WO2020138153A1

WO2020138153A1 - Absorptive article and method for manufacturing absorptive article

Info

Publication number: WO2020138153A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/050797
Authority: WO
Inventors: 拓也深山; 坂口　智; 徹大庭; 真路煙上
Original assignee: ユニ・チャーム株式会社
Priority date: 2018-12-28
Filing date: 2019-12-25
Publication date: 2020-07-02
Also published as: CN113286569B; CN113286569A; JP7158281B2; JP2020103829A

Abstract

Provided is an absorptive article capable of improving the visibility of an indicator while preventing an increase in the production cost. An absorptive article (10) includes an absorbent body (30), a back sheet (23) disposed closer to a non-skin surface side (T2) than the absorbent body (30) and having liquid impermeability, an exterior sheet (25) disposed closer to the non-skin surface side (T2) than the back sheet (23), and an indicator (70) that becomes discolored by coming into contact with excrement (E). The back sheet (23) has moisture permeability. The indicator (70) is provided on a non-skin surface (23b) of the back sheet (23).

Description

Absorbent article and method for manufacturing absorbent article

The present invention relates to an absorbent article having an indicator and a method for manufacturing the absorbent article.

According to Patent Document 1, the absorber, the back sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorber, the exterior sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet, and the contact with the excrement An absorbent article having a color-changing indicator is disclosed. An assistant such as a mother confirms the indicator from the non-skin side of the absorbent article in a state where the absorbent article is worn on the wearer, and grasps the replacement timing of the absorbent article.

-A transparentizing agent is applied to the skin or non-skin surface of the back sheet so as to overlap the indicator in the thickness direction. As a result, the transparency of the backsheet is improved in the area to which the transparentizing agent is applied, so that the visibility of the indicator from the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article can be improved.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-54991

-In some cases, even if the backing sheet is coated with a clarifying agent, the visibility of the indicator may not be sufficient in the case where the area where the clarifying agent is coated is not completely transparent. Furthermore, since the transparentizing agent is required as a material, the number of materials increases, and the number of steps increases due to the application of the transparentizing agent, which causes a problem that the production cost of the absorbent article increases. Therefore, an absorbent article that can improve the visibility of the indicator while suppressing an increase in production cost is desired.

The absorbent article according to one aspect is a front-rear direction and a width direction orthogonal to each other, an absorber, and a back sheet having a liquid impermeability arranged on the non-skin surface side of the absorber, and It is an absorbent article having an exterior sheet arranged on the non-skin surface side of a back sheet and an indicator that discolors due to contact with excrement. The back sheet has moisture permeability. The indicator is provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet.

A method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to one aspect, a front-rear direction and a width direction orthogonal to each other, an absorber, a non-skin surface side of the absorber, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet. And a packaging sheet which is arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet, and an indicator which discolors due to contact with excrement. The method of manufacturing the absorbent article includes the step of providing an indicator on the non-skin surface of the back sheet having moisture permeability.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment viewed from the skin surface side. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment viewed from the non-skin surface side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line 3A-3A shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the back sheet and the indicator. FIG. 5: is a schematic plan view which looked at the absorbent article which concerns on the example 1 of a change from the non-skin surface side. FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a back sheet and an indicator in the absorbent articles according to Modifications 2 and 3. FIG. 7: is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of an absorbent article. FIG. 8: is a flowchart for demonstrating the manufacturing method of an absorbent article.

(1) Outline of the embodiment An absorbent article according to one aspect is arranged in a front-rear direction and a width direction orthogonal to each other, an absorber, and a non-skin surface side of the absorber, and is liquid impermeable. An absorbent article, comprising: a back sheet having: a back sheet, an exterior sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the back sheet, and an indicator that discolors due to contact with excrement. The back sheet has moisture permeability. The indicator is provided on the non-skin surface of the backsheet. Since the back sheet has moisture permeability, vaporized excrement allows the vaporized excrement to move from the skin side to the non-skin side of the back sheet. When the vaporized excrement comes into contact with the indicator provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet, the indicator discolors. Since the indicator is provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet, the assistant can visually recognize the indicator without the intervention of the back sheet. Therefore, since it is not necessary to apply the transparentizing agent to the back sheet for improving the visibility of the indicator, the visibility of the indicator can be improved while suppressing an increase in production cost.

According to a preferred aspect, the moisture permeability of the back sheet may be 2000 g/m ² ·24 h or more. This makes it easier for the vaporized excrement to pass through the back sheet. Therefore, the amount of excrement that comes into contact with the indicator increases, and the indicator is likely to change color. Furthermore, the stuffiness of the absorbent article can be reduced.

According to a preferable aspect, the back sheet may have a moisture permeable hole. The indicator may extend into the moisture permeable hole. Since the vaporized excrement can contact the indicator in the moisture permeable hole, the discoloration of the indicator can be accelerated. Further, the excrement that comes into contact with the indicator diffuses in the indicator, so that the discoloration range of the indicator is widened and the indicator on the non-skin surface of the back sheet also discolors. Therefore, the time from when the wearer excretes to when the discoloration of the indicator is visible from the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article can be shortened.

According to a preferred aspect, the indicator may include a substance having a property of drawing in water. This makes it easier for moisture to be drawn into the indicator, and the color of the indicator is likely to change, so that the time from when the wearer excretes until the discoloration of the indicator is visible from the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article can be shortened.

