JP5334729B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article to be attached to a region including a wearer's crotch.

  In many cases, pulp and absorbent polymer are used for the absorbent core provided in the absorbent article. For this reason, when absorbing excretory fluids, such as urine, an absorption core tends to expand greatly by swelling of an absorption polymer. Here, when the absorbent polymer expands, air is often involved between the absorbent polymers to form bubbles or gaps, and the absorbent polymer tends to expand beyond the amount of liquid absorbed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of a conventional absorbent article. As shown in FIG. 5, the conventional absorbent article 1 has an outer sheet member 3 and an inner sheet member 4 disposed on the outer surface side and the skin surface side of the absorbent core 2. While the outer sheet member 3 is often configured to include a waterproof resin film, the inner sheet member 4 is often configured mainly using a non-woven fabric. The member 4 tends to be easily extended. For this reason, when the absorption core 2 expand | swells by absorption of excretion liquid, as shown in FIG. 6, the tendency for the absorption core 2 to expand | swell toward the inner sheet | seat member 4 side which is easy to extend is strong. Thus, when the absorption core 2 expand | swells to the skin surface side, the clearance gap 6 may arise between a wearer's buttocks 5 and the absorbent article 1. FIG. Such a gap 6 may induce leakage of urine when the next urination is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the absorbent article 1 is provided with the left and right three-dimensional gathers 7, the three-dimensional gathers of the inner sheet member 4 are caused by the expansion of the absorbent core 2 toward the skin surface as described above. The difference between the height of the sheet surface 4a on the inner side in the horizontal direction 7 and the height of the three-dimensional gather 7 is reduced. Accordingly, the side leakage preventing effect is impaired by the three-dimensional gather 7, and excrement such as urine may leak out of the absorbent article 1 so as to get over the three-dimensional gather 7.

  In addition, as a prior art document, there exists what used a foaming hot-melt-adhesive for the absorbent article (patent document 1).

JP-A-6-47073

  Then, the problem which should be solved by this invention is providing the absorbent article which can suppress the expansion | swelling to the skin surface side of the absorption core at the time of liquid absorption, and can suppress the leakage of excrement.

In order to solve the above problems, in the invention of claim 1, an absorbent article to be worn in a region including the wearer's crotch, the absorbent core having an absorbent material having a liquid-absorbing polymer; An outer sheet member disposed on the outer surface side of the absorbent core, an inner sheet member disposed on the skin surface side of the absorbent core and having at least a part of liquid permeability, and the absorbent core Spacers that are provided in a plurality of locations between the outer surface side surface and the outer sheet member in a substantially streak manner and spaced apart from each other, and the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core. And a gap provided between the adjacent spacers between the outer sheet member and the outer sheet member, and the spacers are formed of a foamed hot melt adhesive .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the absorbent article according to the first aspect of the present invention, the spacers are substantially vertically separated from each other in the lateral direction between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member. It is provided in a substantially streak shape along the direction.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, spacers are provided in a substantially streak shape at a plurality of locations between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member, and the absorbent core and the outer sheet are provided by the spacers. The member is separated. And the clearance gap is provided between the adjacent spacers between the outer surface side surface of an absorption core, and an outer sheet | seat member. Therefore, when the absorbent core expands due to liquid absorption, there is a space for the absorbent core to expand to the outer surface side by a gap provided between adjacent spacers between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member. Can supply. Thereby, an absorption core becomes easy to expand | swell toward an outer surface side, and the expansion | swelling to the skin surface side of an absorption core can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress leakage of excrement such as urine caused by swelling of the absorption core toward the skin surface due to liquid absorption.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the spacers are provided in a substantially streak shape along the substantially vertical direction and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member. For this reason, it is possible to effectively form a gap between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member while suppressing the number of spacers for the absorbent core having a longitudinal dimension longer than the lateral direction.

