JP2004049918A - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an absorbent article with an excellent fit to the body, having a surface structure that effectively prevents lateral leaks to solve the problem that conventional absorbent articles are difficult to fit because of a difference in individual contours of the crotch portion, causing lateral leakage of liquid. <P>SOLUTION: This absorbent article comprises an absorbent core 2, the surface of which is provided with a surface structure 4. The surface structure 4 has a liquid-permeable surface sheet 5 and a second sheet 6. Bulge sections 8 in rows between the two sheets are formed, and within the bulge sections 8, a cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material is provided. A plurality of the bulge sections 8 in rows are easy to fit to the contours of the crotch portion, and the liquid is difficult to flow in the transverse direction. Thus, the lateral leakage is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, urinary incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins, and more particularly to an absorbent article having a surface structure that has excellent fit to the body and can effectively prevent side leakage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional disposable diapers, urinary incontinence pads, sanitary napkins and other absorbent articles are composed of a liquid-permeable top sheet directed to the liquid receiving side and a liquid-impermeable back sheet provided on the opposite side. And a pulp interposed between the two sheets and an absorbent core made of a superabsorbent polymer or the like.
[0003]
In addition, as a structure to improve the adhesiveness to the genitals and its surroundings when it comes into contact with the crotch, and to prevent excreted liquids such as urine and menstrual blood from leaking, A relatively bulky cushion layer composed of a hydrophilic fiber layer, or an absorbent material layer smaller than the absorbent core on the liquid receiving side of the absorbent core. In addition, those in which the above-mentioned cushion layer is laminated have been put to practical use.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the absorbent article provided with the cushion layer may not always reliably follow individual differences in the shape of the crotch part.
[0005]
In particular, disposable diapers and urinary incontinence pads for nursing care for the elderly often cannot be reliably adhered to the crotch. In other words, the elderly have a greater difference in crotch width, flesh in the crotch, abdomen or buttocks than infants, as well as individuals with shaved flesh in the crotch, groin, loose skin, wrinkles, etc. The difference is severe. Therefore, it is difficult to bring the wearer into close contact with the crotch of all wearers.
[0006]
Furthermore, the urination volume of the elderly at one time is much larger than that of infants. If the disposable diaper and the urinary incontinence pad do not adhere to the crotch as described above, urine will leak out, and clothes and bedding will be lost. Easy to get dirty.
[0007]
The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the surface structure provided on the liquid receiving side is easily adhered to the crotch, the genitals, and the shape of the groin, and lateral leakage of the excreted liquid is less likely to occur. It is an object to provide an absorbent article as described above.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides an absorbent article in which a liquid-permeable surface structure is provided on the liquid receiving side of the collecting core,
The surface structure comprises a liquid-permeable surface sheet forming a plurality of bulges in parallel rows, and a hydrophilic material layer interposed between the surface sheet and the absorbent core in the bulge. Consisting of
The surface structure has the bulging portions having different cross-sectional areas.
[0009]
For example, a liquid-permeable second sheet is provided between the hydrophilic material layer and the absorbent core, and the top sheet and the second sheet are joined at a valley of the bulging portion. It can be structured.
[0010]
Alternatively, the second sheet may not be provided, a bulge may be formed on the top sheet, and the top sheet may be joined to the surface of the absorbent core at a valley of the adjacent bulge.
[0011]
The top sheet and the second sheet are liquid-permeable sheets such as a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and a film having many openings. The absorbent core is, for example, ground pulp or a mixture of ground pulp and superabsorbent polymer (SAP).
[0012]
The hydrophilic material layer is formed of hydrophilic or hydrophilically treated fibers. That is, a web of long fiber, strip-shaped fiber, or relatively short fiber called tow, or an air-through nonwoven fabric is used.
