JP6824774B2 - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

In absorbent articles, in order to improve the fit around the legs, it is common that three-dimensional gathers protruding toward the body extend along the front-rear direction on both sides in the width direction on the inner surface. (See, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). By providing such three-dimensional gathers, excrement stays between the gathers of the compatible body, and in particular, leakage of excrement from the wearer's leg circumference is prevented.

Further, in order to further prevent leakage around the legs, among the side flap portions extending on both sides in the width direction of the absorber, the leg circumference extending laterally from the boundary between the base portion and the protruding portion of the three-dimensional gathers. By fixing an elongated elastic member extending in the front-rear direction to the portion in an extended state, the leg circumference portion of the side flap portion is elastically fitted to the wearer's leg circumference (three-dimensional gather). Although it is called a "flat surface" in the sense of the above, it goes without saying that it does not become a flat surface when worn, but a curved surface along the circumference of the leg).

However, the flat gathering of such a general absorbent article has the following problems. That is, the absorbent article is folded at the time of manufacture, a large number of sheets are accumulated, and the absorbent article is stored in a poly bag in a state of being compressed in the accumulation direction and shipped. At this time, the side flap portion having the flat gather is compressed and stored in the poly bag in a state of being folded down on the surface of the top sheet by the crease along the side edge of the absorber, so that the side flap portion has a crease. Due to this crease, when wearing a diaper, the side flaps do not open sideways and cannot be properly fitted around the legs, resulting in poor fit and side leakage. There was a risk.

As one method for solving this problem, as described in Patent Document 3, the portion of the side flap portion located outside the elastic member of the flat gather arranged on the outermost side is placed above the portion inside the side flap portion. The one that is folded back and fixed is proposed. In this case, the portion outside the elastic member of the flat gather is not rolled inward, but the side edge portion of the side flap portion is a thin sheet-like portion, so that the contact area of the tip (side edge) is small. There is a problem that it is hard to the touch.

Further, as another method, the one described in Patent Document 4 by the applicant is also known. According to this method, the portion of the side flap portion having the elastic member and the portion on the outer side in the width direction naturally bend back and open outward in the width direction with respect to the portion on the central side in the width direction. The portion of the flap portion on the outer side of the elastic member is less likely to be rolled inward. However, even in the case described in Patent Document 4, since the side edge portion of the side flap portion is a thin sheet-like portion, there is a problem that the contact area of the tip (side edge) is small and the touch is hard.

JP-A-2010-12272 Japanese Patent No. 3825977 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-72736 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-161557

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to easily open the side flap portion at the time of mounting, to appropriately fit around the leg, and to make the side edge of the side flap flexible to the touch.

A typical aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems is as follows.
<First aspect>
It is provided with an absorber that absorbs and retains excrement and side flaps that extend on both sides of the absorber in the width direction.
A portion of each side flap portion located at least in the crotch has a base portion extending laterally from the portion having the absorber and a folded portion folded back toward the center in the width direction at the side edge of the base portion.
The portion of the folded-back portion located at least in the middle of the front-rear direction has a joint portion joined to the base portion on the tip end side of the folded-back portion, and the entire side of the folded-back portion with respect to the joint portion is with the base portion. It is a non-joined part that is not joined,
A side elastic member extending in the front-rear direction through a position separated inward in the width direction from the side edge of the non-joint portion is provided on the front side of the base portion and the folded portion.
In the natural length state, the side flap portion is contracted in the front-rear direction as the side elastic member contracts.
An absorbent article characterized by that.

(Action effect)
In this embodiment, the side elastic member is provided on the front side of the base portion and the folded portion, and in the natural length state, the side flap portion is contracted in the front-rear direction as the side elastic member contracts, so-called flat surface. Gathers are formed. Now, assuming that the side of the base portion and the folded portion located on the front side is the front side layer and the side located on the back side is the back side layer, the portion inside the front side layer in the width direction from the portion having the side elastic member is the non-joint portion. It rises from the back side layer while rising so as to rotate starting from the inner edge in the width direction. On the other hand, the portion of the front side layer having the side elastic member and the portion outside in the width direction thereof act so as to rise integrally with the portion inside in the width direction, but are folded back at the side end and continue to the back side layer. Because of this, it deforms toward the center in the width direction while suppressing the rising. As a result, the side flaps naturally bend outward in the width direction with respect to the central part in the width direction, and easily fit the flat gathers to the surface around the legs of the wearer. You will be able to make it.
Moreover, as the portion of the front side layer having the side elastic member and the portion on the outer side in the width direction are deformed toward the center side in the width direction, the side end portion of the back side layer is rounded up, and as a result, the side of the side flap portion. The edges are formed by this rounded hollow portion. Therefore, the feel of the side edge of the side flap portion is also good.

<Second aspect>
The folded portion is folded back to the front side of the base portion.
Three or more sheet layers are laminated on the base.
Of the sheet layers at the base, only two layers continue to the folded portion, and the sheet layer at the folded portion is only two layers continuing from the base.
The side elastic member is provided between the two layers of the folded portion.
The absorbent article of the first aspect.

(Action effect)
As can be seen from the form described later, many of the side flaps of general absorbent articles are laminated with three or more sheet layers. When such a side flap portion is folded back to the front side to form a folded portion and a base portion, the folded portion located on the side in contact with the skin inevitably has a three-layer structure and is contracted by the side elastic member, so that the folded portion is formed. It tends to be hard. On the other hand, when the folded portion is folded back to the front side, only two layers of the base sheet layer continue to the folded portion as in this embodiment, and the folded portion has only two layers continuing from the base. If so, the folded part is unlikely to become hard.

