WO2023007829A1

WO2023007829A1 - Absorbent article, individually packaged absorbent article, and method for manufacturing absorbent article

Info

Publication number: WO2023007829A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/012262
Authority: WO
Inventors: 千咲吉岡
Original assignee: 大王製紙株式会社
Priority date: 2021-07-29
Filing date: 2022-03-17
Publication date: 2023-02-02
Also published as: JP2023019296A

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbing body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbent article has an intermediate area including a body fluid discharge orifice-opposing area opposing a body fluid discharge orifice of a wearer, and end part areas adjacent to the intermediate area in the front-back direction. Medical agent application sections are formed by applying a medical agent to the skin side of the top sheet in the intermediate area and the end part areas. The medical agent application sections are formed in a scattered manner in the intermediate area. The plan-view area of the medical agent application sections per unit area in the end part areas is larger than the plan-view area of the medical agent application sections per unit area in the intermediate area.

Description

Absorbent article, individually packaged absorbent article, and method for manufacturing absorbent article

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, individually packaged absorbent articles, and methods for manufacturing absorbent articles.

Sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads, diapers, etc. are known as absorbent articles. Since such absorbent articles are in direct contact with the skin for a long period of time in many cases, they may be a burden on the skin depending on the conditions of use and the condition of the wearer's skin. Therefore, in recent years, products considering skin care have been studied.

For example, in Patent Document 1, the surface sheet is made of a non-woven fabric sheet having a high-density portion and a low-density portion distributed in the plane direction, and the low-density portion has a larger amount of skin care agent than the high-density portion. A sexual article is disclosed. Patent Literature 1 describes that the structure disclosed can retain a large amount of skin care agent while maintaining good liquid permeability of the topsheet.

JP 2011-131044 A

As described in Patent Document 1, there is a demand to apply as much as possible a drug such as a skin care agent to absorbent articles. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to apply a large amount of medicine, the medicine may permeate the surface sheet and reach the absorbent material placed underneath. Depending on the configuration and the like, the absorbency of the absorbent may be impaired.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article in which as much medicine as possible is applied so that the function of the medicine can be sufficiently exhibited and the absorption performance of the absorbent article is well maintained. do.

A first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. a middle region including a bodily fluid outlet facing region that faces the bodily fluid outlet of the wearer; and end regions adjacent to the middle region in the front-rear direction, A drug-applied portion is formed by applying a drug to the skin side of the top sheet, and the drug-applied portions are formed scattered in the intermediate region, and the drug-applied portion per unit area in the end region. is larger than the plan view area of the drug-applied portion per unit area in the intermediate region.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article in which the medicine can be applied in as large an amount as possible, the function of the medicine can be sufficiently exhibited, and the absorption performance of the absorbent article can be maintained satisfactorily.

1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part II of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the III-III line cross section of FIG. 1; FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of manufacturing an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of manufacturing an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an example of manufacturing an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an example of manufacturing an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an example of manufacturing an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a plan view showing a state in which an individually packaged absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention is unfolded; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, unless there is a particular description, the same reference numerals may be attached to the same or corresponding configurations, and the description thereof may be omitted.

(Basic structure of absorbent article)
First, the basic structure of the absorbent article according to this embodiment will be described by taking a sanitary napkin as an example. FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 taken along line II.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 1 includes a laminate 8 in which a liquid-impermeable backsheet 2, an absorbent body 4, and a liquid-permeable topsheet 3 are laminated in this order. has a flat shape as a whole. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the top sheet 3 side is the side that touches the skin (skin side or front side), and the back sheet 2 side is the side that is fixed to the underwear (underwear side or back side).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 has a front-back direction D1 corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer's body when worn, and a width direction D2 perpendicular to the front-back direction D1. In the form shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 has a shape that is substantially line-symmetrical with respect to a center line (front-back direction center line) CL extending in the front-rear direction D1 in plan view, and the shape is line-symmetrical. It doesn't have to be. In addition, the configuration other than the shape of the absorbent article 1 (including the density, material, size and position of the compressed grooves, etc.) of the absorbent article 1 may be substantially symmetrical with respect to the center line CL as an axis of symmetry, or may be asymmetrical. may be

The back sheet 2 may be a sheet having at least water impermeability, for example, a sheet made of an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition, a laminated nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating a nonwoven fabric on a polyethylene sheet or the like, or a laminated sheet of a nonwoven fabric in which a waterproof film is interposed to substantially ensure liquid impermeability can be used. Moreover, from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness, it is more desirable to use a material having moisture permeability. Such water-impermeable/moisture-permeable sheet materials are produced by melting and kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet in a uniaxial or biaxial direction. A porous sheet or the like can be used.

