Absorbent article and manufacturing method for absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article suppressing leakage of discharged liquid a wearer has discharged.SOLUTION: An absorbent article includes: an absorber arranged at least in a region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer and absorbing liquid; a water permeable sheet arranged on the skin surface side of the wearer of the absorber; a pair of leakage prevention wall forming sheets which is arranged on the skin surface side of the water permeable sheet and on both sides in the width direction, in which the inside in the width direction is folded to the skin side along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction, which has fixed parts whose inside in the width direction of the folding line is connected to the water permeable sheet outside in the longitudinal direction, and which forms leakage prevention walls preventing liquid leakage; and a laminate which is located outside in the width direction of the folding line, in which the skin surface side of the wearer outside in the width direction is folded so as to contact the skin surface side of the wearer inside the width direction along a bending line extending in the longitudinal direction, has an adhesion part where sheets are adhered to each other, and where at least two sheets are laminated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles and methods for manufacturing absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Disposable diapers, absorbent pads, sanitary products, and other absorbent articles have been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Absorbent articles absorb and retain the discharged liquid discharged by the wearer by an absorbent body. However, the discharged liquid flowing near the end of the absorbent article may leak to the outside in the width direction of the absorbent article.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that suppresses leakage of the discharged liquid discharged by the wearer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention is a length along the longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer, a length along the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, an absorbent body that is at least disposed in a region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer and absorbs liquid, a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer of the absorbent body, Disposed on the skin side of the water-permeable sheet and on both sides in the width direction, the inner side in the width direction is folded back to the skin side along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction, and a fixing portion is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction where the inner side in the width direction is connected to the water-permeable sheet, and a pair of leak-proof wall forming sheets that form a leak-proof wall for preventing leakage of liquid. Located on the outer side in the width direction than the folding line, folded back along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction so that the skin side of the wearer on the outer side in the width direction contacts the skin side of the wearer on the inner side in the width direction, and having an adhesive portion that is adhered to each other, and a laminate in which at least two sheets are laminated.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress leakage of the discharged liquid discharged by the wearer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiments shown below are one aspect of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] <Embodiment> In the present embodiment, for a disposable absorbent pad (an example of the "absorbent article" referred to in the present application), the direction connecting the front body portion disposed facing the abdomen of the wearer and the back body portion disposed facing the back is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between these front body portions (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portions (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch portion disposed under the crotch of the wearer (disposed facing the crotch) is connected and positioned. Further, in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as the "worn state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side in the worn state) is defined as the skin surface side, and the side opposite to the skin surface side (the outer side in the worn state) is defined as the non-skin surface side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin surface side and the non-skin surface side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction. In addition, viewing from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view. The absorbent pad has a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Also, the terms related to the directions used in the present application are meant to be the directions that coincide with the front, rear, left, and right of the wearer in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer. For example, when referring to the left-right direction in the present application, it means the direction that coincides with the left and right of the wearer in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer.

[0011] 1 is an external perspective view of an absorbent pad 1 according to an embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 is used to absorb and retain liquids such as urine, and can be used alone by being placed on the skin-facing side of an undergarment or can be used by being layered on the inside of a disposable diaper. The absorbent pad 1 has a crotch region 1B (an example of the "narrow width portion" in the present application) corresponding to the crotch that covers the wearer's pubic area when worn, a front body region 1F (an example of the "wide width portion" in the present application) located in front of the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the front body of the wearer, and a back body region 1R (an example of the "wide width portion" in the present application) located behind the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the back body of the wearer.

[0012] In the absorbent pad 1, an absorbent body 6 capable of absorbing and retaining liquid is mainly disposed around the crotch region 1B. In addition, in order to prevent the formation of gaps between the absorbent pad 1 and the wearer's skin that can serve as a liquid outflow path, the absorbent pad 1 is provided with leakage barrier walls 3L, 3R (an example of the "leak barrier" as referred to in this application) around the wearer's crotch region 1B. The leakage barrier walls 3L, 3R are in close contact with the wearer's skin by the elastic force of the elastic member. Therefore, the liquid discharged from the wearer is absorbed by the absorbent body 6 without leaking out of the diaper 1. As the elastic member, a thread-like or strip-like rubber or the like can be appropriately selected.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment when it is stretched and viewed from the skin side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment taken along line AA in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment taken along line BB in FIG. 3. In the cross-sectional views shown below, each structure is illustrated thicker than it actually is in order to make the internal structure of the absorbent pad 1 easier to understand, but in reality the absorbent pad 1 is very thin. As shown in FIG. 3, the front body region 1F is It is a wide area on the front side of the absorbent pad 1, and the back hip region 1R is a wide area on the back side of the absorbent pad 1. The crotch region 1B is a region narrower in width than the front hip region 1F and the back hip region 1R. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment has a ladle shape with a constricted crotch region 1B, where the front hip region 1F and the back hip region 1R are wider than the crotch region 1B in a plan view. Due to this outer shape, the absorbent pad 1 is likely to follow along the abdomen and buttocks of the wearer in the worn state. Note that the outer shape of the absorbent pad 1 is not limited to a substantially ladle shape, and may be, for example, substantially rectangular or substantially spatula-shaped.

