HK1068240B - Interlabial pad and package - Google Patents

Description

Interlabial pad and package thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an interlabial pad that can be easily and accurately inserted between the labia, and a package for packaging the interlabial pad in a packaging container.

Background

Heretofore, sanitary napkins and tampons have been generally used as feminine hygiene products. Many studies have been made to prevent menstrual blood from leaking through a gap formed by the sanitary napkin lacking close adhesion to the vicinity of the vaginal opening. In addition, since the tampon has problems of foreign body sensation and discomfort at the time of insertion due to the properties of the product, and difficulty in putting into the vagina, continuous efforts have been made to solve such problems.

Under such circumstances, in recent years, an interlabial pad has come to be attracting attention as a sanitary device to be positioned between a sanitary napkin and a tampon.

The interlabial pad is held between the labia of a female and is fixed, and is characterized in that: since the interlabial pad has higher adhesiveness to the body than a sanitary napkin, leakage of menstrual blood does not occur, and psychological resistance at the time of insertion is smaller than that of a tampon inserted into the vagina.

However, the interlabial pad is more difficult to place than a sanitary napkin because it is inserted between the labia, which is less visible than a sanitary napkin. Further, if the interlabial pad is not in place, damage due to menstrual blood leakage is severe because the interlabial pad is smaller in size than the sanitary napkin. Furthermore, interlabial pads are more prone to misplacement than tampons.

As a product for improving the difficulty in placing the interlabial pad, PCT international publication No.99/56689 discloses a product having a projection structure attached to the surface opposite to the body-contacting surface. With this structure, the user can hold the projection with his or her fingers to fix the projection, and thus it is considered that the fixing is easier than the case without the projection (see fig. 31).

Since it is necessary to hold the protruding portion of the interlabial pad between at least two fingers (e.g., thumb or forefinger) in order to hold the interlabial pad, the protruding portion is held between the abdomen (fingerprint surface) of the fingers, which are sensitive to touch, at a position on the side of the protruding portion. That is, when the interlabial pad is fixed, the user has to feel the fixing points with the fingertips, and thus, the user's intuition is essentially taken into consideration, but it is still difficult for the user to determine the appropriate fixing points. In particular, since women often have long nails or wear artificial nails, it is almost impossible to fix the above-mentioned conventional interlabial pad in place.

As described above, the conventional interlabial pad as described above is not capable of facilitating fixation by accurately grasping the fixation point, reducing mounting errors, and sufficiently adhering to the pudendal region. Further, when such an interlabial pad is fixed, menstrual blood or the like may adhere to the fingertips, which is one cause of the feeling of repulsion when the interlabial pad is used.

Further, in the conventional interlabial pad, since the position where the interlabial pad is held by the fingers is not fixed, the fixed position of the interlabial pad between the labia is likely to be displaced, and there is a risk of mounting errors.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an interlabial pad having a structure that facilitates reliable and hygienic fixation of the interlabial pad between the woman's labia.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an interlabial pad having a structure capable of being fixed in a sufficiently close manner to the pudendal region while neatly determining a fixed position by the fingertips and the abdomen, which are sensitive to touch. More specifically, by providing a finger insertion opening through which a finger can be inserted with the finger belly in contact with the opposite side of the interlabial pad and a finger insertion hole connected thereto, and providing a stopper for preventing further insertion of the finger into the finger insertion hole at a position effective for the fixing operation of the interlabial pad, the finger can be stably fixed between the labia in a state where the positional relationship of the finger with respect to the interlabial pad is stable.

More specifically, the present invention provides the following:

(1) an interlabial pad capable of absorbing body fluid, having a size, weight, and flexibility capable of being held and held between the labia smoothly, having a longitudinal shape with a major axis direction and a minor axis direction, and having a body side surface facing the body side and a reverse body side surface facing the garment side; a finger insertion hole into which a finger of a user is inserted is formed in the interlabial pad along the longitudinal direction of the opposite body side surface, the opening of the finger insertion hole being a finger insertion opening that directly secures an opening in the finger width direction in the planar direction of the opposite body side surface; the finger insertion port guides the tip of a user's finger to a part of the opposite body side surface (finger contact point) corresponding to a part of the body side surface (contact point) that contacts a predetermined position between labia of the user; a finger insertion control section is provided in the vicinity of the finger contact point, and controls the movement of the finger inserted from the finger insertion opening in the finger insertion hole.

According to the invention as recited in the above (1), the interlabial pad is provided on the opposite side surface thereof with a finger insertion hole into which a finger can be inserted. In the finger insertion hole, a finger insertion control part is provided as a stopper for stopping the entry of a finger at a predetermined position. Therefore, when the wearer holds the interlabial pad while bringing the abdomen of the wearer into close contact with the opposite-to-body side surface of the interlabial pad in the longitudinal direction, the fingers inserted into the finger insertion holes from the finger insertion ports are blocked by the finger insertion control portions provided in the finger insertion holes, and are normally limited to these positions. Therefore, the positional relationship between the finger pulp (finger print surface) of the first finger joint and the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad, which is particularly sensitive to the touch of any user, can be stably reproduced.

The finger control section is provided at a position where the tip of a finger inserted into the finger insertion hole is closed, and the abdomen of the finger is pressed open via the interlabial pad to sense the vaginal opening located deep in the labia, whereby any user can easily sense the vaginal opening. Therefore, the interlabial pad can be fixed in position even in the difficult-to-see labia.

In the present specification, the term "finger width direction" refers to a direction other than the finger thickness direction, specifically, the nail width direction. "finger-wide opening" means an opening having a size sufficient for insertion of a finger.

In the present specification, "orientation" means a direction assigned to a predetermined direction.

In the present specification, the "front end" of the interlabial pad means an end located on the clitoris side (hereinafter referred to as the front side) when the interlabial pad is fixed. The "rear end" of the interlabial pad means an end located on the anus side (hereinafter referred to as the rear side) when the interlabial pad is fixed.

(2) The interlabial pad as in (1), wherein said interlabial pad has a microchip which is disposed across from one side to the other side of the pad with the longitudinal direction of the pad as the center axis, and said finger insertion hole is formed between said microchip and said opposite side surface.

According to the invention as recited in the above (2), the micro-chip is attached to the opposite side of the interlabial pad, and by the simple structure of attaching the micro-chip, it is possible to form the finger insertion hole which can fix the interlabial pad to the fingertip, and the fixation of the interlabial pad is relatively easy.

In order to fully exhibit the function of the finger insertion control section in (1), the interlabial pad provided with the microchip is preferably arranged at a position shifted from the center in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad. Thus, the finger pulp of the first joint of the finger can contact the opposite side of the body on the rear side of the interlabial pad. Menstrual blood is discharged from the vaginal opening located on the posterior side of the labia, and flows toward the anterior labial ends due to the wettability of the mucous membrane inside the labia. In the present invention, the rear side of the interlabial pad is brought into close contact with the vaginal opening, whereby menstrual blood discharged from the vaginal opening can be absorbed immediately, and menstrual blood flowing to the tip of the labia can be reliably absorbed by the vicinity of the tip of the interlabial pad brought into close contact with the anterior labia, or by the side portion of the interlabial pad held between the labia and folded to be brought into close contact with the vulva.

(3) The interlabial pad as in (1) or (2), wherein said finger insertion controlling portion is formed by a portion of narrowed width in said finger insertion hole.

According to the invention of the above (3), the finger insertion control section is formed as follows: the width dimension of the finger in the direction opposite to the short axis of the side of the body is made smaller than the finger banner, and the movement of finger insertion is physically difficult. As a result, not only the insertion of the finger is controlled, but also the positional relationship between the finger at the finger insertion control section and the interlabial pad in the short axis direction is restricted, and the positional deviation between the interlabial pad and the interlabial pad in the short axis direction is reduced, so that the interlabial pad is fixed more accurately.

(4) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (3), wherein said finger insertion controlling portion is formed by joining said opposite body sides to each other.

According to the invention as recited in the above (4), the finger insertion control section is formed by folding the interlabial pad and joining the opposite parts to the body side. Therefore, a long convex region that is convex toward the body side is formed in the longitudinal direction on the body side surface near the finger insertion control portion. Therefore, the user can fit the long convex region deep into the labia to prevent a gap from occurring between the interlabial pad and the labia.

