JP7545353B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

It is known that in absorbent articles, grooves are formed in the top sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which multiple surface material protrusions that protrude toward the wearer's skin are integrally formed on the skin-facing surface of the top sheet in a pattern that corresponds to the formation pattern of the protrusions in the honeycomb structure, and surface material recesses that are denser than the surface material protrusions are present around each surface material protrusion. As a result, the surface material recesses function as flow paths for excreted liquids such as urine, allowing the excreted liquid to quickly diffuse in the surface direction on the top sheet, leading to an improvement in the liquid absorption rate.

JP 2017-108884 A

However, in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, the concave portions of the surface material are arranged in a honeycomb pattern over almost the entire surface of the top sheet, so excreted liquid discharged from the urination opening cannot be effectively guided to the concave portions of the surface material. If the top sheet is in contact with or close to the skin, the excreted liquid will run along the skin and out the outside of the three-dimensional gathers, causing leakage.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an absorbent article that can prevent excreted liquid from leaking over the three-dimensional gathers along the skin.

In order to achieve the above object, the absorbent article of the present invention comprises:
A liquid permeable top sheet;
A liquid-impermeable back sheet;
an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet;
A pair of left and right three-dimensional gathers that can stand up on the skin side are provided on the top sheet,
The top sheet includes a first groove formed in a urination opening corresponding to a urination opening, and a second groove extending from the first groove to an inner side of the three-dimensional gathers ,
The first groove has a length of 100 to 120 mm and a width of 20 mm.
The second groove has a width of 5 mm and is shallower than the first groove.
It is characterized by:

The absorbent article of the present invention thus constructed can prevent excreted liquid from leaking over the standing gathers by running down the skin.
Furthermore, by making the first groove 100 to 120 mm long and 20 mm wide, and the second groove 5 mm wide and shallower than the first groove, the absorbent article is able to increase the amount of liquid discharged from the urination opening that can be temporarily stored in the first groove.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a disposable diaper having an inner body according to a first embodiment is worn. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inner body of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner body of the first embodiment. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the inner body of the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the inner body of the first embodiment is folded in a mountain fold. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an inner body of a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an inner body of a third embodiment.

Below, we will explain the embodiments of the absorbent article according to the present invention based on Examples 1 to 3 shown in the drawings.

The absorbent article in Example 1 is applied to an inner body to be attached to a disposable diaper for adults.

[Configuration of absorbent article]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a disposable diaper equipped with an inner body of Example 1 is worn. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the inner body of Example 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner body of Example 1. The configuration of the inner body as an absorbent article of Example 1 will be described below. The front-to-back direction of the inner body is defined as the front-to-back direction D, and the width direction is defined as the width direction W. The front side of the inner body corresponds to the ventral side, and the rear side corresponds to the dorsal side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inner body 10 as an absorbent article is worn on the skin side of the wearer P of the adult disposable diaper 1. The inner body 10 is formed to cover the wearer P from the abdomen side through the crotch to the back side.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the inner body 10 is composed of a top sheet 11 placed on the skin side, a back sheet 15 placed on the clothing side, an absorbent body 14 placed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 15, and a gathered sheet 16 placed on top of the top sheet 11.

The top sheet 11 can be, for example, a liquid-permeable sheet made of a nonwoven fabric with or without holes. The top sheet 11 allows bodily fluids to pass quickly toward the absorbent body 14.

The back sheet 15 may be, for example, a liquid-impermeable sheet made of a resin film. The back sheet 15 prevents bodily fluids held by the absorbent body 14 from passing through the back sheet 15 and wetting clothing, etc.

The absorbent body 14 is composed of absorbent polymer and pulp. The absorbent body 14 is formed in a sheet shape from the ventral side to the dorsal side.

The gathered sheet 16 can be, for example, a liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric. A pair of gathered sheets 16 are provided on both sides of the top sheet 11 in the width direction W.

