RU2550484C1 - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: upper sheet comprises a first and a second protruding parts protruding on the side of the first surface and the second surface, respectively, having the inner space. The first and the second protruding parts are arranged alternately and continuously in a certain order over the entire surface of the upper sheet in each of different intersecting directions on top view. The second protruding part has a wall part having an annular structure between its upper part and its opening, and the wall part has the properties of the fibre orientation in the direction connecting the upper part of the second protruding part and its hole. The absorbent element has parts with the first and second base weights which are lower than the first one. The part with the second base weight surrounds the part with the first base weight and is located in contact with the upper part of the second protruding part of the upper sheet, and it additionally has a concave part in the form of a chute deepened from the side of the lower sheet in the direction of the upper sheet side, extending at least in the longitudinal direction and having a lower surface formed by the part with the second base weight. Part of the adjacent first and second protruding parts is located at a position corresponding to the concave part through the part with the second base weight.

EFFECT: increase in conformability, preventing lateral leakage, increase in the strength of the absorbent element, reduced stickiness.

20 cl, 10 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

BACKGROUND

An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, daily napkin or disposable diaper, is usually used in direct contact with the skin of the user. In this case, the absorbent article is often used in a place where the skin is highly sensitive to irritation, and also periodically worn for a long period of time. Therefore, a product having a soft touch to the skin is desirable. On the other hand, for these types of absorbent articles, liquid-absorbing properties and liquid-retaining properties are required as a main function.

A typical absorbent article is an absorbent article formed by placing a flat top sheet 1 on an absorbent member 3, as shown in FIG. 10.

Patent document 1 discloses an upper sheet consisting of a sheet of the outer layer and a sheet of the lower layer and having a large number of hollow inside convex sections. In such a top sheet, the bottom surface of the convex portion described above is rectangular, and the convex portion as a whole has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped or the shape of a truncated square pyramid.

Moreover, Patent Document 2 discloses a top sheet in which a plurality of rows of scar sections and groove sections are connected alternately, partially or completely, on the surface, the scar sections are curved into a convex shape, the groove sections are curved into a concave shape, and located at intervals of the grooves at intervals a large number of open slots. The peripheral parts of the open slots are provided with three-dimensional ribs protruding from the upper surface of such an upper sheet in the direction of its rear surface.

In addition, Patent Document 3 discloses a top sheet for an absorbent article in which a first fiber layer that is located on the skin side and a second fiber layer that is located on the side of the absorbent element are laminated and partially bonded at a junction of a predetermined pattern, and a part, different from the above portion of the connection in the first fiber layer, forms a convex shape on the skin side.

LIST OF QUOTED DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2004-174234 (“JP-A” means Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application)

Patent Document 2: JP-A-09-299402

Patent Document 3: JP-A-2004-000466.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an absorbent article comprising a top sheet located on a side of a skin contacting surface, a bottom sheet located on a side of a skin non-contacting surface, and an absorbent member inserted between both sheets,

where the top sheet has a first protruding portion protruding on the side of the first surface as the fluid supply side and having an inner space, and a second protruding portion on the side of the second surface as a side opposite the side of the first surface, and having an inner space, the first protruding portion and the second protruding section is alternately and continuously arranged in a certain order throughout the entire top sheet in each of the different intersecting directions in the form top, the second projecting portion has a wall portion having an annular structure between its upper part and its opening and the wall portion has the properties of fiber orientation in a direction connecting the upper portion of the second projecting portion and the opening,

where the absorbent element has a portion with a first base weight and a portion with a second base weight that has a lower base weight than the base weight of the portion with the first base weight, and surrounds the portion with the first base weight, and is in contact with the upper part of the second protruding portion the upper sheet, and further has a concave portion in the form of a groove recessed from the side of the lower sheet in the direction of the side of the upper sheet, extending at least in the longitudinal direction and having a lower surface, formed a site with a second base weight, and

where at least a portion of the adjacent first and second protruding sections is located in a position corresponding to the concave section through the section with the second base weight.

Other and additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more fully apparent from the description below, respectively, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing one preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention, in which (1) is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a portion of an absorbent core structural element of an absorbent article, and (2) is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing dimension of positions in each part of the top sheet.

FIG. 2 is a contour view showing one example of a preferred planar arrangement in a particular order of protruding portions visible from the side of the first surface of the top sheet in accordance with an absorbent article of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a contour view showing a modified example of a planar arrangement of protruding portions visible from a side of a first surface of a top sheet in accordance with an absorbent article of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing one preferred example of an absorbent element of an absorbent article of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a planar distribution view showing one preferred example of an absorbent element of an absorbent article of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a cross-sectional structure showing fluid movement when a small amount of liquid enters the top sheet in an absorbent article of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a cross-sectional structure showing fluid movement when a large amount of liquid enters the top sheet in an absorbent article of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a cross-sectional structure showing fluid movement when an even larger amount of liquid enters the top sheet in an absorbent article of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the stretchable article of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing one example of a top sheet and an absorbent member in accordance with conventional technology, in which (1) is an expanded perspective view and (2) is a cross-sectional view.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an absorbent article in which the liquid permeability of a concave-convex top sheet and the ability to distribute liquid within the absorbent member are improved.

One preferred embodiment of an absorbent article in accordance with the present invention is described below with reference to FIG. 1-5. In addition, each constituent part is described by fixing the designation.

As shown in FIG. 1, an absorbent article of the present invention has a base composition described below. More specifically, the absorbent article has an absorbent core structural element 4, comprising: a liquid-permeable topsheet 1 located on the side of the skin contact surface; liquid impervious bottom sheet 2 located on the non-skin-contacting surface; and an absorbent element (also called an absorbent core) 3 having the properties of retaining fluid inserted between the upper sheet 1 and the lower sheet 2.

In the above-described absorbent core structural element 4, material commonly used for this type of diaper or similar product can be used, and is not particularly limited.

The top sheet 1 is preferably formed from a liquid permeable nonwoven material. As the liquid-permeable non-woven material, non-woven materials called breathable non-woven material, point-bonded non-woven material, spunbond non-woven material (spunbond), hydro-woven non-woven material (spunlace) and bulk non-woven material, where the non-woven material fibers are polypropylene, can preferably be used. monofilaments, bicomponent fibers of polypropylene and polyethylene, bicomponent fibers of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene and the like fibers which have been treated by hydrophilizing.

The bottom sheet 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has water repellent and vapor permeability. In particular, an example is a porous film, which is obtained by compounding in a melt a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin and a finely divided inorganic filler containing calcium carbonate and the like, or an organic polymer that is not compatible and the like, to form a film, and to conduct monoaxial or biaxial stretching the film. Examples of thermoplastic resins may include polyolefins. Examples of polyolefins can include high density to low density polyethylenes, linear low density polyethylenes, polypropylene, polybutene and the like polyolefins, and they can be used alone or in a mixture.

For the absorbent element 3, for example, a combination of fibers or a collection of fibers and an absorbent polymer in combination and the like may be used. As the fibers that make up the collection of fibers, hydrophilic natural fibers such as cellulosic fibers and synthetic fibers (preferably hydrophilized fibers) and the like can be used. Although the base weight is not particularly limited, it is preferably 150 g / m ² or more and 500 g / m ² or less. Moreover, a cover sheet can also be used to enclose the absorbent member 3. In addition, thin paper (sanitary paper), such as hydrophilic sanitary paper, non-woven materials made from hydrophilic fibers, can be used for such a cover sheet. such as cotton and viscose, non-woven materials obtained by hydrophilization of resin fibers (composite non-woven materials, such as spunbond-melbond-spandbon (SMS, SMS), spunbond-melbond-meltbond-spand bon (SMMS, SMMS) and spanbond-spandbond-melbond-spandbon (SSMS, SSMS)), and similar materials.

The following describes the top sheet 1 in detail.

The top sheet 1 has throughout the first protruding portions 11 protruding on the Z1 side of the first surface (upper surface) as the fluid supply side, and the second protruding portions 12 protruding on the Z2 side of the second surface (rear surface), located opposite this side Z1 of the first surface, and the first protruding sections 11 and the second protruding sections 12 are located in a certain order with a given interval. Details of an example planar arrangement in a specific order of the first and second protruding sections 11 and 12 are described later. The side Z1 of the first surface is preferably facing the surface side of the skin of the user, and the side Z2 of the second surface is preferably located on the side of the absorbent member 3 inside the absorbent article. Next, an explanation will be given in view of an embodiment that is used with the side Z1 of the first surface facing toward the skin side of the user.

