WO2004060418A1

WO2004060418A1 - Deodorizing film of sanitary absorbent

Info

Publication number: WO2004060418A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Hun Shim; Soo Young Lee; Seok Bong Lyu
Original assignee: Hanjin Printing & Chemical Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-01-07
Filing date: 2003-02-13
Publication date: 2004-07-22
Also published as: AU2003211300A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents including disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, coated with at least one of a fragrant layer by a fragrant coating agent and a deodorant layer by a deodorant coating agent on a partial portion or a whole portion of any one surface or both surfaces thereof, which is advantageous in terms of odor-barrier properties. In particular, even though a conventional preparation device and process of disposable diapers or sanitary napkins are not changed, the current deodorizing film can be manufactured. Further, the fragrant coating agent or the deodorant coating agent can be provided in any necessary amount according to odor strength. Therefore, the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer are coated on the absorbent film, thereby obtaining the deodorizing film capable of maintaining deodorization function of a deodorant material while diffusion of a fragrant material is not restrained, thus economic benefits occurring.

Description

DEODORIZING FILM OF SANITARY ABSORBENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents, which is suitable for use in disposable sanitary napkins, disposable panty liners, disposable diapers for babies and adults, and disposable diapers and mats for animals.

Background Art

As well known to 'those skilled in the art, sanitary products have odor problems originating from absorbents in the products during or after use. With the aim of solving the odor problems, fragrant function or deodorization function should be provided to a plastic film surrounding the absorbent to mask odors emitted from the absorbent. Thus in the present invention, the film surrounding the absorbent is conferred with odor-barrier properties, whereby suffering due to odors is directly reduced. However, conventional techniques attempt to exhibit deodorant function not through the sanitary absorbent film but through other routes. In this regard, Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 96-701670 discloses a deodorant material. However, only the deodorant material is listed and particular applications of such a material are not found in the above patent. In addition, Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2000-69455 discloses a diaper having a fragrant zone, in which a micro-encapsulated fragrant component is contained in an adhesive element of the diaper for attachment to a undergarment. When a detachment film of the adhesive element of the diaper is removed to attach the diaper to the undergarment, fragrance is released and diffused while the microcapsules containing fragrant component are broken.

Further, Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1999-77323 discloses a sanitary napkin having fragrant micro-encapsulated adhesive, in which a fragrant component coated with microcapsules is contained in an adhesive layer for attachment of the sanitary napkin to a undergarment. When a detachment film is removed from the adhesive layer, the microcapsules are broken and the fragrant component is released and diffused. As for such odor masking techniques, since the fragrant component contained in the adhesive layer is positioned onto an external part of the sanitary napkin, that is, between the undergarment and the sanitary napkin, it is isolated from a part absorbing odor-generating secretions. Such position of the fragrant component is disadvantageous in terms of decreasing direct odor masking function. In addition, when the adhesive layer is exposed to temperatures of 150°C, large quantities of the fragrant component mixed with the adhesive are lost. Thus, the fragrant component having high heat resistance should be used. Moreover, sanitary goods using detachment film are limitedly used due to unpleasant removal noise of the detachment film, and such a detachment film cannot be used for diapers. As for disposable diapers, attaching hooks and loops are substituted for the adhesive layer and detachment film. Accordingly, the above conventional odor masking techniques using the fragrant component contained in the adhesive layer are disadvantageous in terms of decreased practicality and industrial applicability. As the other odor treating techniques, USA Patent No. 4,525,410 discloses a particle-packed fiber article having antibacterial property, in which zeolite particles are coated on a nonwoven fabric used in the sanitary napkin to absorb odors. In Korean Patent Laid-open

Publication No. 2001-9659 disclosing a sanitary napkin, a base fabric attached with charcoal powders is introduced into the sanitary napkin to use functions of deodorization, antibacterial activity, moisture proofing, anion generation of charcoal. In addition, there are proposed methods additionally introducing a fragrant component, a deodorant component, charcoal powders or far infrared ray radiation layer as an odor-barrier material into an absorption layer of the sanitary napkin. However, such techniques suffer from low external odor-barrier properties because the above odor-barrier material is positioned at only the internal side of the sanitary napkin. Further, since an introduction device and process of such a deodorant material are additionally added to a conventional preparation line of disposable sanitary napkins or diapers, additional costs changing conventional preparation devices are incurred. Also, the coating amount of the odor-barrier material is limited to maintain soft properties of the nonwoven fabric used as the absorption material of the sanitary napkins.

