Absorbent article

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an absorbent article, which is excellent in antibacterial action of an antibacterial agent, less likely to irritate the skin of a wearer, and less likely to deform. The absorbent article (1) is characterized by comprising a first sheet (3), a second sheet (5), and an absorbent core (11), comprising an antibacterial layer (19) containing a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic and nonvolatile organic solvent in at least one of the first sheet (3) and the second sheet (5), comprising an antibacterial layer arrangement region (21) overlapping the antibacterial layer (19) in a thickness direction (T) and an antibacterial layer non-arrangement region (23) not overlapping the antibacterial layer (19), comprising a joining portion (31) joining the first sheet and the second sheet in the antibacterial layer arrangement region (21) and the antibacterial layer non-arrangement region (23), and the joining strength of the joining portion in the antibacterial layer arrangement region is lower than the joining strength of the joining portion in the antibacterial layer non-arrangement region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising an antimicrobial layer comprising a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic, non-volatile organic solvent. Background Technology

[0002] Research is underway on absorbent materials containing antibacterial agents.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article sheet and an absorbent article including an absorbent core. The absorbent article sheet contains an organic hydrophobic antibacterial agent, a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, and less than 10% by mass of water. The absorbent core contains an organic hydrophobic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-70515 Utility Model Content

[0007] The problem to be solved by utility models

[0008] In the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, when bodily fluids containing water, such as urine or menstrual blood, are excreted into the tablet, the antibacterial liquid (a liquid containing an antibacterial agent and an organic solvent) contained in the tablet mixes with the bodily fluids. However, since the antibacterial agent contained in the antibacterial liquid is hydrophobic, it is prone to coagulation and crystallization when mixed with bodily fluids. Crystallized antibacterial agents may not exert their full antibacterial effect due to the reduced contact area with bodily fluids.

[0009] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an absorbent article that has excellent antibacterial properties, is not easily irritating to the wearer's skin, and is not easily deformed.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] The inventors have proposed an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core having mutually orthogonal length, width, and thickness directions. The absorbent article comprises: a first sheet, which is liquid-permeable; a second sheet, which is disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet and is also liquid-permeable; and the absorbent core, which is disposed at a position closer to the non-skin side than the second sheet. At least one of the first and second sheets comprises an antibacterial layer, the antibacterial layer comprising a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic... The absorbent article, comprising a non-volatile organic solvent, includes: an antimicrobial layer configuration region that overlaps with the antimicrobial layer in the thickness direction; and an antimicrobial layer non-configuration region that does not overlap with the antimicrobial layer in the thickness direction. The absorbent article has joints in the antimicrobial layer configuration region and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration region for joining a first sheet and a second sheet, respectively. Furthermore, the joint strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration region is lower than the joint strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer non-configuration region.

[0012] Preferably, the combination of the first and second sheets is a combination of a top sheet and an auxiliary sheet having a skin-contacting surface, a combination of a top sheet and a core-covering sheet having a skin-contacting surface, or a combination of an auxiliary sheet and a core-covering sheet.

[0013] Preferably, the joint is an adhesive joint formed by a hot melt adhesive.

[0014] Preferably, in the thickness direction, the antimicrobial layer in the antimicrobial layer configuration region is disposed between the first or second piece and the adhesive portion.

[0015] Preferably, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer configuration area is greater than the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area.

[0016] Preferably, the organic solvent comprises a polyol that is liquid at room temperature and pressure.

[0017] Preferably, the non-configured area of ​​the antibacterial layer is disposed outside the configured area of ​​the antibacterial layer in the width direction.

[0018] Preferably, the non-configured region of the antibacterial layer is disposed outside the configured region of the antibacterial layer in the length direction.

[0019] Preferably, the antibacterial layer configuration area is disposed in the discharge port contact area, and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area is configured to surround the antibacterial layer configuration area.

[0020] Preferably, the absorbent article has the antibacterial layer on a first sheet, the first sheet being a top sheet having a skin-contact surface and a non-skin-contact surface, and in the antibacterial layer configuration area, the antibacterial layer is configured more extensively on the non-skin-contact surface than on the skin-contact surface.

[0021] Preferably, in the antibacterial layer configuration area, the antibacterial layer is configured more on the skin side of the absorbent core compared to the non-skin side of the absorbent core.

[0022] Preferably, the absorbent article further comprises a pair of side pieces disposed on both outer sides of the first piece in the width direction, and further comprises side joints that respectively join the first piece and the pair of side pieces, wherein the joint strength of the side joints is higher than the joint strength of the joints in the antimicrobial layer configuration area.

[0023] Preferably, the absorbent article further comprises a compression section that compresses the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core, wherein the antibacterial layer configuration area and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area are disposed in the compression section.

[0024] Utility Model Effect

[0025] The antibacterial agent of the absorbent article disclosed herein has excellent antibacterial effect, is not easily irritating to the wearer's skin, and is not easily deformed. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the sanitary napkin 1 for menstrual use according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the sanitary napkin 1 for menstrual use according to the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the sanitary napkin 1 for menstrual use according to the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the sanitary napkin 1 for menstrual use according to the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the sanitary napkin 1 for menstrual use according to the second embodiment.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0032] 1. Sanitary napkins for menstrual use

[0033] 3 Top film

[0034] 5 auxiliary films

[0035] 7a Side of skin

[0036] 7b Non-skin side

[0037] 9 Absorbers

[0038] 11 Absorption Core

[0039] 13a Skin Side Core Covering Patch

[0040] 13b Non-skin-side core-covered tablet

[0041] 15 Back side

[0042] 17 Side panels

[0043] 19 Antibacterial layer

[0044] 21 Antibacterial layer configuration area

[0045] 23 Antibacterial layer non-configured area

[0046] 31 First joint

[0047] 33 Second joint

[0048] 35 Side joint

[0049] 37a Side Adhesive Part

[0050] 37b Side-pressed floral section

[0051] 41. Exhaust port contact area compression section

[0052] 43. Compression section around the discharge port

[0053] 51 Skin contact surface

[0054] 53. Non-skin contact surface. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Specifically, this disclosure relates to the following methods.

[0056] [Method 1]

[0057] An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core having mutually orthogonal length, width, and thickness directions, characterized in that...

[0058] The aforementioned absorbent article comprises: a first sheet, which is liquid-permeable; a second sheet, which is disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet and is also liquid-permeable; and an absorbent core, which is disposed at a position closer to the non-skin side than the second sheet.

[0059] The aforementioned absorbent article has an antimicrobial layer in at least one of the first and second sheets, the antimicrobial layer comprising a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic, non-volatile organic solvent.

