JP5949322B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article that is attached to a crotch of a wearer and absorbs and holds a liquid such as urine. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent article having stable body pressure dispersibility and good breathability, and can effectively prevent, for example, pressure sores.

  Pressure ulcers (so-called bed sores), for example, when the body is in the same position for a long time, such as a person who is bedridden and bedridden, can cause blood circulation at the point of contact between the body and its support surface (such as a bed). A symptom that causes failure and necrosis of surrounding tissue. The causes of pressure ulcers include the fact that the patient's body pressure is locally applied to the support surface such as a bed for a long time, and the air permeability of the body and the support surface deteriorates to cause swelling. It is done. For this reason, in order to prevent pressure ulcers, it is necessary to suppress the stuffiness generated in the body while efficiently distributing the body pressure of the patient.

  By the way, absorbent articles represented by disposable diapers are used by being worn around the waist of the wearer. For example, if a physically handicapped person goes to bed while wearing an absorbent article, the waist around the absorbent article will remain in contact with the bed for an extended period of time. The body pressure may be easily applied locally, or the air permeability may deteriorate. That is, an absorbent body made of general pulp has a low cushioning property in the longitudinal direction (three-dimensional direction) because the fibers are deposited in a lateral orientation (planar direction). Moreover, since a general absorber is clogged with fibers, the air permeability is poor. Therefore, when a general absorbent article is used for a bedridden patient or the like, pressure ulcers are likely to occur.

  For this reason, it is conventionally known that a structure for dispersing body pressure is applied to absorbent articles such as disposable diapers for the purpose of preventing pressure ulcers (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). ). The absorbent bodies disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 have a structure in which a gel-like polymer layer having a sufficient thickness is formed on the adjacent surface of the absorbent core when a liquid such as urine is absorbed. Thus, by making the polymer layer into a gel, the cushioning property of the absorbent body is enhanced by the viscosity and elasticity unique to the gel. Therefore, according to the absorbent bodies of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a body pressure dispersion effect is obtained. It is supposed to be done.

JP 2009-11377 A JP 2008-183159 A

  However, like the absorber disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document, a polymer layer that has absorbed liquid and gelled has a property that it has a high viscosity and is difficult to return to its original position once it has moved. For this reason, when the polymer layer contained in the absorber is gelled, there is a problem that stable body pressure dispersibility cannot be obtained. In addition, as in the absorber disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document, the thickness of the material itself cannot be secured even if the gelled polymer layer is used as a buffer material, and the gelled polymer layer does not recover from compression. Since the property is low, there is also a problem that the cushioning property is inferior. Furthermore, when the polymer layer is gelled, the air permeability deteriorates. Therefore, when this polymer layer is used as a cushioning material, the wearer's body may be stuffy.

  Therefore, at present, there is a demand for absorbent articles having stable body pressure dispersibility and good air permeability.

Therefore, as a result of intensive investigations on means for solving the above-described problems of the conventional invention, the inventor of the present invention connects two knitted fabrics having a plurality of openings as the structure of the absorbent body included in the absorbent article. It was found that stable body pressure dispersibility and good air permeability can be obtained by using a three-dimensional knitted fabric connected with fibers at intervals. That is, the three-dimensional knitted fabric connects two knitted fabrics in the longitudinal direction (three-dimensional direction) with connecting fibers, so that the cushioning property of the absorbent body is enhanced and the body pressure dispersibility is stabilized. Moreover, since the two knitted fabrics have a plurality of openings, the air permeability of the absorbent body is improved. The inventor has conceived that the problems of the prior art can be solved based on the above knowledge, and has completed the present invention.
More specifically, the present invention has the following configuration.

The present invention relates to an absorbent article. The absorbent article 100 of the present invention includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 10, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 20, and an absorbent body 30 interposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20.
In the present invention, the absorbent body 30 has a three-dimensional knitted fabric 40.
The three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 includes an upper layer knitted fabric 41, a lower layer knitted fabric 42, and a plurality of connecting fibers 43.
The upper layer knitted fabric 41 is located on the top sheet 10 side and is a knitted fabric in which a plurality of upper layer opening portions 41a are formed.
The lower knitted fabric 42 is a knitted fabric that is located on the backsheet 20 side and has a plurality of lower layer openings 42a.
And the some connection fiber 43 has connected the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer knitted fabric 42 at intervals.

  As in the above configuration, the three-dimensional knitted fabric included in the absorbent article of the present invention includes a connecting fiber that connects two knitted fabrics in the vertical direction (three-dimensional direction). The locally applied body pressure can be efficiently dispersed. Moreover, it is possible to make the body pressure dispersibility stable by using a fiber having a high restoring force as the connecting fiber. In addition, since the two knitted fabrics constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric have openings, and these knitted fabrics are formed by weaving fibers, the three-dimensional knitted fabric itself has good air permeability. ing. Furthermore, since the three-dimensional knitted fabric is formed by weaving a plurality of fibers, the strength in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction is high, and as a result, the durability of the absorbent article is improved. Therefore, the effect of preventing pressure ulcer can be enhanced by incorporating a three-dimensional knitted structure into the absorbent body.

  In the present invention, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 includes a plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44 held by at least one of the upper knitted fabric (41), the lower knitted fabric (42), or the connecting fibers (43). , Preferably.

  As described above, the three-dimensional knitted fabric includes an upper knitted fabric, a lower knitted fabric, and a plurality of connecting fibers that connect these two knitted fabrics. For this reason, it is possible to hold | maintain a highly water-absorbing polymer between the fibers which form two knitted fabrics, or between adjacent connection fibers. In addition, the superabsorbent polymer may be held by the upper knitted fabric, the lower knitted fabric, and the connecting fibers in the entire three-dimensional knitted fabric. The superabsorbent polymer mentioned here is a hydrophilic polymer having a cross-linked structure, has a water absorption power of 10 times or more of its own weight, and has a characteristic that it is difficult to separate even under pressure. For this reason, by holding a plurality of superabsorbent polymers between two knitted fabrics and connecting fibers, an absorbent article having a high liquid absorption capacity and a high storage capacity can be obtained. In addition, in a configuration in which a superabsorbent polymer is included in a three-dimensional knitted fabric, body pressure is applied to the polymer after absorbing the liquid by keeping the distance between the upper knitted fabric and the lower knitted fabric constant by connecting fibers. Since it becomes difficult, gelation of the polymer after liquid absorption can be prevented.

  In the present invention, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 preferably further includes a pulp layer 46 formed of a plurality of pulverized pulps in at least a three-dimensional space formed by the connecting fibers 43.

  As in the above configuration, the ability to absorb and retain liquid by absorbent articles is improved by interposing a pulp layer in the three-dimensional space formed by connecting fibers, that is, the space between the upper knitted fabric and the lower knitted fabric. To do. The pulp layer is preferably disposed at least in the three-dimensional space, and may be attached to the upper knitted fabric or the lower knitted fabric. Also. The pulp layer may be embedded with a plurality of the superabsorbent polymers described above. In this way, by interposing the pulp layer in the three-dimensional space formed by the connecting fibers, the body pressure applied to the pulp layer is reduced, so that the pulp layer can be prevented from being clogged. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even when the wearer wears the absorbent article for a long time, the pulp layer is not clogged and good air permeability can be maintained.