According to a preferred aspect, a print area, to which ink is applied by printing, may be provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet. At least a portion of the indicator may not overlap the print area. Thus, in order to provide the indicator and the printing area, it is sufficient to perform processing on only one side of the back sheet, and the manufacturing process is complicated as compared with the case where the indicator and the printing area are provided on different surfaces of the back sheet. It is possible to provide the indicator and the printing area without doing so. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in production cost. Further, when the indicator and the print area are provided on different surfaces, one surface of the back sheet comes into contact with the transport surface when the back sheet is transported, and the transport surface is contaminated with the ink in the indicator or the print area. On the other hand, when the indicator and the print area are provided on the same surface of the back sheet, the surface on which the indicator and the ink are provided faces the conveyance surface, and the conveyance surface is contaminated by conveying the back sheet. Can be suppressed. For this reason, the maintenance of the equipment becomes easy, and the production cost can be prevented from increasing. Since at least a part of the indicator does not overlap the printed region in the thickness direction, at least a part of the indicator can be clearly visible from the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article.

According to a preferred aspect, at least a part of the indicator may be constituted by a design. Thereby, even if the print area is provided, it becomes easier for the assistant to pay attention to the design which is at least a part of the indicator, and the visibility of the indicator can be improved.

According to a preferred aspect, the exterior sheet may be a textured non-woven fabric. The texture can be improved by the textured non-woven fabric. On the other hand, since the thickness of the exterior sheet increases due to the uneven processing, the visibility of the indicator generally decreases. However, since the indicator is provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet, the visibility of the indicator is good, and the assistant can satisfactorily view the indicator.

According to a preferred aspect, the exterior sheet may be a non-woven fabric having pores penetrating in the thickness direction. The aperture may overlap the indicator in the thickness direction. The non-woven fabric can improve the touch. In addition, since the indicator can be directly viewed from the non-skin surface side through the opening, the visibility of the indicator can be improved.

A method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to one aspect, a front-rear direction and a width direction orthogonal to each other, an absorber, a non-skin surface side of the absorber, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet. And a packaging sheet which is arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet, and an indicator which discolors due to contact with excrement. The method of manufacturing the absorbent article includes the step of providing an indicator on the non-skin surface of the back sheet having moisture permeability. Since the indicator is provided on the non-skin surface of the backsheet, the assistant can visually recognize the indicator without the intervention of the backsheet. Therefore, since it is not necessary to apply the clarifying agent to the back sheet for improving the visibility of the indicator, the visibility of the indicator can be improved while suppressing an increase in production cost.

According to a preferable aspect, the back sheet may have a moisture permeable hole. The step of providing the indicator includes a coating step of coating the coating material for the indicator on the non-skin surface of the back sheet, and a drying step of drying the coating material coated on the non-skin surface. You may have. The coating agent may include a vaporizing component that vaporizes in the drying step. In the drying step, the indicator component vaporizes together with the vaporized component, and the indicator component enters the moisture permeable holes. The component of the indicator that has entered the moisture permeable hole is solidified in the moisture permeable hole, so that the indicator extending into the moisture permeable hole can be provided.

According to a preferred aspect, the vaporizing component may be water. Since the vaporized component is vaporized by the drying process, the vaporized component does not usually remain in the manufactured absorbent article. However, even if the vaporized component should remain, since the vaporized component is water, the wearer can safely wear the absorbent article.

According to a preferred aspect, the vaporizing component may be a volatile organic solvent. Since the volatile organic solvent is more volatile than water, the drying time in the drying process can be shortened. The manufacturing time of the absorbent article can be shortened, and the productivity of the absorbent article can be improved.

According to a preferred aspect, the method for manufacturing an absorbent article may include a step of applying an ink to the non-skin surface of the back sheet by printing to provide a print area coated with the ink. .. In the step of providing the print area, the ink may be applied so that at least a part of the indicator does not overlap the print area. Since at least a part of the indicator does not overlap the printed region in the thickness direction, at least a part of the indicator can be clearly visible from the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article.

According to a preferred aspect, the backsheet may be a continuous sheet before being cut into a plurality of backsheets. One of the indicator and the print area may be provided, and then the other of the indicator and the print area may be provided. Since the continuous sheet having moisture permeability (back surface sheet) has moisture permeable holes, it is easier to stretch than a non-moisture permeable back sheet having no moisture permeable holes. For this reason, when the continuous sheet is wound, the indicator (or the printing area) is extended. For this reason, the length of the indicator (or the printing area) itself and the length (pitch interval) between the indicators (or the printing areas) change depending on the presence or absence of winding. Therefore, in the case where the rolled continuous sheet is conveyed again to provide the printing area (or the indicator), the deviation between the indicator and the printing area is likely to occur. In particular, in a continuous sheet, since the deviation of the pitch interval between the indicators (or the printing areas) adjacent to each other in the transport direction is accumulated, the positional deviation between the indicators and the printing areas is larger as the printing area (or the indicator) is printed in the latter half. Become. Therefore, by providing one of the indicator and the print area and then providing the other of the indicator and the print area without winding the continuous sheet, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation between the indicator and the print area due to the winding. ..

