevent relapse decreases. On the other hand, when the density of the fiber aggregate is increased, the anti-reversion property is improved, but the uptake speed of soft stool is reduced, and the soft stool is more likely to spread on the top sheet. In other words, in the prior art, it was difficult to achieve both a high soft stool uptake speed and a property to prevent relapse.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-141647 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-112232 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-119741

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to improve the uptake speed of soft stool while preventing the deterioration of the anti-reversion property.

Typical embodiments of the present invention that solve the above problems are as follows.
<First aspect>
a top sheet having a large number of holes through which soft stool can pass;
a fiber aggregate layer that is capable of absorbing soft stool and is provided adjacent to the back of the top sheet;
an absorbent element provided on the back side of the fiber aggregate layer,
A recessed portion is formed from the surface of the fiber aggregate layer to the back side,
A receiving space is formed between the back surface of the top sheet and the inner surface of the recess,
Excrement on the top sheet can flow into the receiving space through the hole;
An absorbent article characterized by:

(effect)
The feature of this absorbent article is that it not only has a fiber aggregate layer adjacent to the back of the top sheet that can take in loose stool, but also has a recess that is recessed from the surface of the fiber aggregate layer to the back side, and the top sheet A receiving space is formed between the back surface of the recess and the inner surface of the recess. In this case, since soft stool can flow into the receiving space through the holes in the top sheet, the uptake rate of soft stool is not only higher than when there is no receiving space, but also the receiving space is surrounded by the fiber aggregate layer. Since the soft stool that has flowed into the receiving space is taken into the fiber aggregate layer and can be retained, the ability to prevent backflow is also improved. Moreover, since the surface area of the fiber aggregate layer is increased, the ability of the fiber aggregate to take in and retain loose stools is also improved. These effects are qualitatively different from simply providing a receiving space. Due to these effects, the present absorbent article can improve the uptake speed of soft stool while preventing the deterioration of the anti-reversion property.

<Second aspect>
The absorbent element has an absorbent body in which absorbent materials including fibers are assembled,
The recess is a recess that is recessed from the surface of the fiber aggregate layer into the absorbent body,
Absorbent article of the first aspect.

(effect)
The absorbent body according to this embodiment has high shape retention (rigidity). Therefore, by employing an absorbent body as in this embodiment and recessing the recess into the absorbent body, a deep receiving space can be securely secured.

<Third aspect>
In the fiber aggregate layer, the fineness of the constituent fibers is 2 to 9 dtex, and the density is 60 to 200 g/m ³ .
The absorbent article according to the first or second aspect.

(effect)
Although the density of the fiber aggregate layer is not particularly limited, it is preferable to have a sparse structure as in this embodiment. However, even with fiber aggregates other than this, if compared at the same density, it is possible to improve the uptake speed of soft stool while preventing a decrease in the anti-reversion property.

<Fourth aspect>
The portion of the fiber aggregate layer located at the bottom of the recess has a highly compressed part that is most compressed in the thickness direction at the peripheral edge, and has a highly compressed part that is more compressed in the thickness direction than the highly compressed part inside the peripheral edge. Has no low compression section,
Absorbent article of the third aspect.

(effect)
Compression shaping processing such as so-called embossing can be used to form the recesses, but the fiber aggregate layer is compressed in the thickness direction at the entire bottom of the recesses formed by the compression shaping process, which increases the density. As the value increases, the ability to retain soft stool decreases. Therefore, as in this embodiment, of the portion of the fiber aggregate layer located at the bottom of the recess, the peripheral portion is provided with a high compression portion for shaping the recess, and the other portion is provided with a high compression portion for retaining soft stool. It is preferable to provide a low compression part to ensure the properties.

<Fifth aspect>
The ratio of the minimum value to the maximum value of the apparent thickness of the fiber aggregate layer, including the portion located at the bottom of the recess, is 90% or more.
Absorbent article of the third aspect.

(effect)
As in this embodiment, since there is almost no change in the thickness of the fiber aggregate layer (that is, there is no change in density), it is possible to ensure good retention of soft stool throughout the fiber aggregate layer including the bottom of the recess. can.

