RU151697U1 - SHEET AND ABSORBENT PRODUCT USING IT - Google Patents

Abstract

1. The sheet containing the first protruding part protruding in the direction of the first side of the surface in the form of a sheet from above and having an inner space, and the second protruding part protruding in the direction of the second side of the surface as a side opposite the first side of the surface and having an inner space, the first the protruding part and the second protruding part are arranged alternately through a part of the wall with continuous distribution in the direction on the sheet plane in each of the different intersecting directions th in a sheet top view, and the interior of the first protruding portion is open on the second side of the surface, and the interior of the second protruding portion is open on the first side of the surface; moreover, the sheet contains a narrowed part in the direction of the inner space of the second protruding part in the part of the wall connecting from the upper part of the first protruding part to the upper part of the second protruding part, and the part of the wall has an orientation of the fibers along the direction connecting the first protruding part and the second protruding part anywhere in the direction of the sheet plane. 2. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the inner space supported by the first protruding part and the second protruding part has a truncated cone shape or a hemispherical shape with a rounded upper part, which is similar to the outer part of each of the first and second protruding part. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed parts are formed by a pair of at least two places. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed part is formed with a reduced width compared to the wide

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This utility model relates to a sheet having protrusions and an absorbent article using it.

BACKGROUND

Materials for absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, daily pads and disposable diapers, are designed according to their functions, such as, for example, sheet material having protruding parts on one side of the surface, sheet material having strip-shaped protrusions, and sheet material having a large number of holes. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a laminated sheet in which protruding parts extending in the form of stripes are present on one surface of the sheet material, and their cross section is processed in the form of a semicylindrical (essentially semicircular) shape. Thus, the sheet, as said, should be suitable for use as a top sheet, for example, having cushioning properties. Patent literature 2 describes a sheet having a high recovery rate after compression, a sheet on which a large number of protruding parts in the form of truncated cones are located so that they protrude on one side of the surface obtained by profiling. Patent Literature 3 describes a sheet formed from a substantially inextensible bilayer sheet-shaped material, where the sheet is an upper sheet of an absorbent article, in which the material of the upper layer in the form of a sheet has a large number of convex parts in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, and a part between the convex parts of the upper layer and the bottom layer is hollow. This sheet is said to trap fluid into the closed hollow portion of the convex portions to improve the prevention of fluid leakage and insulation properties.

Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2008-25081 (“JP-A” means Japanese Unexamined Published Patent Application)

Patent Literature 2: JP-A-2001-20168

Patent Literature 3: JP-A-2004-174234

ESSENCE OF A USEFUL MODEL

The present utility model provides a sheet containing a first protruding part protruding in the direction of the first side of the surface in a plan view of the sheet and having an inner space, and a second protruding part protruding in the direction of the second side of the surface as a side opposite the first side of the surface and having an inner hollow space where the first protruding part and the second protruding part are arranged alternately through a part of the wall with continuous distribution in the direction on the sheet plane in each from various intersecting directions in a sheet view from above, and the interior of the first protruding portion is open on the second side of the surface, and the interior of the second protruding portion is open on the first side of the surface; and where the sheet contains a narrowed portion in the direction of the inner space of the second protruding part in the wall part connecting from the upper part of the first protruding part to the upper part of the second protruding part.

Other and additional objectives, features and advantages of the present utility model will become more apparent from the following description with corresponding references to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a partial cross section of a sheet in one embodiment of the present utility model.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing region II of the sheet of FIG. one.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross-section along the line III-III of the sheet in FIG. one.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross-section along the line IV-IV of the sheet in FIG. one.

FIG. 5 is a photograph replacing the drawing, which depicts a sheet of the considered embodiment of the utility model.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the cross-section in the thickness direction for the second protruding part and its interior.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing an outer surface of a second protruding portion in an enlarged view.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing one aspect in which a sheet of the present embodiment of the utility model is compressed, and the narrowed portion is turned into a folded thick portion.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing a relationship between a first projecting part and a second projecting part in a plan view.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a schematic appearance when a sheet in the present embodiment of the utility model is compressed.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing a second protruding part having an ellipsoidal planar shape with a long axis and a short axis, in which (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view in cross section.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing part of FIG. 9 enlarged view.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view schematically showing the orientation of the fibers of a part of the wall in a disassembled form.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view schematically showing the orientation of the fibers of the second protruding portion in a plan view.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing a diaper in one embodiment of the present utility model.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This utility model relates to a sheet having excellent cushioning and deformation properties and satisfactory air permeability. The present utility model also relates to an absorbent article using the sheet described above and having excellent release capture properties.

The authors intend to implement a sheet form different from the conventional forms discussed above, and diligently continue research and development in order to offer a sheet with properties different from ordinary sheets, or additionally provide an opportunity to improve functions. Specifically, the authors investigate the production of a continuous sheet having protruding parts not only on one side of the surface, but both on the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet material, and its properties and functions. The present utility model is based on the results of these studies.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional general view schematically showing a main part of a sheet, which is a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. FIG. 2 shows a region II of the sheet in FIG. 1 is an enlarged view, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing a cross section along line III-III and a cross section along line IV-IV, respectively. It is preferable that the sheet 10 is used as an element of the sheet of an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel or disposable diapers, and is used with the first side of the surface z ₁ (see Fig. 2) located in the direction of the skin side of the user, and with the second side of the surface z ₂ located on the mass side of the absorber (not shown) in the product. An explanation will now be offered with consideration of an embodiment in which the nonwoven fabric 10 shown in the above drawings is used together with the first side of the surface located in the direction of the skin side of the user, as described above. However, it is not intended that the present utility model be limited to this.

In sheet 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a large number of first protruding parts 1 extend, and they are arranged in a ratio of oblique intersection on the surface in longitudinal and lateral directions on the first side of the surface in a plan view of sheet 10 (below this arrangement is sometimes referred to as the arrangement of the oblique grating). The lattice arrangement may also be perpendicular (90 °), in which case the arrangement may stand out as a perpendicular lattice arrangement. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the first direction (x) and the second direction (y) on the surface intersect at an angle of 30 ° to 90 °. In addition, a large number of second protruding parts 2 protruding in the direction of the second side of the surface as the side opposite the first side of the surface are formed in the sheet 10. The second protruding parts 2 also have an oblique lattice arrangement and can instead be arranged in the form of a perpendicular lattice. The preferred range of intersection angles is determined depending on the first protruding parts 1, and thus it is the same as above. The first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts 2 protrude from the surface of the sheet in opposite directions to each other.

Then, the first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts 2 are arranged alternately through a part of the wall 3, while continuously being distributed in a plane direction in each of the various intersecting directions in a plan view of sheet 10. FIG. 1, the first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts 2 are continuously arranged alternately in a direction on a sheet plane, in a direction s ₁ and a direction s ₂ . In addition, the first protruding parts and the second protruding parts 2 do not coincide with each other either in a plan view or in a side view. In other words, two kinds of parts are arranged alternately without overlapping (see FIG. 2).

The first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts 2, which extend and are located in the first direction (x direction) and the second direction (y direction), respectively, on the surface, as described above, are continuous in the form of a surface without incompatibility and constitute sheet 10. As used herein, “continuous without incompatibility” means that when parts with a particular shape continue to form a surface, collectively, it is continuous, like a smoothly curved surface without bending or tearing. Islands.

By “continuous” is meant that the surface of the sheet is formed using sheet materials without gaps. For example, there are no periodically occurring parts and small holes in which there is no sheet material, in particular. Micropores, such as pores between fibers, are not considered small openings. They differ, for example, if small holes are defined as holes with an equivalent circle diameter of 1 mm or more. The term “continuous” above is also applicable to a laminated sheet. In this embodiment, a single layer sheet that is not laminated is an example of a preferred embodiment. In addition, the term “continuous” can be described as meaning that the surface of the first side of the surface z ₁ and the surface of the second side of the surface z _{2 of the} nonwoven material are substantially continuous. By something essentially continuous in this document is meant that there are no small openings and micropores may be present that are smaller than small openings, and the effects of the present utility model are not lost, as described above.

In the sheet of the present utility model, the configurations of the arrangement of the above first protruding parts and the second protruding parts are not limited to those described above, and can be any configuration that allows the parts to be arranged in a structure that can continue without incompatibility. For example, you can use the location in which six second protruding parts can be located at the vertices of the hexagon, also having the first protruding part located in its center, and the above structure spreads over the surface. In this case, the number of second protruding parts is larger than the first protruding parts, and thus a state arises in which the second protruding parts are next to each other. However, insofar as the continuous sheet is integral, this arrangement also falls under the definition that the first protruding parts and the second protruding parts are “alternately”.

In this embodiment, the first protruding part 1 and the second protruding part 2 are in the form of a truncated cone or hemisphere with a rounded upper part 11 and 21. More specifically, the protruding shape of the first protruding part 1 is not pointed, but rather hemispherical. On the other hand, the protruding shape of the second protruding part 2 is more pointed and has the shape of a circular cone or a truncated cone with a rounded upper part 21. In this embodiment, the protruding parts are not limited to the above shapes, and they can have any protruding shape, and, for example , various conical shapes are practical (in this description, conical shapes are defined in the broad sense with the inclusion of a circular cone, a truncated cone, a pyramid, a truncated pyramid, a beveled circular onus and the like).