According to a preferred aspect, the method for manufacturing the absorbent article may include a drying step of applying both the coating agent and the ink and then drying the coating agent and the ink. In the drying step, the back sheet may stretch depending on the drying temperature. In this case, before and after drying, the length of the indicator (or the printing area) provided previously and the length between the indicators (or the printing areas) change. As a result, the position of the indicator and the print area may be displaced. Therefore, by applying both the coating agent and the ink and then drying the coating agent and the ink, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the positional deviation between the indicator and the printing area.

(2) Detailed Description of Embodiment Next, an absorbent article according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the absorbent article is a tape type absorbent article. Alternatively, the absorbent article may be a pants-type absorbent article. The absorbent article may be an infant diaper or an adult diaper. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of respective dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following description. Further, the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment as viewed from the skin side, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article as viewed from the non-skin side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1 taken along section 3A-3A, and the drawings shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 show the absorbent article in an expanded state. In the schematic cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the members are shown separated from each other in the thickness direction T, but in the actual product, they are in contact with each other in the thickness direction T. The stretched state in the present invention is a state in which the absorbent article 10 is stretched to a state in which wrinkles are not formed. Further, the natural state in the present invention means, in the case of the absorbent article 10 housed in the package, the absorbent article 10 is taken out from the package and the atmosphere is 20° C.±2° C. and relative humidity is 60%±5% RH. It is in a state of being left for 24 hours below.

The absorbent article 10 has a front-back direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T. The front-rear direction L is a direction connecting the abdomen side and the back side of the absorbent article 10 in the worn state. The width direction W is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction L in a plan view of the absorbent article 10. The thickness direction T is a direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction L and the width direction W. The non-skin surface or the non-skin surface side T2 means a surface or a side facing the side opposite to the wearer's skin in the worn state of the absorbent article. On the other hand, the skin surface or the skin surface side T1 means a surface or a side facing the wearer's skin in the worn state of the absorbent article.

The absorbent article 10 has a front waistline region S1, a crotch region S3, and a rear waistline region S2. The front waistline region S1 is a region facing the wearer's front waistline when the absorbent article is used. The back waistline region S2 is a region facing the wearer's back waistline when using the absorbent article. The crotch region S3 is a region located at the crotch of the wearer when the absorbent article is used, and is located between the front waistline region S1 and the back waistline region S2. The crotch region S3 is a region in which leg openings 65 arranged around the legs of the wearer are provided. The leg openings 65 are portions that are recessed inward in the width direction from the outer edges of the absorbent article.

The absorbent article 10 includes an absorbent core 31 including an absorbent material. The absorbent core 31 comprises an absorbent material such as ground pulp or super absorbent polymer (SAP), or a mixture thereof. The absorbent core 31 may be covered by the core wrap 32. The absorber 30 may be configured by the absorbent core 31 and the core wrap 32. The core wrap 32 may be formed of a tissue, and may be arranged on the skin surface side T1 of the absorbent core 31 and the non-skin surface side of the absorbent core 31.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a surface sheet 21 and a side sheet 22 may be provided on the skin surface side T1 of the absorbent body 30 including the absorbent core 31. The topsheet 21 may be disposed across the center of the absorber 30 in the width direction W. The side sheet 22 may be arranged so as to cover the outer side portion of the top sheet 21. The topsheet 21 and the sidesheet 22 may be formed of a liquid-permeable sheet such as a nonwoven fabric or a perforated plastic film. The inner portion of the side seat 22 may be folded back and overlapped. A leak-proof stretchable portion 43 that stretches in the front-rear direction L may be provided between the overlapping side seats 22. The leak-proof stretchable portion 43 may be made of rubber thread that stretches in the front-rear direction L. The side sheet 22 and the leak-proof stretchable portion 43 constitute a leak-proof gather that stands up on the skin surface side T1 when worn.

The back sheet 23 and the exterior sheet 24 are provided on the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorber 30. The back sheet 23 has liquid impermeability. The back sheet 23 is arranged on the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorber 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the back sheet 23 has moisture permeability. The exterior sheet 24 is arranged closer to the non-skin surface side T2 than the back sheet 23. The length of the back sheet 23 in the width direction W is shorter than the length of the exterior sheet 24 in the width direction W, and the length of the back sheet 23 in the front-rear direction L is shorter than the length of the exterior sheet 24 in the front-rear direction L. The back sheet 23 may be made of a liquid impermeable film. The exterior sheet 24 may be made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric.

Fastening tape 90 is provided on the outer side of the rear waistline area S2. The fastening tape 90 has a base portion 92 and an engaging portion 93. The base portion 92 is arranged between the exterior sheet 24 and the side sheet 22 in the thickness direction T, and extends outward from the exterior sheet 24 and the side sheet 22 in the width direction W. The engaging portion 93 is arranged on the base portion 92 and engages with the target portion 95. The target portions 95 are arranged at intervals in the width direction in the front waistline region S1, and are configured such that the engaging portions 93 of the fastening tape 90 are fixed to each other.

The absorbent article 10 may include a deformation guide portion 40 that deforms the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction. The deformation guide portion 40 includes a slit formed in the absorbent core 31, a low basis weight portion having a low basis weight of the absorbent material, an embossed portion obtained by compressing the absorbent core in the thickness direction, and overlapping the absorbent core in the thickness direction. It is configured by at least one of the arranged elastic members. As shown in FIG. 3, the deformation guide portion 40 of the present embodiment is composed of a slit 41 formed in the absorbent core and an elastic member 42 in which the absorbent core 31 is also arranged on the non-skin surface side T2. There is.