Thus, there are required deodorizing films of sanitary absorbents including disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, based on effective deodorization techniques.

Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents having odor-barrier properties, characterized by using a deodorant absorbent film for preparation of deodorant absorbent products with no change of a conventional preparation line and process, since a mechanical treatment process is difficult to change due to very rapid line speed and a complex assembly process in a conventional preparation device of disposable diapers and sanitary napkins. Practically, a production rate of the disposable diapers or sanitary napkins amounts to 250-700/min.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents comprising a plastic film coated with an odor-barrier layer, characterized in that a plastic film for a sanitary absorbent is selected as an odor- barrier material coating target so that a fragrant material or a deodorant material as the odor-barrier material is used in any necessary amount to obtain odor-barrier effect according to odor strength of the absorbent.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents comprising a plastic film coated with a fragrant layer or a deodorant layer as an odor-barrier layer, characterized in that a plastic film having smooth surfaces is selected as an odor-barrier material coating target of the absorbent in view of coating the odor-barrier material at a desired amount and providing an inexpensive film material having high coating quality.

The present invention is characterized in that the fragrant layer on the film is formed not by heating but by coating, attributable to low heat resistance of the fragrant material. In addition, a polymer having adhesiveness to the film is contained in the coated layer functions to control fragrance strength of the coated fragrant layer. For this, the above mentioned coating process is used to obtain odor-barrier properties. Further, it is noted that the coating process acts to easily contain the desired amounts of the fragrant material or the deodorant material in the film.

Thereby, the plastic deodorizing film for the absorbent having coated odor- barrier layers is used as a plastic film for sanitary absorbents including disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, for example, an air permeable plastic waterproof fihn, an air non-permeable plastic waterproof film, an air non-permeable perforated plastic film, and an air permeable perforated plastic fihn. The odor-barrier material is coated on the plastic deodorizing film in any necessary amount to substantially exhibit deodorization function according to odor strength. Thereby, fragrance diffusing effect of the coated fragrant material layer is not restrained and odor removal effect of the coated deodorant material layer can be maintained.

Therefore, the prepared plastic deodorizing film can exhibit sensitive fragrant function and deodorant function, and can be simply manufactured by an inline manufacturing process, thus incurring economic benefits.

Alternatively, odor-barrier function may be obtained by mixing the fragrant or deodorant material with a molding material of the plastic film.

However, the mixing amount of the fragrant or deodorant material is limited to maintain moldability of the plastic film. Thus, the fragrant or deodorant material cannot be used in the amount required to exhibit necessary deodorization strength of various sanitary goods, hi addition, the fragrant material contained in the coated fragrant layer together with the polymer is lowered in diffusion strength thereof, and the deodorant material contained in the coated deodorant layer along with the polymer may not function. As well, since the film is molded at high temperatures of 200°C or more, large quantities of fragrance are lost. Limitations are imposed on use of the fragrant material, and the fragrant material should be high in heat resistance. Meanwhile, the polymer contained in the coated layer functions to increase adhesiveness with other materials upon preparation of sanitary absorbents.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents, including air permeable films, air non-permeable films, perforated films, waterproof films or sheets and nonwoven fabric-combined films as a plastic film suitable for use in disposable sanitary napkins, disposable panty liners, disposable diapers for babies and adults, and disposable diapers and mats for animals, comprising at least one layer of a fragrant layer by a fragrant coating agent and a deodorant layer by a deodorant coating agent coated on a partial portion or a whole portion of any one surface or both surfaces of the plastic film.

Further, the coated fragrant layer of the deodorizing film comprises a polymer providing adhesiveness to a surface of the film and a fragrant material. The coated deodorant layer of the deodorizing film comprises a polymer providing adhesiveness to a surface of the film and an inorganic or organic deodorant material. Preferably, the coated layer further comprises a skin-affinity enhancer emitting far infrared ray, such as charcoal powders, sawdust, and chitosan.

The coating agent of the present invention includes a water-soluble coating agent or a lipid-soluble coating agent. The water-soluble fragrant coating agent is prepared by adding a fragrant material to a water-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer emulsion or a polymer dispersion formed in water or alcohol solvent. On the other hand, the lipid-soluble fragrant coating agent is prepared by adding a fragrant material to a lipid-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer solution or a polymer dispersion formed in toluene, ethylacetate, or methylethylketone as a lipid-soluble solvent.