According to the invention described in claim 1 , since the spacer is formed of the foamed hot melt adhesive, the foamed hot melt adhesive forming the spacer can be used for bonding the absorbent core and the outer sheet member. As a result, the manufacturing process of the absorbent article can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

It is a top view of the disposable diaper as an absorptive article concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the cross section along the AA line of the disposable diaper of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a state when the disposable diaper of FIG. 1 absorbed urine. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the disposable diaper of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the conventional absorbent article. It is sectional drawing which shows a state when the absorbent article of FIG. 5 absorbs urine. It is sectional drawing of the other conventional absorbent article.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disposable diaper (hereinafter simply referred to as “diaper”) as an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional configuration along line AA of the diaper. It is sectional drawing shown typically. 1 and 2, the horizontal direction X corresponds to the wearer's left-right direction, and the vertical direction Y corresponds to the wearer's front-rear or vertical direction. Further, in the configuration of the diaper 10 shown in FIG. 1, the upper side in the drawing of FIG. 1 corresponds to the rear side of the diaper 10.

  The diaper 10 according to the present embodiment is used by being laid inside a crotch part such as a tape-type or pants-type diaper (sometimes referred to as a urine pad). By laying the diaper 10 on the crotch of a tape-type or pant-type diaper, the liquid absorption capacity of the diaper was reinforced, and a large amount of urine was discharged or loose stool containing a large amount of water was defecation. It will be possible to deal with cases. In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where this invention was applied to a urine pad, you may apply this invention to a tape-type or underpants-type diaper. A tape-type diaper is a type in which fastening members such as hook-and-loop fasteners are provided on both the left and right sides of the rear edge of the diaper. A pant-type diaper is a pair of left and right leg holes and waist holes. This is a type of diaper that is attached to the left and right leg holes through the wearer's legs.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diaper 10 includes an absorbent core 11, an outer sheet member 12, and an inner sheet member 13. At least a part of the inner sheet member 13 has liquid permeability. The inner sheet member 13 includes an inner sheet member main body 21, left and right upright seat portions 22, and left and right elastic members 23.

  Absorption core 11 absorbs excretion fluid (for example, water contained in urine or feces) excreted by the wearer. More specifically, the absorbent core 11 includes an absorbent material 111 having a liquid-absorbing polymer and a packaging sheet (for example, tissue paper) 112 that has liquid permeability and wraps the absorbent material 111. The absorbent material 111 is composed of, for example, a fiber assembly composed of aggregated fibers and an absorption polymer mixed or added to the fiber assembly. Alternatively, as another configuration of the absorbent core 11, a configuration in which an absorbent polymer is mainly accommodated in the sheet-shaped absorbent core 11 without using a fiber assembly may be employed. In the present embodiment, the outer shape of the absorbent core 11 viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent material 111 is a substantially hourglass shape, but other shapes such as a substantially rectangular shape and a substantially oval shape are adopted as the shape of the absorbent material 111. May be.

  The packaging sheet 112 wraps, for example, the absorbent material 111 so as to be involved. More specifically, for example, the packaging sheet 112 is configured such that the portions on both sides in the lateral direction X of the packaging sheet 112 wind up the side edges 111a on both sides in the lateral direction X of the absorbent material 111 from the outer surface side to the skin surface side. The absorbent material 111 is wrapped. The portions on both sides in the lateral direction X of the packaging sheet 112 are overlapped with each other on the skin surface side of the absorbent material 111.

  The outer sheet member 12 is liquid-impermeable and is disposed on the outer surface side of the absorbent core 11. More specifically, the outer sheet member 12 includes, for example, a nonwoven fabric sheet and a liquid-impervious resin film bonded to the skin surface side of the nonwoven fabric sheet. As the nonwoven fabric sheet, for example, a synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric having water repellency is used. As the resin film, for example, a synthetic resin film such as polyethylene (a liquid impervious and air permeable film is preferable) is used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, between the outer surface side surface 11a of the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12, a substantially streaky foamed hot melt adhesive 31 is applied at a plurality of positions at intervals. The foamed hot melt adhesive 31 corresponds to the spacer according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the foamed hot melt adhesive 31 has a function as a spacer. However, the present invention is not limited to the foamed hot melt adhesive 31, and various materials can be used as the spacer.

  More specifically, the substantially streaky foamed hot melt adhesive 31 is substantially longitudinally spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction X at a plurality of locations between the outer surface side surface 11 a of the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12. It is provided along the direction Y. In the present embodiment, the foaming hot melt adhesive 31 is provided at the three edge portions 11b on the outer surface 11a of the absorbent core 11 on both sides in the lateral direction X or in the vicinity thereof, and in the central portion. Not limited to this, various configurations can be adopted. The foamed hot melt adhesive 31 has an appropriate thickness with respect to the thickness direction of the diaper 10 and separates the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12. As a result, a gap 32 is formed between the adjacent foamed hot melt adhesives 31 between the outer surface 11 a of the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12. As will be described later, the gap 32 functions as a relief space when the absorbent core 11 expands due to liquid absorption.

