RU2636568C2 - Absorbent product - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: satisfaction of human life necessities.SUBSTANCE: according to one embodiment of the present invention a diaper (1) is provided with a sheet (2) forming the front surface, a sheet (3) forming the rear surface and a vertically long absorbent body (4) located between them. The indicators (5) are arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction between the sheet (3) forming the rear surface and the absorbent body (4). The absorbent body (4) has an absorbent core (41) comprising an absorbent polymer and a coating material (42) which covers the absorbent core (41). Convex areas (43) with a high base weight and concave areas (44) with a low base weight adjacent to the areas (43) with a high base weight are formed with their alternation in the absorbent core (41), and areas (43) with a high base weight and areas (44) with a low base weight are formed as a whole. Prominent structure, which is formed by alternative arrangement of the areas (43) with a high base weight and areas (44) with a low base weight in the direction along which the indicators (5) extend, is formed in the absorbent core (5) on the side facing the sheet (3), forming the rear surface, on which the indicators (5) are mounted.EFFECT: achieving a good liquid distribution after moistening.23 cl, 10 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable diapers have traditionally been known, including indicators for determining, by means of color, whether a carrier has excreted a fluid, a fluid, or not. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a disposable diaper is disclosed in which an indicator for notifying the mother that the carrier has urinated is located between the lower sheet and the absorbent element. The disposable diaper disclosed in Patent Literature 1 provides the ability to easily recognize externally a color change caused by excreted urine, etc.

As another technical solution, an absorbent article is disclosed in Patent Literature 2, including an absorbent element in which trough-like spaces are formed so that they extend along a direction in the plane.

LIST OF LINKS

PATENT LITERATURE

Patent Literature 1: JP 2005-21390 A

Patent Literature 2: JP 2009-119154 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As described above, the disposable diaper disclosed in Patent Literature 1 enables easy recognition from outside of a color change caused by excreted urine, etc. However, there are consumer requests related to the fact that the consumer wants to easily recognize color changes and replace diapers, even in cases where the number of secretions is small.

It should be noted that in Patent Literature 2, which discloses an absorbent article including an absorbent element in which grooved spaces are formed so that they extend along a direction in the plane, nothing is written about how to position the indicator with respect to absorbent element.

Thus, the present invention relates to the development of an absorbent article that can satisfy the aforementioned needs.

The present invention relates to an absorbent article, including: a top sheet located on a surface opposite to the skin; bottom sheet located on the side of the surface not opposite to the skin; elongated in the longitudinal direction, an absorbent element located between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, and an indicator that indicates the allocation due to a color change and which is continuously located in the longitudinal direction between the lower sheet and the absorbent element. The absorbent element includes an absorbent core including an absorbent polymer. The absorbent core includes portions with a high base weight, each of which has a relatively high base weight and protrudes toward the side of the lower sheet, and portions with a low base weight, which are located next to areas with a high base weight and each of which has a relatively low base weight and is recessed from the side of the bottom sheet toward the side of the top sheet, while portions with a high base weight and portions with a low base weight are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction. High base weight plots and low base weight plots are formed as a whole. The absorbent core has, on the side facing the bottom sheet where the indicator is provided, a structure with protrusions and recesses formed by alternately arranging portions with a high base weight and portions with a low base weight in the direction in which the indicator continues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway top view of a disposable disposable diaper in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side of the top sheet.

[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a section taken along line I-I in FIG. one.

[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a section taken along line II-II after the disposable diaper of FIG. 1 has absorbed a small amount of fluid secreted by the body.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a device for manufacturing absorbent elements to be used in disposable disposable diapers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part (recess) in the width direction from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum illustrated in FIG. four.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a state where absorbent material has accumulated in a recess of a rotary drum illustrated in FIG. four.

[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an absorbent core provided in the disposable diaper illustrated in FIG. 1, when viewed from the bottom of the sheet.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an absorbent core to be used in a disposable diaper in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the bottom sheet.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an absorbent core to be used in a disposable diaper in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom of the sheet.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an absorbent core to be used in a disposable diaper in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The absorbent article of the present invention will be described below in accordance with its preferred embodiments with reference to FIG. 1-3. FIG. 1 illustrates a partially cutaway top view of a disposable disposable diaper in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the top sheet. FIG. 2 illustrates a section taken along line I-I in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view taken along line II-II after the disposable diaper of FIG. 1 has absorbed a small amount of fluid secreted by the body.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the disposable diaper 1 of this embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as the “diaper 1”) includes: an upper sheet 2 located on the surface side opposite to the skin, a lower sheet 3 located on the surface side not the opposite to the skin, elongated in the longitudinal direction, an absorbent element 4 located between the upper sheet 2 and the lower sheet 3, and an indicator 5, which indicates the allocation by color change and which is continuously located in the longitudinal direction between the backsheet 3 and the absorbent body 4. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 is formed so that it is bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the axial line CL extending in the longitudinal direction.

The diaper 1 of this embodiment will be described with further details. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 has a part A placed on the side of the abdomen, part B placed on the side of the back, and a crotch part C located between the part placed on the side of the abdomen and placed on the back of the parts A and B, while these three parts are formed by separation the diaper 1 is rubbed in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter also referred to as the “Y direction”; the Y direction is a direction parallel to the center line CL) of the diaper 1 in its expanded state. Part A located on the abdomen is a portion located on the abdomen of the wearer when wearing the diaper; the back-side portion B is a portion located on the back of the wearer, and the crotch portion C is the portion located at the crotch of the wearer. The crotch portion C is located in the diaper 1 portion, central in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). It should be noted that the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is described as the transverse direction of the diaper 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the “X direction”).

As used herein, the term “surface opposite to the skin” refers to the surface — from the front and back surfaces of each component, such as the top sheet 2 forming the diaper 1 — that is located on the side of the wearer's skin when the diaper is worn, and the term “surface non-opposite to the skin "refers to the surface - from the front and back surfaces of each component, such as the top sheet 2, - which is facing the opposite side to the side of the skin of the wearer when worn over guznika.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in this diaper 1, the side edges of the part A placed on the abdomen and the side edges of the part B placed on the back extend further in the transverse direction (X direction) than the side edges of the crotch part C. In addition, the side edges of the crotch parts C are bent inward in the transverse direction (X direction). Thus, the diaper 1 as a whole has a shape that is narrowed inwardly in a portion central in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). Both the top sheet 2 and the bottom sheet 3 extend outward from the side edges and the front and rear end edges of the absorbent member 4. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the size of the upper sheet 2 in the transverse direction (X direction) is smaller than the size of the lower sheet 3 in the transverse direction (X direction). The upper sheet 2 and the lower sheet 3 are connected together directly or by means of another element located between them, in their outwardly protruding parts, which extend outward from the peripheral edges of the absorbent element 4, and thus, the absorbent element 4 is held and fixed between the upper sheet 2 and bottom sheet 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 is a deployable diaper. Two fastening tapes 7, 7 are provided on the sections of the lateral edges of the part B placed on the back side, and a receiving tape 8, intended for fastening the fastening tapes 7, 7, is provided on the outer surface (surface not opposite to the skin) of the part A placed on the side the abdomen. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the respective lateral parts of the diaper 1 along the longitudinal direction (Y direction), the sheets 62 forming a standing assembly, each of which has elastic members 61 fixed along the Y direction in their extended state, are located on the respective lateral parts of the top sheet 2 and attached to corresponding lateral parts of the top sheet 2, and thus, two standing assemblies 6, 6 are formed (cf. FIG. 2). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in each of the lateral parts of the diaper 1 along the longitudinal direction (Y direction), a plurality of leg elastic members 63 for forming leg assemblies are arranged along the Y direction in their extended state, and thus leg assemblies are formed by tightening the elastic elements 63 for the legs. In addition, in the part that is lateral in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), on the side of the back part B of the diaper 1, the waist elastic members 64 for forming the waist assemblies are arranged along the X direction in their extended state, and, thus, waist assemblies are formed by tightening the elastic elements 64 of the waist part.