  In the present invention, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is formed from at least one stitch of a plurality of stitches having a portion defining an opening in one of the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42 and the other knitted fabric. It is preferable that four or more connecting fibers 43 extend to the stitches of the portions defining the openings at positions facing each other in the ground, and the knitted fabrics defining the openings are connected to each other.

  As described above, the upper layer knitted fabric, the lower layer knitted fabric, and the three-dimensional knitted fabric are knitted to form the three-dimensional knitted fabric so that the upper layer opening of the upper knitted fabric and the lower layer opening of the lower knitted fabric are opposed to each other. The structure which made the part and the lower layer opening part connect is realizable. In this way, by allowing the upper layer opening and the lower layer opening to communicate with each other, the air permeability can be improved and the liquid such as urine can be efficiently absorbed.

  In the present invention, the absorbent body 30 may further include a storage layer 47 formed of an absorbent material that absorbs and holds a liquid between the back sheet 20 and the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40.

  As in the above configuration, the absorbent body is provided with a liquid storage layer in the lower layer of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, so that the liquid that has passed through the three-dimensional knitted fabric is held by the storage layer. The liquid retained in the storage layer can be sucked up by the superabsorbent polymer contained in the three-dimensional knitted fabric. As a result, the liquid can be reliably absorbed and retained, and urine leakage can be prevented. For example, as the absorbent material for forming the storage layer, pulverized pulp, airlaid nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, or a material in which a superabsorbent polymer is embedded in these materials can be used.

The absorbent article 100 of the present invention is located between the front body 1 that contacts the wearer's abdomen side, the back body 2 that contacts the wearer's back side, and the front body 1 and the back body 2 when worn. It is divided into the crotch 3.
In this case, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 has an area larger than the areas of the upper layer opening 41a formed in the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer opening 42a formed in the lower layer knitted fabric 42 at least in the region included in the back body 2. Thus, an opening space 48 formed from the upper knitted fabric 41 to the lower knitted fabric 42 may be provided.

  By providing an opening space portion formed so as to communicate from the upper knitted fabric to the lower layer knitted fabric in the region included in the back body as in the above configuration, for example, this open space portion is a pocket for storing stool. Function as. Therefore, according to the said structure, it becomes possible to isolate | separate the urine and the stool which the wearer excreted.

  In the present invention, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 may be used as a whole or partly overlaid on a plurality of layers.

  As in the above configuration, for example, the body pressure can be more effectively dispersed by arranging the three-dimensional knitted fabrics on the absorbent article, particularly in the portion where the body pressure is applied.

  In the present invention, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 may be subjected to one or more types of hydrophilic processing, deodorization processing, and antibacterial processing. For example, as a hydrophilic processing method, polyethylene glycol can be applied to the surface of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric. Moreover, what is necessary is just to make a constituent fiber contain a well-known deodorant composition or make it adhere as an odor eliminating process. Moreover, what is necessary is just to apply | coat a well-known antibacterial agent (for example, various organic silicone type | system | group quaternary ammonium salt) to the surface of a constituent fiber as antibacterial processing.

  Since the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 has a structure having a certain volume in which two knitted fabrics are connected by connecting fibers, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is subjected to hydrophilic processing, deodorizing processing, or antibacterial processing as described above. Therefore, the effects of these processes can be demonstrated efficiently.

  In the present invention, since the absorbent body is constituted by a three-dimensional knitted fabric having a plurality of connecting fibers that connect two knitted fabrics in the vertical direction (solid direction), the cushioning property in the vertical direction is high and locally. The applied body pressure can be efficiently dispersed. Moreover, it is possible to make the body pressure dispersibility stable by using a fiber having a high restoring force as the connecting fiber. In addition, since the two knitted fabrics constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric have openings, and these knitted fabrics are formed by weaving fibers, the three-dimensional knitted fabric itself has good air permeability. ing. Furthermore, since the three-dimensional knitted fabric is formed by weaving a plurality of fibers, the strength in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction is high, and as a result, the durability of the absorbent article is improved. Therefore, the effect of preventing pressure ulcer can be enhanced by incorporating a three-dimensional knitted structure into the absorbent body.

FIG. 1 is a development view showing an example of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the structure of the three-dimensional knitted fabric used in the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view for explaining a specific structure of the three-dimensional knitted fabric. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the shape of the opening of the knitted fabric forming the three-dimensional knitted fabric. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the absorbent body, and shows an example in which the absorbent body includes a pulp layer. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the absorber, and shows an example in which the absorber includes a storage layer. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another modified example of the absorbent body, and shows an example in which an open space is formed in a three-dimensional knitted fabric. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line X2-X2 shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing still another modified example of the absorbent body, and shows an example in which the absorbent body is formed by stacking three-dimensional knitted fabrics. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X3-X3 shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but includes those appropriately modified by those skilled in the art from the following embodiments.
In the drawing, in order to show the structure of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, an orthogonal coordinate system of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis is set. In the present specification, “planar direction” means a direction specified by the X axis and Y axis, and “solid direction” means a direction specified by the Z axis.
In the present specification, “A to B” means “A or more and B or less”.

  Below, regarding the embodiment of the absorbent article which concerns on this invention, the example in case an absorbent article is a disposable diaper is demonstrated concretely. However, the present invention is not limited to disposable diapers, and is applicable to articles worn by a wearer for the purpose of absorbing and holding body fluids, such as sanitary napkins, urine absorption pads, or absorption pads. can do.

(1. Overall configuration of disposable diapers)
FIG. 1 is a development view of the disposable diaper 100, and shows the disposable diaper 100 as viewed from the skin contact surface side. As shown in FIG. 1, the disposable diaper 100 according to the present embodiment includes a front body 1 that contacts the abdomen side of the wearer, a back body 2 that contacts the back side of the wearer, and a front body. 1 and a crotch part 3 positioned between the back body 2 and the crotch part 3. The disposable diaper 100 includes an absorbent main body 4, a front body exterior body 5, and a back body exterior body 6. The front body exterior body 5 contacts the wearer's abdomen when worn, and the back body exterior body 6 contacts the wearer's back when worn. The absorbent main body 4 has one end side in the length direction fixed to the front body exterior body 5 and the other end side fixed to the rear body exterior body 6. For this reason, in this invention, the absorptive main body 4 is in the state bridge | crosslinked between the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6. FIG. As a means for fixing the absorbent main body 4 to the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6, a known method can be used, for example, fixing using a hot-melt adhesive or other fluid adhesive. It may be fixed by a method, or may be fixed by heat welding such as heat sealing or ultrasonic welding.