  The foamed hot melt adhesive 31 is obtained by foaming a hot melt adhesive by mixing a gas (for example, air or nitrogen gas), and has a three-dimensional thickness in a solidified state. It has the characteristic that it can have moderate elasticity. The foamed hot melt adhesive 31 also contributes to the adhesion between the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12.

  In the present embodiment, the foamed hot melt adhesive 31 is provided over the substantially entire length L11 along the substantially longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent core 11, but the foamed hot melt adhesive 31 is disposed in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent core 11. You may provide only in the one part area including a center part. Further, in the present embodiment, the substantially streaky foamed hot melt adhesive 31 is provided along the substantially vertical direction Y, but may be provided along the substantially horizontal direction X or may be provided along the oblique direction. Good.

  The inner sheet member main body 21 of the inner sheet member 13 is disposed on the skin surface side of the absorbent core 11. The left and right standing sheet portions 22 are provided along the vertical direction Y with a gap in the lateral direction X on the skin surface side of the inner sheet member main body 21, and in a direction (skin surface side) away from the inner sheet member main body 21. It is possible to stand up. The left and right elastic members 23 are respectively provided in the extended state in the longitudinal direction Y at the tip portions of the left and right upright seat portions 22, and the upright seat portions 22 are raised toward the wearer's skin surface by the contraction force. Let The elastic member 23 and the upright sheet portion 22 constitute a three-dimensional gather, and side leakage of urine and feces excreted by the three-dimensional gather is prevented.

  The inner sheet member main body 21 and the upright sheet portion 22 of the inner sheet member 13 are configured by a top sheet 28 and left and right side sheets 29, for example. The top sheet 26 has liquid permeability, and is disposed along the longitudinal direction Y at the center in the lateral direction X of the inner sheet member main body 21. As a material of the top sheet 28, for example, a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric or the like is used.

  The left and right side sheets 29 have liquid impermeability, and are arranged in the longitudinal direction Y so as to overlap from the skin surface side on both sides of the top sheet 28 in the lateral direction X (for example, edges on both sides in the lateral direction X). And are joined to a portion on both sides in the lateral direction X of the top sheet 28 (for example, edges on both sides in the lateral direction X) by a joining means such as an adhesive (for example, a hot melt adhesive). As a material of the side sheet 29, for example, a water-repellent nonwoven fabric or the like is used. A portion on the inner side in the lateral direction X of the side seat 29 is configured to be able to stand up in a direction away from the top sheet 28 (skin surface side), and constitutes a standing seat portion 22. In addition, in this embodiment, although the standing sheet | seat part 22 was comprised by the part of the inner side of the horizontal direction X of the side seat | sheet 29, not only this structure but a various structure is employable.

  When urination or the like is performed by the wearer while the diaper 10 according to this embodiment is worn, the excreted urine passes through the top sheet 28 of the inner sheet member 13 and reaches the absorbent core 11. And is absorbed by the absorbent material 111 of the absorbent core 11. At this time, since the absorption polymer contained in the absorption material 111 expands with the absorption of urine, the absorption material 111 expands with the absorption of the urine of the absorption polymer as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the absorbent core 11 is expanded by liquid absorption as described above, the substantially streaky foamed hot melt adhesive 31 adjacent between the outer surface side surface 11a of the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12 is used. A space in which the absorbent core 11 expands to the outer surface side can be supplied by the gap portion 32 provided therebetween. Thereby, the absorption core 11 becomes easy to expand | swell toward an outer surface side, and the expansion | swelling to the skin surface side of the absorption core 11 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress leakage of excrement such as urine caused by the swelling of the absorption core 11 to the skin surface side due to the liquid absorption.

  Further, the foamed hot melt adhesive 31 is provided in a substantially streak shape along the substantially vertical direction Y, spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction X between the outer surface side surface 11 a of the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12. . For this reason, while suppressing the number of foaming hot-melt-adhesive agents 31 with respect to the absorption core 11 whose dimension of the vertical direction Y is longer than the horizontal direction X, between the outer surface side surface 11a of the absorption core 11 and the outer sheet member 12. The gap portion 32 can be effectively formed between them.