The first protruding part 1 and the second protruding part 2 contain internal spaces 18 and 28, which are similar to their outer forms and have the shape of a truncated cone or hemisphere with a rounded upper part. The inner space 18 of the first protruding part 1 is open on the second side of the surface, and the inner space 28 of the second protruding part 2 is open on the first side of the surface. In addition, the internal spaces 18 and 28 are separated from each other by the rib part 6 and are formed as a substantially discontinuous space (see FIG. 2).

On the other hand, there is a part 3 between the first protruding part 1 and the second protruding part 2 in the direction along the sheet thickness, and through the wall part 3 or the above rib part 6, to obtain a sheet structure in which both protruding parts are continuous. Part 3 of the wall is a part connecting the first protruding part 1 and the second protruding part 2. The part 3 of the wall does not differ clearly in a certain area from both protruding parts and is a part of the skirt extending from the upper parts 11 and 21 of each of both protruding parts. More specifically, the wall portion 3 is a portion common to both protruding parts and an integral part of both protruding parts. In addition, the wall part 3 is a part for isolating the inner space 18 of the first protruding part 1 from the inner space 28 of the second protruding part adjacent to it, and also represents the part forming the outer edge between the two inner spaces.

In sheet 10, as shown in FIG. 5, the constricted part (hereinafter referred to as the constricted part 7) is formed in the direction of the inner space 28 of the second protruding part 2 in the wall part 3 forming the second protruding part 2. FIG. 5 is a photograph replacing a drawing obtained by obtaining a cross-sectional image of a sheet 10 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the region where the narrowed portion 7 is used is indicated by a dot-dash line and is fixed by the symbol 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the tapered portions 7 are preferably formed in pairs in at least two places. More specifically, a pair of tapered portions 7 literally is a tapered portion formed with a reduced width (B) compared to the width (A) of the cross-section parabola of the second protruding portion 2. Width (B) is the distance between the inner walls at the position where the paired tapered portions 7 and 7 converge closest to each other, and the width (A) represents the distance between the inner walls in a position where the width between the portions 3 of the wall is greatest near the tapered portion 7 and on its lower side.

Specific examples of the reduced width of the tapered portion 7 include embodiments as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section in the thickness direction for the second protruding part 2 and its inner space 28. In FIG. 6 (a) the cross-sectional shape of the second protruding part 2 is parabolic, and the narrowed part 7 is formed with a reduced width (B ₁ ) compared to the width (A ₁ ) of the second protruding part. In FIG. 6 (b) shows a shape in which the portion near the upper portion 21 is swollen and the tapered portion 7 is formed with a reduced width (B ₂ ) compared to the width (A ₂ ) of the second protruding portion. In FIG. 6 (c) shows a shape in which a part near the upper part 21 is made smaller than a place in the part above it, and a narrowed part 7 is formed with a reduced width (B ₃ ) compared to the width (A ₃ ) of the second protruding part. Each cross sectional width ratio (B / A) is preferably 0.2-0.9, and more preferably 0.4-0.8. From the point of view of fluid permeability, the ratio is preferably 0.2 or more, and from the point of view of cushioning properties, the ratio is preferably 0.8 or less.

From another point of view, the relationship between the width (A) and the width (B) is determined in cross section over the thickness of the sheet (T) of the second protruding part 2 passing through a pair of narrowed parts 7, for the narrowed part 7, as it is located in the upward direction under curve u, based on the curvature in the periphery of the upper part 21 of the second protruding part 2. More specifically, the narrowed part 7 is defined as having a narrower width compared to the width formed by the curve u. The width described above, formed using the u curve, denotes the width of the u curve in the height position of the reduced width (B) of the narrowed part 7 discussed above (see Fig. 6). Turning to FIG. 6 as an example of such a determination, in FIG. 6 (a), the curve u coincides with the shape of the second protruding part 2 as a whole, and the narrowed part 7 is formed with a reduced width (B ₁ ) compared to the width (A ₁₁ ) of the wall part 3. In FIG. 6 (b), the width of the curve u is further increased compared with the width of the part of the wall extending from the upper part 11. More specifically, a pocket shape is formed in which the width near the upper part 21 of the inner space 28 of the second protruding part 2 increases. In this example, the narrowed portion is formed with a reduced width (B ₂ ) compared to the width (A ₂₁ ) of the u curve. In FIG. 6 (c) the width of the curve u decreases compared with the width of the part of the wall extending from the upper part 11. In this example, the narrowed part is formed with a reduced width (B ₃ ) compared to the width (A ₃₁ ) of the curve u.

As shown in the examples described above, the tapered portion 7 is preferably positioned so as to seal the inner space 28 in the upper part of the space region around the upper part 21 of the inner space 28 of the second protruding part 2. From this point of view, the ratio (B ₁ / A ₁₁ ) to FIG. 6 (a) and the ratio (B ₃ / A ₃₁ ) in FIG. 6 (c) are preferably 0.15-0.85, and more preferably 0.3-0.75. The ratio (B ₂ / A ₂₁ ) in FIG. 6 (b) is preferably 0.1-0.8, and more preferably 0.25-0.7. From the point of view of fluid permeability, this ratio is preferably 0.15 or more, and from the point of view of cushioning properties, the ratio is preferably 0.85 or less.

In the wall portion 3 connecting the upper portion 11 of the first protruding portion 1 and the upper portion 21 of the second protruding portion 2, the tapered portion 7 may be located at an arbitrary height with respect to the sheet thickness (T). In accordance with the definition of the three sections described below, first of all, the narrowed part 7 is preferably located in the upper part within the regions P ₂ -P ₃ or at the boundary between the region p ′ ₂ and the region p ′ ₃ in which the curvature of the upper part 21 ( see Fig. 2). In addition, in accordance with the definition of the two sections described below, the narrowed portion 7 is preferably located on the side corresponding to half the thickness t ₂ from the midline (middle surface): m or m '(see Fig. 2).

More specifically, the ratio (T ₇ / T) of the height (T ₇ ) of the tapered portion 7 from the upper portion 21 to the sheet thickness (T) is preferably 0.1-0.9, and more preferably 0.2-0.8. In terms of cushioning properties, this ratio is preferably 0.1 or more, and in terms of cushioning properties and texture, the ratio is preferably 0.9 or less.

(Three sections)

These three sections are typically defined in terms of dividing into three identical parts (P ₁ = P ₂ = P ₃ ) the sheet thickness (T) in the wall part 3. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), when the slope or curvature of the upper part of the first protruding part 1 and the corresponding parameter of the second protruding part 2 are different, the wall part 3 can also be divided into sections in the form of a region P ' ₂ , which is a relatively narrow part formed in a linear cross-sectional shape, and on the region P ₁ and P ' ₃ , each of which represents a region curved and rounded from it. More specifically, the radius of curvature of the upper part 21 of the second protruding part 2 is made larger than the radius of curvature of the upper part 11 of the first protruding part 1 (small curvature). The latter sections can also be applied to them in FIG. 6 (c), and the radius of curvature of the upper part 21 of the second protruding part of the upper part 2 is made smaller than the radius of curvature of the upper part 11 of the first protruding upper part 1 (large curvature).

(Two sections)

The half thickness (t ₁ ) on the first side of the surface and the half thickness (t ₂ ) on the second side of the surface are also the same as above, and basically the line by which the sheet thickness (T) is cut into two equal parts is considered average line (middle surface) m, and both half thicknesses (t ₁ , t ₂ ) are equal. Alternatively, when the radius of steepness or curvature of the upper part of the first protruding part 1 and the corresponding parameter of the second protruding part 2 are different, the thickness can be separated and determined using the position m ', observed as the center of the part, in the form of a line in the cross section of the wall part. In the example of FIG. 6 (c), in the case where they are based on the above later definition, the half thickness t ₁ on the first side of the surface is lower than the half thickness t ₂ on the second side of the surface.

Next, a preferred shape of the tapered portion 7 on the surface of the wall portion 3 is described.

The tapered portion 7 may exist partially or completely in a circumferential direction on the surface of the wall portion 3. When the constricted portion 7 partially exists, the portions 7 preferably exist in at least two opposite places by overlapping the inner space 28.

When the tapered portions 7 and 7 are paired, each tapered portion 7 can be formed into a strip with a predetermined width, as shown in FIG. 7 (a) and 7 (b), or may be formed in the form of dots, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), on the curved surface of the wall portion 3 forming the second protruding portion 2. In addition to this, in FIG. 7 (a) the narrowed part 7 is formed with a length close to the length of the semicircle of the periphery of the wall part 3 and less, and in FIG. 7 (b), the tapered portion 7 is formed with a length shorter than the length described above in (a). In sheet 10, from the point of view of the damping or deformation properties described below, due to the spring properties of the tapered portion 7, the neck is preferably formed into a strip with a predetermined width, as shown in FIG. 7 (a) and 7 (b). With respect to this predetermined width, when the semicircle length of the periphery of the second protruding part 2 at a height position in which the constricted part 7 is located is defined as (C), and the circumference of the constricted strip of the constricted part 7 is determined as (D), in terms of the shock absorbing properties or something like that, the ratio (D / C) for them is preferably 0.2-0.9, and more preferably 0.3-0.8.