[0014] The absorbent pad 1 includes a topsheet 8 (an example of the "water-permeable sheet" in the present application) disposed on the skin side in the worn state. The topsheet 8 is a portion that contacts the skin of the wearer in the worn state of the absorbent pad 1 and is formed of a liquid-permeable material that allows liquids such as urine to permeate. For the topsheet 8, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, porous films, etc. are used. Note that for the non-woven fabric, those obtained by hydrophilizing fibers of thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon may be used, or air-through non-woven fabrics, point-bond non-woven fabrics, spunbond non-woven fabrics, meltblown non-woven fabrics, etc. may be used.

[0015] And the absorbent pad 1 includes an absorber 6, a backsheet 5, and a cover sheet 4 that are sequentially laminated on the non-skin side of the topsheet 8.

[0016] The backsheet 5 (an example of the "non-water-permeable sheet" in the present application) is a non-water-permeable sheet having substantially the same planar shape (substantially ladle shape) as the absorbent pad 1. The backsheet 5 is a sheet formed of a thermoplastic non-water-permeable resin such as a polyethylene film to suppress leakage of the discharged liquid that has flowed into the absorber 6. The backsheet 5 has water repellency to prevent urine and moisture from seeping outside the absorbent pad 1 and breathability to suppress stuffiness in the worn state. The backsheet 5 has breathability by having a large number of minute ventilation holes formed therein.

[0017] The absorbent pad 1 includes a cover sheet 4 disposed on the non-skin side of the back sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 forms the outer surface of the absorbent pad 1 and has a rigidity that can withstand friction with diapers, undergarments, etc. used in combination. In the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R, the length in the width direction of the cover sheet 4 is formed to be longer than the length in the width direction of the back sheet 5, covering the entire surface of the back sheet 5 from the non-skin side. The cover sheet 4 prevents the back sheet 5 from being damaged. Generally, a non-woven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate is used for the cover sheet 4. The cover sheet 4 has liquid impermeability and moisture permeability.

[0018] Also, the absorbent pad 1 includes a pair of side sheets 9L, 9R (an example of the "leakage prevention wall forming sheet" in the present application) that are disposed on the skin side of the top sheet 8 on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1, extend along the longitudinal direction, and are subjected to water repellent treatment on the skin side. The side sheets 9L, 9R are arranged such that the longitudinal ends thereof coincide with the longitudinal ends of the top sheet 8. The side sheets 9L, 9R have fixed regions 9LA, 9RA disposed on the outer side in the width direction. The fixed regions 9LA, 9RA are adhered to the top sheet 8, the back sheet 5, which are members disposed on the non-skin side thereof, by a hot melt adhesive HM.

[0019] The side sheets 9L, 9R are adhered to the top sheet 8 by a hot melt adhesive HM. The inner ends in the width direction of this hot melt adhesive HM are used as folding lines 3LL, 3LR (an example of the "folding line" in the present application). The inside of the folding lines 3LL, 3LR forms leakage prevention walls 3L, 3R that can stand up. The inner ends in the width direction of the side sheets 9L, 9R are free ends 9LB, 9RB that are the tips of the leakage prevention walls 3L, 3R. The free ends 9LB, 9RB ​Nearby, two thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR, which are filamentous elastic members (an example of the "elastic member" in the present application), may be provided in pairs side by side in the width direction. Note that the thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR may be arranged one by one. The thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR are fixed to the side sheets 9L and 9R by hot melt adhesives HM in an extended state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L and 9R have fixing portions 33L and 33R (an example of the "fixing portion" in the present application) near the longitudinal ends. The fixing portions 33L and 33R are sites that serve as the longitudinal starting points when the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R stand up by fixing the side sheets 9L and 9R to the top sheet 8. The side sheets 9L and 9R are adhered to the top sheet 8 also on the outer side in the width direction, but on the inner side in the longitudinal direction of the fixing portions 33L and 33R, the inner side in the width direction is not adhered rather than the hot melt adhesive HM, and they can stand up on the skin side. When the thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR contract and the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R inside the folding lines 3LL and 3LR stand up on the skin side, the free ends 9LB and 9RB become the tips on the skin side. The standing leak-proof walls 3L and 3R inhibit the movement of liquid and soft feces to the outer side in the width direction of the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R, and suppress these lateral leaks.

[0020] The side sheets 9L and 9R are formed in the same shape as the cover sheet 4 at the ends in the width direction. Also, the back sheet 5 is shorter than the cover sheet 4 in the width direction and is formed in the same shape as the cover sheet 4. Also, at the central portion in the width direction at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, the top sheet 8, the cover sheet 4, and the back sheet 5 are formed in the same shape. For this reason, a part of the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, the side sheets 9L and 9R, and the top sheet 8 forms the outer peripheral shape (outer shape) of the absorbent pad 1. Note that since the back sheet 5 has non-water permeability, the cover sheet 4 may be omitted and the back sheet 5 may be configured to form the exterior surface.