The wall portion 13 is located between the upper portion 12T (hereinafter also referred to as the second upper portion 12T) of the second protruding portion 12 described above and its opening 12H. This wall portion 13 forms an annular structure on the second protruding portion 12. The fibers constituting the wall portion 13 have fiber orientation properties mainly in the direction (direction of the double-sided arrow shown in Fig. 1) connecting the second upper portion 12T and the edge portion of its opening 12H . In other words, the fibers have radial orientation properties of the fibers, which are directed from the second upper part 12T in the direction of the outer side. In other words, this shows that the fibers are oriented so that they converge to one point towards the second upper part 12T along the direction of the sheet surface, which extends from the wall portion 13 to the second protruding portion 12. Thus, the fibers have the properties of the radial orientation of the fibers from the second upper part 12T in the direction of the outer side, as a result of which they have a stimulating effect for moving the liquid, which is described later, and at the same time have excellent shock-absorbing properties. More precisely, the first and second protruding sections 11 and 12 have excellent liquid permeability and at the same time exhibit the effect of creasing and accelerated recovery, even if deformation occurs.

Moreover, the wall portion 13 has fewer fibers than the upper portion 11T (hereinafter also referred to as the first upper portion 11T) of the first protruding portion 1 and the upper portion 12T of the second protruding portion 12. In addition, the first and second upper portions 11T and 12T have a higher density compared to the wall portion 13. The number of fibers in the concave-convex formed top sheet 1 of the present invention is difficult to establish due to a large change in the thin region, but a relative increase in the number and fiber wall portion 13 and the first and second upper portions 11T and 12T can be roughly estimated by measuring the interfiber distances. More specifically, when the interfiber distance becomes larger, the relative proportion of fibers decreases, and therefore, the number of fibers decreases compared to a structure in which the interfiber distance is small.

Moreover, the measurement of the thickness at each thin spot of the top sheet 1 makes possible a relative comparison of the density level with the thickness and an approximate estimate of the quantity of fibers. For a fiber quantity value that is comparatively estimated from the interfiber distance, the measurement data in the thickness direction allow an assessment as to whether the fiber-laying structure is dense (small thickness) or the structure is separated (large thickness). More specifically, taking into account the interfiber distance, a comparison of the volume of the cylinder in which circular cavities surrounded by fibers extend in the direction of thickness allows relative density comparison to be made, and when the volume of one cylindrical element having the distance between the fibers as diameter and thickness as height, is large, density can be rated as lower.

In the absorbent article of the present invention, the interfiber distance in the wall portion 13 affects the liquid permeability in the top sheet when a large amount of fluid is absorbed, and the interfiber distance and thickness of the wall portion 13 affect structural stability. In addition, a preferred spacing of the interfiber distance and thickness will be described later.

The following describes examples of the specific configuration of the first and second protruding sections 11 and 12.

The first protruding portion 11T and the second protruding portion 12T are in the form of a truncated cone or hemisphere with the first and second upper parts that are rounded. More specifically, the protruding shape of the first protruding portion 11 is not peaked, but rather hemispherical. On the other hand, the protruding shape of the second protruding portion 12 is pointed and forms a round cone or a truncated cone with a rounded tip. In an embodiment, the shape of the first protruding portion 11 and the shape of the second protruding portion 12 are not limited to the shapes described above and may be any protruding configuration. For example, various conical shapes are approved. For example, in this description, conical shapes are defined broadly with the inclusion of a circular cone, a truncated cone, a pyramid, a truncated pyramid, an inclined circular cone, etc.

The first protruding section 11 and the second protruding section 12 enclose the interior spaces 11S and 12S, which are homothetic to their external shapes and are in the form of a truncated cone or hemisphere with a rounded tip. The interior spaces 11S and 12S are isolated from each other through a portion of the rib 14 connecting the adjacent first upper portions 11T of the first protruding portion 11 to form discontinuous spaces.

On the other hand, as described above, the wall portion 13 is placed between the upper portions 11T and 12T of the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12 and the corresponding holes 11H and 12H to form a sheet structure in which the first and second protruding portions 11 and 12 are continuous due to this section of the wall 13 and the above-described section of the ribs 14.

The apparent thickness (hereinafter, apparent sheet thickness t10) of the top sheet 1 as a whole (from the first top 11T to the second top 12T) in the present invention is not particularly limited, but is 1.0 mm or more and 9.0 mm or smaller, preferably 1.5 mm or more and 7.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less in terms of creating an absorbent article with a good shock-absorbing sensation for the body. Moreover, the apparent thickness (apparent thickness t11 of the first upper portion 11T) of the first protruding portion 11 between the first upper portion 11T and the lowest positions of the portion of the rib 14 is 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, preferably 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less in terms of satisfying both the cushioning properties and smoothness. The second protruding portion 12 between the wall portion 13 and the upper portion 12T of the second protruding portion (from the rib portion 14 to the second upper portion 12T) forms a cup shape surrounded by a portion of the wall 13 and the apparent thickness (hereinafter, cup height Hc) of the second protruding portion 12 in the profile is 0.5 mm or more or 8.0 mm or less, preferably 0.7 mm or more or 7.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.0 mm or more or 5.0 mm or less.

As for the thickness of the top sheet in each part from the first upper part 11T, the second upper part 12T and the wall section 13, the wall section 13 is made thinner than the first upper part 11T and the second upper part 12T, the thickness t111 of the first upper part 11T is 0 5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and on the wall portion 13, the thickness t131 at a position 1/3 of the surface on the skin side is 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less, and the thickness t132 is a point 2/3 of the surface on the skin side is from 0.5 to 1.0 mm. When a large amount of liquid, such as urine, is released all at once in this case, the liquid moves from the second upper portion 12T to the absorbent element 3, and therefore, the amount of liquid that flows from the cup portion to be transferred to the absorbent element 3 is excessively great. Therefore, the thickness t121 of the second upper portion 12T has little effect during the movement of a large amount of liquid. On the other hand, the cup is not crushed under pressure. That is, from the point of view of the shape retention properties, the thickness (thickness t132) at the bottom of the cup of the wall portion 13 (a point 1/3 of the apparent thickness (cup height Hc) from the top 12T of the second protruding portion 12, in this case) is within the range described above the interval, resulting in the formation of the fiber structure necessary to maintain shape.

Moreover, in the first upper part 11T and on the wall portion 13, the orientation properties of the fibers and the size of the gaps between the fibers (interfiber distance) in the plan view are different. The fiber orientation, which is determined by the method described below, is determined for the first upper part 11T so that the machine direction (MD) of the top sheet 1 is 0 ° during the measurement of the orientation properties. Here, the above term MD refers to the direction in which each sheet absorbent article and the like. moves in the production process (machine direction). In the case of measuring the orientation properties, the aforementioned machine direction practically coincides with the “plane” in the plan view. In the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the orientation angle on the wall portion 13, which is adjacent in the direction perpendicular to the MD orientation in the first upper part 11T, is determined by taking the direction of the virtual line connecting the first upper part 11T and the second upper part 12T as 90 °. With regard to the orientation angle of the above-described portion of the wall 13, when the angle is 0 ° or more and 360 ° or less is corrected (converted) within the angular interval from 0 ° or more to 180 °, the portion of the wall 13 has an angle of fiber orientation (within ± 30 ° in the direction of the virtual line), continuing along the direction of the virtual line connecting the first upper part 11T and the second upper part 12T.

Regarding the determination of orientation properties on a portion of the wall 13, the study of the direction spaced from the machine direction, and not the area tied to the machine direction of the top sheet 1, also facilitates the observation of changes in fiber orientation properties. Therefore, in the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, for a portion of the wall 13 adjacent to the first upper part 11T, outlines are plotted at which the intersection angle between the virtual line connecting the first upper part 11T and the second upper part 12T and the longitudinal direction is in the range 90 ° ± 45 °, and the measurement the orientation of the fibers, which is described later, is carried out so as to establish the direction of the virtual line connecting the first upper part 11T and the second upper part 12T, which is 90 °.

Moreover, the orientation stability of the wall portion 13 is also preferably up to 1.05 or more. The orientation stability of the first upper portion 11T is not particularly specified, but is more preferably lower than the orientation stability of the wall portion 13. Orientation angles are different between the upper portions 11T, 12T and the wall portion 13 in adjacent sections, as mentioned above, and therefore the fibers in the portion of the wall 13 are arranged so that they are oriented so as to converge to a single point on the side of the second upper part 12T. Moreover, the high stability of the orientation of the wall portion 13 causes the interfiber distance to open, while simultaneously creating the possibility of transferring fluid to the absorbent element 3 when a large amount of fluid is poured out and the fibers of the wall portion 13 contain water. In terms of smoothness, the average interfiber distance in the first upper portion 11T is preferably 1 μm or more and 40 μm or less, and more preferably 5 μm or more and 30 μm or less. Moreover, from the point of view of allowing fluid to pass, the average interfiber distance in the wall portion 13 is preferably greater than the distance of the first upper part 11T, and is preferably 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and more preferably 15 μm or more and 80 μm or less. Moreover, from the point of view of maintaining the structure of the portion of the wall 13 and moving into the inner space 12S while absorbing a large amount of liquid, the relative proportion of the number of fibers having 40 μm or more in the interfiber distance is preferably 5% or more and 50% or less, more preferably 5% or more and 30% or less.