The top sheet 3 can be a liquid-permeable sheet that allows bodily fluids such as menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, and urine to quickly pass through. As the top sheet 3, a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic sheet, or the like is preferably used. The material fibers that make up the nonwoven fabric include, for example, olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, blended fibers thereof, and natural fibers such as cotton. It can be used in combination of two or more. Examples of nonwoven fabric processing methods include spunlace, spunbond, thermal bond, meltblown, needle punch, and the like. Among these processing methods, the spunlace method is preferable because it can produce a soft nonwoven fabric, the spunbond method is preferable because it can produce a nonwoven fabric with excellent drapeability, and the thermal bonding method is preferable because it can produce a bulky and soft nonwoven fabric. In addition, composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers, side-by-side type fibers, split type fibers, etc., in which a fiber having a high melting point is used as a core and a fiber having a low melting point is used as a sheath, can also be used.

The absorbent body 4 is not limited as long as it is a material that can absorb and retain bodily fluids, but it preferably contains cotton pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. The absorbent polymer can be super absorbent polymer (SAP), super absorbent fiber (SAF), and combinations thereof. The pulp includes chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Broad-leaved trees, softwoods, and the like are used as raw materials for chemical pulp, and softwoods are preferably used because of their long fiber length.

Synthetic fibers may be mixed in the absorber 4. As synthetic fibers, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides such as nylon, and copolymers thereof can be used, and two of these can be used in combination. can also In addition, composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers, side-by-side type fibers, and split type fibers having a high melting point fiber as a core and a low melting point fiber as a sheath can also be used. It is also possible to use hydrophobic fibers surface-treated with a hydrophilizing agent to impart affinity to body fluids. The absorber 4 is preferably manufactured by a piling or airlaid method.

The absorbent body 4 may be obtained by wrapping the body portion of the absorbent body 4 with an enveloping sheet made of crepe paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like. Since the absorbent body 4 is provided with the wrapping sheet, the absorbent body 4 can be prevented from being twisted or cracked, and can retain its shape. As the enveloping sheet, non-colored (that is, white) crepe paper or non-woven fabric can be used, and colored ones can also be used. When a colored enveloping sheet is used, the color of the enveloping sheet can also be reflected as a light color from the top sheet 3 side. Therefore, the color of the discharged bodily fluid can be blended with the reflected color of the wrapping sheet to make it inconspicuous. The enveloping sheet can, for example, be colored complementary to the color of the bodily fluid. For example, in an absorbent article (such as a sanitary napkin) designed to absorb menstrual blood, the enveloping sheet can be colored green, which is a complementary color of red.

The planar shape of the absorber 4 may be an elongated shape having a substantially constant width as shown in FIG. 1, but the width of the absorber 4 may vary along the front-rear direction D1. In addition, the planar view shape of the absorbent body 4 shown in FIG. It may be generally rectangular in shape. The absorbent body 4 as a whole may have a uniform thickness over the entire surface, but the thickness of the absorbent body 4 may not be uniform. It is good also as the structure which made it protrude.

At both edges of the absorbent body 4 in the front-rear direction D1, the edges of the back sheet 2 and the edges of the top sheet 3 may be joined by an adhesive, heat sealing, or the like. A pair of

side sheets

7, 7 are arranged along the front-rear direction D1 on both sides of the absorbent article 1, ie, on both sides in the width direction D2, on the front side (the side of the top sheet 3).

The side sheet 7 may be constructed using a nonwoven fabric material that has undergone an appropriate water-repellent treatment or hydrophilic treatment in accordance with the purpose of preventing permeation of bodily fluids or enhancing touch feeling. The material of the side sheet 7 may be natural fiber, synthetic fiber, regenerated fiber, or the like. In addition, when the side sheet 7 is subjected to a water repellent treatment, a water repellent such as silicone or paraffin can be used for the treatment. The absorbent article has a structure in which the top sheet 3 extends to the end of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction D2 and is joined to the back sheet 2 without using the side sheet 7. good too.

The absorbent article 1 has a middle region M that mainly corresponds to the wearer's crotch when worn, and end regions adjacent to the middle region M in the front-rear direction D1. The end regions include a front end region E1 that is adjacent to the front of the intermediate region and extends to the front end of the absorbent article 1, and a rear end region E1 that is adjacent to the front of the intermediate region M and extends to the rear end of the absorbent article 1. and a rear end region E2. The intermediate region M includes a bodily fluid outlet facing region Q. As shown in FIG. The bodily fluid outlet facing area Q is an area facing the wearer's bodily fluid outlet such as the vaginal opening or the urethral opening when worn, and the center thereof is positioned on the front-rear direction center line CL. In FIG. 1, the bodily fluid outlet facing region Q is drawn in an elliptical shape as a region corresponding to the vaginal opening, but the size and shape of the bodily fluid outlet facing region Q shown in the drawing are different from those of the absorbent article according to the present embodiment. Illustrative example only.

