WO2021060266A1

WO2021060266A1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: WO2021060266A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/035771
Authority: WO
Inventors: 英俊小山
Original assignee: 大王製紙株式会社
Priority date: 2019-09-27
Filing date: 2020-09-23
Publication date: 2021-04-01
Also published as: JP2021052938A

Abstract

[Problem] To enable an antibacterial agent to exhibit an antibacterial effect when in an environment in which bad bacteria increases after discharge of body fluid without reducing the activity of resident skin flora which is good bacteria before the discharge of body fluid as much as possible. [Solution] An incontinence pad 1 comprises a liquid permeable surface sheet 3 that forms a skin contacting surface. An antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded into the fibers 10 that constitute the surface sheet 3, the surface of the fibers 10 is coated with a fiber treating agent 12, and the fiber treating agent 12 detaches from the surface of the fibers 10 when in contact with body fluid, exposing the antibacterial agent 11 on the surface of the fibers 10. The fiber treating agent is a hydrophilizing agent. The fiber treating agent 12 contains a weakly acidic compound.

Description

Absorbent article

The present invention mainly relates to absorbent articles such as urine absorbing pads, incontinence pads, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and pantyliners, and particularly before the discharge of body fluids, the skin barrier function by probiotics is improved and the body fluids are discharged. It relates to an absorbent article in which the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent is exhibited for the first time later.

Conventionally, as a result of removing the sebaceous membrane and alkalizing the pH of the skin surface by excreting body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood, Staphylococcus aureus, which is a bad bacterium, propagates, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, which is a good bacterium, is relatively It is known that the decrease causes skin troubles and causes a foul odor.

As a technique for preventing the pH of the skin surface from becoming alkaline, the following Patent Document 1 describes weak acidity containing oleic acid derived from natural fats and oils, a polyoxyalkylene adduct of natural fats and oils, and a fatty acid ester thereof. It is disclosed that the pH of the surface material is weakly acidified by using the fiber to which the fiber treatment agent shown is attached as the surface material of the absorbent article.

However, in Patent Document 1 below, since the fibers are not antibacterial processed, the growth of bacteria cannot be suppressed, and the generation of ammonia continues due to the decomposition of urea of the bacteria contained in urination, so that the pH continues to rise, and the pH continues to rise. The skin surface cannot be maintained weakly acidic. As a result, the skin surface may fall into an environment in which Staphylococcus aureus, which is a bad bacterium, and pathogenic bacteria can easily propagate, lose the activity of the skin resident bacterium, which is a good bacterium, and cause skin troubles.

On the other hand, there is also known a technique for suppressing the growth of bacteria contained in body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood by providing an antibacterial agent on the surface material of an absorbent article to reduce skin troubles and suppress bad odors. There is. For example, in Patent Document 2 below, an antibacterial sheet containing an antibacterial composition and a sheet-like base material to which the antibacterial composition is attached, wherein the antibacterial composition is solid at room temperature and becomes a body fluid. An antibacterial sheet containing a soluble thermoplastic water-soluble polymer and an antibacterial agent is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-35458 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-142464

However, in Patent Document 2, when the antibacterial composition adhering surface is used as the surface material of the absorbent article, the antibacterial agent adhering to the fiber surface of the surface material is always in contact with the skin surface, so that the antibacterial composition adheres to the skin surface. Indigenous skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, which is a growing good bacterium, also died, and there was a risk that the skin barrier function would deteriorate.

In this way, before the body fluid is discharged, when the antibacterial agent comes into contact with the skin, the skin flora, which is a good bacterium, is reduced, and the skin barrier function cannot be improved by probiotics (microorganisms that have a positive effect on the human body). Since the risk of skin troubles increases, it is better that the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent does not work, but after the body fluid is discharged, the environment becomes easy for the yellow staphylococcus, which is a bad bacterium that adversely affects the skin, to grow. , It is necessary to be able to exert the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent that kills this bad bacterium.