The slits 41 extend in the front-rear direction L and are arranged at intervals in the width direction W. The slits 41 may not be arranged in the center of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction W, but may be arranged on both sides of the center of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction W. The elastic member 42 may be provided between the back sheet 23 and the exterior sheet 24. The elastic members 42 extend in the front-rear direction L and are arranged at intervals in the width direction W. The elastic members 42 are not arranged at the center of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction W, but two elastic members 42 are arranged on each side of the absorbent core 31 with respect to the center of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction W. The elastic member 42 is made of rubber thread arranged along the front-rear direction L. In addition, in another embodiment, the elastic member 42 may be configured by a belt-shaped stretchable sheet that stretches in the front-back direction, may be configured by one thread rubber, or may be configured by three or more thread rubbers. May be done.

The slit 41 and the elastic member 42 may partially overlap each other in the thickness direction. In the present invention, the overlapping state is a state in which one member and the other member are overlapped in a plan view, and the other member is arranged on the skin side or the non-skin side of one member. It is in a state. The overlapping state includes not only a state in which one member and the other member are in contact with each other, but also a configuration in which another member is interposed between the one member and the other member.

When the absorbent article 10 thus configured is worn, the contraction of the elastic member 42 causes the absorbent core 31 to deform with the slit 41 as the base point, and the slit 41 and the elastic member 42 to be pulled up to the body side. The region located between the pair of elastic members 42 is pulled up to the body side with respect to the region outside the pair of elastic members 42 in the width direction. Therefore, the center of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction W is deformed into a convex shape with the side portion of the absorbent core 31 as a base point, and the fit property to the crotch of the body can be secured.

The absorbent article 10 has an indicator 70 that changes color by contact with excrement. The indicator 70 is configured to be discolored by the absorbent core 31 absorbing body fluid (excretion), and the absorbent state of the body fluid can be grasped from the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent article 10. Specifically, since the back sheet 23 has moisture permeability, vaporized excrement allows the vaporized excrement to move from the skin surface side T1 of the back sheet 23 to the non-skin surface side T2. The vaporized excrement contacts the indicator 70 provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet, whereby the indicator 70 can be discolored.

Since the indicator 70 is provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet 23, an assistant can visually recognize the indicator 70 without going through the back sheet 23. Therefore, since it is not necessary to apply the clarifying agent to the back sheet 23 in order to improve the visibility of the indicator 70, the visibility of the indicator 70 can be improved while suppressing an increase in production cost. Further, since the transparentizing agent is not applied, the moisture-permeable holes 23h are not blocked by the transparentizing agent, deterioration of moisture permeability due to the transparentizing agent can be suppressed, and stuffiness of the absorbent article can be suppressed.

The indicator 70 is arranged so as to extend in the front-rear direction L. The indicator 70 may extend at least in the front-rear direction L, may extend in the width direction while extending in the front-rear direction L, and may have a curved curved shape or a linear shape. The indicator 70 may be provided in the crotch region S3, may be provided in the front waistline region S1, or may be provided in the rear waistline region S2. The indicator 70 may include a center indicator 71 arranged in the center of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction W and a pair of side indicators 72 arranged outside the center indicator 71 in the width direction W. The center indicator 71 and the side indicator 72 may be arranged at intervals in the width direction W. The center indicator 71 may straddle the center of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction W, and a part of the center indicator 71 may be separated from the center of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction W. Further, the length L71 of the center indicator 71 in the front-rear direction may be longer than the length L72 of the side indicator 72 in the front-rear direction. According to this configuration, the center indicator 71 is easily noticeable. The assistant can grasp the presence or absence of excretion by the center indicator 71 and can replace the absorbent article at an appropriate timing.

At least a part of the indicator 70 may be configured by a design. For example, each of the center indicator 71 and the side indicator 72 may be configured by an assembly in which a plurality of constituent elements are arranged in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the center indicator 71 has a plurality of center constituent elements 71C as constituent elements. The side indicator 72 has a plurality of side constituent elements 72C as constituent elements. The center component 71C and the side component 72C may be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction or the width direction. The constituent elements may be arranged at intervals and constitute an indicator, and may be composed of a design, a numeral, and a character.

The center component 71C and the side component 72C may be visually different. The assistant can distinguish between the center indicator 71 and the side indicator 72 by the difference in the constituent elements. Therefore, the assistant can easily grasp the reaction state of the indicator and the urine output appropriately. The center component 71C of the present embodiment is a combination of a flower pattern and a leaf pattern, and the side component 72C is a star pattern. When the center component 71C and/or the side component 72C has a plurality of symbols, any of the plurality of symbols may be different.

ㆍA plurality of indicator components may be lined up at intervals in one direction. In the present embodiment, the constituent elements are arranged along the front-rear direction L. The distance between the components adjacent to each other is preferably shorter than the length of the components in the direction in which the components are lined up. As a result, the plurality of constituent elements are arranged in one direction at relatively short intervals, so that the assistant easily recognizes the indicator as the entire assembly of the constituent elements. Moreover, since the constituent elements are arranged in one direction at relatively short intervals, it is easy to determine to which region of the absorbent article 10 the urine has reached.