<Sixth aspect>
A plurality of rows of the recesses arranged at intervals in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction moving away from the anus-facing position are provided at intervals in the first direction,
The positions of the recesses in the second direction in each of the rows are different from the positions of the recesses in the other rows in the second direction.
The absorbent article according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

(effect)
When considering nursing care applications, it is important to suppress the spread of loose stools. By providing the recesses in this arrangement, it is possible to effectively suppress the spread of loose stool.

According to the present invention, advantages such as being able to improve the uptake speed of soft stool while preventing deterioration in anti-reversion properties are brought about.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pad type disposable diaper. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main parts excluding the top sheet and the rising gathers. FIG. 7 is a plan view of another example. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another example. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another example. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an enlarged main part of the surface.

1 and 2 show an example of a pad type disposable diaper. This pad type disposable diaper includes a top sheet 1 facing the wearer's skin, a fiber aggregate layer 2 provided adjacent to the back side of the top sheet 1, and an absorbent element 3 provided on the back side of the top sheet 1. It is desirable to arrange a liquid-impermeable sheet 4 on the back side of the absorbent element 3. Further, it is desirable that riser gathers 5 that rise toward the front side are provided on both sides of the front surface in the width direction.

(Top sheet)
A large number of holes 9 are formed in the top sheet 1 through which soft stool can pass. The holes 9 are preferably provided in the entire top sheet 1, but may be provided in only a portion of the top sheet 1 as long as they are provided in a region having a recess 10, which will be described later.

The planar shape (opening shape) of each hole 9 may be an ellipse as shown in the illustrated example, or any shape such as a long hole, a perfect circle, a polygon such as a triangle, a rectangle, or a rhombus, a star shape, or a cloud shape. It can be done. Further, holes 9 of different shapes may be mixed. The dimensions of each hole 9 are not particularly limited, but considering the permeability of soft stool, etc., the minimum diameter 9d (in the case of a shape other than a perfect circle, the diameter of the largest circle that can be inscribed) is approximately 3 to 6 mm. The thickness is preferably about 3 to 4.5 mm, particularly preferably about 3 to 4.5 mm.

The planar arrangement of the holes 9 can be determined as appropriate, and may be irregular, patterned, character-shaped, etc., but a regularly repeated planar arrangement is preferred. For example, rows of holes 9 linearly arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction LD can be arranged in an arrangement in the width direction WD such that their positions in the front-rear direction LD are shifted. In addition to the so-called staggered (hexagonal lattice) arrangement in which the holes 9 are arranged alternately in adjacent rows, as shown in the illustrated example, the positions of the rows of holes 9 in the front-rear direction LD are varied. This also includes sequences that gradually shift. The spacing between the holes 9 in these cases can be determined as appropriate; for example, the center spacing 9L of the holes 9 in the front-back direction LD (center-of-gravity spacing; the same as other center spacings) is the maximum of the holes 9 in the front-back direction LD. It can be about 1.3 to 2.3 times the diameter 9y, and the center distance 9W of the hole 9 in the width direction WD is about 1.1 to 2.1 times the maximum diameter 9x of the hole 9 in the width direction WD. It can be done.

Although not shown, another regular planar arrangement is a matrix-like arrangement in which the rows of holes 9 are arranged linearly at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction LD, repeating in the width direction WD without shifting the position in the front-rear direction LD. Arrays can be mentioned. In this case, the distance between the holes 9 can be determined as appropriate, but for example, the center distance 9L of the holes 9 in the front-rear direction LD is about 1.3 to 2.3 times the maximum diameter 9y of the holes 9 in the front-rear direction LD. The center distance 9W of the holes 9 in the width direction WD can be approximately 1.1 to 2.1 times the maximum diameter 9x of the holes 9 in the width direction WD.

The material for the top sheet 1 is preferably a nonwoven fabric in order to provide a good skin feel, but a plastic sheet may also be used. As the top sheet 1, a nonwoven fabric having a fineness of about 2 to 15 dtex and a basis weight of about 10 to 45 g/m ² can be used. Furthermore, in order to prevent loose stool from remaining on the top sheet 1, at least the surface of the top sheet 1 is preferably water repellent or hydrophobic.