Therefore, the main problem of the present invention is that the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent is exhibited only when the environment is such that the number of bad bacteria increases after the body fluid is discharged without losing the activity of the skin flora, which is the good bacteria, as much as possible before the body fluid is discharged. The purpose is to provide an absorbent article that has been made possible.

In order to solve the above problems, as a first aspect, a liquid-permeable surface sheet forming a skin contact surface is provided, an antibacterial agent is kneaded into the fibers constituting the surface sheet, and the surface of the fibers is kneaded. Is covered with a fiber treatment agent
An absorbent article is provided characterized in that upon contact with a body fluid, the fiber treatment agent falls off the surface of the fiber, exposing the antibacterial agent to the surface of the fiber.

In the first aspect, since the antibacterial agent is kneaded into the fibers constituting the surface sheet and the surface of the fibers is covered with the fiber treatment agent, the fibers covering the surface of the fibers before the body fluid is discharged. While the antibacterial agent kneaded into the fibers by the treatment agent does not come into direct contact with the skin, after the body fluid is discharged, the fiber treatment agent elutes from the fiber surface and falls off due to contact with the body fluid. Since the antibacterial agent kneaded into the fiber is exposed on the surface of the fiber, the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent can be exhibited. In this way, in this absorbent article, the antibacterial agent kneaded in the fiber is exposed and its antibacterial effect can be exhibited only when the environment is such that bad bacteria increase after the body fluid is discharged. Before the body fluid is discharged, the surface of the fiber in which the antibacterial agent is kneaded is covered with the fiber treatment agent, so that the antibacterial agent loses the activity of the skin flora, which is a good bacterium on the skin surface, as much as possible. It can be suppressed, the skin barrier function can be improved by probiotics, and the risk of skin troubles can be reduced.

As a second aspect, an absorbent article in which the fiber treatment agent is a hydrophilic agent is provided.

In the second aspect, by using the hydrophilic agent as the fiber treatment agent, the fiber treatment agent is rapidly dissolved in the body fluid by contact with the body fluid and easily falls off from the fiber surface, and after the body fluid is discharged. The antibacterial agent kneaded into the fiber is easily exposed.

As a third aspect, an absorbent article containing a weakly acidic compound in the fiber treatment agent is provided.

In the third aspect, by containing a weakly acidic compound in the fiber treatment agent, the pH of the surface sheet before the discharge of body fluid can be made weakly acidic, and Staphylococcus aureus and pathogens, which are bad bacteria on the skin surface, can be made weakly acidic. It becomes easier to maintain an environment in which staphylococcus aureus cannot reproduce.

As a fourth aspect, the antibacterial agent is provided with an absorbent article made of an antibacterial agent that is poorly soluble in water.

In the fourth aspect, it is desirable that the antibacterial agent kneaded into the fiber does not elute into the body fluid but remains in the fiber, so that an antibacterial agent that is sparingly soluble in water is used.

As a fifth aspect, an absorbent article containing a weakly acidic compound in the fiber is provided.

In the fifth aspect, by containing a weakly acidic compound in the fiber, the pH of the surface sheet after the fiber treatment agent is shed after the body fluid is discharged is weakly acidic, and the skin surface is a good bacterium. It makes it easier to maintain an environment that is favorable for the growth of indigenous bacteria.

As a sixth aspect, an absorbent article made of a resin whose fibers are acidic is provided.

In the sixth aspect, the fibers are made of an acidic resin such as polyacrylic acid as a raw material, so that the pH of the surface sheet after the fiber treatment agent has fallen off after the body fluid is discharged is weakly acidic. It makes it easier to maintain an environment that is favorable for the growth of skin flora, which has a good skin surface.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent is obtained only when the environment is such that the number of bad bacteria increases after the body fluid is discharged without losing the activity of the skin flora, which is the good bacteria, as much as possible before the body fluid is discharged. Will be able to be demonstrated.