The absorbent member 4 includes an absorbent core 41 including an absorbent polymer, and in this diaper 1, the absorbent element 4 also includes a coating material 42 that covers the absorbent core 41. The absorbent core 41 is wrapped with a coating material 42. In this diaper 1 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the absorbent member 4 is formed by coating the absorbent core 41, which is elongated in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) and which has the ability to hold liquids, the covering material 42, which is a liquid-permeable hydrophilic sheet. More precisely, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the covering material 42 of the diaper 1 surrounds the absorbent core 41 by forming, on the side of the absorbent core 41 facing the bottom sheet 3, an overlapping portion 420 in which the side edge portions of the covering material 42 overlap. The absorbent element 4 of the diaper 1 is formed by wrapping the absorbent core 41 with the coating material 42 in this manner.

The absorbent core 41 includes: high base weight sections 43 that have a relatively high base weight and which protrude toward the side of the lower sheet 3, and low base weight sections 44 that are adjacent to the high base weight sections 43, have a relatively low base weight and are recessed from the side of the bottom sheet 3 toward the side of the top sheet 2. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, in this diaper 1, the absorbent core 41 forming the absorbent member 4 includes: portions 43 with a high base weight, which include more absorbent material than portions 44 with a low base weight; and low base weight sections 44 (44X, 44Y), which include less absorbent material than high base weight sections 43. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the absorbent core 41 includes: a plurality of low base weight sections 44X that extend linearly (in the form of continuous straight lines) in the transverse direction (X direction), and a plurality of low base weight sections 44Y that extend linearly (in the form of continuous straight lines) in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the low base weight portions 44 are generally formed with a lattice structure by the low base weight linear portions 44X extending in the transverse direction (X direction) and the low base weight linear portions 44Y extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), and sections 43 with a high base weight are located in respective parts, separated from each other by linear sections 44X, 44Y with a low base weight (that is, in the respective locations of the lattice cells).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the present invention, high base weight portions 43 and low base weight portions 44 of the absorbent core 41 are integrally formed. As used herein, the phrase “formed as a unit” means that portions 43 with a high base weight and portions 44 with a low base weight are combined together without the possibility of separation and without the use of bonding agents such as adhesive bonding or thermofusion bonding, and are formed as one whole from the same material. By forming sections 43 with a high base weight and sections 44 with a low base weight as a single absorbent core, continuity will be imparted, which allows smooth movement of the fluid released by the body. A method of manufacturing such an absorbent element 4 will be further described below.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the absorbent core 1 has, on the side facing the bottom sheet 3, where indicator 5 is provided, a structure with protrusions and recesses formed by alternately arranging portions 43 with a high base weight and portions 44 (44X) with a low base weight in a direction in which indicator 5 continues. That is, the side of the absorbent core 41 facing the upper sheet 2 is flat, and the side of the absorbent core 41 facing the lower sheet 3, which is opposite to the indicator 5, has a structure with protrusions and recesses formed on this side. More precisely, as illustrated in FIG. 2, high base weight portions 43 protrude toward the side of the bottom sheet 3, and low base weight portions 44 (44X, 44Y) are recessed toward the side of the top sheet 2. In other words, the recesses (grooved portions) in the protrusions and the recesses of the structure of the absorbent core 41, which are recessed towards the side of the top sheet 2, are mainly formed by sections 44 (44X, 44Y) with a low base weight, and protrusions in the structure of the absorbent core 41 having protrusions and recesses, which protrude towards the side On the bottom sheet 3, formed mainly by sections 43 with a high base weight. As used herein, the expression “recesses is formed primarily by low base weight sections 44” covers cases in which a high base weight section 43 adjacent to the boundary between the low base weight section 44 and the high base weight section 43 forms part of the recess / recess . Similarly, the expression “protrusions are formed mainly by the high base weight sections 43” covers cases in which the low base weight section 44 near the boundary between the high base weight section 43 and the low base weight section 44 forms part of the protrusions. In addition, in this diaper 1, “the direction in which the indicator 5 continues” is a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and represents the same direction as the direction (Y direction) parallel to the center line CL.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the absorbent core 41 has a structure with protrusions and recesses above the indicator 5 and from the side facing the bottom sheet 3 and opposite to the indicator 5. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, on the side of the absorbent core 41 facing the bottom sheet 3, opposite to the indicator 5, the high base weight portions 43 and the low base weight linear portions 44X that extend in the transverse direction (X direction) are alternately in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) to form a structure with protrusions and recesses.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in the absorbent core 41, the low base weight portions 44 are unevenly distributed on the side facing the top sheet 2 (i.e., the surface of the absorbent member 4 opposite the skin) in the thickness direction T of the diaper 1. The side of the absorbent core 41 facing the top sheet 2 is flat, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The structure of the absorbent core 41 having protrusions and recesses will be described in further detail by using the plan view (FIG. 7) of the absorbent core 41 of the diaper 1 when viewed from the side of the lower sheet 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the diaper 1, the block-shaped zone 411 is formed by regular placement - from the part A placed on the side of the abdomen to the part B placed on the back in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) - fourteen rows having protrusions and recesses of the structures with the block configuration, with each structure with protrusions and recesses includes seven sections 43 with a high base weight, which are separated by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and stkami 44Y low basis weight regions extending in the longitudinal direction (direction Y), - arranged regularly in the transverse direction (X direction). As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the block-shaped zone 411 of the diaper 1, all eight low base weight sections 44Y extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) are arranged in straight lines that extend from the part A placed on the abdomen to the part B placed from the back.

In cases where the absorbent core 41 is used in a disposable diaper, it is preferable that its total length in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is from 250 mm to 550 mm inclusive and the total width in the transverse direction (X direction) is from 50 mm to 200 mm inclusive.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, for reasons related to the simple determination of the amount of moisture from urine or soft feces and the identification of the place of discharge, in the absorbent core 41 of the diaper 1, the average length of the low base weight section 44 (44X), determined in the direction in which indicator 5 continues ( is in the Y direction), less than the average length of the high base weight portion 43 determined in the direction in which the indicator 5 continues (i.e., in the Y direction). More specifically, in the absorbent core 41, the average length (L1) of the linear portion 44 (44X) with a low base weight that continues in the transverse direction (X direction) in the direction in which the indicator 5 continues (i.e., in the Y direction) is less the average length (L3) of the high base weight portion 43 determined in the direction in which the indicator continues (i.e., in the Y direction). Even more precisely, in order to achieve the aforementioned effect, it is preferable that the average length (L1) of the low base weight section 44 (44X) is 3% or more, preferably 5% or more and 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, and more precisely — preferably from 3% to 20% inclusive, and more preferably from 5% to 15% inclusive with respect to the average length (L3) of the high base weight section 43. In this document, the term "average length" refers to the average value of the length, measured at five different points.

The dimensions, base weight and similar characteristics of the high base weight sections 43 and the low base weight sections 44 (44X) will be described with further details.

In cases where the absorbent article is used, for example, as a disposable diaper, for reasons related to preventing the loss of shape of the absorbent core 41 caused by the movements of the carrier and limiting, to the portion of the indicator 5, the indicator zone, which undergoes a color change due to low moisture content, it is preferable that the width L1 of the linear portion 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), is 0.5 mm or more, preferably 1 mm silt and more and 5 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less, and more precisely, preferably from 0.5 mm to 5 mm inclusive, and more preferably from 1 mm to 3 mm inclusive.