  Further, the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 are joined to each other at the side seal portions 7 located on both side edges in the width direction, so that the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 are connected in a ring shape. In this way, by joining the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 with the side seal portion 7, a waist opening located around the waist of the wearer when worn, and a leg portion of the wearer when worn An opening around the leg located around is formed, and a pants-type disposable diaper is formed. The wearer puts both legs from the waist opening so that the abdomen is in contact with the front body exterior body 5 and the back is in contact with the back body exterior body 6, and each leg is opened around the leg. You can put on a pants-type disposable diaper. When the disposable diaper is worn, the absorbent main body 4 is applied to the excretion part of the wearer and absorbs and holds liquid such as urine excreted by the wearer.

  However, the pants-type disposable diaper 100 having a structure in which the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 shown in FIG. 1 are separated represents an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can also be applied to, for example, a pants-type disposable diaper having a structure in which an exterior body on which an absorbent main body is placed is integrated from the front body to the back body. The present invention can also be applied to a tape-type disposable diaper. The tape-type disposable diaper is a disposable diaper having a structure in which an adhesive tape is attached so as to extend from both sides of the front body or the back body, and the front body and the back body are bonded using the adhesive tape when worn.

(2. Absorbent body)
Then, the structure of the absorptive main body 4 is demonstrated. The absorbent main body 4 is arranged over the front body 1 and the back body 2 around the crotch 3. When the disposable diaper 100 is worn, the absorbent main body 4 comes into contact with the wearer's crotch and absorbs and holds liquid such as urine.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the absorbent main body 4 is cut along the line X1-X1 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent main body 4 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 10, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 20, and an absorber 30 interposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. . In the present invention, the absorbent body 30 has a structure including the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. Further, the absorbent main body 4 has a pair of side sheets 50 on the left and right sides of the absorber 30. Furthermore, the absorptive main body 4 includes a cover sheet 60 that covers the back sheet 20 from the skin non-contact surface side. Hereinafter, each member which comprises the absorptive main body 4 is demonstrated concretely.

(2-1. Top sheet)
The top sheet 10 is a sheet-like member that is in direct contact with the skin of the wearer's crotch and allows liquid such as urine to pass through the absorbent body 30. For this reason, the top sheet 10 is composed of a liquid-permeable material having high flexibility. The top sheet 10 is disposed so as to cover the absorber 30 from the skin contact surface side. The top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30 may be fixed by a known adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive.

  Examples of the liquid permeable material constituting the top sheet 10 are a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a porous film. Moreover, as the top sheet 10, it is good also as using the thing which gave the hydrophilic treatment to the fiber of thermoplastic resin like a polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, or nylon, and made it the nonwoven fabric. Moreover, as a nonwoven fabric which comprises the top sheet 10, what processed natural fibers, such as cotton, by processing methods, such as a spun bond method, a spun lace method, a thermal bond method, a melt blown method, or a needle punch method, is mentioned. Among nonwoven fabric processing methods, nonwoven fabrics formed by the spunbond method are excellent in flexibility and drape. In addition, the thermal bond method has an advantage that a bulky and soft nonwoven fabric can be obtained.

(2-2. Backsheet)
The back sheet 20 is a sheet-like member for preventing the liquid that has passed through the top sheet 10 and absorbed by the absorber 30 from leaking. For this reason, the backsheet 20 is comprised with a liquid-impermeable material. The back sheet 20 is disposed so as to cover the absorber 30 from the skin non-contact surface side. The back sheet 20 and the absorbent body 30 may be fixed by a known adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive.

  An example of the liquid impervious material constituting the back sheet 20 is an olefin resin sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and a sheet material having at least liquid shielding properties is used. Further, as the back sheet 20, a microporous air-permeable resin sheet obtained by kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet and then stretching the sheet may be used. it can. In addition, as the back sheet 20, a laminated non-woven sheet in which a non-woven fabric is laminated on a polyethylene sheet or the like, or a non-woven sheet having substantial liquid impermeability through a waterproof film can be used. In particular, a microporous polyethylene film in which a plurality of fine pores of 0.1 to 4 μm are formed is preferably used as the backsheet 20.

(2-3. Absorber)
The absorber 30 is a member for absorbing liquid such as urine and holding the absorbed liquid. The absorber 30 is disposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 and has a function of absorbing liquid that has passed through the top sheet 10.

  The shape of the absorber 30 is preferably an hourglass shape as shown in FIG. The hourglass shape means that the absorber 30 has an extended portion that extends outward in the width direction on the front body 1 side and the back body 2 side. Since the hourglass-shaped absorber 30 is formed with extended portions at the four corners on the front body 1 side and the back body 2 side, it is curved toward the inside of the absorber 30 at the crotch 3 at the center in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, a refracted constricted portion is formed. By making the absorbent body 30 into an hourglass shape as described above, the longitudinal center portion of the absorbent body 30 has a constricted shape in accordance with the shape of both legs of the wearer. It can be. However, the shape of the absorber 30 is not limited to the hourglass shape, and may be a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, or a gourd shape.

  In the present embodiment, the absorbent body 30 is configured by encapsulating a three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 with a core wrap sheet 45 such as tissue. In the present invention, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is a member used to stably disperse the body pressure applied to the absorbent article 4 and ensure good air permeability. Hereinafter, the configuration of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 will be described in detail.

(2-3-1. Solid knitting)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the three-dimensional knitted fabric used in the present invention. The three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is a member formed by weaving a plurality of fibers in the planar direction and the three-dimensional direction, and having cushioning properties in the three-dimensional direction. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 includes a plurality of upper knitted fabrics 41, lower knitted fabrics 42, and a plurality of knitted fabrics 41, 42 that are connected to each other at a predetermined interval. It is comprised with the connection fiber 43. FIG. Further, the superabsorbent polymer 44 is generally held between the constituent fibers forming the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, that is, the constituent fibers of the upper knitted fabric 41, the lower knitted fabric 42, and the connecting fiber 43.

  Each of the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer knitted fabric 42 is formed by connecting and knitting a plurality of constituent fibers in the plane direction. The upper layer knitted fabric 41 has an upper layer opening 41a defined therein, and the lower layer knitted fabric 42 is formed. A lower layer opening 42a is defined in FIG. The plurality of connecting fibers 43 are knitted in a three-dimensional direction so as to extend from one of the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer knitted fabric 42 to the other, and form a fiber bundle of every four to fifty. ing. The three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 used in the present invention has a narrow interval between the fibers, and is brought about by the surface tension of the fibers constituting the upper layer knitted fabric 41, the lower layer knitted fabric 42, and the connecting fibers 43, and the respective fibers. Capillary action can also hold liquid between each fiber.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 includes, in one knitted fabric of the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42, from at least one stitch of the knitted fabric defining one opening, to the other knitted fabric. Four or more connected fibers extend on the stitches of the knitted fabric that defines one opening facing each other in the knitted fabric. Thereby, the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer knitted fabric 42 are configured such that the openings thereof communicate with each other, and the knitted fabrics that define the openings are connected by the bundled connection fibers 43. Since the upper layer opening 41a of the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer opening 42a of the lower layer knitted fabric 42 opposed to the upper layer knitted fabric 41 are communicated with each other in this way, a passage through which gas or liquid flows can be secured. , The air permeability and liquid permeability of the absorber are improved.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42 may be connected in a state where the plurality of connecting fibers 43 are curved. For example, by forming the length of each connecting fiber longer than the interval between the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42, each connecting fiber 43 can be formed in a curved shape. In this way, the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42 are connected by the curved connecting fibers 43 so that each connecting fiber 43 is easily elastically deformed when a pressure from the three-dimensional direction is applied. 40 cushioning properties are improved.

