TWI568428B - An absorbent structure, and an absorbent underwear article using the absorbent structure - Google Patents

Description

Absorbent structure and absorbent wearing article using the absorbent structure

The present invention relates to an absorbent structure having body fluid absorption property and an absorbent wearing article using the absorbent structure, and more particularly to an absorbent structure having a shape having a thickness unevenness and using the absorbent structure. Absorbent wearing items such as diapers, sanitary napkins, and urinary incontinence cotton pads are used after the body is used.

Absorbent structures having a shape having a thickness unevenness and absorbent articles using the same have been known since the prior art. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent structure having a thick portion having a required thickness and a thin portion having a thickness smaller than that of the thick portion, and an absorbent article using the same.

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-65929

The absorbent article disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with an absorbent structure having a high absorption capacity locally in the thick portion. Therefore, the thick portion can be sufficiently disposed in a region where the body fluid is discharged more frequently. Play its absorption performance. Further, in the absorbent structure, since the thin portion is formed in a relatively small amount of body fluid excretion, it can be said that the absorption efficiency is excellent.

However, since a step is formed in the boundary between the thick portion and the thin portion, the wearer feels uncomfortable, and at the same time, the wear structure bends along the wearer's body during wearing. In the step portion, cracks and the like are locally generated, and there is a flaw in the leakage of body fluid. Moreover, even in the case where the step is relatively small, when the rigidity of the portion located between the armpit region and being pressed between the wearer's thighs is relatively low, the portion is deformed to be in the absorbent structure. There is a crack in the whole, and there is a flaw in the leakage of body fluid.

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorption efficiency which is excellent by a shape having a thickness unevenness, and it is possible to provide a high-rigidity region locally without fear of causing a flaw in which a body fluid is leaked during wearing. An absorbent structure or the like, and an absorbent wearing article using the absorbent structure.

In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present invention relates to a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction orthogonal thereto, and includes at least a body fluid between a liquid permeable top sheet and a liquid impermeable back sheet. An absorbent structure for an absorbent article for absorbent absorbent articles.

An absorbent structure according to a first aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the first end edge and a second end edge opposed thereto in the longitudinal direction; a thick portion located on the first end edge side; a thin portion having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the thick portion at the end edge side; and a thickness between the thick portion and the thin portion from the first end side toward the second end side a thickness gradient portion whose size gradually becomes smaller, in the aforementioned thin portion, the aforementioned thickness A gradient portion and a portion of the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion are subjected to a gravure process in which a plurality of compressed concave portions are formed.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the first and second end edges have a thick portion located on the first end edge side, and the second end edge side is smaller than a thickness of the thick portion. a thin portion and a thickness gradient portion which is gradually smaller in thickness from the first end side toward the second end side between the thick portion and the thin portion, and the thin portion and the thin portion a thickness gradient portion and a portion of the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion are provided with a gravure-processed absorbent structure in which a plurality of compression concave portions are formed; and a front waist region, a rear waist region, and the front and rear portions a diaper main body of a crotch region between the waist regions, wherein the absorbent structure system extends from the front waist region to the rear waist region, and the first end edge of the absorbent structure is located on the front waist region side, and the second end The edge is located on the side of the rear waist region, and the adjacent portion and the thickness gradient portion are located in the underarm region for the absorbent wearing article.

According to the absorbent structure of one or more of the inventions of the present invention, since the thickness gradient portion is located between the thick portion and the thin portion, there is no step difference due to the rapid thickness dimension change. Moreover, since the large difference in rigidity between the thick portion and the thick portion is not caused by the gravure processing of the thin portion and the thickness gradient portion, it is not feared that the body fluid occurs due to a partial crack or the like due to a change in rigidity or a step. Leaking a baffle. Furthermore, since the high-rigidity region to which the gravure processing of the majority of the compressed concave portions is applied is located at the thick portion and the thickness gradient The adjacent part, so even if it exerts the force of deforming the part to deform it, it is not afraid of partial cracks or tears.

In the absorbent article for wearing the absorbent structure, the absorbent portion can be sufficiently absorbed by the thick portion of the absorbent structure in the front waist region and the underarm region of the urine, and the thin portion is located at the same time. In the back waist region, the fit to the wearer's buttocks is improved, and the absorption efficiency of the entire absorbent structure is excellent. Further, since the high-rigidity region formed at the portion of the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion is located in the crotch region, even if the portion is pressed between the wearer's thighs, partiality is not feared. Crack or tear.

The best form for implementing the invention

1 and 2, the diaper 10 has a vertical axis P and a horizontal axis Q orthogonal thereto, a longitudinal direction Y parallel to the vertical axis P, and a lateral direction X parallel to the horizontal axis Q, and The diaper body 14 is provided with a front waist region 11 , a rear waist region 12 , and a crotch region 13 between the front and rear waist regions 11 and 12 .

The diaper main body 14 includes a front end edge 14a and a rear end edge 14b that linearly extend in the lateral direction X, and two side edges 14c and 14d that are concave inward in the crotch region 13 and are located on the opposite side to the skin. The top sheet 15; the liquid-impermeable back sheet 16 on the non-skin facing side; and the absorbent structure 17 between the top sheet 15 and the back sheet 16. Further, an intermediate sheet 18 is disposed between the top sheet 15 and the absorbent structure 17 as an option. A pair of dams 20 symmetrical about the longitudinal axis P are disposed on the skin facing side of the diaper 10.