(3) Detailed Configuration of Indicator 70 Next, the detailed configuration of the indicator 70 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the back sheet 23 and the indicator 70. As shown in FIG. 4, the indicator 70 is provided on the non-skin surface 23 b of the back sheet 23. The back sheet 23 has moisture permeability and therefore has moisture permeability holes 23h. The moisture permeable holes 23h are holes through which liquid cannot pass and gas can pass. The moisture permeable holes 23h may be any path through which vaporized excrement from the skin surface 23a to the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 can pass. For example, the moisture permeable holes 23h may be through holes that penetrate from the skin surface 23a of the back sheet 23 to the non-skin surface 23b. When at least a part of the layer of the back sheet 23 is formed by knitting fibers, at least a part of the moisture permeable holes 23h may be formed by a gap between the fibers.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indicator 70 may extend into the moisture permeable hole 23h. Specifically, the indicator 70 may extend from the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 toward the skin surface 23a along the wall surface 23w of the moisture permeable hole 23h. Therefore, the indicator 70 (hole indicator 70h) may be provided on the wall surface 23w of the moisture permeable hole 23h. The indicator 70 may be filled in the moisture permeable hole 23h (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 4B, when the wearer excretes the excrement E (for example, urine), the excrement E present on the skin surface side T1 of the back sheet 23 is vaporized and the vaporized excrement E is Enter into the moisture permeable holes 23h. The vaporized excrement E can contact the indicator 70 in the moisture permeable hole 23h. Thereby, the discoloration of the indicator 70 can be accelerated. Further, since the excrement E that has come into contact with the indicator 70 diffuses inside the indicator 70, the discoloration range of the indicator 70 expands. In FIG. 4B, the indicator 70 overlapping the moisture permeable hole 23h in the thickness direction T is discolored. After that, the color change range of the indicator 70 is further expanded, so that the color of the indicator 70 that is not overlapped with the moisture permeable holes 23h in the thickness direction T is also changed (see FIG. 4C). Compared with the case where the indicator 70 does not extend into the moisture permeable hole 23h, the time from when the wearer excretes to when the discoloration of the indicator 70 is visually recognized from the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent article 10 can be shortened.

The indicator 70 may extend closer to the skin surface 23a than the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 in order to increase the range of discoloration of the indicator 70. As shown in FIG. 4, the indicator 70 may extend to the opening surface of the moisture permeable hole 23h on the skin surface side T1 (skin surface 23a of the back sheet 23). Further, the indicator 70 may extend from the moisture permeable holes 23h onto the skin surface 23a of the backsheet 23. Accordingly, even if the excrement E is not vaporized, the excrement E can contact the indicator 70, so that the time from the excretion of the wearer to the discoloration of the indicator 70 can be shortened.

The indicator 70 may include a substance having a property of drawing in water. This makes it easier for moisture to be drawn into the indicator 70, which makes it easier for the indicator to change color. Therefore, the time from when the user excretes to visually recognize the discoloration of the indicator 70 from the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent article 10 can be shortened. As a substance having a property of drawing in water, an osmotic pressure adjusting substance (osmolyte) can be mentioned. Examples of the osmotic pressure adjusting substance include quaternary ammonium compounds. The indicator 70 may include a catalyst for increasing the rate at which the indicator component changes color by reacting with urine (reaction rate). This increases the speed at which the discoloration range of the indicator 70 spreads, and thus the time from when the wearer excretes to when the discoloration of the indicator 70 is visible from the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent article 10 can be shortened. The indicator 70 may be a known one. The indicator 70 may be discolored by reacting with excrement having a pH within a predetermined range (for example, pH indicated by urine).

Since the back sheet 23 has moisture permeability, the moisture permeability of the back sheet 23 is larger than 0 g/m ² ·24h. The moisture permeability of the back sheet 23 may be 2000 g/m ² ·24 h or more. This makes it easier for the vaporized excrement E to pass through the back sheet 23. Therefore, the amount of the excrement E that comes into contact with the indicator 70 increases, so that the indicator 70 is easily discolored. Furthermore, the stuffiness of the absorbent article 10 can be reduced. If the moisture permeability of the back sheet 23 is too high, the clothes may be moistened, so the moisture permeability of the back sheet 23 may be 5000 g/m ² ·24 h or less. In the present specification, the moisture permeability is measured according to the moisture permeability test method (cup method) for moisture-proof packaging materials according to JIS Z 0208:1976. Permeation of water per unit area (m ² ) after filling a moisture-permeable cup with 20 cc of water instead of calcium chloride and allowing it to stand for 24 hours under atmospheric conditions of temperature 40° C. and relative humidity 60% Measure the amount (emission).

(4) Modified Example Next, the absorbent article 10 according to the modified example will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5: is a schematic plan view which looked at the absorbent article 10 which concerns on the example 1 of a change from the non-skin surface side. FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the back sheet 23 and the indicator 70 in the absorbent articles 10 according to Modifications 2 and 3. FIG. 6A is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of back sheet 23 and indicator 70 in absorbent article 10 according to the second modification. FIG. 6B is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of back sheet 23 and indicator 70 in absorbent article 10 according to the third modification.