Now, functions based on the basic structure of the sheet 10 described above will be described.

(Shock absorbing and deformation properties)

The sheet 10 has protruding parts (a first protruding part and a second protruding part) not only on one of the upper and reverse sides of the surface, but on both sides. In both protruding parts, the upper part 11, the upper part 21 and their periphery are in the form of rounded convex lenses. Therefore, when the sheet 10 is compressed in the direction along the thickness of the sheet (T), the force is distributed in the protruding parts on both surfaces. Thus, sheet 10 exhibits cushioning properties specific to its structure. In this regard, in the usual case of strip-shaped protrusions and protrusions on one side, for example, springiness is inevitably demonstrated for a line or surface. However, in accordance with this embodiment, the bulk cushioning properties maintained at the points (surface contact is due to pressure changes and their contact area increases or decreases in circumference) on both sides are demonstrated by following smooth three-dimensional movements.

In addition, as discussed above, in sheet 10, the narrowed portion 7 protruding into the inner space 28 of the second protruding portion 2 is formed on the wall portion 3. The tapered portion 7 demonstrates the effect of distribution and relaxation of the compressive force in the direction along the sheet thickness (T). For example, the compressive force from the side of the first protruding part 1 acts from the upper part 11 through the part 3 of the wall in the direction of the upper part 21 of the second protruding part 2, but the stress is distributed in the curved part of the narrowed part 7, and the propagation of stresses in the second protruding part 2 relaxes. Thus, in combination with both rounded protruding portions described above, the sheet 10 becomes resistant to permanent fatigue wear and excellent damping properties are obtained. Moreover, the tapered portion 7 also develops its spring properties with respect to the force in the plane direction, and the sheet 10 exhibits excellent elastic deformation and shape restoration when the load is removed. For example, when a force is applied in a plane direction to the surface on the side of the first protruding part 1, the first protruding part 1 is deformed by a flexible stress response, with the constricted part 7 as the main point, and easily restores its original shape due to the spring properties of the constricted part 7 On the other hand, on the side of the second protruding part 2, the force relaxes in the narrowed part 7 in such a way that deformation does not occur easily and the protruding part 2 is stabilized.

In terms of maintaining cushioning and deformation properties, as described above, the tapered portion 7 preferably has a rounded shape with the smallest possible angle. Thus, the stress does not concentrate on the narrowed part 7 and accordingly relaxes even with respect to the periodic load, and satisfactory spring characteristics are achieved.

(Air permeability)

In sheet 10, the interior spaces open to each of the surfaces are present on the first side of the surface and the second side of the surface. When sheet 10 is used as an absorbent article, a large number of open interior spaces can, while the user generates diffusing moisture, also efficiently distribute the vapors generated from the side of the absorber.

(Selection Capture Properties)

The sheet 10 has internal spaces 18 and 28, and when the sheet 10 is used as an element of the sheet of the absorbent article, the sheet 10 can capture and respond to released fluids or secretions in various embodiments in accordance with its physical properties. For example, as explained under the assumption that the first side of the surface z _{1 of} sheet 10 in FIG. 1 is used on the skin side, high viscosity and low permeability secretions are temporarily held in the interior spaces 28. Moreover, even a low viscosity diffusing fluid diffuses into the plurality of interior spaces 28 and is held temporarily. Thus, the fluid trapped in the interior spaces 28 is resistant to backflow of fluids to the side of the first surface 1 due to its resistance to constant compression fatigue of the sheet 10 due to the cushioning properties discussed above and the like. Moreover, the narrowed part 7, having a narrower width in the second protruding part 2, forms an inner protrusion in the interior spaces in the part lower than part 7, thereby acting to suppress the backflow of fluids. In addition, the parts first in contact with the skin surface are the upper parts 11 of the first protruding parts 1, and the aforementioned trapped excreted fluid or secretions do not easily come into contact with the skin. In this case, the excreted urine, feces, menstrual blood and vaginal discharge meet a wide obstacle, and an exceptionally good dry texture is maintained.

With respect to the air permeability and grip properties of the sheet 10 described above, even with a high compressive force, the constricted portion 7 is preferably not expanded in the plane direction, but is deformed as a folded thick portion 71 in which the sheet material is folded. For example, even with a compressive force, under which the protruding parts on both surfaces collapse, as shown in Fig. 8, the narrowed part 7 preferably forms a three-layer folded thick part 71. This folded thick part 71 forms a part having a certain level of height in the direction along thickness, and therefore, the internal spaces 18 and 28 are preserved, even if only partially. In this way, air permeability is maintained, a region holding the fluid is maintained, and fluid leakage is suppressed.

In a preferred structure of the sheet 10, in which the folded thick portion 71 described above is appropriately formed, the thickness of the sheet is less than the pitch between the protrusions on the sheet and greater than a quarter of the pitch between the protrusions on the sheet.

(Texture)

The sheet 10 has first and second protruding parts in both directions from the surface, and their upper parts are rounded. As a result, when the skin comes into contact with the sheet 10, a dotted, soft, good texture on the skin is realized. In addition, the contact points increase and decrease in surface shape depending on the pressure during wear, so that a good texture is obtained, and deformation of the sheet as a whole under pressure can be kept low, and then shape recovery after deformation under pressure can easily occur. Accordingly, together with the operation due to the above good shock absorbing properties and dynamic action, a particularly good texture can be obtained due to the point contact. In addition to this, when the nonwoven material captures the release and the like, a dry texture is also achieved by the point contact described above.

In sheet 10, to further provide the cushioning and deformation properties discussed above in order to satisfy both of these characteristics and the requirement for a soft texture, the compressive strength (LC) is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.35, more preferably 0.05 to 0.3 and even more preferably from 0.1 to 0.25. The sheet 10 has a compressive strength (LC) within the above ranges, and thus, the fabric can have usable vacant spaces, and high absorption performance can be achieved while maintaining flexibility.

(Method for measuring compressive strength (LC))

The compressive strength (LC) of the sheet can be measured using the KES-FB3-AUTO-A texture measurement system (manufactured by KATO TECH CO., LTD, trade name). The settings for the measurements are sensitivity 2, a compression speed of 50 sec / mm, a data collection interval of 0.1 sec, the area to which a pressure of 2 cm ² is applied (attached holder), and the dimensions of the sheet to be measured are 15 cm × 15 cm, and the sheet is located in the center of the measuring table. In accordance with the standard settings of the measuring tool, the measurement is carried out at three points, and the average value is used as the measured value.

Further, the cushioning and deformation properties of the sheet 10 are described below with reference to FIG. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing a relationship between a first projecting part and a second projecting part in a plan view. FIG. 9 shows a shape in which the first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts extend and are arranged in a first direction (x) and a second direction (y) on the surface, as a model (the x direction and the y direction include directions shown by dashed-dash lines , and the directions in which they move in parallel). Each of the first protruding part 1 and the second protruding part 2 (broken lines) shown by circles shows a schematic position in a plan view, and their centers are almost identical to the tops of the upper parts. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing a deformation state of a nonwoven fabric compressed under a predetermined pressure, and viewing the contact plane as a solid material, as described above (for example, a metal base and a pressure plate), or how it is practically used. The field of view is the same as the cross section shown in FIG. 2, and it just shows.

On the sheet 10, even when the nonwoven material is compressed toward the surface at a pressure of 50 g force / cm ² under the action of an undeformable pressure plate, it is preferable that the internal spaces 18 and 28 between the pressure plate and the sheet are maintained. Such retention properties of interior spaces can exist only on the first side of the surface or on the second side of the surface. That is, it shows that even when the appropriate pressure is set, corresponding springing occurs, and the nonwoven material exhibits good cushioning properties. The pressure of 50 g force / cm ² corresponds, for example, to the pressure when the child sits on a chair, for the case when the sheet is used in a real absorbent product. Unless otherwise stated, pressure measurement according to the present utility model is carried out using the method described in the example described below.

If you turn to sheet 10, in addition, in the case when the nonwoven material is compressed towards the surface under a pressure of 0.5 g of force / cm ² using an undeformable pressure plate, the ratio (S _0,5 / Sa) between the contact area S _{0 , 5 of the} pressure plate and the nonwoven material and the unitary total area Sa of the pressure plate (see FIG. 9) (when there is a space with an area of 1 mm ² or more, the space disappears towards the surface) is 0.1-0.4, except in addition, 0.12-0.35, and in particular 0.15-0.3, preferably. In such a range, the contact area S _{0.5 is} less than a single total area under compression, which means that the internal spaces 18 and 28 are maintained even under compression conditions, as in FIG. 10 (b), and means that the nonwoven fabric has an excellent tactile sensation, such as softness or smoothness, when touched. The pressure of 0.5 g force / cm ² corresponds, for example, to the pressure in the state of contact of the sheet and the skin when the user is not sitting on a chair, when the sheet is used in a real absorbent product.