In addition, when the production is carried out by forming a web using the general method of carding and forming a non-woven material using a production method such as an air packing process, the orientation properties of the fibers in the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12 have an angle of orientation of the fibers that are located in the longitudinal the direction of the nonwoven material, and orientation stability may take a value in the range of 1 or more and 1.7 or less depending on the purpose. More precisely, if the orientation of the fibers is strong (high stability of orientation), the vector of fibers arranged in a certain order is directed in the direction of the orientation angle. That is, a large number of fibers are directed in the direction of the angle of orientation, which as a result helps to stabilize behavior during processing. On the contrary, if the stability of the orientation of the fibers is low, the direction of the fibers is scattered, and, as a rule, the ratio of stability in the longitudinal direction to stability in the width direction approaches 1, and can also be adjusted to balance the stability. Typically, from the point of view of ease of weaving, the fibers are crimped, and therefore, the non-woven material certainly has random orientation properties, although the non-woven material is arranged in a certain order in the longitudinal direction, showing an orientation angle in degrees of 0 ° ± 50 ° to the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, the wall portion 13 of the top sheet 1 in the present invention has orientation properties in the direction of the second protruding portion 12, regardless of the orientation angle of the fibers of the first and second protruding sections 11 and 12, or strongly changing angles from the orientation angle of the fibers of the first and second protruding sections 11 and 12, as a result of which they exhibit the effect described above.

The following describes an example of a preferred planar arrangement in a specific order of the first and second protruding portions 11 and 12 described above with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

In the example of the first arrangement in a specific order, which is shown in FIG. 2, the first and second protruding portions 11 and 12 described above are alternately and continuously arranged in a specific order over the entire surface of the top sheet 1 in each of the first direction X and the second direction Y, which are different intersecting directions in a plan view. Such an intersection angle between the first direction X and the second direction Y is preferably set to be from 30 to 90 ° (orthogonal), and the illustrated example shows a variant with an angle of 90 °. In addition, a portion between adjacent first protruding portions 11 is formed as a portion of a rib 14.

In addition, the ordered shape of the first and second protruding portions 11 and 12 described above is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the six first protruding sections 11 can be located on the vertices of the hexagon, placing the second protruding section 12 in the center, and the pattern of their structure can be ordered throughout the entire area on the surface of the top sheet 1. In this case, the number of the first protruding sections 11 exceeds the number of the second the protruding sections 12, and therefore, there is a structure in which the first protruding sections are adjacent. However, since the structure of the continuous sheet is generally formed, such an ordered form is also included in the definition of the first protruding sections 11 and the second protruding sections 12, arranged in a certain order “alternately”, since the protruding sections are located alternately and continuously in each of the first direction X, the second directions Y and third directions W as different intersecting directions in a plan view.

The top sheet having the first and second protruding sections 11 and 12, which are arranged in the specific order described above, is entirely formed by a continuous curve that does not have a deflection section.

Thus, the top sheet preferably has a continuous structure in the plane direction. By “continuous” is meant that discrete sections and small openings are not present. Micropores, such as gaps between fibers, are not considered the aforementioned small holes. The above-mentioned small holes, for example, are called small holes, like holes with a diameter of 1 mm or more, which are equivalent to a circle.

The following describes an example of one preferred structure of the absorbent member 3 described above with reference to FIG. 4 and the above described FIG. one.

The absorbent element 3 has a continuous portion with a second base weight 32, and a portion with a first base weight 31 having a higher base weight than a portion with a second base weight 32, and a portion with a first base weight 31 is surrounded by a portion with a second base weight 32. More in addition, the absorbent element 3 has a groove-shaped concave portion 33, which is recessed from the side of the lower sheet 2 towards the side of the upper sheet 1, has a lower surface formed by a section with a second base weight 32, and extends at least in Aulnay direction. Such a concave portion 33 is located on the side of the lower sheet 2 opposite the side of the upper sheet 1 of the absorbent element 3, and a portion of the adjacent first and second protruding sections 11 and 12 is located in positions corresponding to the concave sections 33 through the absorbent element 3. The above-described section with the second base weight 32 is located so that it surrounds the area with the first base weight 31, and made in the form of a groove concave section 33 is located on the side of the bottom sheet of the section with the second base weight 32 between sections with the first base weight 31. Therefore, in the absorbent element 3, the portion with the first base weight 31 is arranged to be thinner than the portion with the second base weight 32. In this case, the surface of the absorbent element 3 on the side of the upper sheet (upper part in the drawing) is formed so that it has essentially flat surface. Moreover, the density of the portion with the first base weight 31 becomes higher compared to the portion with the second base weight 32. The preferred density range is not particularly limited, but in the portion with the first base weight 31, the density is in the range of 0.03 g / cm ³ or more and 0.50 g / cm ³ or less, more preferably 0.05 g / cm ³ or more and 0.40 g / cm ³ or less, and also preferably 0.07 g / cm ³ or more and 0.30 g / cm ³ or less. In the area with the second base weight 32, the density is in the range of 0.01 g / cm ³ or more and 0.15 g / cm ³ or less, and more preferably in the range of 0.03 g / cm ³ or more and 0.12 g / cm ³ or less.

Thus, the concave portion 33 is placed to the absorbent element 3 from the side of the lower sheet 2 opposite the side of the upper sheet 1, and therefore, the liquid supplied to the surface of the upper sheet 1 moves from the second protruding section 12 to the inner space 11S of the first protruding section 11, and absorbed by the absorbent element 3 from the side of the top sheet 1. Then, the liquid enters the concave section 33 directly from the section with the second base weight 32 of the absorbent element 3 or through the wall surface of the section with the first base weight 31 from the area with the second base weight 32. Thus, a certain amount of liquid is immediately absorbed into the area with the second base weight 32, and liquid that cannot be completely absorbed is transferred to the concave section 33. If the concave section 33 is located on the side of the top sheet 1, the liquid moves directly to the concave section, and the liquid, which cannot completely enter the concave section, flows out, causing leakage. Therefore, the concave portion 33 is preferably placed on the side opposite to the top sheet 1.

Moreover, the surface of the absorbent element 3 on the side of the upper sheet 1 is flat, and even on the upper sheet 1 having a concave-convex shape due to the first and second protruding sections 11 and 12, contact between the second upper part 12T and the absorbent element 3 is reliably provided , and therefore, the adhesive properties of the fusible top sheet 1 (not shown) become sufficient. Such a fusible adhesive is applied, for example, in the form of a spiral so that there is a coating surface having voids, and therefore, the adhesive does not impede the movement of fluid from the second protruding portion 12 to the absorbent element 3. Moreover, when using the fusible adhesive from which it is formed the surface of the coating with voids, the integrity between the top sheet 1 and the absorbent element 3 is maintained, improving the ability to follow a certain path, and the strength and friability are partially distributed during adhesion with the second protruding section 12, and thus, the softness of the absorbent article can be maintained. In addition, the adhesive properties can be evaluated using peeling strength between sheets; and the peeling strength is preferably 0.1 cN or more and 50 cN or less, and more preferably 0.5 cN or more and 10 cN or less. If the peeling strength is less than 0.1 cN, moving the liquid from the top sheet 1 to the absorbent member 3 while absorbing a small amount of liquid becomes difficult to implement. If the peeling strength is higher than 50 cN, the apparent thickness of the top sheet 1 undoubtedly falls, and during the absorption of a large amount of liquid, the effect becomes difficult to realize.

In addition, the area with the first base weight 31 has a higher density than the area with the second base weight 32, and therefore there is a movement of fluid from the area with the second base weight 32 to the area with the first base weight 31, but the movement of the liquid from the area with the first a base weight of 31 per plot with a second base weight of 32 is negligible. Thus, the liquid absorbed in the area with the first base weight 31, it is difficult to flow back. More specifically, fluid retention properties are improved.

The following describes an example of a preferred arrangement of grooves forming concave portions of the absorbent member 3 described above with reference to FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5 (1), on the side of the rear surface opposite the top sheet 1 (see FIG. 1) of this absorbent element 3, the absorbent element 3 has first, second and third concave portions 33A, 33B and 33C in the form of concave portions 33 in the shape of grooves extending at least in the longitudinal direction.