It should be noted that the width L1 is a value measured at the bottom of the recess in the structure of the absorbent core having protrusions and recesses 41.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in this diaper 1, each high base weight portion 43 is formed with a rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) in a plan view. It should be noted that, despite the fact that the portion 43 with a high base weight in this diaper 1 is formed with a rectangular shape in a plan view, four corners can be formed with an arcuate shape, or sections with a high base weight can be polygonal or elliptical, or have a combination of these forms.

In cases where the absorbent product is used, for example, as a disposable diaper, for reasons related to the appropriate distribution - over the entire area of the indicator 5 - of the indicator parts that undergo a color change under the influence of a small amount of moisture to allow easy determination of color change caused by a small amount of moisture, it is preferable that the length L3 determined in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the high base weight portion 43 under prisoner 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 was 5 mm or more, preferably 15 mm or more and 30 mm or less, preferably 25 mm, and more precisely, preferably from 5 mm to 30 mm inclusive, and more preferably from 15 mm to 25 mm inclusive.

In cases where the absorbent article is used, for example, as a disposable diaper, for reasons related to the ease of formation of spaces to allow easy contact of a small amount of moisture with indicator 5, it is preferable that the base weight of the portion 44 (44X) with a low base weight was 20% or more, preferably 30% or more and 80% or less, preferably 70% or less, and more precisely - preferably from 20% to 80% inclusive and more preferably from 30% to 70% inclusive Tel'nykh weight relative to the base portion 43 with high basis weight.

In particular, it is preferable that the base weight of the low base weight portion 44 (44X) is 100 g / m ² or more, preferably 150 g / m ² or more and 500 g / m ² or less, preferably 400 g / m ² or less, and more precisely, preferably from 100 g / m ² to 500 g / m ² inclusive and more preferably from 150 g / m ² to 400 g / m ² inclusive. In addition, it is preferable that the base weight of the high base weight portion 43 is 300 g / m ² or more, preferably 350 g / m ² or more and 900 g / m ² or less, preferably 800 g / m ² or less, and more precisely, preferably from 300 g / m ² to 900 g / m ² inclusive and more preferably from 350 g / m ² to 800 g / m ² inclusive.

In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the low base weight region 44 (44X) is 30% to 90% inclusive with respect to the thickness of the high base weight region 43. More precisely, it is preferable that the thickness of the 44 (44X) section with a low base weight is 1.5 mm or more, preferably 2.5 mm or more and 4.5 or less, preferably 4.0 or less, and more precisely, preferably from 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm inclusive and more preferably 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm inclusive. Preferably, the thickness of the high base weight portion 43 is 2 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less, preferably 7 mm or less, and more precisely, preferably from 2 mm to 8 mm inclusive, and more preferably from 3 mm to 7 mm inclusive.

It should be noted that the thickness is measured by cutting a sample with a given size, squeezing the part to be measured for 10 minutes under a pressure of 5 kPa and measuring the thickness immediately after unloading. At least three points - including at least one randomly selected point in each of the parts placed on the side of the abdomen, the crotch part and the part placed on the back, on the sheet of the diaper - are used as measuring points, and the thickness is determined as the average for two sheets of diaper samples (that is, the average for at least six measurement locations). For example, the thickness of the high base weight portion 43 and the low base weight portion 44 (44X) is measured by cutting the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) or in the transverse direction (X direction) illustrated in FIG. 1, with a sharp razor, and measuring the cross section of the cut sample. The thickness of the high base weight portion 43 is the value measured at the thickest point in the protrusion, and the thickness of the low base weight portion 44 (44X) is the value measured at the thinnest point in the recess. In cases where it is difficult to measure with the naked eye, the measurement can be performed, for example, by examining the cross section of the cut sample by using a microscope (VHX-1000 from Keyence Corporation) with a magnification of 20 × to 100 ×.

The base weight of the high base weight portion 43 and the low base weight portion 44 is determined as follows.

<METHOD FOR DETERMINING BASIC WEIGHT>

A method for determining the base weight of the high base weight portion 43 and the low base weight portion 44 is described below.

The absorbent core 41 is cut along the boundary lines between the high base weight sections 43 and the low base weight sections 44 by using a single-blade razor from Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd. The mass of each of ten small pieces of sections 43 with a high base weight obtained by cutting is measured by electronic scales (electronic scales GR-300 from A&D Co., Ltd. with an accuracy of one ten thousandth) to obtain the average mass of one small piece of section 43 s high base weight. The base weight of the high base weight section 43 is calculated by dividing the obtained average mass by the average area of one small piece of the high base weight section 43.

Next, five small pieces of narrow strips of 44 (44X) sections with a low base weight, each of which has a length of 100 mm and a width corresponding to a predetermined size along the width of the 44 (44X) section with a low base weight, are cut using a single-blade razor from the company Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd. by cutting along boundary lines extending in the transverse direction (X direction) between portions 43 with a high base weight and portions 44 (44X) with a low base weight. The mass of each of the five small pieces is measured using an electronic scale (electronic scale GR-300 from A&D Co., Ltd. with an accuracy of one ten thousandth) to obtain the average mass of one small piece of section 44 (44X) with a low base weight by averaging. The base weight of section 44 (44X) with a low base weight is calculated by dividing the obtained average mass by the average area of one small piece of section 44 (44X) with a low base weight.

In the absorbent core 41 of the diaper 1, portions 43 with a high base weight are formed so that they have substantially the same density as portions 44 (44X, 44Y) with a low base weight, or a higher density compared to portions 44 (44X, 44Y ) with a low base weight.

In cases where the absorbent article is used, for example, as a disposable diaper, for reasons related to preventing loss of shape of the absorbent core 41 caused by the movements of the carrier, and increasing the ability to provide moisture diffusion so that a small amount of moisture can easily come into contact with the indicator 5, it is preferable that the density of the 44 (44X, 44Y) section with a low base weight is 50% or more, preferably 75% or more and 100% or less, preferably 95% or less, and more precisely, preferably from 50% to 100% inclusive, and more preferably from 75% to 95% inclusive, relative to the density of the high base weight portion 43.

In particular, it is preferable that the density of the low base weight region 44 (44X, 44Y) is 0.05 g / cm ³ or more, preferably 0.07 g / cm ³ or more and 0.15 g / cm ³ or less, preferably 0.13 g / cm ³ or less, and more precisely, preferably from 0.05 g / cm ³ to and including 0.15 g / cm ³ and more preferably from 0.07 g / cm ³ to 0.13 g / cm ³ inclusive. Furthermore, it is preferable that the density of the high base weight portion 43 be 0.05 g / cm ³ or more, preferably 0.07 g / cm ³ or more and 0.15 g / cm ³ or less, preferably 0.13 g / cm ³ or less, and more precisely - preferably from 0.05 g / cm ³ to 0.15 g / cm ³ inclusive, and more preferably - from 0.07 g / cm ³ to 0.13 g / cm ³ inclusive.

The corresponding density values of the high base weight section 43 and the low base weight section 44 (44X, 44Y) are calculated by dividing the corresponding base weight values of the high base weight section 43 and the low base weight section 44, which were obtained in accordance with the above method , to the corresponding thickness values obtained in accordance with the above method.

In the diaper 1, spaces 9 are formed between the cover material 42 and the corresponding low base weight sections 44 (44X, 44Y) of the absorbent core 41. In other words, the spaces 9 formed by the protrusions and recesses of the structure of the absorbent core 41 and the cover material 42, which covers the absorbent core 41 is formed in the absorbent member 4. As described above, in the diaper 1 similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2: sections 44 (44X, 44Y) with a low base weight are formed as a whole in the form of a lattice structure on the side of the absorbent core 41, which faces the bottom sheet 3; high base weight sections 43 are located at respective locations of the lattice cells, and low base weight sections 44 are formed to surround each high base weight section 43. Thus, in the diaper 1, each of the plurality of spaces 9X formed by the cover material 42 and the low base weight portions 44X that are recessed toward the side of the top sheet 2 extends continuously in the transverse direction (X direction) so that the data of the space 9X correspond to respective low base weight sections 44X, and each of a plurality of spaces 9Y formed by coating material 42 and low base weight sections 44Y that are recessed towards the side no topsheet 2 extends continuously in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) so that data 9Y space correspond to respective portions 44Y low basis weight, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2.