[0060] The aforementioned absorbent article comprises: an antimicrobial layer configuration region, wherein the antimicrobial layer configuration region overlaps with the antimicrobial layer in the thickness direction; and an antimicrobial layer non-configuration region, wherein the antimicrobial layer non-configuration region does not overlap with the antimicrobial layer in the thickness direction.

[0061] The absorbent article has a joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration area and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area respectively, which joins the first piece and the second piece, and the joint strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration area is lower than the joint strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area.

[0062] In the aforementioned absorbent articles, since the antibacterial layer contains a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic, non-volatile organic solvent, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent dissolved in the organic solvent is less prone to crystallization. Therefore, in these absorbent articles, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can rapidly migrate to the body fluids absorbed by the absorbent article, and after migration into the body fluids, it is less likely to crystallize, thus easily exerting an antibacterial effect on the body fluids. On the other hand, in these absorbent articles, since the hydrophilic antibacterial agent easily comes into contact with the wearer's skin, it may cause roughness in wearers with sensitive skin.

[0063] In the aforementioned absorbent articles, the bonding strength of the joints in the antibacterial layer configuration area, which originates from the antibacterial layer and, in particular, from a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, is lower than the bonding strength of the joints in the non-antibacterial layer configuration area. Therefore, in the antibacterial layer configuration area, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent readily exerts an antibacterial effect on bodily fluids. Furthermore, the topsheet with a skin-contacting surface can follow the movements of the wearer's skin (hereinafter, the situation where the topsheet follows the movements of the wearer's skin is sometimes referred to as "topsheet following"), thus reducing the likelihood of irritating the wearer's skin, which may become rough due to the hydrophilic antibacterial agent (hereinafter, the situation where the wearer's skin is less likely to be irritated is sometimes referred to as "skin irritation inhibition"). Additionally, in the non-antibacterial layer configuration area, the aforementioned joints can suppress wrinkles, twists, etc., of the absorbent article (hereinafter, the situation where the joints suppress wrinkles, twists, etc., of the absorbent article is sometimes referred to as "wrinkle and twist inhibition").

[0064] Therefore, the antibacterial agents in the above-mentioned absorbent materials have excellent antibacterial effects, are not easily irritating to the wearer's skin, and are not easily deformed.

[0065] [Method 2]

[0066] In the absorbent article of method 1, the combination of the first sheet and the second sheet is a combination of a top sheet and an auxiliary sheet having a skin-contacting surface, a combination of a top sheet and a core-covering sheet having a skin-contacting surface, or a combination of an auxiliary sheet and a core-covering sheet.

[0067] Among the aforementioned absorbent materials, method 1 is more effective because the first and second pieces are selected from the prescribed combination.

[0068] [Method 3]

[0069] In the absorbent article described in method 1 or 2, the aforementioned joint is an adhesive formed by a hot melt adhesive.

[0070] In the aforementioned absorbent articles, the joint is formed by a hot-melt adhesive. Therefore, in the area where the antibacterial layer is applied, the strength of the joint is more easily reduced by the antibacterial layer, particularly by a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent. This further enhances the topsheet's conformability and skin irritation inhibition, making it less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, which may become rough due to the hydrophilic antibacterial agent. Consequently, the antibacterial agent in the aforementioned absorbent articles exhibits excellent antibacterial activity, is less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, and is less prone to deformation.

[0071] [Method 4]

[0072] In the absorbent article of method 3, in the thickness direction, the antimicrobial layer in the antimicrobial layer configuration area is disposed between the first or second sheet and the adhesive portion.

[0073] In the aforementioned absorbent articles, the antibacterial layer is positioned at a predetermined location along the thickness direction of the absorbent article. Therefore, in the area where the antibacterial layer is located, the strength of the joint is more easily reduced by the antibacterial layer, particularly by a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent. This further enhances the topsheet's conformability and skin irritation inhibition, making it less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, which may become rough due to the hydrophilic antibacterial agent. Consequently, the antibacterial agent in the aforementioned absorbent articles exhibits excellent antibacterial activity, is less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, and is less prone to deformation.

[0074] [Method 5]

[0075] In the absorbent article described in method 3 or 4, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antimicrobial layer configuration area is greater than the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area.

[0076] In the aforementioned absorbent article, since the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer configuration area is in a predetermined relationship with the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the non-antibacterial layer configuration area, peeling of the first and second sheets in the antibacterial layer configuration area can be suppressed. As a result, the absorbent article exhibits excellent absorbency.

[0077] [Method 6]

[0078] In any one of the absorbent articles of methods 1 to 5, the aforementioned organic solvent comprises a polyol that is liquid at room temperature and pressure.

[0079] In the aforementioned absorbent articles, the organic solvent comprises a specified polyol. Therefore, in the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area, the antibacterial layer readily integrates with moisture in body fluids, readily imparting an antibacterial effect to the body fluids. Furthermore, in the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area, the polyol can enhance the permeability of body fluids. Moreover, the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area readily exhibits the aforementioned topcoat adherence and skin irritation inhibition properties.

[0080] [Method 7]

[0081] In any one of the absorbent articles of methods 1 to 6, the non-configured region of the antimicrobial layer is disposed outside the configured region of the antimicrobial layer in the width direction.

[0082] In the aforementioned absorbent article, the antibacterial layer configuration area and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area are positioned at predetermined locations. Therefore, the antibacterial layer configuration area is readily positioned at the center of the absorbent article's width direction, and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area is readily positioned on the outer side of the antibacterial layer configuration area's width direction. As a result, the antibacterial layer configuration area, being at the center of the width direction, readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids, and exhibits excellent topsheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the antibacterial layer non-configuration area, being on the outer side of the antibacterial layer configuration area's width direction, can effectively exert the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0083] [Method 8]

[0084] In any one of the absorbent articles of methods 1 to 7, the non-configured region of the antimicrobial layer is disposed outside the configured region of the antimicrobial layer in the length direction.

[0085] In the aforementioned absorbent article, the antibacterial layer configuration area and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area are positioned at predetermined locations. Therefore, the antibacterial layer configuration area is readily positioned at the center of the absorbent article's length direction, and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area is readily positioned on the outer side of the antibacterial layer configuration area's length direction. As a result, the antibacterial layer configuration area, being at the center of the length direction, readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids, and exhibits excellent topsheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the antibacterial layer non-configuration area, being on the outer side of the antibacterial layer configuration area's length direction, can effectively exert the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0086] [Method 9]

[0087] In any one of the absorbent articles of methods 1 to 8, the antimicrobial layer configuration area is disposed in the discharge port contact area, and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area is configured to surround the antimicrobial layer configuration area.