In addition, even when a finger is inserted into the finger insertion hole, the area corresponding to the finger insertion control portion can maintain the narrow state of the top of the long convex area which is the folded portion of the interlabial pad. Therefore, when the interlabial absorbent pad is fixed, this portion can be used as a starting point for inserting the long convex region into the vicinity of the vaginal opening. The wearer can fit the tip of the long convex region closely to the vaginal opening located at the deepest part (vestibule) in the labia via the interlabial pad by using the pulp of the first joint of the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole.

Further, in the finger insertion hole formed inside the long convex region, the finger pulp contacts a portion corresponding to the top of the long convex region. Therefore, when the interlabial pad is fixed, the long convex region of the interlabial pad can be moved along the cleft of the vagina by using the finger pulp to fix the interlabial pad.

Further, since the long convex region is formed by folding only the interlabial pad, when the interlabial pad is fixed, the region deforms along the shape of a finger inserted into a finger insertion hole formed inside a portion of the long convex region, and when the finger is pulled out, the region can deform in accordance with the normal interlabial shape. The body side surface of the interlabial pad can be closely fixed to the inside of the labia despite differences in the labial shape among users.

(5) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (4), wherein the width in the direction of the minor axis of said finger insertion hole is gradually reduced from said finger insertion opening toward said finger insertion control portion.

According to the invention as recited in the aforementioned item (5), the finger insertion hole is formed so as to gradually decrease from the finger insertion opening to the finger insertion control portion. Therefore, the finger entering the finger insertion hole from the finger insertion port along the inner side of the opposite body side surface is gradually and smoothly introduced into the finger insertion control portion. This can reduce the breakage of the sheet disposed on the opposite side surface due to the movement of the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole, and can reduce the occurrence of poor adhesion between the opposite side surface and the microchip.

(6) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the dimension of the distance between said finger insertion opening and said finger insertion controlling section is 10% to 80%, preferably 40% to 60%, of the length dimension along the long axis direction of said opposite body side surface.

According to the invention as recited in the above (6), the finger insertion port is provided at a position within a range of 20% to 50% from the front end of the interlabial pad, and the finger insertion control portion is provided at a position within a range of 60% to 100% from the front end of the interlabial pad. Therefore, the distance in the longitudinal direction between the finger insertion opening and the finger insertion control section is 10% to 80% of the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad.

As described above, since the dimension of the gap from the finger insertion opening to the finger insertion control section is 10% or more of the dimension of the interlabial pad in the longitudinal direction, even in the process of fixing the interlabial pad, the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole is less likely to come out of the finger insertion opening, and the retention of the interlabial pad by the finger can be ensured. Therefore, the displacement of the fingers in the finger insertion holes can be prevented, and the displacement of the position of the interlabial pad with respect to the labia can be prevented when the interlabial pad is fixed.

Further, since the distance between the finger insertion opening and the finger insertion control section is 80% or less relative to the dimension of the interlabial pad in the longitudinal direction, the presence of the microchip does not prevent the fingers from being pulled out from the finger insertion hole after the interlabial pad is fixed, so that the fingers can be pulled out smoothly, and the displacement of the fixed position of the interlabial pad caused by the contact between the finger and the opposite body side of the interlabial pad when the fingers are pulled out can be reduced.

(7) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (6), wherein said finger insertion control portion is formed in the vicinity of one end edge in the longitudinal direction of said opposite body side surface.

According to the invention as recited in the above (7), the finger insertion control portion is formed at a position near one end edge of the opposite side surface of the body. Therefore, when a finger is deeply inserted into the finger insertion control section which is the end point of the finger insertion hole, the finger pulp of the first joint of the finger is positioned on the rear side of the interlabial pad, and therefore, the vaginal opening positioned on the rear side of the interlabial space can be sensed relatively easily.

(8) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (7), wherein a nail tip exit through which a nail tip of an inserted finger is projected is formed in said finger insertion control section.

According to the invention of the above (8), "nail tip exit" having a size allowing the nail tip of the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole to protrude is formed in the finger insertion control section. Therefore, even if the user has a long nail or a false nail, only the nail tip is extended from the "nail tip exit", and the tip of the finger is surely guided to the finger insertion control section. As a result, the finger pulp of the first finger joint can be brought into closer contact with the opposite side surface of the interlabial pad, and the possibility that the finger tip is less likely to perceive the vaginal opening from the opposite side surface of the interlabial pad in the finger insertion hole can be reduced.

(9) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (8), wherein said finger insertion control portion is formed at a position shifted by a predetermined dimension from one end edge in the longitudinal direction of said opposite body side surface in the longitudinal direction at the center in the longitudinal direction.

According to the invention as recited in the aforementioned item (9), the finger insertion control portion is provided at a position shifted from the rear end portion toward the center, not at the rear end position of the interlabial pad. The interlabial pad can wrap around the fingertips like a headband (see fig. 8) and allow the user to sense the location of the vaginal opening over the entire surface from the fingertips to the first joint finger abdomens. Therefore, the user can easily sense the vaginal opening and more accurately fix the interlabial pad in position.

Further, according to the present invention, since the interlabial pad is also present at the nail tip extending from the nail tip outlet, it is possible to prevent menstrual blood from adhering not only to the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole but also to the nail tip extending from the finger tip outlet.

(10) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (9), wherein a finger insertion direction forcing portion is formed in said finger insertion hole so that said finger insertion direction is forcibly inclined toward said opposite body side toward a finger insertion controlling portion.

According to the invention as recited in the aforementioned item (10), when the interlabial pad is fixed, the insertion direction of the finger is forcibly inclined to the opposite body side surface by the finger insertion direction forcing portion in the process of inserting the finger into the finger insertion hole from the finger insertion port. Therefore, when the fingertip reaches the finger insertion control section, the pulp of the first joint is brought into contact with the opposite side surface of the body reliably, and the position of the vaginal opening is reliably sensed by the pulp through the sheets and the absorbent member.

(11) The interlabial pad as in (10), wherein said finger insertion direction forcing portion is formed by folding said micro-sheet into a shape of a finger insertion hole.

According to the invention as recited in the aforementioned item (11), a part of the microchip is folded into the finger insertion hole so that the dimension of the space between the microchip and the back-side sheet is gradually reduced. Therefore, when the interlabial pad is fixed, the outer side (nail side) of the finger can be inserted while being in contact with the microchip whose dimension of the gap from the finger insertion opening to the opposite side surface is gradually reduced, and the fingertip (nail tip) can be smoothly introduced into the finger insertion control section, while the finger inserted from the finger insertion opening is inserted into the finger insertion hole. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of breakage of the opposite side surface due to the movement of the finger in the finger insertion hole and poor bonding between the opposite side surface and the microchip.

(12) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (11), wherein said interlabial pad is used in combination with a sanitary napkin.

According to the invention as recited in the aforementioned item (12), the interlabial pad can be used in combination with a sanitary napkin. Some users of sanitary napkins use several sanitary napkins one over another when the amount of menstrual blood is large, but the users have problems such as poor use feeling such as stiffness and the like and being easily noticed from the outside of the garment. In addition, since the sanitary napkin is overlapped in the portion which is not required to be overlapped except for the region near the vaginal opening, rash or stuffiness may be caused. In this respect, according to the interlabial pad of the present invention, since the sanitary appliance is overlapped only in the vicinity of the labia, the feeling of use and the appearance are not affected, and the occurrence of stuffiness or rash in the vicinity of the buttocks can be reduced. In addition, the interlabial pad can be replaced without replacing the sanitary napkin, and the wearer does not need to carry a large size sanitary napkin which is easily noticeable to the wearer. The sanitary napkin herein includes not only a commercially available sanitary napkin for absorbing menstrual blood but also a secretion absorbing sheet.

(13) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (12), wherein said interlabial pad is an interlabial pad for urinary incontinence.

According to the invention as recited in the above (13), it is useful as an absorbent pad for urinary incontinence. That is, since the vaginal opening for discharging menstrual blood and the urethral opening for discharging urine are positioned between the labia, the interlabial pad of the present invention can absorb urine when it is sandwiched between the labia.

As described above, since the pad of the present invention can absorb urine between the labia, particularly in the vicinity of the urethral orifice, an absorbent pad effective against urinary incontinence, particularly minor urinary incontinence can be obtained.

(14) The interlabial pad as in any one of (1) to (12), wherein said interlabial pad is an interlabial pad for absorbing secretions.

According to the invention as recited in the above (14), the interlabial pad can be used for absorption of secretions. That is, the interlabial pad of the present invention is used while being held between the labia, and therefore can absorb vaginal discharge other than menstrual blood, and can be used for such a purpose (discharge absorption).