<Third aspect>
A liquid-impermeable sheet that covers the back side of the absorber and
An exterior sheet that covers the back side of the liquid-impermeable sheet and
Of the root portion fixed to the region including the side flap portion, the protruding portion extending from the root portion, the lodging portion in which both ends of the protruding portion in the front-rear direction are fixed in an inverted state, and the protruding portion. A three-dimensional gather having a non-fixed free portion located between the front and rear lodging portions, and a gather elastic member fixed at least at the tip of the free portion in a state of being extended in the front-rear direction.
Is equipped with
The base has a three-layer structure in which the liquid-impermeable sheet is sandwiched between the gather sheet forming the three-dimensional gather and the exterior sheet.
Of the sheet layers of the base portion, only the exterior sheet and the liquid permeable sheet continue to the folded portion, and the sheet layer of the folded portion includes only two layers of the exterior sheet and the liquid permeable sheet continuing from the base portion. Has become
The absorbent article of the second aspect.

(Action effect)
When the folded portion is folded back to the front side and the sheet layer of the folded portion is made into two layers, the liquid permeable sheet exists up to the side edge of the side flap portion according to this embodiment, and is excellent in leakage prevention. It becomes a thing.

<Fourth aspect>
A liquid-impermeable sheet that covers the back side of the absorber and
An exterior sheet that covers the back side of the liquid-impermeable sheet and
Of the root portion fixed to the region including the side flap portion, the protruding portion extending from the root portion, the lodging portion in which both ends of the protruding portion in the front-rear direction are fixed in an inverted state, and the protruding portion. A three-dimensional gather having a non-fixed free portion located between the front and rear lodging portions, and a gather elastic member fixed at least at the tip of the free portion in a state of being extended in the front-rear direction.
Is equipped with
The base has a three-layer structure in which the liquid-impermeable sheet is sandwiched between the gather sheet forming the three-dimensional gather and the exterior sheet.
Of the sheet layers of the base portion, only the gather sheet and the exterior sheet continue to the folded portion, and the sheet layer of the folded portion is only two layers of the gather sheet and the exterior sheet continuing from the base portion.
The absorbent article of the second aspect.

(Action effect)
When the folded portion is folded back to the front side and the sheet layer of the folded portion is made up of two layers, the flexibility of the folded portion is particularly excellent because there is no liquid-impermeable sheet in the folded portion according to this embodiment. It becomes a thing.

<Fifth aspect>
The folded portion is folded back to the back side of the base.
The absorbent article of the first aspect.

(Action effect)
By folding back the folded portion to the back side of the base portion as in this embodiment, the edges of the material of the joint portion and the side flaps are located on the back side and do not come into direct contact with the skin, so that the touch of the side flap portions is even more preferable. It becomes.

<Sixth aspect>
The minimum width direction distance between the folded position of the side flap portion and the side elastic member located on the outermost side in the width direction of the side flap portion is 3 to 10 mm.
The minimum width direction distance between the inner edge of the non-joint portion in the width direction and the side elastic member located on the innermost side in the width direction of the non-joint portion is 3 to 13 mm.
An absorbent article according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

(Action effect)
The dimensions of each part may be appropriately determined, but usually, it is preferable that the dimensions are within the range of this embodiment.

As described above, according to the present invention, there are advantages that the side flap portion can be easily opened at the time of mounting, the leg can be appropriately fitted, and the side edge of the side flap can be softened to the touch.

It is a top view in the unfolded state which shows the inner surface of a tape type disposable diaper. It is a top view in the unfolded state which shows the outer surface of a tape type disposable diaper. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. (A) is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. It is (a) (c) plan view and (b) (d) sectional view of the strip-shaped sheet. It is sectional drawing which shows the main part of the developed state in an enlarged manner. It is sectional drawing which enlarges and shows the main part of the developed state in another form. It is sectional drawing which enlarges and shows the main part of the developed state in another form. It is sectional drawing which enlarges and shows the main part of the developed state in another form. It is a schematic diagram which shows the deformation mode of a plane gather. It is a top view in the unfolded state which shows the outer surface of a tape type disposable diaper.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dotted pattern portion in the cross-sectional view shows a hot melt adhesive that joins each component, but instead of the hot melt adhesive, another adhesive may be used, or welding such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing may be used. Needless to say, it may be joined by using. Further, in the following description, the "front-back direction LD (vertical direction)" means a direction connecting the ventral side (front side) and the dorsal side (rear side), and the "width direction WD" means a direction orthogonal to the front-back direction. It means (horizontal direction).

1 to 7 show an example of a tape-type disposable diaper. This tape-type disposable diaper has an absorber 56 provided in the middle portion of the width direction WD from the ventral portion F to the dorsal portion B, a liquid-permeable top sheet 30 covering the front side of the absorber 56, and absorption. A main body portion 10 having a liquid-impermeable sheet 11 covering the back side of the body 56, and a ventral side portion F and a dorsal side portion B on both sides of the dorsal side portion B of the main body portion 10 in the width direction in the width direction. The fastening tapes 13 to be connected are projected. The main body 10 has an end flap portion EF that does not have an absorber 56 and extends to the front and rear sides of the absorber 56, and side flaps that do not have an absorber 56 and extend to both sides of the WD in the width direction from the absorber 56. It has a part SF.

More specifically, in the illustrated example, the entire outer surface of the main body 10 is formed by the exterior sheet 12, and the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 is fixed to the inner surface side thereof with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. An absorbing element 50 including an absorber 56, an intermediate sheet 40, and a top sheet 30 are laminated in this order on the inner surface side of the liquid impermeable sheet 11. The top sheet 30 and the liquid impermeable sheet 11 are rectangular in the illustrated example, have slightly larger dimensions in the front-rear direction LD and the width direction WD than the absorption element 50, and have side edges of the absorption element 50 in the top sheet 30. The peripheral portion that protrudes from the side edge of the absorbing element 50 in the liquid impermeable sheet 11 is fixed to the peripheral edge that protrudes from the side edge by a hot melt adhesive or the like. This portion becomes a part of the end flap portion EF and the side flap portion SF.

Further, three-dimensional gathers 60, 60 rising on the skin side of the wearer are provided on both sides of the width direction WD on the surface of the main body 10, and the gather sheets 62, 62 forming the three-dimensional gathers 60, 60 are provided. It extends from both sides of the top sheet 30 so as to cover the entire inner surface of each side flap portion SF.