The contact area ratio, as described above, is preferably obtained both on the side of the first surface and on the side of the second surface, and it can be present on one side. To add a little about the relationship between the above unitary total area Sa and the contact area S _0.5 , as shown in FIG. 9, the unitary total area Sa may be any region in a plan view of the nonwoven material, and preferably, a region containing a plurality of first protruding parts 1 and second protruding parts 2 equally. In contrast, when circles of solid lines in the figure are considered as contact parts of the first protruding parts 1 and the pressure plate, the contact area S _{0.5 of the} first protruding parts in the above unitary common area Sa is the area of the shaded areas. This ratio is the above contact area ratio (S _0.5 / Sa).

In this embodiment, when the sheet 10 is compressed toward the surface under a pressure of 50 g force / cm ² using a non-deformable pressure plate, the ratio (S ₅₀ / Sa) between the contact area S _{50 of the} pressure plate and sheet 10 and the unit total pressure area Sa the plate is 0.3-0.9, in addition, 0.4-0.85, in particular 0.5-0.8, preferably.

In this range, the contact area S _{50 is} smaller than the unitary total area under compression (see Fig. 10 (c)), this means that even when pressure is applied, for example, even when the user sits down on a chair, the structure of the nonwoven fabric is hollow spaces, and absorption and air permeability performance are supported. The contact area ratio, as described above, is preferably obtained both on the first side of the surface and on the second side of the surface, and it can only be carried out on one side. The direction of view of the contact area ratio (S ₅₀ / Sa) is the same as for the above contact area ratio (S _0.5 / Sa), except that the upper and the reverse side are different.

In addition, in sheet 10, the thickness of the sheet is T _0.5 , when sheet 10 is compressed at a pressure of 0.5 g force / cm ² using a non-deformable pressure plate, it is preferably 2.5-5, and more preferably 2.8-4, 5. In addition, the thickness of the sheet T ₅₀ , when the sheet 10 is compressed at a pressure of 50 g force / cm ² using a non-deformable pressure plate, is preferably 0.5-1.3, and more preferably 0.7-1.1.

In addition, in the sheet 10, the ratio (T _0.5 / T ₅₀ ) between the sheet thickness T _0.5 when the sheet 10 is compressed at a pressure of 0.5 g force / cm ² using a non-deformable pressure plate and the sheet thickness T ₅₀ , when the non-woven material described above is compressed toward the surface at a pressure of 50 g force / cm ² using a non-deformable pressure plate, it is preferably 2.5-10, and more preferably 2.5-8. If such a non-woven fabric is produced having elasticity in the direction along the sheet thickness, the non-woven fabric becomes excellent in cushioning properties and contributes to absorption performance, such as quick absorption of fluids and reduced backflow of fluids.

(Method for measuring thickness)

The thicknesses T _0.5 and T _{50 of} sheet 10 can be measured using the KES-FB3-AUTO-A texture measurement system. The settings for measurement are sensitivity 2, compression speed 50 sec / mm, data acquisition interval 0.1 sec, the area to which pressure is applied, 2 cm ² (attached holder), and the sheet size to be measured is 15 cm × 15 cm, and the sheet is placed for measurement in the center of the measuring table. The measurement is carried out in three places in accordance with the standard settings of the measuring tool. The thickness at a load of 0.5 g / cm ² is defined as T _0.5 and the thickness at a load of 50 g / cm ² as T ₅₀ , and the average value in three places is determined as the measured value, respectively.

When the narrowed part 7 of the sheet 10 partially exists in the circumferential direction of the surface of the wall part 3, from the point of view of imparting cushioning and deformation properties to the sheet 10, as discussed above, the narrowed part 7 is preferably formed in the place where the stress is easily concentrated, in part 3 the walls of the second protruding part 2.

For example, when the sheet material is transferred in the machine direction (MD direction) to form the sheet, the sheet material is easily extended in the MD direction, and the strength of the element is easily reduced in the CD direction. In the molded sheet, therefore, the stress is easily concentrated on the part of the second protruding part 2 in accordance with the direction of the CD during manufacture. The narrowed portions 7 are preferably formed in pairs, at least in that portion. In particular, when the sheet 10 is formed from a nonwoven material, the fibers tend to be oriented in the MD direction in the fiber layer before forming during manufacture and transportation, and for this reason, the narrowed portion 7 preferably exists in the CD direction. As used herein, the term “MD” refers to the direction in which the sheet material is transferred during manufacture. The term “MD” is an abbreviation for “machine direction” and is also called flow direction. On the other hand, the term “CD” indicates a direction perpendicular to the machine direction of the MD in the direction on the sheet plane. The term “CD” is an abbreviation for “transverse machine direction”.

Moreover, from a similar point of view, when the shape in the plan view of the inner space 28 of the second protruding part 2 is an annular shape having a long axis and a short axis, the voltage is easily concentrated in the direction of the short axis. Therefore, the tapered portions 7 are preferably paired and are formed at least in the direction of the short axis of the second protruding portion 2. Specific examples include aspects such as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing a second protruding part having an ellipsoidal planar shape with a long axis and a short axis, in which (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view in cross section. As shown in FIG. 11, when the shape in the plan view is an ellipsoidal shape having a long axis m and a short axis n, the tapered parts 7 and 7 are preferably formed in the direction of the short axis n of the wall portion 3 of the second protruding part 2.

The following describes the material for forming a sheet 10 having such a shape and characteristics as described above.

As a material for forming the sheet 10, various types of sheet materials used for this type of product can be used if the above form is obtained. Specific examples include non-woven fabric, film, woven fabric and paper. In addition, the material may be a composite sheet in combination with several materials of the same type or different types.

When sheet 10 is used for an absorbent article, the starting materials and properties are preferably selected accordingly according to the function of the element. For example, when the sheet 10 is a top sheet on the surface for contacting the skin of the mass of the absorber holding the fluid, an intermediate sheet or a coating sheet for an absorbent core, a sheet that is permeable to fluids is preferred. When the sheet 10 is a sheet that should be located on the side of the surface, corresponding to the mass of the absorber which does not come into contact with the skin, it is preferable to be moisture-permeable or leak-proof sheet. In addition, when a side sheet is considered to prevent lateral leakage of fluids, a water-repellent sheet is preferred.

When sheet 10 is used for an absorbent article as a fluid permeable element, such as a top sheet, the first side of the surface of the sheet 10 is preferably located on the side of the surface in contact with the skin. More specifically, the second protruding part 2, having a narrowed part 7, is located on the side of the surface that does not come into contact with the skin. This arrangement makes it possible to develop the capture properties of the precipitates and the fluid permeability properties discussed below, the possibility of diffusion of the fluids, the prevention of backflow of fluids and the absorption performance of the sheet 10 using the narrowed portion 7.

As the non-woven material, air-permeable non-woven material, non-woven fabric obtained by melt spinning, hydro-woven non-woven material, non-woven fabric obtained by melt blowing, or the like can be used. The fibrous materials that can be used for the nonwoven fabric of the present utility model are not constricted. For example, the following fibers are included, such as polyolefin fibers, such as polyethylene (PE) fibers and polypropylene (PP) fibers; fibers formed using a separate thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyamide; bicomponent fibers with a structure such as a core-sheath type or a side-by-side type, for example, they preferably include fibers with a core-sheath structure, in which the sheath component is low melting polyethylene or polypropylene, and typical examples of fibers with a core structure β-sheaths are fibers with a core-sheath structure such as PET (core) / PE (sheath), PP (core) / PE (sheath) or PP (core) / PP with a low melting point (sheath). More specifically, the above constituent fibers preferably include polyolefin fibers, such as polyethylene fibers and polypropylene fibers, polyethylene bicomponent fibers or polypropylene bicomponent fibers. Herein, the bicomponent composition of the polyethylene bicomponent fiber is polyethylene terephthalate / polyethylene, and the bicomponent composition of the polypropylene bicomponent fiber is preferably low melting polyethylene terephthalate / polypropylene, and more specific examples include PET (core) / PE (core) / PET (core) / PP low melting point (shell). In addition to these, these fibers can be used on their own to constitute a nonwoven material, and two or more fibers can be used in combination.

When a sheet formed from a nonwoven fabric is used as the top sheet of an absorbent article, a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric or a nonwoven fabric subjected to hydrophilic processing is preferred. In addition, when the sheet is used as a side sheet, a water-repellent non-woven material is preferred. When a sheet is used as a sheet, such as a back sheet, on the non-contacting surface of the skin of the absorber mass, the nonwoven fabric is preferably combined with a film (moisture permeable / moisture impermeable) in terms of leakage protection properties.

Specific examples of films include films using a synthetic resin such as polyethylene and polypropylene. In addition, the film can be processed in the form of a sheet laminated with the non-woven material described above.