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to absorb secretions and reduce discomfort of a user, and therefore, the present invention is also effective for users other than menstrual periods.

(15) A package comprising the interlabial pad as recited in any one of (1) to (14), and a packaging container enclosing the interlabial pad, wherein the interlabial pad is folded and stored in the packaging container so that the finger insertion opening can be opened when the packaging container is unsealed.

According to the invention as recited in the aforementioned item (15), since the interlabial pad is packaged in the packaging container so that the finger insertion opening can be opened when the packaging container is opened, the user can insert the finger into the finger insertion opening quickly and smoothly. The interlabial pad is thus more easily attached.

(16) The package according to (15), wherein the packaging container is provided with a mark indicating an unsealing direction in the same direction as a finger insertion direction of the finger insertion opening of the contained interlabial pad.

According to the invention as recited in the above (16), the user can know the opening direction in which the finger insertion opening is exposed without opening the packaging container. Therefore, the user can be prevented from mistaking the opening direction, and the opening direction of the packaging container can be set to the same direction as the insertion direction of the user for inserting the finger into the finger insertion opening.

Further, by opening the packaging container slowly from the side close to the user, the finger insertion opening is exposed in accordance with the opening operation, and in this case, the finger can be easily inserted into the finger insertion opening.

(17) A package according to (16), wherein said micro-sheet of said interlabial pad is folded outwardly in a bulged shape toward the body.

According to the invention as recited in the above (17), when the packaging container is opened, the folded microchip is restored to its original shape, and thus the finger insertion opening is naturally opened. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the finger insertion position, and can insert the finger from the finger insertion port into the finger insertion hole more quickly and smoothly.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an oblique view of the absorbent interlabial pad of the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken at an X-X perspective, of the interlabial pad of the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken from perspective Y-Y, of the interlabial absorbent pad of the present embodiment as shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken at a Z-Z perspective, of the interlabial absorbent pad of the present embodiment as shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the state of fingers (shown by broken lines) when a user inserts the fingers into the finger insertion hole using the interlabial pad of the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state of fingers (shown by broken lines) when a user inserts the fingers into the finger insertion hole using the interlabial pad of the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the interlabial pad of the present embodiment is fixed between the labia.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the interlabial pad of the present embodiment is fixed between the labia, and also shows a state in which the interlabial pad is held at a predetermined position between the labia with a finger inserted into the finger insertion control section.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the interlabial pad without the finger insertion control section is fixed between the labia.

Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the sectional structure of the finger insertion controlling part located at the rear end of the interlabial pad in accordance with the present embodiment, and shows a state in which only the lower part of the opposite body side surface of the back-side sheet is joined.

Fig. 11 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the sectional structure of the finger insertion controlling part located at the rear end of the interlabial pad of the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the reverse body side surface of the reverse-side sheet is joined substantially entirely.

Fig. 12 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the sectional structure of the finger insertion control part according to the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the reverse body side surface of the reverse side sheet is bonded with an adhesive so as to span the space of the long convex region.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining a bonded portion between the microchip and the opposite side surface of the back side sheet.

FIG. 14(A) is an explanatory view for explaining a state of a finger to be inserted into the interlabial pad, wherein the microchip is formed so as to reach an edge of the opposite body side surface of the opposite-side sheet, and the finger insertion control portion is formed in the vicinity of one end edge in the longitudinal direction of the opposite body side surface; FIG. 14B is an explanatory view for explaining a state of a finger to be inserted into the interlabial pad, wherein the microchip is formed at a position displaced by a predetermined dimension from the end edge of the opposite body side surface of the opposite body side sheet, and the finger insertion control portion is formed at a position displaced by a predetermined dimension from the end edge of the opposite body side surface in the longitudinal direction at the center in the longitudinal direction; fig. 14(C) is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which a finger is inserted into the interlabial pad, in which the plurality of micro-sheets are arranged in parallel in the long axis direction of the opposite body side in a separated state.

Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view showing a state of a finger (shown by a broken line) inserted into a finger insertion hole of an interlabial pad formed with a nail tip outlet at a finger insertion control portion.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing a state of a finger (shown by a broken line) 1 inserted into a finger insertion hole of an interlabial pad formed with a nail tip outlet at a finger insertion control part.

Fig. 17 is a schematic elevational view showing a state in which a finger (shown by a broken line) is inserted into a finger insertion hole of the interlabial pad, wherein a nail tip outlet through which a nail tip is projected is formed in the finger insertion limiting portion.

Fig. 18 is an explanatory view for explaining the total circumference of the finger insertion hole of the interlabial pad according to the embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an explanatory view for explaining the length dimension in the minor axis direction of the interlabial pad.

Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing a modification of the interlabial pad of the present embodiment, in which the finger insertion direction forcing section is formed by folding a micro-sheet into a shape to enter the finger insertion hole, and the structure thereof.

Fig. 21 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the interlabial pad of the present embodiment and an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the finger insertion direction is forcibly inclined toward the finger insertion control section toward the opposite body side.

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Q-Q of fig. 21, showing the interlabial pad in a state where a finger is inserted into the hole.

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M of fig. 21, showing the interlabial pad in a finger-inserted state within the hole.

Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line N-N in fig. 21, schematically showing a finger insertion control section.

Fig. 25 is an explanatory view for explaining a method of measuring the peel strength of the adhesive in the method of evaluating the adhesive strength of the adhesive formed on the body side 1 of the front side sheet.

Fig. 26 is an explanatory view for explaining a method of measuring the shear strength of an adhesive in the method of evaluating the adhesive force of the adhesive formed on the body side surface of the front side sheet.

Fig. 27 is a schematic oblique view of a package in which an interlabial pad shown in broken lines is folded and enclosed in a packaging container, and a finger insertion opening is allowed to open naturally when the packaging container is unsealed.

Fig. 28 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where a packaging container having a mark indicating an unsealing direction which coincides with an insertion direction of a finger into a finger insertion opening of a packaged interlabial pad is unsealed.

Fig. 29 is a schematic perspective view showing a state of unsealing the packaging container, in which the micro-sheet of the interlabial pad shown by the broken line is folded outward in a shape bulging toward the body side.

Fig. 30 is a schematic oblique view showing a package in which the packaging container is opened so that the interlabial pad which is sealed in a divided manner can be seen.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing a state of use of a conventional interlabial pad having a projection on the reverse side surface.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the absorbent interlabial pad of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures. The invention is not limited thereto.

[ Overall Structure of absorbent pad between labia ]

The basic structure of the interlabial pad of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an oblique view of the absorbent interlabial pad of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at an angle of X-X in fig. 1 of the absorbent interlabial pad of the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at the angle of Y-Y in fig. 1 of the absorbent interlabial pad of this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at a Z-Z perspective of the absorbent interlabial pad of the present embodiment as shown in fig. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the interlabial pad of this embodiment is formed in an elongated sheet shape, and has a body-facing side and a garment-facing opposite side, and a microchip 1 is attached to the opposite side so as to extend from one side to the other side of the pad, with the longitudinal direction of the pad being the central axis. As shown in FIG. 2, the interlabial pad has the following structure: the water-permeable front-side sheet 3 facing the back body side and the water-permeable or water-impermeable back-side sheet 4 facing the back body side contain an absorbent body 5 that absorbs body fluid.

The interlabial pad of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. In the present invention, there is no particular limitation as long as the shape can be held between labia such as an oval shape, a ladle shape, and a drip shape.

As shown in fig. 1, a long convex region 2 protruding toward the body side is formed on the body side surface of the interlabial pad in the major axis direction at a substantially central position in the minor axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a finger insertion hole 6 having a mountain-like cross section into which a finger can be inserted is formed between the long convex region 2 and the microchip 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the finger insertion hole 6 is formed as an opening in a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad, and the opening is formed as a finger insertion opening 7 for securing an opening in the finger width direction. On the other hand, a finger insertion control section 8 serving as a stopper for controlling the continuous insertion of a finger is provided at a substantially end portion in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad. That is, in the interlabial pad, the cross-sectional area of the substantially mountain-shaped space region formed in the long convex region 2 gradually decreases in the longitudinal direction, and decreases to a cross-sectional area of a dimension of the finger width on the right and left in the finger insertion opening 7 existing at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction. Then, the finger insertion control section 8 along the longitudinal direction is reduced in cross-sectional area so that the opposite side surfaces of the back sheet 4 are joined to each other, as shown in fig. 4.