The front end region E1 and the rear end region E2 (together, simply referred to as the end region E) can be folded back toward the skin in the front-rear direction D1 when the absorbent article is wrapped (individually wrapped). The front end region E1 is folded back by a fold line L1 along the boundary between the front end region E1 and the intermediate region M, and the rear end region E2 is folded back by the rear end region E2 and the intermediate region M. can be performed at the folding line L2 along the boundary line. Thereby, the absorbent article 1 can be folded into three or more. Either the front end region E1 or the rear end region E2 may be folded first, so that the front end region E1 may directly face the middle region M after being folded, or the rear end region E1 may directly face the intermediate region M. The partial region E2 may directly face the intermediate region M. When folding, before folding the front end region E1 along the folding line L1, the front end region E1 is folded back along another folding line along the width direction D2 in the front end region E1. Alternatively, before folding the rear end region E2 along the folding line L2, the rear end region E2 is folded along another folding line along the width direction D2 within the rear end region E2. Folded or higher configurations can be obtained.

The thickness of the absorbent article 1 may preferably be 0.3-30 mm, more preferably 1.0-15 mm. In addition, the length (total length) of the absorbent article 1 in the front-rear direction D1 may be 110 to 450 mm, more preferably 130 to 290 mm.

In addition, the absorbent article 1 may be formed with compressed grooves CG recessed from the skin side to the non-skin side. By providing the compressed grooves CG, it is possible to promote the deformation of the absorbent article 1 into a desired predetermined shape when worn, and to control the diffusion, permeation and absorption of discharged bodily fluids.

(Drug application part)
An absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a drug-applied portion A on which a drug is applied on the skin-side surface. The drug-applied part A may be any part of the absorbent article 1 where the drug is present. That is, the drug-applied portion A may include a drug-existing portion arranged on the exposed surface of the absorbent article 1 and may also include a drug-existing portion that permeates and diffuses into the absorbent article 1 .

The drug used in this embodiment may be a skin care agent, a deodorant, a warming agent, a cooling agent, etc., preferably a drug that exerts its function by contacting or adhering to the skin, and particularly a skin care agent. preferable. The action of the skin care agent is to directly act on the skin by contacting or adhering to the skin, and includes moisturizing action, pH adjusting action, oil retaining action, antibacterial action and the like. The skin care agent to be applied is preferably fluid, such as a liquid. Also, the skin care agent may be volatile or non-volatile, but non-volatile is preferred.

Examples of skin care agents include those containing glycerin as a main ingredient. Furthermore, other polyhydric alcohols, vitamins, animal and vegetable oils and fats, plant extracts, fatty acid ester compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, alkyl ethoxylates, polysiloxanes, polysaccharides such as glycosaminoglycans, and the like are included. These agents can be used singly or in combination of two or more.

In this embodiment, the drug-applied portion A is provided on the skin surface (surface) of the top sheet 3 . Therefore, it becomes easier to bring the medicine into contact with or adhere to the skin. Therefore, the function of the drug can be effectively exhibited especially when using a drug that exerts its function by being in direct contact with the skin or by being attached to the skin, such as the skin care agent described above. Moreover, the medicine application part A may be formed in both the intermediate region M and the end region E (the front end region E1 and/or the rear end region E2). The drug-applied portion A may be formed over the entire top sheet 3 exposed on the skin side in each of the intermediate region M and the end region E. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the function of the medicine can be exhibited over a wide range of the absorbent article 1 . If the drug is a skin care agent, it exhibits a wide range of skin care effects.

Further, the drug-applied portions A are scattered in the intermediate region M. Stated another way, the drug application A in the intermediate region M may be formed from a collection of a plurality of spaced apart subsections (described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3). As a result, a region (non-coated region) where the drug is not applied can be formed between the drug-coated portions A, so that the absorption performance of the intermediate region M, more specifically, the liquid permeability and / of the top sheet 3 Or the absorption performance of an absorber can be maintained. When worn, body fluids are generally first received in the middle region M and then diffused to the end regions E. As shown in FIG. Therefore, even if the medicine can reduce absorbency by application, the absorbent article 1 provided with the medicine can be constructed without lowering the absorption performance of the intermediate region M according to the present embodiment.

The drug-applied portions A may or may not be scattered in the end region E, but the area per unit area of the drug-applied portion A in the end region E is the same as that of the drug-applied portion in the intermediate region M. It is larger than the plan view area per unit area of A. Therefore, the medicine can be applied more densely in the end region E and in a larger amount. The end region E, particularly the rear end region E2, often moves against the wearer's skin when worn, and tends to come into contact with the wearer's skin and cause friction. Therefore, by applying the drug over a larger area to the end region E, the end region E can effectively exhibit the function of the drug such as a skin care agent. If the drug is a skin care agent, the skin care action can be exhibited in areas where friction is likely to occur. On the other hand, the absorption performance of the absorbent article 1 can be ensured by making the amount of medicine in the intermediate region M relatively small.