[0088] In the aforementioned absorbent article, the antibacterial layer configuration area and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area are positioned in a predetermined location. Therefore, the antibacterial layer configuration area, in the area contacting the excretory opening, readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids, and exhibits excellent top-sheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the antibacterial layer non-configuration area, located around the periphery of the antibacterial layer configuration area, provides the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0089] [Method 10]

[0090] In any one of the absorbent articles of methods 1 to 9, the absorbent article has the antibacterial layer in the first sheet, the first sheet being a top sheet having a skin-contact surface and a non-skin-contact surface, and in the area where the antibacterial layer is disposed, the antibacterial layer is disposed more on the non-skin-contact surface than on the skin-contact surface.

[0091] In the aforementioned absorbent articles, the antibacterial layer is disposed more extensively on the non-skin-contact surfaces than on the skin-contact surfaces. Therefore, the amount and opportunity for direct contact between the antibacterial agent and the wearer's skin can be reduced, and the antibacterial agent can exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids more quickly.

[0092] [Method 11]

[0093] In any one of the absorbent articles of methods 1 to 10, in the area where the antibacterial layer is disposed, the antibacterial layer is disposed more on the skin side of the absorbent core than on the non-skin side of the absorbent core.

[0094] In the aforementioned absorbent articles, in the area where the antibacterial layer is disposed, the antibacterial layer is more concentrated on the skin-side of the absorbent core compared to the non-skin-side of the absorbent core. Therefore, the antibacterial agent can impart an antibacterial effect to the bodily fluids before they reach the absorbent core.

[0095] [Method 12]

[0096] In any one of the methods 1 to 11, the absorbent article further comprises a pair of side pieces disposed on both outer sides of the first piece in the width direction, and further comprises side joint portions for joining the first piece and the pair of side pieces respectively.

[0097] The bonding strength of the aforementioned side joint is higher than that of the aforementioned joint in the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area.

[0098] In the aforementioned absorbent article, the bonding strength of the side joint is higher than the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration area. Therefore, the aforementioned top sheet following property can be achieved in the antimicrobial layer configuration area, and the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression property can be achieved in the side joint.

[0099] [Method 13]

[0100] In any one of the absorbent articles of methods 1 to 12, the absorbent article further comprises a compression portion for compressing the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core, wherein the antibacterial layer configuration area and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area are disposed in the compression portion.

[0101] In the aforementioned absorbent article, the antimicrobial layer configuration area and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area are disposed in the aforementioned compression section. Therefore, in the antimicrobial layer configuration area of ​​the compression section, the aforementioned top sheet following property can be achieved to a certain extent, and in the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area of ​​the compression section, the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression property can be achieved.

[0102] The absorbent articles disclosed herein will now be described in detail.

[0103] [First Implementation]

[0104] Figures 1-3 This diagram illustrates an absorbent article, specifically a sanitary napkin 1, according to one embodiment of this disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "first embodiment"). Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 These are the front view and the rear view of sanitary napkin 1. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 End face diagram of sanitary napkin 1 at end face III-III.

[0105] The sanitary napkin 1 comprises: a top sheet 3 as a first sheet that is permeable to liquid; an auxiliary sheet 5 as a second sheet that is permeable to liquid and is adjacent to the non-skin side of the top sheet 3; an absorbent body 9 as adjacent to the non-skin side of the auxiliary sheet 5; and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 15 as adjacent to the non-skin side of the absorbent body 9. The auxiliary sheet 5 has a skin-side surface 7a as the skin-side surface and a non-skin-side surface 7b as the non-skin-side surface.

[0106] The absorbent body 9 comprises an absorbent core 11, a skin-side core cover 13a covering the absorbent core 11 from the skin side, and a non-skin-side core cover 13b covering the absorbent core 11 from the non-skin side. The sanitary napkin 1 has a pair of side sheets 17 on both outer sides in the width direction W of the top sheet 3. Each pair of side sheets 17 is hydrophobic.

[0107] The absorber core 11 has mutually orthogonal length direction L, width direction W and thickness direction T.

[0108] In the sanitary napkin 1, an antibacterial layer 19 is disposed on the non-skin side 7b of the auxiliary sheet 5. This antibacterial layer 19 contains a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and propylene glycol, which is a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent. This allows the hydrophilic antibacterial agent to rapidly migrate into the bodily fluids absorbed by the sanitary napkin 1. Furthermore, after migrating into the bodily fluids, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is less prone to crystallization, thus easily exerting an antibacterial effect on the bodily fluids. Additionally, in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21, the antibacterial layer 19 readily integrates with the moisture in the bodily fluids, easily imparting an antibacterial effect. In the antibacterial layer configuration area 21, propylene glycol enhances the permeability of the bodily fluids, and the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 also facilitates topsheet adherence and skin irritation inhibition.

[0109] The sanitary napkin 1 has an antibacterial layer configuration area 21 that overlaps with the antibacterial layer 19 in the thickness direction T and an antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23 that does not overlap with the antibacterial layer 19 in the thickness direction T.

[0110] The sanitary napkin 1 has a first joint 31 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23, respectively, for joining a top sheet 3 (as a first sheet) and an auxiliary sheet 5 (as a second sheet). The first joint 31 is a first adhesive portion formed by a hot-melt adhesive, arranged in a coating pattern (not shown) that extends wavyly in the length direction L and is intermittently arranged in the width direction W. The unit area weight (unit area weight of the hot-melt adhesive) of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is approximately the same as that in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23.

[0111] Derived from the antibacterial layer 19, particularly the hydrophilic antibacterial agent, the bonding strength of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is lower than that of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 exhibits excellent top-sheet conformability, skin irritation inhibition, and wrinkle and twist inhibition.

[0112] Furthermore, in the sanitary napkin 1 of the first embodiment, the auxiliary sheet 5 and the skin-side core cover sheet 13a can be regarded as a first sheet with liquid permeability and a second sheet with liquid permeability, respectively. The sanitary napkin 1 has a second joint portion 33 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23, respectively, for joining the auxiliary sheet 5 and the skin-side core cover sheet 13a. The second joint portion 33 is a second adhesive portion formed by a hot-melt adhesive, and the second adhesive portion is arranged in a coating pattern (not shown) that extends wavyly in the length direction L and is intermittently arranged in the width direction W. The unit area weight (unit area weight of the hot-melt adhesive) of the second joint portion 33 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is approximately the same as the unit area weight (unit area weight of the hot-melt adhesive) of the second joint portion 33 in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23.

[0113] The bonding strength of the second joint 33 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is lower than that of the second joint 33 in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 has excellent top sheet followability, skin irritation inhibition, and wrinkle and twist inhibition.