(Fiber aggregate layer)
The fiber aggregate layer 2 adjacent to the back side of the top sheet 1 is capable of capturing between the fibers the soft stool that has passed through the holes of the top sheet 1, and has the function of retaining the solid content of the soft stool. The fiber aggregate layer 2 may be formed by laminating a plurality of fiber aggregates.

As the fiber aggregate layer 2, in addition to a nonwoven fabric, an aggregate of filaments, for example, a sheet formed by opening a tow made of bundles of filaments can also be used. Considering the permeability of liquid components of soft stool, it is preferable that the fiber aggregate layer 2 is composed of water-repellent or hydrophobic fibers.

The fiber aggregate layer 2 preferably has a sparse structure considering the ability to absorb soft stool, so the fineness of the constituent fibers is about 2 to 9 dtex and the density is about 60 to 200 g/m ³ . preferable. Further, the maximum thickness is preferably 0.2 to 1.1 mm.

(absorption element)
The absorbent element 3 arranged on the back side of the fiber aggregate layer 2 absorbs the liquid content of loose stool and the fine solid content dispersed therein. Soft stool passes through the top sheet 1 and reaches the fiber aggregate layer 2. Among these, the liquid content and minute solid content that can be absorbed by the absorbent element 3 are transferred to the absorbent element 3, and the solid content that cannot be absorbed by the absorbent element 3 is transferred to the absorbent element 3. The remaining portion remains in the fiber aggregate layer 2 and is retained. As a result, compared to the case without the perforated top sheet 1 and the fiber aggregate layer 2, not only is it difficult for soft stool to remain on the top sheet 1, but also the soft stool remaining on the fiber aggregate layer 2 is more likely to remain on the top sheet. It becomes difficult to go back to 1.

The absorbent element 3 is preferably one mainly composed of an absorbent body 3A having a porous structure (including fiber gaps) in which absorbent materials are aggregated. As the absorbent material, hydrophilic fibers such as pulp fibers are preferably used, and in order to ensure the amount of absorption, superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in the form of particles may be mixed as necessary.

Examples of superabsorbent polymers include carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid and its salts, crosslinked acrylate polymers, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers, hydrolysates of starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, and crosslinked polyoxyethylene. Preferred examples include partially crosslinked water-swelling polymers such as crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, and polyacrylamide, and copolymers of isobutylene and maleic acid. It is also possible to use a product to which an antiblocking agent is added in order to suppress blocking properties due to moisture absorption of the product. In addition, superabsorbent polymers come in various forms such as powder, particulate, granule, pellet, sol, suspension, gel, film, and nonwoven fabric. Any of them can be used in the present invention, and particulate ones are particularly preferably used. The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer can be determined as appropriate, and as an example, when the purpose is to absorb soft stool in nursing care applications, it can be set to 50 to 200 g/m ² .

The absorbent element 3 can include a packaging sheet 3B that wraps around the absorbent core 3A in order to improve the shape retention of the absorbent core 3A. As the packaging sheet 3B, a liquid-permeable sheet such as crepe paper, nonwoven fabric, perforated sheet, etc. can be used.

A plurality of absorbers 3A may be stacked. Furthermore, a plurality of absorbent elements 3 may be stacked. The packaging sheet 3B may be one that wraps the entire circumference of the absorbent core 3A, or a plurality of sheets may be combined to wrap the entire circumference of the absorbent core 3A. Moreover, the packaging sheet 3B does not need to cover a part of the absorber 3A (for example, the part of the upper surface that overlaps with the fiber aggregate layer 2 as shown in FIG. 6).

(liquid impermeable sheet)
The material of the liquid-impermeable sheet 4 is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, a plastic film made of olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a laminated nonwoven fabric with a plastic film on the surface of the nonwoven fabric, and a plastic film. Examples include laminated sheets in which nonwoven fabrics and the like are laminated and bonded. For the liquid-impermeable sheet 4, it is preferable to use a liquid-impermeable and moisture-permeable material that is preferred from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness. Moisture-permeable plastic films include microporous plastic films obtained by kneading an inorganic filler into an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, forming a sheet, and then stretching it uniaxially or biaxially. is widely used. Other methods include non-woven fabrics using micro-denier fibers, strengthening leak-proofing by reducing fiber pores by applying heat or pressure, and coating with super absorbent or hydrophobic resins or water repellent agents. Accordingly, a sheet made liquid-impermeable without using a plastic film can also be used as the liquid-impermeable sheet 4.