[0013]
According to the present invention, since the plurality of bulging portions are formed in a fold shape and the cushion layer is formed by the hydrophilic material layer in the bulging portions, the surface structure conforms to the individual differences of the crotch portion of the wearer and the surface structure is It becomes easy to fit the part. In addition, when a large amount of excreted liquid such as urine is given, it penetrates into the absorbent core below it while flowing through the valley between the bulges, absorbing the excreted liquid over a wide range of the absorbent core. And lateral leakage hardly occurs.
[0014]
It is preferable that the height dimension of the bulging portion in the absorbent article of the present invention is 5 mm or more. When the height of the bulging portions forming a line in a fold is 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, the liquid receiving side of the absorbent article can easily fit into the uneven shape of an individual body such as an elderly person without a gap.
[0015]
The absorbent article of the present invention is used as a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin, urinary incontinence pad, or the like, and the surface of the absorbent core opposite to the surface structure is covered with a liquid-impermeable back sheet. Used as is.
[0016]
Further, the absorbent article of the present invention has an intermediate portion applied to the crotch of the wearer, a front portion applied to the abdomen side of the wearer continuously to the intermediate portion, and a wearer of the wearer continuously applied to the intermediate portion. A rear portion applied to the buttocks side, and when a direction from the front portion to the rear portion is a vertical direction, the surface structure is provided at least in the intermediate portion, and a longitudinal direction of the bulging portion forming a row is Preferably, it is oriented in the vertical direction.
[0017]
That is, the main body is formed by stacking the back sheet, the absorbent core, and the second sheet, and the intermediate part, the front part, and the rear part are integrally formed with the main body, and the swelling is formed on the second sheet. The surface structure having the portion can be configured as installed.
[0018]
When the fold-like bulges are oriented in the vertical direction, excreted liquid such as urine given to the surface structure is guided in the valleys in the middle of the bulges in the vertical direction, and is less likely to flow in the horizontal direction. Become. Further, when the liquid stopping layer is formed in the bulging portion, the liquid is more difficult to flow in the direction crossing the row-shaped bulging portion, so that the lateral leakage of urine and the like can be prevented.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of the absorbent article of the present invention, and is a perspective view including a partial cross section, and FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof. The X direction is the lateral direction (width direction) of the absorbent article, and the Y direction is the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) of the absorbent article.
[0020]
This absorbent article 1 has a back sheet (back sheet) 3 on the back side of the absorbent core 2 and a surface structure 4 on the front side. The absorbent core 2 is formed of ground pulp or a mixture of ground pulp and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and is further wrapped with an absorbent sheet such as a tissue. The back sheet 3 is liquid-impermeable, and is formed of, for example, an olefin-based resin sheet. When used as a disposable diaper or sanitary napkin, the back sheet 3 is preferably air-permeable.
[0021]
The surface structure 4 has a liquid-permeable top sheet (top sheet) 5 and a second liquid-permeable sheet 6 located closer to the absorbent core 2 than the top sheet 5. The top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 are, for example, non-woven fabrics such as a point bond, an air-through, a spun bond, or a spun lace made of hydrophobic fibers subjected to hydrophilic treatment or hydrophilic fibers. Alternatively, a resin film such as polyethylene (PE) having many openings may be used.
[0022]
The topsheet 5 is joined to the second sheet 6 at valleys 7 provided at a constant interval P in the lateral direction. Between the troughs 7, the topsheet 5 is deformed to have a bulge, and a bulge (fold) 8 is formed. The bulging portions 8 extend in the vertical direction and are formed so as to form rows in parallel with each other. A cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material is interposed between the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 inside the bulging portion 8.
[0023]
The hydrophilic material forming the cushion layer 9 is a long fiber (tow), for example, a hydrophilic fiber such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, or a composite fiber of polyester and polyethylene, or a rayon. Is a hydrophilic fiber. Alternatively, a hydrophilic film or a hydrophilic treatment is performed with a short film or a strip-shaped fiber. Alternatively, it is a bulky and low-density nonwoven fabric such as an air-through nonwoven fabric formed of fibers subjected to hydrophilic treatment, or a web of relatively short fibers (having been subjected to hydrophilic treatment or hydrophilic treatment) that have been opened.