It is a partially broken development view of the urine collecting pad 1 which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line III-III of FIG. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber 10 before the body fluid is discharged, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber 10 after the body fluid is discharged. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the skin side sheet 3A and the non-skin side sheet 3B. The conventional form is shown, (A) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber before the body fluid is discharged, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber after the body fluid is discharged.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Example of basic structure of urine collecting pad]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the urine absorbing pad 1 according to the present invention forms a contact surface between the leak-proof sheet 2 made of a polyethylene sheet or the like and the wearer's skin, and quickly permeates urine or the like. Abbreviation of the above-mentioned absorber 4, the surface sheet 3 to be used, the absorber 4 interposed between the two

sheets

2 and 3, the exterior sheet 5 covering the outermost surface (non-woven fabric contact surface) of the urine absorbing pad 1. From a pair of left and right three-dimensional gather BSs protruding toward the skin side in a predetermined section in the front-rear direction including at least the urine opening portion of the wearer with the side edge portion as the standing base end, and the side

non-woven fabrics

6 and 6 forming the BS Mainly configured, and around the absorber 4, the outer edges of the leak-proof sheet 2, the surface sheet 3 and the exterior sheet 5 are adhesives such as hot melt, heat seals, ultrasonic seals, etc. The leak-proof sheet 2, the surface sheet 3, the exterior sheet 5, and the side non-woven fabric 6 which are joined by the joining means of the above and extend laterally from the absorber 4 at both side edges thereof are bonded with an adhesive such as hot melt or heat. It is joined by a joining means such as a seal or an ultrasonic seal.

Hereinafter, the structure of the urine collecting pad 1 will be described in more detail.
As the leak-proof sheet 2, a sheet material having at least water-shielding property such as polyethylene is used, but in recent years, a sheet material having moisture permeability has tended to be used from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness. The water-impervious / moisture-permeable sheet material has microporous properties obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet in the uniaxial or biaxial direction. Sheets are preferably used. As the leak-proof sheet 2, a polylami non-woven fabric in which a plastic film and a non-woven fabric are laminated may be used.

The absorber 4 interposed between the leak-proof sheet 2 and the surface sheet 3 is composed of, for example, cotton-like pulp and a super absorbent polymer. The super absorbent polymer is mixed in the pulp constituting the absorber 4, for example, as granular powder. Examples of the pulp include cellulose fibers such as chemical pulp and dissolved pulp obtained from wood, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. It is preferably used in terms of price.

Further, synthetic fibers may be mixed with the absorber 4. As the synthetic fiber, for example, polyolefin-based such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester-based such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide-based such as nylon, and copolymers thereof can be used, and these two types can be used. It may be a mixture. Further, composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers having a high melting point fiber as a core and a low melting point fiber as a sheath, side-by-side type fibers, and split type fibers can also be used. In the case of hydrophobic fibers, it is desirable to use the synthetic fibers surface-treated with a hydrophilic agent so as to have an affinity for body fluids.

The super absorbent polymer also contains "powder" in addition to "particles". As the super absorbent polymer, those having a particle size used for this kind of absorbent article can be used as it is, and a polymer having an average particle size of 1000 μm or less, preferably a particle size of 106 μm or more when not absorbing water is 99 weight in total. % Or more, particularly those having a diameter of 150 to 850 μm are preferably 99% by weight or more of the whole. The average particle size when not absorbing water is preferably about 250 to 500 μm. Further, it is desirable that the average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer after water absorption is 3 times or more, specifically 500 μm or more, of the average particle size when no water is absorbed. The average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer when not absorbing water means the particle size at an integrated value of 50% in the weight-based particle size distribution. The weight-based particle size distribution in this case is measured according to JISZ8815-1994. That is, 710 μm, 500 μm, 300 μm, 150 μm, and 106 μm sieves having an inner diameter of 150 mm and a depth of 45 mm are stacked with the narrow-opening sieve facing down, and above the topmost wide-opening 710 μm sieve. 50 g of the measurement sample is placed in a sieve, sieved for 10 minutes with a sieve vibrator, the weight of the measurement sample remaining on each sieve is measured, and the measurement sample remaining on each sieve based on the weight of the first measurement sample is measured. Measured by determining% by weight.
The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer can be appropriately determined according to the amount of absorption required for the application of the absorber 4. Therefore, although it cannot be said unconditionally, it can be set to 50 to 350 g / m ² . If the basis weight of the polymer ^{is less than 50 g / m 2} , it becomes difficult to secure the absorption amount. If it exceeds 350 g / m ² , not only the effect is saturated, but also the excess of the super absorbent polymer gives a jerky discomfort.

