Absorber and absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorber which has a high absorbent polymer, can be made thin and can be improved in fitness in wearing.SOLUTION: An absorber has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which are orthogonal with each other, and has a substrate sheet, and a high absorbent polymer laminated on the substrate sheet. The absorber has a high basis weight region where a basis weight of the high absorbent polymer is higher than that in the surrounding, the high basis weight region is arranged so that points having the maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently positioned in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the maximum thickness is within 3 mm. An interval between the adjacent points having the maximum thickness is five times or less of the maximum thickness.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorber and an absorbent article.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there have been absorbent articles such as disposable diapers provided with a liquid-absorbent absorber. As such an absorber, a SAP sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer (so-called SAP) and not containing a fibrous material such as pulp is known. Since such a SAP sheet is likely to have a smaller thickness compared to an absorber containing a fibrous material, it is suitable for forming a thin absorber. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorber in which superabsorbent polymer particles are arranged on a sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the SAP sheet (absorber) described in Patent Document 1, a large number of SAP particles are laminated on a material sheet (base material sheet) so as to have a uniform thickness. However, in such a SAP sheet, for example, when it is sandwiched between the wearer's legs (i.e., the crotch) during wearing, it is difficult to deform along the unevenness of the wearer's body, and there is a risk of deterioration in fit.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and an object thereof is to improve the fit during wearing while maintaining the thinness in an absorber (SAP sheet) having a superabsorbent polymer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is an absorber having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, and including a base sheet and a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base sheet, wherein the superabsorbent polymer has a high basis weight region where the basis weight is higher than the surroundings, and the high basis weight region is arranged such that the points having the maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the maximum thickness is within 3 mm, and the interval between adjacent points having the maximum thickness is 5 times or less the maximum thickness.

[0007] Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description in this specification and the attached drawings.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in an absorber having a superabsorbent polymer, the fit during wearing can be improved while maintaining the thinness.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] At least the following matters become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] (Aspect 1) An absorber having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other, the absorber comprising a base sheet and a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base sheet, the superabsorbent polymer having a high basis weight region where the basis weight is higher than the surroundings, the high basis weight region being arranged such that the points having the maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the maximum thickness being within 3 mm, and the distance between adjacent points having the maximum thickness being 5 times or less the maximum thickness.

[0012] According to Aspect 1, the high basis weight region is arranged such that the points having the maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and a low basis weight region is formed around each high basis weight region. Since the low basis weight region serves as a folding starting point, the absorber is easily deformed along the unevenness of the wearer's body, improving the fit. Further, since the maximum thickness of the absorber is within 3 mm and the distance between adjacent points having the maximum thickness is 5 times or less the maximum thickness, a large number of high basis weight regions and low basis weight regions can be arranged while maintaining the thinness of the absorber. Therefore, according to Aspect 1, in an absorber having a superabsorbent polymer, the fit during wearing can be improved while maintaining the thinness.

[0013] (Aspect 2) The absorber according to Aspect 1, wherein the maximum thickness is within 2 mm, and the distance between adjacent points having the maximum thickness is 4 times or less the maximum thickness.

[0014] According to Aspect 2, in an absorber having a superabsorbent polymer, the fit during wearing can be improved while maintaining the thinness more effectively.

[0015] (Aspect 3) The absorber according to Aspect 1, wherein the high basis weight region does not contain fibrous materials other than the superabsorbent polymer.

[0016] According to Aspect 3, a thinner absorber can be formed as compared with an absorber containing fibrous materials.

[0017] (Aspect 4) The absorber according to Aspect 1, wherein in plan view, the diameter of the circumscribed circle circumscribing each of the plurality of high flatness regions is 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

[0018] According to Aspect 4, by reducing the size in plan view of each of the plurality of high flatness regions, a large number of high flatness regions and low flatness regions can be arranged on the base sheet, and the absorber can be easily deformed along the unevenness of the wearer's body, improving the fit.

[0019] (Aspect 5) The absorber according to Aspect 1, comprising a low flatness laminated region where the highly absorbent polymer is laminated between adjacent points of maximum thickness, and a non-laminated region where there is no highly absorbent polymer between another adjacent pair of points of maximum thickness.