[0024]
It is preferable that the cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material is bulky and easily permeates a liquid, and is easily elastically recovered (restored) when pressurized. In order to satisfy these requirements, the configuration of the cushion layer 9 preferably has a density of 0.4 g / cm 3 or less, and the fineness of the fibers forming the cushion layer 9 is 1 denier or more.
[0025]
The top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 are joined at the trough 7. This bonding is bonding by an adhesive such as hot melt. When the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 contain heat-fusible fibers, the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 may be joined by heat fusion at the valleys 7.
[0026]
In the valley portion 7, the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 may be continuously bonded or thermally fused in the vertical direction (Y direction). It is preferable that they are formed at intervals in the direction (Y direction), and that a non-adhesion portion is provided between the adhesion portions. With such a configuration, in the valley portion 7, the second sheet 6 easily permeates the liquid into the absorbent core 2 at the non-adhesion portion between the adjacent adhesion portions or the heat fusion portions.
[0027]
The height h of the bulging portion 8 from the surface of the second sheet 6 is preferably 5 mm or more and 50 mm or less. Furthermore, it is preferable that it is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less. When the height is set to such a height, the surface structure easily fits into the uneven shape of the wearer's body.
[0028]
In the middle part 11 of the bulging part 8, it is preferable that the gap between the bulging parts 8 is smaller than the width of the valley 7. As described above, when the gap between the bulging portions 8 is narrower than the gap between the bulging portions at the bottom of the valley portion 7 at the middle portion 11 in the height direction of the bulging portion 8, preferably When the topsheets 5 are in contact with each other, the surface side (the liquid receiving side) of the valley 7 having the adhesive portion or the heat-sealed portion is covered with the bulging portion 8 and excreted liquid such as urine is provided. When excreted, the excreted liquid easily permeates into the bulging portion 8 and the amount of liquid directly applied to the valley portion 7 where the adhesive portion or the heat-sealed portion is formed can be reduced, and the absorption It becomes easier for the core 2 to absorb the liquid.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, the top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 constituting the top structure 4 and the back sheet 3 are joined to each other in a region outside the absorbent core 2 so that the joining portions 12 and 12 are formed. Is formed. At the joints 12, 12, the sheets 3, 5, 6 are adhered by an adhesive such as hot melt, or joined by heat fusion.
[0030]
In this absorbent article 1, the surface structure 4 has a plurality of bulging portions 8 extending in rows parallel to each other, and is hydrophilic so that the bulging portions 8 are bulky and have low density. Since the cushion layer 9 made of the material is provided, when the surface structure 4 hits the wearer, the individual bulges 8 are deformed in accordance with the shape of the mounting portion, and thus the surface structure 4 is moved by the wearer. It comes into contact with the skin without gaps.
[0031]
In particular, since the individual cushion layers 9 of the surface structure 4 are deformed according to the individual differences in the shape of the crotch, genitals, and groin of the wearer, the adhesion is good, and as a result, the excreted liquid is absorbed by the absorbent article. 1 hardly leaks out.
[0032]
Excreted liquid such as urine passes through the topsheet 5, the cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material, and the second sheet 6, and is absorbed by the absorbent core 2. When a large amount of urine or the like is given to the surface structure 4, the liquid that cannot penetrate into the bulging portion 8 is guided in the vertical direction (Y direction) along the valley portion 7, and in the course of being guided, the surface sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 to reach the absorbent core 2, the liquid hardly leaks laterally (X direction), and the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent core 2 over a wide range. Therefore, the liquid is evenly absorbed in a wide range of the absorbent core 2, and the liquid absorbing ability can be increased in the entire absorbent article 1. Even when the thin absorbent core 2 is used, the liquid can be sufficiently absorbed. Can be absorbed.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view including a partial cross section showing an absorbent article 1A which is a modified example of the basic structure of the present invention.