As described above, in the present invention, an indicator 5, which indicates highlight due to a color change, is continuously located in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) between the bottom sheet 3 and the absorbent member 4. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the diaper 1, the indicator 5 is located between the cover material 42 of the absorbent element 4 and the bottom sheet 3 and is located on the opposite side of the skin of the bottom sheet 3. The color change of the indicator 5 is visible from the outside through the bottom sheet 3. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the transverse direction (X direction), the indicator 5 of the diaper 1 is located in a portion central in the transverse direction (X direction) including the center line CL, in the cross section of the diaper 1. In the longitudinal direction (Y direction), the indicator 5 of the diaper 1 is located in a straight line along the centerline CL so that it extends between part A placed on the side of the abdomen and part B placed on the back through the crotch part C. In this diaper 1, indicator 5 is configured so that three thin lines are parallel with ra at regular intervals in the transverse direction (X direction), but the indicator can be formed from one line or can be formed from many lines. It should be noted that, despite the fact that the indicator 5 in this diaper 1 is located in the form of straight lines extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), so that it continues between the part A placed on the side of the abdomen and the part B placed from the back, through the crotch part C, you only need to place the indicator, at least in the crotch part C; alternatively, an indicator may be formed along the entire length of the absorbent core 41 in the Y direction.

From the point of view of ensuring good visibility even from the hole / gap in the wearer's clothing when wearing the diaper, as well as from the point of view of not deteriorating the design / pattern of the bottom sheet, it is preferable that the width W1 of indicator 5 (in this embodiment, the total width of the three lines of indicators) is 2 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less, preferably 8 mm or less, and more precisely, preferably from 2 mm to 10 mm inclusive, and more preferably from 3 mm to 8 mm inclusive.

Furthermore, as described above, the covering material 42 of the diaper 1 covers the absorbent core 41 by forming, with the side of the absorbent core 41 facing the bottom sheet 3, an overlapping portion 420 in which the side edge portions of the covering material 42 overlap each other, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The overlapping portion 420 is formed so that it continues on the indicator 5 along the direction in which the indicator 5 continues (that is, in the Y direction). In the longitudinal direction (Y direction), the overlapping portion 420 is formed on the indicator 5 along the center line CL along the entire length of the absorbent member 4. Preferably, in the transverse direction (X direction), the width W2 of the overlapping portion 420 is the same as the width W1 of the indicator 5, or exceeded the width W1 of indicator 5, and for reasons related to the absorption of excess moisture from the discharge near the indicator 5, it is preferable that the ratio (W2 / W1) of the width W2 of the portion 420 with the overlap to the width W1 of the indicator 5 be 1.0 or more pre preferably 1.5 or more and 3.0 or less, preferably 2.5 or less, and more precisely, preferably from 1.0 to 3.0 inclusive, and more preferably from 1.5 to 2.5 inclusive. In particular, it is preferable that the width W2 of the overlapping portion 420 is 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less, preferably 25 mm or less, and more precisely, preferably from 5 mm to 30 mm inclusive and more preferably - from 10 mm to 25 mm inclusive.

Next will be described a method of manufacturing an absorbent element 4 provided in the diaper 1, that is, an absorbent element 4, including an absorbent core 41, in which sections 43 with a high base weight (with high density) and sections 44 with a low base weight (with low density) formed as a whole.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method of manufacturing an absorbent member 4 and a manufacturing device used in the method. This device for manufacturing the absorbent element 4 includes: a rotating drum 50, which is driven in rotation in the direction of the arrow R1; a box 60, which supplies the absorbent material 45, which includes the absorbent polymer and which is the starting material for the absorbent core 41, to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50; a transfer roller 70, which is rotated in the direction of the arrow R2 and which is located diagonally from the bottom with respect to the rotating drum 50 from the side of the rotating drum 50, located further downstream; a vacuum box 65 located between the box 60 and the transfer roller 70 in the direction along the circumference of the rotating drum 50; mesh tape 75, which is a sheet-like breathable element and which is located so that it passes between the vacuum box 65 and the rotating drum 50 and between the transfer roller 70 and the rotating drum 50; and a vacuum conveyor 80 located under the transfer roller 70.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotary drum 50 has a cylindrical shape, and an element that forms the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50 rotates around a horizontal axis by receiving energy from a primary energy source, such as an engine. The space 56, within which the pressure can be reduced, is formed in the non-rotating part inside the rotating drum 50 (from the axis of rotation). A known exhaust device (not illustrated), such as a fan, suction air, is connected to the space 56; when actuating the exhaust device, negative pressure can be maintained inside the space 56. On the other hand, pipes (not illustrated) capable of sucking in air external to the device are connected to spaces 57 and 58 that are inside the rotary drum 50 (from the side axis of rotation).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of recesses 51 of the drum, each of which has a shape corresponding to the shape of the absorbent core 41 to be manufactured, are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50 at equal intervals in the direction of the arrow R1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a part corresponding to the lower surface of each recess 51 of the drum, there are: a mesh plate 52 having a plurality of micro holes formed therein and elements 53 having low air permeability and made of metal or polymer. The low permeability elements 53 are configured to protrude from the mesh plate 52 and are arranged so that they correspond to the corresponding shapes and locations of the aforementioned low base weight sections 44 (44X, 44Y). As illustrated in FIG. 5, zones 54, consisting only of a mesh plate 52 and separated from each other by the elements 53 having low air permeability and thus arranged, form parts corresponding to corresponding sections 43 with a high base weight. In addition, areas on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50, on which no recess 51 of the drum is formed, consist of frame elements of the rotary drum 50, which are rigid elements made of metal, and therefore are airtight.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the side at one end of the duct 60 covers the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50 located above the negative pressure space 56, and the side at the other end, which is not illustrated, is provided with a device for introducing fibrous material. A device for introducing fibrous material includes, for example, a shredder that shreds wood pulp sheet to fibrillated cellulose and which feeds fibrillated cellulose (fibrous material) into the box. An absorbent polymer introducer assembly for introducing an absorbent polymer is provided in the middle of the duct 60.

The transfer roller 70 has a breathable cylindrical outer peripheral part, and the outer peripheral part rotates in the R2 direction by receiving energy from a primary energy source, such as an engine. The space 71, within which the pressure can be reduced, is formed in the non-rotating part inside the transfer roller 70 (from the axis of rotation). A known exhaust device (not illustrated), such as a fan, suction air, is connected to the space 71; when actuating the exhaust device, negative pressure may be maintained within the space 71.

The vacuum box 65 is located between the downstream end 601 of the box 60 and the transfer roller 70 in the direction R1 of rotation of the rotating drum 50. The vacuum box 65 has a box shape, and its part opposite to the rotating drum 50 is made with an opening that open towards the rotary drum 50. A known exhaust device (not illustrated), such as a fan, an air intake, is connected to the vacuum box 65 through the exhaust pipe 67; when actuating the exhaust device, negative pressure can be maintained in the interior of the vacuum box 65.

The mesh belt 75 is an element formed by connecting a strip-like, breathable mesh having a mesh in the form of an endless belt and continuously moves along a predetermined path due to its direction by a plurality of freely rotating rollers and a transfer roller 70. The mesh belt 75 is driven due to the rotation of the transfer roller 70. The mesh belt 75 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 50 when it passes in front of the hole smart box 65, and the mesh tape is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50 and moves to the transfer roller 70 near the part in which the transfer roller 70 and the rotary drum 50 are located closest to each other.