The water-soluble deodorant coating agent is a water-soluble deodorant coating agent prepared by adding an inorganic deodorant material selected from among elvan, sericite, talc, inorganic antibacterial substances, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, zeolite, activated carbon or silica, to a water-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer emulsion or a polymer dispersion fonned in a mixture of water and alcohol. Preferably, the above coating agent further comprises a skin- affinity enhancer emitting far infrared ray, such as charcoal powders, sawdust, chitosan or mixtures thereof. Meanwhile, the lipid-soluble deodorant coating agent is prepared by adding an inorganic deodorant material selected from among elvan, sericite, talc, inorganic antibacterial substances, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, zeolite, activated carbon or silica, to a lipid-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer solution or a polymer dispersion formed in toluene, ethylacetate, or methylethylketone as a lipid-soluble solvent. Preferably, the above coating agent further comprises a skin-affinity enhancer emitting far infrared ray, such as charcoal powders, sawdust, chitosan or mixtures thereof. The fragrant coating agent or the deodorant coating agent is coated to constitute 3-90% of the area of the air permeable plastic film, thereby ensuring air permeability of the plastic film.

Sanitary products prepared by using the deodorizing film of the present invention comprise disposable sanitary napkins, disposable panty liners, disposable diapers for babies and adults, and disposable diapers and mats for animals.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A is a sectional view of a plastic film for use in a waterproof sheet of disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, according to the present invention;

FIG. IB is a sectional view of an air permeable plastic film for use in a waterproof sheet of diapers and sanitary napkins, according to the present invention; FIG. 1C is a sectional view of the plastic film combined with a nonwoven fabric;

FIG. ID is a sectional view of the air permeable plastic film combined with the nonwoven fabric;

FIG. IE is a sectional view of the plastic film having the nonwoven fabric adhered by an additional adhesive layer;

FIG. IF is a sectional view of a plastic film having perforated holes combined with the nonwoven fabric, for use in diapers and sanitary napkins, according to the present invention; FIG. 1G is a sectional view of the plastic film having the holes;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of an air non-penneable film having a fragrant layer and a deodorant layer coated at both surfaces thereof;

FIGs. 3 A through 3E are sectional views of composite bodies comprising the plastic film and the nonwoven fabric combined together, each of which is coated with at least one layer of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer, in which the nonwoven fabric is shown in the detached state for convenience but is practically adhered to the film;

FIG. 4A is a top view illustrating a striped pattern of the fragrant layer coated on the air permeable waterproof film; FIG. 4B is a top view illustrating a crossed pattern of the fragrant layer coated on the air permeable waterproof film;

FIG. 5A is a top view illustrating striped combination patterns of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer coated on the plastic film;

FIG. 5B is a top view illustrating crossed combination patterns of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer coated on the plastic film;

FIGs. 6A through 6C are top views illustrating other patterns of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer coated on the plastic film; and

FIGs. 7A through 7D are top views illustrating various partial coatings of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer coated on the plastic film.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

FIGs. 1A through 1G illustrates various waterproof sheets and perforated films for use in sanitary absorbents requiring odor-barrier properties, such as diapers and sanitary napkins, according to the present invention. hi detail, FIG. 1 A is a sectional view of a waterproof sheet comprising a plastic film 101 of the present invention. FIG. IB is a sectional view of the waterproof sheet comprising an air permeable plastic film 102. In addition,

FIGs. 1C and ID are a sectional view of each of the waterproof sheets comprising the plastic film 101 combined with a nonwoven fabric 200 and the air permeable plastic film 102 combined with the nonwoven fabric 200, respectively. In FIG. IE, there is shown the waterproof sheet comprising the plastic film 101 and the nonwoven fabric 200 adhered together by means of an adhesive layer 300. As shown in FIG. IF, a plurality of perforated holes 104 are formed through the plastic film 103 combined with the nonwoven fabric 200. FIG. IG illustrates the plastic film 103 having the holes 104. In the present invention, unless specifically mentioned, the plastic film 101, the air permeable plastic film 102 and the perforated plastic film 103 are added together and generally referred to as a plastic film, which is designated by the reference numeral 100. Such a plastic film 100 is combined with the nonwoven fabric 200, to form a composite body. As for the composite body, at least one layer of a fragrant layer and a deodorant layer is coated on a partial portion or a whole portion of both surfaces of the composite body, to prepare a deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents. In particular, the nonwoven fabric is used to meet demands of consumers requiring a soft texture of absorbent products.