The base end (one end) of the gather sheet 16 in the width direction W is fixed to the top sheet 11 by, for example, adhesive such as hot melt or welding, with an elongated elastic stretch member 19 that extends in the front-to-rear direction D sandwiched between it. The elastic stretch member 19 is attached sandwiched between the gather sheet 16 and the top sheet 11 in a predetermined stretched state. The elastic stretch member 19 can be, for example, a thread-like or band-like natural rubber. The contraction force of the elastic stretch member 19 forms the outer gathers.

At the open end (other end) of the gather sheet 16 in the width direction W, an elongated elastic stretch member 17 extending in the front-to-rear direction D is provided in a predetermined stretched state. The elastic stretch member 17 can be, for example, a thread-like or strip-like natural rubber. The contraction force of the elastic stretch member 17 forms three-dimensional gathers 18 in the gather sheet 16. In other words, the three-dimensional gathers 18 are formed in a pair on the left and right sides and can stand up on the skin side.

The standing base end 18a of the three-dimensional gathers 18 can be set near the widthwise end of the absorbent body 14.

The three-dimensional gathers 18 are formed over the entire length of the inner body 10 in the front-to-rear direction D. The three-dimensional gathers 18 can be deformed to fit the body shape of the wearer P, and prevent the wearer P's excrement from leaking out to the sides.

The inner body 10 thus constructed is formed by overlapping the top sheet 11, the back sheet 15, and the gathered sheet 16 with the absorbent body 14 interposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 15, and fixing the peripheral edges with an adhesive such as hot melt, welding, or the like.

[Configuration of the groove]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the top sheet 11 has a first groove 21 , a second groove 22 , and a third groove 23 formed therein.

The first groove 21, the second groove 22, and the third groove 23 can be formed by integrally heat-compressing the components from the surface side of the top sheet 11 to the absorbent body 14. The first groove 21, the second groove 22, and the third groove 23 may also be formed by forming a recess in the absorbent body 14 in advance and then compressing the top sheet 11 from the surface side (skin side) along this recess.

(First groove)
2 and 3, the first groove 21 is formed in the urination opening corresponding portion M. The first groove 21 may be formed in a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction D. The first groove 21 may have a predetermined length (e.g., 100 to 120 mm) in the front-rear direction D. The first groove 21 may have a predetermined width (e.g., 20 mm).

The first groove 21 can be formed to be larger than the urination opening corresponding part M. The first groove 21 can also be made to have a length that exceeds the urination opening corresponding part M. The first groove 21 can also be formed over the entire area in the front-rear direction D. The first groove 21 can also be made to have a width that exceeds the urination opening corresponding part M. The first groove 21 can be made to be wide enough not to get inside the three-dimensional gathers 18.

The second groove 22 is connected to the first groove 21. The depth of the first groove 21 can be the same as the depth of the second groove 22. The depth of the first groove 21 may be deeper than the depth of the second groove 22. This allows a larger amount of excreted liquid discharged from the urination opening to be temporarily stored in the first groove 21.

(Second groove)
2 and 3, the second groove 22 extends from the first groove 21 to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18. The second groove 22 can have a predetermined width (e.g., 5 mm). The inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18 refers to the portion between the top sheet 11 and the three-dimensional gathers 18. The urination opening corresponding portion M refers to the area of the top sheet 11 that is expected to come into contact with the urination opening of the wearer P.

The second grooves 22 are provided at an inclination with respect to the front-rear direction D. For example, six second grooves 22 are arranged symmetrically on the left and right. Specifically, two second grooves 22 extending forward from the urination opening corresponding portion M and four second grooves 22 extending backward from the urination opening corresponding portion M are formed. In other words, the second grooves 22 can be arranged radially from the urination opening corresponding portion M.

The second groove 22 may extend straight from the urination opening portion M to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18, or may extend in a curved manner.

(Third groove)
2, the third grooves 23 are provided in front and behind the urination opening corresponding portion M. The third grooves 23 are formed in an arch shape extending from the inside of one of the three-dimensional gathers 18 to the inside of the other three-dimensional gathers 18. The third grooves 23 are formed in an arch shape protruding to the side opposite the urination opening corresponding portion M.