The absorber 4 preferably has a ratio of the superabsorbent polymer to 5 to 90% by weight, particularly 30 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the pulp and the superabsorbent polymer. If the ratio of the super absorbent polymer is less than 5% by weight, the water absorption capacity may be insufficient. On the other hand, when it is larger than 90% by weight, the superabsorbent polymer has a strong jerky feeling (particle feeling), and the usability is lowered.

The absorber 4 preferably covers at least the skin side surface and the non-skin side surface of the absorber 4 with an encapsulating sheet 9 made of crepe paper, non-woven fabric, or the like in order to maintain the shape and improve diffusivity. When the encapsulating sheet 9 covering the absorber 4 is provided, as a result, the encapsulating sheet 9 is interposed between the surface sheet 3 and the absorber 4, and the encapsulating sheet 9 is made of crepe paper. In this case, the encapsulating sheet 9 having excellent absorbability rapidly diffuses the body fluid and prevents the body fluid absorbed by the absorber 4 from returning. In order to enclose the absorber 4 with the encapsulating sheet 9, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one encapsulating sheet 9 wraps both side edges of the absorber 4 and folds back. Alternatively, the skin side surface and the non-skin side surface of the absorber 4 may be covered with separate sheets.

It is preferable to form leg circumference cut

lines

4a and 4a having a curved shape that bulges inward in the width direction on both side portions of the absorber 4. By providing the leg circumference cut

lines

4a and 4a, the fit to the leg circumference at the time of wearing is improved, leakage of body fluid can be prevented, and the feeling of stiffness is reduced and the wearing feeling is improved. The positions of the

cut lines

4a and 4a around the legs in the longitudinal direction are arbitrary, but as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferably provided in the central portion in the longitudinal direction. Further, the shape of the curve is also arbitrary, and in the illustrated example, it is formed in an arc shape.

The exterior sheet 5 covers the outer surface (non-skin contact surface) of the leak-proof sheet 2 and makes the outer surface of the urine absorbing pad 1 look and feel like a cloth. The exterior sheet 5 is preferably formed of a non-woven fabric. As the material fiber, olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester-based and polyamide-based, recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton can be used, and the processing method is the spunlace method. , Span bond method, thermal bond method, air through method, needle punch method, etc. can be used for production. However, long-fiber non-woven fabrics such as spunbonded non-woven fabrics, SMS non-woven fabrics, and SMMS non-woven fabrics are preferable from the viewpoint of achieving both touch and strength.

The non-woven fabric forming the exterior sheet 5 can be used alone or in layers. When a plurality of non-woven fabrics are used in layers, the non-woven fabrics are fixed to each other via an adhesive such as hot melt. It is preferable to do so. When a non-woven fabric is used, the fiber basis weight is preferably 10 to 50 g / m ² , and particularly preferably 15 to 30 g / m ² .

By forming one or more temporary fixing layers (not shown) on the unused surface side (outer surface) of the exterior sheet 5, the urine absorbing pad 1 is fixed to underwear, a disposable diaper, or the like when attached to the body. You may do so. As the temporary fixing layer, a mechanically bonded hook material may be used, or an adhesive may be used. The temporary fixing layer is provided as needed and does not have to be provided in particular.