The absorbent article 10 according to the first modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a print region PR where ink is applied by printing may be provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet 23. At least a part of the indicator does not overlap the print area PR. Accordingly, in order to provide the indicator 70 and the print region PR, it is sufficient to process only one surface (non-skin surface) of the back sheet 23, and the indicator 70 and the print region PR are provided on different surfaces of the back sheet 23. The indicator 70 and the print region PR can be provided without complicating the manufacturing process as compared with the case where the indicator 70 and the print region PR are provided. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in production cost.

When the indicator 70 and the print area PR are provided on different surfaces, one surface of the back sheet 23 comes into contact with the carry surface when the back sheet 23 is carried. Will get dirty. On the other hand, when the indicator 70 and the print region PR are provided on the same surface of the back sheet 23, the back sheet 23 is conveyed by conveying the back sheet 23 with the surface on which the indicator 70 and the ink are provided facing the conveyance surface. The surface can be prevented from becoming dirty. For this reason, the maintenance of the equipment becomes easy, and the production cost can be prevented from increasing.

Since at least a part of the indicator 70 does not overlap the printing region PR in the thickness direction T, at least a part of the indicator 70 can be clearly seen from the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent article 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the indicator 70 does not have to overlap the print region PR in the thickness direction T. This allows the indicator 70 to be clearly visible. When at least a part of the indicator 70 is composed of a pattern, even if the print region PR is provided, it becomes easier for the assistant to pay attention to the pattern that is at least a part of the indicator 70, and the visibility of the indicator 70 is improved. can do.

Next, the absorbent article 10 according to the second modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 6A, the exterior sheet 24 may be a textured non-woven fabric. Specifically, the exterior sheet 24 may have a convex portion 24p and a concave portion 24q. The convex portion 24p projects to the non-skin surface side T2. The recess 24q is recessed on the skin surface side T1. The convex portion 24p may project to the skin surface side T1 and the concave portion 24q may be recessed to the non-skin surface side T2.

　The texture of the nonwoven fabric can improve the feel of the skin. Since the thickness of the exterior sheet 24 is increased by the uneven processing, the visibility of the indicator 70 is generally lowered. However, since the indicator 70 is provided on the non-skin surface of the back sheet 23, the visibility of the indicator 70 is good, and the assistant can see the indicator 70 well. The exterior sheet 24 overlaps the indicator 70 in the thickness direction T. Thereby, the exterior sheet 24 can protect the indicator 70, and even if the indicator 70 is provided on the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23, the indicator 70 can be prevented from being damaged. As shown in FIG. 6A, the indicator 70 (hole indicator 70h) may extend halfway without reaching the open surface of the moisture permeable hole 23h on the skin surface side T1. The indicator 70 (hole indicator 70h) may extend to fill the moisture permeable hole 23h. In this case, since the vaporized excrement easily touches the hole indicator 70h, the discoloration of the indicator 70 can be accelerated.

Next, the absorbent article 10 according to the third modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 6B, the exterior sheet 24 may have an opening 24h penetrating in the thickness direction T. The opening 24h may overlap the indicator 70 in the thickness direction T. The non-woven fabric can improve the touch. In addition, since the indicator 70 can be directly viewed from the non-skin surface side T2 through the opening 24h, the visibility of the indicator can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the indicator 70 (hole indicator 70h) may extend to reach the open surface of the moisture permeable hole 23h on the skin surface side T1. The indicator 70 (hole indicator 70h) may extend to fill the moisture permeable hole 23h. Thereby, even if the excrement E is not vaporized, the liquid excrement E can contact the hole indicator 70h. The excrement E diffuses in the hole indicator 70h and reaches the indicator 70 on the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23. Therefore, the discoloration range of the indicator 70 extends to the indicator 70 on the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23. Therefore, compared with the case where the indicator 70 does not extend into the moisture permeable hole 23h, the time from when the wearer excretes to when the discoloration of the indicator 70 is visually recognized from the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent article 10 can be shortened. .. The quaternary ammonium compound has a good compatibility with urine. Therefore, by including the quaternary ammonium compound, the indicator 70 can further shorten the time from when the wearer excretes to when the discoloration of the indicator 70 is visually recognized from the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent article 10.

(5) Manufacturing Method of Absorbent Article 10 Next, a manufacturing method of the absorbent article 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7: is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 10. Specifically, FIG. 7 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the back sheet 23 and the indicator 70. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the method of manufacturing the absorbent article 10. The contents related to the present invention, specifically, the process of providing the indicator 70 on the back sheet 23 will be mainly described, and the description of the same parts as the conventional one will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, step S10 is a step (application step) of applying the coating agent for the indicator 70 onto the non-skin surface of the back sheet 23. As shown in FIG. 8A, the back sheet 23 may be placed on the transport surface 100s and transported in the transport direction MD. The backsheet 23 may be a continuous sheet before being cut into a plurality of backsheets. As shown in FIG. 8B, the coating agent 70 e for the indicator 70 is applied onto the non-skin surface 23 b of the back sheet 23. The non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 is a surface opposite to the surface (skin surface 23a of the back sheet 23) facing the transport surface 100s.