[0021] The absorbent pad 1 is disposed on the non-skin side of the topsheet 8 and includes an absorber 6 that absorbs and holds liquids such as urine. The absorber 6 is disposed on the non-skin side of the topsheet 8 including the crotch region 1B to absorb the liquid discharged by the wearer. On the skin side of the absorber 6, hot melt adhesives HM are applied in a plurality of stripes at intervals in the width direction, and the absorber 6 and the topsheet 8 are adhered by the hot melt adhesives HM. In the present embodiment, the absorber 6 has an absorption core 6C containing an absorbent material and a core wrap sheet 7 that wraps the entire absorption core 6C. Note that the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorption core 6C and the core wrap sheet 7 and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0022] The absorption core 6C has a structure in which granular absorbent resins (high molecular water-absorbing materials) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), which is a hydrophilic polymer having a cross-linked structure capable of absorbing and holding water, are held in the gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, and short fibers obtained by subjecting synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, or polyethylene terephthalate to a hydrophilization treatment.

[0023] The SAP particles in the present embodiment refer to those obtained by granulating a resin composition containing SAP. The "resin composition containing SAP" as used herein is a concept that includes both a composition consisting only of SAP and a composition having SAP as a main component and containing other substances to such an extent that it does not adversely affect water absorption. Examples of the "other substances" include additives such as surface modifiers added for the purpose of hydrophobizing the particle surface, and unreacted monomers remaining during the synthesis of SAP. The SAP particles can absorb liquids about 10 to 100 times their own weight. For the SAP particles, for example, granular ones having a diameter of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm in the state before liquid absorption may be used.

[0024] The SAP particles can be gelled to hold liquids, but it takes a certain amount of time to absorb liquids. The absorbent pad 1 suppresses the backflow of liquid by allowing the short fibers to diffuse the discharged liquid inside the absorbent core 6C while decelerating it until the SAP particles absorb the liquid, and causing the discharged liquid to be absorbed by a wide range of SAP particles.

[0025] The absorbent core 6C has an upper absorbent mat 6A disposed on the top sheet 8 side and a lower absorbent mat 6B disposed on the non-skin surface side. The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which two layers of mats, an upper absorbent mat 6A and a lower absorbent mat 6B, are laminated. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are formed of the above-mentioned short fibers.

[0026] When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the upper absorbent mat 6A has a rectangular shape (oblong shape) with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 as the long side. Also, the upper absorbent mat 6A does not reach both ends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6, and is formed short even within the absorbent body 6 when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] The lower absorbent mat 6B is disposed below (on the non-skin surface side) the upper absorbent mat 6A when viewed from the top sheet 8 side. When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the lower absorbent mat 6B has a ladle shape with a constricted crotch region 1B, being wider on the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R sides than the crotch region 1B. Also, the four corners of the lower absorbent mat 6B have a shape chamfered in a straight line. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are laminated in the thickness direction such that the centers in their respective width directions substantially coincide. Also, when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the lower absorbent mat 6B is formed larger than the upper absorbent mat 6A. Note that the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6 coincides with the longitudinal directions of the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Also, the four corners of the lower absorbent mat 6B may have a shape chamfered in a curved line.

[0028] Further, the absorbent pad 1 includes groove portions 6L, 6H, and 6R provided in the absorbent core 6C. The groove portion 6H is provided at the center in the width direction of the absorbent core 6C so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 6C on the back region 1R side. The groove portion 6H is formed to penetrate the upper absorbent mat 6A, and the upper surface on the skin side of the groove portion 6H is formed of the core wrap sheet 7. The groove portion 6H is formed to penetrate the upper absorbent mat 6A in the thickness direction at a position corresponding to the midline of the wearer in the worn state. The discharged liquid such as urine flows into the groove portion 6H and moves longitudinally along the groove portion 6H, and is quickly absorbed over a wide range in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment can quickly diffuse the discharged liquid by including the groove portion 6H. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the groove portion 6H does not reach the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6. For this reason, the discharged liquid that has moved to the outside in the longitudinal direction stays inside the groove portion 6H without reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6 and is sequentially absorbed. Note that the groove portion 6H may be formed to penetrate the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B in the thickness direction, and the skin side may be formed in a concave shape by having less absorbent material such as short fibers forming the absorbent core 6C than in portions other than the groove portion 6H, or it may be formed by squeezing the absorbent material forming the skin side of the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the groove portion 6H has a uniform width and extends in the front-rear direction of the absorbent pad 1, and has a rectangular shape with both front and rear ends formed in an arc shape. The front end of the groove portion 6H is located on the rear side of the crotch region 1B, and the rear end of the groove portion 6H is located on the rear side of the back region 1R. Note that the groove portion 6H may be formed in a shape other than a rectangular shape, such as a polygon or an ellipse, in plan view.