The vacuum conveyor 80 includes: an endless breathable belt 83, which covers the drive roller 81 and the driven roller 82, and a vacuum box 84, which is located opposite the transfer roller 70, while the breathable belt 83 is located between the vacuum box 84 and the transfer roller 70.

Next, a method for continuously manufacturing absorbent elements 4 (absorbent cores 41) by using the above-mentioned apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent element will be described.

First, the pressure in the space 56 inside the rotating drum 50 and in the inner space of the vacuum box 65 is reduced to negative pressures by actuating the respective exhaust devices connected to these spaces. This is because, when the pressure in space 56 is reduced to a negative pressure, an air stream intended to move the absorbent material 45 to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50 is created inside the duct 60. Further, the rotary drum 50 and the transfer roller 70 are rotated, and the vacuum conveyor 80 is driven. After that, the device for introducing the fibrous material is driven, and the fibrous material is fed into the duct 60, and also the absorbent polymer is fed into the duct 60. The absorbent material 45 is transported in the air stream passing through the duct 60 and is supplied in a state in which it is dispersed and is transported in air towards the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 50.

When the recess 51 of the drum, made on the rotary drum 50, moves along the portion covered by the duct 60, the absorbent material 45 (a mixture of fibrous material and absorbent polymer) is sucked into the recess 51 of the drum. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the absorbent material 45 gradually accumulates on the mesh plate 52 in each of the zones 54 of the recess 51 of the drum, resulting in a cluster 46. In the cluster 46 formed in this way, the amount of absorbent material 45 accumulated will be relatively small in sections 46a (areas corresponding to elements 53 having low air permeability), in which the absorbent material 45 accumulates on the elements 53 having low air permeability, while the amount of accumulated absorbent material 45 will be ravnitelno great at other portions 46b (the portions corresponding to the zones 54), and cluster 46 is generally formed with a structure with protrusions and recesses.

The rotary drum 50 rotates, and when the recess 51 of the drum reaches a place opposite the vacuum box 65, the cluster 46 present in the recess 51 of the drum is sucked onto the mesh belt 75 under the action of a suction force acting from the side of the vacuum box 65. In this state, the cluster 46, available in the recess 51 of the drum, is transferred to a place immediately in front of the part where the transfer roller 70 and the rotating drum 50 are located closest to each other, and then near this part corresponding to the zone of greatest approaching, the cluster 46 is removed from the recess 51 of the drum under the action of a suction force acting on the side of the transfer roller 70, in a state in which this cluster is still held by suction on the mesh belt 75, and moves to the transfer roller 70.

The cluster 46, which has a structure with protrusions and recesses and which has been moved to the transfer roller 70 together with the mesh belt 75, then moves to the part intended to be fed to the vacuum conveyor 80 (i.e., to the lowest part of the transfer roller 70), being held still due to suction on the mesh belt 75 moved on the transfer roller 70, and in this dispensing part, the cluster 46 is moved to the vacuum conveyor 80 under the action of the suction force acting from the side of the vacuum box 84.

In the apparatus for manufacturing the absorbent member of this embodiment, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4, the coating material 42, such as sanitary paper or hydrophilic nonwoven, is introduced onto the vacuum conveyor 80 until the cluster 46 is placed on the vacuum conveyor 80, and the cluster 46 is transferred to the coating material 42. Then, after covering the cluster 46 with the coating material 42 by bending the coating material 42 by means of a bending plate (not illustrated), the cluster 46 wrapped in the coating material 42 is cut at predetermined intervals, thereby providing continuous production of the absorbent element blanks 49, each of which is cut to size corresponding to the one absorbent member.

In the device for manufacturing an absorbent element according to this embodiment, each absorbent element blank 49 obtained as described above is compressed by compressing means 90 to actively reduce the thickness of the cluster 46 forming the absorbent element blank 49, whereby a predetermined absorbent element 4 is obtained (absorbent core 41 ) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the compressing means 90 includes two rollers 91, 92, of which at least one roller has a smooth surface. The compressing means 90 is configured so that it can compress, on both sides, that is, the upper and lower surfaces, of the product to be squeezed, which has been introduced into the area between the rollers 91, 92, and can compress the product in the thickness direction .

When the cluster 46 is compressed by compression means 90, portions 46b (portions corresponding to zones 54), which are thick and have a relatively large amount of absorbent material, are compressed with greater force than portions 46a (portions corresponding to elements 53 having low air permeability), which are thin and have a comparatively small amount of absorbent material 45. As a result, in the absorbent element 4 (absorbent core 41) made by using the aforementioned manufacturing triangles, portions (protrusions) 46b (portions corresponding to zones 54) in cluster 46 become portions 43 with a high base weight that have a relatively high density in the absorbent core 41, and portions (recessed portions) 46a (portions corresponding to elements 53 having low air permeability) in cluster 46 become regions 44 with a low base weight, which have a relatively low density in the absorbent core 41.

In the diaper 1, the upper sheet 2 and the absorbent element 4 - as well as the absorbent element 4 and the lower sheet 3 - are attached to each other by means of an adhesive (for example, hot-melt solvent-free adhesive) applied with a specific pattern, such as dots, spirals or stripes .

In particular, with regard to the connection between the absorbent element 4 and the bottom sheet 3, it should be noted that in the diaper 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the absorbent member 4 is attached to the bottom sheet 3 by adhesive 10 on both sides of the indicator 5 that are laterally external but not attached to the bottom sheet 3 in the area in which the indicator 5 is provided. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the covering material 42 of the absorbent element 4 and the bottom sheet 3 are not attached to each other in the area in which the indicator 5 is provided, and are attached to each other only by adhesive 10, which "extends" in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) and which is applied on both sides of the indicator 5, external in the transverse direction (X direction).

The materials for forming the disposable diaper 1 of this embodiment will be described.

For top sheet 2, bottom sheet 3, and sheets 62 forming standing assemblies, any material commonly used in absorbent products, such as disposable diapers, can be used without particular limitation. As for the top sheet 2, it is possible to use, for example, liquid permeable, non-woven material, a porous film or a laminate from these materials. As for the bottom sheet 3, it is possible to use, for example, a polymer film or a laminate of a polymer film and non-woven material. As for the sheets 62 forming the standing assemblies, for example, stretch films, nonwoven materials, textile materials or laminated sheets from them can be used.

As for the fastening tapes 7, any material commonly used in absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, can be used without particular limitation. For example, you can use, for example, the covered component of the product “Magic Tape” (registered trademark) (product from Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd.), “Quicklon” (registered trademark) (product from YKK Corporation), “Magicloth ”(Registered trademark) (product from Kanebo Bell Touch Co., Ltd.) or the like.

With regard to the absorbent core 41 forming the absorbent member 4, for example, a component can be used in which the absorbent polymer particles are held together in fibers, such as cellulosic fibers. As for the coating material 42 forming the absorbent member 4, a hydrophilic sheet such as a core wrapping sheet formed from a thin sheet of permeable paper (sanitary paper) or a permeable non-woven material can be used.

As for the elastic elements 61 intended for the formation of standing assemblies, the elastic elements 63 for the legs and the elastic elements 64 of the waist part, it is possible to use, for example, a filamentary stretch material formed, for example, of natural rubber, polyurethane, a styrene-isoprene copolymer, a copolymer styrene and butadiene or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, such as a copolymer of ethyl acrylate and ethylene.

As for indicator 5, any material commonly used in absorbent products, such as disposable diapers, can be used without particular limitation. For example, you can use a sheet material, such as a film or non-woven material, separate from the bottom sheet 3, or you can apply - directly on the bottom sheet 3 - a coloring material that undergoes a color development or color change or which disappears due to contact with secretions. As the coloring material, for example, a mixture of a pH indicator and an oxidizing component can be used.