(get up and gather)
In order to prevent the lateral movement of excrement on the top sheet 1 and prevent lateral leakage, rising gathers 5 (generally called three-dimensional gathers) are provided that rise from the inner surface on both sides of the product in the width direction WD. is preferable. Of course, the presence or absence of the rising gathers 5 is not limited, but it is desirable to provide the rising gathers 5 to prevent side leakage of loose stool.

Although the structure of the rising gathers 5 is not particularly limited, the rising gathers 5 in the illustrated example includes a gather sheet 5s and an elongated gather elastic member 5a fixed to the gather sheet 5s in an extended state along the front-rear direction LD. It is configured. A water-repellent nonwoven fabric can be used as the gather sheet 5s, and an elongated elastic member such as thread rubber can be used as the gather elastic member 5a. In addition to providing one gather elastic member 5a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is also possible to provide a plurality of gather elastic members 5a.

The inner surface of the gather sheet 5s has a joining start end in the width direction WD on the side of the top sheet 1, and the outer part in the width direction WD from this joining start end has a hot melt adhesive on the side of the liquid-impermeable sheet 4. It is joined with adhesive or the like.

The inside of the rising gathers 5 in the width direction WD from the joining start end is fixed on the top sheet 1 at both ends in the product front-rear direction LD, but the part in between is a free part that is not fixed, and this free part is It comes to stand up due to the contraction force of the elastic member 5a. When the diaper is worn, the diaper is worn on the body in a boat shape, and the contractile force of the gather elastic members 5a acts, so the gathers 5 stand up due to the contractile force of the gather elastic members 5a and fit tightly around the legs. . As a result, so-called lateral leakage from around the legs is prevented.

(Plane gather)
The illustrated pad type disposable diaper has side flaps SF that extend laterally than the absorbent body 3A, and an elongated elastic member such as rubber is disposed between the side flaps in the front-rear direction LD. The leg elastic member 4a is fixed in an extended state along the front-rear direction LD. This structure improves the fit of each side flap SF around the leg around the leg. Of course, the side flaps SF and the leg elastic members 4a can be omitted.

(concavity)
Characteristically, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. A receiving space 20 is formed between them (that is, the top sheet 1 does not fall to the bottom of the recess 10), and excrement on the top sheet 1 can flow into the receiving space 20 through the holes 9. In this case, since soft stool can flow into the receiving space 20 through the holes 9 of the top sheet 1, not only is the uptake speed of the soft stool higher than when there is no receiving space 20, but also the receiving space 20 is made of fibers. It is surrounded by the aggregate layer 2, and the soft stool that has flowed into the receiving space 20 is taken into the fiber aggregate layer 2 and can be held therein, so that the return prevention property is also improved. Furthermore, since the surface area of the fiber aggregate layer 2 also increases, the ability of the fiber aggregate layer 2 to take in and retain loose stools is also improved. These effects are qualitatively different from simply providing the receiving space 20. Due to these effects, the present absorbent article can improve the uptake speed of soft stool while preventing the deterioration of the anti-reversion property.

When the fiber aggregate layer 2 has a sufficient thickness, the recess 10 may simply be recessed within the fiber aggregate layer 2 (not recessed into the absorber 3A). In this case, the recesses 10 may be formed by performing compression shaping such as embossing on the fiber aggregate layer 2 alone, and then placed between the top sheet 1 and the absorbent element 3. However, when the thickness of the fiber aggregate layer 2 is made thinner or when the receiving space 20 is made higher, the recess 10 is recessed into the absorbent body 3A as shown in the illustrated example, because of the high rigidity of the absorbent body 3A. This is preferable because the deep receiving space 20 can be firmly secured (the receiving space 20 is unlikely to become narrow or collapse).

Although the depth 10h of the recess 10 can be determined as appropriate, it is usually preferably 3 mm or more, and particularly preferably 3 to 6 mm. When the recess 10 is recessed into the absorber 3A, the depth 10h of the recess 10 is preferably 1/3 to 3/4 times the thickness of the absorber 3A, and particularly preferably 2/3 to 3/4. preferable.