Hereinafter, the materials and characteristic parts of each part will be described in order.
(Exterior sheet)
The exterior sheet 12 is provided so that the back surface of the disposable diaper has a cloth-like feel and appearance. Nonwoven fabric is suitable as the exterior sheet 12, but the exterior sheet 12 is not limited to this. The type of the non-woven fabric is not particularly limited, and as the material fiber, for example, olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester-based and polyamide-based synthetic fibers, recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton are used. As the processing method, a spunlace method, a spunbond method, a thermal bond method, an air-through method, a needle punch method, or the like can be used. However, long-fiber non-woven fabrics such as spunbonded non-woven fabrics, SMS non-woven fabrics, and SMMS non-woven fabrics are suitable in terms of both feel and strength. The non-woven fabric can be used alone or in layers. In the latter case, it is preferable to bond the nonwoven fabrics 12 to each other with a hot melt adhesive or the like. When a non-woven fabric is used, the fiber basis weight is preferably 10 to 50 g / m ² , especially 15 to 30 g / m ² . The exterior sheet 12 can be omitted, in which case the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 can be exposed on the back surface of the disposable diaper.

(Liquid impermeable sheet)
The material of the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 is not particularly limited, but is substantially, for example, an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a laminated non-woven fabric in which a non-woven fabric is laminated on a polyethylene sheet or the like, or a waterproof film. An example thereof is a non-woven fabric that ensures liquid impermeableness (in this case, the waterproof film and the non-woven fabric form a liquid-impermeable sheet). Of course, in addition to this, a material having liquid impermeableness and moisture permeability, which has been favorably used in recent years from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness, can also be exemplified. As a sheet of this liquid-impermeable and moisture-permeable material, for example, an inorganic filler is kneaded in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, which is then stretched in a uniaxial or biaxial direction. The microporous sheet thus obtained can be exemplified. Furthermore, it is waterproofed by a non-woven fabric using microdenyl fibers, strengthening of leakage resistance by reducing the voids of the fibers by applying heat or pressure, and coating with a highly water-absorbent resin or hydrophobic resin or water repellent. A liquid-impermeable sheet without using a film can also be used as the liquid-impermeable sheet 11.

The liquid-impermeable sheet 11 of the illustrated example is slightly wider than the top sheet 30 and narrower than the exterior sheet 12, but the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 is not limited to this, and the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 is the exterior sheet 12. It can be changed as appropriate, such as having the same width.

(Top sheet)
As the top sheet 30, a liquid-permeable material such as a perforated or non-perforated non-woven fabric or a porous plastic sheet can be used. The raw material fiber of the non-woven fabric is not particularly limited. For example, olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester-based and polyamide-based fibers, recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, natural fibers such as cotton, mixed fibers and composite fibers in which two or more of these are used. Etc. can be exemplified. Further, the non-woven fabric may be produced by any processing. Examples of the processing method include known methods such as a span lace method, a span bond method, a thermal bond method, a melt blown method, a needle punch method, an air through method, and a point bond method. For example, if flexibility and drapeability are required, the span lace method is preferable, and if bulkiness and softness are required, the thermal bond method is preferable.

The top sheet 30 may be made of one sheet or may be made of a laminated sheet obtained by laminating two or more sheets. Similarly, the top sheet 30 may be composed of one sheet or two or more sheets in the plane direction.

The top sheet 30 of the illustrated example extends laterally from the side edge of the absorber 56, but is not limited to this, and may extend to the side edge of the exterior sheet 12, and in a form having three-dimensional gathers. As long as it extends to the base of the three-dimensional gather, it may be appropriately changed such that it may extend only to the inside in the width direction from the side edge of the absorber.

(Intermediate sheet)
An intermediate sheet (also referred to as a second sheet) 40 can be provided between the top sheet 30 and the absorbing element 50 in order to move the excrement that has passed through the top sheet 30 to the absorber and prevent reversion. The intermediate sheet 40 not only rapidly transfers excrement to the absorber to improve the absorption performance by the absorber, but also prevents the absorbed excrement from returning from the absorber and makes the surface of the top sheet 30 feel soft. It is something to improve. As the intermediate sheet 40, the same material as the top sheet 30 can be used. The intermediate sheet 40 may be omitted.

The material of the intermediate sheet 40 is not particularly limited, and for example, the same material as the top sheet 30 can be used. The intermediate sheet 40 is preferably bonded to the top sheet 30, and when heat embossing or ultrasonic welding is used for the bonding, the material of the intermediate sheet 40 preferably has a melting point similar to that of the top sheet 30. Further, considering that the solid content in the stool is permeated, the fineness of the fiber used for the intermediate sheet 40 is preferably 5.0 to 7.0 dtex, but the liquid residue on the top sheet 30 increases. On the other hand, when the fineness of the fiber used for the intermediate sheet 40 is 1.0 to 2.0 dtex, the liquid residue of the top sheet 30 is unlikely to be generated, but the solid content of the stool is difficult to permeate. Therefore, the fiber of the non-woven fabric used for the intermediate sheet 40 preferably has a fineness of about 2.0 to 5.0 dtex. The intermediate sheet 40 can also be a mesh film or the like in which a large number of pores are provided in a film material such as polyethylene.

The intermediate sheet 40 of the illustrated form is arranged in the center shorter than the width of the absorbing element 50, but may be provided over the entire width. The length in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate sheet 40 may be the same as the total length of the diaper, may be the same as the length of the absorbing element 50, or may be within a short length range centered on the region for receiving the liquid.

(Absorption element)
The absorbing element 50 is a portion that absorbs and holds a liquid such as urine or loose stool, and has an absorber 56 and a packaging sheet 58 that encloses the entire absorber 56 in the illustrated example. If necessary, the packaging sheet 58 may be omitted, such as when the absorber 56 is excellent in shape retention. In that case, the absorbent element 50 is composed of only the absorber 56. The absorbing element 50 can be adhered to the inner surface of the liquid impermeable sheet 11 on the back surface thereof via an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive.