As described above, since the finger insertion hole 6 is formed such that the width dimension in the short axis direction gradually decreases from the finger insertion port 7 toward the finger insertion control portion 8, the fingertip in the short axis direction on the opposite side surface can be smoothly introduced into the finger insertion control portion 8 slowly by simply inserting the finger from the finger insertion port 7 into the finger insertion hole 6 along the inner surface on the opposite side surface. Therefore, the sheet arranged on the opposite side of the body can be prevented from being damaged by the action of inserting the finger into the finger insertion hole 6.

[ fixed State ]

Next, the state of attachment of the interlabial pad of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a finger is inserted into the finger insertion hole 6 of the interlabial pad of the present embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a finger is inserted into the finger insertion hole 6 of the interlabial pad of the present embodiment. Fig. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the interlabial pad of the present embodiment is held in the labia 18. Fig. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the vaginal opening 18a is sensed by a finger inserted into the hole for interlabial pad 6 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 9 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the vaginal opening 18a is sensed by a finger inserted into a finger insertion hole of an interlabial pad not provided with a finger insertion control part.

When the interlabial pad of the present embodiment is used, it is first fixed to the fingertips. The finger is fixed to the fingertip by inserting the finger into the finger insertion hole 6 from the finger insertion port 7. In this case, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, the user's finger is inserted to the position of the finger insertion control portion 8 in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, but since the finger insertion control portion 8 is provided, the finger tip does not protrude outside the interlabial pad, and a stable finger insertion state can be maintained.

As shown in FIG. 7, the interlabial pad of the present embodiment, which is secured to the fingertips, is secured to the labia 18 from the front of the body. At the time of fixing, as shown in fig. 8, the finger insertion control section 8 places the first abdominal joint portion of the finger at a position suitable for sensing the vaginal opening 18a, and the interlabial pad can be fixed at the most suitable position between the concave labia 18 by directly holding the interlabial pad between the labia 18 in a state where the vaginal opening 18a is sensed while the body-side surface of the front-side sheet 3 is brought into contact with the labia 18.

On the other hand, in the interlabial pad without the finger insertion control section as shown in fig. 9, since the finger pad of the first joint of the finger is not disposed at a position suitable for sensing the vaginal opening 18a, it is necessary to adjust the fine position of the interlabial pad after sensing the vaginal opening 18 a. Even if the user perceives the optimum position for fixing the interlabial pad, the position of the finger relative to the interlabial pad is not fixed, and the position of the finger relative to the interlabial pad is shifted, so that the interlabial pad may not be fixed at the position which is perceived particularly. In this regard, the interlabial pad of the present invention can prevent the displacement of the finger position with respect to the interlabial pad, and therefore, the interlabial pad can be easily fixed at the most appropriate position.

[ Structure of finger insertion control part ]

The structure of the finger insertion control section mounted on the interlabial pad of the present embodiment will be described below.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the absorbent interlabial pad of this embodiment, showing only the lower portions of the opposite side surfaces of the back side sheets bonded to each other. Fig. 11 is a rear view of the absorbent interlabial pad of this embodiment, showing the state in which substantially the entire opposite body sides of the opposite-side sheet are bonded to each other. Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a state in which the opposite body sides of the back side sheet are bonded to each other with an adhesive so as to span the inner space of the long convex region.

As described above, the finger insertion control part 8 is provided in the finger insertion hole 6 on the opposite side of the interlabial pad of the present embodiment. The finger insertion control section 8 is formed by joining the opposite body side surface of the back sheet 4 in the short axis direction of the interlabial pad in the mountain-like space of the finger insertion hole 6, and by narrowing the area of the space, further insertion of the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole 6 is stopped.

Here, in the case where the mountain-like space of the finger insertion hole 6 is not formed as a non-penetrating space, i.e., is penetrated, by the finger insertion control portion 8, the fingertip inserted from the finger insertion port 7 may protrude from the mountain-like space. Further, there is a possibility that the joint between the back sheet 4 and the microchip 1 may be peeled or broken at the penetrating portion of the finger insertion control section 8. In this case, the fingertip may protrude from the mountain-like space. Therefore, when the fingertip extends out of the mountain-like space, sanitary problems may occur such as menstrual blood adhering to the fingertip and the fingertip directly contacting the inside of the labia. Further, since the position of the finger relative to the interlabial pad is likely to shift, it is difficult to fix the interlabial pad at an appropriate position while sensing the position of the pudendal region with the finger belly. In order to prevent the above problem, it is preferable to form the finger insertion hole 6 as a non-penetrating space.

Specifically, the finger insertion control section 8 can be formed by bonding the front sheet 3 and the back sheet 4 by using a single hot press or a heat-sensitive adhesive or the like or by using both of them together, in a part of the back sheet 4 in contact with each other on the opposite side as shown in fig. 10, or in a substantially entire region of the back sheet 4 in contact with each other on the opposite side as shown in fig. 11, in the peripheral edge portion of the interlabial pad located at the rear end edge of the long convex region 2 (the rear end portion of the interlabial pad which is a bonded region between the front sheet 3 and the back sheet 4 where the absorbent body 5 is not present).

Further, the heat-sensitive adhesive may be applied in a dot form to the portion of the back sheet 4 that overlaps the opposite side surface of the body. Further, as shown in fig. 12, a heat-sensitive adhesive may be applied to the middle portion of the long convex region 2 (the region where the absorbent body 5 is present) so as to span the space in the long convex region 2. With this structure, the surrounding of the joint portion is not hardened, which does not affect the feeling of use.

The peel strength of the bonded portion of the finger insertion control part 8 is preferably 100mN/25mm or more. By providing such peel strength, the finger insertion control part 8 can be prevented from being peeled off and penetrated by the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole 6.

A preferable specific example thereof is formed by disposing the finger insertion port 7 at a position 40% from the front end of the interlabial pad, disposing the finger insertion control section 8 at a position 90% from the front end of the interlabial pad, and applying a 3mm wide stripe of heat-sensitive adhesive to the garment side surface of the back sheet 4 so as to straddle at least the long convex region. In this case, the long-axis dimension of the microchip 1 is preferably arranged at a position within a range of 40% to 100% from the front end of the interlabial pad.

As described above, since the finger insertion control part 8 is formed by joining the opposite body side surface of the back side sheet 4 to the rear side of the long convex region in the above-described configuration, the long convex region 2 protruding toward the body side is easily formed around the finger insertion control part 8. In addition, by joining the opposite side surfaces of the back side sheet 4 in the long convex region, a wide and narrow holding portion 2A that maintains a shape in which this joined portion is folded can be formed. Therefore, even if the width from the finger insertion opening 7 serving as the finger insertion hole 6 to the finger insertion control section 8 is increased in the finger shape in the long convex region 2, the width of the wide and narrow holding section 2A can be maintained at the original size at the rear of the finger insertion control section 8. Therefore, the user can insert the long convex region into the vaginal opening, which is the narrowest space near the vaginal opening, by using the wide and narrow holding portion 2A as a base point, and can sense the vaginal opening position located at the deepest position (vestibule) with the finger pulp of the first finger joint in the finger insertion hole 6, thereby reliably fitting the long convex region into the vaginal opening.

Further, since the long convex region 2 is formed by folding only the interlabial pad main body, it can be deformed in accordance with the shape of the user's fingers at the time of fixation, and the position of the vaginal opening located at the deepest position (vestibule) can be sensed via the sheets 3 and 4 and the absorber 5 by the pulp of the first joint of the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole 6 without discomfort of the user. After the fixation, the long convex region 2 can be deformed in the shape between the labia in accordance with the drawing out of the finger, and thus the interlabial pad can be fitted closely between the labia.

[ microchip ]

The microchip is explained below. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining a joint portion between the microchip 1 and the opposite side surface of the back side sheet 4. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which a microchip 21 of another embodiment of the microchip 1 is attached to the opposite side of the interlabial pad.

[ Length of microchip ]

The length of the microchip 1 is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 50% or more, of the longitudinal dimension of the interlabial pad. By setting this length, the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole 6 through the finger insertion opening 7 does not slip out therefrom, and the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole 6 does not move, and the state in which the finger belly faces the back sheet 4 of the finger insertion hole 6 can be maintained.