In the present invention, the fragrant layer is coated on any one side of the plastic film to exhibit an odor masking effect, and the deodorant layer is coated on the other side thereof to provide an odor removing effect. Further, the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer are separately coated together on the same surface of the plastic film. Thereby, the deodorizing film of the present invention exhibits odor-barrier properties.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an air non-permeable plastic film 100 having a fragrant layer 10 and a deodorant layer 20 coated to respectively cover top and bottom surfaces thereof. In FIG. 2, the fragrant layer may be replaced with another deodorant layer, and also the deodorant layer 20 may be replaced with another fragrant layer.

FIGs. 3A through 3E illustrates the composite body coated with at least one of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer. For convenience, the nonwoven fabric 200 is shown in the state of being separated from the film 100, but it is practically adhered to the film 100.

In detail, FIG. 3 A is a sectional view of the plastic film 100 comprising the deodorant layer 20 coated at one surface thereof and the fragrant layer 10 coated at the other surface thereof before the film 100 is perforated. Thereby, the plastic film 100 exhibits odor-barrier properties. In FIG. 3B, the fragrant layer 10 or the deodorant layer 20 is coated on an outer surface of the plastic film 100 (that is, a surface of the film not having the adhered nonwoven fabric 200). As such, a coating process is performed by use of a gravure coating roll as an inline process in a combination line of the nonwoven fabric and the plastic film. In FIG. 3C, the fragrant layer 10 or the deodorant layer 20 is coated on an inner surface of the plastic film 100 (that is, a surface of the film having the adhered nonwoven fabric 200). As such, the above layer is coated on the inner surface of the plastic film 100 before the plastic film 100 is combined with the nonwoven fabric 200. In Fig. 3D, the fragrant layer 10 or the deodorant layer 20 is coated onto the inner surface of the plastic film 100, and the fragrant layer 10 or the deodorant layer 20 is coated onto the outer surface of the plastic fihn 100. A preferable coating process of FIG. 3D is performed by subjecting both surfaces of the plastic film 100 to coating treatment before the nonwoven fabric 200 is adhered to any one surface of the plastic film 100. In FIG. 3E, a deodorant adhesive layer 30 for use in adhering the plastic film 100 and the nonwoven fabric 200, obtained by mixing a fragrant material or a deodorant material with an adhesive, is coated between the plastic film 100 and the nonwoven fabric 200. As such, a perforated film is used as the plastic film 100. As for preparation of a deodorant perforated composite body, the composite body shown in FIG. 3E is firstly prepared and then is perforated at about 20% of the area of the film by use of a perforating unit additionally mounted to a preparation line of the composite body. In case where any one surface or both surfaces of the air permeable film is coated with an odor-barrier layer, the coated layer should be partially formed on the film to preserve air permeability of the film. When the fragrant layer or the deodorant layer is coated on the perforated film, such a coated layer is preferably formed before a perforating process is performed. The coated amount of the odor- barrier layer ranging from 0.1 to 40 g/m² is practically used in any case. In the present invention, the coated layer having odor-barrier properties is formed on the plastic waterproof film by means of roll coating, dipping coating and the like. The dipping coating process may be easily performed to coat the odor-barrier layer on a water permeable perforated plastic film, hi order to partially coat a fragrant material or a deodorant material on the air permeable film, a pattern coating by which the coating material is distributed on a part of the film is preferable, hi case of the pattern coating, the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer may be simultaneously coated on the same surface of the waterproof film. Turning now to FIGs. 4A and 4B, there are shown a striped pattern 11 and a crossed pattern 12 of the fragrant layer coated on the air permeable waterproof film 100, respectively. The total area of the fragrant layer coated on the waterproof film 100 corresponds to 3-80% of the area of the film 100. The patterns of the coated fragrant layer comprise straight lines and curved lines. However, since air permeability is nil at the coated portions, line patterns are preferably used. In the above drawings, the deodorant layer may be substituted for the fragrant layer.