(Absorber)
The absorber 56 can be formed by an aggregate of fibers. The fiber aggregate is a filament aggregate obtained by stacking short fibers such as cotton-like pulp and synthetic fibers, and opening tow (fiber bundle) of synthetic fibers such as cellulose acetate as necessary. Can also be used. The basis weight of fibers, when fiber stacking flocculent pulp or short fibers, for example, be a 100 to 300 g / m ² approximately, in the case of a filament aggregate, for example, be 30 to 120 g / m ² approximately Can be done. In the case of synthetic fibers, the fineness is, for example, 1 to 16 dtex, preferably 1 to 10 dtex, and more preferably 1 to 5 dtex. In the case of a filament aggregate, the filament may be a non-crimped fiber, but is preferably a crimped fiber. The degree of crimping of the crimped fibers can be, for example, 5 to 75 fibers per 2.54 cm, preferably 10 to 50 fibers, and more preferably about 15 to 50 fibers. In many cases, uniformly crimped crimped fibers are used. It is preferable to disperse and hold the highly absorbent polymer particles in the absorber 56.

In addition to having a rectangular shape as shown in the illustrated example, it is preferable that the absorber 56 has an hourglass shape having a constricted portion narrower than both front and rear sides in the middle in the front-rear direction because the fit around the legs is improved.

The size of the absorber 56 can be appropriately determined as long as it extends to the front, back, left, and right of the urination port position, but it is preferable that the absorber 56 extends to the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the main body 10 in the front-rear direction LD and the width direction WD. Reference numeral 56X indicates the total width of the absorber 56, reference numeral 10X indicates the total width of the main body portion 10, and reference numeral 10L indicates the total length of the main body portion 10 (equal to the total length of the diaper in the illustrated form).

(Highly absorbent polymer particles)
The absorber 56 may contain highly absorbent polymer particles in part or in whole. The highly absorbent polymer particles include "powder" in addition to "particles". As the highly absorbent polymer particles 54, those used for this kind of absorbent article can be used as they are. The particle size of the highly absorbent polymer particles is not particularly limited, but for example, sieving (shaking for 5 minutes) using a standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1: 2006) of 500 μm, and particles falling under the sieve by this sieving. When sieving (shaking for 5 minutes) using a 180 μm standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1: 2006), the proportion of particles remaining on the 500 μm standard sieve is 30% by weight or less, and the 180 μm standard sieve. It is desirable that the proportion of particles remaining on the top is 60% by weight or more.

The material of the highly absorbent polymer particles can be used without particular limitation, but those having a water absorption of 40 g / g or more are preferable. Highly absorbent polymer particles include starch-based, cellulosic-based and synthetic polymer-based ones, which are starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymers, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymers, and crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. A substance or an acrylic acid (salt) polymer or the like can be used. As the shape of the highly absorbent polymer particles, a commonly used powder or granular material is preferable, but other shapes can also be used.

As the highly absorbent polymer particles, those having a water absorption rate of 70 seconds or less, particularly 40 seconds or less are preferably used. If the water absorption rate is too slow, so-called reversion, in which the liquid supplied into the absorber 56 returns to the outside of the absorber 56, is likely to occur.

Further, as the highly absorbent polymer particles, those having a gel strength of 1000 Pa or more are preferably used. As a result, even when the bulky absorber 56 is used, the sticky feeling after liquid absorption can be effectively suppressed.

The basis weight of the highly absorbent polymer particles can be appropriately determined according to the amount of absorption required for the application of the absorber 56. Therefore, although it cannot be said unconditionally, it can be set to 50 to 350 g / m ² . If the basis weight of the polymer is less than 50 g / m ² , it becomes difficult to secure the absorption amount. Above 350 g / m ² , the effect saturates.

(Packaging sheet)
When the packaging sheet 58 is used, as the material thereof, tissue paper, particularly crepe paper, non-woven fabric, non-woven fabric of polylami, a sheet having small holes, or the like can be used. However, it is desirable that the sheet does not allow the highly absorbent polymer particles to escape. When a non-woven fabric is used instead of the crepe paper, a hydrophilic SMS non-woven fabric (SMS, SMSMS, etc.) is particularly suitable, and polypropylene, polyethylene / polypropylene composite material, or the like can be used as the material. The basis weight is preferably 5 to 40 g / m ² , especially 10 to 30 g / m ² .

The packaging form of the packaging sheet 58 can be appropriately determined, but from the viewpoint of ease of manufacture and prevention of leakage of highly absorbent polymer particles from the front and rear edge edges, a cylinder is provided so as to surround the front and back surfaces and both side surfaces of the absorber 56. It is preferable that the components are wound in a shape, the front and rear edges thereof are projected from the front and rear of the absorber 56, and the overlapping portions and the overlapping portions of the front and rear protruding portions are joined by a joining means such as hot melt adhesive or material welding.

(Three-dimensional gather)
In order to block urine and loose stools moving laterally on the top sheet 30 and prevent lateral leakage, both sides of the widthwise WD of the surface of the disposable diaper stand up from the side of the top sheet 30 toward the skin (protrusion). ) Three-dimensional gathers 60 are provided over the entire front-rear direction.

In the three-dimensional gather 60 of the illustrated example, the root portion 65 fixed to the region including the side flap portion SF, the protruding portion 66 extending from the root portion 65, and both ends of the protruding portion in the front-rear direction are fixed in an inverted state. Gather elasticity fixed in a state of being extended in the front-rear direction to at least the tip portion of the provided lodging portion 67, the non-fixed free portion 68 located between the front and rear lodging portions of the protruding portion 66, and the free portion 68. It has a member 63. The three-dimensional gather 60 is formed of a gather sheet 62 folded at the tip, and a water-repellent non-woven fabric can be used as the gather sheet 62, and an elongated elastic member such as rubber thread is used as the gather elastic member 63. be able to. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of gather elastic members 63 may be provided at intervals, or one each may be provided. The elongation rate of the portion having the gathered elastic member 63 is not particularly limited, but is usually preferably 150 to 350%, more preferably 200 to 300%.