  Further, since the foamed hot melt adhesive 31 plays a role as a spacer, the foamed hot melt adhesive 31 can be used for bonding the spacer, the absorbent core 11 and the outer sheet member 12. Simplification and cost reduction can be achieved.

  In addition, the structure shown in the following FIG. 4 is employable as a modification of the diaper 10 which concerns on said this embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, at least one folding part 41 is formed in a vertical direction by folding a part of the packaging sheet 112 so as to be openable at a portion facing the outer surface 111 b of the absorbent material 111 of the packaging sheet 112. It is provided along Y. Furthermore, at least one folding part 42 is provided in the part located in the peripheral part of the absorption core 11 in the outer sheet member 12 so that a part of the outer sheet member 12 is folded openably. The folded portions 41 and 42 are provided along the substantially vertical direction Y at positions facing the gap portions 32 formed between the foamed hot melt adhesive 31. In addition, the folding shape of the folding parts 41 and 42 is not restricted to the shape shown in FIG. 4, A various shape is employable. Moreover, the structure which provides the folding part 41 only in the one part area | region including the center part of the vertical direction Y of the absorption core 11 besides the structure which provides the folding part 41 over the substantially full length L11 (refer FIG. 1) of the absorption core 11. FIG. Can also be adopted. In addition to the configuration in which the folded portion 42 is provided over substantially the entire length L10 of the diaper 10, a configuration in which the folded portion 42 is provided only in a part of the section including the central portion in the longitudinal direction Y of the diaper 10 can be employed.

  By providing such folding portions 41 and 42, when the absorbent material 111 of the absorbent core 11 expands along with the absorption of the urine of the absorbent polymer, the packaging sheet 112 of the absorbent core 11 expands as the absorbent material 111 expands. The folding portion 41 and the folding portion 42 of the outer sheet member 12 are opened, and a space is provided for the absorbent material 111 to expand toward the outer surface side. Thereby, the absorbent material 111 of the absorbent core 11 is easily expanded toward the outer surface side, and the expansion of the absorbent core 11 toward the skin surface side can be suppressed. For this reason, by the contribution of the folding portions 41 and 42 and the gap portion 32 described above, the absorbent core 11 is further easily expanded toward the outer surface side, and the expansion of the absorbent core 11 toward the skin surface side can be more reliably suppressed. .

  Further, since the folding portions 41 and 42 are provided at positions facing the respective gap portions 32 formed between the foaming hot melt adhesive 31, the opening operation of the folding portions 41 and 42 is performed by the foaming hot melt adhesive. 31 is not obstructed, and the expansion space of the absorbent core 11 by the foamed hot melt adhesive 31 on the outer surface side of the absorbent core 11 and the expansion space of the absorbent core 11 by the folding portions 41 and 42 are supplied. The function to perform can be made to act reliably and synergistically.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Diaper, 11 Absorption core, 11a External surface side, Side end, 111 Absorption material, 111a Side end, 112 Packaging sheet, 12 Outer sheet member, 21 Inner sheet member main body, 22 Standing sheet part, 23 Elastic member, 26, 27 Folded part, 28 Top sheet, 29 Side sheet, 31 Foam hot melt adhesive, 32 Gap part, 41, 42 Folded part, X transverse direction, Y longitudinal direction.

Claims (2)

An absorbent article to be worn in an area including the wearer's crotch,
An absorbent core with an absorbent material having a liquid-absorbing polymer;
An outer sheet member having liquid impermeability and disposed on the outer surface side of the absorbent core;
An inner sheet member that is disposed on the skin surface side of the absorbent core and at least part of which has liquid permeability;
A spacer that is provided in a substantially streak shape at a plurality of locations between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member, and that separates the absorbent core and the outer sheet member;
A gap provided between the adjacent spacers between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member;
Equipped with a,
The said spacer is formed with a foaming hot-melt-adhesive, The absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned . The absorbent article according to claim 1,
The absorbent article is characterized in that the spacer is provided in a substantially streak shape along the substantially vertical direction and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction between the outer surface side surface of the absorbent core and the outer sheet member.

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