  However, the plurality of connecting fibers 43 may be linear and connect the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42. In this case, each connection fiber 43 may extend so as to be orthogonal to the respective knitted fabrics 41, 42, or may be inclined with respect to the respective knitted fabrics 41, 42, You may cross | intersect the fiber which comprises each knitted fabric. When each connection fiber 43 inclines with respect to each knitted fabric 41 and 42, the inclination angle does not need to be constant, and it is good also as mixing the connection fiber 43 which inclines at a different angle. The inclination angle of the connecting fibers 43 with respect to the knitted fabrics 41 and 42 is preferably 45 degrees to 90 degrees, for example, and may be 60 degrees to 80 degrees.

  Examples of the material of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, urethane, nylon, glass fibers, carbon fibers, and other highly rigid plastic fibers. Of the constituent fibers of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, the fibers constituting the upper knitted fabric 41, the fibers constituting the lower knitted fabric 42, and the connecting fibers 43 do not necessarily have to be formed by unifying materials. 41 and 42 and the connection fiber 43 may be comprised with a different kind of fiber. Moreover, as a fiber material which comprises the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, what performed the hydrophilic processing, the deodorizing processing, the antibacterial processing, and the skin care processing of 1 type or 2 types or more can also be used. For example, as a hydrophilic processing method, polyethylene glycol can be applied to the surface of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric. Moreover, what is necessary is just to make a constituent fiber contain a well-known deodorant composition or make it adhere as an odor eliminating process. Moreover, what is necessary is just to apply | coat a well-known antibacterial agent (for example, various organic silicone type | system | group quaternary ammonium salt) to the surface of a constituent fiber as antibacterial processing. Further, as skin care processing, a skin care agent containing a humectant such as glycerin, urea, collagen and sodium hyaluronate may be applied to the surface of the constituent fibers.

  The outer periphery of the cross section of the single fiber of the connecting fiber 43 is preferably 45 μm or more. Specifically, the outer circumference of the cross section of the single fiber of the connecting fiber 43 is preferably 45 μm to 450 μm, for example, 80 μm to 300 μm, or 100 μm to 250 μm. The outer periphery of the single fiber of the connection fiber 43 does not need to be unified, and single fibers having different outer periphery may be combined and used. Further, as the connecting fiber 43, a cross-sectional shape that is circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, W-shaped, I-shaped, other polygonal, or hollow can be appropriately selected and used. Moreover, it is preferable that the fineness of the connection fiber 43 is 1-20 dt, 3-15 dt, or 5-10 dt. By using the connecting fiber having the above-described configuration, the distance between the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42 can be appropriately maintained. Further, by using the connecting fiber having the above-described configuration, the cushioning property and the restoring force of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 are increased, and a stable body pressure dispersibility is obtained.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 has a plurality of substantially regular hexagonal upper layer opening portions 41 a and lower layer opening portions 42 a formed in each of the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer knitted fabric 42. The knitted fabrics 41 and 42 are connected to each other by a connecting fiber 43 with a predetermined interval or more. In FIG. 3, the symbol L indicates the longest straight line length of the openings 41a, 42a formed in the knitted fabrics 41, 42, and the symbol T indicates the thickness of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 in the three-dimensional direction, The interval between the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42 is shown. The longest straight line length L of the openings 41a and 42a is preferably 3 mm to 15 mm, 5 mm to 12 mm, or 8 mm to 10 mm, for example. The thickness T of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is preferably 2 mm to 30 mm, 5 mm to 20 mm, or 8 mm to 15 mm, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 shown in FIG. That is, the enlarged perspective view of FIG. 4 shows an upper layer opening forming portion 41b that defines one upper layer opening 41a included in the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and a lower layer that defines one lower layer opening 42a included in the lower layer knitted fabric 42. The structure of the opening formation part 42b and the some connection fiber 43 is expanded and shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper layer opening forming portion 41b has an annular shape by knitting a plurality of fiber members, and a stitch 41c is formed at the joint of the fiber members. Similarly, in the lower layer opening forming portion 42b, a plurality of fiber members are knitted to form an annular shape, and a stitch 42c is formed at the joint of the fiber members. Here, from one of the plurality of stitches 41 c included in the upper layer opening forming portion 41 b of the upper layer knitted fabric 41, the bundled connecting fibers 43 bundled by four are arranged in the lower layer opening of the lower layer knitted fabric 42. It extends to the stitch 42c included in the forming portion 42b. Thereby, the upper layer opening formation part 41b and the lower layer opening formation part 42b which oppose are mutually connected. The connecting fibers 43 extending from one stitch 41c of the upper layer opening forming portion 41b to the stitch 42c of the lower layer opening forming portion 42b are, for example, 4 to 50, 10 to 40, or 20 to 30. A bundle may be used.