In the illustrated example, the exterior sheet 5 is slightly wider than the width of the absorber 4, and the side edges of the leak-proof sheet 2 and the surface sheet 3 are involved in both sides to reach the skin side of the surface sheet 3. The outer side of the surface sheet 3 in the width direction is infiltrated with the side non-woven fabric 6 extending from both side surfaces of the surface sheet 3, specifically, urine or the like, to the outer surface side of the exterior sheet 5 extending to the skin side. The side non-woven fabric 6 is arranged by using a non-woven fabric material which has been appropriately treated with water-repellent treatment or hydrophilic treatment, depending on the purpose of preventing urination or enhancing the feeling of touch. As the side non-woven fabric 6, those formed from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, recycled fibers and the like by an appropriate processing method can be used, but preferably, the feeling of stiffness is eliminated and stuffiness is prevented. Therefore, it is preferable to use a non-woven fabric having a low basis weight and having air permeability. Specifically, it is desirable to use a non-woven fabric produced with a basis weight of 8 to 23 g / m ² , and in order to reliably prevent the permeation of body fluids, silicon-based, paraffin-based, alkylchromic chloride-based water repellents, etc. A water-repellent treated non-woven fabric coated with is preferably used.

The inner side portion of the side nonwoven fabric 6 is substantially double-folded, and one or more filamentous elastic elastic members 7 in the middle portion in the height direction of the double sheet, in the illustrated example, three filamentous elastic elastic members 7. 7 ... Are arranged in a state where both ends or appropriate positions in the longitudinal direction are fixed. As shown in FIG. 3, the double sheet portion is adhered to the absorber 4 side in a state of being laminated once by being folded back once at the front and rear ends, so that at least the front and rear including the urination port of the wearer are included. As shown in FIG. 2 within a predetermined section of the direction, three-dimensional gather BSs and BSs standing on the skin side are formed in pairs on the left and right.

[Surface sheet]
As the surface sheet 3, a perforated or non-perforated non-woven fabric is preferably used. As the material fiber constituting the non-woven fabric, olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester-based, polyamide-based, and polyacrylic acid-based synthetic fibers are preferable, and spunlace method, spunbond method, thermal bond method, melt blown method, needle. A non-woven fabric obtained by an appropriate processing method such as a punching method can be used. Among these processing methods, the spunlace method is excellent in that it is rich in flexibility and drapeability, and the thermal bond method is excellent in that it is bulky and has high compression stability. When a large number of through holes are formed in the surface sheet 3, the body fluid is rapidly absorbed, and the dry touch property is excellent. The fibers of the non-woven fabric may be either long fibers or short fibers, but it is preferable to use short fibers in order to give the texture of the towel cloth. Further, in order to facilitate the embossing treatment, it is preferable to use an olefin fiber such as polyethylene or polypropylene having a relatively low melting point. Further, a core-sheath type fiber having a fiber having a high melting point as a core and a fiber having a low melting point as a sheath, a side-by-side type fiber, and a composite fiber of a split type fiber can also be preferably used.

In the urine absorbing pad 1 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4A, the antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded into the fibers 10 constituting the surface sheet 3, and the surface of the fibers 10 is a fiber treatment agent. 12 covered by 12 and, as shown in FIG. 4B, contact with body fluid causes the fiber treatment agent 12 to fall off the surface of the fiber 10 and the antibacterial agent 11 to be exposed on the surface of the fiber 10. It is designed to do.