The root portion 65 of the three-dimensional gather 60 in the illustrated example is provided only on the side flap portion SF, and is joined to the side portion of the liquid impermeable sheet 11 and the side portion of the exterior sheet 12, but the side flap portion SF May extend from to the side of the region overlapping the absorber 56.

In the protruding portion 66 of the three-dimensional gather 60, although both ends of the LD in the front-rear direction are inverted portions, the portion between them is a non-fixed free portion 68, and this free portion 68 is a contraction of the gather elastic member 63. You will stand up by force. When the diaper is attached, the diaper is attached to the body in a boat shape, and the contraction force of the gather elastic member 63 acts on the body. Therefore, the contraction force of the gather elastic member 63 causes the three-dimensional gather 60 to stand up and elastically adhere to the legs. .. As a result, so-called lateral leakage from around the legs is prevented.

(Side flap part)
Characteristically, as shown enlarged in FIG. 7, each side flap portion SF has a base portion 71 extending laterally from the portion having the absorber 56 and a side edge of the base portion 71 toward the center side of the WD in the width direction. It has a folded-back portion 72 and a folded-back portion 72. Further, the tip side of the folded-back portion 72 has a joined portion 73 joined to the base portion 71, and the entire side of the joined portion in the folded-back portion 72 is a non-joined portion 74 that is not joined to the base portion 71. .. Of the base portion 71 and the folded-back portion 72, the one located on the front side (skin side) (the folded-back portion 72 in the example shown in FIG. A side elastic member 75 extending in the direction LD is provided, and in the natural length state, the side flap portion SF is contracted in the front-rear direction LD with the contraction of the side elastic member 75, and the leg circumference of each side flap portion SF is provided. A so-called flat gather 70 is formed on the portion.

Now, of the base 71 and the folded portion 72, the one located on the front side (folded portion 72 in the example shown in FIG. 7) is the front side layer (skin side layer) 80, and the one located on the back side (opposite side to the skin side) ( In the example shown in FIG. 7, assuming that the base portion 71) is the back side layer (non-skin side layer) 81, as shown in FIG. 11, the portion inside the front side layer 80 having the side elastic member 75 in the width direction WD is It rises from the back side layer 81 while rotating so as to rotate from the inner edge of the widthwise WD of the non-joint portion 74. On the other hand, the portion of the front layer 80 having the side elastic member 75 and the portion outside the width direction WD are subjected to a force so as to rise integrally with the portion inside the width direction WD, but are folded back at the side ends. Since it continues to the back side layer 81, it is deformed so as to be closer to the center side of the width direction WD while being suppressed from rising. As a result, the side flap portion SF naturally bends open to the outside of the width direction WD with respect to the central portion of the width direction WD, and easily gathers flat surfaces with respect to the wearer's leg peripheral surface. The 70 can be fitted in a plane. Moreover, the side end portion of the back side layer 81 is rounded up as the portion of the front side layer 80 having the side elastic member 75 and the outer portion of the width direction WD thereof are deformed toward the center side of the width direction WD. As a result, the side edge of the side flap portion SF is formed by this rounded hollow portion. Therefore, the feel of the side edge of the side flap portion SF is also good.

It is preferable that the side flap portion SF has a laminated structure of a plurality of sheet layers from the base portion 71 to the folded portion 72 as shown in the illustrated example because the side elastic member 75 can be sandwiched between the layers, but only the back side layer 81 has one layer. It may be a single layer structure in part or in whole, such as in a structure.

The side elastic member 75 is between the gather sheet 62 and the liquid impermeable sheet 11 as in the example shown in FIG. 7, and between the liquid impermeable sheet 11 and the exterior sheet 12 as in the example shown in FIG. Etc., it can be sandwiched between the layers of the front side layer 80. Further, the side elastic member 75 may be arranged between the front side layer 80 and the back side layer 81.

The folded-back portion 72 can be folded back to the front side of the base portion 71, and can also be folded back to the back side of the base portion 71. When the folded portion 72 is folded back to the front side of the base 71, three or more sheet layers are laminated on the base 71 as in the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the sheet layer of the base 71 Of these, only two layers continue to the folded-back portion 72, and the sheet layer of the folded-back portion 72 is only two layers continuing from the base portion 71, and a side elastic member 75 is provided between the two-layer sheet layers of the folded-back portion 72. Is one preferred form. That is, in many cases, the side flap portion SF of a general disposable diaper has three or more sheet layers laminated. When such a side flap portion SF is folded back to the front side to form the folded portion 72 and the base portion 71, the folded portion 72 located on the side in contact with the skin inevitably has a three-layer structure and is contracted by the side elastic member 75. Therefore, the folded-back portion 72 tends to be hard. On the other hand, when the folded-back portion 72 is folded back to the front side, only two of the sheet layers of the base portion 71 continue to the folded-back portion 72 as in this embodiment, and the sheet layer of the folded-back portion 72 continues from the base 71. If there are only layers, the folded-back portion 72 is unlikely to become hard.

When the folded-back portion 72 is folded back to the front side and the sheet layer of the folded-back portion 72 is formed into two layers in this way, the base portion 71 of the side flap portion SF forms the three-dimensional gathers 60 as shown in the example shown in FIG. The liquid-impermeable sheet 11 is sandwiched between the sheet 62 and the exterior sheet 12, and has a three-layer structure. Of the sheet layers of the base 71, only the exterior sheet 12 and the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 are folded back. It is particularly preferable that the sheet layer of the folded-back portion 72 continuing to the portion 72 is only two layers of the exterior sheet 12 and the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 continuing from the base portion 71. In this case, the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 exists up to the side edge of the side flap portion SF, and is excellent in leak prevention property.