The top sheet 15 can be formed of various fiber nonwoven fabrics having substantially liquid permeability, for example, a hot air fiber nonwoven fabric having a mass of about 15 to 45 g/m ² , a porous plastic film, a laminated sheet thereof, or the like.

The back sheet 16 can be made of various fiber nonwoven fabrics which are substantially liquid impermeable, such as spunbonded nonwoven fabrics, point bonded nonwoven fabrics, and SMS (spunbonded, meltblown, spunbonded) in the range of about 10 to 40 g/m ² in mass. A non-woven fabric, a liquid-impermeable plastic film, or a laminated sheet of at least one of the non-woven fabrics and the like is formed.

The intermediate sheet 18 can be formed of various known fiber nonwoven fabrics having substantially gas permeability and liquid permeability, for example, a hot air fiber nonwoven fabric having a mass of about 15 to 45 g/m ² , so as to enhance cushioning properties for the wearer's skin. At the same time, the body fluid is not randomly dispersed, and the top sheet 15 and the absorbent structure 17 are separated to prevent the body fluid from flowing back to the top sheet 15 at will.

The barrier sheet 20 may be formed of a hydrophobic fiber non-woven fabric, a moisture-permeable and leak-proof plastic film, a laminated sheet thereof, or the like. For example, in the case of a non-woven fabric, it may be, for example, a mass of about 10 to 30 g/m ² . SMS fiber non-woven fabric or spun fiber non-woven fabric or the like is formed.

2 and 4, the absorbent structure 17 has front and rear end edges (first and second end edges) 17a and 17b, and side edges extending in the longitudinal direction Y between the front and rear end edges 17a and 17b. 17c, 17d. The side edges 17c and 17d are classified into a straight portion 21 extending linearly on the side of the front waist region 11 and the side of the rear waist region 12, and under the armpit for convenience of description. The concave curved portion 22 is concavely curved toward the longitudinal axis P near the approximately central portion of the region 13. Further, the side edges 17c and 17d have buckling portions 23 and 24 at positions where the straight portion 21 and the concave portion 22 intersect. As will be described later, the straight portion 21 on the front waist region 11 side is defined as the front region (first region) 51 and the straight portion 21 of the rear waist region 12 is defined as the rear region (the The 2 area) 52 is drawn between the concave curved portions 22 as the central portion 53.

The absorbent structure 17 comprises: a superabsorbent polymer particle (SAP), a staple fiber pulp, an optional thermoplastic synthetic fiber (synthetic fiber), and a liquid-absorbent chip shaped into a specific shape; and for its shape retention property Further, the liquid-diffusing sheet is covered with a liquid-diffusing sheet formed of, for example, a liquid-impermeable fibrous nonwoven sheet or the like. A leakage preventing sheet 25 formed of a liquid-impermeable fiber nonwoven fabric is disposed on the lower surface of the absorbent structure 17. The absorbent structure 17 may be formed only by a liquid-absorbent chip as long as it achieves the effects of the embodiment described later.

The leakage preventing sheet 25 is a moisture-permeable and leak-proof plastic film, a substantially liquid-impermeable SMS (spun-bonded, melt-blown, spun-bonded) fiber nonwoven fabric having a mass of about 10 to 30 g/m ² , and a spunbond fiber. A laminate sheet or the like which is not woven or at least one of the nonwoven fabrics or the like is formed.

When referring to FIG. 2, the diaper main body 14 has the rear end wings 27, 28 extending in the lateral direction X in the outer direction of the longitudinal direction Y of the front and rear end edges 17a, 17b of the absorbent structure 17, and the absorbent structure 17 One of the pair of side wings 29, 30 extends in the longitudinal direction Y in the outer side of the lateral direction X of the both side edges 17c, 17d. The front and rear rear wings 27, 28 are supported by the absorbent structure 17 The dam sheet 20, the top sheet 15, the leakage preventing sheet 25, and the back sheet 16 which extend outward in the longitudinal direction Y of the front and rear end edges 17a, 17b are formed to overlap each other. Further, the side flaps 29, 30 are overlapped by the top sheet 15, the barrier sheet 20, the leakage preventing sheet 25, and the back sheet 16 which extend outward in the lateral direction X of the both side edges 17c, 17d of the absorbent structure 17. Was formed.

After the rear end wing 28 and the side flaps 29, 30 intersect, the two sides of the backing flap 20 of the side flap 32 and the back sheet 16 are interposed between the fixing portions 34a of the pair of fastening strip tabs 34, and It is fixed by a hot-melt adhesive applied to the inner faces of the two sheets 16, 20. A male belt (HOOK) having a devil felt is provided in the free portion 34b of the fastening tape tab 34 extending from the side edge of the rear side flap 32 (the side edge of the rear waist region 12) outward in the lateral direction X. The first fastening element 35. In the wearing state of the diaper 10, the second fastening member 36 having the master tape (LOOP) of the devil felt extending in the lateral direction X in the outer surface of the front waist region 11 is provided by the first fastening member 35. The waist opening 37 and the pair of leg openings 38 (Fig. 1) are drawn freely.