More specifically, the absorbent member 3 includes three sections in the longitudinal direction L. The absorbent member 3 has a first absorbent portion 3A highlighted as a middle portion, a second absorbent portion 3B located on one side of the first absorbent portion 3A, and a third absorbent portion 3C located on the other side of the first absorbent portion 3A. Thus, the first absorbent portion 3A is located between the second absorbent portion 3B and the third absorbent portion 3C. Moreover, although the external shape of the absorbent element 3 may be rectangular, it is more preferable that the external shape is given a shape that tapers at the first absorbent portion 3A in the direction of the width D (hereinafter, the direction of the width D is called the direction that is orthogonal to longitudinal direction L) so as to correspond to the inguinal regions of the thighs of the user. The first, second and third absorbent sections 3A, 3B and 3C are presented only by sectioning the regions of the absorbent element 3 and are not divided into corresponding absorbent sections. In addition, when the absorbent member 3 is attached to the absorbent article of the diaper and put on, the first absorbent portion 3A is superimposed near the crotch area, and, for example, the second absorbent portion 3B is superimposed near the front (vertical) side, and the third absorbent portion 3C is superimposed near the gluteal (dorsal) ) side. On the other hand, the second absorbent portion 3B is applied near the gluteal (dorsal) side, and the third absorbent portion 3C is applied near the front (vertical) side.

A plurality of segments of the first concave portions 33A (two segments of the first concave portions 33A in the drawing) are located mainly in the first absorbent portion 3A, and the corresponding first concave portions 33A are present inside the lateral periphery of the first absorbent portion 3A in a plan view and are preferably arranged in the longitudinal direction L. B In this case, the expression that “the plurality of segments of the first concave portions 33A is located mainly on the first absorbent portion 3A” means that there is an option when only rvye concave portions 33A are arranged on the first absorbent portion 3A and a variant, when the second concave portions 33B and the third concave portions 33C disposed partially on the first absorbent portion 3A. In addition, the expression "located in the longitudinal direction L" means that there is an option when the concave sections are located mainly only in the longitudinal direction L, as well as an option when the concave sections are partially located in other directions. In addition, the second and third concave sections 33B and 33C are located mainly in the respective second and third absorbent sections 3B and 3C, and the corresponding second and third concave sections 33B and 33C are located mainly in oblique directions relative to the longitudinal direction L. In this case, the expression that "The second and third concave sections 33B and 33C are preferably located in the respective second and third absorbent sections 3B and 3C" means that there is an option when only the second and third concave Tide portions 33B and 33C, and the variant, when the first part of the concave portions 33A are arranged. The expression “predominantly located in inclined directions” means that the part may be located in other directions, and a specific example of the inclined direction is an arrangement in the form of a beveled grating. Thus, the arrangement configurations of the concave portions differ between the first concave portions 33A and the second and third concave portions 33B and 33C.

In addition, the first and second concave portions 33A and 33B, and the first and third concave portions 33A and 33C are formed as continuous concave portions.

In addition, although the shape of the cross-sectional surface from the first concave portions 33A to the third concave portions 33C can be any shape, they have the shape of a rectangle or the shape of an inverted trapezoid. In addition, since the absorbent element 3 is formed by a combination of fibers and similar materials, such as non-woven material, the contour of the surface shape of the cross section of each concave portion is not fixed and is an approximate shape.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5 (2), in the absorbent member 3 with the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 (1), the absorbent member 3 comprises a plurality (four in the example shown) of the first concave portions 33A, mainly in the first absorbent portion 3A and the fourth concave portions 33h in the width direction D of the first absorbent portion 3A, made in conjunction with the first concave portions 33A located in the longitudinal direction L. Accordingly, the concave sections are located in the so-called lattice of steps due to the first concave sections 33A and the fourth concave sections 33h. Other components are the same as those of the absorbent member 3 shown in FIG. 5 (1). In this case, the movement of fluid rapidly develops to concave sections on the outer surface and can be carried out in a wider range. Thus, the amount of absorbed liquid increases, and at the same time, the time during which the liquid is absorbed becomes shorter.

In addition, 33A and 33h belonging to the first absorbent portion 3A may be arranged in the form of a step grating (the portion with the first base weight 31 is staggered), or may be located in the form of a grating (portion with the first base weight 31 is made gratings). In addition, the second concave portions 33B and the third concave portions 33C belonging to the second absorbent portions 3B and the third absorbent portions 3C, respectively, may be absent or may be present in discontinuous form (not solid). Moreover, the concave portions may be parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Each of the plurality of first concave portions 33A belonging to the first absorbent portion 3A, the second concave portions 33B and the third concave portions 33C may have the same or different width.

The following describes the principle of operation of the absorbent product of the present invention when considering the above preferred embodiment as an example. First, fluid movement is described when the fluid enters the above-described topsheet 1, with reference to FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the amount of liquid 51 (shown by an arrow) that has arrived is small, the liquid 51 is believed to move along the wall surface of the inner space 12S of the second protruding portion 12 from the upper portion 12T of the second protruding portion 12 to the side of the absorbent member 3, and then moves from the area with the second base weight 32 having a low base weight to the area with the first base weight 31 having a high base weight in the absorbent member 3.

When the amount of liquid that has arrived is large, as shown in FIG. 7 (1), the fluid 51 does not sufficiently flow from the upper portion 12T of the second protruding portion 12, and the fluid accumulates in the interior space 12S of the second protruding portion 12.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (2), the accumulated liquid 51 can instantly flow into the inner space 11S inside the first protruding portion 11 under the action of fluid pressure from the inner space 12S of the second protruding portion through the gaps between the fibers oriented in the direction connecting the upper portion 12T and the hole 12H. In addition, the wall portion 13 has fewer fibers than the upper portions 11T and 12T, and therefore, if the liquid pressure of the level at which fluid 51 accumulates in the second protruding portion 12 is applied to the wall portion 13, the expansion of the space between the fibers believed to be relieved.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 (3), the amount of liquid 51 that instantly flows from the inner space 12S to the inner space 11S is large. Therefore, the liquid 51 instantly exceeds the amount of liquid that can be absorbed in the area with the second base weight 32 having a low base weight and placed on the side of the top sheet 1 of the absorbent element 3, and the amount of liquid that can be moved from the area with the second base weight 32 to the area with the first base weight 31 having a high base weight, and therefore, excess liquid 52 appears. This excess liquid accumulates in the concave sections 33 along the wall surface of the portion with the first base weight 31. Such a concave portion 33 has a liquid impermeable lower layer 2 on the side of the hole (lower part of the drawing). Thus, even if the hole side of the concave portion 33 is directed downward, the liquid 51 accumulates in the concave portion 33 without leakage, and is distributed in a wide area of the absorbent element 3 along the concave portion 33.

In the present invention, a portion of the adjacent first and second protruding portions 11 and 12 is located in a position corresponding to the concave portions 33 through the absorbent member 3. Thus, the liquid 51 moving into the interior space 11S of the first protruding portion 11 is configured to easily move to a concave portion 33 through a portion with a second base weight 32 of the absorbent member 3. More specifically, the pitch between the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12 (between the first upper portion 11T and the second the part 12T) is narrower than the concave portion 33 of the absorbent element 3, and therefore, the first and second protruding portions 11 and 12 must inevitably be located in a position corresponding to the concave portion 33. As a result, the liquid entering the first protruding portion 11 can be quickly moved to the concave portion 33. Then, the liquid 51 (excess fluid 52) that has moved to the concave portion 33 is distributed over a wide area of the absorbent member 3 along the concave portion 33 and is absorbed into the absorbent lement 3.

When the amount of liquid delivered is even greater, as shown in FIG. 8, together with the movement of the liquid 51 mentioned above, the liquid 51 is believed to be moved so that it directly accumulates in the concave portion 33 located below the portion with the second base weight 32 having a low base weight. At the same time, the section with the second base weight 32 can sometimes be pressed in the direction of the side of the concave section 33 under fluid pressure. Then, the liquid 51 remaining in the concave portion 33 is distributed into the wide area of the absorbent member 3 along the concave portion 33, and is absorbed into the absorbent member 3.

As described above, the liquid 51 entering the top sheet 1 quickly moves from the inner space 11S to the absorbent member 3 through the top sheet 1 and is distributed and absorbed.

As a result, the movement of the liquid 51 to the top sheet 1 is restrained and therefore lateral leakage can be prevented. Moreover, even if a large amount of liquid 51 arrives, the movement of liquid 51 proceeds immediately from the inside of the second protruding portion 12 to the inner space 11S on the first protruding portion 11 located on the side of the second surface Z2 (back side) of the top sheet 1. Thus, it becomes difficult for the liquid to remain on the first surface (front surface) of the side Z1 of the top sheet 1, and the discomfort on the skin can be reduced.