The third groove 23 in front of the urination opening corresponding part M can be formed at a position away from the urination opening by a predetermined distance (e.g., 50 mm). The third groove 23 in back of the urination opening corresponding part M can be formed at a position away from the urination opening by a predetermined distance (e.g., 180 mm).

In other words, the third groove 23 is formed so that its center in the width direction protrudes on the opposite side to the urination opening corresponding portion M. The third groove 23 may be curved in an arch shape or bent in an L shape. The third groove 23 may also be formed between the three-dimensional gathers 18 so as not to get inside the three-dimensional gathers 18.

[Function of absorbent article]
The function of the absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 1 will be described below.

The absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 1 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 11, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 15, an absorbent body 14 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 15, and a pair of left and right three-dimensional gathers 18 that can stand up on the skin-facing side on the top sheet 11. The top sheet 11 comprises a first groove 21 formed in a urination outlet corresponding portion M that corresponds to the urination outlet, and a second groove 22 that extends from the first groove 21 to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18 (Fig. 2).

However, in typical absorbent articles, when the top sheet is in contact with or close to the skin, excreted fluid runs along the skin and out the three-dimensional gathers 18, causing leakage.

In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the top sheet 11 is in contact with the skin of the wearer P, a gap can be formed between the skin and the first groove 21 and the second groove 22. Therefore, the excreted liquid S can be guided to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18 through the first groove 21 and the second groove 22 without running down the skin. As a result, the excreted liquid S can be prevented from leaking beyond the three-dimensional gathers 18.

Furthermore, the excreted liquid S discharged from the urination opening can be temporarily stored in the first groove 21. Then, the excreted liquid S stored in the first groove 21 can be guided to the second groove 22. Therefore, it is possible to easily guide the excreted liquid S excreted from the urination opening to the second groove 22. As a result, it is possible to prevent the excreted liquid S from flowing out of the three-dimensional gathers 18 along the skin without being guided to the second groove 22.

In the absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 1, the second groove 22 is provided at an inclination with respect to the front-rear direction D (Figure 2).

This lengthens the path from the urination opening corresponding portion M of the second groove 22 to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18. Therefore, the second groove 22 guides the excreted liquid S to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18, and allows a certain amount of the excreted liquid S to be absorbed by the absorbent body 14 and diffused. As a result, the amount of excreted liquid S guided to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18 can be reduced, and the excreted liquid S can be prevented from leaking beyond the three-dimensional gathers 18.

In the absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 1, the top sheet 11 is provided with a third groove 23 formed at least on one side in front of and behind the urination opening corresponding area M, with the center part in the width direction protruding to the opposite side of the urination opening corresponding area M (Figure 2).

However, when the wearer P has a narrow crotch width, the absorbent article (inner body 10) may be worn folded in a mountain shape so that the widthwise center of the absorbent article protrudes. When the absorbent article (inner body 10) is folded in a mountain shape in this way, there is a problem that the absorbent article (inner body 10) may become wrinkled or wrinkled, making it impossible to form the desired mountain fold.

In Example 1, the formation of the third groove 23 allows the third groove 23 to have high rigidity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the absorbent article (inner body 10) is folded in a mountain shape, it is possible to prevent kinks and wrinkles from forming around the third groove 23. As a result, the absorbent article (inner body 10) can be worn in a desired mountain-folded state.

In addition, it is possible to prevent the first groove 21 and the second groove 22 from forming wrinkles or creases. This makes it possible to prevent the excretory liquid S from leaking over the three-dimensional gathers 18.

In addition, the protruding portion of the third groove 23 can be used as the starting point for the mountain fold. This makes it easier to form the mountain fold.

The absorbent article of Example 2 differs from the absorbent article of Example 1 in that the configuration of the first groove is different.