[0030] The groove portions 6L and 6R extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 6C in the crotch region 1B, and are provided in a pair on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent core 6C. The groove portions 6L and 6R are formed to penetrate the upper absorbent mat 6A, and the upper surfaces on the skin side of the groove portions 6L and 6R are the core wrap sheet 7 It is formed. The groove portions 6L and 6R are formed so as to penetrate the upper absorption mat 6A in the thickness direction. The discharged liquid such as urine flows into the groove portions 6L and 6R, moves longitudinally along the groove portions 6L and 6R, and is rapidly absorbed over a wide range in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6. For this reason, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment can rapidly diffuse the discharged liquid by providing the groove portions 6L and 6R. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the groove portions 6L and 6R do not reach the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6. For this reason, the discharged liquid that has moved to the outside in the longitudinal direction stays inside the groove portions 6L and 6R without reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6 and is sequentially absorbed. Note that the groove portions 6L and 6R may be formed so as to penetrate the upper absorption mat 6A and the lower absorption mat 6B in the thickness direction, and the skin side may be formed in a concave shape by having less absorbent material such as short fibers forming the absorption core 6C than in portions other than the groove portion 6H, or it may be formed by squeezing the absorbent material forming the skin side of the absorption core 6C in the thickness direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the groove portions 6L and 6R have a uniform width and extend in the front-rear direction of the absorbent pad 1, and have a rectangular shape with both front and rear ends formed in an arc shape. The front end of the groove portions 6L and 6R is located behind the front body region 1F, and the rear end of the groove portions 6L and 6R is located behind the crotch region 1B. Note that the groove portions 6L and 6R may be formed in a shape other than a rectangular shape, such as another polygonal shape or an elliptical shape, in plan view.

[0032] Note that the configuration and number of the groove portions are not limited to the above configuration and number. For example, the groove portions may not be provided in the absorption core 6C, and only one groove portion may be provided by extending the front end of the groove portion 6H to the rear of the front body region 1F.

[0033] The absorber 6 according to this embodiment has a core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is a water-permeable sheet that wraps the entire absorption core 6C. More specifically, it covers the skin side, non-skin side, and side surfaces of the absorption core 6C. By wrapping the absorption core 6C, the core wrap sheet 7 protects the shape of the absorption core 6C and prevents it from collapsing, and also prevents the deviation of the SAP particles contained in the absorption core 6C. Also, SAP particles in a state where they have not absorbed moisture are hard and granular like sand. If SAP particles in a state where they have not absorbed the deviated moisture come into direct contact with the wearer's skin surface, it may cause discomfort to the wearer. Therefore, the absorption core 6C is wrapped with the core wrap sheet 7 to prevent the absorption core 6C from collapsing and to prevent the SAP particles from deviating outside the absorber 6. Note that the absorber 6 may be composed of only the absorption core 6C without having the core wrap sheet 7.

[0034] In this embodiment, the core wrap sheet 7 is composed of two sheets: an upper core wrap sheet 7A disposed between the upper absorption mat 6A and the top sheet 8, and a lower core wrap sheet 7B disposed on the non-skin side of the lower absorption mat 6B, covering the side surfaces of the absorption core 6C and further covering the outer side in the width direction of the upper core wrap sheet 7A. For the core wrap sheet 7, thin non-woven fabrics such as pulp fiber sheets, hydrophilic air-through non-woven fabrics, spunbond non-woven fabrics, and non-woven fabrics used for other members described above are used. In this embodiment, an SMS non-woven fabric made of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate is used for the upper core wrap sheet 7A, and tissue paper is used for the lower core wrap sheet 7B. Note that when the core wrap sheet 7 is formed of two sheets, the upper core wrap sheet 7A and the lower core wrap sheet 7B can also be formed of the same material. The SMS non-woven fabric is a three-layer laminated non-woven fabric in the order of spunbond, meltblown, and spunbond. Also, as an example, the core wrap sheet 7 can be tissue paper. Note that the core wrap sheet 7 may be composed of one sheet.

[0035] Further, the absorber 6 has a rigidity change portion 16 whose rigidity changes outside the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 and inside the absorbent pad 1 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the fixing portions 33L and 33R. In the present embodiment, the rigidity change portion 16 is the longitudinal end portion of the upper absorbent mat 6A. Since the upper absorbent mat 6A extends inside the absorbent pad 1 in the longitudinal direction rather than the longitudinal end portion of the upper absorbent mat 6A, the rigidity is high. Since the upper absorbent mat 6A does not extend outside the absorbent pad 1 in the longitudinal direction rather than the longitudinal end portion of the upper absorbent mat 6A, the rigidity is low. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the longitudinal end portion of the upper absorbent mat 6A becomes the rigidity change portion 16 where the rigidity changes. The rigidity change portion 16 may be a groove portion that extends in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 between the lower absorbent mat 6B extending outside the longitudinal direction of the upper absorbent mat 6A and the upper absorbent mat 6A and penetrates the lower absorbent mat 6B in the thickness direction, or a squeezing portion formed by squeezing the upper absorbent mat 6A or the lower absorbent mat 6B. Further, the rigidity change portion 16 may be formed from one absorbent mat by changing the thickness or basis weight of the absorbent mat on the outside and inside in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent mat.