Moreover, the density of the upper portion 12T of the second protruding portion 12 is higher than the density of the wall portion 13. Thus, when a large amount of liquid 51 enters, the liquid becomes difficult to seep from the upper portion 12T and therefore, the liquid 51 can temporarily and easily accumulate in the inner the space 11S of the first protruding portion 11. Moreover, the density of the upper portion 12T is higher than the density of the portion of the wall 13, and therefore, the crush resistance advantage of the upper portions 11T and 1 can also be obtained. 2T.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the stretchable garment (linen) of the present invention will be described with reference to the perspective view shown in FIG. 9.

In the stretchable garment 100, in this description, the length direction of the stretchable garment is defined as the Y direction, and the lateral direction of the stretchable garment is defined as the X direction, and is also called the “waist circumference”.

As shown in FIG. 9, the pull-on garment of the embodiment is, for example, a pull-on diaper 100, and has a front portion 121 designed to be worn around the front of the wearer, a crotch portion 113 made to fit along the crotch area of the wearer, and the lower section 123, designed to be worn around the user's buttock. Such a pull-on diaper 100 will be discussed in detail below.

The pull-on diaper 100 includes an outer cover 111 formed by a front portion 121 and a lower portion 123, and an absorbent core structure 4 that forms a crotch portion 113.

The outer cover 111 is formed into a cylindrical shape by connecting one edge of the side side 121A of the front portion 121 and one edge of the side side 123A of the lower portion 123, and further by connecting the other edge of the side side 121B of the front portion 121 and the other edge of the side side 123B of the lower portion 123.

In addition, the crotch portion 113 includes an absorbent core structural element 4, which forms a jumper between the front portion 121 and the lower portion 123, and is therefore designed to be worn along the user's crotch. The stretchable configuration (panties) includes an outer cover 111 formed into a cylindrical shape and an absorbent core structural element 4 forming a jumper of the crotch portion 113.

The absorbent core structural element 4, which forms the crotch portion, also extends to a location slightly below the opening for the waist 112 of the outer cover 111 and is fixed to the outer cover 111 in the front portion 121 and in the rear portion 123. Due to this, the outer cover 111 has a central region on which the absorbent core structural element 4 is fixed, and two side regions on which the absorbent core structural element 4 is not fixed. The “waist area” referred to above refers to the area from actually the upper edge of the waist opening 112 to the downward position in the length direction (Y direction) next to the groin of the outer thigh.

The above-mentioned outer coating 111 is formed by layering the material of the inner layer 131 and the materials of the outer layer 133 and has many single-layer regions in which there is one layer of material of the inner layer 131, at certain intervals in the length direction (Y direction) of the outer coating 111. The drawing shows a structure in which the material of the inner layer 131 is present in single layer regions, and the materials of the outer layer 133 are layered on the material of the inner layer 131 at certain intervals in the length direction outer coating 111.

The layering region where the material of the inner layer 131 and the materials of the outer layer 133 are layered has lateral elasticity (X direction) of the stretchable diaper 100. The layering regions may have elastic elements 135 between the material of the inner layer 131 and the material of the outer layer 133. In this case, each the elastic element 135 in its stretched state is inserted between the material of the inner layer 131 and the material of the outer layer 133, and therefore has elasticity. On the other hand, as explained in detail below, both or one material of the material of the inner layer 131 and the material of the outer layer 133 can be formed of an elastic material.

Examples of sheet materials for the material of the inner layer 131 and the material of the outer layer 133 include, for example, non-woven materials obtained by various production methods, such as air-printed non-woven material, hot-pressed non-woven material, hydro-woven non-woven material, spunbond non-woven material (spunbond) and non-woven aerodynamically obtained material from a melt; woven materials, knitted materials, resin films and similar materials used separately, and also sheet materials obtained by combining them by layering, etc. can be used.

In addition, in particular, the material of the inner layer 131 is preferably obtained from non-woven material, taking into account the improvement of breathability and quality of the fabric, and preferably obtained from water-repellent non-woven material from the point of view of preventing leakage of released substances.

The above-mentioned pull-on diaper 100 superimposes the absorbent core structural element 4 of the absorbent article according to the present invention on the crotch portion 113, thereby preventing leakage and reducing unpleasant sensations on the skin.

With regard to the above-described embodiments, the present invention also discloses the stretch absorbent articles and garments discussed below.

<1> An absorbent article comprising an upper sheet located on the side of the skin contacting surface, a lower sheet located on the side of the skin non-contacting surface, and an absorbent member inserted between the two sheets,

where the top sheet has a first protruding portion protruding on the side of the first surface as the fluid supply side and having an inner space, and a second protruding portion on the side of the second surface as a side opposite the side of the first surface, and having an inner space, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion is alternately and continuously arranged in a certain order over the entire surface of the top sheet in each of the different intersecting directions in the form above, the second protruding portion has a wall portion having an annular structure between its upper part and its hole, and the wall portion has fiber orientation properties in the direction connecting the upper portion of the second protruding portion and its hole,

where the absorbent element has a portion with a first base weight and a portion with a second base weight that has a lower base weight than the base weight of the portion with the first base weight, and surrounds the portion with the first base weight, and is in contact with the upper part of the second protruding portion the upper sheet, and further has a concave portion in the form of a groove recessed from the side of the lower sheet in the direction of the side of the upper sheet, extending at least in the longitudinal direction and having a lower surface, formed a site with a second base weight, and

where at least a portion of the adjacent first and second protruding sections is located in a position corresponding to the concave section through the section with the second base weight.

<2> An absorbent article according to <1>, wherein the wall portion has radial orientation properties of the fibers that are directed from the top of the second protruding portion toward the outer surface.

<3> Absorbent article according to <1> or <2>, where the fibers are oriented so that they converge to one point in the direction of the upper part of the second protruding portion along the direction of the surface of the top sheet, which extends from the wall portion to the second protruding portion .

<4> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion have interior spaces having a truncated cone or hemisphere in a rounded upper portion homothetic to the outer shape of the protruding portions.

<5> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <4>, where the interior spaces are isolated by a rib portion connecting the adjacent first upper parts of the first protruding portions to form discontinuous spaces.

<6> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <5>, where the surface of the absorbent member on the top sheet side is flat.

<7> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the portion with the first base weight has a higher density than the portion with the second base weight.

<8> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the density of the portion with the first base weight is 0.03 g / cm ³ or more and 0.50 g / cm ³ or less.

<9> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the density of the portion with the second base weight is 0.01 g / cm ³ or more and 0.15 g / cm ³ or less.

<10> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the wall portion has fewer fibers than each upper portion of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.

<11> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <10>, where the upper parts of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion have a higher density than the density of the wall portion.

<12> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <11>, where the thickness on the wall portion is less than the upper portion of the first protruding portion and the upper portion of the second protruding portion, taking into account the thickness of the upper sheet in each portion of the upper portion the first protruding section, the upper part of the second protruding section and the wall section.

<13> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <12>, where the thickness of the upper portion of the first protruding portion is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, the thickness of the wall portion is in a 1/3 position from the surface on the skin side is 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less, and the thickness of the wall portion in a position 2/3 from the surface on the skin side is 0.5 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less.

<14> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <13>, where the average interfiber distance in the wall portion is greater than the interfiber distance in the upper portion of the first protruding portion.

<15> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <14>, where the average interfiber distance at the top of the first protruding portion is 1 μm or more and 40 μm or less.

<16> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <15>, where the average interfiber distance in a wall portion is 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

<17> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <16>, wherein the upper portion of the second protruding portion and the absorbent member are secured using a hot-melt adhesive.

<18> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <17>, wherein the absorbent member comprises three parts in its longitudinal direction,

a plurality of first concave portions are disposed in a first absorbent portion partitioned into an intermediate portion, and

each first concave portion is located inside the lateral periphery of the first absorbent portion in a plan view and is located mainly in the longitudinal direction.

<19> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <18>, wherein the absorbent member has three parts in the longitudinal direction and includes a first absorbent portion partitioned into an intermediate portion, a second absorbent portion located on one side of the first absorbent portion and a third absorbent portion located on the other side of the first absorbent portion,

the second concave portion and the third concave portion are located on the second absorbent portion and the third absorbent portion, respectively,

and each of the second concave portion and the third concave portion is located in a direction inclined to the longitudinal direction.

<20> A stretchable garment having a front portion configured to be worn around the front side of the wearer, a crotch portion configured to be worn along the crotch area of the wearer, and a lower portion configured to be worn around the back of the wearer moreover, the portion of the edge of the side of the portion of the front side and the portion of the edge of the side of the portion of the rear side are connected to form a stretchable product, where the absorbent product in accordance with any of the paragraphs < 1> - <19> placed on gusset sites.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to examples and comparative examples of an absorbent article of a first embodiment described above. The present invention is not limited to these examples.