  As described above, the upper layer opening forming portion 41b and the lower layer opening forming portion 42b include a plurality of stitches 41c and 42c. It is preferable that the upper layer opening forming part 41b and the lower layer opening forming part 42b are connected by a bundle of connecting fibers 43 in all the stitches 41c and 42c. However, in the upper layer opening forming portion 41b and the lower layer opening forming portion 42b, it is not always necessary that all the stitches 41c, 42c are connected by a bundle of connecting fibers 43, and at least one stitch 41c, 42c is a bundle of connecting fibers 43. As long as they are connected by.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of connecting fibers 43 extending from one stitch 41c of the upper layer opening forming portion 41b are dispersed to the plurality of stitches 42c of the lower layer opening forming portion 42b so as to be connected. Has been. Similarly, the plurality of connecting fibers 43 extending from one stitch 42c of the lower layer opening forming portion 42b are connected so as to be dispersed to the plurality of stitches 41c of the upper layer opening forming portion 41b. At this time, the plurality of connecting fibers 43 that connect the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42 may cross each other. By setting it as such a structure, the gap | interval formed between several connection fibers 43 is expanded. By widening the gaps between the plurality of connecting fibers 43, it becomes easy to hold the superabsorbent polymer 44 described later between the connecting fibers 43.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 has these stitches rather than the distance dimension between the stitch 41c of the upper layer opening forming portion 41b and the stitch 42c of the lower layer opening forming portion 42b. The length of the connecting fiber 43 that connects 41c and 42c is designed to be long. By designing in this way, the plurality of connecting fibers 43 are curved. By forming the connecting fiber 43 in a curved shape, the connecting fiber 43 is flexibly bent when a pressure in the three-dimensional direction is applied to the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, so that the cushioning property of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is enhanced. Moreover, since the gap | interval between the adjacent connection fibers 43 can be expanded by making the connection fiber 43 into a curvilinear form, it becomes easy to hold | maintain the super absorbent polymer 44 mentioned later between the connection fibers 43. FIG. Also. In the form in which four or more connecting fibers 43 extend from one of the stitches 41c included in the upper layer opening forming portion 41b, the curvature of each connecting fiber 43 can be changed. For example, the curvature of each connecting fiber 43 may be changed by bundling polyester and nylon fibers having different hardnesses to form the connecting fiber 43.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an upper layer opening 41 a is formed in the upper layer knitted fabric 41 by weaving a plurality of fibers constituting the upper layer knitted fabric 41 and the lower layer knitted fabric 42. A lower layer opening 42a is formed. Here, FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing the shapes of the openings 41a and 42a formed in the knitted fabrics 41 and 42, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5A, the shapes of the openings 41a and 42a may be hexagons or regular hexagons. FIG. 5B shows an example in which the shape of each of the defined openings 41a and 42a is a square or a square. Furthermore, FIG.5 (c) has shown the example in case the shape of each defined opening part 41a and 42a is a rhombus. As in the example shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the openings 41a and 42a are hexagonal, quadrangular, or diamond-shaped so that the openings having the same shape are defined over the entire surface of the knitted fabric. it can. If the plurality of openings have different shapes, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 may not be able to disperse body pressure evenly or liquid such as urine may not be evenly dispersed. In this regard, by continuously forming openings having the same shape in the knitted fabric, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 can obtain stable body pressure dispersibility and liquid circulation performance.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it is preferable that the absorbent body 30 holds the superabsorbent polymer 44 by the entire constituent fibers forming the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. That is, in this embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer 44 is held between the upper layer knitted fabric 41, the lower layer knitted fabric 42, and the constituent fibers forming the connecting fibers 43. The superabsorbent polymer 44 is a fine granular member and is formed with a particle size that is at least sandwiched between the connecting fibers 43. The highly water-absorbing polymer 44 is a hydrophilic polymer having a cross-linked structure, has a water absorption power of about 10 to 1000 times its own weight, and has a characteristic that it is difficult to separate even under pressure. Therefore, when the wearer passes through the top sheet 10, the urination of the wearer is absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer 44 held by the upper knitted fabric 41, the lower knitted fabric 42, and the connecting fibers 43.
However, the superabsorbent polymer 44 only needs to be held by any one of the upper knitted fabric 41, the lower knitted fabric 42, or the connecting fibers 43. For example, it is held only between the plurality of connecting fibers 43. Alternatively, it may be held only between the constituent fibers of the upper knitted fabric 41 or the constituent fibers of the lower knitted fabric 42.

  As the superabsorbent polymer 44 used in the present invention, basically known polymers used for general absorbent articles such as disposable diapers can be adopted. Examples of the superabsorbent polymer 44 include carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid and salts thereof, crosslinked acrylate polymer, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, hydrolyzate of starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer, poly It can be selected from cross-linked water-swelling polymers such as oxyethylene cross-linked products, carboxymethyl cellulose cross-linked products, polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide, or a copolymer of isobutylene and maleic acid. Further, the highly water-absorbing polymer 44 may be a polymer to which an anti-blocking agent is added in order to suppress blocking properties due to moisture absorption. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the superabsorbent polymer 44 is preferably in the form of particles, but in addition, it is in the form of powder, pellets, sol, film, or fiber. A thing can also be adopted.

The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer 44 is preferably 50 to 1000 g / m ² , or 300 to 700 g / m ² , and particularly preferably 400 to 500 g / m ² . If the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer 44 is less than 50 g / m ² , the body fluid absorbing function as an absorbent article may be insufficient. On the other hand, if the basis weight of the highly water-absorbing polymer 44 exceeds 1000 g / m ² , the liquid-absorbed polymers may be connected to each other and easily gelled, and the air permeability of the absorbent article may be lowered.

  In addition, the average particle diameter of the superabsorbent polymer 44 is determined in consideration of the gap between the constituent fibers of the upper knitted fabric 41, the gap between the constituent fibers of the lower knitted fabric 42, the gap between the plurality of connecting fibers 43, and the like. What is necessary is just to make it the grade hold | maintained efficiently between fibers. For example, the average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 44 may be 150 to 500 μm, 200 to 400 μm, or 250 to 3000 μm. The average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 44 can be measured by a sieving method.

  The method for fixing the superabsorbent polymer 44 to each fiber is not particularly limited. When the superabsorbent polymer 44 is fixed to each fiber, for example, water may be sprayed to develop the tackiness of the superabsorbent polymer 44, or a binder or hot melt may be attached to the superabsorbent polymer 44 or each fiber. Both can also be fixed by applying an adhesive such as.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the absorbent body 30 holds a plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44 by the entire constituent fibers forming the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. In the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, two knitted fabrics 41 and 42 are connected in a three-dimensional direction by a plurality of connecting fibers 43. The absorbent body 30 having such a structure has a high cushioning property in the three-dimensional direction, and can efficiently disperse locally applied body pressure. In addition, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 composed of the two knitted fabrics 41 and 42 and the connecting fibers 43 has an excellent restoring force against the pressure loaded from the three-dimensional direction. By incorporating it, the body pressure dispersibility can be stabilized. Furthermore, since the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is composed of a plurality of fibers, the porosity is high and the air permeability of the absorbent body 30 is improved.

  2, the absorbent body 30 may have a structure in which the entire circumference of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 including the superabsorbent polymer 44 is encapsulated by a core wrap sheet 45. . The core wrap sheet 45 is a sheet-like member that is disposed for the purpose of preventing a situation in which a plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44 included in the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 leak or scatter to the outside of the absorber 30. . As the core wrap sheet 45, a nonwoven fabric excellent in air permeability and liquid permeability can be used. The kind of nonwoven fabric is not specifically limited, For example, well-known things, such as a spun bond nonwoven fabric, a needle punch nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, or an air through nonwoven fabric, can be employ | adopted suitably. The core wrap sheet 45 may be a known tissue paper.

  In addition to the above, the configuration of the three-dimensional knitted fabric can be appropriately adopted, for example, the configuration of the three-dimensional knitted fabric disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-280927, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-74648, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-016474, etc. . The three-dimensional knitted fabrics disclosed in these documents are mainly used as applications for filters included in humidifiers and the like. If the structure of a three-dimensional knitted fabric used in the field of such a humidifier is diverted to the structure of an absorbent article represented by a disposable diaper, an absorbent body having excellent body pressure dispersibility and breathability can be obtained. The finding that it is obtained is a new finding found by the present inventors.