[0036] In the worn state, when the fixing parts 33L and 33R are pulled by the thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the end portions of the fixing parts 33L and 33R on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 come into contact with the lower abdomen of the wearer, and in plan view, the end portion near the crotch region 1B side of the fixing parts 33L and 33R moves away from the wearer. Since the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment includes a rigidity change portion 16 on the inner side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 rather than the fixing parts 33L and 33R, the absorbent pad 1 bends along the rigidity change portion 16 so as to be convex toward the non-skin surface side. By bending the absorbent pad 1 along the rigidity change portion 16 so as to be convex toward the non-skin surface side, the crotch region 1B side is farther from the wearer than the front body region 1F side from the rigidity change portion 16, and a space is formed between the absorbent pad 1 and the lower abdomen of the wearer. The space formed between the absorbent pad 1 and the lower abdomen of the wearer can hold the discharged liquid such as urine that has passed through the skin surface side of the top sheet 8 without being absorbed by the absorber 6 until it is absorbed by the absorber 6. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the discharged liquid that has passed through the skin surface side of the top sheet 8 without being absorbed by the absorber 6 and reached the lower abdomen side of the wearer from leaking outside the absorbent pad 1 beyond the fixing parts 33L and 33R.

[0037] Also, the space formed between the absorbent pad 1 and the lower abdomen of the wearer is preferably formed so as to cover the urethral orifice of the wearer. When a space is formed between the absorbent pad 1 and the lower abdomen of the wearer so as to cover the urethral orifice of the wearer, it is possible to suppress the urine discharged from the urethral orifice of the wearer from leaking outside the absorbent pad 1 beyond the fixing parts 33L and 33R. In particular, when a male wears the absorbent pad 1, the penis is accommodated in the space formed between the absorbent pad 1 and the abdomen of the wearer, so that it is also possible to regulate the urination direction and suppress the discharged urine from leaking beyond the fixing parts 33L and 33R.

[0038] When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan view, ear portions 10L and 10R may be provided in regions extending outward in the width direction of the folding lines 3LL and 3LR of the leak-preventing walls 3L and 3R. The ear portions 10L and 10R are composed of side sheets 9L and 9R, a top sheet 8, a back sheet 5, and a cover sheet 4. In the present embodiment, the ear portions 10L and 10R are formed in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. Further, the lower absorbent mat 6B is disposed including the outer sides in the width direction of the free ends 9LB and 9RB. The absorbent pad 1 can increase the liquid absorption amount by increasing the size of the lower absorbent mat 6B while enhancing the cushioning property in the ear portions 10L and 10R. Note that the ear portions 10L and 10R may be formed in either the front body region 1F or the back body region 1R.

[0039] The absorbent pad 1 includes side flaps 11L and 11R (an example of the "laminated body" referred to in the present application) that extend outward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 from the folding lines 3LL and 3LR of the leak-preventing walls 3L and 3R when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan view. The side flaps 11L and 11R are composed of side sheets 9L and 9R, a top sheet 8, a back sheet 5, and a cover sheet 4, and are adhered to each other. In the present embodiment, the side flaps 11L and 11R extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. The longitudinal direction of the side flaps 11L and 11R coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Note that the side flaps 11L and 11R only need to have at least two sheets laminated and adhered to each other. For example, they may be formed by adhering the side sheets 9L and 9R and the back sheet 5 to each other.

[0040] The fixing parts 33L and 33R fix the side sheets 9L and 9R to the top sheet 8. Therefore, the leakage-preventing walls 3L and 3R near the fixing parts 33L and 33R do not rise from the top sheet 8 or are lower in height than the surroundings in the raised state. Thus, in the absorbent pad having the fixing part, the discharged liquid such as urine is likely to leak outside the width direction of the absorbent pad over the leakage-preventing wall near the fixing part. On the other hand, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment can dam up the discharged liquid such as leaked urine in a space formed by a folded-back part folded along a fold line described later over the leakage-preventing walls 3L and 3R.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 showing the folded-back part 13. Note that the illustration of some members is omitted for the sake of explanation. The fold line 12 (an example of the "fold line" in the present application) is provided outside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 more than the virtual straight line 17 extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 at the center between the outer end in the width direction of the crotch region 1B and the outer end in the width direction of the front body region 1F or the outer end in the width direction of the back body region 1R. The side flaps 11L and 11R are folded along the fold line 12 so that the skin surface side outside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 contacts the skin surface side inside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1, and are adhered to each other at the adhesion part 14 (an example of the "adhesion part" in the present application).