Between the top sheet 15 forming a portion of the front and rear end flaps 27, 28 and the leakage preventing sheet 25, a cushioning elastic elastic member having a cushioning property such as an urethane foam having continuous bubbles is disposed. Elastic waist elastic band 40. Further, a heat-fusible adhesive (not shown) is passed between the back sheet 16 forming a portion of the side flaps 29, 30 and the barrier sheet 20, so that a plurality of braided or string-shaped leg elastic members 41 can be It is contracted in the longitudinal direction Y and fixed.

The containment sheet 20 has a proximal edge portion 42 forming a portion of the side flaps 29, 30; and a hot melt adhesive agent in the front and rear waist regions 11, 12 a front and rear fixed end portions 43 and 44 of the skin facing surface of the top sheet 15 and a portion of the back sheet 16 extending outward from the top sheet 15 in the lateral direction X; and fixing in front and rear The distal edge portion 45 is formed by the end portions 43 and 44 extending in the longitudinal direction Y by concavely bending the inner edge of the barrier sheet 20 inward. In the distal edge portion 45, a plurality of braided or string-shaped vertical elastic members 46 extending in the longitudinal direction Y are fixed so as to be contractible in the longitudinal direction Y. The distal edge portion 45 is separated from the skin facing surface of the top sheet 15 by the contraction of the standing elastic member 46 in the wearing state of the diaper 10, and is formed to prevent the horizontal leakage of the excrement. Block the vertical side.

3 to 5, in FIG. 4, the thickness direction of the absorbent structure 17 is indicated by Z, and the absorbent structure 17 has a front region (first region) 51 located on the front waist region 11 side, and is located rearward. The rear region (second region) 52 on the side of the waist region 12 and the central portion 53 between the front region 51 and the rear region 52 are located between the concave portions 22 on the inner side of the side edges 17c and 17d. The absorbing structure 17 is such that the front domain 51 is thicker than the rear domain 52, and specifically has a relatively thick thick portion 55 extending from the front domain 51 to the rear domain 52, and is thicker. The thickness portion 56 that gradually extends toward the bottom surface side of the absorbent structure 17 toward the rear side and the thin portion 57 that extends from the thickness gradient portion 56 to the rear end edge 17b are smaller than the thickness of the thick portion 55. Further, in the present embodiment, the absorbent structure 17 is formed by a layer extending continuously in the longitudinal direction Y. However, the thick portion 55 is thicker than the thin portion 57, and the region is formed as The two layers may also form an absorption structure including the thin portion 57 in multiple layers. The body 17 as a whole can also be used.

However, when the entire absorbent structure 17 is formed as a single layer as in the present embodiment, the entire absorbent structure 17 is pulped to be contained therein as compared with the case where it is formed of a plurality of layers. Since the fiber is blended with the thermoplastic fiber added as an option, it is difficult to collapse and has excellent shape retention.

When the absorbing structure 17 is formed in a single layer, the shape can be formed by a known manufacturing method or manufacturing apparatus, but it can be formed, for example, by the following method.

<Method for Forming Thick Wall Portion 55, Thickness Gradient Portion 56, and Thin Wall Portion 57>

In a manufacturing apparatus having an absorbent material formed of short-fiber wood pulp and/or superabsorbent polymer particles and a rotary suction drum having a plurality of concave molds, the absorbent material is collected from the supply means through the transfer pipe A stacked body (absorbent chip) is formed in a concave shape. The concave shape of the drum is such that the bottom is a mesh having a plurality of openings, and the absorbing material is attracted and collected in the concave mold through the opening, and the bottom of the concave model is formed to form a thick portion 55 in the stacked body. The thickness gradient portion 56 and the portion of the thin portion 57 have different depth dimensions (the separation dimensions from the surface of the sheet to the bottom of the concave mold). Specifically, the thick portion 55 having the absorbent structure 17 having a desired thickness is formed in a portion having a relatively large depth dimension, and the thin portion 57 is formed at a portion having a relatively small depth dimension, and further, located at two The inclined portion between the persons forms a thickness gradient portion 56.

The absorbent structure 17 as a whole has a specific shape with uneven thickness In the front waist region 11 and the underarm region 13, the thick portion 55 having the required absorption capacity can be used to surely absorb the required amount of body fluid, mainly the excreted urine. In addition, since the thin portion 57 is located on the side of the rear waist region 12 where the amount of exudation of the body fluid is smaller than that of the front waist region 11 and the crotch region 13, there is almost no use in the entire absorbent structure 17 The site where the body fluid is absorbed is superior to the conventional absorbent structure having a shape and structure having a constant absorption capacity. Furthermore, by making the component of the liquid-absorbent chip for absorbing the structure 17 a necessary minimum, the production cost can be suppressed.

By forming the thickness gradient portion 56 and the thin portion 57, since the rear region 52 is formed to be relatively thin toward the rear, the rear waist region 12 is easily deformed and fitted along the shape of the wearer's body, and can be worn up. sense. Further, by reducing the thickness of the entire diaper 10, the diaper 10 is folded into two folds so that the diaper 10 is folded into two folds when the front and rear waist regions 11 and 12 overlap each other, and does not become bulky, and is lifted when stored in a package or the like. Storage.