[Configuration of the first groove]
6 is a plan view showing the inner body of Example 2. The configuration of the first groove of Example 2 will be described below. Note that the same terms or the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same or equivalent parts as those described in Example 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first groove 121 of the second embodiment is composed of a front groove 121b arranged on the front side and a rear groove 121a arranged on the rear side. The first groove 121 can have a predetermined length (e.g., 100 to 120 mm) in the front-to-rear direction D. The front groove 121b and the rear groove 121a can be formed in an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape when viewed from the front.

When viewed from the front, the rear groove 121a preferably has an area that is 70% of the area of the first groove 121. When viewed from the front, the front groove 121b preferably has an area that is 30% of the area of the first groove 121.

The front groove 121b can have a width W1. The rear groove 121a can have a width W2 that is twice as large as the width W1. In other words, the first groove 121 is formed so that it is wider on the rear side than on the front side. The first groove 121 may also be shaped like a mountain, with the width gradually increasing from the front side to the rear side.

[Function of absorbent article]
The function of the absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 2 will be described below.

In the absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 2, the first groove 121 is formed to be wider on the rear side than on the front side (Figure 6).

This allows a wide portion of the first groove 121 to be provided in the direction in which the wearer P urinates when lying down. Therefore, when the wearer P is lying down, the excretory liquid S discharged from the urination opening can be temporarily stored in the first groove 121 without overflowing from the first groove 121. As a result, the excretory liquid S stored in the first groove 121 can be guided to the second groove 22.

The other configurations and effects are substantially the same as in Example 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

The absorbent article of Example 3 differs from the absorbent article of Example 1 in that the configuration of the first groove is different.

[Configuration of the first groove]
7 is a plan view showing the inner body of Example 3. The configuration of the first groove of Example 3 will be described below. Note that the same terms or the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same or equivalent parts as those described in Example 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first groove 221 of the third embodiment is composed of a front groove 221a disposed on the front side and a rear groove 221b disposed on the rear side. The first groove 221 can have a predetermined length (e.g., 100 to 120 mm) in the front-to-rear direction D. The front groove 221a and the rear groove 221b can be formed in an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape when viewed from the front.

When viewed from the front, the front groove 221a preferably has an area that is 70% of the area of the first groove 221. When viewed from the front, the rear groove 221b preferably has an area that is 30% of the area of the first groove 221.

The rear groove 221b can have a width W1. The front groove 221a can have a width W2 that is twice as large as the width W1. In other words, the first groove 221 is formed so that it is wider at the front than at the rear. The first groove 221 may also be shaped like a mountain, with the width gradually increasing from the rear to the front.

[Function of absorbent article]
The function of the absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 3 will be described below.

In the absorbent article (inner body 10) of Example 3, the first groove 211 is formed to be wider at the front side than at the rear side (Figure 7).

This allows a wide portion of the first groove 211 to be provided in the direction in which the wearer P urinates when standing. Therefore, when the wearer P is standing, the excretory liquid S discharged from the urination opening can be temporarily stored in the first groove 211 without overflowing from the first groove 211. As a result, the excretory liquid S stored in the first groove 211 can be guided to the second groove 22.

The other configurations and effects are substantially the same as in Example 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

The absorbent article of the present invention has been described above based on Examples 1 to 3. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these examples, and design changes, additions, combinations of the examples, etc. are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention as claimed in each claim of the patent.

In Examples 1 to 3, the first groove 21, the second groove 22, and the third groove 23 are formed by integrally heat-compressing the components from the surface side of the top sheet 11 to the absorbent body 14. However, the method of forming the first groove, the second groove, and the third groove is not limited to this embodiment, and these grooves may be formed, for example, by changing the thickness of the absorbent body.

In Examples 1 to 3, six second grooves 22 are provided. However, the number of second grooves can be set arbitrarily.

In Examples 1 to 3, the second groove 22 is formed to extend straight from the urination opening portion M to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18. However, the second groove 22 is not limited to this form and may extend in a curved manner.