The effect of using the disposable diaper 1 in accordance with the above embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, in the diaper 1, the absorbent core 41 has a structure with protrusions and recesses formed on the side facing the bottom sheet 3 where the indicator 5 is provided. In other words, in the absorbent core 41, the structure with protrusions and recesses is formed by alternately arranging portions 43 with a high base weight and sections 44 with a low base weight in the direction in which the indicator 5 continues (i.e., in the Y direction), is formed on the side facing the bottom sheet 3, opposite the indicator 5. Thus, the indicator Ator 5 can easily undergo a color change. In addition, in the diaper 1, as illustrated in FIG. 3, spaces 9 are formed between the coating material 42 and the corresponding recesses in the low base weight sections 44 of the absorbent core 41, and the corresponding low base weight sections 44 and the spaces 9 are in contact with each other. Thus, when the wearer wearing the diaper 1 releases the secretions, the moisture in the secretions can easily reach the indicator 5 due to the fact that it passes through the spaces 9, even if the amount of moisture in the secretions is small and the indicator 5 can easily undergo a color change. Since the indicator 5 easily undergoes a color change, it is possible to satisfy the needs of the user when the user wants to replace the diapers even in cases where the number of selections is small. In addition, in the diaper 1, the high base weight portions 43 and the low base weight portions 44 are alternately arranged in the direction in which the indicator 5 continues (i.e., in the Y direction), and thus a plurality of spaces 9 that are formed in places corresponding to the respective low base weight sections 44 are formed intermittently in the direction in which the indicator 5 continues (i.e., in the Y direction). Thus, the indicator 5 can gradually easily undergo a color change simultaneously with the movement of moisture from the secretions, and it is easy to see from which side, namely, from the part of the part A placed from the side of the abdomen, or from the side of part B placed from the back, indicator 5 began to undergo a color change. If you can see from which side, namely either from the side of part A placed on the side of the abdomen, or from the side of part B placed on the back, the indicator 5 began to undergo a color change, we can conclude, for example, that there was urine was released if the color change started from part A placed on the side of the abdomen, and feces were isolated if the color change started from part B placed on the back.

In addition, in this diaper 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and 3, the overlapping portion 420 formed of a hydrophilic coating material 42 covering the absorbent core 41 is formed so that it continues on the indicator 5 along the direction in which the indicator 5 continues (i.e., along the Y direction). Thus, the overlapping portion 420 can absorb excess moisture from the secretions, and thus an effect is achieved in that an erroneous estimate of the amount of urine, which is caused by diffusion of excess moisture and expansion of areas with a changed color in the indicator 5, can be prevented.

In addition, in this diaper 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and 3, the absorbent member 4 is attached to the bottom sheet 3 by adhesive 10 on both sides of the indicator 5 that are laterally external, but not attached to the bottom sheet 3 in the area in which the indicator 5 is provided. Thus, the adhesive 10 does not interfere with the contact moisture with indicator 5, and therefore, the effect is achieved, namely, that there is the possibility of providing functionality in which indicator 5 undergoes a color change under the influence of even less moisture.

The disposable diaper, which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, is not limited to the disposable diaper of the above embodiment, and modifications can be made accordingly.

For example, in the disposable diaper 1 of the above embodiment, the indicator 5 continues continuously in a direction parallel to the center line CL (i.e., in the Y direction), as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, it is only necessary that the indicator extends continuously in the longitudinal direction, that is, the indicator 5 can extend obliquely in the longitudinal direction, or can extend in the form of a curved line in the longitudinal direction.

In addition, in the disposable diaper 1 of the above embodiment, the low base weight portions 44 in the absorbent core 41 forming the absorbent member 4 are generally formed with a lattice structure by the low base weight linear portions 44X extending in the transverse direction (X direction ), and linear sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the configuration is not limited to the aforementioned lattice structure.

In addition, in the disposable diaper 1 of the above embodiment, the absorbent core 41 of the absorbent member 4 includes a block-shaped zone 411 formed with a rectangular shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), as illustrated in FIG. 1 and 7. Instead of the aforementioned absorbent core 41, an absorbent core 41A-41C similar to those illustrated in FIG. 8-10. The detailed description of the absorbent core 41 provided in the aforementioned diaper 1 is accordingly applicable to features / elements that are not described in detail with respect to the absorbent core 41A-41C illustrated in FIG. 8-10. In addition, in FIG. 8-10, the same elements as the elements in FIG. 1 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that each of the absorbent cores 41A-41C illustrated in FIG. 8-10 further includes a non-blocking zone 412 located along the outer periphery of the block-shaped zone 411. Each of the absorbent cores 41A-41C illustrated in FIG. 8-10 includes: a block-shaped area 411 formed with a shape in which both side edges of the abdominal part A and both side edges of the back part B extend further in the transverse direction (X direction) than both lateral edges in the crotch part C, and in which the part central in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is generally narrowed inward; and a non-blocking zone 412 formed with a shape in which a portion central in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is narrowed inward.

The block-shaped region 411 of the absorbent core 41A illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described with further details. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in this absorbent core 41A, four rows of structures with protrusions and recesses are arranged regularly in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) in the block configuration of the back portion 411b of the zone 411, each of these structures with protrusions and recesses includes four section 43 with a high base weight, which are separated by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction and (direction Y), - arranged regularly in the transverse direction (X direction). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in the crotch part 411c of zone 411 with a block configuration, seven rows of structures with protrusions and recesses are regularly arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), each of these structures with protrusions and recesses includes three sections 43 with a high base weight, which are separated from each other by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), - regularly located in the transverse direction th direction (X direction). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in the abdominal portion of block 411a of zone 411 of the block configuration, four rows of structures with protrusions and indentations are arranged regularly in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), each of these structures with protrusions and indentations includes four sections 43 with a high base weight, - which are separated from each other by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), - located gular in the transverse direction (X direction). As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the block-shaped region 411 of this absorbent core 41A, none of the low base weight sections 44Y extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is in a straight line that extends from the abdominal portion A to part B, placed on the back.

The block-shaped absorbent core region 411 of the core 41B illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described with further details. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in this absorbent core 41B in the back-mounted portion 411b of the block-shaped zone 411: three rows of structures with protrusions and recesses are arranged regularly in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), each of these structures with protrusions and recesses five sections 43 with a high base weight, which are separated by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (n direction Y), - arranged regularly in the transverse direction (X direction), and, in addition, one row of a structure with protrusions and recesses including four sections 43 with a high base weight located regularly in the transverse direction (X direction), located regularly in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in the crotch part 411c of zone 411 with a block configuration, seven rows of structures with protrusions and recesses are regularly arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), each of these structures with protrusions and recesses includes three sections 43 with a high base weight, which are separated from each other by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), - regularly located in the transverse direction th direction (X direction). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in the abdominal portion of section 411a of zone 411 with a block configuration: one row of the structure with protrusions and recesses is regularly arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), while this structure with protrusions and recesses includes four sections 43 with a high base weight, - which are separated from each other by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), in the transverse direction (X direction), and in addition, three rows of structures with protrusions and recesses, each of which includes five sections 43 with a high base weight, arranged regularly in the transverse direction (X direction), are regularly located in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the block-shaped region 411 of this absorbent core 41B, none of the low base weight sections 44Y extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is in a straight line that extends from the abdominal portion A to part B, placed on the back.