In the absorbent structure 17, when the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 are directly adjacent to each other, not only the difference in rigidity depending on the thickness of the sudden thickness but also between the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 The formation of the step is caused by the uncomfortable feeling of the wearer, and there is also a possibility that a part of the absorbing structure 17 is bent and twisted in the vicinity of the boundary to induce leakage of the body fluid. However, in the present embodiment, by forming the thickness gradient portion 56 between the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57, the thickness can be gently changed, because the rigidity difference and the step difference due to the rapid thickness dimension are not formed. Therefore, I am not afraid of causing this discomfort to the wearer, and In the vicinity of the boundary of 55, 56, and 57, it is not afraid that bending and twisting of the leakage of body fluid will occur.

When referring to Fig. 5, the thin portion 57 is formed in a region where the absorption performance of the absorbent structure 17 is not hindered, that is, a region where the body fluid is not excreted is preferable. Specifically, the thin portion 57 is located on the side of the rear waist region 12, and preferably has a size of about 40% with respect to the entire area of the absorbent structure 17. Further, the thickness gradient portion 56 does not cause an uncomfortable feeling to the wearer in order to cause a difference in rigidity and a step due to a sudden change in the thickness gradient, and the length dimension L1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent structure 17 is about 320 to 450 mm. In the case of the longitudinal direction, the length L2 of the longitudinal direction Y is preferably about 25 to 70 mm, more preferably about 35 to 60 mm. When the length dimension L2 of the thickness gradient portion 56 in the longitudinal direction Y is about 25 mm or less, the length of the relaxation height gradient of the difference in thickness between the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 is insufficient, and in the thin portion 57. A step is formed in the vicinity of the boundary of the thickness gradient portion 56, and there is a feeling of discomfort to the wearer. In the case where the length L2 of the thickness gradient portion 56 in the longitudinal direction Y is 70 mm or more, the formation region of the thick portion 55 of the entire absorbent structure 17 is made small, and the thick portion 55 is provided in accordance with the thickness. The effect of the present embodiment is ensured by the body fluid absorption capacity.

For the formation of the respective regions 55, 56, 57 of the absorbent structure 17, the thickness of the thick portion 55 may be about 2.7 to 3.3 mm, and the liquid-absorbent chip may be a pulp having a mass of about 220 to 260 g/m ² . A mixture of fibers and SAP having a mass of about 180 to 220 g/m ^{2 has} a thickness of about 2.2 to 2.8 mm for the thin portion 57 and a pulp fiber of about 180 to 220 g/m ² for the liquid absorbing chip. A mixture of SAP of about 140 to 180 g/m ² or the like is formed. In other words, the mass per unit area of the thin portion 57 is lower than that of the thick portion 55. Specifically, in order to achieve the aforementioned effects of the present invention, the mass per unit area of the liquid-absorbent chip of the thin portion 57 is obtained. It is preferably in the range of about 50 to 85% of the mass per unit area of the thick portion 55.

The thickness dimension of each region of the absorbent structure 17 can be measured using a thickness measuring device (manufactured by PEACOCK Co., Ltd., measuring pressure: 12.5 g/cm ² ). Specifically, the thickness of the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 is taken out from the diaper 10, and the longitudinal direction Y is cut out in the portion corresponding to the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57, respectively. The length dimension of the specimen was about 50 mm × the length dimension of the transverse direction X was about 50 mm, and the thickness of the center portion of the sample was measured by a thickness gauge.

Referring to Fig. 4, in the rear region 52 of the absorbent structure 17, a plurality of compressed concave portions 60 (see Fig. 5) are arranged in the thin portion 57 to be approximately serrated toward the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent structure 17. The first gravure processed portion 61 and the thick gradient portion 56 adjacent to the thickness gradient portion 56 and the plurality of compressed concave portions 60 are arranged in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent structure 17 to be approximately serrated. The second gravure processing portion 63. By providing the first and second gravure processing portions 61 and 63, the thin portion 57, the thickness gradient portion 56, and the adjacent portion are made higher in rigidity than in the case where the gravure processing is not performed. The adjacent portion of the thick portion 55 in which the second gravure processing portion 63 is formed is higher in rigidity than the other portions of the thick portion 55, and the high rigidity region having the highest rigidity is formed in the absorbent structure 17. Domain 64.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the regions having different absorption capacities are formed by adjusting the thickness of the absorbent structure 17, but there is a fear that a difference in rigidity occurs in a portion where the thickness is changed. In order to reduce the rigidity difference, the thickness gradient portion 56 is formed between the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57. However, the thin portion 57 is formed by forming the first and second gravure portions 61 and 63. Further, the rigidity of the thickness gradient portion 56 can further reduce the difference in rigidity between the thickness portion 55 and the thick portion 55, and the deformation or the type collapse of the absorbing structure 17 according to the partial crack can be further prevented.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the high stiffness region 64 is located between the flexure 24 of the side edges 17c, 17d and its vicinity. The flexure portion 24 and its vicinity are the intersections of the straight portion 21 and the curved portion 22, and in the absorbent structure 17, the crack is most likely to occur depending on the shape change or the wearer's underarm motion. In the case of wrinkles and twists and turns, even if the thick portion 55 has high rigidity as compared with the thickness gradient portion 56 and the thin portion 57, the torsional bending of the region spreads to the thickness gradient portion 56 and the thin wall. The portion 57 separates the entire rear region 52 from the wearer's body, and causes a leakage of body fluid. In addition, the curved portion 22 of the absorbent structure 17 has a curved shape so as to fit along the wearer's thigh in the wearing state, but in the case where the wearer is a child of a relatively high age, the buckling is performed. The portion 24 and the portion behind it are pressed between the thighs and exert a force to deform it. In the present embodiment, by providing the high-rigidity region 64 having the highest rigidity in the absorbent structure 17 in this region, the torsion bending from the flexion portion 24 is prevented, and the rear can be prevented. The field 52 is entirely separated from the wearer's body.