[0034]
In the absorbent article 1A, the liquid stopping layer 15 is provided inside the bulging portion 8. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the liquid stopper layer is a resin film or a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. Alternatively, a hydrophilic non-woven fabric may be used. In this case, the density of the non-woven fabric is higher than the fiber density of the hydrophilic material of the cushion layer 9, and the liquid that has penetrated into the cushion layer 9 is moved in the lateral direction ( (X direction).
[0035]
The liquid stopping layer 15 such as the resin film or the nonwoven fabric is provided along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) inside the bulging portion 8, and the width dimension W of the liquid stopping layer 15 rises from the surface of the absorbent core 2. That is, the direction of the width dimension W is directed from the surface of the absorbent core 2 to almost the top of the peak of the bulging portion 8. Therefore, in the bulging portion 8, the cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material, the liquid stopping layer 15, and the cushion layer 9 made of a hydrophilic material are arranged in this order in the transverse direction across the bulging portion 8.
[0036]
In the absorbent article 1A, when the liquid that has passed through the top sheet 5 of the surface structure 4 and cannot pass through the second sheet 6 flows through the bulging portion 8, the liquid stopping layer 15 The movement in the lateral direction (X direction) is suppressed, and the liquid permeates the second sheet 6 and is absorbed by the absorbent core 2 while flowing mainly in the Y direction. Therefore, the liquid in the bulging portion 8 does not leak out in the lateral direction, and the lateral leakage of the liquid can be effectively prevented.
[0037]
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are partial cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of the absorbent article 1A. In FIG. 4A, the liquid stopping layer 15a in the bulging portion 8 is constituted by a fiber layer. The fiber layer constituting the liquid stopping layer 15a is a hydrophobic fiber such as a composite fiber or a single fiber of polypropylene and polyethylene and has not been subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. The density of the fiber layer constituting the liquid stopping layer 15a is higher than the density of the hydrophilic fiber constituting the cushion layer 9, and inside the bulging portion 8, the cushion layer 9 is moved in the lateral direction (X direction). , The liquid stopper layer 15a and the cushion layer 9 are arranged in this order, and the liquid stopper layer 15a is sandwiched between the cushion layers 9 in the horizontal direction.
[0038]
In FIG. 4B, the second sheet 6 rises from the surface of the absorbent core 2 and extends inside the bulging portion 8 to form the liquid stopping layer 15b. In FIG. 4 (C), the topsheet 5 hangs down from substantially the top of the bulging portion 8 toward the absorbent core 2, thereby forming the liquid stopping layer 15c.
[0039]
The liquid stopper layers 15b and 15c shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C are formed by folding the liquid-permeable and hydrophilic surface sheet 5 or the second sheet 6 and bonding them to each other with an adhesive such as hot melt. The liquid is hardly permeated than the hydrophilic material forming the cushion layer 9.
[0040]
The liquid shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C is also difficult for the liquid to move in the bulging portion 8 in the horizontal direction, flows in the bulging portion 8 along the longitudinal direction (row direction), and flows into the absorbent core 2. It is effectively absorbed.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an absorbent article 1B according to an embodiment of the present invention based on the basic structure. In this absorbent article 1B, the cross-sectional areas of the bulging portions are different from each other. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional area of the central bulge 8a is large, and the cross-sectional area of the bulges 8b on both sides is small.
[0042]
For example, when used as a disposable diaper or a sanitary napkin, the central bulge 8a having a large cross-sectional area can be deformed so as to follow the shape of the crotch and the genitals, thereby improving the fit. In addition, the bulging portions 8b on both sides have a small cross-sectional area and can be arranged in large numbers at a short pitch in the horizontal direction (X direction). Therefore, lateral leakage of the liquid can be effectively prevented.
[0043]
The cross-sectional area of the central bulge may be reduced, the cross-sectional area of the bulges on both sides may be increased, or the cross-sectional area of the bulge may gradually decrease from the center to both sides, or may gradually increase. Good.
[0044]
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example in which a disposable diaper is configured with the absorbent article of the present invention, with the liquid receiving side facing forward. In addition, it is also possible to configure a urinary incontinence pad or a sanitary napkin with the same structure.