FIGs. 5 A and 5B illustrate combination patterns of at least one layer of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer coated on the plastic film 100. hi FIG. 5 A, a striped pattern 11 of the fragrant layer and another striped pattern 21 of the deodorant layer are alternately formed on any one surface of the plastic film 100. In FIG. 5B, two crossed patterns 12 and 22 of the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer are formed on any one surface of the film 100.

FIGs. 6A through 6C illustrate partial patterns of the coated layers on various plastic films. In FIG. 6 A, the fragrant layer 10 or the deodorant layer 20 is coated on the whole surface of the air non-permeable film 101. When the plastic film as one element of a waterproof sheet for use in disposable diapers and sanitary napkins is air permeable, the above fragrant or deodorant layer should be coated to a part of the plastic film to preserve air permeability of the film. Such partially coated area constitutes 3-90%, preferably 30-60% of the whole area of the film, hi FIG. 6B, the fragrant layer 10 or the deodorant layer 20 is partially coated onto the air permeable film 102. In the above drawing, air permeability is nil at the portions covered with the coated layers 10 and 20. Partial coating pattern is exemplified by band patterns shown in FIG. 6B, linear patterns, dot patterns, etc. The partial coating process of FIG. 6B may be applied to the air non-permeable film as well as the perforated film. In FIG. 6C, the odor-barrier layer on the plastic film 100 comprising the air non-permeable film, the air permeable film and the perforated film is fonned in the shape of pattern coating. The above coated patterns of FIG. 6C may include band patterns, linear patterns, dot patterns and so on. When the fragrant coated patterns and the deodorant coated patterns are formed on the same surface of the film, the above coated layers should be disposed at regular intervals so that functions of two coated layers are not overlapped.

FIG. 7A through 7D illustrate other partial coating patterns formed on the plastic film. It is preferred that the partially coated layer is fonned by a gravure roll coating manner, hi the above drawings, the coated amount ranges from 0.1 to

50 g/m . In cases where the two layers are coated, the coated area of the deodorant layer 20 constitutes 10-90%o, preferably 30-50% of the coated area of the fragrant layer 10. In FIG. 7A, the fragrant layer 10 is coated in the fonn of horizontally striped patterns on the air permeable plastic film 102. As such, the coated area constitutes 50% of the area of any one surface of the film 102. FIG.

7B illustrates the deodorant layer 20 coated on the air permeable plastic film 102, in which the coated area constitutes 25% of the area of any one surface of the film 102. FIG. 7C illustrates the fragrant layer 10 and the deodorant layer 20 coated on the air permeable plastic film 102, in which the coated areas of the two layers 10 and 20 constitute 25%> and 50% of the area of any one surface of the film 102, respectively. Thus, the film 102 is coated on a total of 75% of its area. In FIG. 7D, the fragrant layer 10 and the deodorant layer 20 are coated in the form of checked patterns on the air permeable plastic film 102. As such, the coated areas of the two layers 10 and 20 constitute 5% and 5% of the area of any one surface of the plastic film 102, respectively, and the film 102 is coated on a total of 10% of its area, hi such a case, the reason why the fragrant layer and the deodorant layer are separately coated is that the deodorant material absorbs fragrance of the fragrant material and may malfunction upon mixing the two materials.

In the present invention, the fragrant coating agent and the deodorant coating agent are separately prepared. A coating agent of the present invention includes a polymer to be adhered to the plastic film which is dispersed in a solvent or is polymerized in a liquid phase. The coating agent is mixed with a fragrant material to form a fragrant coating agent, and is separately mixed with a deodorant material to fonn a deodorant coating agent. The fragrant coating agent may further comprise an inorganic material as a fragrance preservative for use in preservation of fragrance for a long period of time.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of materials contained in the coating agent and a preparation method of the coating agent suitable for use in the deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents of the present invention.

(1) Coating agent including polymer to be adhered to plastic film The coating agent comprises a polymer dispersion afforded by dispersing a polymer having adhesiveness to a surface of the film in a liquid solvent. In addition, a solution or an emulsion of polymers obtained in a liquid phase may be used as the coating agent. There are lots of polymers having adhesiveness to the plastic film. As inexpensive coating materials, a water-soluble coating agent is exemplified by acryl emulsion, acryl dispersion, polyester emulsion, polyester dispersion, copolymers obtained from monomers having polar groups, nitrocellulose, polyamide, phenol resin, etc. A lipid-soluble coating agent is obtained by dissolving solution polymers such as acryl solution, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, chlorinated rubber, polyamide, polyurethane, nitrocellulose, natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, copolymers obtained from olefin monomers, in toluene, ethylacetate, or methylethylketone. R2003/000303