As a method of forming the high-rigidity region 64, for example, it is possible to locally increase the mass per unit area of the liquid-absorbent chip to make the region the thickest wall, but in this case, the region acts like a rib. It is difficult for the entire absorbent structure 17 to be bent along the body shape of the wearer, and the fit is lowered. In the case of the present embodiment, since the high-rigidity region 64 is drawn by the second gravure processing portion 63 to which the gravure processing is applied, cracks or deformations starting from the vicinity of the region can be suppressed, and absorption can be suppressed on the other hand. The structure 17 is bent along the body shape of the wearer, and it is possible to prevent the leakage of the body fluid due to deformation or the like and to ensure the fit of the wearer's body.

The plurality of compression recesses 60 forming the first and second gravure processing portions 61 and 63 have approximately circular shapes of approximately the same size, and are disposed relatively tightly in the first gravure processing portion 61, and are disposed in the second gravure processing portion. 63 is configured to be sparse. Therefore, the total area ratio of the compressed concave portion 60 as a whole of the first gravure processed portion 61 is higher than the total area ratio of the compressed concave portion 60 as a whole of the second gravure processed portion 63. Specifically, the total area ratio of the compressed recess 60 of the former is about 12 to 18%, and the total area ratio of the compressed recess 60 of the latter is about 5.0 to 9.0%. Further, the length dimension (depth) in the thickness direction Z of the compression concave portion 60 is about 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

By making the total area ratio of the compressed concave portion 60 of the first gravure processing portion 61 larger than that of the second gravure processing portion 63, the rigidity difference between the thin portion 57 and the thickness gradient portion 56 can be reduced, thereby preventing the like. The deformation of the absorbent structure 17 starting from the boundary. Also, in the thickness gradient portion 56, because in the thin portion Since the first gravure processing portion 61 is provided in the portion on the side of the 57 side, and the second gravure processing portion 63 is provided on the portion on the side of the thick portion 55 which is thicker than the portion, the rigidity is not impatient in the thickness gradient portion 56. The change can prevent deformation or bending of the absorbent structure 17 starting from the thickness gradient portion 56.

Referring to Fig. 4, in the first and second gravure processing portions 61, 63, an uncompressed portion in which the compression concave portion 60 is not continuously provided in the lateral direction X is formed. By forming the non-compressed portion, the absorbent structure 17 has the required flexibility, and the non-compressed portion is formed at least in the second gravured portion 63, so that the thickness gradient portion 56 and the high-rigidity region 64 are easily worn by the wearer. The body is bent. When the effect is achieved, the value of the total area ratio of the compressed concave portions 60 of the first and second gravure-processed portions 61 and 63 can be appropriately changed, and various known patterns can be used as the gravure pattern in addition to the houndstooth shape. The shape of the compression concave portion 60 may be any shape other than a circular shape such as an elliptical shape, a rhombus shape, or a rectangular shape.

<Method of Manufacturing Absorbing Structure 17>

Referring to Fig. 6, the continuous absorbent structure 71 continuously formed in a portion corresponding to the plurality of absorbent structures 17 is conveyed to the machine direction MD by a conveyance roller (not shown). The continuous absorbent structure 71 is formed by encapsulating a liquid-absorbent chip composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers by a wicking sheet, and is configured to correspond to the thickness gradient portion 56 and the thin portion 57 of each of the absorbent structures 17. The portion 71a is recessed downward to become a thin wall.

Referring to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the gravure engineering system for providing the first and second gravure processing portions 61 and 63 to the absorbing structure 17 is: continuous The gravure cylinder 72 that rotates in the one direction above the absorbing structure 71 and the anvil cylinder 73 that is arranged to face the outer surface of the gravure cylinder 72 in a direction opposite to the rotation of the gravure cylinder 72 are smooth. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the gravure cylinder 72 has a first end edge 74a and a second end edge 74b, and is provided to gradually thicken from the first end edge 74a toward the second end edge 74b as it extends in the circumferential direction. The ridge 74. The raised portion 74 further has a thin portion 75 on the side of the first end edge 74a and a thick portion 76 on the second end edge 74b. A plurality of hubs 77 are protruded from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the embossing cylinder 72 on the surface of the ridge portion 74 and the first end edge 74a side thereof. The hub 77 is divided into a first gravure group 78 formed in the thick portion 76 of the raised portion 74 corresponding to the first gravured portion 61 of each of the absorbent structures 17, and a thin portion 75 formed in the thin portion 75. The second gravure processing portion 63 of each of the absorbing structures 17 corresponds to the first gravure group 78 to make the separation size of the hub 77 larger, and is arranged to be relatively thinner than the second gravure group 80. Further, the hub 77 is configured such that the compressed concave portion 60 is stably formed in the continuous absorbent structure 71, and the sheet member constituting the same is heated to such an extent that it is not welded.