When a sheet formed from a film is used for a back sheet or the like for an absorbent article, for example, a porous film obtained by melting and kneading is hydrophobic from the point of view of satisfying the requirements of both leakage protection and moisture permeability. a thermoplastic resin and a finely divided inorganic filler, including calcium carbonate, or an organic polymer that is not compatible to form a film, and uniaxial or two snoe stretch film. Furthermore, when a sheet is used for a top sheet or the like, a hydrophilic microporous film or the like is preferable from the viewpoint of fluid permeability. In addition, when the film is used for a top sheet, a side sheet or the like, the film comes into direct contact with the skin. Thus, from the point of view of texture, the film is preferably profiled, as this gives a sensation similar to textiles.

When the sheet 10 is processed into a sheet that is permeable to fluids, such as a top sheet, using the above-described material to form the sheet and the sheet 10 is applied to an absorbent article, the sheet 10 further demonstrates the action as described below in combination with the form described above.

(Absorption performance (permeability to fluids, the possibility of diffusion of fluids, properties to prevent backflow of fluids))

The sheet 10 also has, on the second side of the surface, an inner space 18 corresponding to the first protruding part 1. When the first side of the surface of the sheet 10 is located on the skin contact surface as a top sheet or the like of an absorbent article, the inner space 18 of the first protruding part 1 is located in the space between the element of the lower layer, such as the mass of the absorber. In this case, some of the precipitates is temporarily collected in the inner space 28 of the second protruding part 2, and some of the precipitates penetrates the second side of the surface through the upper part 11 and part of the wall 3 and is captured in the inner space 18 of the first protruding part 1. More specifically, the sheet 10 allows fluid to penetrate onto a surface side that is not in contact with the skin, while maintaining fluid away from the skin, and can temporarily collect more fluid in situ. Thus, sheet 10 becomes excellent in fluid permeability.

In addition, the narrowed part 7 of the second protruding part 2, as discussed above, contains an internal space due to its spring properties and serves as the middle cover of the internal space 28. This action of the narrowed part 7 suppresses the return flow of fluids to the first side of the surface even when This makes it possible to work the force on the lower layer in the inner space 28 to facilitate the extrusion of the fluid onto the second side of the surface. Thus, the fluid easily penetrates to the surface side, which does not come into contact with the skin, of the sheet 10 and easily diffuses into the space with the membrane of the lower layer, such as the mass of the absorber. More specifically, the sheet 10 becomes excellent in fluid permeability, the possibility of diffusion of fluids, and the properties of preventing backflow of fluids.

As described above, the sheet 10 can suppress the backflow of fluids from the inner space to the surface side in contact with the skin because it contains the inner space resulting from the shock absorbing properties, springing properties or the like of the narrowed part 7 described above. In addition, the narrowed portion 7 allows the action of fluid extrusion on the side of the absorber mass to work to maintain a high absorption rate from the top sheet in the mass of the absorber. In addition, when sheet 10 was used as the top sheet, the pressure applied to the mass of the absorber in the lower layer is moderately distributed, and the force restoring the shape is large, and thus, the amount of backflow of fluid from the mass of the absorber decreases. In addition, when the fluid flows from the mass of the absorber in the case of an absorption saturation state or the like, the above-described inner space 18 accordingly allows diffusion of the fluid to other absorption sites, which still have enough absorption space . For this reason, sheet 10 obtains high stability of absorption performance.

Next, a case is described in detail below when the sheet 10 is formed from a nonwoven material. A nonwoven material is preferred in terms of improving absorption performance, such as fluid permeability and ability to withstand repeated compressive forces while maintaining cushioning properties, deformation properties, or the like. In particular, although the details will be described below, the wall portion 3 of the sheet 10 preferably has an orientation of nonwoven fibers that are oriented in the direction of wall rise. There is a strong elasticity in the part of the fibers, oriented in this way, to realize the corresponding shock-absorbing properties, in which the fibers do not collapse in the direction along the thickness. In addition, due to the orientation of the fibers of the wall portion 3 described above, even when the nonwoven material is destroyed by compressive pressure, the force restoring the shape is large, and thus, even when the state of the package and its use continues to occur, the initial shock absorbing ability is less prone to extinction. In addition, in the narrowed part 7 of the part 3 of the wall, the presence of gaps between the fibers of the nonwoven material allows the sheet 10 to move flexibly and easily and relax the stress, and the spring properties easily develop even more efficiently.

The finer features of the sheet 10 formed from a nonwoven fabric, including the fiber orientation described above, are described based on FIG. 12-14 showing a simplified sheet shape as a model. Hereinafter, a sheet formed from a nonwoven fabric is described as a sheet 10 of a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven sheet 10 has a first protruding part 1 (shown by a solid line) and a second protruding part 2 (shown by a dashed line), and each of them is shown as a simple circle in FIG. 9. The sizes of the circles are slightly different so that they can be distinguished, and they are not identical with respect to shapes and sizes and the like, as shown in FIG. 1, and the like. In the non-woven sheet 10, the first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts 2 are arranged in a grid. In other words, when the first line k ₁ , the second line k ₂ and the third line k _{3 are considered} in a given direction, the first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts 2 in each line are arranged alternately, and when the protruding parts in each line protrude in a direction (direction y) located at an angle to each line on the sheet surface, the first protruding parts and the second protruding parts overlap in lines adjacent to each other. In addition, in n lines and n + 2 lines, the first protruding parts 1 and the second protruding parts 2 overlap, respectively. That is, in the present embodiment, when the first protruding parts and the second protruding parts in the line k ₁ move parallel to the y direction, the parts overlap with the first protruding parts and the second protruding parts in the line k ₃ . However, the present utility model should not be construed as limiting as set forth herein, and the first protruding part and the second protruding part which are adjacent to each other, may have empty spaces.

Between the first protruding part 1 and the second protruding part 2, a wall part 3 is formed as their common part. If you look from the first protruding part 1 in the center shown in Fig. 12, four sections 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the wall part are formed, which extend from the second protruding parts 2 in all directions. The four wall part sections 31-34 are connected by the wall part sections 31 ′, 32 ′, 33 ′ and 34 ′ in the direction on the sheet surface, and they are combined to form an annular wall part 3. Parts of the extreme lines, similar to a sharp rise, exist between the wall sections 32 ′, 32 ′, 33 ′ and 34 ′ and the first protruding part located next to it, on the first side of the surface, and these parts are parts of 6 ribs that form portions 61-64 of the ribs corresponding to each of the above sections 31′-34 ′ of the wall part.

FIG. 13 (a) is a view showing the wall portion 3 shown in FIG. 12, disassembled and depicted as a rectangular model, and the lines g ₁ illustrated on it, show the direction of orientation of the fibers. To show the position of the parts of the walls, when the annular part of the wall discussed above is considered as a circular cylinder and is visible as a horizontal section cut out on a surface orthogonal to its generatrix, symbols 31-34 are added to show different positions every 90 °. As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the wall portion 3 of the present embodiment is oriented in the direction of lifting of the wall portion at any point. In addition, in the present embodiment, the parts having a strong orientation (line g _1b ) are located in the 0 ° position (wall portion section 31) and in the 180 ° position (wall portion section 33), which are offset towards the second side of the surface (z ₂ ). On the other hand, the parts having a strong orientation (line g _1a ) are located in the 90 ° position (wall portion section 32) and in the 270 ° position (wall portion section 34), which are offset towards the first side of the surface (z ₁ ) . Although sections 31′-34 ′ of the wall part are not shown in the figure, since the figure becomes overloaded, the same thing happens on it, and the parts have the same fiber orientations as the whole. However, when the positions of the wall portion showing strong orientation change from 31 to 32, 33, 34 in their intermediate positions, the orientation gradually changes to thereby form the orientation structure of the annular wall portion as a whole. Due to this, specific cushioning properties are implemented, as described above, in the present embodiment.

On the other hand, for example, in the case where the recesses are created by profiling or the like on a conventional non-woven material obtained by melting a layer of fibers, which must be given a predetermined orientation before molding, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), when the annular part of the wall is divided into 90 ° parts in a plan view, the orientation of the fibers changes for each such part. In particular, as shown in the figure, the fibers are oriented in the upward direction of part of the wall (line g _1c ) in its sections 31 and 33, while the fibers are oriented in the direction perpendicular to it (line g ₂ ) in sections 32 and 34 of the wall part.

FIG. 14 shows the direction of fiber orientation (line g ₃ ), as a model using one of the second protruding parts 2 shown in FIG. 12 as remote. To indicate the position, the symbols for the sections of the wall part are attached in the provisions corresponding to them. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment has a radial orientation of the fibers converging in the direction of the upper part 21 of the second protruding part 2. That is, so to speak, to explain the relationship with the above-mentioned part of the wall, while it shows that the fibers are oriented with convergence in the direction of the upper part 21 of the second protruding part through the second protruding part 2 from the part 3 of the wall along the direction on the surface, for the surface of the sheet. Accordingly, the presence of a radial orientation of the fibers in the upper part 21 of the second protruding part makes it possible to demonstrate such effects as uniform appearance, shape retention properties and high absorption performance.