The length of the microchip 1 is preferably 80% or less, more preferably 70% or less, of the longitudinal dimension of the interlabial pad. The "length dimension" of the microchip plays a role of "indicating the direction of finger insertion" as well as "indicating the position relationship between the finger insertion opening 7 and the finger insertion control section 8 in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad". When the length is more than 80% of the longitudinal dimension of the interlabial pad, the microchip and the back sheet are almost completely overlapped, and the "indication of finger insertion direction" function cannot be sufficiently exhibited. As a result, it is difficult for the user to recognize the finger insertion port 7, and in addition, it may be difficult to insert a finger thereinto. In this regard, by providing the microchip 1 in the above-mentioned size, the above-mentioned problems can be avoided, and the interlabial pad can be surely and rapidly fixed to the fingertips smoothly.

[ bonding position of microchip in minor axis direction ]

In the interlabial pad of the present embodiment, the joint 9A between the front side sheet 3 and the back side sheet 4 is set as the side edge in the short axis direction of the interlabial pad in order to incorporate the absorbent member 5. When the joined portion 9B of the microchip 1 and the back-side sheet 4 is fixed to the side edge at a fixed position as shown in FIG. 13(A), the side edge portion of the interlabial pad becomes hard, and the feeling of use may be impaired.

The joining portion is disposed at a portion other than the side edge portion to fix the microchip 1, thereby avoiding the above-described situation. In this regard, for example, when the joint 9B between the microchip 1 and the back-side sheet 4 is provided at a position outside the joint 9A as shown in fig. 13(B), the joint 9B is moved in a direction to separate from the back-side sheet 4 in accordance with the movement of the user as shown in fig. 13(C), and thereby friction is generated with the skin of the user, and there is a possibility that the user is irritated. Therefore, as shown in fig. 13(D), it is preferable that the joint 9A and the joint 9B are shifted in position, and the joint 9B is disposed closer to the center of the interlabial pad in the short axis direction than the joint 9A.

In mounting the microchip 1, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a heat-sensitive adhesive, or the like can be used as the adhesive. Further, as the coating form, a sheet form, a linear form, a spiral form, a dot form, or the like can be adopted. The microchip 1 may be cut in advance into a shape suitable for the mounting position, or may be cut together with another sheet when only the bonding position is different from that of the other sheet.

[ non-bonded part of the micro-sheet in the minor axis direction of the interlabial pad ]

The relationship between the shape of the microchip and the finger insertion control section will be described below. As shown in FIG. 14(A), in the case where the micro-sheet 21 has the same shape as a part of the interlabial pad 20 and has no non-bonded portion other than the finger insertion opening 27, a finger insertion control portion 28 can be provided at the rear end 20A of the interlabial pad 20. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 14(B), when a microchip having a second unbonded portion 27B in addition to the first unbonded portion 27A forming the finger insertion opening is attached between the opposite body sides of the interlabial pad 20, this second unbonded portion 27B is provided on the rear side of the finger insertion controlling portion 28. Thus, since the microchip 21 is disposed so as to cover the outer side (nail side) of the fingertip and the fingertip (nail tip) can be reliably guided to the finger insertion control section 28, the occurrence of a situation in which the vaginal opening is difficult to perceive due to the finger pulp of the first joint of the finger slipping out from the anti-body side surface in the finger insertion hole 26 can be reduced. Further, since the bonding area between the interlabial pad 20 and the microchip 21 can be reduced, the area hardened by the bonding of the two can be reduced, and the feeling of use is good.

A plurality of micro-chips may also be secured to the interlabial pad. In this case, as shown in fig. 14(C), the micro-sheets 21A and 21B have a plurality of non-bonded portions 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D and the like in the short axis direction of the interlabial pad 20, but a finger insertion opening 28 is provided at the outermost edge of the non-bonded portion 27A as a finger insertion opening and the finger insertion direction, that is, in front of the non-bonded portion 27D on the rearmost side of the interlabial pad 20. This allows the finger tip to be guided into the finger insertion control section 28, thereby preventing the pulp of the first joint of the finger from slipping out of the finger insertion hole 26. Further, since the microchip 21B is positioned to cover the fingertip, the fingertip can be prevented from being exposed. Further, with this configuration, the area covered by the micro-sheets 21A and 21B can be reduced, the degree of freedom of movement such as bending of the fingers can be increased, the fingers can move more naturally when the interlabial pad 20 is held between the labia, and the positional displacement of the interlabial pad 20 with respect to the labia can be further reduced. It should be noted that the plurality of microchip may not necessarily all have the same shape, and as shown in the above embodiment, the shape of the microchip 21A and 21B may be different from each other.

[ nail tip outlet ]

The outlet of the nail tip provided in the finger insertion hole is explained below.

Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view showing a state of a finger (shown by a dotted line) inserted into a finger insertion hole of an interlabial pad formed with a nail tip outlet at a finger insertion control portion. Fig. 16 is a schematic side view showing a state of a finger (shown by a dotted line) inserted into a finger insertion hole of an interlabial pad formed with a nail tip outlet at a finger insertion control portion. Fig. 17 is a schematic end view as seen from the direction of arrow P in fig. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, the interlabial pad of the present invention is provided with a nail tip outlet 11 through which the nail tip of a finger inserted into the finger insertion hole 6 is projected, in the finger insertion control section 8.

With this configuration, as shown in fig. 16, the insertion of the finger is stopped at a position where the finger insertion control portion 8 is present, and the nail tip can be projected from the nail tip exit 11 in this state. Thus, even a user with a long nail can hold the interlabial pad on the fingertip in a state where the nail tip is extended out of the nail tip extension opening 11 and the first joint finger pad is brought into contact with the reverse-side sheet 4 in the vicinity of the finger insertion control section 8 most suitable for sensing the vaginal opening as shown in fig. 17.

Since the finger insertion control part 8 is formed at a position shifted from one end edge in the longitudinal direction of the opposite side of the body toward the center in the longitudinal direction, the opposite-side sheet 4 is present even at the nail tip extending from the nail tip outlet 11, and menstrual blood can be prevented from adhering to the nail tip, which is hygienic.

[ size of finger insertion opening ]

The dimensions of the finger insertion opening will be described below. Fig. 18 is an explanatory view for explaining the entire circumference of the finger insertion opening 7 of the interlabial pad in accordance with the present embodiment. In fig. 18, an unnecessary portion in explaining the total inner circumference of the finger insertion port 7, which is a distance indicated by L in fig. 18, is indicated by a chain line.

The total inner circumferential length of the finger insertion port 7 indicated by "L" in FIG. 18 is preferably 30 to 120mm, and more preferably 40 to 80 mm. If the total inner circumference of the finger insertion port 7 is less than 30mm, the finger insertion port 7 itself becomes small, and a finger insertion failure occurs. When the total inner circumference is greater than 120mm, it is difficult for the finger pad to be held by the fingers, since it is difficult for the finger pad to reliably contact the back sheet 4 inserted into the finger insertion hole 6, and thus a fixing failure of the interlabial pad occurs.

[ size of absorbent pad between labia ]

The apparent size of the absorbent interlabial pad will now be described. Fig. 19 is an explanatory view for explaining the length dimension of the interlabial pad in the transverse short axis direction.

The length of the interlabial pad in the longitudinal direction is preferably 50 to 160mm, more preferably 80 to 130 mm. In this regard, when the length in the longitudinal direction is greater than 160mm, the interlabial pad may fall off due to friction between the region not sandwiched between the labia and the pants or sanitary napkin exceeding the holding force between the labia. On the other hand, when the length in the longitudinal direction is less than 50mm, the area that can be held between the labia becomes small, and therefore the contact area between the inner labial surfaces and the interlabial pad is reduced, and there is a possibility that the interlabial pad may fall off.

The apparent length of the interlabial pad in the short axis direction is preferably within the range of 10 to 60mm, more preferably within the range of 20 to 40 mm. When the length in the minor axis direction is greater than 60mm, the portion not held between the labia may rub against the thighs of the user, and the resulting friction force exceeds the holding force between the labia, which may cause the interlabial pad to fall off. Further, when the length in the minor axis direction is less than 10mm, the contact area between the inner labial surfaces and the interlabial pad is reduced due to the reduction in the area sandwiched between the labia, and the interlabial pad is likely to be detached.

The "apparent" means that the length is the shortest distance between two points (corresponding to V in fig. 19). A special definition thereof is given because such a distance can be measured along between two points on the undulating surface, that is, due to the production process, this distance may be the actual length (corresponding to W in fig. 19) between two points on the unfolded sheet.

[ variation of interlabial pad ]

Other embodiments of the interlabial pad of the present invention are described below.

Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing a structure in which the finger insertion direction forcing portion 39 is formed by forming the microchip 31 in a shape folded into the finger insertion hole 36. Fig. 21 is an explanatory view for explaining a state where a finger is inserted into the interlabial pad 30 in which the finger insertion restriction section 39 is formed. Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken at a viewing angle of Q-Q of fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view at a view angle M-M of fig. 21. Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view at an angle of N-N of fig. 21.

In the interlabial pad 30 of this embodiment, as shown in fig. 20, a finger insertion direction forcing section 39 is formed in the finger insertion hole 36 so that the finger insertion direction is inclined toward the finger insertion controlling section 38 toward the opposite body side of the back-side sheet 34. With this structure, when the interlabial pad 30 is fixed, the finger inserting direction is tilted toward the finger inserting control section 38 by the finger inserting direction forcing section 39 in the process of inserting the finger inserted from the finger inserting port 37 into the finger inserting hole 36. Therefore, when the finger tip reaches the finger insertion control section 38, the finger pulp of the first joint can be reliably brought into close contact with the opposite-to-body side surface of the back-side sheet 34.

In the interlabial pad 30 of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 21, the finger insertion direction forcing section 39 is formed by folding the microchip 31 into the finger insertion hole 36, wherein the distance between the microchip 31 and the back-side sheet 34 is gradually reduced. Therefore, with this folded shape, the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole 36 is inserted obliquely downward toward the finger insertion control portion 38. Since the finger insertion control section 38 is formed by joining at least both sides of the finger insertion hole 36 on the opposite side of the back sheet 34 to each other in the short axis direction, a finger is positioned between the microchip 31 and the back sheet with a gap in the vicinity of the finger insertion opening 37 as shown in fig. 22; in the process of inserting a finger into the finger insertion control section 38, as shown in fig. 23, the microchip 31 is gradually folded, the distance from the back sheet 34 is reduced, and the finger in the finger insertion hole 36 is held vertically. Further, as shown in fig. 24, the back sheet 34 and the microchip 31 are in a state where fingers cannot be inserted, and the fingers can be completely prevented from being inserted further.

[ constituent Material of absorbent pad for interlabial System ]

< Water-permeable sheet >

A material that is lyophilic and non-irritating to the skin is preferably used for the water-permeable sheet disposed on the body side of the interlabial absorbent pad. Examples of such materials include nonwoven fabrics obtained by a production method such as a melt-blowing method, a spunbond method, a point-bonding method, an air-laid method, a needle-piercing method, a wet-type hydroentangling method, and a foamed film method, and these nonwoven fabrics may be used alone or in combination.

As the fiber sheet, a sheet-like woven fabric formed by combining materials containing rayon, acetate, cotton, pulp, or a synthetic resin as a component, alone or in combination into a sheath-core structure, alone or in a mixed fiber is exemplified.

In consideration of liquid migration from the inner labial surfaces or chemical irritation due to an active agent and adhesion to the inner labial walls, it is preferable that the artificial fibers (fineness 1.1 to 4.4dtex, fiber length 7 to 51mm) are laminated on the body surface side at a ratio of 40 to 80% by weight based on the total unit area, the artificial fibers (fineness 1.1 to 4.4dtex, fiber length 7 to 51mm) are mixed on the garment side at a ratio of 14 to 42% by weight based on the total unit area weight, and the PET (fineness 1.1 to 4.4dtex, fiber length 7 to 51mm) is mixed on the garment side at a ratio of 6 to 18% by weight based on the total unit area weight, and the laminated layers are laminated so that the total unit area weight of the 2 layers is 20 to 60g/m²After lamination, the fibers are wound by water flow interweaving treatment and dried to prepare the spunlace non-woven fabric with the thickness adjusted to be within the range of 0.13-0.50 mm. In this case, since the PET is mixed into the clothing surface side, the volume is easily maintained even when the water-permeable sheet is in a wet state, and thus the adhesion to the inner labial walls can be maintained.

< absorbent body >

As the material used for the absorbent member contained in the interlabial pad, pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate pulp, natural cotton, polymeric absorbent member, fibrous polymeric absorbent member, synthetic fiber may be used alone, or the above materials may be mixed and used. The mixture prepared as necessary is rolled by embossing or wound by needle punching to form a sheet by a known technique, and is appropriately adjusted by adjusting the volume, stacking, folding, or the like as necessary.

The material in the form of a flake may be processed into a flake or a powder for use, and the method of use is not limited.

The absorbent body may be any one that can retain the absorption of liquid (body fluid), but is preferably a material that is bulky, hardly deformable, less chemically irritating, and highly flexible suitable for the labia. Specifically, the fabric is laminated on the garment surface side at a ratio of 50 to 150g/m²The pulp (fiber length is in the range of 1 to 10 mm) is formed on the body surface side of 50 to 250g/m according to the mixing ratio of 60 to 90% of artificial fiber (fineness is 1.1 to 4.4dtex, fiber length is 20 to 51mm) and 40 to 10% of natural cotton²The laminated structure of (1) is formed into a sheet by dot embossing, and a nonwoven fabric sheet having a bulky thickness of 2 to 10mm, preferably 3 to 5mm is produced. This facilitates the movement of liquid from the body surface side to the garment surface side, thereby improving the absorption and retention force. And a weight per unit area of 15 to 40g/m is laid on the body surface side of the pulp layer²The mesh spunlace nonwoven fabric of rayon (fineness 1.1 to 4.4dtex, fiber length 25 to 51mm) of (1) can efficiently absorb a larger amount of liquid because the liquid traveling from the body surface side is diffused through the mesh spunlace nonwoven fabric and the liquid can be introduced into almost the entire area of the pulp layer.

< Water-impermeable sheet >

As a material of the water-impermeable sheet used for the interlabial pad, a material capable of preventing menstrual blood held in the absorbent body from seeping out of the interlabial pad can be used. Further, by using a moisture-permeable material, the stuffiness feeling during use can be reduced, and the discomfort during use can be reduced.

Examples of such materials include a sheet-like film obtained by forming a synthetic resin film, a breathable film obtained by filling an inorganic filler and stretching the film, a laminate obtained by laminating paper, nonwoven fabric and film, and a breathable liquid barrier sheet (having a pore diameter of 0.1 to 0.6mm and having 10 to 30% open pores and a capillary-oriented absorbent body side).

In addition, considering the flexibility without affecting the use feeling, the density is preferably 0.900 to 0.925g/cm³The Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) resin is mainly prepared, and the weight per unit area is 15-30 g/cm²Within the range of the membrane. More preferably, in order to reduce the risk that the interlabial pad will fall off from the interlabial space due to high friction when the water-impermeable sheet is brought into contact with a pad or underwear used in combination therewith when the interlabial pad is fixed, the film is embossed to provide a convex bulging portion, thereby reducing the contact rate and the friction value.

< microchip >

The microchip may be made of the same material as the water-permeable sheet or the water-impermeable sheet, but is preferably made of a material having extensibility or elasticity at least in the minor axis direction of the interlabial pad.

By using such a material for the micro-chip, even when the size of the user's fingertip is larger than the predetermined finger insertion opening, the micro-chip can be stretched at least in the width direction in accordance with the size of the finger, and therefore the interlabial pad of the present invention can be effectively used regardless of the size of the user's fingertip.

Examples of the material having elasticity per se include synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS) and polyurethane, and the density of the synthetic rubbers is 0.88 to 0.900g/cm³The film, open-cell foamed film, web, etc., which are produced from the amorphous olefin resin of (1). Alternatively, the fabric may be woven or knitted with viscose filament yarn made of synthetic rubberThe fabric of (2). A thermocompression bonded nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, or a foamed sheet mainly composed of synthetic rubber may also be used.

From the viewpoint of soft texture in use, preferable materials include those having a thickness adjusted to 15 to 40 μm and a hole area of 0.28 to 1.77mm²And an open-cell foamed film made of SEBS with an open-cell ratio of 40-70%.

Examples of the nonwoven fabric include a so-called extensible thermocompression bonded nonwoven fabric obtained by using as a raw material a composite synthetic fiber having thermal elasticity, which is composed of a high-melting-point component as a core component and a low-melting-point component as a sheath component, such as PE/PP, PE/PET, and PP/PP, and entangling the fiber with water pressure, a shrinkable nonwoven fabric obtained by subjecting the fiber to a heat-air treatment to promote fiber shrinkage, and a heat-sealed continuous long fiber and then forcibly tentering the fiber in the longitudinal direction.