The coating material 70e for the indicator 70 includes an indicator component. The indicator component is a component that discolors due to contact (reaction) with excrement. The coating agent 70e may include a vaporizing component that vaporizes in the drying process. The vaporizing component may be water. In particular, if the absorbent article is for infants, the vaporizing component may be water. Also, the vaporizing component may be a volatile organic solvent. Examples of the volatile organic solvent include ethyl alcohol and isopropylene. Ethyl alcohol and isopropylene are highly safe volatile organic solvents.

As shown in FIG. 7, the printing region PR may be provided in the step of applying the indicator 70. Specifically, by applying the ink on the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 by printing, it is possible to provide the print area PR to which the ink is applied. In the step of providing the print region PR, ink is applied so that at least a part of the indicator 70 does not overlap the print region PR.

The back sheet 23 may have an absorber region that is a region that overlaps the region where the absorber 30 is arranged in the thickness direction T. In one absorber region, the coating agent 70e for the indicator 70 and the ink may be simultaneously applied onto the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23. Since the coating material and the ink for the indicator 70 are simultaneously applied in one absorber region, the relative position between the indicator 70 and the printing region PR does not shift. As a result, a region where the indicator 70 and the print region PR unintentionally overlap can be reduced, so that the visibility of the indicator 70 can be prevented from being lowered. The coating agent 70e may be applied by printing. The coating agent 70e and the ink may be applied onto the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 using the same printing device. Accordingly, since the coating agent 70e and the ink are printed in synchronization with each other, it is possible to suppress the overlapping printing of the coating agent 70e and the ink. The print region PR may be provided after the indicator 70 is provided. The print region PR may be provided before the indicator 70 is provided.

Here, for example, it is assumed that the indicator 70 is provided first and the print region PR is provided later. Since the continuous sheet having moisture permeability (the back sheet 23) has the moisture permeable holes, it is more easily stretched than the non-moisture permeable back sheet having no moisture permeable holes. Therefore, the indicator 70 is extended by winding the continuous sheet. Therefore, the length of the indicator 70 itself and the length between the indicators 70 (pitch interval) change depending on whether or not the indicator 70 is wound. Since the lengths of the print regions PR and the lengths (pitch intervals) between the adjacent print regions PR are constant, a deviation between the indicator 70 and the print regions PR is likely to occur. In particular, in a continuous sheet, since the deviations of the pitch intervals of the indicators 70 adjacent to each other in the transport direction MD are accumulated, the positional deviation between the indicator 70 and the printing area PR becomes larger as the printing area PR is printed in the latter half. Therefore, the indicator 70 is provided, and then the printing region PR is provided. Therefore, after providing the indicator 70 (after applying the coating agent 70e), the print region PR may be provided (that is, ink may be applied) without winding the continuous sheet. As a result, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation between the indicator 70 and the print area PR due to the winding. Note that one of the indicator 70 and the print area PR may be provided, and then the other of the indicator 70 and the print area PR may be provided.

Next, execute step S20. Step S20 is a step (drying step) of drying the coating agent 70e applied on the non-skin surface. Therefore, both the coating agent 70e and the ink are applied, and then the coating agent 70e and the ink are dried. The backsheet 23 coated with the coating agent 70e may be dried while being conveyed. The indicator 70 can be fixed to the back sheet 23 by drying. As shown in FIG. 8C, in the drying step, the components of the indicator 70 are vaporized together with the vaporized components, and the components of the indicator 70 enter the moisture permeable holes 23h. Since the indicator component that has entered the moisture permeable holes 23h is solidified in the moisture permeable holes 23h, the indicator 70 extending into the moisture permeable holes 23h can be provided. Here, since the vaporized component is vaporized by the drying step, the vaporized component does not usually remain in the manufactured absorbent article. However, when the coating agent 70e contains water, even if the vaporized component should remain, it does not harm the wearer even if it comes into contact with water, so that the wearer can safely wear the absorbent article. Further, when the coating agent 70e contains a volatile organic solvent, the volatile organic solvent is more likely to be volatilized than water, so that the drying time in the drying step can be shortened. The manufacturing time of the absorbent article 10 can be shortened, and the productivity of the absorbent article 10 can be improved. In the drying process, the back sheet 23 (continuous sheet) may stretch depending on the drying temperature. In this case, before and after drying, for example, the length of the indicator 70 itself provided previously and the length (pitch interval) between the indicators 70 change. As a result, when ink is applied after drying, there is a possibility that the indicator 70 and the printing region PR may be misaligned.

For example, in the case where the indicator 70 and the print region PR are provided on different surfaces of the back sheet 23, the coating agent 70e (or ink) is applied to the back surface sheet 23 so that the coating agent 70e (or ink) does not adhere to the transport surface 100s. It is applied on the skin surface 23a and dried. After drying, the ink (or the coating agent 70e) is applied onto the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 and dried. In this case, since the length of the indicator 70 and the pitch interval of the indicator 70, which are provided in advance, are likely to be long, there is a possibility that the position shift between the indicator 70 and the print region PR may occur.