As a method of manufacturing the above-described sheet 10 of nonwoven material, the method common to this type of product can be appropriately adopted. As an example, the mode described below is turned on. The layer of fibers before melting is fed from the carding machine to the layer forming apparatus so that a predetermined thickness can be obtained. In the layer forming apparatus, air of normal temperature (23 ° C) is first supplied to fix the above fiber layer on a support (not shown) with a large number of projections 9 (see FIG. 2) and with air permeability. Then, hot wind h (see FIG. 2) is blown onto the fiber layer on the support at a temperature at which each fiber can be melted accordingly to form a layer of fibers along the protrusions 9 on the support and fuse each of the fibers. The hot wind temperature at this time is preferably 130-160 ° C, and the wind speed is preferably 20-80 m / s when considering conventional fiber materials used for products of this type.

In addition, a specific example of a method for forming a tapered portion 7 in the non-woven fabric sheet 10 described above includes profiling processing using a calender shaft. Profiling at a linear pressure of 20 to 50 kg / cm is preferred in accordance with the condition of the non-woven fabric described above.

When continuous manufacturing is contemplated, specific examples include an embodiment in which the support described above is obtained as a type of conveyor belt and the shaped non-woven material to be carried is received on the shaft. The neck described above can be formed immediately after the molding process described above, or the pinch treatment can be applied after the above non-woven fabric processed by molding is received on the shaft when the non-woven material is processed into an article such as a diaper, hygiene article and the like. .

The measurement specifications of sheet 10 in the present aspect will be described below.

Regarding the thickness of the sheet, the thickness of the sheet 10 as a whole is referred to as the thickness of the sheet (T), and the local thickness of the non-uniformly curved sheet is referred to as the thickness of the layer (S) so that they can be distinguished (see FIG. 2). The thickness of the sheet (T) can be set appropriately depending on the application and is preferably 1.0-4.5 mm, and more preferably it is 1.5-4.2 mm, considering the applications as top sheets for diapers and sanitary napkins and like that. Using this range, you can get both a good appearance with a usable volumetric effect and excellent absorption performance. The layer thickness can be different in each part of the sheet and can be set appropriately depending on the application. Given the use as top sheets for diapers and sanitary napkins and the like, the layer thickness (S ₁ ) of the upper portion of the first protruding portion is preferably 0.1-1 mm, and more preferably 0.2-0.8 mm. Regarding the preferred range of layer thickness, that is, the layer thickness (S ₂ ) of the upper part of the second protruding part and the layer thickness range (S ₃ ) of the wall part, they are the same as described above.

In the nonwoven fabric 10 in the present embodiment, the thickness of the layer S _{1 of the} first protruding part 1, the thickness of the layer S _{2 of the} second protruding part and the thickness of the layer S ₃ of the wall part are essentially the same. As used herein, “substantially the same” means that when each cross section is observed, they have almost the same thickness. By manufacturing a nonwoven material with this shape, it is preferable to obtain uniformity of appearance, stable absorption performance and shock absorbing properties.

It is preferred that the thickness of the sheet 10 does not change, especially in the dry state and the wet state. That is, the proportion of the change in thickness described below is preferably 85-115%, and more preferably 90-110%.

The proportion of the change in thickness (%)

= thickness in the wet state (mm) / thickness in the dry state (mm) × 100 (numerical formula 1).

- Dry thickness

The thickness of the sheet after it is left to stand for 24 hours under normal temperature conditions (23 ° C, 50% RH (relative humidity)).

- Wet thickness

The leaf is left to stand for 24 hours under normal temperature conditions (23 ° C, 50% RH). Water after ion exchange is poured into a flat container, which is larger than the sheet, to a height of 10 mm. The sheet is placed in a container and removed after one hour. This sheet thickness is wet thickness.

The spacing between the lines formed by the first protruding part 1 and the second protruding part 2 can be set appropriately depending on the applications and is preferably 1-12 mm, and more preferably 2.5-6 mm, taking into account applications such as diaper top sheets and sanitary napkins and the like.

The following describes an example of the application of the sheet 10 for an absorbent article with reference to FIG. fifteen.

FIG. 15 is a partial cutaway general view schematically showing a disposable diaper 100 for which sheet 10 is used. The diaper shown in the figure is a tape-type disposable diaper for infants and is shown in a state in which the diaper is in an almost flat open a state with a slight bend, and it is visible from the inside (from the side of the surface that comes into contact with the skin).

The disposable diaper 100 in the present embodiment has a fluid permeable topsheet 10 located on a skin contacting surface side, a fluidtight backsheet 81 located on a noncontacting skin surface, and a mass 83 an absorber installed between them (see Fig. 15). As the top sheet, sheet 10 is used in the above embodiments, and the first protruding side of the surface is used as the surface coming into contact with the skin. In the present embodiment, the absorber mass 83 is mounted between the back sheet 81 and the top sheet 10. The back sheet 81 in the open state has a substantially hourglass-like configuration, with its edges on both sides narrowing inwardly in the central part c in the longitudinal direction, and it may have one sheet or multiple sheets. In the present embodiment, lateral sheets 85 are provided as lateral folds 82 to prevent leakage, while lateral leakage of fluids or the like in the infant's hip joint due to movement or the like can be effectively prevented. In the diaper of the present embodiment, it is possible to further provide a part of the functional structure of the sheet material or the like. In FIG. 15, the location and boundaries of each component are not shown exactly, and their structure is not limited in any way insofar as it is a general form for diapers of this type.

The diaper 100 in the present embodiment is illustrated as belonging to the tape type, and a fastening tape 86 is provided on the valve portions on the reverse side r. Tape 86 may be attached to a portion for attaching a tape (not shown) provided on the valve portion, on the side of the abdomen f, wherein the diaper can be worn and fixed. At this time, the central part c of the diaper is slightly bent inward, while the mass of the absorber 83 extends from the part of the thighs to the lower abdomen of the baby, while the excreted substance can be absorbed and retained accordingly with the mass of the 83 absorber. When used in this form, a good texture, cushioning and capture properties of precipitates are shown, which are, in particular, due to the use of sheet 10 as the top sheet. In particular, in the diaper 100, trapping properties of the precipitates can be achieved with an exceptionally high ability, which cannot be achieved using a conventional topsheet having linear protrusions and a sheet having small openings. For example, the skin of a baby can preferably be prevented from roughness of the skin due to diarrhea stools, loose stools and the like.

In addition, the diaper 100 can suppress the backflow of fluids from the inner space to the skin surface side by retaining the inner space resulting from the cushioning properties of the sheet 10 and the spring properties or the like of the tapered part 7. Furthermore, the effect of extruding the fluid on the side of the mass of the absorber works with the narrowed part 7 to make it possible to maintain a high absorption rate from the top sheet in the mass of the absorber. In addition, the sheet 10 moderately distributes the pressure applied to the mass of the absorber of the lower layer, and has a large force, restoring the shape, and thus reduces the amount of backflow of fluids from the mass of the absorber to the upper sheet. In addition, even when the absorber mass region corresponding to the extraction region is in a saturation state of absorption, the fluid diffuses appropriately using the internal space 18 to other absorption regions that still have enough absorption space. Therefore, the diaper 100 suppresses fluid retention and fluid backflow on the surface contacting skin side of the top sheet, and becomes excellent in fluid permeability and has high absorption performance stability.

The sheet according to the present utility model becomes excellent in cushioning and deformation properties and satisfactory in air permeability. In addition, the absorbent article according to the present utility model uses the above-described sheet and becomes excellent in grip properties of the precipitates.

The sheet of the present utility model can be used for a variety of applications, for example, it can preferably be used as top sheets for absorbent articles, such as the disposable diapers described above, sanitary napkins, daily pads and urological pads. First of all, the sheets are excellent in air permeability, the possibility of diffusion of fluids, deformation characteristics under pressure or something similar as a result of creating a mesh structure on both surfaces of the sheet. Thus, the sheet can also be used as a sublayer, which should be located between the top sheet and the mass of the absorber of a diaper, hygiene product or the like. Specific examples also include an embodiment in which the sheet is used as the top sheet, collector, outer sheet and wings. Specific examples also include an embodiment in which the sheet is used as a wet sheet, a cleaning sheet, and a filter.

In addition, the present utility model will further describe the following sheets and absorbent articles related to the above embodiments.

<1> A sheet containing a first protruding part protruding in the direction of the first side of the surface in a plan view of the sheet and having an inner space, and a second protruding part protruding in the direction of the second side of the surface as a side opposite the first side of the surface and having an inner space,

where the first protruding part and the second protruding part are arranged alternately through the wall part with continuous distribution in the direction of the sheet plane in each of the different intersecting directions in a plan view of the sheet from above, and the inner space of the first protruding part is open on the second side of the surface, and the inner space of the second protruding part is open on the first side of the surface; and

where the sheet contains a narrowed part in the direction of the inner space of the second protruding part in the part of the wall connecting from the upper part of the first protruding part to the upper part of the second protruding part.

<2> A sheet according to the above <1>, where the interior spaces created by the first protruding part and the second protruding part have a truncated cone shape or a hemispherical shape with a rounded upper part, which is similar to the outer part of the first protruding part, so and the second protruding part.