As one example of an absorbent article, the present invention uses the stretchable garment 100 shown in FIG. 9, and it was evaluated. The stretchable garment 100 includes an absorbent core structural element 4 formed of an upper sheet, a lower sheet, and an absorbent element interposed therebetween, in which a ribbon-like elastic sheet serving as an outer cover 11 extending in a waist-surrounding direction is fixed in regions of a front portion and the lower edge of the absorbent core structural element 4, and the ribbon-like elastic sheet is partially connected using a heat welding method or an ultrasonic welding method. The details of such stretchable garments 100 are the same as described above.

The absorbent core structural element 4 has an external configuration essentially in the form of an hourglass having a length of 450 mm, a width of a portion of the leading edge of 180 mm, a width of a portion of the lower edge of 160 mm and a width of the intermediate portion (a central region that serves as part of the crotch while wearing) 120 mm, and is formed in a form in which the bottom sheet is elongated at least towards the lateral directions of the absorbent element 3 shown in FIG. 5, and the elastic material is located on the elongated portion directly or in the form of another sheet material to provide anti-leakage function. Furthermore, in order to form the diaper in the form shown in the above-described FIG. 9, a composite sheet material formed by placing a plurality of filamentary elastic elements in the width direction between the spunbond nonwoven materials is used as a ribbon-like elastic sheet in portions of the front and bottom edges (corresponding to 3B in FIG. 5) of the absorbent core structural element to allow reduction or loss of elastic function due to cutting or fixing the stiffness of the elastic element or similar element on the fixed part (overlapping part) of the absorbent main structural member 4.

The various types of evaluations described below are carried out using an absorbent member in a state in which the lateral elastic function of the absorbent core structural element is lost due to trimming or deletion.

Example 1

A top sheet 1 is used on which the first protruding portions 11 and the second protruding portions 12 are arranged as shown in FIG. 2, and the pitch between the first protruding portions 11 and the second protruding portions 12 is 4 mm. The top sheet is formed from a concave-convex non-woven material obtained by weaving at the carding stage, then forming the obtained material in the state of the web into a concave-convex shape and using the air packing method for carrying out hot air treatment. For fibers use fibers DAIWABO NBF (SH) (2.2 dtex × 51 mm), subjected to surface treatment with hydrophilic oil for fibers.

For the bottom sheet 2, a moisture-permeable (18 g / m ² ) sheet made of polyethylene is used.

In the case of the absorbent member 3, the absorbent member shown in FIG. 5 (2), in which the cellulosic fiber and the absorbent polymer are placed in a mixed state in a form in which sections with a first base weight 31, which are rectangular sections with a high base weight, are arranged in the configuration of the step grating in the intermediate section, the cellulose fiber and absorbent arranged as described above, is inserted from the side of the topsheet 1 and backsheet 2 side, with the two absorbing sheets (16 g / m ²⁾ on which a spiral-shaped hotmelt adhesive was positioned in a large number of bands ithout overlapping with each other, for adjusting to the desired thickness.

In addition, the upper sheet 1 and the lower sheet 2 are combined using a hot-melt adhesive of the absorbent element 3 to obtain a sample for evaluation. The width of the portion with the second base weight 32, which is the portion with the lowest base weight (the width of the concave (lower) portion extending in the longitudinal direction), is adjusted so that it is 5 mm in both.

Example 2

In Example 2, sample preparation is carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the configuration of the absorbent element is such that it is a configuration in which two lines of sections with a second base weight 32, representing sections with a low base weight were elongated in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 5 (1).

Example 3

In example 3, the preparation of the sample is carried out in the same manner as in example 2, except that the configuration of the absorbent element 3 is carried out so that it has 10 mm in width in a section with a low base weight in a configuration in which there are two lines of sections with a second with a base weight of 32, which are portions with a low base weight, extended longitudinally, as shown in FIG. 5 (1).

Example 4

In Example 4, the top sheet and absorbent member that are used are converted to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and the pitch between the first protruding portions 11 and the second protruding portions 12 (the pitch between the first upper portions 11T and the second upper portions 12T) is 7.5 mm. Obtaining a sample is carried out in the same manner as in example 2, with the exception of the above.

Comparative Example 1

For the top sheet, a flat non-woven fabric obtained by air packing obtained using a carding step and an air stuffing step using fibers, DAIWABO NBF (SH) (2.2 dtex × 51 mm) subjected to a surface treatment with a hydrophilic oil for fibers such as in the same manner as in example 1. For the lower sheet 2, a moisture-permeable (18 g / m ² ) sheet made of polyethylene is used. For the absorbent element 3, an absorbent element in which the commonly used cellulosic fiber and the absorbent polymer are placed in a mixed state so as to form a flat configuration without grooves is prepared in accordance with the external shape and methods in the same manner as in Example 1. In addition, the top sheet 1 and the bottom sheet 2 are combined using a hot-melt adhesive of the absorbent element 3 to obtain a sample for evaluation.

Reference Example 2

In comparative example 2, for the top sheet 1, a non-woven material (with a notch in the form of grooves-grooves) is used, obtained by three-dimensional notching, as disclosed in publication JP-A-08-302555, in the top sheet 1 of comparative example 1. The width of the cut is adjusted so so that it is 53 mm (21 rows of holes). Obtaining a sample is carried out in the same manner as in comparative example 1, with the exception of the above.

The following describes measurement methods and evaluation methods.

The apparent thickness T1 of the top sheet

The apparent thickness T1 of the three types in the top sheet can be measured by examining the state of the cross section of the part in the range from the first top to the second top. Before studying the cross-section, the thickness at 0.5 g / cm ² in five places is measured using a KES-G5 Handy-type compression tester (trade name) manufactured by KATO TECH CO. LTD, get the average value, maximum value and minimum value. For measurement, a measurement program is used, and the measurement conditions are set as follows:

Sample: paper, film;

Sensitivity: 1;

Measurement load: 10 g / cm ² ;

Maximum load when measuring: 50 g / cm ² ;

Speed range: 0.02 cm / sec;

Different (DFE) sensitivity is adjusted depending on the top sheet, 2 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

Then the top sheet 1 is cut using a razor with one cutting edge (part number FAS-10) manufactured by FEATHER Safety Razor Co., Ltd., a cross section of the top sheet 1 is obtained. Then, the open cross section is enlarged and examined using a scanning electron microscope (number JCM-5100) manufactured by JEOL Ltd. The cross section is converted into image data or printed information, and a virtual line is drawn on the side of the rubbing surface on the upper surface of the first upper part 11T, and a virtual line is drawn so that it is parallel to the first, on the side of the absorbent element 3 on the upper surface of the second upper part 12T, measure the minimum distance between parallel hypothetical lines, the length of the perpendicular from one virtual line to another virtual line), and the result of the measurement is taken as apparent the thickness of the sheet. Based on the study of an enlarged cross-section, a portion of the rib 14 is isolated in order to measure the apparent thickness of the upper sections 11T and 12T and the height of the cup Hc. Measurements are carried out in three or more places, and the option where the average value of the apparent sheet thickness in the interval (minimum value - maximum value), which is obtained when measuring using KES-G5, is considered to be suitable.

Top Sheet Thickness Measurement Method

The measurement is carried out by studying under magnification using the scanning electron microscope described above in the same manner as described above for the apparent sheet thickness. In the example of the first protruding portion 11, the thickness is obtained by measuring the thickness of the sheet so that it is minimal between the surface on the skin contacting side of the upper portion 11T of the first protruding portion 11 and the surface on the side of the lower sheet 3 opposite it. The measurements are carried out in a similar way for the second protruding section 12. As for the wall section 13, the measurement must be carried out for the curved section and the obliquely directed line of the upper part from the upper part 11T. Thus, the average value is taken as the thickness of the wall portion 13, using the value measured as the sheet thickness in the direction perpendicular to the wall portion 13 to the side of the skin contacting surface 1/3 of the height from the side of the skin contacting surface at the height of the cup Hc, and the value measured as the thickness of the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the wall portion 13 to the side of the skin contacting surface at 2/3 of the height from the side of the skin contacting surface at the height of the cup Hc. Height positions of 1/3 and 2/3 in the top sheet can be determined using the positioning method by connecting enlarged images of the first protruding section 11 and the second protruding section 12 of the top sheet 1 so that they become a single image, or by determining the measured positions from the full image of the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12 for measuring thickness in an enlarged image.