Specifically, before the body fluid is discharged, as shown in FIG. 4A, the surface of the fiber 10 in which the antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded is covered with the fiber treatment agent 12, so that the fiber treatment agent The antibacterial agent 11 kneaded into the fiber 10 by 12 does not come into direct contact with the skin. On the other hand, after the body fluid is discharged, when the body fluid passes through the surface sheet 3, the fiber treatment agent 12 adhering to the surface of the fibers 10 constituting the surface sheet 3 falls off from the surface of the fibers 10 due to contact with the body fluid. As a result, the antibacterial agent 11 is exposed on the surface of the fiber 10. Since the antibacterial agent 11 is supported by being kneaded into the fiber 10, it remains supported in the fiber 10 and comes into contact with the wearer's skin to exert an antibacterial effect. As described above, in the urine collecting pad 1, the fiber treatment agent 12 covering the surface of the fiber 10 in which the antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded falls off from the surface of the fiber 10 by contact with the body fluid, so that bad bacteria are generated after the body fluid is discharged. Only when the environment becomes increasing, the antibacterial agent 11 kneaded in the fiber 10 is exposed and its antibacterial effect can be exhibited, while the antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded before the body fluid is discharged. Since the surface of the fiber 10 is covered with the fiber treatment agent 12, the antibacterial agent 11 suppresses the loss of the activity of the skin indigenous bacteria, which are good bacteria on the skin surface, as much as possible, and the skin barrier function by probiotics. Can be improved and the risk of skin troubles can be reduced.

On the other hand, in the conventional absorbent article provided with the antibacterial agent, as shown in FIG. 6, the antibacterial agent is overcoated on the surface of the fiber to which the fiber treatment agent is attached to the surface. Because the antibacterial agent comes into direct contact with the skin before the body fluid is discharged, the skin indigenous bacteria, which are good bacteria, are killed, the skin barrier function is reduced, and the body fluid is discharged after the body fluid is discharged. As a result, the antibacterial agent and the fiber treatment agent flowed down, the antibacterial agent did not remain on the surface sheet, and there was a risk that a foul odor might be generated from the body fluid absorbed by the surface sheet or the body fluid adhering to the wearer's skin surface.

Further, in the conventional absorbent article provided with an antibacterial agent, as described above, the surface of the fiber to which the fiber treatment agent is attached is coated so that the fiber treatment agent is overcoated with the antibacterial agent. The overcoated antibacterial agent may hinder the effect of the fiber treatment agent and deteriorate the absorption performance. On the other hand, in the urine absorbing pad 1 according to the present invention, since the antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded into the fiber 10, the effect of the fiber treatment agent 12 is not hindered and the absorption performance is deteriorated. Absent.

Generally, when an inorganic antibacterial agent is kneaded into a fiber, the antibacterial agent is exposed in places on the fiber surface. Therefore, it is more preferable that the fiber treatment agent 12 completely covers the surface of the fiber 10. The fiber treatment agent 12 does not necessarily have to cover the entire surface of the fiber for the following two reasons.
(1) If the antibacterial agent 11 exposed on the fiber surface is covered with the fiber treatment agent 12, the antibacterial agent covered with the fiber treatment agent 12 does not come into direct contact with the skin surface. Does not work.
(2) If at least a part of the antibacterial agent 11 exposed on the fiber surface is covered with the fiber treatment agent 12, the effectiveness of the antibacterial agent is to some extent as compared with the case where all the antibacterial agent 11 is exposed. Can be restricted.

As for the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent 11 exposed after urination, it is desirable that the antibacterial activity value specified in JIS L1902 (bacterial solution absorption method) is 2.0 or more.

The antibacterial agent 11 is contained in the fiber 10 by kneading the fiber 10 at the time of spinning according to a known production method. Specifically, the antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded in advance with a raw material resin for producing a non-woven fabric, and after spinning using this raw material resin, the non-woven fabric is produced. The material of the fiber 10 may be any of synthetic fiber, semi-synthetic fiber, and natural fiber, but acetate fiber and rayon fiber, which can be kneaded at the time of spinning and are rich in hydrophilicity, are preferable. The amount of the antibacterial agent 11 kneaded into the fiber 10 is preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight based on the weight of the fiber 10 from the viewpoint of antibacterial durability and cost.

As the antibacterial agent 11, inorganic antibacterial agents such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, iron and zinc, organic antibacterial agents such as benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride can be used. It is preferable to use the inorganic antibacterial agent having a lower water solubility than the organic antibacterial agent. By using an inorganic antibacterial agent that is sparingly soluble in water, the antibacterial agent 11 is surely left in the fiber 10 without being eluted from the fiber 10 from which the fiber treatment agent 12 has fallen off.