<3> A sheet according to the above paragraph <1> or <2>, where the narrowed parts are formed in pairs in at least two places.

<4> A sheet according to any of the above <1> to <3>, where the tapered portion is formed with a reduced width compared to the width of the second protruding part in a cross section in the thickness direction of the second protruding part.

<5> A sheet according to any of the above <1> - <4>, where, when viewed in cross section in the thickness direction of the second protruding part, the width B is defined as the distance between the inner walls in the position where the paired narrowed parts converge closest to each other, and the width A is defined as the distance between the inner walls in the position where the width between the parts of the walls is the largest, near the narrowed part and on its lower side, the ratio B / A of width B to width A is 0.2- 0.9.

<6> A sheet according to any of the above <1> to <5>, where the narrowed portion is located at the boundary between the region p ′ ₂ and the region p ′ ₃ , where the curvature of the upper portion of the second protruding portion changes.

<7> The sheet according to any of the above <1> to <6>, where the ratio of T ₇ / T of the height T _{7 of the} narrowed part from the top of the second protruding part to the thickness T of the sheet is 0.1-0.9.

<8> A sheet in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <7>, where the constricted parts are formed in pairs in at least two places and in the form of a strip with a given width.

<9> A sheet according to any of the above <1> - <8>, where, when the semicircle length of the periphery of the second protruding part in the height position at which the constricted part is located, is defined as C, and the circumference of the narrowed strip of the constricted part defined as D, their D / C ratio is 0.2-0.9.

<10> A sheet in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <9>, where the narrowed part is completely on the circumference of the second protruding part.

<11> A sheet in accordance with any of the above <1> - <10>, where the narrowed portion has a rounded shape having a smaller angle.

<12> A sheet in accordance with any of the above <1> to <11>, where the sheet material in the narrowed part is folded to form a folded thick part when pressure is applied in the direction along the sheet thickness.

<13> The sheet according to any of the above <1> to <12>, where the compressive strength of the LC sheet is 0.01-0.35.

<14> The sheet according to any of the above <1> - <13>, where, when the sheet is compressed toward the surface under a pressure of 50 g force / cm ² using an undeformable pressure plate, the ratio (S ₅₀ / Sa) between the contact area S _{50 of the} pressure plate and the sheet and the unitary total area Sa of the pressure plate is 0.3-0.9.

<15> The sheet according to any of the above <1> to <14>, where the ratio of T _0.5 / T ₅₀ between the sheet thickness is T _0.5 when the sheet is compressed under a pressure of 0.5 g force / cm ² a flat shape in the direction along the sheet thickness, and a sheet thickness T ₅₀ when the sheet is compressed under a pressure of 50 g of force / cm ² in a flat form in the direction along the sheet thickness, is 2.5-10.0.

<16> A sheet in accordance with any of the above <1> - <15>, where the narrowed part is formed in a place where stress is easily concentrated, in the wall portion of the second protruding part.

<17> A sheet according to any of the above <1> to <16>, where the constricted portion exists in a direction perpendicular to the machine direction at the time of manufacture.

<18> A sheet according to any of the above <1> - <17>, where the inner space of the second protruding part has an annular shape having a long axis and a short axis in its plan view and the narrowed part is located in the direction of the short axis.

<19> The sheet according to any of the above <1> to <18>, where the sheet contains non-woven material.

<20> The sheet according to the above paragraph <19>, where the wall portion has an orientation of the fibers along the direction connecting the first protruding part and the second protruding part anywhere in the direction on the plane of the sheet.

<21> Absorbent product, where the sheet in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> - <20> is used as the upper element, directing the second side of the surface toward the surface, not coming in contact with the skin.

<22> A disposable diaper, wherein the sheet according to any of the above paragraphs <1> to <20> is used as the top member by directing the second side of the surface toward a surface that does not come in contact with the skin.

<23> A method of manufacturing a nonwoven material by transferring a layer of fibers containing thermoplastic fibers on a support having a large number of protrusions and having air permeability, and pressurizing hot air in the direction of the support from a position above the fiber layer to give the layer a concave-convex shape, comprising :

a stage of boosting hot air to form a layer of fibers along the protrusions on the support;

a melting step of each fiber by turning on a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot air; and besides,

the step of applying profiling processing using a calendaring shaft.

<24> A method of manufacturing a nonwoven material in accordance with the above paragraph <23>, where the calender shaft is pressed under a linear pressure of 20 to 50 kg / cm.

EXAMPLES

The present utility model will be described in more detail based on the following examples, but it is not intended that the present utility model be limited to them.

(Example 1)

A core-sheath bicomponent fiber with 2.2 dtex × 51 mm, this bicomponent fiber contains polyethylene terephthalate as a core and polyethylene as a sheath, is fed from a card machine to a layer forming machine so that the bulk would be 30 g / m ² . The device for forming a layer serves air at normal temperature to fix the above layer of fibers on a support with a large number of protrusions and with permeability to air. Regarding the pitch of the projections of the support (the distance between the centers in the form of protrusions from above), the width in the MD direction is 8 mm, the width in the CD direction is 5 mm, and the height of the protrusion is 3 mm. Then, hot wind (temperature 130 ° C, wind speed 50 m / s) is blown onto the fiber layer on the support to form the layer and the fiber layer is formed along the protrusions on the support, and, changing the conditions for hot wind to a temperature of 160 ° C and wind speed 5 m / s, each fiber with a core-sheath structure is fused. Linear speed is 100 m / min. The fiber layer then passes between the calender shafts installed at a linear pressure of 35 kg / cm. Thus, a non-woven material formed by heat alloying and profiling is selected. Non-woven material is a sample of 1 sheet having narrowed parts.

(Example 2)

Sample 2 of the sheet is obtained in the same way, except that the height of the protrusions on the support is 5 mm, in example 1.

(Comparative example 1)

In the same manner as in Example 1 of JP-A-2008-25081, a non-woven fabric in the form of a corrugation is obtained. Details are as follows.

A fiber layer is used as the first fiber layer, in which fiber A and fiber B are mixed: fiber A has a core-shell structure of low density polyethylene (melting point 110 ° C) and polyethylene terephthalate, an average fineness of 3.3 dtex and an average fiber length of 51 mm, and it is coated with a hydrophilic agent; and fiber B has a core-sheath structure of high density polyethylene (melting point 135 ° C) and polyethylene terephthalate, an average fineness of 3.3 dtex and an average fiber length of 51 mm, and it is coated with a water-repellent agent. Fiber A and fiber B are contained at a mixing ratio of 70:30, and the bulk is set at 15 g / m ² .

As the second fiber layer, a fiber layer is used, which is obtained using 100% fiber having a core-shell structure of high density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, an average fineness of 4.4 dtex and an average fiber length of 38 mm and coated with a hydrophilic agent. The bulk of this fiber layer is 25 g / m ² .

Using the same device as in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 in JP-A-2008-25081, the fibers laminated as described above are transferred and hot wind is blown onto them from the blower part of the above device under conditions of a temperature of 105 ° C. and an air volume of 1200 l / min, and a sheet sample c1 is obtained, corrugated.

(Comparative example 2)

In a manner similar to the operations in Example 1 of JP-A-2001-20168, a concave-convex nonwoven fabric is produced by profiling. Details are as follows.

The nonwoven obtained by melt spinning consists of polypropylene resin and has a bulk of 40 g / m ² , it is profiled with a steel punch and a matrix at 130 ° C from both surfaces using two convex shafts to form a sheet (sheet sample c2), withstanding repeated application of pressure formed from an aggregate of fibers on which a large number of regularly arranged convex parts are formed [number of convex parts: 5 parts / cm ² (relative to the sheet area, repeated pressure application), the distance between the corresponding convex parts: 4.5 mm, the thickness between the upper surface and the rear surface in the convex part: 0.5 mm].

(Comparative example 3)

In a manner similar to the operations in Example 1 of JP-A-2004-174234, a nonwoven fabric with a concave-convex bilayer structure is manufactured. Details are as follows.

As nonwoven materials constituting the first and second sheets, air-permeable nonwoven materials are made having a bulk of 18 g / m ² , respectively, containing 2.2 dtex bicomponent fiber core-sheath formed from polyethylene terephthalate as a core and polyethylene as shell. These sheets use and make a sheet for an absorbent article, for a disposable diaper (sheet sample c3), using the device described in JP-A-2004-174234. The height (h) of the convex part of the obtained sheet is 1.4 mm, the width (w) of the convex part along the X direction is 4.0 mm, and the width (k) of the connected part (concave part) is 1.0 mm.

Using the above samples of nonwoven materials, carry out the following measurement studies. The results are shown in table 1.

<Space when profiling at 50 g force / cm ² >

An acrylic panel of 10 cm × 10 cm is prepared. This time, the mass to be placed on the acrylic panel is set as a pressure of 50 g force / cm ² under load. The sheet is placed on a flat table, an acrylic panel and a load is placed on it and it is observed whether there is space between the table and the sheet and between the acrylic panel and the sheet.