More specifically, the elastic nonwoven fabric is a soft and wrinkle-rich elastic nonwoven fabric which is produced from a thermoelastic composite synthetic fiber such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP or the like having a thickness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex and a length of 7 to 51mm, a core component of a high-melting-point component and a sheath component of a low-melting-point component, and has a weight per unit area adjusted to 10 to 60g/m². In addition, laminates of the above materials may also be used.

When the non-extensible material is used for imparting extensibility, there are materials which are formed from a nonwoven fabric, an air-laid nonwoven fabric having a high volume feeling obtained by subjecting a composite synthetic fiber such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP, etc. having thermal elasticity, in which a core component is a high-melting point component and a sheath component is a low-melting point component, to hot air treatment, a spunlace nonwoven fabric obtained by entangling fibers by water pressure, a thermocompression bonded nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating continuous fiber-forming sheets, a needle-punched nonwoven fabric obtained by inserting fibers by a needle punching method, an SMS nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating a plurality of layers of thermocompression bonded nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics to form sheets, and in addition, a single or a composite material such as an apertured foamed film, a film containing a PE resin as a main component, and the like.

Alternatively, the material may be inserted between male and female molds and given extensibility by a creping process that uses heat, temperature and pressure press forming. More specifically, the composite synthetic fiber (adjusted to a thickness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex, a weight per unit area of 10 to 60 g/m)²) The air-laid nonwoven fabric as the main body is subjected to a creping process capable of being elongated in the transverse direction. The creping process can achieve at least 10% or more of extensibility, preferably the male and female molds are set to achieve extensibility in the range of 20 to 50%, more preferably the load at 30% elongation is varied in the range of 0.01 to 0.05N/25mm (test conditions: using tensilon tensile tester, speed 100mm/min, clamping interval 100 mm). As another method for imparting extensibility, a method such as cutting or punching may be used.

< adhesive agent >

As the adhesive for joining (bonding) various materials, a generally used hot melt type adhesive such as a pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive and a heat-sensitive hot melt adhesive can be used. The pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive can be obtained by melt-mixing a tackifier such as a terpene resin or a rosin resin and a plasticizer such as a wax with a component mainly composed of a synthetic resin such as SIS, SBS, styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) or styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS). Examples of the heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesive include basic resins mainly containing olefin resins such as poly-alpha-olefin. There are many kinds of such adhesives, and a heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesive is preferably used from the viewpoint of coating stability. The heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesive having high coating stability is obtained by melt-mixing 44 to 55 mass% of poly-alpha-olefin, 10 to 15 mass% of plasticizer, and 35 to 45 mass% of tackifier. In the heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesive, an antioxidant, an anti-fluorescent agent, etc. may be added in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0 mass%.

[ construction of interlabial pad for imparting biodegradability, water dispersibility, and water solubility ]

The interlabial pad of the present invention is preferably composed of a biodegradable material and/or a water-dispersible material and/or a water-soluble material. Since such an interlabial pad can be thrown into a toilet bowl and flushed away directly after use, disposal of the interlabial pad can be performed easily and cleanly, and the object of reducing waste in the toilet can be achieved.

In the present specification, "biodegradability" refers to degradation of a substance into a gas such as carbon dioxide or methane, water, and a biomass under anaerobic or aerobic conditions in the presence of bacteria such as actinomycetes and other microorganisms according to a natural treatment process, and is a material having a decomposition ability (biodegradation rate, biodegradability, etc.) comparable to that of a naturally occurring material such as fallen leaves or a synthetic polymer having ordinary biodegradability in the same environment. "Water dispersibility" is the same concept as water degradability, and is not affected by the amount of water (menstrual blood) at the time of use, but allows fibers to be easily dispersed in a large amount of water or water flow into small pieces at least to the extent of not clogging water tubes of ordinary toilets. The term "water-soluble" refers to a property of being soluble in a large amount of water or a stream of water, although not affected by the quantitative amount of water (menstrual blood) at the time of use.

< Water-permeable sheet >

As the material that can be used for the water-permeable sheet, in addition to the spun lace nonwoven fabric, a wet spun lace nonwoven fabric having a fiber length of 1 to 15mm may be used. As other materials, resins biodegradable by hydrolysis, such as polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate, can also be used. For example, polylactic acid is used as a raw material, and the weight per unit area is adjusted to 20 to 60g/m²The sprayed and melted nonwoven fabric or the weight of the sprayed and melted nonwoven fabric is adjusted to 15 to 30g/m²And the fiber thickness is 1.1 to 3.3 dtex. The nonwoven fabric may be apertured or may not be apertured.

As another material, acetate pulp or synthetic fiber may be used alone or as a continuous laminateAdjusting the fiber bundle to a weight per unit area of 50 to 300g/m²The fibers are used by releasing the connection between the fibers.

< absorbent body >

As a material that can be used for the absorbent body, a nonwoven fabric sheet obtained by a needle punching method can be used. In view of biodegradability of the polymeric absorbent material, carboxymethyl cellulose fiber is preferably used.

< Water-impermeable sheet >

As materials that can be used for the water-impermeable sheet, a PVA film, a film sheet obtained by subjecting one surface, both surfaces, or a part of the PVA film to water repellent treatment with silicone, a PVA film mixed with silicone, a starch film, a film made of polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, a biodegradable resin that can be hydrolyzed, or the like, and a laminated paper made of tissue paper or the like can be used. If necessary, 0.1 to 5% of an inorganic pigment may be mixed for coloring.

In view of maintaining the leak-proof property in an excessively humid environment and avoiding an excessive load on the purification layer, the following laminated paper is preferable: a film made of polylactic acid with a thickness of 10-20 μm and a weight per unit area of 15-20 g/m²The cotton paper is laminated, and the bonding area ratio in lamination is set within the range of 5-40%.

< microchip >

Examples of materials that can be used for the microchip include films, heat-press bonded nonwoven fabrics, hot-melt nonwoven fabrics, and the like, which are made of biodegradable materials such as polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate, films and nonwoven fabrics, which are made of water-soluble materials such as PVA and CMC, and water-dispersible tissues and spunlace nonwoven fabrics, which are mainly made of cellulose fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers.

Preferably, the thickness of the hot-pressed bonded nonwoven fabric or the spray-melted nonwoven fabric mainly composed of a biodegradable material is adjusted to 0.1 to 3.3dtex, and the weight per unit area is adjusted to 15 to 40g/m²Of (2) a sheetObtained by carrying out the mechanical creping process described above.

< bonding method >

The bonding method may be a bonding method such as heat sealing or hydrogen bonding, which is performed by bonding with water-soluble or water-swellable polyvinyl alcohol or the like, and these methods may be used alone or in combination as appropriate.

The absorbent pad can be more closely attached to the labia or the pudenda by being bonded to a part of the body side of the front side sheet, and the occurrence of a gap between the absorbent pad and the body due to a drastic change in the posture of the user can be prevented. Thus, the user can perform free activities without restriction.

The adhesive portion may be formed by applying an adhesive to the surface-side sheet. In the present invention, examples of the binder that can be used include a gel binder composed of a water-soluble polymer, a crosslinking agent, a plasticizer, and moisture. More specifically, examples of the water-soluble polymer include gelatin, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, and carboxymethyl cellulose; examples of the crosslinking agent include water-soluble metal salts such as calcium chloride and magnesium sulfate; examples of the plasticizer include glycerin, wax, and paraffin.

In addition, a pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive may be used as the adhesive for forming the adhesive part. The pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive is obtained by melt-mixing a tackifier such as terpene resin or rosin resin and a plasticizer such as wax, mainly composed of a synthetic rubber resin such as SIS, SBS, SEBS or SEPS.

Further, a silicone resin-based adhesive may also be used. Examples of the silicone resin include a mixture containing a silicone resin and a fluororesin as main components, and a crosslinking agent such as platinum, molybdenum, or antimony, and a plasticizer such as ester wax, glycerin, or engine oil.

Although there are many kinds of adhesives used for forming this adhesive part, a pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive is preferably used in consideration of coating stability. Examples of the pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive having high coating stability include adhesives obtained by melt-mixing 15 to 25 wt% of SEBS, 15 to 35 wt% of a plasticizer, and 40 to 70 wt% of a tackifier. In the pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive, an antioxidant, a fluorescent inhibitor and the like can be added in the range of 0.1-1.0 wt%.

In the adhesive, a part of the adhesive is applied to a release paper (a sheet obtained by coating a tissue paper with a silicone resin or a sheet obtained by coating a film with a silicone resin) which is generally easily available, whereby the stain or release of the adhesive during storage can be prevented.