[0114] In the antibacterial layer configuration area 21, the antibacterial layer 19 is disposed between the second joint 33 and the auxiliary sheet 5, which serves as the second sheet or the auxiliary sheet 5, which serves as the first sheet. This results in excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition of the sanitary napkin 1. Furthermore, as described above, the second joint 33 is a second adhesive portion formed by a hot-melt adhesive, thus further enhancing the top sheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0115] The non-positioned regions 23 of the antibacterial layer are disposed on both outer sides of the antibacterial layer configuration region 21 in the width direction W. Therefore, the antibacterial layer configuration region 21, being centrally located in the width direction W, readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids, and exhibits excellent top-sheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the non-positioned regions 23, being on the outer sides of the antibacterial layer configuration region 21 in the width direction, can exert the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0116] The non-positioned regions 23 of the antibacterial layer are disposed on both outer sides of the longitudinal direction L of the positioned regions 21 of the antibacterial layer. Therefore, the positioned regions 21 of the antibacterial layer, being centrally located in the longitudinal direction L, readily impart antibacterial effects to bodily fluids, and exhibit excellent top-sheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the non-positioned regions 23 of the antibacterial layer, being located on the outer sides of the positioned regions 21 in the longitudinal direction L, can exert the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0117] Furthermore, the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is disposed in the excretory opening contact area (not shown), and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23 is disposed around the antibacterial layer configuration area 21. Thus, the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids in the excretory opening contact area, and exhibits excellent top-plate conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Additionally, the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23, located around the periphery of the antibacterial layer configuration area 21, provides the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0118] The sanitary napkin 1 also includes a side joining portion 35 for joining a top sheet 3 (which serves as the first sheet) and a pair of side sheets 17. The side joining portion 35 is composed of a side adhesive portion 37a for bonding the top sheet 3 and the pair of side sheets 17 using a hot-melt adhesive, and a side embossed portion 37b for embossing the top sheet 3 and the side sheets 17. The joining strength of the side joining portion 35 is higher than that of the first joining portion 31 in the antibacterial layer configuration region 21. Therefore, in the antibacterial layer configuration region 21, the aforementioned top sheet conformability can be achieved, and in the side joining portion 35, the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression properties can be achieved.

[0119] Furthermore, the bonding strength of the side joint 35 is higher than that of the second joint 33 in the antibacterial layer configuration region 21. As a result, the aforementioned top sheet following property can be achieved in the antibacterial layer configuration region 21, and the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression property can be achieved in the side joint 35.

[0120] The sanitary napkin 1 includes: a compression section 41 for the discharge opening contact area, which compresses the top sheet 3 (serving as a first sheet), the auxiliary sheet 5 (serving as a second sheet), and the absorbent core 11, and is disposed in the discharge opening contact area; and a compression section 43 for the discharge opening periphery, which compresses the top sheet 3 (serving as a first sheet), the auxiliary sheet 5 (serving as a second sheet), and the absorbent core 11, and is disposed on the outer side of the compression section 41. Both an antibacterial layer placement area 21 and an antibacterial layer non-placement area 23 are disposed in the compression section 41. Therefore, in the antibacterial layer placement area 21 of the compression section 41, the aforementioned top sheet conformability can be achieved to a certain extent, and in the antibacterial layer non-placement area 23 of the compression section 41, the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression properties can be achieved.

[0121] The sanitary napkin 1 also includes: an absorbent adhesive portion 101 for bonding the absorbent core 11 and the skin-side core covering sheet 13a; an absorbent adhesive portion 101 for bonding the absorbent core 11 and the non-skin-side core covering sheet 13b; a back sheet adhesive portion 103 for bonding the side sheet 17 and the non-skin-side core covering sheet 13b to the back sheet 15; an adhesive portion 105 for fixing the sanitary napkin 1 to the clothing being worn; a release tab 107; and a circular sealing portion 109 for sealing the top sheet 3 and the side sheet 17 to the back sheet 15. However, since these are known components of the sanitary napkin 1, their description is omitted.

[0122] [Second Implementation]

[0123] Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a sanitary napkin 1 for menstrual use, according to another embodiment of this disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "second embodiment"). Specifically, Figure 4 This is the front view of sanitary napkin 1. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 End face diagram of sanitary napkin 1 at the VV end face. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 These are respectively equivalent to the sanitary napkin 1 of the first embodiment. Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 The diagram is shown. It should be noted that since the sanitary napkin 1 of the second embodiment has many similarities with the sanitary napkin 1 of the first embodiment, the description of the sanitary napkin 1 of the second embodiment will focus on the differences between it and the sanitary napkin 1 of the first embodiment.

[0124] The second embodiment of the sanitary napkin 1 includes: a top sheet 3 as a first sheet that is permeable to liquid; an auxiliary sheet 5 as a second sheet that is permeable to liquid and is disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the top sheet 3; an absorbent body 9 disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the auxiliary sheet 5; and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 15 disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the absorbent body 9. The top sheet 3 has a skin-contacting surface 51 as the surface that contacts the wearer's skin and a non-skin-contacting surface 53 as the surface opposite to the skin-contacting surface 51.

[0125] The absorbent body 9 comprises an absorbent core 11, a skin-side core cover 13a covering the absorbent core 11 from the skin side, and a non-skin-side core cover 13b covering the absorbent core 11 from the non-skin side. The sanitary napkin 1 has a pair of side sheets 17 on both outer sides in the width direction W of the top sheet 3. Each pair of side sheets 17 is hydrophobic.

[0126] The absorber core 11 has mutually orthogonal length direction L, width direction W and thickness direction T.

[0127] The sanitary napkin 1 includes an antibacterial layer 19 on the non-skin-contact surface 53 of the top sheet 3. This antibacterial layer 19 contains a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and propylene glycol as a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent. The sanitary napkin 1 has an antibacterial layer configuration region 21 that overlaps with the antibacterial layer 19 in the thickness direction T, and an antibacterial layer non-configuration region 23 that does not overlap with the antibacterial layer 19 in the thickness direction T.

[0128] The sanitary napkin 1 has a first joint 31 in both the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23, which joins the top sheet 3 and the auxiliary sheet 5. The first joint 31 is a first adhesive portion formed by a hot-melt adhesive, arranged in a coating pattern (not shown) that extends wavyly in the length direction L and is intermittently arranged in the width direction W. The unit area weight (unit area weight of the hot-melt adhesive) of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is approximately the same as that in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23.

[0129] Derived from the antibacterial layer 19, particularly the hydrophilic antibacterial agent, the bonding strength of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is lower than that of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area 23. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 exhibits excellent top-sheet conformability, skin irritation inhibition, and wrinkle and twist inhibition.