As shown in the illustrated example, when manufacturing an item in which the recesses 10 are recessed into the absorbent body 3A, the fiber aggregate layer 2 and the absorbent element 3 are separately subjected to shaping processing such as embossing, and the recesses 10 are shaped. Although they may be laminated in alignment, it is preferable to sandwich the fiber aggregate layer 2 and the absorbent element 3 in a stacked state so that they are sandwiched between them, because it is easier to perform a shaping process such as embossing. In these cases, as shown in FIG. 2, the fiber aggregate layer 2 is compressed in the thickness direction throughout the bottom 11 of the recess 10 formed by compression shaping, and as the density increases, the retention of soft stool decreases. do. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, by compressing only the peripheral edge of the bottom 11 of the recess 10, etc., the portion of the fiber aggregate layer 2 located at the bottom 11 of the recess 10 has the largest thickness at the peripheral edge. It is preferable to provide a highly compressed portion 2a that is compressed in the direction, and to provide a low compressed portion 2b that is less compressed in the thickness direction than the highly compressed portion 2a inside the peripheral edge. In this manner, by having the highly compressible portion 2a, the shapeability of the recessed portion 10 is ensured, and the retention of soft stool is ensured by the other portions.

In particular, in order to improve the shapeability of the recess 10, it is preferable to fuse the fibers in the compressed portion at the bottom 11 of the recess 10 with each other by heating or ultrasonic waves when performing compression shaping. As long as 10 is formed, there is no need for such fusion.

When attaching importance to soft stool retention, it is more preferable to set the maximum apparent thickness 2t of the entire fiber aggregate layer 2 (including the portion located at the bottom 11 of the recess 10) as shown in FIG. The ratio of the minimum value to the value is 90% or more. That is, since there is almost no change in the thickness 2t of the fiber aggregate layer 2 (that is, there is no change in density), good soft stool retention is ensured throughout the fiber aggregate layer 2, including the bottom 11 of the recess 10. I can do it. Such a structure is not formed by a compression shaping process such as embossing, but by a deformation process in which the fiber aggregate layer 2 is deformed without compression to form the recesses 10, or a mold is used to form the fibers having the recesses 10. After manufacturing the aggregate layer 2, an absorbent material is accumulated on the back surface of the aggregate layer 2, and an absorbent body 3A having recesses 10 along the recesses 10 of the fiber aggregate layer 2 can be constructed.

The shape of each recess 10 (the shape of the bottom 11) may be an ellipse as shown in FIG. 3, or a rectangle, a long hole shape, a perfect circle, a triangle, a polygon such as a diamond, or a star as shown in FIG. It can be of any shape, such as a shape or a cloud shape. Moreover, the recesses 10 of different shapes may coexist. The dimensions of the individual recesses 10 are not particularly limited, but considering the ability to take in soft stool, the minimum diameter 10d of the bottom 11 (in the case of a shape other than a perfect circle, the diameter of the largest circle that can be inscribed; in other words, in the case of a rectangle) The length of the short side) is preferably about 4 to 20 mm, particularly preferably about 4 to 12 mm.

When considering the dimensions of the recess 10 in relation to the hole 9, the dimension 10y of the bottom of the recess 10 in the front-rear direction LD is the distance in the front-rear direction LD of the hole 9 (center distance 9L in the front-rear direction LD of the hole 9 - hole 9 It is preferably 1.3 to 7 times, particularly 3 times or more, the maximum diameter 9y in the front-rear direction LD of. Similarly, the dimension 10x of the bottom of the recessed portion 10 in the width direction WD is 1. It is preferably 3 to 4 times, particularly 2 times or more.

In particular, it is preferable that the recess 10 has a size and arrangement that satisfies at least one of the following conditions (a) and (b).
(a) There are a plurality of holes 9 (preferably four or more) that at least partially overlap the bottom of one recess 10.
(b) At least one (preferably a plurality of) holes 9 entirely overlap the bottom of one recess 10.