Fiber spacing

The interfiber distance at the first upper part 11T and the portion of the wall 13 is measured using the scanning electron microscope described above to obtain an increase in the planar image. In the first upper part 11T, an increase is obtained in the direction perpendicular from the side surface of the top sheet 1, and in the wall portion 13, the position 1/3 of the cup height Hc is increased from the inclined direction of the side of the top sheet 1 (direction of the perpendicular line of the wall portion 13). In the measurement, the magnification is adjusted so that it is 50-fold or more and 300-fold or less, and in the area surrounded by fibers within the rectangular area, the number of measured segments by image analysis is adjusted to 20 or more and 60 or less, and preferably up to 30 or more and 50 or less. In the present invention, the measurement is carried out in the actual measurement area of 700 μm × 500 μm. When analyzing an image, a region of 0.5 mm ² or less in the actual measurement is excluded from the measurement of the number and the interfiber distance as a microscopic interfiber structure. Image analysis uses the Image-Pro Plus 6.2 Installation system manufactured by Roper Industries, Inc., and the value corresponding to the diameter of the circle is calculated from the area between the individual fibers, excluding the fibers, and taken as the inter-fiber distance. Measurement and calculations are carried out in three places in the upper parts 11T, 12T and on the wall section 13, and the average value is taken as the interfiber distance. In addition, during measurement of the interfiber distance, the object is all measurable fibers from the side of the upper sheet to the side of the lower sheet 3. However, when the fiber contour for determining the area surrounded by the fibers is partially visible but not completely visible, the fibers are not used for measuring the interfiber distances, and fibers that are not visible entirely, are excluded. Moreover, when the image or printed information is in a state that does not provide sufficient binalization, the image or printed information is adjusted to a measurable state and then the interfiber distance is measured.

Moreover, according to the measurement results of the interfiber state, the relative fraction of the number of segments of 40 μm or more is calculated in percent.

Fiber orientation

The orientation of the fibers is determined by enlarging the first upper part 11 and the portion of the wall 13 to a planar image in the same way as when determining the interfiber distance, and using the NewQube image processing program (trade name) Nexus Corporation and image binalization. Then, using the fiber orientation analysis program Fiber Orientation Analysis 8.13 Single (software name), the orientation angle and orientation stability are determined from the binarized image. Both the upper part 11 and the portion of the wall 13 are measured at the same increase and in the region of the number of measured segments close to the region during the measurement of the interfiber distance described above. In the case where the fiber contour has many invisible places, the measurement can also be carried out by clarifying part of the fibers using the image analysis described above. Moreover, the measurement is carried out on an adjacent section of the wall 13 in the direction (direction 90 ° ± 45 °) orthogonal to the transverse direction of the top sheet 1 in the first upper part 11T. The wall portion 13 is measured taking the virtual direction connecting the first upper part 11T and the second upper part 12T from the perpendicular direction on the surface of the wall portion of the top sheet as the vertical direction (orientation angle 90 °), and for the first top part 11T, the transverse direction of the top sheet 1 is taken for the vertical direction (orientation angle 0 °).

Absorbent Measurement Method

The thickness of the absorbent element 3 obtained is measured using a non-contact laser displacement sensor manufactured by KEYENCE Corporation (laser head LK-G30, displacement sensor LK-GD500 (trade name)). The pressure during the measurement is set to 2.5 g / cm ² . Two or more samples are measured and an average value is determined.

In addition, in the absorbent member 3 having a portion with a first base weight 31 and a portion with a second base weight 32, the area ratio of the concave portion is measured using the image analyzer described above by actually measuring the width of the concave portion (bottom portion) and constructing the entire image. In addition, it is also possible to measure by combining incomplete images.

Method for measuring absorbent properties (liquid distribution properties)

A cylinder having an inner diameter of 35 mm is placed on the central portion in the longitudinal direction and the central portion in the transverse direction of the absorbent element 3, and while holding the liquid at a height of 10 mm from the position of the absorbent element 3 into which the liquid is introduced, 40 g of physiological saline, stained using red No. 2, having a concentration of 0.005%, is introduced into the cylinder as a liquid. An acrylic panel having a size that covers the entire product as a whole (thickness 5 mm, length 250 mm, width 100 mm) is placed on the lowermost part of the cylinder.

The area of liquid distribution is measured 10 minutes after the introduction of the liquid.

The distribution area is determined by reproducing the colored portion of the absorbent element 3 on an OHP film and performing image analysis using the Image-Pro Plus 6.2 Installation system manufactured by Roper Industries, Inc.

The measurement results show that the efficiency of use of the absorbent element 3 is higher, since the distribution area of the liquid is greater.

Base Weight Measurement Method

The base weight is determined by trimming the area (upper surface material, absorbent element, area with high base weight, area with low base weight), which must be measured to a size of 10 cm × 10 cm, and determining the mass of the area. In addition, the area that does not allow to trim it to a size of 10 cm × 10 cm is cut to a size of 2 cm × 2 cm and the base weight is determined.

Density Measurement Method

Density is determined by measuring the base weight of the area to be measured using the method described above and by dividing the measured value by the thickness obtained by the method described above.

Adhesion rating between top sheet and absorbent member

Each evaluation sample described above is cut to a rectangle with a width of 50 mm and 250 mm in the central region in the longitudinal direction of the central region in the width direction. One portion of the edge in the longitudinal direction is separated over 50 mm into the top sheet 1 and the absorbent member 2 and peel strength is measured using a Tensilon testing machine (RTA100 (trade name) manufactured by ORIENTEC Co. Ltd), clamping the top sheet on the divided part on the side of the upper clamp, and clamping the absorbent element 3 and the bottom sheet on a divided part at the side of the lower clamp. In addition, the measurement is carried out at a distance between the clamps of 50 mm and a measurement speed of 50 mm / minute. The average maximum values at the top five places with a distance between the clamps of 60 mm or more and 160 mm or less are taken as peeling strength. The adhesive properties are rated A when peeling strength is 0.1 cN or more and 50 cN or less, and other options are given C.

The measurement results and evaluation results for the above estimated positions are presented in table 1.

Table 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Top sheet Non woven
material Web formation Carding Method Carding Method Carding Method Carding Method View Breathable non-woven fabric Breathable non-woven fabric Breathable non-woven fabric Breathable non-woven fabric The form Concave convex shape Concave convex shape Concave convex shape Concave convex shape Whole The basis weight (g / m ²⁾ thirty thirty thirty thirty Apparent Thickness T1 (mm) 2.1 2.2 2.2 5,6 Cup height Ns (mm) 1.4 1.3 1,5 4.8 Plot
the walls Fiber distance (μm) 26 24 27 thirty The proportion of the number of measured samples having an interfiber distance of 40 μm or more (%) fourteen 16 12 24 Orientation Angle (°) 93 90 87 82 Orientation stability 1.41 1.40 1.38 1.31

Actual thickness (mm) at 1/3 position on the skin side 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.6 Actual thickness (mm) at 2/3 position on the skin side 0.6 0.5 0.8 1,0 The upper part of the first protruding section Apparent Thickness (mm) 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.8 Fiber distance (μm) eleven 12 10 13 Actual Thickness (mm) 1,1 0.9 1.3 1.8 The proportion of the number of measured samples having an interfiber distance of 40 μm or more (%) 0 0 0 0 Orientation Angle (°) 26 29th 40 31 Orientation stability 1.37 1.32 1.29 1.19 Top part Pitch (mm) between the first and second upper parts 4.0 4.0 4.0 7.5

Table 1 (continued) Comparative Example 1 Reference Example 2 Top sheet Non woven
material Web formation Carding Method Carding Method View Breathable non-woven fabric Breathable non-woven fabric The form Flat With grooves cut out Whole The basis weight (g / m ²⁾ 25 25 Apparent Thickness T1 (mm) 0.4 0.9 Cup height Ns (mm) - - Plot
the walls Fiber distance (μm) 12 13 The proportion of the number of measured samples having an interfiber distance of 40 μm or more (%) 5 7 Orientation Angle ( ^o ) - - Orientation stability - - Actual thickness (mm) at 1/3 position on the skin side - - Actual thickness (mm) at 2/3 position on the skin side - - The upper part of the first protruding section Apparent Thickness (mm) - - Fiber distance (μm) - 13

Actual Thickness (mm) - - The proportion of the number of measured samples having an interfiber distance of 40 μm or more (%) - 5 Orientation Angle (°) - - Orientation stability - - Top part Pitch (mm) between the first and second upper parts - -

Table 1 (continued) Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Compares. example 1 Compares. example 2 Absorbent element The configuration of the concave section (groove) Lattice configuration Two lines in the longitudinal direction Two lines in the longitudinal direction Two lines in the longitudinal direction Flat Flat Whole The basis weight (g / m ²⁾ 435 460 410 460 430 430 Cellulose / SVP Ratio (SAP) 1 / 1,5 1 / 1,5 1 / 1,5 1 / 1,5 1 / 1,5 1 / 1,5 Thickness (mm) 4.0 3.8 4.1 3.9 3.9 3.9 Plot with first base weight (plot with high base weight) The basis weight (g / m ²⁾ 520 520 520 520 - - Density (g / cm ³ ) 0.13 0.14 0.13 0.13 - - Thickness (mm) 4.0 3.8 4.1 3.9 - - Plot with a second base weight (plot with a low base weight) The basis weight (g / m ²⁾ one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred - - Density (g / cm ³ ) 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.06 - - Thickness (mm) 2.0 1.9 2,3 1.8 - -

Width of the section with a low base weight (mm)
(Width of the concave portion extending in the longitudinal direction) 5 5 10 5 - - Convex part Concave Height (mm) 2.0 1.9 1.8 2.1 - - The ratio of the concave areas (%) twenty fifteen 26 fifteen - - Product Structure Adhesion between top sheet and absorbent element A A A A A FROM Absorbency Distribution Area (cm ² ) 160 160 175 160 152 150

RESULTS OBTAINED IN THE EXAMPLES

As can be seen from the evaluation results shown in table 1, the following results were obtained.