Further, when the folded-back portion 72 is folded back to the front side and the sheet layer of the folded-back portion 72 is made into two layers, the base portion 71 of the side flap portion SF is a gather sheet forming the three-dimensional gather 60 as shown in the example shown in FIG. It has a three-layer structure in which a liquid-impermeable sheet 11 is sandwiched between 62 and the exterior sheet 12, and of the sheet layers of the base 71, only the gather sheet 62 and the exterior sheet 12 continue to the folded-back portion 72. It is particularly preferable that the sheet layer of the folded-back portion 72 is only two layers of the gather sheet 62 and the exterior sheet 12 continuing from the base portion 71. In this case, since the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 does not exist in the folded-back portion 72, the flexibility of the folded-back portion 72 is particularly excellent.

As shown in FIG. 10, a form in which the folded-back portion 72 is folded back on the back side of the base portion 71 is also a preferable form. By folding the folded-back portion 72 to the back side of the base portion 71, the edges of the material of the joint portion 73 and the side flaps are located on the back side and do not come into direct contact with the skin, so that the feel of the side flap portion SF becomes even more preferable. .. In this case, the base portion 71 of the side flap portion SF becomes the front side layer 80, and the folded portion 72 of the side flap portion SF becomes the back side layer 81.

The dimensions of each part may be determined as appropriate, but the side flap part SF is located at the folded position of the side flap part SF and outside the widest width direction WD of the side flap part SF so that the side edges of the side flap part SF are rounded and easily rolled up. It is preferable that the distance d1 in the width direction from the side elastic member 75 is 3 to 10 mm. Further, in order to sufficiently secure the floating height of the front side layer 80 of the non-joining portion 74, the position is located inside the inner edge of the non-joining portion 74 in the width direction WD and the innermost side of the non-joining portion 74 in the width direction WD. It is preferable that the distance d2 in the width direction from the side elastic member 75 is 3 to 13 mm.

The maximum lift height of the front side layer 80 of the non-joint portion 74 in the side flap portion SF is the inner edge of the non-joint portion 74 in the width direction WD and the side located inside the most width direction WD in the non-joint portion 74. Equal to the minimum distance d2 in the width direction with the elastic member 75, 0.1 to 1 times the standing height 60H of the solid gather 60 (determined as the width of the protruding portion 66 of the solid gather 60), particularly 0.3 to 0.9. It is preferable to double. By ensuring the floating height of the front side layer 80 of the non-joining portion 74 in the side flap portion SF in a range lower than the standing height 60H of the three-dimensional gather 60, the flat gather 70 and the three-dimensional gather 60 can be attached to the wearer. It can be properly fitted around the legs.

As the side elastic member 75, an elongated elastic member such as rubber thread can be used, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of elastic members are provided at intervals of about 3 to 10 mm, and only one of each is provided. You can also do it. The elongation rate of the portion having the side elastic member 75 (plane gather 70) is not particularly limited, but is usually preferably 150 to 350%, more preferably 200 to 300%.

The folded-back portion 72 may be provided over the entire front-rear direction LD of the main body portion 10 as shown in the illustrated example, or may be provided only in the middle of the front-rear direction LD including the crotch. The length of the LD in the front-rear direction of the folded-back portion 72 can be appropriately determined, and can be, for example, about 30 to 60% of the total length of the main body portion. The length of the front-rear LD of the non-joint portion 74 can also be appropriately determined, and the non-joint portion 74 may be provided over the entire front-rear direction LD of the folded-back portion 72, or may be provided only in the middle of the front-rear direction LD of the folded-back portion 72.

The width of the folded-back portion 72 can be appropriately determined, and can be, for example, about 14 to 55 mm. Further, the width of the joint portion 73 can be appropriately determined, for example, about 5 to 15 mm. Further, the width of the non-joint portion 74 can be appropriately determined, for example, about 9 to 33 mm.

(End flap part)
The end flap portion is a portion extending to the front side and the rear side of the absorber 56, respectively, and is a portion having no absorber 56. The dimensions of the end flap portion EF can be appropriately determined, but for example, the length of the end flap portion EF in the front-rear direction is preferably about 5 to 20% of the total length L of the main body portion 10, and in the diaper for infants, 10 It is suitable to set it to ~ 60 mm, particularly 20 to 50 mm.

(Main body)
In the main body 10, the width of the waist circumference of the leg ventral portion F and the dorsal side portion B is wider than the width of the crotch portion (in other words, a constriction along the leg circumference) like a general tape type disposable diaper. The diaper may have a rectangular portion in the middle of the LD in the front-rear direction, but the width of the diaper is the same as the width of the crotch portion over the entire length as shown in the illustrated example in order to facilitate the formation of the folded-back portion 72. As a result, it may be in the form of a rectangle having no constriction.

(Fastening tape)
The fastening tape 13 is provided separately on the left and right sides as shown in the example shown in FIG. 12, and as shown in the example shown in FIG. 2, a mounting portion joined to the back surface of the main body portion in the middle of the width direction WD and a mounting portion of the mounting portion. A strip-shaped sheet 90 having protrusions extending from both sides of the main body 10 of the back side portion B extending to both sides in the width direction is provided, and both portions of the strip-shaped sheet 90 in the width direction WD are configured as fastening tape 13. You can also do it.

A connecting portion 13A with respect to the ventral side is provided at the tip end portion of the fastening tape 13. As the connecting portion 13A, a hook material (male material) of a mechanical fastener (hook-and-loop fastener) may be provided, or an adhesive layer may be provided. The hook material has a large number of engaging protrusions on its locking surface, and the shapes of the engaging protrusions are (A) -shaped, (B) J-shaped, (C) mushroom-shaped, and (D). ) T-shape, (E) double J-shape (shape in which J-shapes are joined back to back), etc., but any shape may be used. When wearing the diaper, the fastening tape is locked at an appropriate position on the outer surface of the ventral portion F with the side flap portion SF of the dorsal portion B overlapped with the outside of the side flap portion SF of the ventral portion F.