[0042] The adhesion part 14 is provided at the outer end in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The adhesion part 14 is preferably adhered with an adhesive force such that the adhered materials can be peeled off from each other without breaking the materials. When it is desired to widen the width of the absorbent pad 1, the width of the absorbent pad 1 can be widened and used by peeling off the adhesion part 14. Note that the adhesion part 14 may be adhered with an adhesive force such that any one of the adhered materials is broken by peeling off the adhered materials from each other.

[0043] The folded-back portion 13 is the side flaps 11L and 11R folded along the fold line 12. In the folded-back portion 13, the longitudinal end sides of the absorbent pad 1 are adhered to the side flaps 11L and 11R by the adhesive portion 14. In the folded-back portion 13, the inner sides in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 are spaced apart from the side flaps 11L and 11R on the non-skin side of the folded-back portion 13. Therefore, the folded-back portion 13 opens the inner sides in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and forms a space in which the outer sides in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 are covered by the side flaps 11L and 11R. The space formed by the folded-back portion 13 can block the discharged liquid such as urine leaking to the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 beyond the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R when the absorbent pad 1 is in the worn state. Note that the longitudinal direction of the folded-back portion 13 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the side flaps 11L and 11R.

[0044] The folded-back portion 13 extends between the virtual straight line 17 and the fold line 12. The outer longitudinal end of the folded-back portion 13 is adhered by the adhesive portion 14. In the worn state, the absorbent pad 1 in which the absorber 6 has absorbed and retained the discharged liquid such as urine is separated from the wearer by its own weight. In the state where the absorbent pad 1 is separated from the wearer, the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R are also likely to be separated from the wearer. The folded-back portion 13 can receive the discharged liquid such as urine that has reached the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 beyond the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R separated from the wearer.

[0045] Further, the absorber 6 extends to a position overlapping in the thickness direction with the side flaps 11L and 11R on the non-skin side of the folded-back portion 13 provided in the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment. Therefore, the discharged liquid that has reached the space formed by the folded-back portion 13 can be absorbed by the absorber 6 disposed on the non-skin side of the folded-back portion 13. Thus, in the folded-back portion 13 The drainage fluid that has reached the space thus formed passes through the side sheets 9L and 9R because it is not absorbed by the absorber 6, and it is possible to suppress the backflow to the skin side of the wearer. Note that the absorber 6 does not have to extend to a position overlapping the side flaps 11L and 11R on the non-skin side of the folded portion 13 in the thickness direction. A liquid passage portion (not shown) that forms a space through which the drainage fluid such as urine can pass from the position where the side flaps 11L and 11R on the non-skin side of the folded portion 13 overlap in the thickness direction to the region where the absorber 6 extends may allow the drainage fluid such as urine to pass through, and the absorber 6 may absorb the drainage fluid such as urine. The liquid passage portion may be a space formed during manufacturing, or may be formed by peeling off the temporary adhesion of a temporarily adhered portion adhered to such an extent that the materials adhered to each other can be peeled off without breaking them during the wearing operation.

[0046] Also, when the absorber extends to the side flaps, in the worn state, there is a risk of backflow in which the drainage fluid such as urine absorbed and held by the absorber leaks out to the skin side of the side flaps due to the pressure applied in the thickness direction of the side flaps by the body pressure of the wearer.

[0047] On the other hand, the skin side of the side flaps 11L and 11R provided on the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment is formed of a non-woven fabric subjected to water-repellent treatment. In the present embodiment, the non-woven fabric forming the side sheets 9L and 9R is subjected to water-repellent treatment on the skin side. By applying the water-repellent treatment to the skin side, it is possible to suppress the penetration of moisture to the non-skin side (inside the side flaps 11L and 11R) of the side sheets 9L and 9R in the worn state. Therefore, the drainage fluid such as urine that has reached the space formed by the folded portion 13 passes through the skin side of the side flaps 11L and 11R and flows to the region where the top sheet 8 extends. Thus, the side sheets 9L and 9R subjected to water-repellent treatment can cause the absorber 6 to absorb the drainage fluid such as urine that has reached the space formed by the folded portion 13.

[0048] Further, when pressure is applied in the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1 by the body pressure of the wearer, the discharged liquid such as urine that has reached the skin side of the side flaps 11L and 11R passes through the gaps formed in the nonwoven fabric and penetrates to the non-skin side of the side sheets 9L and 9R. Therefore, the discharged liquid such as urine that has reached the space formed by the folded-back portion 13 can be moved inside the side flaps 11L and 11R.

[0049] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a method for manufacturing the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart relating to the method for manufacturing the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment. First, in the bonding step, while transporting the continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment, both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are bonded (step S101). Next, in the folding step, the continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 is folded along the fold line 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 (step S102). Then, in the cutting step, while applying pressure in the thickness direction to the cutting location of the continuous body of the absorbent pad 1, the absorbent pad 1 is cut into individual pieces (step S103).