The gravure cylinder 72 rotates the rotation speed and the continuous portion so that the raised portion 74 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof faces the portion 71a of the continuous absorbent structure 71 corresponding to the thickness gradient portion 56 and the thin portion 57. The conveyance speed of the absorbing structure 71 is adjusted to be synchronized, and the first gravure group 78 of the thick portion 76 of the swelled portion 74 is pressed into a portion corresponding to the thin portion 57 to form the first embossed portion 61. The second gravure processing portion 63 is formed by pressing the second concave printing group 80 of the thin portion 75 of the raised portion 74 into a portion corresponding to the high-rigidity region 64 of the thickness gradient portion 56 and the thick portion 55.

According to this gravure printing process, the raised portions 74 can be formed in one of the gravure cylinders 72, and the first and second gravure-finished portions 61 and 63 having different patterns can be formed. Compared with the case where a different gravure cylinder is used for each of the gravure processing portions 61 and 63, there is a so-called manufacturing process. Further, since the raised portion 74 has a different thickness depending on the shape of the portion to be pressed of the continuous absorbent structure 71, it is not necessary to press the thickness gradient portion 56 relatively strongly to increase the rigidity to a level higher than necessary. Since the thin portion 57 is pressed by the thick portion 76 of the ridge portion 74, the thin portion 57 can have the required rigidity and be formed into a thin wall.

In addition to the above configuration, the gravure printing system has the same total area ratio of the hub 77 in the first and second gravure groups 78 and 80, and the length of the hub 77 is different, in other words, the thin portion. The length of the hub 77 of the first gravure group 78 corresponding to 57 is larger than the length of the hub 77 forming the second gravure group 80, and may be attached with higher rigidity. Further, two gravure cylinders having different gravure patterns are used, and one of the gravure cylinders is used for gravure processing in the range corresponding to the first and second gravure processing portions 61 and 63, and the other concave portion is used. The printing cylinder may be applied to the gravure processor only at the portion corresponding to the first gravure processing portion 61.

<Bending rigidity of the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 of the absorbent structure 17>

In the bending rigidity of the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 of the absorbent structure 17, the bending rigidity in the region other than the high rigidity region 64 among the thick portions 55 is about 0.07 to 0.14 N, and the rigidity is high. The bending rigidity of the region 64 is about 0.09 to 0.2 N, and the bending rigidity of the thin portion 57 is about 0.04. ~0.07N. The difference in rigidity between the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 is preferably about 0.04 N or less. In the case where the rigidity value is 0.04 N or more, even if the thickness gradient portion 56 for mitigating the rapid change in rigidity is provided, the absorption structure 17 is deformed and the crack is partially generated depending on the difference in the rigidity value. . Further, when the rigidity value of the high-rigidity region 64 is 0.2 N or more, the rigidity value of the region in the entire absorbent structure 17 is higher than that of the other regions, and cracks are generated in the absorbent structure 17 at the starting point. The deformation of the shackles.

<Measurement Method of Bending Rigidity of Thick Wall Portion 55 and Thin Wall Portion 57 of Absorbing Structure 17>

The bending rigidity of the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 of the absorbent structure 17 can be measured using a Taber stiffness tester. Specifically, the absorbent structure 17 is taken out from the diaper 10, and the thick portion 55 and the thin portion 57 are formed into an approximately rectangular shape having a length dimension of about 70 mm in the longitudinal direction Y and a length dimension of about 38.1 mm in the lateral direction X. The sample was measured, and the Tabel bending rigidity value of each portion was measured by bending in the lateral direction X using the aforementioned tester. However, since the high-rigidity region 64 of the thick portion 55 does not have the above-described measurement size, a sample having a size smaller than the measurement size is measured, and the bending rigidity is measured.

<Differentiation of Parts 55, 56, 57 of Absorbing Structure 17>

The thick portion of the absorbent structure 17, the thickness gradient portion, and the division of each of the thin portions 55, 56, and 57 can be, for example, the following method. Implementation. Further, the following method is performed before the gravure processing is applied to the absorbent structure 17, and is not based on the thickness of each portion but is calculated based on the mass per unit area. This is because the mass per unit area of each of the portions 55, 56, 57 does not change before and after the application of the gravure processing, and the quality per unit area is also different depending on the thickness dimension as described above. Therefore, it means that the distinction between the parts 55, 56, 57 can be performed by a single method.

First, the absorbing structure 17 having a length dimension of about 360 mm in the longitudinal direction Y is divided into 18 in accordance with the length dimension of each longitudinal direction Y of about 20 mm. Next, the mass per unit area (g/m ² ) of each of the divided sections is measured. Among the segments, the mass value of the segment with the highest quality per unit area is set to 1, and the ratio for the maximum mass value is calculated for each of the other segments, and the segments of 1 to 18 are sequentially juxtaposed. The table draws the curve. Among the points in which the curve is drawn, the line connecting the adjacent points on both sides is defined as two points which are downwardly inclined as the boundary point, and on the thick wall side (for the maximum quality value, the ratio is the high side) The boundary point is the first boundary point between the thick portion 55 and the thickness gradient portion 56, and the boundary point on the thin wall side (the lower side of the maximum mass value) is the thickness gradient portion 56 and the thin portion 57. The second boundary point of the boundary. Thereby, in the absorbent structure 17, a region indicating the length dimension between the respective segments of each boundary point can be used as the thickness gradient portion 56, and the thicker portion is thicker than the segment of the first boundary point. The section of the second boundary point is distinguished from the section of the second boundary point as the thin portion 57 as the thin portion 57.