It is preferable that at least a part of the fastening tape 13 elastically expands and contracts inside the connecting portion 13A in the width direction because the fit around the waistline is improved. The elongation rate of the fastening tape 13 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 150 to 250%. The structure of the elastically stretchable fastening tape 13 is not particularly limited, and for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a sheet having elasticity by itself, such as a rubber sheet or a stretchable non-woven fabric, is used. It can also be used to form at least an elastic stretchable portion of the fastening tape 13. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 (c) and 6 (d), two sheet layers 91 such as non-woven fabrics are bonded to each other with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive, and a perforated sheet is formed between the two sheet layers 91. It is also possible to form at least the elastic elastic portion of the fastening tape 13 by using an elastic elastic member 92 having an elastic shape, a net shape, an elongated shape (thread shape, a string shape, etc.) fixed in a stretched state along the width direction WD. Suitable. In this way, a plurality of elongated elastic elastic members 92 attached to the sheet base material 91 at intervals are not only easy to manufacture because they are widely used in the technical field of disposable diapers, but also elongated elastic members. There is also an advantage that the shrinkage characteristics of the fastening tape 13 can be easily adjusted by making the thickness, number, elongation rate, spacing, and type of material of the elastic members 92 different. As the sheet base material 91 in this case, the same material as the exterior sheet 12 can be used. Further, when an elongated elastic member 92 (thread-like or string-like) is used, for example, about 5 to 15 elastic elastic members 92 having a thickness of 420 to 1120 dtex can be provided at an interval of 3 to 10 mm at an interval of 92 d.

(Target sheet)
It is preferable to provide a target sheet 12T having a target for facilitating locking at the locking portion of the fastening tape 13 in the ventral portion F. When the connecting portion 13A is a hook material, the target sheet 12T may have a large number of loop threads provided on the surface of a sheet base material made of a plastic film or a non-woven fabric so that the engaging protrusions of the hook material are entangled. Further, in the case of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, one in which the surface of a sheet base material made of a plastic film having a smooth surface, which is highly adhesive, is peeled off can be used. Further, when the locking portion of the fastening tape 13 on the ventral side portion F is made of a non-woven fabric, for example, when the exterior sheet 12 of the illustrated form is made of a non-woven fabric and the connecting portion 13A of the fastening tape 13 is a hook material. , The target sheet 12T can be omitted, and the hook material can be entwined with the non-woven fabric of the exterior sheet 12 and locked. In this case, the target sheet 12T may be provided between the exterior sheet 12 and the liquid impermeable sheet 11.

<Explanation of terms in the specification>
The following terms in the specification have the following meanings unless otherwise specified in the specification.
-The "deployed state" means a state in which the natural length is completely extended flat without contraction or slack.
-"Elongation rate" means a value when the natural length is 100%.
-"Gel strength" is measured as follows. To 49.0 g of artificial urine, 1.0 g of a highly absorbent polymer is added and stirred with a stirrer. The produced gel is left in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at 40 ° C. × 60% RH for 3 hours, then returned to room temperature, and the gel strength is measured with a card meter (Curdmeter-MAX ME-500 manufactured by I. techno Engineering).
-"Artificial urine" includes urea: 2 wt%, sodium chloride: 0.8 wt%, calcium chloride dihydrate: 0.03 wt%, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate: 0.08 wt%, and ion-exchanged water: 97. It is a mixture of .09 wt% and is used at a temperature of 37 ° C. unless otherwise specified.
・ "Metsuke" is measured as follows. After pre-drying the sample or test piece, leave it in a test room or device in a standard state (the test place is a temperature of 20 ± 5 ° C. and a relative humidity of 65% or less) to bring it into a constant weight state. Pre-drying refers to making a sample or test piece constant in an environment where the relative humidity is 10 to 25% and the temperature does not exceed 50 ° C. It is not necessary to pre-dry the fibers having an official moisture content of 0.0%. A sample having a size of 200 mm × 250 mm (± 2 mm) is cut out from the test piece in a constant weight state using a sampling template (200 mm × 250 mm, ± 2 mm). The weight of the sample is measured, the weight per square meter is calculated, and the basis weight is used.
-The water absorption amount is measured by JIS K7223-1996 "Water absorption amount test method for highly water-absorbent resin".
-The water absorption rate shall be the "time to the end point" when JIS K7224-1996 "Water absorption rate test method for highly water-absorbent resin" was performed using 2 g of highly absorbent polymer and 50 g of physiological saline. ..
-If there is no description about the environmental conditions in the test or measurement, the test or measurement shall be performed in a test room or equipment under standard conditions (test location: temperature 20 ± 5 ° C, relative humidity 65% or less). ..
-Unless otherwise specified, the dimensions of each part mean the dimensions in the unfolded state, not in the natural length state.

The present invention can be used for all absorbent articles such as pants-type disposable diapers, pad-type disposable diapers, and sanitary napkins, in addition to tape-type disposable diapers as in the above example.

10 ... Main body, 11 ... Liquid permeable sheet, 12 ... Exterior sheet, 12T ... Target sheet, 13 ... Fastening tape, 30 ... Top sheet, 40 ... Intermediate sheet, 50 ... Absorbent element, 56 ... Absorber, 58 ... Packaging sheet, 60 ... 3D gather, 62 ... Gather sheet, 63 ... Gather elastic member, 70 ... Flat gather, 71 ... Base, 72 ... Folded part, 73 ... Joint part, 74 ... Non-joint part, 75 ... Side elastic member, EF ... end flap part, SF ... side flap part, LD ... front-back direction, WD ... width direction, 80 ... front side layer, 81 ... back side layer, 13A ... connecting part.