[0050] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the manufacturing process of the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a part of the manufacturing process of the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment extracted. FIG. 8(A) is a diagram showing the conveying state in the manufacturing process. FIG. 8(B) is a diagram showing a state in which both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are folded back by the folding step (step S102). Further, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the absorbent pad 1 is folded into a C shape by the folding step (step S102). For the sake of explanation, illustration of some members is omitted.

[0051] In the manufacturing process, the members constituting the absorbent pad 1 described above are stacked in the thickness direction, and as shown in FIG. 8(A), they are conveyed as a continuous body. The members constituting the laminated absorbent pad 1 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive in the bonding step (step S101).

[0052] Next, in the folding step (step S102), the continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 is folded from the non-skin surface side toward the skin surface side along the fold line 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and a folded portion 13 is formed as shown in FIG. 8(B). Then, the continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 is folded from the non-skin surface side toward the skin surface side along the folding line 18 extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and is folded into a C shape as shown in FIG. 9. By folding into a C shape in the state of the continuous body, the folding of the absorbent pad 1 conveyed earlier is transmitted to the absorbent pad 1 conveyed later, and it can be easily folded into a C shape. Therefore, it is folded into a C shape while the absorbent pad 1 is being conveyed as a continuous body.

[0053] Thereafter, the continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 with the folded portion 13 formed is cut along the cutting line 15 extending in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 while applying pressure in the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1 in the cutting step (step S103), and individual absorbent pads 1 are formed.

[0054] Here, in the bonding step (step S101), the bonded area has not solidified the hot melt adhesive and oozes out at the end. When cutting both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1 while applying pressure in the thickness direction in the cutting step (step S103), the longitudinal ends of the folded portion 13 are bonded with the longitudinal ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R laminated on the non-skin surface side and the hot melt adhesive oozing out at the longitudinal ends, and a bonding portion 14 is formed. At this time, the inner ends in the width direction and the inner ends in the longitudinal direction of the folded portion 13 are separated from the side flaps 11L and 11R to form a space.

[0055] Note that the bonding portion 14 does not necessarily have to be bonded with a hot melt adhesive, and may be formed by being pressure-bonded by the pressure applied to the cutting line 15 in the cutting process (step S103). In the cutting process (step S103), since pressure is applied in the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1 to the cutting line 15 that is the longitudinal end of the absorbent pad 1, the longitudinal end of the absorbent pad 1 is pressure-bonded. Therefore, the longitudinal ends of the folded-back portion 13 and the side flaps 11L and 11R are also pressure-bonded, and the bonding portion 14 is formed.

[0056] When the absorbent pad 1 is used by being overlapped inside underwear or diapers during the mounting operation of the absorbent pad 1, if the width of the absorbent pad 1 is narrower than the width of the outer package, the width of the absorbent pad 1 can be widened by peeling off the bond of the bonding portion 14 and then used.

[0057] When the folding line is not provided at the above-described position and is provided inside the width direction of the absorbent pad with respect to the virtual straight line, the width of the absorbent pad is narrowed by the folded-back portion. Therefore, it is conceivable to peel off the bond of the bonding portion and use it. In this case, it is necessary to insert a finger between the side flap and the top sheet or the leak-proof wall to unfold the folded-back portion. However, since the side flap is formed by a sheet, it adheres closely to the top sheet, and there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to insert a finger between the side flap and the top sheet or the leak-proof wall. Further, when the non-skin side of the side flap and the color, material, etc. of the sheet forming the top sheet or the leak-proof wall are the same or similar, there is a possibility that the wearer will wear the absorbent pad without noticing that the side flap is folded back by the folding line.

[0058] On the other hand, in the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment, the folding line 12 is provided outside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 with respect to the virtual straight line 17, and a space is formed by the folded-back portion 13. Therefore, it is easy for the person performing the mounting operation to recognize that the absorbent pad 1 is folded back, and it is possible to prevent the absorbent pad 1 from being mounted in a state where the width is narrower than the width of underwear or diapers. Further, it is easy to insert a finger into the space formed by the folded-back portion 13 and unfold the folded-back portion 13. Thus, the mounting operation becomes easy.

[0059] <Modification Example> FIG. 10 is a view showing a folded portion 13 provided in the absorbent pad 1 according to the modification example. In this modification example, in order to suppress the formation of a gap serving as a liquid outflow path between the absorbent pad 1 and the skin of the wearer in the absorbent pad 1, leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are provided at a portion along the peripheral portion (thigh portion) of the wearer's leg. The leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are in close contact with the skin of the wearer by the elastic force of the elastic member. Therefore, the discharged liquid discharged from the wearer is absorbed by the absorber 6 without leaking from the absorbent pad 1. As the elastic member, a thread-like or belt-like rubber or the like can be appropriately selected. Note that, except for the above configuration of the absorbent pad 1 according to this modification example, the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment has the same configuration.