<Second embodiment>

Referring to Fig. 8, when the difference from the first embodiment is described, in the present embodiment, the arrangement pattern of the compressed concave portion of the first gravure processing portion 61 and the second concave printed portion 63 are used. In the first gravure processing portion 61, the non-compressed portion in which the compression concave portion 60 does not exist is not continuously formed in the longitudinal direction Y and the lateral direction X. Therefore, in the first gravure processing portion 61, the rigidity of the thin portion 57 in all directions can be improved. As shown in a partially enlarged view of the arrangement pattern of the compressed concave portion 60, in the first gravure processing portion 61, a plurality of uncompressed portions 82 surrounded by the six compressed concave portions 60 are drawn. The non-compressed portion 82 is relatively flexible by being surrounded by the compressed concave portion 60, and the cushioning property to the wearer's body can be improved as compared with the case where the compressed concave portion 60 is placed tight as in the first embodiment.

<Third embodiment>

Referring to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, when the point is different from the first embodiment, in the present embodiment, the absorbent structure 17 has a first thick wall extending from the front field 51 to the rear of the center portion 53. a portion 55A; a thin portion 57 formed in the rear region 52; a thickness gradient portion 56 between the first thick portion 55A and the thin portion 57; and a thin portion 57 and a rear end edge 17b of the absorbent structure 17. The second thick portion 55B between.

The second thick portion 55B has a thickness dimension approximately equal to that of the first thick portion 55A or a thickness of at least 1.1 times the thickness of the thin portion 57, and the first gravure processed portion 61 is not formed. Such a By forming the second thick portion 55B having a thickness equal to that of the first thick portion 55A on the side of the rear end edge 17b of the rear region 52, the second thick portion 55B can be absorbed and held unutilized. The body fluid sufficiently absorbed by the thin portion 57 can surely prevent leakage of body fluid from the rear end edge 17b.

The absorbent structure 17 of the present invention is not limited to disposable diapers, and may be used for various body fluid absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, urinary incontinence pads, and learning pants. Further, in addition to the materials described in the present specification, each of the constituent members of the diaper 10 may not be limited to various known materials which are generally used in the field of the type. Further, in the specification and patent application scope of the present invention, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used merely to distinguish the same elements, positions, and the like.

At least the following matters can be extracted from the disclosure of the first invention described above.

An absorbent wearing article having a liquid-absorbent chip having at least a body fluid absorbability between a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet, having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction orthogonal thereto The absorbent structure used has a first end edge and a second end edge opposed thereto in the longitudinal direction; a thick portion located on the first end edge side; and a second end edge side a thin portion having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the thick portion; and a thickness between the thick portion and the thin portion, and gradually decreasing in thickness from the first end side toward the second end side The thickness gradient portion is provided with a plurality of compression recesses in a portion of the thin portion, the thickness gradient portion, and the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion. The aforementioned absorbent structure of gravure processing.

The first invention disclosed in the above paragraphs may include at least the following embodiments.

(1) further comprising: extending between the first end edge and the second end edge in the longitudinal direction and having both side edges of the concave portion, wherein the gravure processing is performed from the second end edge to the a part of the concave portion.

(2) a first gravure-finished portion in which the plurality of the concave portions according to the gravure processing are disposed is formed in the thin portion of the thin portion and the thin portion of the thickness gradient portion, and the thickness gradient portion is formed in the thickness gradient portion a part of the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion and a second gravure portion in which the plurality of concave portions according to the gravure processing are disposed, the first gravure is formed in a portion of the thick portion The compressed concave portion in the processed portion is disposed closer to the compressed concave portion in the second gravure-processed portion.

(3) The absorbent structure system is composed of a single layer of the liquid-absorbent chip continuously extending in the longitudinal direction and a sheet having liquid diffusibility covering the liquid-absorbent chip.

(4) The second gravure processing unit has a plurality of uncompressed regions surrounded by the plurality of compressed concave portions.

(5) In the absorbent structure, the mass per unit area of the liquid-absorbent chip in the thick portion is higher than the mass per unit area of the liquid-absorbent chip in the thin portion, and the thickness gradient portion is In the above, the mass per unit area of the liquid-absorbent chip differs depending on the gradient of the thickness dimension.

(6) having the first one between the first end edge and the thickness gradient portion The thick portion and the second thick portion extending outward from the thin portion toward the longitudinal direction are substantially the same in thickness dimension of the first thick portion and the second thick portion.

The disclosure of the second invention described above is capable of extracting at least the following items.