_The value of the ratio ( _S _M /S _E ) may be between 0.3 and 0.7. A comparison of the area per unit area of the drug-applied portion A in plan view in the end region E and the intermediate region M is based on the fact that the top sheet 3 overlaps the absorbent body 4 and the top sheet 3 is exposed to the skin side. It may be done with respect to the range of

The amount per unit area (basis weight) of the drug provided in the intermediate region M is preferably 0.3 to 6.4 g/m ² , more preferably 0.6 to 4.0 g/m ² . The amount per unit area (basis weight) of the drug provided in the end region E may be preferably 1.0 to 8.0 g/m ² , more preferably 2.0 to 5.0 g/m ² . Any of the above values may be values for the entire region. In addition, when the drug is a skin care agent, applying the drug in an amount within the above range provides a good skin care effect and does not interfere with the absorption performance inherent in the absorbent article 1 . Furthermore, the ratio (G _M /G _E ) of the drug weight (G _M ) in the middle region M to the drug weight (G _E ) in the end region E is 0.3 to 0.8. good.

In the example shown in FIG. 4 (detailed later), in the end region E, the drug permeates the entire top sheet 3 and permeates the absorbent body 4 immediately below the top sheet 3 in the thickness direction. That is, the medicine-applied portion A reaches the absorber 4 . On the other hand, in the intermediate region M, the drug permeates only the top sheet 3 and does not reach the absorbent core 4 therebelow. As a result, the absorption performance of the absorber 4 in the intermediate region M can be maintained while the medicine such as the skin care effect is exhibited by the medicine application portion A. As shown in FIG.

It should be noted that the drug-applied part A should be formed on the skin side of the absorbent article 1 . Therefore, the drug-applied part A may be provided at a place other than the top sheet 3 on the skin side of the absorbent article 1, for example, on the surface of the side sheet 7 on the skin side. However, it is preferable that more drug-applying portions A are provided in the region that normally contacts the wearer's skin during wearing than in the region that does not or hardly contacts the wearer's skin. Further, it is more preferable that the medicine application part A is provided in a region that directly contacts the wearer's skin during wearing and is not provided in a region that does not contact the wearer's skin. Therefore, when the absorbent article 1 has wings, it is preferable that the medicine-applied portion A is not formed in the wings, that is, not formed in the portions of the side sheets that constitute the wings.

(Convex portion on top sheet)
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of portion II of FIG. Also, FIG. 4 shows a partial view of the cross section taken along line III-III of FIG. In FIG. 4, a part of the cross section of the intermediate region M is shown on the left, and a part of the end region E (rear end region E2) is shown on the right.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of

projections

31, 31, . A plurality of

convex portions

31, 31, . . . are formed on the top sheet 3. As shown in FIG. Such a plurality of

convex portions

31, 31, . It can be obtained by forming.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each convex portion 31 is surrounded by a peripheral portion 32 therearound. The peripheral portion 32 is a flat portion and may be adhered to the absorbent core 4 directly below the topsheet 3 and may be referred to as an adhesive portion. On the other hand, the convex portion 31 is not adhered to the absorber 4 and is separated from the absorber 4 . That is, a space is formed between the convex portion 31 and the absorber 4 . By forming the

projections

31, 31, . Therefore, stuffiness can be prevented, and a comfortable wearing feeling can be obtained.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the middle region M, the medicine is applied to the

projections

31, 31, . Part A is formed. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the drug-applied portion A is a gray colored portion (marked with fine dots). By forming the drug-applied portions A in the intermediate region M on the

protrusions

31, 31, . Therefore, especially in the case where the drug exerts its function by contacting or adhering to the skin, such as a skin care agent, the function of the drug can be effectively exhibited. In addition, when the medicine is applied, for example, by rubbing the applicator, the

convex parts

31, 31, ... allow the medicine to adhere to at least the tops of the

convex parts

31, 31, ..., and to the other parts. It is easy to keep it from sticking. In other words, it is possible to easily form the scattering of the drug-coated portions A.

Thus, in the intermediate region M, the drug-applied portions A are formed on the

convex portions

31, 31, . is preferably the non-applied portion of the drug. As shown in FIG. 3, if the

projections

31, 31, . maintained. Depending on the medicine, the original absorption function of the absorbent body 4 may be lowered. Since the portion of the top sheet 3 that is in contact with the absorbent body 4 is not coated, the medicine is less likely to migrate to the absorbent body 4 . Therefore, even if the intermediate region M is coated with the medicine, the absorption performance of the absorbent body 4 can be maintained satisfactorily.

The pitch P (FIG. 3) of the

projections

31, 31, . . . may be 2 to 10 mm. The pitch P may be the distance between the center of one projection in plan view and the center of the adjacent projection closest to the one projection in plan view. Therefore, the pitch P of the drug-applied portions A, A, . By setting the pitch P of the

projections

31, 31, ... and the drug-applied portions A, A, ... within the above range, a balance between the functions of the drug in the intermediate region M and maintaining the absorption performance can be achieved. can take. Also, the diameter d of the

projections

31, 31, . . . in top view may be 3.0 to 10 mm. By having the diameter d within this range, a comfortable feeling of wearing can be obtained, and the medicine can be easily applied to the

projections

31, 31, . . .