(About 2-3-4. Pulp layer)
Then, with reference to FIG. 6, the modification of the absorber which concerns on above-described embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 6 shows an outline of the cross-sectional shape of the absorbent article 4, which is drawn by extracting a structure in which the absorber 30 is interposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the absorbent body 30 is configured to include a pulp layer 46 in at least a three-dimensional space formed by the connecting fibers 43 of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40.

  The pulp layer 46 is interposed between the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42. Thereby, the pulp layer 46 may adhere to the upper layer knitted fabric 41, the lower layer knitted fabric 42, and the plurality of connecting fibers 43. The pulp layer 46 is inserted between a plurality of connecting fibers 43 that connect the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42. The pulp layer 46 is a layer formed by accumulating a plurality of pulverized pulps, and can be inserted into a gap between fibers. As the pulverized pulp forming the pulp layer 46, for example, known materials such as cotton-like pulp and synthetic pulp can be used. In addition, the raw material fibers of the pulp are not limited to these, and other examples include cellulose fibers obtained from wood such as mechanical pulp, chemical pulp, or dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon or acetate. be able to. However, the wood used as the raw material for cellulose fibers is that conifers have longer fiber lengths than broadleaf trees, so cellulose fibers derived from conifers are mainly used in consideration of functions such as void formation and cost. It is preferable.

  When the pulp layer 46 is interposed between the upper knitted fabric 41 and the lower knitted fabric 42 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of pulverized pulps forming the pulp layer 46 include a plurality of pulverized pulps. The superabsorbent polymer 44 can be buried and held. In this way, the plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44 can be evenly dispersed not only in the gaps between the plurality of connecting fibers 43 but throughout the absorber 30.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the absorbent body 30 is preferably configured by enveloping the entire periphery of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 including the pulp layer 46 with a core wrap sheet 45. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pulverized pulp forming the pulp layer 46 and the superabsorbent polymer 44 from leaking out of the absorber 30.

(2-3-5. Storage layer)
Next, another modification of the absorbent body according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows an outline of the cross-sectional shape of the absorbent article 4, which is drawn by extracting a structure in which the absorber 30 is interposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the absorbent body 30 has a storage layer 47 on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. The storage layer 47 is formed of an absorbent material that can absorb and hold liquid. FIG. 7A shows an example in which the storage layer 47 does not contain a superabsorbent polymer, and FIG. 7B shows an example in which the storage layer 47 contains a superabsorbent polymer.

  The storage layer 47 is a liquid that could not be absorbed by the plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44 held in the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, or a liquid that was not absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer 44 and passed between the fibers of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. It is provided for the purpose of absorption. For this reason, the storage layer 47 is preferably disposed on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, that is, between the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 and the back sheet 20. As in the example shown in FIG. 7A, for example, when the storage layer 47 does not contain a superabsorbent polymer, the liquid reaching the storage layer 47 is temporarily absorbed in the storage layer 47. Retained by sex material. Thereafter, the liquid absorbed in the storage layer 47 gradually penetrates into the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 and is absorbed by the plurality of super absorbent polymers 44 included in the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. In this way, by providing the storage layer 47, the reliability that can prevent the liquid from leaking from the absorber 30 is improved.

  The thickness in the three-dimensional direction in which the storage layer 47 is formed may be, for example, 2 mm to 30 mm, 5 mm to 20 mm, or 8 mm to 15 mm. The storage layer 47 may be provided on the entire lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, or may be partially disposed on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. When the storage layer 47 is partially disposed, it is preferable to dispose the storage layer 47 in a region including the crotch portion of the disposable diaper that has a large amount of inflow of urine.

  Further, as in the example shown in FIG. 7B, a plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44 can be buried between the absorbent materials constituting the storage layer 47. In this way, the liquid reaching the storage layer 47 is absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer 44 contained in the storage layer 47.

  The absorbent material for forming the storage layer 47 is pulverized by pulverizing cellulose fibers obtained from wood such as cotton pulp, synthetic pulp, mechanical pulp, chemical pulp, or dissolving pulp, or artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon or acetate. What accumulated the pulp can be used. The storage layer 47 may be formed of a single nonwoven sheet, or may be formed of a laminated sheet obtained by laminating a plurality of nonwoven sheets. What is necessary is just to use what was formed by the well-known method as a nonwoven fabric sheet. As a method for forming the nonwoven fabric sheet, for example, any one of an airlaid method, an air-through method, a spunbond method, a melt blow method, a thermal bond method, or a chemical bond method may be used.

  Although illustration is omitted, the storage layer 47 is disposed on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40, and the pulp layer (see FIG. 6) is inserted into the three-dimensional space formed by the connecting fibers 43 of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. Is also possible.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the absorbent body 30 is preferably configured by enclosing the entire periphery of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 and the storage layer 47 with a core wrap sheet 45. Thereby, the situation where the absorptive material contained in the storage layer 47 and the superabsorbent polymer 44 leak out of the absorber 30 can be prevented.

(2-3-6. Opening space)
Then, with reference to FIG.8 and FIG.9, the further another modification of the absorber in this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the absorbent main body 4 including the top sheet 10, the back sheet 20, and the absorber 30 is viewed from the top sheet 10 side. In FIG. 8, in order to show the structure of the absorbent main body in an easy-to-understand manner, the state in which the top sheet 10 is partially lost is schematically drawn. Moreover, FIG. 9 is sectional drawing which shows the state which cut | disconnected the absorptive main body in the X2-X2 line shown by FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an open space 48 is provided in the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 constituting the absorbent body 30. The opening space 48 functions as a stool storage pocket that can store stool excreted by the wearer, for example. Thereby, the absorber 30 can hold | maintain separately the urine and feces which the wearer excreted.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 8, in the absorbent article 4, an absorbent body 30 including a three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is interposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. The absorbent article 4 having such a structure can be divided into a front body 1, a back body 2, and a crotch 3. And in the area | region included in the back body 2 and crotch part 3 of the absorbent article 4, the open space part 48 is formed so that a part of the solid knitted fabric 40 may be cut out. The opening space part 48 should just be located in the area | region of the back body 2 at least, for example, the opening space part 48 may be extended from the area | region of the back body 2 to the area | region of the crotch part 3. FIG. The opening space 48 may extend from the region of the back body 2 to the region of the front body 1, but for the purpose of separating urine excreted by the wearer and feces, If 48 is formed, it is not necessary to extend the opening space 48 to the region of the front body 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the opening space 48 is formed with a larger area than the areas of the openings 41 a and 42 a formed in the two knitted fabrics 41 and 42 constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. ing. For example, the area where the opening space 48 is formed is preferably 300% or more with respect to the area of each opening 41a, 42a formed in the knitted fabrics 41, 42. However, the area where the opening space 48 is formed should be about 5% to 50%, 10% to 40%, or 15% to 30% with respect to the entire area of the knitted fabric 41, 42 of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. Is preferred.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the opening space 48 is formed in a circular shape (specifically, an elliptical shape). However, the shape of the opening space 48 is not limited to a circular shape, and can be appropriately designed to have a preferable shape for storing feces, such as a triangular shape, a quadrangular shape, other polygonal shapes, a so-called gourd shape, or an hourglass shape. Further, the opening space 48 may be formed not only at one place but at a plurality of places.

  FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional state in which the absorbent main body 4 is cut at a position where the opening space 48 shown in FIG. 8 is formed. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is formed with an opening space 48 so as to communicate from the upper knitted fabric 41 to the lower knitted fabric 42. The opening space 48 is formed by cutting the upper knitted fabric 41, the lower knitted fabric 42, and the connecting fibers 43 connecting them into a predetermined shape at a predetermined position after forming the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. Alternatively, it may be formed in advance on the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40.

  In the form shown in FIG. 9, a storage layer 47 is provided on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 in which the opening space 48 is formed. Since the opening space 48 formed in the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 is a relatively large opening, a liquid such as urine is transferred to the superabsorbent polymer 44 held in the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 where the opening space 48 is located. It flows into the lower layer of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 without contact. Therefore, the liquid that has passed through the open space 48 of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 can be absorbed by disposing the storage layer 47 formed of an absorbent material on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. Further, since the storage layer 47 is disposed for the purpose of absorbing liquid, as shown in FIG. 9, the absorbent material constituting the storage layer 47 includes a plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44. It is preferably buried.

  The storage layer 47 provided on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 may be provided at least in the lower layer where the open space 48 is formed in the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40. That is, the storage layer 47 may be provided on the entire lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40 or may be partially disposed on the lower layer side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40.

  In addition, about the structure of the storage layer 47, the structure similar to embodiment mentioned above is employable.

(2-3-7. Laminated structure of solid knitted fabric)
Then, with reference to FIG.10 and FIG.11, the further another modification of the absorber in this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the absorbent main body 4 including the top sheet 10, the back sheet 20, and the absorber 30 is viewed from the top sheet 10 side. Moreover, FIG. 11 is sectional drawing which shows the state which cut | disconnected the absorptive main body in the X3-X3 line | wire shown by FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the absorbent body is arranged in two layers at a location where the body pressure of the wearer is particularly greatly loaded.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the absorbent body 30 includes a first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 and a second three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2. The first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 is arranged over the entire longitudinal direction from the front body 1 to the back body 2 of the absorber 30. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the second three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 is superimposed on the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 on the upper layer side in the region extending from the crotch 3 of the absorbent body 30 to the back body 2. Are arranged. Since the region from the crotch 3 to the back body 2 of the absorbent body 30 is a portion that contacts the buttocks of the wearer when the disposable diaper is worn, the wearer is in a sleeping state or sitting in a chair In addition, compared with the front body 1 side, a large body pressure is applied locally. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the second three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 is overlapped on the upper layer of the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 in the region on the crotch 3 and the back body 2 side of the absorbent body 30. By arranging, even when a large body pressure is locally applied, the body pressure can be effectively dispersed.

  FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional state in which the absorbent main body 4 is cut at a portion where the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 and the second three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 overlap. As shown in FIG. 11, the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 and the second three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 basically have the same configuration as the above-described three-dimensional knitted fabric. That is, each of the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 and the second three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 includes an upper layer knitted fabric 41-1 and 41-2, a lower layer knitted fabric 42-1 and 42-2, and these two sheets. Are provided with a plurality of connecting fibers 43-1 and 43-2 for connecting the knitted fabric in the three-dimensional direction. A plurality of superabsorbent polymers 44-1 and 44-2 are held between the plurality of connecting fibers 43-1 and 43-2, respectively. And as FIG. 11 shows, it arrange | positions so that the lower layer knitted fabric 42-2 of the 2nd three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 may contact | abut to the upper layer knitted fabric 41-1 of the 1st three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1. ing. The upper knitted fabric 41-1 of the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 and the lower knitted fabric 42-2 of the second three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 are preferably joined to each other. For example, a hot melt adhesive may be used as the bonding agent.

  Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the solid space formed by the connection fiber 43-1 of the 2nd solid knitted fabric 40-2 and the solid space formed by the connection fiber 43-1 of the 2nd solid knitted fabric 40-2. A pulp layer formed by accumulating pulverized pulp may be interposed in both or either of them. In particular, the pulp layer is preferably provided in a three-dimensional space formed by the connecting fibers 43-1 of the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1. In this way, by inserting the pulp layer into the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1, the second solid knitted fabric 40-2 that is in contact with the wearer's skin maintains the air permeability, while liquid such as urine is second. Even when the three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-2 passes, the liquid can be absorbed by the first three-dimensional knitted fabric 40-1 located in the lower layer, so that the reliability with which urine leakage can be prevented is improved.

(2-4. Side seat)
Here, returning to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the side seat will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of side seats 50 are provided on the left and right sides of the absorber 30 described above. The pair of side sheets 50 are members for forming a three-dimensional gather on both sides of the absorber 30. The three-dimensional gather stands along both side edges of the absorber 30 and functions as a leak-proof wall to prevent side leakage of urine excreted by the wearer. A pair of side sheets 50 arranged along both side edges of the absorber 30 are fixed on the top sheet 10 along the longitudinal direction of the diaper. The pair of side sheets 50 are fixed to the upper surface side of the top sheet 10 and the bottom surface side of the back sheet 20 with a hot melt adhesive or the like so as to sandwich both side edges of the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20.

  In the side sheet 50, a plurality of elastic elastic members 51, 52 are arranged in an extended state along the length direction of the disposable diaper, and a three-dimensional gather using the contraction force of the plurality of elastic elastic members 51, 52 is provided. Form. That is, when the elastic elastic members 51 and 52 fixed in the extended state contract, the pair of side seats 50 also contract, and the three-dimensional gather rises.

  More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of elastic elastic members are arranged on the outer gather elastic members 51 arranged outside the pair of side sheets 50 and the inner sides of the pair of side sheets 50. The inner gather elastic members 52 are classified. As shown in FIG. 2, the side sheet 50 that is partially fixed to the back surface (non-skin contact surface) of the back sheet 20 is positioned on the outer side in the width direction of the diaper from the joining position of the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 The outer folded portion 51a is formed by folding the absorbent body 30 inward. And the some outside gather expansion-contraction member 51 is clamped by the outer side folding | returning part 51a of the side seat 50 along the length direction of a diaper in the expansion | extension state. Thereby, the side seat | sheet 50 stands | stands up in the outer side folding | returning part 51a using the contraction force of the outer side gather expansion-contraction member 51, and forms the outer side gather part 51b. In addition, a part of the side sheet 50 folded at the outer folded portion 51 a is fixed on the surface (skin contact surface) of the top sheet 10 so as to sandwich the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. Further, the side sheet 50 extends inward from the fixing position with the top sheet 10, and the extending part faces inward in the width direction or outward in the width direction of the absorber 30. Are folded back to form an inner folded portion 52a. And the some inner gather expansion-contraction member 52 is clamped by the inner side folding | returning part 52a of the side seat | sheet 50 along the length direction of a disposable diaper in the expansion | extension state. Thereby, the side seat | sheet 50 stands | stands up in the inner side folding | returning part 52a using the contraction force of the inner gather expansion-contraction member 52, and forms the inner gather part 52b.