[0130] In the second embodiment of the sanitary napkin 1, in the antibacterial layer configuration area 21, the antibacterial layer 19 is more disposed on the non-skin-contact surface 53 than on the skin-contact surface 51. More specifically, the antibacterial layer 19 is not disposed on the skin-contact surface 51, but on the non-skin-contact surface 53. This reduces the amount and opportunity of direct contact between the antibacterial agent and the wearer's skin, and allows the antibacterial agent to exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids more quickly.

[0131] In the sanitary napkin 1 of the second embodiment, the antibacterial layer configuration area 21 is configured along the entire length of the sanitary napkin 1. As a result, the antibacterial layer 19 can easily exert an antibacterial effect on bodily fluids other than those excreted from the excretory opening, such as sweat, in areas that are prone to sweating and close contact with the skin, such as the lower abdomen and buttocks.

[0132] As for the absorbent articles disclosed herein, any article that absorbs bodily fluids is acceptable and there are no particular limitations. Examples include sanitary napkins, panty liners, shorts-type sanitary napkins, hemostatic plugs, disposable diapers (e.g., adult disposable diapers, baby disposable diapers), incontinence pads, absorbent shorts, breast pads, etc.

[0133] The aforementioned absorbent articles typically include: a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core between the top sheet and the back sheet. Additionally, depending on the requirements, the absorbent articles may also include: a liquid diffusion sheet (hereinafter referred to as an "auxiliary sheet") disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent core, a liquid diffusion sheet (sometimes referred to as a "third sheet") disposed between the absorbent core and the back sheet, and a sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the back sheet (e.g., a non-woven sheet, or a hydrophobic sheet component), etc.

[0134] The absorbent article disclosed herein may have an absorbent core that has mutually orthogonal length, width, and thickness directions. Sometimes, a plane orthogonal to the aforementioned thickness direction is referred to as a planar direction, which includes the aforementioned length and width directions. It should be noted that the length and width directions used in relation to the absorbent article refer to the length and width directions of the absorbent core, and not to the longer and shorter directions of the absorbent article itself. Furthermore, in this specification, when referred to only as length, width, and / or thickness directions, they refer to the length, width, and / or thickness directions as defined for the aforementioned absorbent article.

[0135] The absorbent article disclosed herein comprises: a first sheet that is permeable to liquid, a second sheet that is permeable to liquid and disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet, and an absorbent core disposed adjacent to or not adjacent to the non-skin side of the second sheet. For absorbing bodily fluids, the first and second sheets are preferably hydrophilic. It should be noted that the first and second sheets are adjacent but do not include a joint between the first and second sheets, such as an adhesive formed by a hot-melt adhesive.

[0136] Examples of combinations of the first and second sheets include a top sheet and an auxiliary sheet with a skin-contacting surface, a top sheet and a core-covering sheet with a skin-contacting surface, and an auxiliary sheet and a core-covering sheet. This allows absorbent materials to readily exert the antibacterial effect of antibacterial agents, provide top sheet conformability, inhibit skin irritation, and suppress wrinkles and twisting.

[0137] Examples of top sheets and auxiliary sheets mentioned above include non-woven fabrics and perforated films. Examples of core-coating sheets mentioned above include non-woven fabrics and tissue paper.

[0138] The absorbent article of this disclosure has an antimicrobial layer in one or both of the first and second sheets, the antimicrobial layer comprising a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent.

[0139] The aforementioned hydrophilic antibacterial agent refers to an antibacterial agent that can dissolve more than 40g of 100g of deionized water at 25°C within 5 hours. Examples of such hydrophilic antibacterial agents include cationic antibacterial agents. Examples of such cationic antibacterial agents include guanidine-based antibacterial agents, biguanide-based antibacterial agents, and quaternary ammonium salts. Examples of such guanidine-based antibacterial agents include polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). Examples of such biguanide-based antibacterial agents include polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), also known as polyaminopropyl biguanide. Examples of such quaternary ammonium salts include benzalkonium chloride and benzyl chloride.

[0140] The aforementioned organic solvents are hydrophilic and non-volatile. Hydrophilicity, in relation to these organic solvents, means they are miscible with water in any ratio. Non-volatileness, in relation to these organic solvents, means they have a vapor pressure of less than 50 Pa at 25°C.

[0141] Examples of organic solvents mentioned above include polyols (e.g., polyols that are liquid at room temperature and pressure) and monohydric alcohols. It should be noted that room temperature refers to 25°C and atmospheric pressure refers to 1,013 hPa. Examples of polyols that are liquid at room temperature and pressure include ethylene glycol and glycerol. Examples of ethylene glycols include propylene glycol (PG), dipropylene glycol (DPG), 1,3-butanediol (BG), and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400). Examples of monohydric alcohols include 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol.

[0142] The absorbent article disclosed herein has an antibacterial layer comprising a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic, non-volatile organic solvent. Therefore, in the aforementioned absorbent article, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can rapidly migrate to the body fluid absorbed by the absorbent article, and after migrating to the body fluid, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is less prone to crystallization, thus readily exerting an antibacterial effect on the body fluid.

[0143] The weight per unit area of ​​the aforementioned hydrophilic antimicrobial agent can be appropriately set according to the required antimicrobial properties of the absorbent article. The weight per unit area of ​​the aforementioned hydrophilic antimicrobial agent can be set based on JIS L 1902:2015 "Test methods for antimicrobial properties of fiber articles and antimicrobial effects" to obtain the specified antimicrobial properties. The specified antimicrobial properties refer to the antimicrobial properties demonstrated by a significant difference of logarithm 2 or higher when the test bacteria are evaluated as Staphylococcus aureus or Pneumococcus in the antimicrobial test method.

[0144] The preferred weight per unit area of ​​the above-mentioned hydrophilic antibacterial agent is 0.01 g / m². 2 The above, more preferably 0.02 g / m 2 That's all. Furthermore, the preferred weight per unit area of ​​the aforementioned hydrophilic antibacterial agent is 1.0 g / m². 2The preferred value is 0.8 g / m³. 2 the following.

[0145] Furthermore, the preferred unit area weight of the aforementioned antibacterial layer is 0.1 g / m². 2 The above, more preferably 0.3 g / m 2 That's all. Furthermore, the preferred unit area weight of the antibacterial layer is 50.0 g / m². 2 The following is more preferably 40g / m 2 the following.

[0146] By ensuring the above-mentioned hydrophilic antibacterial agent's unit area weight is within the aforementioned range, in JIS L 1902:2015 "Test Method for Antibacterial Properties of Fiber Products and Antibacterial Effects," when evaluating antibacterial properties using Staphylococcus aureus and Pneumococcus as test bacteria, a significant difference of logarithm 2 or higher can be observed. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned unit area weight, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can maintain its effect even when the absorbent article repeatedly absorbs body fluids.