In the present embodiment, since the coating agent 70e and the ink are applied to the same surface of the back sheet 23 (that is, the non-skin surface 23b), for example, after applying the coating agent 70e, the back sheet 23 does not have to be dried. Also, the transport surface 100s is not contaminated with the coating material 70e. Therefore, it is possible to apply both the coating agent 70e and the ink and then dry the coating agent 70e and the ink. That is, it is possible to dry the coating agent 70e and the ink after applying both the coating agent 70e and the ink, without drying until the coating agent 70e and the ink are both applied. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of positional deviation between the indicator 70 and the print area PR as compared with the case where the other of the indicator 70 and the print area PR is provided after one of the indicator 70 and the print area PR is stretched by drying. ..

Note that the drying temperature can be higher than room temperature. As a result, the coating agent 70e and the ink can be dried faster than natural drying. The drying temperature may be such that the back sheet can be stretched. As a result, the coating agent 70e and the ink can be dried quickly. Even when dried at such a high temperature, since the coating agent 70e and the ink are applied and then dried, the positional deviation between the indicator 70 and the printing region PR does not occur. As described above, the indicator 70 can be provided on the non-skin surface 23b of the back sheet 23 having moisture permeability. Step S30 is executed. Step S30 is a step of manufacturing the absorbent article 10 using the back sheet 23. The absorbent article 10 can be manufactured by the same manufacturing method as that of the existing absorbent article, except that the backsheet 23 having the indicator 70 provided on the non-skin surface side T2 is used.

(6) Other Embodiments The present invention has been described in detail above using the above-described embodiments, but it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Is clear. The present invention can be implemented as modified and changed modes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for the purpose of exemplifying explanation, and does not have any restrictive meaning to the present invention.

For example, the absorbent article 10 according to the second modification shows an example of the absorbent article that has been subjected to uneven processing, but a concave portion and a convex portion may be provided by other uneven processing. For example, the convex portion 24p extends in the first direction (for example, the front-back direction L) along the surface of the exterior sheet 24, and also extends in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction (for example, the width direction W). A plurality of rows may be provided at predetermined intervals. The groove portion extending in the first direction has a groove portion extending in the first direction in the space between the convex portions adjacent to each other in the second direction, and the opposite side (second surface side) from the surface side (first surface side) from which the convex portion protrudes. It may be provided so as to be recessed. A plurality of recesses that are recessed toward the second surface may be provided discontinuously in the first direction at the bottom of the groove. An opening communicating with the second surface side may be formed in the recess. The aperture may overlap the indicator 70 in the thickness direction T. As a result, the texture of the nonwoven fabric can improve the feel of the skin, and the openings formed in the recesses can improve the visibility of the indicator 70.

Since the positional deviation between the indicator 70 and the print region PR can be suppressed, one symbol is formed by combining the symbol forming at least a part of the indicator 70 and the symbol forming at least a part of the print region PR. May be configured.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-248091, filed on December 28, 2018, are incorporated herein by reference.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can improve the visibility of the indicator while suppressing an increase in production cost.

10: Absorbent article, 21: Top sheet, 22: Side sheet, 23: Back sheet, 23a: Skin surface, 23b: Non-skin surface, 23h: Moisture permeable hole, 23w: Wall surface, 24: Exterior sheet, 24h: Open Hole, 24p: convex part, 24q: concave part, 30: absorber, 70: indicator, E: excrement, PR: printed region, S1: front waist region, S2: rear waist region, S3: inseam region

Claims

Front-back direction and width direction orthogonal to each other,
An absorber,
A back sheet, which is arranged on the non-skin surface side of the absorber, and has liquid impermeability,
An exterior sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet,
An absorbent article having an indicator that discolors due to contact with excrement,
The back sheet has moisture permeability,
An absorbent article in which the indicator is provided on a non-skin surface of the back sheet.
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the back sheet has a moisture permeability of 2000 g/m 2 ·24 h or more.
The back sheet has a moisture-permeable hole,
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the indicator extends into the moisture permeable hole.
The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the indicator contains a substance having a property of drawing in water.
On the non-skin surface of the back sheet, a printing area coated with ink by printing is provided,
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the indicator does not overlap the printed area.
The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the indicator is constituted by a design.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the exterior sheet is a non-woven fabric having a textured surface.
The exterior sheet is a non-woven fabric having openings penetrating in the thickness direction,
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the opening overlaps the indicator in the thickness direction.
Front-back direction and width direction orthogonal to each other,
An absorber,
A back sheet, which is arranged on the non-skin surface side of the absorber, and has liquid impermeability,
An exterior sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet,
A method of manufacturing an absorbent article, comprising: an indicator that changes color by contact with excrement,
A method for producing an absorbent article, comprising the step of providing an indicator on the non-skin surface of the back sheet having moisture permeability.
The back sheet has a moisture-permeable hole,
The step of providing the indicator includes
An applying step of applying the coating agent for the indicator onto the non-skin surface of the back sheet,
A drying step of drying the coating agent applied on the non-skin surface,
The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the coating agent contains a vaporized component that is vaporized in the drying step.
The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the vaporized component is water.
The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the vaporized component is a volatile organic solvent.
Applying ink to the non-skin surface of the backsheet by printing to provide a print area coated with the ink,
The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein in the step of providing the print region, the ink is applied so that at least a part of the indicator does not overlap the print region.
The back sheet is a continuous sheet before being cut into a plurality of back sheets,
The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 13, wherein one of the indicator and the print area is provided, and then the other of the indicator and the print area is provided.
15. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 13, further comprising a drying step of applying both the coating agent and the ink and then drying the coating agent and the ink.