The block-shaped absorbent core region 411 of the core 41C illustrated in FIG. 10 will be described with further details. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in this absorbent core 41C, in the block configuration located on the back side 411b of the zone 411: three rows of structures with protrusions and recesses are arranged regularly in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), each of these structures with protrusions and recesses includes there are six sections 43 with a high base weight, which are separated by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), arranged regularly in the transverse direction (X direction), and, in addition, one row of a structure with protrusions and recesses, including four sections 43 with a high base weight, regularly arranged in the transverse direction (X direction) , located regularly in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10, in the crotch part 411c of the zone 411 with a block configuration, seven rows of structures with protrusions and recesses are regularly arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), each of these structures with protrusions and recesses includes two sections 43 with a high base weight, which are separated from each other by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), which are regularly located in the transverse direction ohm direction (X direction). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10, in the abdominal portion of section 411a of zone 411 with a block configuration: one row of the structure with protrusions and recesses is regularly located in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), while this structure with protrusions and recesses includes four sections 43 with a high base weight, - which are separated from each other by sections 44X with a low base weight, extending in the transverse direction (X direction), and sections 44Y with a low base weight, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), about in the transverse direction (X direction), and, in addition, three rows of structures with protrusions and recesses, each of which includes six sections 43 with a high base weight, located regularly in the transverse direction (X direction), are regularly located in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the block-shaped region 411 of this absorbent core 41C, three of the seven low base weight sections 44Y, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), are arranged in straight lines that extend from the abdominal part A to the part B, placed from the back.

In addition, the disposable diaper 1 of the above embodiment is a deployable disposable diaper similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the diaper may be a pull-on disposable diaper.

The following absorbent articles are further disclosed in connection with the above embodiments.

<1> An absorbent article including a top sheet located on a surface opposite to the skin; bottom sheet located on the side of the surface not opposite to the skin; elongated in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent element located between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, and an indicator that indicates the allocation due to color changes and which is continuously in the longitudinal direction between the lower sheet and the absorbent element, while:

an absorbent element includes an absorbent core including an absorbent polymer;

the absorbent core includes portions with a high base weight, each of which has a relatively high base weight and protrudes toward the side of the lower sheet, and portions with a low base weight, which are located next to areas with a high base weight and each of which has a relatively low base weight and is recessed from the side of the lower sheet towards the side of the upper sheet, while portions with a high base weight and areas with a low base weight are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction;

areas with a high base weight and areas with a low base weight are formed as a whole; and

the absorbent core has, on the side facing the bottom sheet where the indicator is provided, a structure with protrusions and recesses formed by alternately arranging portions with a high base weight and portions with a low base weight in the direction in which the indicator continues.

<2> The absorbent article according to <1>, wherein: the absorbent core is wrapped with a coating material, and spaces are formed between the coating material from the bottom sheet side and the corresponding low base weight absorbent core portions.

<3> An absorbent article according to <1> or <2>, wherein, in a plan view, the average length of the low base weight portion determined in the direction in which the indicator continues is less than the average length of the high base weight portion determined in the direction where the indicator continues.

<4> An absorbent article according to <3>, wherein the average length of the low base weight region is 3% to 20% inclusive of the average length of the high base weight region.

<5> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the base weight of the low base weight portion is from 20% to 80% inclusive of the base weight of the high base weight portion.

<6> Absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs <1> - <5>, in which:

the coating material is a hydrophilic sheet;

the covering material encompasses the absorbent core by forming, on the side of the absorbent core facing the bottom sheet, an overlapping portion in which the side edge portions of the covering material overlap each other; and

the overlapping part is formed so that it continues on the indicator along the direction in which the indicator continues.

<7> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the absorbent member is attached to the bottom sheet by adhesive on both sides of the indicator that are transverse external and not attached to the bottom sheet in the area in which the indicator is provided .

<8> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein: the lateral edges of the abdominal portion and the lateral edges of the abdominal portion extend further in the transverse direction than the lateral edges of the crotch portion ; the lateral edges of the crotch portion are curved inward in the transverse direction, and thus the absorbent article as a whole has a shape that is narrowed inwardly in the part central in the longitudinal direction; both the upper sheet and the lower sheet extend outward from the side edges and the front and rear end edges of the absorbent member, and the size of the upper sheet in the transverse direction is smaller than the size of the lower sheet in the transverse direction.

<9> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the absorbent member is formed by coating an absorbent core that is elongated in the longitudinal direction and which has the ability to retain liquids, a coating material that is liquid permeable, hydrophilic sheet.

<10> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein: in the absorbent core, areas of low base weight are unevenly distributed from the top sheet side in the thickness direction of the absorbent article; and the side of the absorbent core facing the top sheet is flat.

<11> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the average length of the low base weight region is from 5% to 15% inclusive relative to the average length of the high base weight region.

<12> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein: the indicator is located between the cover material of the absorbent element and the bottom sheet and is located on the opposite side of the skin of the bottom sheet; and the color change of the indicator is visible from the outside through the bottom sheet.

<13> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <12>, wherein in the transverse direction the indicator is located in a portion central in the transverse direction including an axial line in a section of the absorbent article.

<14> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the indicator is located in a straight line along the center line so that it extends between the part placed on the back side and the part placed on the abdomen through the crotch.

<15> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <14>, wherein the indicator is configured such that three thin lines are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the transverse direction.

<16> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <15>, wherein the width of indicator 5 is from 2 mm to 10 mm inclusively or from 3 mm to 8 mm inclusively.

<17> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <16>, wherein: the coating material envelops the absorbent core by forming, from the side of the absorbent core facing the bottom sheet, an overlapping portion in which the side edge portions of the coating material overlap each other friend the overlapping part is formed so that it continues on the indicator along the direction in which the indicator continues; in the longitudinal direction, the overlapping part is formed on the indicator along the center line along the entire length of the absorbent element; in the transverse direction, the width of the overlapping part is the same as the width of the indicator or exceeds the width of the indicator and the ratio (width of part 420 with overlapping / width of indicator 5) of width W2 of part 420 with overlapping to width W1 of indicator 5 is from 1.0 to 3.0, or from 1.5 to 2.5.

<18> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <17>, wherein: a component in which absorbent polymer particles are held together by fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, is used as the absorbent core forming the absorbent element; and a core wrapping sheet formed of a hydrophilic sheet or a thin sheet of permeable paper or a permeable nonwoven material is used as a coating material forming an absorbent element.

<19> An absorbent product according to any one of <1> to <18>, wherein: as an indicator, a sheet material such as a film or nonwoven material separate from the bottom sheet or a dyeing material that undergoes a color development or discoloration is used or which disappears due to contact with secretions, is applied directly to the bottom sheet, and a mixture of a pH indicator and an oxidizing component is used as a coloring material.

<20> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <19>, wherein the absorbent article is a disposable diaper.

<21> An absorbent product according to paragraph <20>, wherein: two fastening tapes are provided on the sections of the side edges of the part placed on the back side; a receiving tape intended for fastening the fastening tapes is provided on the outer surface of the part placed on the side of the abdomen; in the respective lateral parts of the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction [,] the sheets forming the standing assemblies, each of which has elastic elements fixed along the longitudinal direction in their extended state, are located on the respective side parts of the upper sheet and attached to the corresponding side parts of the upper sheet, and thus, two standing assemblies are formed; in each of the lateral parts of the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction [,], a plurality of elastic elements for legs intended to form leg assemblies are placed along the longitudinal direction in their stretched state, and thus leg assemblies are formed by tightening the elastic elements for legs ; and in the part that is lateral in the longitudinal direction, on the side of the back side of the absorbent article, the elastic elements of the waist part for forming the waist assemblies are placed along the transverse direction in their extended state, and thus, the waist assemblies are formed by tightening the elastic elements of the waist part.

<22> An absorbent product according to paragraph <21>, wherein: liquid-permeable, non-woven material, a porous film or a laminate of these materials is used as a top sheet; a polymer film or a laminate of a polymer film and non-woven material is used as the bottom sheet; and stretch films, non-woven materials, textile materials or laminated sheets thereof are used as sheets forming standing assemblies.