[0147] In this disclosure, the weight per unit area of ​​the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is determined as follows.

[0148] (1) Cut the material coated with the antibacterial layer into a specified area (e.g., 3cm × 3cm) as a sample.

[0149] (2) Dissolve the sample in a specified reagent (e.g., ethanol), analyze the sample using a specified analytical method, and identify and quantify the hydrophilic antibacterial agent constituting the antibacterial layer and the organic solvent. It should be noted that the organic solvent is analyzed using GC / MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), and the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is analyzed using LC / MS (high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry).

[0150] (3) The weight per unit area of ​​the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is calculated by dividing the mass of the hydrophilic antibacterial agent obtained in (2) above by the specified area of ​​the sample.

[0151] In the absorbent articles of this disclosure, the antimicrobial layer preferably does not precipitate even after standing at 0°C for 24 hours. Therefore, crystallization of the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent can be inhibited during storage and use of the absorbent articles.

[0152] In this disclosure, the presence or absence of precipitation in hydrophilic antibacterial agents is evaluated as follows.

[0153] (1) Prepare a specified amount (e.g., 5g) of antibacterial layer and place it in a petri dish.

[0154] (2) Place the culture dish containing the antibacterial layer at a temperature of 0°C and a relative humidity of 50%RH for 24 hours and visually confirm whether the hydrophilic antibacterial agent has precipitated and formed a precipitate.

[0155] In the absorbent articles disclosed herein, it is preferable that the hydrophilic antibacterial agent does not precipitate even when twice its mass of water is added at 25°C. Therefore, when the antibacterial layer comes into contact with body fluids, crystallization of the antibacterial agent in the antibacterial layer can be inhibited.

[0156] In this disclosure, the contact test of the antimicrobial layer and water is carried out as follows.

[0157] (1) Prepare a specified amount (e.g., 5g) of antibacterial layer and place it in a petri dish.

[0158] (2) At 25°C, add twice the mass of the antibacterial solution of deionized water (e.g., 10g) to the antibacterial layer in the petri dish and visually confirm whether the antibacterial agent in the antibacterial solution has precipitated out.

[0159] The aforementioned absorbent article has an antimicrobial layer configuration area that, in its unfolded state, overlaps with the antimicrobial layer disposed on at least one of the first and second sheets in the aforementioned thickness direction, and an antimicrobial layer non-configuration area that does not overlap with the aforementioned antimicrobial layer in the aforementioned thickness direction. It should be noted that the aforementioned antimicrobial layer configuration area and antimicrobial layer non-configuration area are terms used to define the absorbent article in the aforementioned planar direction. The area dividing the aforementioned antimicrobial layer configuration area and antimicrobial layer non-configuration area is the area where a sheet (first sheet and / or second sheet) is disposed of with the aforementioned antimicrobial layer.

[0160] It should be noted that, in this specification, "unfolded state" refers to the state in which the absorbent article is stretched out on a flat surface without causing the material constituting the absorbent article (e.g., nonwoven fabric) to break. It should also be noted that, in the case of a shorts-type absorbent article (e.g., shorts-type sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, etc.), it refers to the following state: the locking part of the shorts-type absorbent article is released, separating the abdominal and back portions, and the absorbent article is stretched out on a flat surface without causing the material constituting the shorts-type absorbent article (e.g., nonwoven fabric) to break.

[0161] In addition, in this specification, the unfolded state of an absorbent article is sometimes referred to simply as the "unfolded state".

[0162] The aforementioned absorbent article has joints in both the antimicrobial layer configuration area and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area, where a first sheet and a second sheet are joined. In the field of absorbent article technology, joints that join multiple sheets can be used without particular limitation. Examples include adhesive joints that bond the first and second sheets using a hot-melt adhesive, embossed joints that emboss the first and second sheets by fusing the hot-melt fibers contained in the first and / or second sheets, and compression joints that compress the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core, as well as any combination thereof. This makes it easier to ensure that the joint strength in the antimicrobial layer configuration area is lower than the joint strength in the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area.

[0163] When the aforementioned joint is an adhesive portion formed by hot-melt adhesive, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer configuration area can be the same as, or different from, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area. If the unit area weight is different, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer configuration area can be larger or smaller than the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area, and preferably larger. By making the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer configuration area larger, peeling of the first and second sheets in the antibacterial layer configuration area can be suppressed.

[0164] When the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer configuration area is the same as that of the adhesive portion in the non-antibacterial layer configuration area, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion is preferably 1.0 g / m². 2 The above, more preferably 2.0 g / m 2 The above, and preferably 10.0 g / m 2 The following is more preferably 9.0 g / m 2 The following is from the perspective of the effects of this disclosure.

[0165] When the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area is greater than the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the aforementioned antibacterial layer non-configuration area, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area is preferably 2.0 g / m². 2 The above, more preferably 3.0 g / m 2 The above, and preferably 15.0 g / m 2 The preferred value is 14.0 g / m³. 2 Furthermore, the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area is preferably 1.0 g / m² compared to the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the aforementioned antibacterial layer non-configuration area. 2 Above, and more preferably at 2.0 g / m 2 The above range is large, and preferably around 8.0 g / m³.2 Below, more preferably at 7.0 g / m 2 The following range is large. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the peeling of the first and second sheets in the antibacterial layer configuration area.

[0166] The aforementioned joint is preferably formed by bonding the first and second pieces together using a hot-melt adhesive. This makes it easier to reduce the strength of the joint in the antibacterial layer configuration area, further improving topsheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition, and reducing the likelihood of irritating the skin of wearers who may experience roughness due to hydrophilic antibacterial agents.

[0167] The adhesive portion formed by the aforementioned hot melt adhesive can be arranged continuously toward the first piece and / or the second piece, or it can be arranged intermittently. As an example of the aforementioned intermittent arrangement, an arrangement in which the adhesive portion includes multiple adhesive parts can be cited. As an example of the aforementioned multiple adhesive parts, adhesive parts extending along the length direction can be arranged separately in the width direction. As an example of an adhesive part extending along the length direction, straight lines, Ω-shaped shapes, spiral shapes, wavy shapes, etc., can be cited.

[0168] In the absorbent article of this disclosure, the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration area is lower than the bonding strength of the joint in the non-antimicrobial layer configuration area. Therefore, the absorbent article readily exhibits the antimicrobial effect of the antimicrobial agent, topsheet conformability, skin irritation inhibition, wrinkle and twist inhibition, etc.

[0169] In this disclosure, the above-mentioned bonding strength is measured as follows.