[0060] Threaded rubbers 4LB and 4RB, which are thread-like elastic members for forming the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR, are fixed in an extended state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 between the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5 on the non-skin surface side of the folding lines 3LL and 3LR by a hot melt adhesive. The threaded rubbers 4LB and 4RB are provided in an appropriate number determined according to the elastic force (contracting force) required in the design of the absorbent pad 1 and the like. By arranging the threaded rubbers 4LB and 4RB in an extended state, the absorbent pad 1 can be fitted around the leg of the wearer due to the contraction of the threaded rubbers 4LB and 4RB.

[0061] The folded-back portion 13 extends between the virtual straight line 17 and the fold line 12. The longitudinal outer end portion of the folded-back portion 13 is adhered by the adhesive portion 14. Here, since the thread rubbers 4LB and 4RB for forming the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR extend in the longitudinal direction in the crotch region 1B, the crotch region 1B side of the folded-back portion 13 is likely to rise from the side flaps 11L and 11R. Therefore, the space formed by the folded-back portion 13 is wider on the crotch region 1B side. In the worn state, the absorbent pad 1 in which the absorber 6 has absorbed and retained the discharged liquid such as urine is separated from the wearer by its own weight. In the state where the absorbent pad 1 is separated from the wearer, the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R are also likely to move away from the wearer. The folded-back portion 13 can receive the discharged liquid such as urine that has reached the outside in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 beyond the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R that have moved away from the wearer.

[0062] The present invention is applicable not only to absorbent pads but also to pant-type diapers and tape-type diapers.

[0063] The features included in each of the embodiments and their modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0064] 1 ··· Absorbent pad 1F ··· Front body region 1B ··· Crotch region 1R ··· Rear body region 3L, 3R ··· Leak-proof walls 3AL, 3AR ··· Leg gathers 3BL, 3BR, 4LB, 4RB ··· Thread rubbers 3LL, 3LR ··· Folded-back lines 33L, 33R ··· Fixing portions 4 ··· Cover sheet 5 ··· Back sheet 6 ··· Absorber 6C ··· Absorbent core 6A ··· Upper absorbent mat 6B ··· Lower absorbent mat 6L, 6H, 6R ··· Groove portions 7 ··· Core wrap sheet 7A··Upper core wrap sheet 7B··Lower core wrap sheet 8··Top sheet 9L, 9R··Side sheets 9LA, 9RA··Fixed regions 9LB, 9RB··Free ends 11L, 11R··Side flaps 12··Folding line 13··Folded-back part 14··Adhesive part 15··Cutting line 16··Rigidity change part 17··Virtual straight line 18··Folding line

Claims

1. a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer, a length along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, an absorber disposed at least in a region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer and configured to absorb liquid, a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer of the absorber, a pair of leakage-preventing wall forming sheets disposed on the skin side of the water-permeable sheet and on both sides in the width direction, wherein the inner side in the width direction is folded back to the skin side along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction, and a fixing portion is connected to the water-permeable sheet on the inner side in the width direction rather than the folding line on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and the pair of leakage-preventing wall forming sheets form a leakage-preventing wall for preventing leakage of liquid, a laminate having an adhesive portion located outside the width direction of the folding line and folded so that the skin side of the wearer on the outer side in the width direction contacts the skin side of the wearer on the inner side in the width direction along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction and adhered to each other, and at least two sheets are laminated, an absorbent article.

2. a wide portion located at the longitudinal end portion and having a long distance from the center in the width direction to the outer end portion in the width direction, a narrow portion located between both end portions in the longitudinal direction and having a short distance from the center in the width direction to the outer end portion in the width direction, a central portion at the center of the distance from the end portion in the width direction of the narrow portion to the outer end portion in the width direction of the wide portion, the folding line is provided between the central portion and the outer end portion in the width direction of the wide portion, the absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. the skin side of the wearer of the laminate is formed of a non-woven fabric subjected to water-repellent treatment, the absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the absorber extends to a position overlapping with the laminate on the skin side of the wearer in the thickness direction among the folded laminates, the absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a liquid passage portion allowing liquid to pass from the laminate on the skin side of the wearer to the absorber among the folded laminates, the absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the leakage-preventing wall forming sheet has an elastic member adhered to extend in the longitudinal direction in an extended state on the free end side of the leakage-preventing wall, the absorber has a rigidity changing portion where the rigidity changes outside the central portion in the longitudinal direction, the fixing portion is provided outside the rigidity changing portion in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

7. At least two sheets forming the laminate are adhered to each other. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

8. An absorbent article comprising: a laminate having a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer, a length along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and an adhesive portion having a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction and being folded so that the skin surface side of the wearer on the outer side in the width direction contacts the skin surface side of the wearer on the inner side in the width direction and adhered to each other, and at least two sheets forming the laminate are adhered to each other. A manufacturing method comprising: An adhesion step of applying an adhesive in the longitudinal direction of at least two sheets forming the laminate and adhering them to each other; A folding step of folding the continuous body of the absorbent article along the fold line extending in the longitudinal direction; A cutting step of cutting the continuous body into each absorbent article while applying pressure in the thickness direction to the cutting portion of the continuous body. A manufacturing method of an absorbent article.

Images