[0045]
This absorbent article 1D is entirely in the shape of a disposable diaper, and has an intermediate portion 21 applied to the wearer's crotch portion, a front portion 22 applied to the abdomen side, and a rear portion applied to the buttocks side. 23 are formed continuously. That is, the laminated body of the back sheet 3, the absorbent core 2, and the second sheet 6 has an hourglass shape, and the intermediate part 21, the front part 22, and the rear part 23 are integrally formed. At this time, the joint portion 12 where the back sheet 3, the second sheet 6, and the top sheet 5 are joined protrudes to both sides at the front portion 22 and the rear portion 23.
[0046]
A plurality of bulging portions 8 (or 8a, 8b) in a row extend in the vertical direction from the front portion 22 to the rear portion 23. In the absorbent article 1 </ b> D, the liquid applied to the surface structure 4 is less likely to flow in the horizontal direction, and therefore, leakage from the intermediate portion 21 in the horizontal direction can be prevented.
[0047]
In addition, the whole shape of the absorbent article 1D as shown in FIG. 6 can be variously changed depending on the use, and for example, the planar shape of the absorbent core 2 may be rectangular.
[0048]
In each of the drawings, the bulging portions 8 (8a, 8b) extend linearly and continuously in the vertical direction. However, for example, the bulging portions 8 extending in the vertical direction (Y direction) are fixed in the vertical direction. The top sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 may be closed at regular intervals, that is, at regular intervals in the vertical direction, and the cushion layer 9 may be interrupted. That is, the bulges 8 forming a row have valleys 7 extending in the vertical direction parallel to each other when viewed from a plane, and the size of each bulge 8 is short in the horizontal direction (X direction) and small in the vertical direction ( (Y direction) should be long.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, the surface structure can be freely deformed in accordance with individual differences in the crotch portion, and easily fits the wearer's skin. In addition, when the bulging portions extend in a row in the vertical direction, lateral leakage of the liquid can be effectively prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the basic structure of an absorbent article according to the present invention, including a partial cross section;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the absorbent article having the basic structure of the present invention, including a partial cross section;
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are partial cross-sectional views showing a modification of the liquid stopping layer of the absorbent article of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the absorbent article according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example in which a disposable diaper is made of the absorbent article of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1D Absorbent article 2 Absorbent core 3 Back sheet 4 Surface structure 5 Surface sheet 6 Second sheet 7 Valley 8 Swelling section 9 Cushion layer 12 Joining section 21 Intermediate section 22 Front section 23 Rear section

Claims (8)

In an absorbent article provided with a liquid-permeable surface structure on the liquid receiving side of the absorbent core,
The surface structure comprises a liquid-permeable surface sheet forming a plurality of bulges in parallel rows, and a hydrophilic material layer interposed between the surface sheet and the absorbent core in the bulge. Consisting of
The said surface structure has the said bulging part from which a cross-sectional area differs, The absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the bulge located at the center has a large cross-sectional area and the bulges on both sides have a small cross-sectional area. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area is gradually reduced from the central bulge to the bulges located on both sides. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the bulge located at the center has a small cross-sectional area and the bulges on both sides have a large cross-sectional area. A liquid-permeable second sheet is provided between the hydrophilic material layer and the absorbent core, and the top sheet and the second sheet are joined at a valley of the bulging portion. 5. The absorbent article according to any one of 1 to 4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hydrophilic material layer is formed of hydrophilic or hydrophilically-treated fibers. The absorption according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a liquid stopping layer having a lower liquid permeability than the hydrophilic material layer is provided inside the bulge along the longitudinal direction of the bulge. Products. An intermediate portion applied to the crotch of the wearer, a front portion continuing to the intermediate portion, and a rear portion also continuing to the intermediate portion, when a direction from the front portion to the rear portion is a vertical direction, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the surface structure is provided at least in the intermediate portion, and a longitudinal direction of the bulging portions forming a row is oriented in the longitudinal direction.

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