  As a material constituting the pair of side sheets 50, it is preferable to use a sheet material having water repellency. As an example of the material of the side sheet 50, it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric such as spunbond or card emboss from the viewpoint of high water repellency and good air permeability. Further, as the side sheet 50, a non-woven fabric with clogging such as SMS (spun bond / melt blow / spun bond) or SMMS (spun bond / melt blow / melt blow / spun bond) is used because of its high water pressure resistance. It is good as well.

  Moreover, it is preferable to apply a thread-like elastic rubber to the elastic elastic members 51 and 52 for forming a three-dimensional gather. As such a rubber material, materials such as styrene rubber, olefin rubber, urethane rubber, ester rubber, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene butadiene, silicone, or polyester can be used.

(2-5. Cover sheet)
The cover sheet 60 is a member for reinforcing the back sheet 20 and improving its feel. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the cover sheet 60 is bonded to the side of the back sheet 20 that faces the clothing. The cover sheet 60 may be superposed and bonded to a part of the side sheet 50. As the material constituting the cover sheet 60, a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric is used. In particular, it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric or a dry nonwoven fabric made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester as a material constituting the cover sheet 60.

(3. Front body exterior body and back body exterior body)
As shown in FIG. 1, the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 are in contact with the wearer's abdomen and back when the disposable diaper is worn, and the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 It is a member for suspending the absorptive main body 4 located in between.

  The front body exterior body 5 and the rear body exterior body 6 have a pair of side seal portions 7 at the left and right side edges in the width direction of the diaper. The front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 are joined at a pair of side seal portions 7 with the left and right side edges in the width direction of the diaper being overlapped with each other. For example, the pair of side seal portions 7 are formed linearly extending in the length direction of the diaper. In the side seal portion 7, the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 are joined by a known joining means such as hot emboss welding or ultrasonic emboss welding.

  The front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 are configured, for example, by bonding two sheet members of an inner sheet and an outer sheet. The inner sheet is disposed on the surface (skin contact surface) side that contacts the wearer's skin, and the outer sheet is disposed on the surface (skin non-contact surface) side that does not contact the wearer's skin. The inner sheet and the outer sheet may be separately formed sheet materials, for example, formed integrally by folding one sheet material at a position corresponding to the edge of the waist opening of the disposable diaper. It may be. Further, another sheet member may be interposed between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. The inner sheet and the outer sheet are formed of, for example, a flexible fiber nonwoven fabric, a plastic sheet, or a laminate sheet thereof. The inner sheet and the outer sheet are bonded by, for example, a hot melt adhesive. Furthermore, between the inner sheet and the outer sheet, a plurality of elastic elastic members 70 disposed along the width direction of the disposable diaper are fixed in an extended state at intervals in the length direction.

  The elastic elastic members 70 disposed in the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 are members for forming gathers around the waist and the abdomen of the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6. The gather is formed by causing wrinkles in the inner sheet and the outer sheet by contraction of the plurality of elastic elastic members 70 sandwiched between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. By forming the gathers, the flexibility and adhesion of the front body exterior body 5 and the back body exterior body 6 can be enhanced. It is preferable to apply a thread-like elastic rubber to the plurality of elastic elastic members 70. Examples of such rubber materials include styrene rubber, olefin rubber, urethane rubber, ester rubber, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, Known materials such as styrene butadiene, silicone, or polyester can be used.

  As described above, the absorbent article of the present invention has been described with reference to a preferable embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications and alterations within the obvious range based on the above-described embodiments.

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, an absorbent pad, or a sanitary napkin. For this reason, the absorptive article of the present invention can be conveniently used in industries related to childcare and nursing care.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front body 2 Back body 3 Crotch part 4 Absorbent main body 5 Front body exterior body 6 Rear body exterior body 7 Side seal part 10 Top sheet 20 Back sheet 30 Absorber 40 Three-dimensional knitted fabric 41 Upper layer knitted fabric 41a Upper layer opening 41b Upper layer opening Formation part 41c Knitting 42 Lower layer knitted fabric 42a Lower layer opening 42b Lower layer opening forming part 42c Knitting 43 Connecting fiber 44 Super absorbent polymer 45 Core wrap sheet 46 Pulp layer 47 Storage layer 48 Opening space part 50 Side sheet 51 Outer gathering elastic member 52 Inner gather elastic member 60 Cover sheet 70 Elastic elastic member 100 Absorbent article (disposable diaper)

Claims (9)

A liquid-permeable top sheet (10), a liquid-impermeable back sheet (20), and an absorber (30) interposed between the top sheet (10) and the back sheet (20). An absorbent article,
The absorber (30) has a three-dimensional knitted fabric (40),
The three-dimensional knitted fabric (40)
An upper knitted fabric (41) located on the top sheet (10) side and having a plurality of upper layer openings (41a) formed thereon;
A lower knitted fabric (42) located on the backsheet (20) side and having a plurality of lower layer openings (42a) formed thereon;
A plurality of connecting fibers (43) for connecting the upper knitted fabric (41) and the lower knitted fabric (42) at intervals;
An absorbent article comprising at least a pulp layer (46) formed of a plurality of pulverized pulps in a three-dimensional space formed by the connecting fibers (43) . The three-dimensional knitted fabric (40) includes a plurality of superabsorbent polymers (44) held by at least one of the upper knitted fabric (41), the lower knitted fabric (42), or the connecting fibers (43). The absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising: The three-dimensional knitted fabric (40)
One knitted fabric of the upper knitted fabric (41) and the lower knitted fabric (42) is opposed to at least one stitch of a plurality of stitches included in the portion defining the opening portion and the other knitted fabric. the stitch portion defining an opening position has, four and Mashimashi the connecting fibers (43) extending above, according to claim 1 or claim knitted together to determine the opening are connected to each other 2. The absorbent article according to 2. The absorber (30)
Between said backsheet (20) and the solid knitted fabric (40), the storage layer which is formed by the absorbent material absorbing and retaining liquid (47), to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising The absorbent article as described. The absorbent article includes a front body (1) that contacts the abdomen side of the wearer when worn, a back body (2) that contacts the back side of the wearer, the front body (1), and the back body ( 2) and the crotch part (3) located between
The three-dimensional knitted fabric (40)
At least in the area included in the back body (2),
The upper knitted fabric (41a) is larger in area than the upper layer opening (41a) formed in the upper knitted fabric (41) and the lower layer opening (42a) formed in the lower knitted fabric (42). The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising an open space portion (48) formed in the lower knitted fabric (42) from 41). The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the three-dimensional knitted fabric (40) is entirely or partially overlapped with a plurality of layers. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the three-dimensional knitted fabric (40) is subjected to hydrophilic processing. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the three-dimensional knitted fabric (40) is subjected to a deodorizing process. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the three-dimensional knitted fabric (40) is subjected to antibacterial processing.

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