(2) A fragrant material comprises rose, lilac, acacia, herb, lily, mint or musk fragrance, all of which are subjected to encapsulation treatment or not. The fragrant material further comprises an inorganic fragrance preservative material emitting far infrared ray, such as elvan, talc or sericite. (3) A deodorant material includes an inorganic material having deodorization function, such as elvan, sericite, talc, or inorganic antibacterial substances, and an odor-absorption material, such as zeolite, activated carbon, silica gel, or silica. Of the above mentioned materials, elvan, sericite and talc have deodorization function as well as far infrared ray emitting effect. (4) A fragrance preservative functions to inhibit diffusion of the fragrant material to control a using period of time of the fragrant material, and comprises an oil fragrant material and an oil absorbent inorganic material. Such an oil absorbent inorganic material includes elvan, silica, talc, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and sericite. Preferably, elvan, talc and sericite having oil absorbency as well as far infrared radiation are used. The fragrance preservative is mixed with the fragrant material and then added to the coating agent.

(5) A fragrant coating agent is prepared by mixing the polymer-containing coating agent with the fragrant material or by mixing the above coating agent with the fragrant material and the fragrance preservative. In addition, a deodorant coating agent is prepared by mixing the deodorant material with the coating agent.

(6) The fragrant coating agent or the deodorant coating agent is added with a far infrared ray-emitting inorganic component selected from among elvan, sericite, talc, inorganic antibacterial material, barium sulfate, jade powders, zeolite, activated carbon, silica, or mixtures thereof, to exhibit deodorization function and to emit far infrared ray from the coated layer. Further, a skin-affinity enhancing material such as charcoal powders, sawdust or chitosan is contained in the above coating agent, to increase skin-affinity.

(7) Mixing of the coating agent with the fragrant material or the deodorant material is performed by use of an impeller-mounted mixer, kneader, ribbon blender. As necessary, a dispersing material is further added.

In the present invention, acacia fragrance-containing fragrant coating agent is coated onto the plastic film for use in diapers and sanitary napkins. The plastic film having the coated fragrant layer was cut to 30 cm in length to prepare a test piece. At a distance of 50cm, acacia fragrance can be obviously smelled. Such a fragrant material having fragrance-diffusing function is used for diapers and sanitary napkins, and thus a considerable amount of odors generated from the diaper and sanitary napkin during or after use are masked. Likewise, the coated deodorant layer functions to remove odors from the diapers and sanitary napkins during or after use. Further, fragrant function for deodorization effect and odor masking effect is provided to a waterproof film and a perforated film for use in conventional disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, whereby improved diapers and sanitary napkins can be prepared even though a conventional preparation line or process of diapers and sanitary napkins is not changed, hi particular, diffusion of fragrance from the fragrant layer is restrained by the polymer and the fragrance preservative, and fragrance can be preserved for available period of products. Having generally described this invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 To 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), 100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 5 parts by weight of lilac fragrant material (purchased from Volac Inc.) were added to prepare a fragrant coating agent. The fragrant coating agent was coated on 35 g/m² of an air permeable film by use of a gravure roll. After drying, the coated amount was 0.2 g/m², and the coated area constituted 15% of the whole area of the film. A coating pattern was a striped pattern. Thusly prepared air permeable fragrant waterproof film was used as a waterproof sheet to sureound an absorbent layer of general sanitary napkins and diapers. When the prepared sanitary napldn or diaper was used, the coated fragrant portion was introduced to a body secretion- absorbing part in the sanitary napkin or diaper, thereby increasing an odor masking effect.

Example 2

To 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), 100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 25 parts by weight of elvan as a deodorant material were added to prepare a deodorant coating agent. The deodorant coating agent was coated on 35 g/m² of an air permeable film by use of a gravure roll. After drying, the coated amount was 0.4 g/m², and the coated area constituted 20% of the whole area of the film. A coating pattern was a crossed pattern. Thusly prepared air permeable deodorant waterproof film was used as a waterproof sheet to sunound an absorbent layer of general sanitary napkins and diapers. When the prepared sanitary napkin or diaper was used, the coated deodorant portion was introduced to a body secretion-absorbing part in the sanitary napkin or diaper, thereby increasing a deodorization function.