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the height h of the

projections

31, 31, . . . may be 2 to 8 mm. The height h can be the height from the surface of the top sheet 3 to the highest position of the tops of the

projections

31, 31, . By setting the height h of the

projections

31, 31, . . .

In the example shown in FIG. 4, not only the middle region M but also the top sheet 3 in the end region E (rear end region E2) are formed with a plurality of

protrusions

31, 31, . The configuration (size, arrangement, etc.) of the plurality of

projections

31, 31, . . . If they are the same, it is preferable because the top sheet 3 processed to form convex portions uniformly as a whole can be used.

In addition, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the medicine is applied continuously over the entire exposed portion of the top sheet 3 in the end region E (rear end region E2). However, if the plan view area of the drug-applied portion A per unit area in the end region E is larger than the plan view area of the drug-applied portion per unit area in the intermediate region M, the end region E A drug-applied portion A may be formed locally. Also, in the end region E, when the

convex portions

31, 31, . . . In that case, the medicine application part A may not be formed in the peripheral part 32 of the

convex parts

31, 31, . . .

Although only the rear end region E2 of the end regions E is shown in FIG. 4, the front end region E1 may have the same configuration as the rear end region E2. In addition, the front end region E1 and the rear end region E2 have the same configuration (presence or absence of a convex portion, if there is a convex portion, the size and arrangement of the convex portion, the planar view area per unit area of the drug application portion , basis weight of the drug-applied portion, etc.), or may have a different configuration.

In addition, as described above, the top sheet 3 is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric. In this case, the top sheet 3 is formed with a It is preferable that the fiber density of the

convex portions

31, 31, . . . In order to form the

convex portions

31, 31, . It is possible to carry out a process for forming convex portions. That is, by forming the

convex portions

31, 31, . . . by pressing, the difference in fiber density between the

convex portions

31, 31, . By increasing the fiber density of the

projections

31, 31, . . . , the

projections

31, 31, . As described above, since the

protrusions

31, 31, ... are close to the skin and are likely to come into contact with the skin, the

protrusions

31, 31, ... easily hold the medicine, so that the medicine can be applied when worn. It becomes easy to contact or adhere to the skin, which is preferable.

Further, it is preferable that the fiber density of the top sheet 3 is highest at the tops of the

projections

31, 31, . As a result, the drug can be held in the portion of the

projections

31, 31, . . . most likely to come into contact with the skin.

(Method for manufacturing absorbent article)
One embodiment of the present invention may be a method for manufacturing an absorbent article 1. FIG. In the manufacturing method according to this embodiment, the back sheet 2, the absorbent body 4, and the top sheet 3 are laminated in order to obtain the laminated body 8, the medicine is applied to the skin side of the end region E of the laminated body 8, and the end region The medicine is transferred to the intermediate region M by folding the region E toward the skin side in the front-rear direction D1 and bringing the end region E into contact with the intermediate region M.

Conventionally, a drug is applied to the top sheet 3 before being combined with other components, and the top sheet 3 with the drug is combined with the back sheet 2, the absorbent body 4, and other components to obtain an absorbent material. There is a method of forming the sexual article 1 . However, when the drug-coated top sheet 3 is subjected to processes such as conveying, turning, folding, cutting, and stacking, there are opportunities for it to come into contact with various processing devices. It can adhere to processing equipment and interfere with the functioning of the equipment. On the other hand, in this embodiment, for example, after forming the laminate 8 including the back sheet 2, the absorbent body 4, and the top sheet 3, in some cases, it is cut into a predetermined shape, the periphery is joined, and the central part is After forming the squeeze grooves recessed from the top sheet 3 toward the back sheet 2, the top sheet 3 is coated with a drug in the final stage of manufacturing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the chemical agent adheres to the processing apparatus during manufacturing of the absorbent article 1 .

5 schematically shows an example of a method for manufacturing the absorbent article 1. FIG. FIG. 5(a) is a schematic view of a cross section (a cross section taken along the line II-III in FIG. 1) of the absorbent article 1 cut along the center line CL in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5(a), first, a laminate 8 including at least a backsheet 2, an absorbent body 4, and a topsheet 3 is prepared. At this time, an absorbent article 1a containing no drug may be prepared.

A drug is applied to the laminate 8. The method of applying the drug is not particularly limited, and may be contact or non-contact. Specific examples include spray, brush, brush, bar coater, gravure coater, roll coater, and inkjet printing. Among these, the contact coating method is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing scattering of the drug during coating.

In the example of FIG. 5(a), the drug is applied by spraying. As shown in FIG. 5A, the drug is applied to the end regions E (the front end region E1 and the rear end region E2 in the illustrated example), and the intermediate region M is not coated with the drug. When the drug application step is completed, the end region E is folded toward the skin in the front-rear direction D1 so as to face the intermediate region M as shown in FIG. 5(b). In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the rear end region E2 is folded along the folding line L2, and then the front end region E1 is folded along the folding line L1. FIG. 5(c) shows the state after the rear end region E2 and the front end region E1 are folded and folded in three.