Although only one recess 10 may be provided, it is desirable to arrange a plurality of recesses 10. When a plurality of recesses 10 are provided, the arrangement may be irregular, or may be in the form of a pattern or letters, but a regularly repeated planar arrangement is preferred. For example, it is preferable to form a row of recesses 10 by arranging them at intervals in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction moving away from the anus-facing position Z to suppress the spread of loose stool. Further, a plurality of such rows of recesses 10 are provided at intervals in the first direction, and the positions of the recesses 10 in each row in the second direction are the same as the positions of the recesses 10 in the other rows in the second direction. It is more preferable that they are different. The first direction is the direction in which soft stool spreads, and when assuming the wearer is in the supine position, the first direction is the rear direction. Therefore, in the illustrated example, a plurality of rows of recesses 10 along the width direction WD are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction LD. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when assuming a wearer in a lateral position, the first direction is the lateral direction, and the second direction is the front-back direction LD.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, it is also preferable to provide a recess 10 extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction away from the anus facing position Z, and a plurality of such recesses 10 are provided at intervals in the first direction. and more preferable.

When a plurality of recesses 10 are provided, the interval between the recesses 10 can be determined as appropriate. For example, the center distance 10L of the bottoms 11 of the recesses 10 in the first direction is equal to the maximum diameter 10y of the bottoms 11 of the recesses 10 in the first direction. The center distance 10W of the bottom 11 of the recess 10 in the second direction is approximately 1.7 to 2.5 times the maximum diameter 10x of the bottom 11 of the recess 10 in the second direction. It can be about 5 times as large.

(Joining means)
Members that are adjacent to each other in the thickness direction are joined at appropriate locations or throughout. For example, the top sheet 1 and the fiber aggregate layer 2, and the fiber aggregate layer 2 and the absorbent element 3 are joined at a portion (in a dotted pattern or the like) or over the entire opposing surfaces. A hot melt adhesive can be used as a joining means for joining each member. The hot melt adhesive can be applied by known methods such as slot coating, continuous line or dotted bead coating, spiral or Z-shaped spray coating, or pattern coating (transfer of hot melt adhesive using a letterpress method). Can be applied. Alternatively or additionally, at the fixed portion of the elastic member, a hot melt adhesive can be applied to the outer circumferential surface of the elastic member to secure the elastic member to the adjacent member. Examples of hot melt adhesives include EVA adhesives, adhesive rubber adhesives (elastomer adhesives), olefin adhesives, and polyester/polyamide adhesives, which can be used without particular limitation. As a joining means for joining each component, means by material welding such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing can also be used.

(Nonwoven fabric)
As the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, any known nonwoven fabric can be used as appropriate depending on the site and purpose. The constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric include, for example, olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester-based fibers, and polyamide-based fibers (including single-component fibers as well as composite fibers such as core-sheath fibers), as well as recycled fibers such as rayon and cupro. Fibers, natural fibers such as cotton, etc. can be selected without particular limitation, and a mixture of these can also be used. In order to increase the flexibility of the nonwoven fabric, it is preferable that the constituent fibers be crimped fibers. In addition, even if the constituent fibers of a nonwoven fabric are hydrophilic fibers (including hydrophilic fibers made hydrophilic by a hydrophilic agent), they may be hydrophobic fibers or water-repellent fibers (including hydrophilic fibers made hydrophilic by a water-repellent agent). (including aqueous fibers). In addition, nonwoven fabrics generally vary depending on the fiber length, sheet forming method, fiber binding method, and laminated structure. It is classified into nonwoven fabrics, point bonded nonwoven fabrics, laminated nonwoven fabrics (SMS nonwoven fabrics with a meltblown layer sandwiched between spunbond layers, SMMS nonwoven fabrics, etc.), and any of these nonwoven fabrics can be used.

<Explanation of terms in the specification>
When the following terms are used in the specification, unless otherwise specified in the specification, they have the following meanings.

"MD direction" and "CD direction" mean the flow direction (MD direction) in the manufacturing equipment and the lateral direction (CD direction) perpendicular to this, and either one is the front-rear direction of the product, The other side is in the width direction of the product. The MD direction of the nonwoven fabric is the direction of fiber orientation of the nonwoven fabric. Fiber orientation is the direction along which the fibers of a nonwoven fabric follow. This can be determined by a simple measurement method that determines the orientation direction.