[0170] (1) In a constant temperature and humidity room with a temperature of 25℃±5℃ and a relative humidity of 65±5%RH, multiple absorbent items (e.g., absorbent items in the same package) are left to stand for 24 hours.

[0171] (2) Spray a dye (e.g., bromophenol blue solution) onto an absorbent material to color the antimicrobial layer configuration area, thereby identifying the antimicrobial layer configuration area and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area.

[0172] (3) From the new absorbent articles that have not been sprayed with dye, cut out samples of the antimicrobial layer configuration area and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area. It should be noted that the sample is based on a length of 70 mm × width of 25 mm (length direction × width direction), but if it is difficult to obtain a width of 25 mm, the sample can be the maximum width that can be obtained.

[0173] (4) As needed, peel off a portion of the first and second pieces of the sample in the antibacterial layer configuration area, and attach adhesive tape to the first and second pieces respectively to form clamping parts on the first and second pieces respectively.

[0174] (5) On the clamp of the Instron Japan 5900 series universal testing machine, the distance between the clamps is 20mm, and the clamping part of the first piece and the clamping part of the second piece are set.

[0175] (6) The T-type peel test of the above samples was carried out at 25℃ and speed of 100mm / min, and the maximum load was measured.

[0176] (7) A total of 10 T-type peel tests were conducted on samples with different antibacterial layer configuration areas. The average value of the maximum load was converted into the bonding strength (N / 25mm) of the antibacterial layer configuration area per 25mm width.

[0177] (8) For the samples in the non-configured area of ​​the antibacterial layer, the same T-type peel test was performed as for the samples in the configured area of ​​the antibacterial layer to obtain the bonding strength (N / 25mm) of the non-configured area of ​​the antibacterial layer.

[0178] It should be noted that if the first and / or second pieces are destroyed when the joint strength is measured, it can be understood that the joint strength is higher than the maximum load per 25mm width.

[0179] In the absorbent article disclosed herein, the bonding strength of the aforementioned antimicrobial layer configuration area is preferably 0.5 N / 25 mm or more, more preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.5 N / 25 mm or more. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the aforementioned antimicrobial layer configuration area is preferably 4.0 N / 25 mm or less, more preferably 3.0 N / 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or less. This is from the viewpoints of topsheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition.

[0180] In the absorbent article of this disclosure, the bonding strength of the non-antimicrobial layer regions is preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or more, more preferably 1.5 N / 25 mm or more, and even more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or more. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the non-antimicrobial layer regions is preferably 7.0 N / 25 mm or less, more preferably 5.0 N / 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 4.0 N / 25 mm or less. This is from the viewpoint of wrinkle and torsion suppression.

[0181] In the absorbent article of this disclosure, the bonding strength of the non-antimicrobial layer regions is preferably higher than that of the antimicrobial layer regions, in the range of 0.5 N / 25 mm or more, and more preferably 0.7 N / 25 mm or more. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the non-antimicrobial layer regions is preferably higher than that of the antimicrobial layer regions, in the range of 3.0 N / 25 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or less. Therefore, the absorbent article of this disclosure exhibits excellent topsheet conformability, skin irritation inhibition, and wrinkle and twist inhibition.

[0182] The aforementioned antibacterial layer can be disposed on the skin-side, non-skin-side, and / or interior of the first sheet, and on the skin-side, non-skin-side, and / or interior of the second sheet. It should be noted that when the first sheet is the top sheet, the skin-side and non-skin-side are also referred to as the skin-contact surface and non-skin-contact surface, respectively. The aforementioned skin-side and non-skin-contact surface refer to the surface on the wearer's skin side and the surface opposite to it, respectively. The aforementioned skin-contact surface and non-skin-contact surface refer to the surface that contacts the wearer's skin and the surface opposite to it.

[0183] When the aforementioned joint is a hot-melt adhesive, in the aforementioned thickness direction, the antibacterial layer in the aforementioned antibacterial layer configuration area may be disposed between the first or second sheet and the aforementioned adhesive portion, or it may not be disposed there, but it is preferred to be disposed there. As a result, in the antibacterial layer configuration area, the strength of the joint is more likely to become lower, the top sheet followability and skin irritation inhibition are further improved, and it is less likely to irritate the skin of the wearer who may experience roughness due to the hydrophilic antibacterial agent.

[0184] In the aforementioned thickness direction, for the first and / or second sheets with the aforementioned antibacterial layer, it is preferable that, in the area where the antibacterial layer is disposed, the antibacterial layer is disposed more on the non-skin side than on the skin side. This reduces the amount and opportunity for the antibacterial agent to directly contact the wearer's skin, and allows the antibacterial agent to exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids more quickly.

[0185] In particular, when the first piece is the top piece and the aforementioned antibacterial layer is disposed on the top piece, it is preferable that, in the area where the antibacterial layer is disposed, the antibacterial layer is disposed more extensively on the non-skin-contact surface of the top piece than on the skin-contact surface. This further reduces the amount and opportunity for the hydrophilic antibacterial agent to directly contact the wearer's skin, and allows the hydrophilic antibacterial agent to exert its antibacterial effect on body fluids more quickly. From the viewpoint of further reducing the amount and opportunity for the hydrophilic antibacterial agent to directly contact the wearer's skin, it is preferable that the aforementioned antibacterial layer is not disposed on the skin-contact surface of the top piece.

[0186] In the unfolded state and along the aforementioned planar direction, the non-positioned antibacterial layer region and the positioned antibacterial layer region can be arranged at any position. In the unfolded state and along the aforementioned width direction, the non-positioned antibacterial layer region is disposed on the outer side of a preferred one of the positioned antibacterial layer regions, more preferably on both outer sides. Therefore, the positioned antibacterial layer region, being centrally located in the width direction, readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids, and exhibits excellent topsheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the non-positioned antibacterial layer region, being located on the outer side of the positioned antibacterial layer region in the width direction, can exert the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0187] In the unfolded state and along the aforementioned length direction, the non-positioned antibacterial layer region is preferably located on the outer side of one of the positioned antibacterial layer regions, and more preferably on both outer sides. Therefore, the positioned antibacterial layer region, being centrally located along the length direction, readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids, and exhibits excellent topsheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the non-positioned antibacterial layer region, being located on the outer side along the length direction of the positioned antibacterial layer region, effectively provides the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0188] In its unfolded state, the non-contained areas of the aforementioned antibacterial layer can be distributed throughout the entire length of the aforementioned area. Therefore, in areas prone to contact with sweating and close contact, such as the lower abdomen and buttocks, the antibacterial layer can easily exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids other than those excreted from the excretory opening, such as sweat. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of manufacturing absorbent materials, since the antibacterial layer can be continuously applied, uneven application (weight per unit area) of the antibacterial layer is less likely to occur.