[0020] According to Aspect 5, as the low flatness region serving as the folding starting point, there is a low flatness laminated region capable of absorbing and retaining excreted liquid, and a non-laminated region that is more easily bent due to the absence of the highly absorbent polymer. Therefore, even in the low flatness region, it is possible to achieve both ease of deformation along the unevenness of the wearer's body and the absorption and retention power of excreted liquid.

[0021] (Aspect 6) The absorber according to Aspect 5, wherein the low flatness laminated region is intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and the non-laminated region is intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

[0022] According to Aspect 6, by arranging the low flatness laminated region and the non-laminated region sparsely in a planar manner, it is possible to have both ease of deformation along the unevenness of the wearer's body and the absorption and retention power of excreted liquid with a planar spread.

[0023] (Aspect 7) The absorber according to Aspect 6, wherein, in a plan view, among the diameters of the inscribed circles inscribed in each of the plurality of non-laminated regions, the maximum diameter is equal to or less than the maximum thickness.

[0024] According to Aspect 7, by reducing the size in a plan view of the non-laminated region without the superabsorbent polymer, leakage of excreted liquid through the non-laminated region can be suppressed.

[0025] (Aspect 8) The absorber according to Aspect 6, wherein the number of the low basis weight laminated regions is different in each region trisected in the longitudinal direction, or the number of the non-laminated regions is different in each region trisected in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] According to Aspect 8, by arranging the low basis weight laminated regions and the non-laminated regions randomly in a plane, the absorber can be easily deformed along the unevenness of the wearer's body, and the fit can be improved.

[0027] (Aspect 9) The absorber according to Aspect 6, wherein, among the points having the maximum thickness, the number of points where the non-laminated region is adjacent to one side or the other side in the width direction is larger than the number of points where the non-laminated region is adjacent to one side or the other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] According to Aspect 9, it is possible to suppress loss of flexibility in the width direction when the absorber is in a swollen state.

[0029] (Aspect 10) The absorber according to Aspect 1, having another sheet positioned so as to sandwich the superabsorbent polymer between the other sheet and the base sheet, and having a joined region where the base sheet and the other sheet are joined between adjacent points having the maximum thickness, and a non-joined region where the base sheet and the other sheet are not joined between another adjacent points having the maximum thickness.

[0030] According to Aspect 10, by having a joining region serving as a folding starting point and a non-joining region where a superabsorbent polymer can be disposed between the base material sheet and another sheet, it is possible to achieve both ease of deformation along the unevenness of the wearer's body and the absorption and retention power of excreted liquid.

[0031] (Aspect 11) An absorber according to Aspect 1, characterized in that the difference between the highest point and the lowest point in the thickness direction on one surface side of the base material sheet is different from the difference on the other surface side of the base material sheet.

[0032] According to Aspect 11, an absorber having characteristics according to the purpose can be formed.

[0033] (Aspect 12) An absorber according to Aspect 11, having a non-laminated region where the superabsorbent polymer does not exist between adjacent points having the maximum thickness on one surface side of the base material sheet, and in a plan view, among the diameters of the inscribed circles inscribed in each of the plurality of non-laminated regions, the maximum diameter is equal to or less than the difference on the one surface side.

[0034] According to Aspect 12, by reducing the size in a plan view of the non-laminated region without the superabsorbent polymer, leakage of excreted liquid through the non-laminated region can be suppressed.

[0035] (Aspect 13) An absorber according to Aspect 11, characterized in that the weight of the superabsorbent polymer laminated below the highest point on one surface side of the base material sheet is 50% or more of the weight of the superabsorbent polymer laminated on the entire base material sheet.

[0036] According to Aspect 13, by laminating a desired weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the concave region of the base material sheet, a high basis weight region can be formed at an appropriate position.

[0037] (Aspect 14) The absorber according to Aspect 11, wherein when a region below the intermediate position between the highest point and the lowest point is defined as a concave region, in a plan view, the sum of the lengths of the plurality of concave regions on a virtual line passing through the centers of the plurality of concave regions along the longitudinal direction is 50% or more of the length of the entire base material sheet.

[0038] According to Aspect 14, by laminating a superabsorbent polymer on a desired region of the base material sheet, a high basis weight region and a low basis weight region can be formed at appropriate positions.