In Examples 1 to 3, the second groove 22 is provided at an angle relative to the front-rear direction D. However, the second groove only needs to be formed from the urination opening portion M to the inside of the three-dimensional gathers 18, and may be formed, for example, in the horizontal direction.

In Examples 1 to 3, an example was shown in which the length of the first groove 21, 121, 221 in the front-rear direction D was 80 mm. However, the length of the first groove in the front-rear direction D can be 80 mm or more, or less than 80 mm. In particular, by increasing the length of the first groove in the front-rear direction D, the amount of excreted liquid temporarily stored in the first groove can be increased.

In Examples 1 to 3, the depth of the first grooves 21, 121, and 221 is the same as the depth of the second groove 22. However, the depth of the first groove may be different from the depth of the second groove.

The shape of the first grooves 21, 121, 221 is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and can be changed as appropriate as long as the width does not extend inside the three-dimensional gathers 18.

In Examples 1 to 3, the third groove 23 is curved in an arch shape. However, the third groove may have any shape as long as the central portion in the width direction protrudes to the opposite side from the urination opening portion M.

In Examples 1 to 3, the third groove 23 is formed so as to extend from the inside of one three-dimensional gather 18 to the inside of the other three-dimensional gather 18. However, the third groove may be formed between the three-dimensional gathers so as not to enter the inside of the three-dimensional gathers. In other words, the third groove may be formed so as to extend from the outside of one three-dimensional gather to the outside of the other three-dimensional gather.

In Examples 1 to 3, the third grooves 23 are provided in front of and behind the urination opening corresponding portion M. However, the third grooves 23 may be provided at least either in front of or behind the urination opening corresponding portion M, or three or more third grooves 23 may be provided.

In Examples 1 to 3, the absorbent article of the present invention is applied to an inner body attached to a disposable diaper for adults. However, the absorbent article of the present invention can also be applied to an inner body attached to a disposable diaper for children.

In Examples 1 to 3, the absorbent article of the present invention is shown as being applied to an inner body attached to a disposable diaper for adults. However, the absorbent article of the present invention can also be applied to an absorbent article attached to underwear, or an absorbent article that can be brought into contact with the body to absorb excretory fluids.

10. Inner body (an example of an absorbent article)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 top sheet 14 absorbent body 15 back sheet 18 three-dimensional gathers 21 first groove 22 second groove 23 third groove M urination opening corresponding portion

Claims (5)

A liquid permeable top sheet;
A liquid-impermeable back sheet;
an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet;
A pair of left and right three-dimensional gathers that can stand up on the skin side are provided on the top sheet,
The top sheet includes a first groove formed in a portion corresponding to a urination opening, and a second groove extending from the first groove to an inner side of the three-dimensional gathers,
The first groove has a length of 100 to 120 mm and a width of 20 mm.
The absorbent article, wherein the second groove has a width of 5 mm and is shallower than the first groove. The first groove is formed so that a dorsal portion is wider than a ventral portion,
The width of the wider dorsal portion is twice the width of the narrower ventral portion,
2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the area of the wider dorsal portion is 70% and the area of the narrower ventral portion is 30%. The first groove is formed so that a ventral portion is wider than a dorsal portion,
The width of the wider ventral portion is twice the width of the narrower dorsal portion,
2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the area of the wider ventral side portion is 70% and the area of the narrower dorsal side portion is 30%. The absorbent article according to claim 2, characterized in that the second grooves are arranged in a total of six grooves, two on the left and right sides of the ventral side and four on the left and right sides of the ventral side, in the dorsal portion which is formed wider than the ventral portion of the first grooves, and are arranged in an inclined position with respect to the front-to-rear direction from the ventral side to the dorsal side . The absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that the second grooves are arranged in a total of six grooves, four on the left and right sides of the ventral side and two on the left and right sides of the ventral side, in the ventral portion which is formed wider than the dorsal portion of the first grooves, and are arranged in an inclined position with respect to the front-to - rear direction from the ventral side to the dorsal side.