As shown in FIG. 5(c), the skin-side surface of the first folded rear end region E2 is in contact with the skin-side surface of the intermediate region M, so that the liquid is applied to the rear end region E2. A portion of the drug is transferred to the intermediate region M. As a result, a state in which the intermediate region M is also coated with the medicine is formed. Further, when the skin-side surface of the front end region E1 contacts the skin-side surface of the intermediate region M, part of the medicine applied to the front end region E1 is also transferred to the intermediate region M.

Thereafter, when the folded absorbent article 1 is unfolded in the front-rear direction D1, the drug is applied to each of the middle region M and the end region E, and the absorbent article 1 having the drug-applied portion A is obtained (FIG. 5). (d)). Since the drug in the middle region M is not applied directly from the applying means but is applied by transfer, the amount of the drug per unit area in the middle region M is the same as the amount of the drug per unit area in the end region E. is smaller than the amount of

It should be noted that when transferring the drug from the end region E to the intermediate region M, the drug does not have to be transferred over the entire intermediate region M, or may be transferred over the entire surface. The range of the medicine transferred to the intermediate area M can be adjusted by adjusting the application range of the medicine to the end area E and the positions of the folding lines L1 and L2. Furthermore, it is preferable to adjust the medicine so that it is not transferred to the non-skin side of the absorbent article 1 . For example, when the medicine is applied for the first time, the application range of the medicine in the end region E can be adjusted so as to remain in contact with the middle region M when folded.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a production example adjusted so that the medicine is not transferred to the non-skin side of the absorbent article 1 . 6(a) to (d) are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 5(a) to (d), respectively, but in the example shown in FIG. Compared to the example, the lengths of the front end region E1 and the rear end region E2 in the front-rear direction are shorter. Furthermore, the medicine is applied to avoid the portion of the front end region E1 that overlaps with the outside of the rear end region E2 when folded.

5 and 6, the front end of the front end region E1 and the rear end of the rear end region E2 overlap after being folded in three, but the front end region E1 and the rear end region The positions of folding lines L1 and L2 can also be adjusted so that E2 does not overlap. As a result, the amount of the drug adhering to the non-skin side of the absorbent article 1 can be reduced regardless of the application range of the drug in the initial drug application step (FIGS. 5A and 6A), or It is possible to prevent the drug from adhering to the non-skin side.

Furthermore, the transfer of the drug will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. FIG. 7 shows a partial enlarged view (partially enlarged view of FIG. 7) of a cross section of the absorbent article in a state in which application of the medicine to the end region E is completed. FIG. 7, like FIG. 4, shows the middle region M on the left and the rear end region E2 on the right. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the drug is applied to the skin-side surface of the top sheet 3 in the end region E (rear end region E2) on the

convex portions

31, 31, . . . A drug application portion A is formed).

After that, the end region E is folded toward the skin in the front-rear direction D1 so as to face the intermediate region M. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the end regions E are folded and the top sheet 3 in the end regions E and the top sheet 3 in the middle region M are in contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 8, the middle region M is formed with

projections

31, 31, . . . . . , contact with a portion of the top sheet 3 in the end region E. That is, the intermediate region M, the end regions E, and the contact portions are scattered. Then, since the transfer of the drug occurs at the contact portion, part of the drug applied to the end region E can be transferred to the middle region M in dots (scatteredly).

When the drug is directly applied to the intermediate region M from an application means (spray, etc.), pressure is applied from the skin side of the top sheet 3 in the drug application process, and the drug easily permeates in the thickness direction. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the drug-coated portion A in the intermediate region M is formed by transfer, it is possible to prevent excessive pressure from being applied to the intermediate region M, and the penetration of the drug in the intermediate region M in the thickness direction is prevented. It is thus possible to prevent the medicine from reaching the absorber 4, for example.

After that, the end regions E (the front end region E1 and the rear end region E2) are expanded in the front-rear direction. FIG. 9 shows the absorbent article 1 after deployment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the end region E, the

projections

31, 31, . . . , a drug-applying portion A is formed on the top of each

convex portion

31, 31, . . . Therefore, in the intermediate region M, the drug-applied portions A are scattered and formed, and the planar view area per unit area of the drug-applied portion A in the end region E is equal to the drug-applied portion A in the intermediate region M A configuration larger than the plan view area of . . . in the intermediate region M in this way, the drug-applied portions A can be easily scattered in the intermediate region M. As shown in FIG.

One embodiment of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. has an intermediate region including a bodily fluid outlet facing region and an end region adjacent to the intermediate region, a drug is applied to the skin side of the end region, and the end region is folded back and forth toward the skin side. , the absorbent article obtained by transferring the drug to the intermediate area by contacting the intermediate area.