The fiber treatment agent 12 is adhered to the surface of the fiber 10 by coating the surface of the constituent fibers of the non-woven fabric produced by various methods according to a conventional method. As the coating method, known methods can be adopted without limitation, and examples thereof include a curtain spray method, a slot coat method, a spiral spray method, a beat method, a gravure coat method, and a die coater method.

As the fiber treatment agent 12, known treatment agents used for the purpose of improving the properties of fibers, such as a hydrophilic agent that enhances hydrophilicity to body fluids and a softener that improves the feel with the skin, are used without limitation. However, in the urine absorbing pad 1 according to the present invention, it is preferable to use a hydrophilic agent so that the fiber treatment agent 12 can be easily dissolved in the body fluid.

As the hydrophilic agent, a nonionic activator and an alkyl phosphate ester salt to which ethylene oxide such as a higher alcohol, a higher fatty acid, and an alkylphenol is added, in consideration of safety to the human body and safety in the manufacturing process, etc. (Octyl, dodecyl type), anionic activators such as alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters and other nonionic surfactants, etc., alone or in admixture, etc. Is preferably used, and the amount to be applied varies depending on the required performance, but is usually about 0.1 to 2.0% by weight, particularly about 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, based on the dry weight of the target sheet. It is desirable to do.

Further, it is desirable to use the hydrophilizing agent that has been hydrophilized so that the degree of hydrophilicity tends to decrease upon contact with water (those having regular hydrophilicity). Therefore, it is recommended to use substances such as polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyether-polyester block copolymers, polyether-modified silicones, and fatty acid esters of ethylene oxide-added polyhydric alcohols that do not easily separate from the fiber surface even when in contact with water. Not preferred. By using a hydrophilic agent having regular hydrophilicity, the hydrophilic agent is more easily detached from the fiber by contact with the body fluid, and the fiber after the detachment becomes hydrophobic, so that the wet back It becomes difficult to (reverse) and has the effect of preventing the body fluid containing bad bacteria absorbed by the absorber from reverting to the surface.

The fiber treatment agent 12 contains an organic acid such as citric acid, succinic acid and salicylic acid, and a weakly acidic compound such as a fatty acid derived from a natural fat and oil component such as oleic acid, and makes the pH of the surface of the fiber 10 weakly acidic (pH 4). It is preferably .5 to 6.0). The content of the weakly acidic compound is preferably 0.1 to 5.0% by weight with respect to the weight of the fiber treatment agent 12.

Further, the fiber 10 contained a weakly acidic compound such as an organic acid such as citric acid, succinic acid and salicylic acid, and a fatty acid derived from a natural fat and oil component such as oleic acid, and the fiber treatment agent 12 was shed by body fluid. Even after that, the weakly acidic compound may remain in the fiber 10 so that an environment favorable for the growth of indigenous skin bacteria can be maintained. The content of the weakly acidic compound contained in the fiber 10 is preferably 0.1 to 5.0% by weight with respect to the weight of the fiber 10.

Further, instead of or in combination with the structure containing a weakly acidic compound in the fiber 10, the fiber 10 may be made of a resin exhibiting acidity such as polyacrylic acid as a raw material. As a result, even after the fiber treatment agent 12 is shed by the body fluid, the fiber 10 itself exhibits acidity, so that an environment advantageous for the growth of indigenous skin bacteria can be maintained.