<Thickness>

The thickness of the nonwoven fabric is measured using the KES-FB3-AUTO-A texture measurement system. The settings for measurement are: sensitivity: 2, compression speed: 50 sec / mm, data collection interval: 0.1 sec, the area to which pressure is applied: 2 cm ² (attached holder), and the size of the sheet to be measured, is 15 cm × 15 cm, and the sheet is located in the center of the measuring table. In accordance with the standard settings for the measuring tool, the measurement is carried out at three points. The thickness under a load of 0.5 g / cm ² is defined as T _0.5 , and the thickness under a load of 50 g / cm ² is defined as T ₅₀ , and the average value in three places, respectively, is determined as the measured value.

<Compression Resistance (LC)>

The compressive strength (LC) of the nonwoven fabric is measured using the KES-FB3-AUTO-A texture measurement system. The settings for measurement are: sensitivity: 2, compression speed: 50 sec / mm, data collection interval: 0.1 sec, the area to which pressure is applied: 2 cm ² (attached holder), and the size of the sheet to be measured, is 15 cm × 15 cm, and the sheet is located in the center of the measuring table. In accordance with the standard settings for the measuring tool, the measurement is carried out at three points, and the average value is used as the measured value.

<Shock absorbing properties>

When the sheet is squeezed and returned back using the hands of the evaluator, his sensation is evaluated. Three evaluators are invited, and their average score (rounded to the first decimal point) is used as the result of evaluating the sheet.

Taking into account practical requirements, the assessment of measurement results is classified as follows.

3: When the sheet is squeezed and returned, it has a recovery sensation similar to a spring.

2: When the sheet is squeezed and returned, it has a sensation of recovery similar to a spring, but it is weak. Alternatively, the sheet has a recovery sensation similar to a spring, either only when it is compressed or when it is released back.

1: When the sheet is squeezed and returned, it does not have a sensation of recovery similar to a spring.

<Light strain properties>

When the sheet is bent, the sensation is evaluated. Three evaluators are invited, and their average score (rounded to the first decimal point) is used as the result of the evaluation of the sheet.

Taking into account practical requirements, the assessment of measurement results is classified as follows.

3: When the sheet is bent , it has a soft feeling. Alternatively, the sheet bends spontaneously.

2: When the sheet is bent, it has a slightly hard feel. Alternatively, when the sheet is bent, a bend line appears.

1: When the sheet is bent, it has a hard feeling. Alternatively, when the sheet is bent, a bend line appears.

<Absorption Rate>

A sample of non-woven material, cut as 280 × 160 mm, is placed on the pulp-shaped absorber mass through the sublayer (air-permeable non-woven material made by lamination: layer, 4.4-3.3 dtex, the bulk of 1220 g / m ² containing bicomponent core-cladding fiber formed from polyethylene terephthalate as a core and polyethylene as a cladding; and a layer with a bulk of 20 g / m ² containing 7.8 dtex bicomponent core-cladding fiber formed from polypropylene as a heart guilt and polyethylene as a shell). A load of 20 g / cm ^{2 is} uniformly applied to the nonwoven fabric described above. A tube with an inner diameter of 36 mm was placed almost at the center of the sample and physiological saline was poured into it. After this, the physiological saline solution is poured into it three times, 40 g each time, every 10 minutes, and when the third solution is poured, the time (s) is measured until the solution is completely absorbed. The measurement results for each sample are shown in the above table 1.

Taking into account practical requirements, the assessment of measurement results is classified as follows.

A: The time to complete absorption of the solution is 180 seconds or less.

B: The time until complete absorption of the solution is from 180 seconds to 300 seconds.

C: The time to complete absorption of the solution is 300 seconds or more.

<Fluid Backflow Properties>

In the above assessment of the absorption rate, 10 minutes after the third solution is poured, the poured part is considered as the center, 20 filter papers are placed on it (4A, manufactured by Advantec Toyo Kaisha, Ltd., size 100 mm × 100 mm), and then a pressure of 3.5 kPa (3.5 kg, size 100 mm × 100 mm) is applied to them. Filter papers are removed 2 minutes after the load is placed. The difference between the initial mass of filter paper and its mass after application of pressure is measured as the amount of backflow of fluids.

Taking into account practical requirements, the assessment of measurement results is classified as follows.

A: The fluid backflow is 0.5 g or less.

B: The magnitude of the return flow of fluids is from 0.5 to 1 g.

C: Fluid backflow rate is 1 g or more.

From the above results it follows that non-woven materials (examples) in preferred embodiments of the present utility model have excellent characteristics of good air permeability, high cushioning properties and deformation properties and high absorption rate and are non-sticky and skin-friendly compared to comparative examples.

Having a description of a useful model of the authors in connection with these options for implementation, the intention of the authors is that the useful model is not limited to any of the details of the description, unless otherwise indicated, but rather should be considered in a broad sense within its spirit and scope, as formulated in the attached utility model formula.

This application claims the priority of patent application No. 2011-269380, filed in Japan on December 8, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE POSITIONS

1 The first protruding part

11 Upper part of the first protruding part

18 Interior spaces of the first protruding part

2 Second protruding part

21 Upper part of the second protruding part

28 Interior spaces of the second protruding part

3 Part of the wall

7 Narrowed parts

10 sheet

Claims (21)

1. The sheet containing the first protruding part protruding in the direction of the first side of the surface in the form of a sheet from above and having an inner space, and the second protruding part protruding in the direction of the second side of the surface as a side opposite the first side of the surface, and having an inner space, moreover, the first protruding part and the second protruding part are arranged alternately through the part of the wall with continuous distribution in the direction on the sheet plane in each of the different intersecting directions in the form of the sheet from above, and the inner space of the first protruding part is open on the second side of the surface, and the inner space of the second protruding parts are open on the first side of the surface; and however, the sheet contains a narrowed part in the direction of the inner space of the second protruding part in the wall part connecting from the upper part of the first protruding part to the upper part of the second protruding part the wall portion has an orientation of the fibers along a direction connecting the first protruding part and the second protruding part anywhere in the direction on the sheet plane. 2. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the inner space supported by the first protruding part and the second protruding part has a truncated cone shape or a hemispherical shape with a rounded upper part, which is similar to the outer part of each of the first and second protruding parts. 3. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed parts are formed by a pair of at least two places. 4. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed part is formed with a reduced width compared to the width of the second protruding part in a cross section in the thickness direction of the second protruding part. 5. The sheet according to claim 1, in which in the cross section in the thickness direction of the second protruding part, the width B is formed as the distance between the inner walls in the position where the paired narrowed parts converge most closely with each other, and the width A is formed as the distance between the inner walls in a position where the width between the parts of the walls is greatest near the narrowed part and on its lower side, the ratio B / A of width B to width A is 0.2-0.9. 6. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed part is located on the border between the region p ' ₂ and the region p' ₃ , where the curvature of the upper part of the second protruding part changes. 7. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the ratio of T ₇ / T of the height T _{7 of the} narrowed part from the upper part of the second protruding part to the thickness T of the sheet is 0.1-0.9. 8. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed parts are formed in pairs in at least two places and in the form of a strip with a given width. 9. The sheet according to claim 1, in which, when the semicircle length of the periphery of the second protruding part in the height position at which the constricted part is located is defined as C, and the circumference of the narrowed strip of the constricted part is defined as D, their D / C ratio is 0.2-0.9. 10. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed part is completely on the circumference of the second protruding part. 11. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed part has a rounded shape having a smaller angle. 12. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the sheet material in the narrowed portion is folded to form a folded thick portion when pressure is applied in a direction along the thickness of the sheet. 13. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the compressive strength of the LC sheet is 0.01-0.35. 14. The sheet according to claim 1, in which, when the sheet is compressed toward the surface under a pressure of 50 g of force / cm ² using a non-deformable pressure plate, the ratio (S ₅₀ / Sa) between the contact area S _{50 of the} pressure plate and sheet and unit the total area Sa of the pressure plate is 0.3-0.9. 15. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the ratio T _0.5 / T ₅₀ between the thickness of the sheet is T _0.5 , when the sheet is compressed under pressure of 0.5 g of force / cm ² in a flat form in the direction along the thickness of the sheet, and the thickness sheet T ₅₀ when the sheet is compressed under a pressure of 50 g of force / cm ² in a flat form in the direction along the thickness of the sheet, is 2.5-10.0. 16. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the narrowed part is formed in a place on which stress is easily concentrated, in the wall part of the second protruding part. 17. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the constricted portion is in a direction perpendicular to the machine direction at the time of manufacture. 18. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the inner space of the second protruding part has an annular shape having a long axis and a short axis in its top view, and the narrowed part is located in the direction of the short axis. 19. The sheet according to claim 1, in which the sheet contains non-woven material. 20. An absorbent product in which the sheet according to claim 1 is used as the upper element, directing the second side of the surface toward the surface, not coming in contact with the skin. 21. A disposable diaper, in which the sheet according to claim 1 is used as the upper element by directing the second side of the surface toward a surface that does not come into contact with the skin.

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