Claims (5)

It is provided with an absorber that absorbs and retains excrement and side flaps that extend on both sides of the absorber in the width direction.
A portion of each side flap portion located at least in the crotch has a base portion extending laterally from the portion having the absorber and a folded portion folded back toward the center in the width direction at the side edge of the base portion.
The portion of the folded-back portion located at least in the middle of the front-rear direction has a joint portion joined to the base portion on the tip end side of the folded-back portion, and the entire side of the folded-back portion with respect to the joint portion is with the base portion. It is a non-joined part that is not joined,
Wherein the base and the skin side layer toward positioned on the skin side of the folded portion, when a person non-skin side layer positioned between the skin side opposite wherein the skin side layer, the side of the non-joined portion A plurality of side elastic members extending in the front-rear direction through a position separated inward in the width direction from the edge are provided at intervals of 3 to 10 mm in the width direction .
The minimum width direction distance between the folded position of the side flap portion and the side elastic member located on the outermost side in the width direction of the side flap portion is 3 to 10 mm.
The minimum width direction distance between the inner edge of the non-joint portion in the width direction and the innermost side elastic member in the width direction of the non-joint portion is 3 to 13 mm.
The natural length state, the side elastic the side flaps with the contraction of the member with the being contracted in the longitudinal direction, the first portion of the inner of the side elastic width direction than the portion having a member in the skin side layer Rises from the non-skin side layer while rising so as to rotate from the inner edge in the width direction of the non-joint portion, and the second portion of the skin side layer having the side elastic member is the non-skin side layer. While rising from the skin side layer, it approaches the center side in the width direction, and the third part outside the width direction from the second part in the skin side layer and the side end portion of the non-skin side layer are rounded up.
An absorbent article characterized by that. The folded portion is folded back toward the skin side of the base, and the folded portion is folded back toward the skin side of the base.
Three or more sheet layers are laminated on the base.
Of the sheet layers at the base, only two layers continue to the folded portion, and the sheet layer at the folded portion is only two layers continuing from the base.
The side elastic member is provided between the two layers of the folded portion.
The absorbent article according to claim 1. It is provided with an absorber that absorbs and retains excrement and side flaps that extend on both sides of the absorber in the width direction.
A liquid-impermeable sheet that covers the side opposite to the skin side of the absorber,
An exterior sheet that covers the side opposite to the skin side of the liquid-impermeable sheet,
Of the root portion fixed to the region including the side flap portion, the protruding portion extending from the root portion, the lodging portion in which both ends of the protruding portion in the front-rear direction are fixed in an inverted state, and the protruding portion. A three-dimensional gather having a non-fixed free portion located between the front and rear lodging portions, and a gather elastic member fixed at least at the tip of the free portion in a state of being extended in the front-rear direction.
Is equipped with
A portion of each side flap portion located at least in the crotch has a base portion extending laterally from the portion having the absorber and a folded portion folded back toward the center in the width direction at the side edge of the base portion.
The folded portion is folded back toward the skin side of the base, and the folded portion is folded back toward the skin side of the base.
The base has a three-layer structure in which the liquid-impermeable sheet is sandwiched between the gather sheet forming the three-dimensional gather and the exterior sheet.
Of the sheet layers of the base portion, only the exterior sheet and the liquid permeable sheet continue to the folded portion, and the sheet layer of the folded portion includes only two layers of the exterior sheet and the liquid permeable sheet continuing from the base portion. It has become
The portion of the folded-back portion located at least in the middle of the front-rear direction has a joint portion joined to the base portion on the tip end side of the folded-back portion, and the entire side of the folded-back portion with respect to the joint portion is with the base portion. It is a non-joined part that is not joined,
A side elastic member extending in the front-rear direction is provided between the two layers of the folded portion, passing through a position separated inward in the width direction from the side edge of the non-joint portion.
In the natural length state, the side flap portion is contracted in the front-rear direction as the side elastic member contracts.
An absorbent article characterized by that. It is provided with an absorber that absorbs and retains excrement and side flaps that extend on both sides of the absorber in the width direction.
A liquid-impermeable sheet that covers the side opposite to the skin side of the absorber,
An exterior sheet that covers the side opposite to the skin side of the liquid-impermeable sheet,
Of the root portion fixed to the region including the side flap portion, the protruding portion extending from the root portion, the lodging portion in which both ends of the protruding portion in the front-rear direction are fixed in an inverted state, and the protruding portion. A three-dimensional gather having a non-fixed free portion located between the front and rear lodging portions, and a gather elastic member fixed at least at the tip of the free portion in a state of being extended in the front-rear direction.
Is equipped with
A portion of each side flap portion located at least in the crotch has a base portion extending laterally from the portion having the absorber and a folded portion folded back toward the center in the width direction at the side edge of the base portion.
The folded portion is folded back toward the skin side of the base, and the folded portion is folded back toward the skin side of the base.
The base has a three-layer structure in which the liquid-impermeable sheet is sandwiched between the gather sheet forming the three-dimensional gather and the exterior sheet.
Only the gather sheet and the outer sheet of the sheet layers of the base is continued until the folded portion, the sheet layers of the folded portion is adapted only two layers of the gather sheet and outer sheet continues from the base,
The portion of the folded-back portion located at least in the middle of the front-rear direction has a joint portion joined to the base portion on the tip end side of the folded-back portion, and the entire side of the folded-back portion with respect to the joint portion is with the base portion. It is a non-joined part that is not joined,
A side elastic member extending in the front-rear direction is provided between the two layers of the folded portion, passing through a position separated inward in the width direction from the side edge of the non-joint portion.
In the natural length state, the side flap portion is contracted in the front-rear direction as the side elastic member contracts.
An absorbent article characterized by that. It is provided with an absorber that absorbs and retains excrement and side flaps that extend on both sides of the absorber in the width direction.
A portion of each side flap portion located at least in the crotch has a base portion extending laterally from the portion having the absorber and a folded portion folded back toward the center in the width direction at the side edge of the base portion.
The folded portion are folded back on the side opposite to the skin side of the base,
The portion of the folded-back portion located at least in the middle of the front-rear direction has a joint portion joined to the base portion on the tip end side of the folded-back portion, and the entire side of the folded-back portion with respect to the joint portion is with the base portion. It is a non-joined part that is not joined,
A side elastic member extending in the front-rear direction through a position separated inward in the width direction from the side edge of the non-joint portion is provided on the side of the base portion and the folded portion located on the skin side.
In the natural length state, the side flap portion is contracted in the front-rear direction as the side elastic member contracts.
An absorbent article characterized by that.

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