Example 3

To 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), 100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 5 parts by weight of lilac fragrant material (purchased from Volac Inc.) were added to prepare a fragrant coating agent. In addition, 100 parts by weight of another aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 25 parts by weight of elvan deodorant material were added to 150 parts by weight of another solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), to prepare a deodorant coating agent. The fragrant coating agent and the deodorant coating agent were coated in a crossed pattern on 35 g/m² of an air permeable film by use of a gravure roll. After drying, the coated amount was 0.6 g/m², and the coated area constituted 25% of the whole area of the film. Thusly prepared air permeable deodorant waterproof film was used as a waterproof sheet to sunound an absorbent layer of general sanitary napkins and diapers. When the prepared sanitary napkin or diaper was used, the coated fragrant portion and deodorant portion were introduced to a body secretion-absorbing part in the sanitary napkin or diaper, thereby increasing an odor masking effect as well as a deodorization effect.

Example 4

To 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), 100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 5 parts by weight of lilac fragrant material (purchased from Volac Inc.) were added to prepare a fragrant coating agent. The fragrant coating agent was coated on a whole surface of an air non-permeable film having 25 g/m² by use of a gravure roll. After drying, the coated amount was 1.4 g/m². Thusly prepared air non-permeable fragrant waterproof film was used as a waterproof sheet to sunound an absorbent layer of general sanitary napkins and diapers. When the prepared sanitary napkin or diaper was used, the coated fragrant portion was introduced to a body secretion- absorbing part in the sanitary napkin or diaper, thereby increasing an odor masking effect.

Example 5

To 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), 100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 5 parts by weight of lilac fragrant material (purchased from Volac Inc.) were added to prepare a fragrant coating agent. In addition, 100 parts by weight of another aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 25 parts by weight of elvan deodorant material were added to 150 parts by weight of another solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), to prepare a deodorant coating agent. The fragrant coating agent and the deodorant coating agent were coated in a crossed pattern on 25 g/m² of an air non-permeable fihn by use of a gravure roll. After drying, the coated amount was 2 g/m², and the coated area constituted 80% of the whole area of the film. Thusly prepared air non- permeable deodorant waterproof film was used as a waterproof sheet to sunound an absorbent layer of general sanitary napkins and diapers. When the prepared sanitary napkin or diaper was used, the coated fragrant portion and deodorant portion were introduced to a body secretion-absorbing part in the sanitary napkin or diaper, thereby increasing an odor masking effect as well as a deodorization effect.

Example 6

100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 5 parts by weight of lilac fragrant material (purchased from Volac Inc.) were added to 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), to prepare a fragrant coating agent. The fragrant coating agent was coated on 25 g/m² of a base film for perforation by use of a gravure roll. After drying, the coated amount was 1.3 g/m². The coated film was perforated at a proportion of 25%, to give a perforated film. The lilac fragrance was smelled at a distance of 30 cm from the perforated film, and the strength thereof was to the extent of being detectable by general make-up users. When the film was shaken by hand, stronger fragrance was smelled. This perforated fragrant film was used as a perforated film for general sanitary napkins and diapers. When the prepared sanitary napkin or diaper was used, the coated fragrant portion was positioned in the center of a body secretion- absorbing part in the sanitary napkin or diaper, thereby exhibiting higher odor masking effect.

Example 7

100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 25 parts by weight of elvan deodorant material were added to 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), to prepare a deodorant coating agent. The deodorant coating agent was coated on a whole surface of a base film for perforation having 25 g/m² by use of a gravure roll. After drying, the coated amount was 2 g/m . The coated film was perforated at a proportion of 25%, to give a perforated film. This perforated fihn was used as a perforated film for general sanitary napkins and diapers. When the prepared sanitary napkin or diaper was used, the coated fragrant portion was positioned in the center of a body secretion-absorbing part in the sanitary napkin or diaper, thereby exhibiting higher deodorizing effect.

Example 8

100 parts by weight of an aqueous polyester solution (solid content: 40%) and 25 parts by weight of elvan deodorant material were added to 150 parts by weight of a solvent (mixture of 50 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 50 parts by weight of water), to prepare a deodorant coating agent. The deodorant coating agent was coated on 20 g/m² of an air permeable film by use of a gravure roll. The coated area to the whole area of the film was 20%. The coated pattern used a striped pattern. After drying, the coated amount was 0.4 g/m². The air permeable deodorant film was thermally adhered with 15 g/m² of a polypropylene nonwoven fabric, to give a deodorant air permeable film. This film was used as a waterproof film for general diapers. When the prepared diaper for baby was used, the coated deodorant portion was positioned to sunound an odor generating source, thereby increasing odor-absorbing effect.