The first and second end edges, the thick portion located on the first end edge side, the thin portion on the second end side that is smaller than the thickness of the thick portion, and the thick portion a thickness gradient portion which gradually decreases in thickness from the first end edge toward the second end edge between the thin portion and the thin portion, the thickness gradient portion, and the thick portion a embossed absorbent structure in which a plurality of compressed concave portions are formed adjacent to the thickness gradient portion; and a diaper body having a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region between the front and rear waist regions The absorbent structure system extends from the front waist region to the rear waist region, wherein the first end edge of the absorbent structure is located on the front waist region side, and the second edge is located on the rear waist region side, and the phase The adjacent portion and the thickness gradient portion are the absorbent wearing articles in the underarm region.

10‧‧‧Absorbable wearing items (disposable diapers after use)

11‧‧‧ Front waist area

12‧‧‧After the waist area

13‧‧‧胯下区域

14‧‧‧ diaper body

15‧‧‧Top sheet

16‧‧‧ Back sheet

17‧‧‧Absorbing structures

17a‧‧‧1st edge (front end edge)

17b‧‧‧2nd edge (rear edge)

17c, 17d‧‧‧ both sides

55‧‧‧ Thick Wall

55A‧‧‧1st thick wall

55B‧‧‧2nd thick wall

56‧‧‧thickness gradient section

57‧‧‧ Thin wall

60‧‧‧Compressed recess

61‧‧‧1st gravure processing department

63‧‧‧2nd gravure processing department

64‧‧‧High rigidity area

82‧‧‧Uncompressed Department

X‧‧‧ horizontal direction

Y‧‧‧ longitudinal direction

Z‧‧‧ Thickness direction

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disposable diaper as an example of the absorbent wearing article using the absorbent structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a development plane of the diaper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing an absorbent structure in which the outer shape of the diaper is shown by a broken line.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a view showing a part of the manufacturing process of the absorbent structure.

Figure 7 is a side view of the gravure cylinder.

Fig. 8 is a plan view similar to Fig. 4 of a diaper according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view similar to Fig. 4 of a diaper according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 9.

11‧‧‧ Front waist area

12‧‧‧After the waist area

13‧‧‧胯下区域

14‧‧‧ diaper body

17‧‧‧Absorbing structures

17a‧‧‧1st edge (front end edge)

17b‧‧‧2nd edge (rear edge)

17c, 17d‧‧‧ both sides

21‧‧‧ Straight

51‧‧‧ front domain

52‧‧‧ Rear domain

53‧‧‧Central Department

55‧‧‧ Thick Wall

56‧‧‧thickness gradient section

57‧‧‧ Thin wall

61‧‧‧1st gravure processing department

63‧‧‧2nd gravure processing department

64‧‧‧High rigidity area

Claims (8)

An absorbent structure having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction orthogonal thereto, and comprising at least a liquid-absorbent liquid absorbing property between a liquid permeable top sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet An absorbent structure for use in an absorbent article for a chip, comprising: a first end edge and a second end edge opposed to the longitudinal direction; and a thick portion located on the first end edge side; a thin portion having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the thick portion on the second edge side; and a gap between the thick portion and the thin portion from the first end side toward the second end a thickness gradient portion in which the thickness of the rim side is gradually reduced, and a concave portion in which the compression concave portion is formed is applied to the thin portion, the thickness gradient portion, and a portion of the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion Printing processing. The absorbent structure according to claim 1, further comprising: between the first end edge and the second end edge, extending in the longitudinal direction and having both sides of the concave portion, the gravure The processing system is applied from the second end edge to a portion of the concave portion. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of the concave portions according to the gravure processing are formed on the thin portion side of the thin portion and the thickness gradient portion In the gravure processing portion, a plurality of the concave portions according to the gravure processing are formed in a portion of the thick portion of the thickness gradient portion and the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion. In the second gravure processing portion, the compression concave portion in the first gravure processing portion is arranged to be larger than before The aforementioned compression recess in the second gravure process is more compact. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent structure system comprises: a single layer of the liquid-absorbent chip continuously extending in the longitudinal direction; and a liquid diffusing property covering the liquid-absorbent chip. Sheet composition. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second gravure processing portion has a plurality of uncompressed regions surrounded by the plurality of compressed concave portions. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the absorbent structure, the liquid-absorbent chip of the thick portion has a mass per unit area larger than the liquid-absorbent chip of the thin portion. The mass per unit area is higher, and in the thickness gradient portion, the mass per unit area of the liquid-absorbent chip differs depending on the gradient of the thickness dimension. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a first thick portion located between the first end edge and the thickness gradient portion, and an outer side facing the longitudinal direction from the thin portion In the second thick portion extending, the thickness of the first thick portion and the second thick portion are substantially the same. An absorbent article according to the invention, comprising: a first and a second end edge; a thick portion located on the first end edge side; and a thickness smaller than a thickness of the thick portion on the second end side a thin portion and a thickness gradient portion between the thick portion and the thin portion, which gradually decreases in thickness from the first end edge toward the second end edge, and a thin portion, the thickness gradient portion, and a portion of the thick portion adjacent to the thickness gradient portion, wherein the concave structure is formed by applying a plurality of compressed concave portions; and the front waist region and the back waist region are provided. And a diaper main body located in the crotch region between the front and rear waist regions, wherein the absorbent structure system extends from the front waist region to the rear waist region, and the first end edge of the absorbent structure is located on the front waist region side The second end edge is located on the side of the rear waist region, and the adjacent portion and the thickness gradient portion are located in the crotch region.