[0039] (Aspect 15) The absorber according to Aspect 11, wherein when a region below the intermediate position between the highest point and the lowest point is defined as a concave region, in a plan view, the sum of the lengths of the plurality of concave regions on a virtual line passing through the centers of the plurality of concave regions along the width direction is 50% or more of the length of the entire base material sheet.

[0040] According to Aspect 15, by laminating a superabsorbent polymer on a desired region of the base material sheet, a high basis weight region and a low basis weight region can be formed at appropriate positions.

[0041] (Aspect 16) The absorber according to Aspect 1, having a channel region where the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is lower than that of the high basis weight region, the channel region extending in the longitudinal direction, and in the width direction, the width of the channel region being larger than the interval between adjacent points having the maximum thickness.

[0042] According to Aspect 16, the channel region serves as a folding starting point, making it easier to deform in the width direction under the wearer's crotch, increasing the storage capacity in the crotch, and improving the fit.

[0043] (Aspect 17) The absorber according to Aspect 16, wherein a plurality of the channel regions are provided in the width direction.

[0044] According to Aspect 17, the storage property in the inseam is further enhanced, and the fitness is further improved.

[0045] (Aspect 18) An absorber according to Aspect 1, having another sheet positioned so as to sandwich the superabsorbent polymer between the base sheet, and in the longitudinal direction, outside the region where the superabsorbent polymer is provided, the other sheet and the base sheet are joined in the thickness direction.

[0046] According to Aspect 18, the opening can be suppressed between the base sheet and the other sheet.

[0047] (Aspect 19) An absorber according to Aspect 1, characterized in that an adhesive is provided between the base sheet and the superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction.

[0048] According to Aspect 19, the superabsorbent polymer can be surely fixed to the base sheet.

[0049] (Aspect 20) An absorber according to Aspect 1, characterized in that in the thickness direction, a fibrous material containing pulp is provided at a position adjacent to the superabsorbent polymer.

[0050] According to Aspect 20, excreted liquid can be quickly absorbed temporarily, and overflow and leakage of excreted liquid during excretion can be suppressed.

[0051] (Aspect 21) An absorber according to Aspect 1, characterized in that an adhesive is provided between the fibrous material and the superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction.

[0052] According to Aspect 21, the fibrous material can be fixed.

[0053] (Aspect 22) In the unfolded state, there is an absorbent article having an absorber including a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other, an absorbent core, a base sheet, and a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base sheet, wherein the absorber has a high basis weight region where the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is higher than the surroundings, and the high basis weight region is arranged such that the points of maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the maximum thickness is within 3 mm, and the interval between adjacent points of maximum thickness is not more than 5 times the maximum thickness. The absorbent article is characterized by this.

[0054] According to Aspect 22, it is possible to realize an absorbent article having an absorber that can improve the fit during wearing while maintaining thinness.

[0055] ===Absorbent Article and Absorber=== As an absorbent article according to the present invention, a disposable diaper 1 for infants (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1") will be described as an example. However, the absorbent articles according to the present invention include tape-type disposable diapers, short-type napkins, absorbent pads, sanitary napkins, and other absorbent articles. Further, the wearer of the absorbent article is not limited to infants, and may be a living organism such as an adult or an animal.

[0056] <<Configuration of Absorbent Article (Diaper 1)>> FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of diaper 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of diaper 1 in the unfolded and extended state as seen from the skin side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the center line CL of FIG. 2.

[0057] The "unfolded state" of diaper 1 is a state in which a pair of side joints 2 provided on both sides of diaper 1 shown in FIG. 1 are separated and diaper 1 is opened and flattened as shown in FIG. 2. The "extended state" of diaper 1 is a state in which the entire diaper 1 is extended without wrinkles. Specifically, it is a state in which the dimensions of each member constituting diaper 1 (for example, the absorbent main body 10, the waist portions 30, 40, etc. described later) are extended until they match or are close to the dimensions of the member alone.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 1, the diaper 1 has a vertical direction, a width direction, and a front-back direction that are perpendicular to each other, and has a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH. The upper side in the vertical direction corresponds to the waist opening BH side, and the lower side corresponds to the crotch side. The front side in the front-back direction corresponds to the abdominal side of the wearer, and the rear side corresponds to the back side of the wearer. The width direction is, as shown in Fig. 2, a direction along the expansion and contraction direction of the waist elastic members 33 and 43 such as thread rubber provided on the front waist part 30 and the rear waist part 40. The vertical direction is a direction along the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the expansion and contraction direction.