<23> An absorbent article according to <21> or <22>, wherein the filamentary stretchable material is formed from natural rubber, polyurethane, a styrene-isoprene copolymer, a styrene-butadiene copolymer or an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer such as an ethyl acrylate copolymer and ethylene is used for elastic elements designed to form standing assemblies, elastic elements for legs and elastic elements of the waist.

<24> An absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <19>, wherein the absorbent article is a stretchable disposable diaper.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

When using the absorbent article of the present invention, the indicator can easily undergo a color change, even if the amount of moisture in the secretions is small. Since the indicator is easy to change color, it is possible to meet the needs of the user when the user wants to replace the diapers even in cases where the number of selections is small. In addition, by means of the absorbent article of the present invention, it is easy to see which side, namely, either the side placed on the abdomen or the side placed on the back, the indicator began to undergo a color change, and therefore, it can be easily determined that urine was released if the color change started from the part placed on the side of the abdomen, and soft feces were isolated if the color change started from the part placed on the back.

Claims (35)

1. Absorbent product containing a top sheet located on the side of the surface opposite the skin; bottom sheet located on the side of the surface not opposite to the skin; an elongated longitudinally absorbent element located between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, and an indicator that indicates excretion due to a color change and which is continuously located in the longitudinal direction between the lower sheet and the absorbent element, wherein: an absorbent element includes an absorbent core including an absorbent polymer; the absorbent core includes portions with a high base weight, each of which has a relatively high base weight and protrudes toward the side of the bottom sheet, and portions with a low base weight, which are adjacent to areas with a high base weight and each of which has a relatively low base weight and recessed from the side of the lower sheet towards the side of the upper sheet, while areas with a high base weight and areas with a low base weight are formed alternately in the longitudinal direction; areas with a high base weight and areas with a low base weight are formed as a whole; and the absorbent core has, on the side facing the bottom sheet where the indicator is provided, a structure with protrusions and recesses formed by alternately arranging portions with a high base weight and portions with a low base weight in the direction in which the indicator continues, wherein the coating material is a hydrophilic sheet; the coating material covers the absorbent core by forming, on the side of the absorbent core facing the bottom sheet, an overlapping portion in which the side edge portions of the coating material overlap each other; and the overlapping part is formed so that it continues on the indicator along the direction in which the indicator continues. 2. Absorbent product according to claim 1, in which: the absorbent core is coated with a coating material; wherein spaces are formed between the covering material from the bottom sheet side and the corresponding low base weight absorbent core portions. 3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the plan view shows the average length of the low base weight portion determined in the direction in which the indicator continues, less than the average length of the high base weight portion determined in the direction in which the indicator continues. 4. Absorbent product according to claim 3, in which the average length of the site with a low base weight is from 3 to 20% inclusive relative to the average length of the site with a high base weight. 5. Absorbent product according to claim 1, in which the base weight of the site with a low base weight is from 20 to 80% inclusive relative to the base weight of the site with a high base weight. 6. The absorbent product according to claim 1, in which the absorbent element is attached to the bottom sheet by adhesive on both sides of the indicator, external in the transverse direction, and is not attached to the bottom sheet in the area in which the indicator is provided. 7. The absorbent product according to claim 1, in which the side edges of the part placed on the side of the abdomen, and the side edges of the part placed on the back side, extend farther in the transverse direction than the side edges of the crotch part; wherein the lateral edges of the crotch portion are curved inward in the transverse direction, and thus the absorbent article as a whole has a shape that is narrowed inwardly in the longitudinally central portion; the upper and lower sheets extend outward from the side edges of both the front and rear end edges of the absorbent element, wherein the size of the upper sheet in the transverse direction is smaller than the size of the lower sheet in the transverse direction. 8. The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the absorbent member is formed by coating the absorbent core with a coating material that is a liquid-permeable hydrophilic sheet, the absorbent core being elongated in the longitudinal direction and configured to hold liquids. 9. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein in the absorbent core, areas of low base weight are unevenly distributed on the side of the top sheet in the thickness direction of the absorbent article; while the side of the absorbent core facing the top sheet is flat. 10. The absorbent product according to claim 1, in which in the longitudinal direction the average length of the site with a low base weight is from 5 to 15% inclusive relative to the average length of the site with a high base weight. 11. Absorbent product according to claim 2, in which the indicator is located between the covering material of the absorbent element and the bottom sheet and is located on the opposite side of the skin of the bottom sheet; while the color change of the indicator is visible from the outside through the bottom sheet. 12. The absorbent product according to claim 1, in which in the transverse direction the indicator is located in the part central in the transverse direction, including the center line, in the section of the absorbent product. 13. Absorbent product according to claim 1, in which in the longitudinal direction the indicator is located in a straight line along the center line so that it extends between the part placed on the back side and the part placed on the side of the abdomen through the crotch part. 14. An absorbent product according to claim 1, in which the indicator is made so that three thin lines are located in parallel with equal intervals in the transverse direction. 15. An absorbent product according to claim 1, in which the width of the indicator is from 2 to 10 mm inclusive. 16. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the coating material covers the absorbent core by forming, on the side of the absorbent core facing the bottom sheet, an overlapping portion in which the side portions of the coating material overlap each other; the overlapping part is formed so that it continues on the indicator along the direction in which the indicator continues; while in the longitudinal direction, the overlapping part is formed on the indicator along the center line along the entire length of the absorbent element; in the transverse direction, the width of the overlapping part is the same as the width of the indicator, or exceeds the width of the indicator; and the ratio (the width of the part with overlapping / width of the indicator) of the width W2 of the part with overlapping to the width W1 of the indicator is from 1.0 to 3.0. 17. The absorbent product of claim 2, wherein the component in which the absorbent polymer particles are held together by fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, is used as the absorbent core forming the absorbent element; and a core wrapping sheet formed of a hydrophilic sheet or a thin sheet of permeable paper or a permeable nonwoven material is used as a coating material forming an absorbent element. 18. Absorbent product according to claim 1, in which the indicator uses a sheet material, such as a film or non-woven material, separate from the bottom sheet, or a coloring material that undergoes a color development or color change or which disappears due to contact with excreta, applied directly to the bottom sheet, and a mixture of a pH indicator and an oxidizing component is used as a coloring material. 19. The absorbent article of claim 1, which is a disposable disposable diaper. 20. An absorbent product according to claim 19, in which two fastening tapes are provided on the sections of the side edges of the part placed on the back side; a receiving tape intended for fastening the fastening tapes is provided on the outer surface of the part placed on the side of the abdomen; while in the respective lateral parts of the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction, sheets forming a standing assembly, each of which has elastic elements fixed along the longitudinal direction in their stretched state, are located on the respective side parts of the upper sheet and attached to the corresponding side parts of the upper sheet, and thus, two standing assemblies are formed; however, in each of the lateral parts of the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction, a plurality of leg elastic members are provided for forming leg assemblies in their stretched state, and thus leg assemblies are formed by compressing leg elastic members; at the same time, in the part that is lateral in the longitudinal direction, on the side of the part placed on the back side of the absorbent article, the elastic elements of the belt part intended to form belt assemblies are placed along the transverse direction in their stretched state, and thus, belt assemblies are formed for due to compression of the elastic elements of the waist part. 21. An absorbent product according to claim 20, in which a liquid-permeable non-woven material, a porous film or a laminate of these materials is used as a top sheet; as the bottom sheet a polymer film or a laminate of a polymer film and non-woven material is used; and as sheets forming a standing assembly, stretch films, nonwoven materials, textile materials or laminated sheets thereof are used. 22. Absorbent product according to claim 20, in which for elastic elements designed to form standing assemblies, elastic elements for legs and elastic elements of the waist part, a threadlike stretch material is used from natural rubber, polyurethane, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, such as a copolymer of ethyl acrylate and ethylene. 23. Absorbent product according to claim 1, which is a stretchable disposable diaper.

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