[0189] Preferably, in the unfolded state and in the aforementioned planar direction, the antibacterial layer configuration area is disposed in the excretory opening contact area, and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area is disposed around the antibacterial layer configuration area. Therefore, the antibacterial layer configuration area readily imparts an antibacterial effect to bodily fluids in the excretory opening contact area, and exhibits excellent topsheet conformability and skin irritation inhibition. Furthermore, the antibacterial layer non-configuration area, located around the periphery of the antibacterial layer configuration area, provides the aforementioned wrinkle and twist inhibition properties.

[0190] When the absorbent core is provided with an antibacterial layer, it is preferable that the antibacterial layer is disposed more extensively on the skin-side of the absorbent core compared to the non-skin-side. Thus, the antibacterial agent can impart an antibacterial effect to the body fluid before it reaches the absorbent core.

[0191] The absorbent article disclosed herein may further include a pair of side sheets disposed on both outer sides of the first sheet in the width direction. Furthermore, each of the pair of side sheets may also be joined to the first sheet via a side joint. It should be noted that the side joint can be any component identical to the aforementioned joint, such as an adhesive joint that bonds the first sheet and the side sheets using a hot-melt adhesive, an embossed joint that embosses the first sheet and the side sheets by fusing the hot-melt fibers contained in the first sheet and / or the side sheets, or a combination of the adhesive joint and the embossed joint. In this case, it is preferable that the joint strength of the side joint is higher than the joint strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration area. Therefore, in the antimicrobial layer configuration area, the aforementioned top sheet conformability can be achieved, and in the side joint, the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression properties can be achieved.

[0192] In this disclosure, the bonding strength at the aforementioned side joint is measured as follows.

[0193] (1) In a constant temperature and humidity room with a temperature of 25℃±5℃ and a relative humidity of 65±5%RH, multiple absorbent items (e.g., absorbent items in the same package) are left to stand for 24 hours.

[0194] (2) Cut a sample from the absorbent article, including the side joint and the leak-proof wall. It should be noted that the sample is based on a length of 50 mm × width of 25 mm (width direction × length direction), but if it is difficult to obtain a length of 50 mm or a width of 25 mm, the sample can be the maximum length or width that can be obtained.

[0195] (3) Adhesive tape is pasted onto the first piece and the leak-proof wall respectively to form clamping parts on the first piece and the leak-proof wall respectively. It should be noted that the size of the clamping part should be adjusted appropriately according to the amount of adhesive tape pasted, so that the side joint is approximately in the center of the sample.

[0196] (4) On the clamp of the Instron Japan 5900 series universal testing machine, the distance between the clamps is 20mm, and the clamping part of the first piece and the clamping part of the leak-proof wall are arranged as side joints in the approximate center of the clamps.

[0197] (5) Perform a tensile test on the above samples at 25℃ and a speed of 100 mm / min to determine the maximum load.

[0198] (6) Tensile tests were conducted on samples of different absorbent materials for a total of 10 times. The average value of the maximum load was converted into the joint strength of the side joint (N / 25mm) per 25mm width.

[0199] In the absorbent article of this disclosure, the bonding strength of the side joint is preferably higher than the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration region, preferably in the range of 0.5 N / 25 mm or more, more preferably 0.8 N / 25 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or more. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the side joint is preferably higher than the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration region, preferably in the range of 3.0 N / 25 mm or less, more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 1.5 N / 25 mm or less. Therefore, the aforementioned topsheet following property can be achieved in the antimicrobial layer configuration region, and the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression property can be achieved in the side joint.

[0200] The aforementioned absorbent article may also include a compression section that compresses the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core. In this case, both the antibacterial layer configuration area and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area may be configured in the compression section or not, but are preferably configured in the compression section. Thus, in the antibacterial layer configuration area of ​​the compression section, the aforementioned top sheet following property can be achieved to a certain extent, and in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area of ​​the compression section, the aforementioned wrinkle and twist suppression property can be achieved.

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core having mutually orthogonal length, width, and thickness directions, characterized in that, The absorbent article comprises: a first sheet, the first sheet being liquid-permeable; a second sheet, the second sheet being disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet and also being liquid-permeable; and an absorbent core, the absorbent core being disposed at a position closer to the non-skin side than the second sheet. The absorbent article has an antimicrobial layer in at least one of the first and second sheets, the antimicrobial layer comprising a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic, non-volatile organic solvent. The absorbent article comprises: an antimicrobial layer configuration region that overlaps with the antimicrobial layer in the thickness direction; and an antimicrobial layer non-configuration region that does not overlap with the antimicrobial layer in the thickness direction. The absorbent article has a joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration area and the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area, respectively, for joining the first piece and the second piece, and the joint strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer configuration area is lower than the joint strength of the joint in the antimicrobial layer non-configuration area.

2. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The combination of the first and second pieces can be a combination of a top piece with a skin-contacting surface and an auxiliary piece, a combination of a top piece with a skin-contacting surface and a core-covering piece, or a combination of an auxiliary piece and a core-covering piece.

3. The absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The joint is an adhesive joint formed by hot melt adhesive.

4. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, In the thickness direction, the antibacterial layer in the antibacterial layer configuration area is disposed between the first or second piece and the adhesive portion.

5. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer configuration area is greater than the unit area weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial layer non-configuration area.

6. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The organic solvent includes polyols that are liquid at room temperature and pressure.

7. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The non-configured area of ​​the antibacterial layer is disposed outside the configured area of ​​the antibacterial layer in the width direction.

8. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The non-configured region of the antibacterial layer is disposed outside the configured region of the antibacterial layer in the length direction.

9. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The antibacterial layer configuration area is disposed in the discharge port contact area, and the antibacterial layer non-configuration area is configured to surround the antibacterial layer configuration area.

10. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The absorbent article has the antibacterial layer on the first sheet, which is a top sheet having a skin-contact side and a non-skin-contact side. In the area where the antibacterial layer is disposed, the antibacterial layer is disposed more on the non-skin-contact side than on the skin-contact side.

11. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the antibacterial layer configuration area, the antibacterial layer is more disposed on the skin side of the absorbent core compared to the non-skin side of the absorbent core.

12. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The absorbent article further comprises a pair of side pieces disposed on both outer sides of the first piece in the width direction, and also comprises side joint portions for joining the first piece and the pair of side pieces respectively. The bonding strength of the side joint is higher than that of the joint in the antibacterial layer configuration area.

13. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The absorbent article further includes a compression section that compresses the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core, with the antibacterial layer configured area and the antibacterial layer unconfigured area disposed in the compression section.

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