In examples 1-4, the orientation angle on the wall section is in the range 82 ° or more and 93 ° or less for all wall sections, showing the properties of the fiber orientation in the direction connecting the upper part of the second protruding section and its holes. Moreover, peeling strength is in the range of 0.1 cN or more and 50 cN or less, and the adhesive properties between the top sheet and the absorbent member are rated A.

In Example 1, the liquid distribution area is large compared to the areas of comparative examples 1 and 2, and therefore, absorption of the liquid is provided over a wider area of the absorbent element 3 and the efficiency has been found to be higher. Moreover, the existence of a portion with a second base weight 32 having a low base weight in both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the absorbent element 3 in the crotch region promotes elastic bending in both directions. As a result, the fit to the human body improves. Thus, when a sample is used for night laying or a diaper in which a large amount of discharge is expected, for example, the fit properties are improved, which makes it possible to reduce discomfort during wearing, even in a condition with a lot of cellulose fibers or SVP (SAP) and thick absorbent element 3.

In Example 2, the liquid distribution area is larger in comparison with the liquid distribution areas in comparative examples 1 and 2, and therefore, the efficiency of use of the absorbent element 3 is also improved. Therefore, the liquid becomes difficult to accumulate at the injection site, and as a result, the discomfort in the vicinity of the injection point is reduced, making it possible to prevent lateral leakage. Moreover, a portion with a second base weight 32 having a low base weight of the absorbent member 3 in the crotch portion is directed only in the longitudinal direction, and therefore the absorbent member 3 becomes difficult to destroy, for example, in the daytime, when body movements are frequent, and the existence of a site with a low base weight in the width direction causes less interference when walking, which should lead to the weakening of discomfort for the user.

In Example 3, the liquid distribution area is larger in comparison with the liquid distribution areas in comparative examples 1 and 2, and therefore, the efficiency of use of the absorbent element 3 is also improved. Moreover, a portion with a second base weight 32 having a low base weight of the absorbent member 3 in the crotch portion is directed only in the longitudinal direction and has a large area, and therefore, liquid distribution properties in the groove portion (concave portion 33) are also improved. As a result, the efficiency of use of the absorbent element 3 is also improved, which leads to a decrease in the amount of cellulose fiber and super absorbent polymer (SVP, SAP) at the same leakage rates. Moreover, the area with a high base weight (the portion with the first base weight 31) of the absorbent element 3 is small in the crotch portion during wear and, therefore, the discomfort during movement is further reduced. Therefore, it can be said that the sample is acceptable as a daily pad or diaper for a highly active infant in the late months.

In Example 4, the apparent thickness of the top sheet 1 is greater, so the gap between the absorbent element 3 and the skin is increased, and the stickiness is barely felt. Thus, the feeling of dryness is believed to be improved when used while standing in the daytime. In such cases, the sample is considered acceptable for daytime laying or for the diaper for a highly active infant in the late months.

Although the invention has been described with respect to embodiments and examples, the invention is in no way limited to the details of the description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope that are set forth in the appended claims.

This application claims the priority of patent application No. 2011-286764, submitted for consideration in Japan on December 27, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

1 - Top sheet

2 - Bottom sheet

3 - Absorbent element

11 - The first protruding section

12 - The second protruding section

11H, 12H - Hole

11S, 12S - Interior Space

11T, 12T - Top

13 - Wall section

31 - The plot with the first base weight

32 - Plot with a second base weight

33 - Concave section

X - first direction

Y - second direction

W - third direction

Z1 - side of the first surface

Z2 is the side of the second surface.

Claims (20)

1. An absorbent article comprising a top sheet located on the side of the skin contacting surface, a bottom sheet located on the side of the skin non-contacting surface, and an absorbent member located between the two sheets,
moreover, the top sheet has a first protruding portion protruding on the side of the first surface as the fluid supply side and having an inner space, and a second protruding portion on the side of the second surface as a side opposite the side of the first surface, and having an inner space, the first protruding portion and the second protruding section are alternately and continuously located on the surface of the top sheet in each of the different intersecting directions in a plan view, the second blunt portion has a wall portion having an annular structure between its upper part and its opening and the wall portion has the properties of fiber orientation in a direction connecting the upper portion of the second projecting portion and the opening,
moreover, the absorbent element has a portion with a first base weight and a portion with a second base weight, which has a lower base weight than the base weight of the portion with the first base weight, and surrounds the portion with the first base weight, and is in contact with the upper part of the second protruding portion the upper sheet, and further has a concave portion in the form of a groove deepened from the side of the lower sheet in the direction of the side of the upper sheet, extending at least in the longitudinal direction and having a lower surface, forming bathroom portion with a second basis weight, and
wherein at least a portion of the adjacent first and second protruding sections is located in a position corresponding to the concave section through the section with the second base weight. 2. The absorbent product according to claim 1, where the wall portion has the properties of the radial orientation of the fibers, which are directed from the upper part of the second protruding section towards the outer surface. 3. Absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the fibers are oriented so that they converge in the direction of the upper part of the second protruding portion along the direction of the surface of the upper sheet, which extends from the wall portion to the second protruding portion. 4. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the first protruding section and the second protruding section have internal spaces having a truncated cone or hemisphere in the rounded upper part, homothetic to the outer shape of the protruding sections. 5. The absorbent article of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the interior spaces of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion is isolated by a rib portion connecting the adjacent first upper portions of the first protruding portions to form discontinuous spaces. 6. Absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the surface of the absorbent element on the side of the top sheet is flat. 7. The absorbent article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion with the first base weight has a higher density than the portion with the second base weight. 8. Absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the density of the area with the first base weight is 0.03 g / cm ³ or more and 0.50 g / cm ³ or less. 9. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the density of the plot with the second base weight is 0.01 g / cm ³ or more and 0.15 g / cm ³ or less. 10. The absorbent article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall portion has fewer fibers than each upper portion of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. 11. Absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the upper parts of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion have a higher density than the density of the wall portion. 12. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the thickness on the wall portion is less than the upper part of the first protruding portion and the upper part of the second protruding portion relative to the thickness of the upper sheet in each part of the upper part of the first protruding portion, the upper part of the second protruding portion and wall section. 13. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the thickness of the upper part of the first protruding portion is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, the thickness of the wall portion at a position 1/3 of the surface from the skin side is 0, 1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less, and the thickness of the wall portion at a position 2/3 of the surface on the skin side is 0.5 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. 14. An absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the average interfiber distance in the wall portion is greater than the interfiber distance in the upper part of the first protruding portion. 15. Absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the average interfiber distance in the upper part of the first protruding portion is 1 μm or more and 40 μm or less. 16. An absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the average interfiber distance at a wall portion is 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less. 17. Absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the upper part of the second protruding portion and the absorbent element are fixed using hot-melt adhesive. 18. Absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the absorbent element contains three parts in its longitudinal direction,
a plurality of first concave portions are located in a first absorbent portion partitioned into an intermediate portion,
and each first concave portion is located inside the lateral periphery of the first absorbent portion in a plan view and is located mainly in the longitudinal direction. 19. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, where the absorbent element contains three parts in the longitudinal direction and includes a first absorbent section partitioned into an intermediate section, a second absorbent section located on one side of the first absorbent section, and a third absorbent section located on the other side of the first absorbent area,
the second concave portion and the third concave portion are located on the second absorbent portion and the third absorbent portion, respectively,
and each of the second concave portion and the third concave portion is located in a direction inclined to the longitudinal direction. 20. A stretchable garment having a front portion configured to be worn around the front side of the wearer, a gusset section designed to be worn along the crotch area of the wearer, and a lower portion configured to be worn around the back of the wearer, moreover, the side edge portion of the front side portion and the side edge portion of the rear side portion are connected to form a stretchable product, where the absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-19 placed on the gusset sites.

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