Next, a modified example of the surface sheet 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the surface sheet 3 is composed of a skin-side sheet 3A arranged on the skin side and a non-skin-side sheet 3B arranged on the non-skin side, and the skin-side sheet 3A is a fiber. The antibacterial agent 11 is kneaded into the fiber 10, the surface of the fiber 10 is covered with the fiber treatment agent 12, the non-skin side sheet 3B is kneaded with the antibacterial agent 15 into the fiber 14, and the fiber 14 is kneaded. The surface may be configured to be covered with the fiber treatment agent 16 containing the antibacterial agent 17. The antibacterial agent 11 kneaded into the fibers 10 of the skin-side sheet 3A and the antibacterial agent 15 kneaded into the fibers 14 of the non-skin-side sheet 3B are the above-mentioned inorganic type that does not easily run off due to contact with body fluids. It is preferable to use the antibacterial agent of. Further, the fiber treatment agent 12 that covers the surface of the fiber 10 of the skin side sheet 3A preferably contains the weakly acidic compound 13 as described above. Since the fiber treatment agent 12 that covers the surface of the fiber 10 of the skin side sheet 3A comes into direct contact with the skin when worn, the fiber treatment agent 12 prevents the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent before urination from functioning. It is desirable not to add an antibacterial agent to the skin. On the other hand, the fiber treatment agent 16 that covers the surface of the fibers 14 of the non-skin side sheet 3B does not come into direct contact with the skin when worn, and therefore preferably contains an antibacterial agent 17. As a result, the content of the antibacterial agent can be increased as a whole of the surface sheet 3, and even when a large amount of urine is excreted and the environment becomes such that bad bacteria can easily grow, it becomes possible to sufficiently cope with the situation.

As the antibacterial agent 17 contained in the fiber treatment agent 16 that covers the surface of the fiber 14 of the non-skin side sheet 3B, it is desirable to use an organic antibacterial agent having high solubility in body fluids. The antibacterial agent 17 contained in the fiber treatment agent 16 is separated from the fiber 14 together with the fiber treatment agent 16 by contact with the body fluid, mixed with the body fluid and flows down. Therefore, if the antibacterial agent 17 is an organic type, Since it is easily dissolved in the body fluid and easily diffused into the absorber 4 together with the body fluid, the antibacterial effect can be spread over the entire body fluid absorbed by the absorber 4. On the other hand, the antibacterial agent 15 kneaded into the fibers 14 of the non-skin side sheet 3B is made inorganic so that it does not elute from the fibers 14 even when it comes into contact with body fluids, and does not reduce the antibacterial effect of the entire surface sheet 3. It is preferable to do so.

The skin-side sheet 3A and the non-skin-side sheet 3B may form the surface sheet 3 as a single non-woven fabric obtained by carding and fusing raw materials having different configurations in layers, or the surface sheets 3 may be formed separately for each raw material. A laminated sheet material (skin side sheet 3A constitutes the surface sheet 3 and the non-skin side sheet 3B is adjacent to the non-skin side surface of the surface sheet 3). It may be a two-layer laminated sheet material constituting the second sheet arranged in the above manner.

1 ... Urine absorbing pad, 2 ... Leakage-proof sheet, 3 ... Surface sheet, 4 ... Absorber, 5 ... Exterior sheet, 6 ... Side non-woven fabric, 7 ... Filamentous elastic elastic member, 8 ... Second sheet, 9 ... Encapsulation sheet, 10 ... Fiber, 11 ... Antibacterial agent, 12 ... Fiber treatment agent, 13 ... Weakly acidic compound, 14 ... Fiber, 15 ... Antibacterial agent, 16 ... Fiber treatment agent, 17 ... Antibacterial agent

Claims

A liquid-permeable surface sheet forming a skin contact surface is provided, an antibacterial agent is kneaded into the fibers constituting the surface sheet, and the surface of the fibers is covered with a fiber treatment agent.
An absorbent article, characterized in that the fiber treatment agent falls off from the surface of the fiber upon contact with a body fluid, and the antibacterial agent is exposed on the surface of the fiber.
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a hydrophilic agent.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the fiber treatment agent contains a weakly acidic compound.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antibacterial agent is an antibacterial agent that is sparingly soluble in water.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fiber contains a weakly acidic compound.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fiber is made of a resin showing acidity as a raw material.