・"Anteroposterior direction" means the direction indicated by the symbol LD in the figure (vertical direction), and "width direction" means the direction indicated by WD in the figure (horizontal direction), and the longitudinal direction and the width direction are orthogonal.

- "Front side" means the side closer to the wearer's skin when worn, and "back side" means the side farther from the wearer's skin when worn.

- "Front side" means the side of the member that is closer to the wearer's skin when worn, and "back side" means the side farther from the wearer's skin when worn.

The term "unfolded state" means a flatly unfolded state without shrinkage or slack.

"Elongation rate" means a value when the natural length is taken as 100%. For example, an extension ratio of 200% is synonymous with an extension ratio of 2 times.

"Basic weight" is measured as follows. After pre-drying the sample or test piece, it is left in a test room or apparatus under standard conditions (test location: temperature 23±1°C, relative humidity 50±2%) to reach a constant weight. Pre-drying refers to making the sample or test piece constant weight in an environment at a temperature of 100°C. Note that fibers with an official moisture content of 0.0% do not need to be pre-dried. From the test piece that has reached a constant weight, use a sample sampling template (100 mm x 100 mm) to cut out a sample with dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm. Measure the weight of the sample, multiply by 100 to calculate the weight per square meter, and use it as the basis weight.

"Thickness" is automatically measured using an automatic thickness measuring device (KES-G5 Handy Compression Tester) under the conditions of load: 0.098 N/cm ² and pressurized area: 2 cm ² .

"Porosity" is measured by the following method. That is, a portion of the middle sheet other than the joint portion is cut into a rectangular shape and used as a sample. Measure the length, width, thickness, and weight of the sample. Using the raw material density of the nonwoven fabric, calculate the virtual weight when the volume is the same as that of the sample and the porosity is 0%. Substitute the sample weight and virtual weight into the following formula to determine the porosity.
Porosity = [(virtual weight - sample weight) / virtual weight] × 100

The dimensions of each part mean the dimensions in the unfolded state, not in the natural length state, unless otherwise specified.

If there is no description of the environmental conditions for the test or measurement, the test or measurement shall be conducted in a test room or equipment under standard conditions (test location: temperature 23 ± 1°C, relative humidity 50 ± 2%). .

The present invention can be used in general absorbent articles, such as the pad-type disposable diaper described above, tape-type disposable diapers, and pant-type disposable diapers.

LD...Anteroposterior direction, WD...Width direction, Z...Anus facing position, 1...Top sheet, 2...Fiber aggregate layer, 2a...High compression section, 2b...Low compression section, 3...Absorption element, 3A...Absorber, 3B...Packaging sheet, 4...Liquid-impermeable sheet, 5...Rising gathers, 5a...Gathered elastic member, 5s...Gathered sheet, 9...Hole, 10...Recessed portion, 20...Receiving space, 11...Bottom.

Claims (2)

a top sheet having a large number of holes through which soft stool can pass;
a nonwoven fabric capable of absorbing soft stool, which is provided adjacent to the back of the top sheet;
an absorbent element including an absorbent body in which absorbent materials including fibers are assembled, provided on the back side of the nonwoven fabric,
A recess is formed from the surface of the nonwoven fabric into the absorbent body,
The depth of the recess is 1/3 to 3/4 times the thickness of the absorber,
The nonwoven fabric has a fineness of the constituent fibers of 2 to 9 dtex and a density of 60 to 200 g/m ³ ,
The nonwoven fabric extends across the recess and a portion around the recess that is not the recess,
The portion of the nonwoven fabric located at the bottom of the recess has a highly compressed part that is most compressed in the thickness direction only at the peripheral edge, and the entire area inside the peripheral edge is more compressed in the thickness direction than the highly compressed part. It is said that there is no low compression part,
A receiving space is formed between the back surface of the top sheet and the inner surface of the recess,
Excrement on the top sheet can flow into the receiving space through the hole;
An absorbent article characterized by: A plurality of rows of the recesses arranged at intervals in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction moving away from the anus-facing position are provided at intervals in the first direction,
The positions of the recesses in the second direction in each of the rows are different from the positions of the recesses in the other rows in the second direction.
The absorbent article according to claim 1.

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