(Individually packaged absorbent article)
Moreover, one embodiment of the present invention may be an individually packaged absorbent article including the absorbent article 1 obtained as described above and a packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article 1 . FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a state in which the individually packaged absorbent article 100 is unfolded in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 10 , to produce an individually packaged absorbent article 100 , the absorbent article 1 was placed on the packaging sheet 10 so that the back sheet 2 of the absorbent article 1 faced the packaging sheet 10 . After that, it can be folded along folding lines L1 and L2. After that, both edges in the width direction D2 may be sealed and further fixed with fastening tapes 50 .

In the above description, the absorbent article 1 does not have wings, but the absorbent article according to this embodiment protrudes to both sides from the intermediate region M (protrudes outward in the width direction D2). It may have a pair of wings. However, in that case, the wings are preferably folded back to the back side (the back seat 2 side). As a result, after the drug is applied to the end region E, the end region E is folded back to come into contact with the intermediate region M, and the drug is transferred from the end region E to the intermediate region M by the above-described manufacturing method. It is possible to obtain the absorbent article 1 in which the drug-applied portion A is appropriately formed on the skin-side surface.

In addition, the specific form of the absorbent article 1 has been described as an example of a sanitary napkin, but this form may be a panty liner, an incontinence pad, or the like. However, when the drug is a skin care agent and a large amount of menstrual blood is discharged, the absorption capacity of the absorber tends to decrease. A form that allows different application states can be particularly suitably used as a sanitary napkin.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, the above embodiments can be modified, modified, replaced, added, deleted, combined, etc. within the scope of the claims, and these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are described below.

(Appendix 1)
An aspect according to Supplementary Note 1 is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, a middle region including a bodily fluid outlet facing region facing the body fluid discharge port of the wearer; and end regions adjoining the middle region in the front-rear direction, wherein the top sheet includes the middle region and the end regions. A drug-applied portion is formed on the skin side of the skin, and the drug-applied portions are scattered in the intermediate region, and the plane of the drug-applied portion per unit area in the end region A viewing area is larger than a plan view area of the drug-applied portion per unit area in the intermediate region.

According to the aspect of Appendix 1 above, the medicine-applied portion is formed on the skin side of the top sheet, so that the medicine can exhibit a predetermined function on the skin side of the absorbent article. In particular, in the case of a drug that exerts its function by contacting or adhering to the skin, the function of the drug can be enhanced. Moreover, since the drug is applied to both the intermediate region and the end region, the drug can come into contact with the skin over a wide range, and the drug can exert its function.

Furthermore, since the drug-applied portions are scattered in the intermediate region and regions between which the drug is not applied are secured, the liquid-permeability and/or absorption properties of the top sheet in the intermediate region are improved. It can keep your body absorptive. Since the middle region is a region that receives a larger amount of bodily fluid than the front and rear regions, by preferentially improving the absorption performance in the middle region, it is possible to effectively improve the absorption performance of the entire absorbent article. .

In addition, in this aspect, by making the planar view area of the drug-applied portion per unit area larger in the end region than in the intermediate region, the drug-applied portion can be formed with a larger area and more densely in the end region. The end regions are regions that are more likely to move relative to the skin than the intermediate region, and friction and the like are likely to occur between the skin and the absorbent article. Therefore, especially in the case where the drug is a drug that comes into contact with the skin and acts directly on the skin, such as a skin care agent, if the drug can be applied to a larger area in the end region, more of the drug can be applied to the end region. It can come into contact with the skin, and the drug can effectively exert its function on the skin.

(Appendix 2)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 2, at least the top sheet in the intermediate region is formed with a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the skin.

According to the aspect according to Supplementary Note 2, since the top sheet in at least the intermediate region has a convex portion protruding toward the skin side, the contact area with the skin in the intermediate region can be reduced when worn, resulting in a comfortable wearing feeling. can be obtained. In addition, when the drug is applied by contact with the applicator, for example, since there are a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the skin, the drug can be applied mainly to the tops of the protrusions. Obtainable.

(Appendix 3)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 3, the plurality of protrusions are formed in the intermediate region and the end region, and in the intermediate region, the drug is applied to the protrusions, and the periphery of the protrusions is coated with the drug. The chemical is not applied, and the chemical is applied to the convex portion and the peripheral portion of the convex portion in the end region.

According to the aspect according to Supplementary Note 3, the drug is applied to the protruding portions that are close to the skin and easily come into contact with the skin, so that the drug functions well. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which no drug is applied to the peripheral portion of the convex portion, it is easy to form a portion (non-applied portion) where the drug is not applied when the drug is applied using an applicator or the like during manufacturing. As a result, the scattering (dispersion) of the drug-applied portions can be obtained more reliably. This makes it possible to maintain the absorbent performance of the top sheet and/or absorbent body in the intermediate region as described above.

On the other hand, a convex portion is also formed in the end region, and the chemical agent is applied to both the convex portion and the peripheral portion of the convex portion, so that a larger amount of the chemical agent can be contained in the end region. As a result, the function of the drug can be sufficiently exhibited in the end region where rubbing or the like is likely to occur, and the function of the drug in the absorbent article can be effectively exhibited.