Examples of the method of disposing the adhesive include a sheet, a dot, a mesh, and a stripe. The position of application of the adhesive is not particularly limited as long as it can be fixed to the body, but it is preferable to apply the adhesive in a stripe shape in the vicinity of both side portions of the interlabial pad in a width range of about 1 to 5mm, considering that there is a hair portion in the vicinity of the labia, particularly in the front portion of the labia. One specific example of the method for evaluating the adhesive strength of the adhesive will be described. The evaluation method was used to evaluate the peel strength of the adhesive (see FIG. 25) and the tensile strength of the adhesive (see FIG. 26) and was carried out using a constant-speed tensile tester and a stainless steel plate 80mm in length by 50mm in width. In the evaluation test, an adhesive was applied to a polyethylene film having approximately the same size as a stainless steel plate in advance at a width of 25mm and a length of 50mm, and then the film was left at room temperature (20 ℃ C.) for 30 minutes. Then, in order to bring the stainless steel plate into contact with the adhesive, a polyethylene film was superposed on the stainless steel plate, and gently placed thereon, and rolled one-way only once with a 2kg roller. Thereafter, the sample was left at room temperature (20 ℃ C.) for 30 minutes to prepare a test piece. In the peel strength test, the polyethylene film portion of the test piece produced as described above was pulled in the direction of arrow a shown in fig. 25 to be peeled; in the tensile strength test, the sheet was stretched in the direction of arrow B as shown in fig. 26. The test conditions were: the clamping interval is 70mm, and the stretching speed is 100 mm/min. When the peel strength is measured by the above test method, the measured value of the peel strength is preferably 100 to 2000mN/25mm, and the measured value of the tensile strength is preferably 2900 to 15000mN/25mm, taking into consideration the load on the skin of the user.

< Package body >

Next, a packaging container for packaging the interlabial pad of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 27 is a schematic oblique view of a package 51 in which the interlabial pad 10 shown in broken lines is folded and enclosed in a packaging container so that the finger insertion opening 7 can be opened naturally when the packaging container 50 is unsealed. Fig. 28 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the package 61 is opened, and the packaging container 60 has a mark indicating an opening direction which coincides with an insertion direction of a finger into the finger insertion opening 7 of the packaged interlabial pad 10. Fig. 29 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the package 71 is opened, in which the micro-sheet 7 of the interlabial absorbent pad 10 shown by a broken line is folded outward in a shape bulging toward the body side. Fig. 30 is a schematic perspective view showing a packaging container 80 in which a packaged body 81 is opened so that the interlabial pad which is sealed in a divided manner can be seen.

As shown in fig. 27, the interlabial pad 10 of the present embodiment may also be packaged in a package 51 contained in a packaging container 50. The interlabial pad 10 is individually packaged in the package 51 and can be carried one by one. Therefore, the package can be used cleanly and conveniently as compared with the case where a plurality of interlabial pads are packaged in one package container.

In the package 51, the finger insertion opening 7 of the interlabial pad 10 is sealed in the packaging container 50 so as to open toward the opening. Here, the phrase "the finger insertion port 7 is opened toward the opening port" means that the interlabial pad 10 is sealed such that, as shown in fig. 27, if the package 51 is opened, the microchip 1 and the finger insertion port 7 formed by the microchip are exposed at the opening, and a finger can be immediately inserted into the finger insertion port. For example, the opening of the packaging container 50 of the package 51 is formed by a perforated line, and the package can be opened by pulling it from the deep side of the drawing. At this time, the finger insertion port 7 is exposed at the opening port and opened toward the opening port. Therefore, the user can immediately insert the finger into the finger insertion port 7.

In this case, for example, the package 51 may be opened only in one direction, or as shown in fig. 28, a mark 62 indicating the opening direction may be provided on the packaging container 60. Thus, the opening direction is set to be the same direction as the finger insertion opening 7, and the finger insertion opening 7 is normally oriented toward the user, so that the user can insert the finger into the finger insertion opening 7 quickly.

Further, as shown in fig. 29, the microchip 1 can be packaged in a package 71 folded in a mountain-like manner in a direction opposite to the body side along the approximate center line in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad 10 in a packaging container 70. By enclosing the interlabial pad 10 in the packaging container 70, the folded finger insertion opening 7 opens naturally when the packaging container 70 is opened, so that the user can easily grasp the position of the inserted finger, and the interlabial pad 10 can be more quickly and easily fixed. The opening method of the packaging container is not particularly limited, and the packaging container may be a packaging container 80 opened by cutting the upper end thereof as shown in fig. 27 or 29, or may be a packaging container 80 opened from the upper end to both the left and right sides, i.e., in a two-piece manner, as shown in fig. 30, and the interlabial pad 10 is taken out.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the user fixes the interlabial pad, the finger inserted into the finger insertion hole from the finger insertion port is controlled by the finger insertion control section in the finger insertion hole to stay at the position, and therefore, the positional relationship between the finger belly (finger print surface) of the first joint of the finger and the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad can be stably controlled, the positional deviation between the interlabial pad and the longitudinal direction of the labia at the time of fixing is reduced, and the position of the vaginal opening is sensed by the finger belly of the first joint of the finger which is sensitive to the sense of touch, and the fixing position of the interlabial pad can be determined more accurately.

Claims (17)

1. An interlabial pad having a size, weight, and flexibility capable of being held and held between the labia smoothly, having a longitudinal shape in the major axis direction and the minor axis direction, and capable of absorbing body fluid, having a body side surface facing the body side and a reverse body side surface facing the garment side; it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

a finger insertion hole into which a finger of a user is inserted is formed in the interlabial pad along the longitudinal direction of the opposite body side surface, the opening of the finger insertion hole being a finger insertion opening that directly secures an opening in the finger width direction in the planar direction of the opposite body side surface;

the finger insertion port guides the user's fingertip to a part of the opposite body side surface, i.e., a finger contact point, which corresponds to a part of the body side surface that contacts a prescribed position between the labia of the user, i.e., a contact point;

a finger insertion control section is provided in the vicinity of the finger contact point, and controls the movement of the finger inserted from the finger insertion opening in the finger insertion hole.

2. The interlabial pad as in claim 1, further comprising a microchip disposed across from one side to the other side of said central axis with respect to a longitudinal direction of said interlabial pad as a central axis,

the finger insertion hole is formed between the microchip and the opposite body side.

3. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said finger insertion controlling portion is formed by a narrowed width portion of said finger insertion hole.

4. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said finger insertion control portion is formed by joining said opposite body sides to each other.

5. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein a width in said minor axis direction of said finger insertion hole is gradually reduced from said finger insertion opening toward said finger insertion controlling portion.

6. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein a dimension of a gap between said finger insertion opening and said finger insertion controlling portion is 10% to 80% of a length dimension in a longitudinal direction of said opposite body side surface.

7. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said finger insertion control portion is formed in the vicinity of one end edge in the longitudinal direction of said opposite side surface.

8. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein a nail tip exit through which a nail tip of an inserted finger is projected is formed in said finger insertion controlling section.

9. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said finger insertion control portion is formed at a position displaced by a predetermined dimension from one end edge in the longitudinal direction of said opposite body side in the longitudinal direction at the center thereof.

10. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein a finger insertion direction forcing portion is formed in said finger insertion hole so that said finger insertion direction is forcibly inclined toward said opposite body side toward said finger insertion controlling portion.

11. The interlabial pad as in claim 10, wherein said finger insertion direction forcing portion is formed by folding said micro-sheet into a finger insertion hole.

12. The interlabial absorbent pad of claim 1 or 2, wherein said interlabial absorbent pad is used in combination with a sanitary napkin.

13. The interlabial absorbent pad of claim 1 or 2 wherein said interlabial absorbent pad is a urinary incontinence interlabial absorbent pad.

14. The interlabial pad as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said interlabial pad is a secretion-absorbing interlabial pad.

15. A package comprising the interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 and a packaging container enclosing the interlabial pad, wherein the interlabial pad is folded and stored in the packaging container, and the finger insertion opening is opened when the packaging container is opened.

16. The package according to claim 15, wherein the packaging container is provided with a mark indicating an opening direction which is the same direction as a direction in which a finger is inserted into the finger insertion opening of the interlabial pad.

17. The package of claim 16 wherein said microflakes of said interlabial absorbent pad are folded outwardly into a body facing convex shape.