Example 9 An air permeable film for use in diapers was prepared in the same manner as in the above example 8, except that the film was adhered with the nonwoven fabric by means of an adhesive. In such a case, the adhesive was obtained by mixing 100 parts by weight of an acryl emulsion with 2 parts by weight of lilac fragrant material (purchased from Volac Inc.). The adhered area constituted 15% of the whole area of the film. The application pattern of the adhesive was a crossed pattern. This film was used for general diapers. When the prepared diaper was used, the coated fragrant portion was positioned to surround an odor generating source, thereby increasing an odor masking effect. Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention provides a deodorizing film having odor-barrier properties of sanitary absorbents including diapers and sanitary napkins. In the present invention, even though a conventional preparation device and mechanical preparation process of disposable diapers or sanitary napkins are not changed, the deodorizing film having odor-barrier properties can be manufactured. According to odor strength, a fragrant coating agent or a deodorant coating agent can be provided in any necessary amount. A fragrant layer by the fragrant coating agent and a deodorant layer by the deodorant coating agent are coated on the absorbent film, thereby obtaining the deodorizing film for the absorbent with odor removing effect of the deodorant material while diffusion of the fragrance is not restrained. Further, the inventive deodorizing film can be easily prepared in an inline preparation process, thus achieving economic benefits. Furthennore, since inherent properties of the fragrant material and the deodorant material are preserved, the deodorizing film for the absorbent having sensitive diffusion function and deodorization function is provided. It is thus apparent that such a film is useful in the deodorizing fields of sanitary absorbent products.

Although the prefened embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A deodorizing film for sanitary absorbents, including air permeable films, air non-permeable films, perforated films, waterproof films or sheets and nonwoven fabric-combined films as a plastic film suitable for use in disposable sanitary napkins, disposable panty liners, disposable diapers for babies and adults, and disposable diapers and mats for animals, comprising: at least one layer of a fragrant layer by a fragrant coating agent and a deodorant layer by a deodorant coating agent coated on a partial portion or a whole portion of any one surface or both surfaces of the plastic film.

2. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 1, wherein the coated fragrant layer comprises an adhesiveness-providing polymer and a fragrant material.

3. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 1, wherein the fragrant coating agent is a water-soluble fragrant coating agent prepared by adding a fragrant material to a water-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer emulsion or a polymer dispersion formed in water or alcohol solvent.

4. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 1, wherein the fragrant coating agent is a lipid-soluble fragrant coating agent prepared by adding a fragrant material to a lipid-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer solution or a polymer dispersion formed in a lipid-soluble solvent of toluene, ethylacetate or methylethylketone.

5. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 1, wherein the coated deodorant layer comprises an adhesiveness-providing polymer and an inorganic or organic deodorant material.

6. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 1, wherein the deodorant coating agent is a water-soluble deodorant coating agent prepared by adding an inorganic deodorant material selected from among elvan, sericite, talc, inorganic antibacterial substances, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, zeolite, activated carbon, silica or mixtures thereof, to a water-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer emulsion or a polymer dispersion formed in a mixture of water and alcohol solvent.

7. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 1, wherein the deodorant coating agent is a lipid-soluble deodorant coating agent prepared by adding an inorganic deodorant material selected from among elvan, sericite, talc, inorganic antibacterial substances, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, zeolite, activated carbon, silica or mixtures thereof, to a lipid-soluble coating agent comprising a polymer solution or a polymer dispersion formed in a lipid-soluble solvent of toluene, ethylacetate or methylethylketone.

8. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 2 or 5, further comprising a skin-affinity enhancer selected from among charcoal powders, sawdust, chitosan or mixtures thereof.

9. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 2, further comprising a fragrance preservative selected from among elvan, sericite, talc, inorganic antibacterial substances, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, zeolite, activated carbon and silica.

10. The deodorizing film as defined in claim 1, wherein the coated area of the fragrant layer or the deodorant layer constitutes 3-90% of the area of the air permeable plastic film, and the coated layer is patterned.