(Appendix 4)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 4, the fiber density of the convex portion is higher than the fiber density of the peripheral portion of the convex portion.

According to the aspect of Supplementary Note 4 above, when the medicine is applied, it becomes easier to hold the medicine on the convex portion. By holding the drug on the convex part that easily touches the skin when worn, the drug can easily come into contact with the skin. can.

(Appendix 5)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 5, the amount of the drug reaching the absorber in the intermediate region is smaller than the amount of the drug reaching the absorber in the end region.

According to the aspect of Supplementary Note 5 above, the amount of the drug that permeates the top sheet and reaches the absorber is smaller in the intermediate region. Therefore, maintenance of the absorption performance of the absorbent body in the intermediate region becomes more reliable.

(Appendix 6)
In the aspect according to appendix 6, the drug includes a skin care agent.

According to the aspect of Appendix 6 above, even when the absorbent article is used for a long time, it is possible to maintain a comfortable wearing feeling due to the presence of the skin care agent applied to the top sheet.

(Appendix 7)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 7, the end region includes a front end region adjacent to the intermediate region on the front side and a rear end region adjacent to the intermediate region on the rear side, and the front end region and the Both rear end regions are coated with the drug.

According to the aspect of Supplementary Note 7, the function of the drug can be exhibited in both the front end region and the rear end region.

(Appendix 8)
An aspect according to Appendix 8 includes the absorbent article according to any one of the first to seventh aspects in which the end regions are folded forward and backward toward the skin, and a packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article. It is an individually packaged absorbent article.

According to the aspect of Supplementary Note 8, an individually packaged absorbent body having the same effects as those obtained in the aspect of Supplementary Note 1 can be obtained.

(Appendix 9)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 9, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, an absorbent body, and a liquid-permeable topsheet are laminated in order to obtain a laminate, and the laminate faces the bodily fluid outlet of the wearer. It has an intermediate region including a bodily fluid discharge facing region, and an end region adjacent to the intermediate region in the front-rear direction, the drug is applied to the skin side of the end region, and the end region is the skin side in the front-rear direction. a method for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein the drug is transferred to the intermediate region by folding the absorbent article into the intermediate region and contacting the intermediate region.

According to the aspect of Supplementary Note 9, it is possible to obtain an absorbent article that exhibits the same effects as those obtained in the first aspect. Further, in this aspect, unlike the method of constructing an absorbent article by applying a drug to the top sheet in advance, a laminate comprising a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent body, and a liquid-permeable top sheet After obtaining the drug, apply the drug. When a top sheet coated with a chemical agent is used in advance, the chemical agent may adhere to the manufacturing apparatus when the top sheet is transported, changed direction, or the like.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-123921 filed on July 29, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

1 Absorbent article 2 Back sheet 3 Top sheet 4 Absorbent body 7 Side sheet 8 Laminated body 31 Convex part 31a Convex top part 32 Peripheral part (flat part or joint part)
CG Compression groove 10 Packaging sheet 50 Fastening tape 100 Individually packaged absorbent article A Drug-applied part CL Front-back direction center line D1 First direction D2 Second direction E End region E1 Front end region E2 Rear end region L1 First Folding line L2 Second folding line M Intermediate region Q Body fluid outlet facing region

Claims

An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet,
having an intermediate region including a bodily fluid outlet facing region facing the wearer's bodily fluid outlet, and an end region adjacent to the intermediate region in the front-rear direction,
A drug-applied portion is formed by applying a drug to the skin side of the top sheet in the intermediate region and the end region,
The drug-applied portions are formed scattered in the intermediate region,
The absorbent article, wherein a planar view area of the drug-applied portion per unit area in the end region is larger than a planar view area of the drug-applied portion per unit area in the intermediate region.
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the top sheet in at least the intermediate region is provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the skin.
the plurality of protrusions are formed in the intermediate region and the end region;
In the intermediate region, the drug is applied to the convex portion and the drug is not applied to the peripheral portion of the convex portion,
3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the drug is applied to the protrusions and peripheral portions of the protrusions in the end regions.
The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fiber density of the convex portion is higher than the fiber density of the peripheral portion of the convex portion.
5. Absorption according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of drug reaching the absorbent body in the middle region is less than the amount of drug reaching the absorbent body in the end regions. sexual goods.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drug contains a skin care agent.
wherein the end regions include a front end region forwardly adjacent to the intermediate region and a rearward end region rearwardly adjacent to the intermediate region;
7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the drug is applied to both the front end region and the rear end region.
8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the end regions are folded toward the skin in the front-rear direction;
and a packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article.
A liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent body, and a liquid-permeable top sheet are laminated in order to obtain a laminate, and the laminate includes a bodily fluid outlet facing region facing the wearer's bodily fluid outlet. Having an intermediate region and an end region adjacent to the intermediate region in the front-rear direction,
applying a drug to the skin side of the end region;
A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein the end regions are folded back and forth toward the skin and brought into contact with the intermediate region to transfer the drug to the intermediate region.