[0059] The diaper 1 is a so-called three-piece type pant diaper having a liquid-absorbent absorbent body 10 and a pair of waist parts 30 and 40. Of the pair of waist parts, the one that covers the abdominal side of the wearer is also referred to as the front waist part 30, and the one that covers the back side of the wearer is also referred to as the rear waist part 40.

[0060] In the unfolded state shown in Fig. 2, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10 and along the vertical direction of the pant diaper 1. The thickness direction is, as shown in Fig. 3, the direction in which the materials constituting the diaper 1 are laminated. The side in contact with the wearer's skin in the thickness direction is the skin side, and the opposite side is the non-skin side.

[0061] Also, in the unfolded state of Fig. 2, the front waist part 30 and the rear waist part 40 are arranged in parallel with a space in the longitudinal direction, and the absorbent body 10 is stretched between them. Each end in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10 is joined and fixed to the skin side of the nearest waist parts 30 and 40, respectively, and the external shape forms a substantially H shape in plan view. Then, from this state, it is folded in half along the center line CL in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10. In this folded state, the front waist part 30 and the rear waist part 40 facing each other are joined and connected at the side parts on both sides in the width direction, and a pair of side joining parts 2 are formed. The side joining parts 2 are formed by known joining means such as welding and adhesion.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent body 10 has an absorber 20 (details will be described later), a liquid-permeable topsheet 12 disposed closer to the skin side than the absorber 20, and a backsheet 13 disposed closer to the non-skin side than the absorber 20. The backsheet 13 has a two-layer structure of a liquid-impermeable sheet 13a and a hydrophobic exterior sheet 13b disposed on the non-skin side thereof. However, the absorbent body 10 may be provided with other sheet members. For example, a second sheet (not shown) may be provided between the topsheet 12 and the absorber 20 in the thickness direction.

[0063] On both side portions in the width direction of the absorbent body 10, a pair of leak-proof wall portions 15 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10. In FIG. 3, in the width direction, a part of the exterior sheet 13b extends outside both ends of the absorber 20 and is bent at a plurality of locations on the skin side, thereby forming a pair of leak-proof wall portions 15. At the tip of the leak-proof wall portion 15, a leak-proof wall elastic member 16 such as a thread rubber is attached in a state of being extended along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10, and the leak-proof wall portion 15 is configured to be able to stand up on the skin side. Further, on both side portions in the width direction of the absorbent body 10, leg-around elastic members 17 such as thread rubber are attached in a state of being extended along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, the front torso portion 30 and the rear torso portion 40 each have a skin-side sheet 31, 41, a non-skin-side sheet 32, 42, and a plurality of torso-around elastic members 33, 43 such as thread rubber. The plurality of torso-around elastic members 33, 43 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction between the skin-side sheet 31, 41 and the non-skin-side sheet 32, 42 and are attached in a state of being extended in the width direction. Due to the elasticity of the torso-around elastic members 33, 43, the front torso portion 30 and the rear torso portion 40 fit around the wearer's torso. Further, cover sheets 34, 44 may be provided so as to cover the upper end portion of the absorbent body 10 from the skin side. The cover sheets 34, 44 can suppress the opening of the absorbent body 10.

[0065] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the planar shapes of the front body circumferential portion 30 and the rear body circumferential portion 40 in the deployed and extended state are different. The front body circumferential portion 30 has a length in the vertical direction substantially the same as that of the side joint portion 2 and is rectangular in shape, being long in the width direction. The rear body circumferential portion 40 has a rectangular portion that overlaps with the front body circumferential portion 30 and a substantially trapezoidal portion 40E that extends downward therefrom. The extended portion 40E can cover the wearer's buttocks.

[0066] As described above, the basic configuration of the diaper 1 has been explained, but the above configuration is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the front body circumferential portion 30 and the rear body circumferential portion 40 may be formed of a single continuous member, or an outer member for the crotch portion that connects the front body circumferential portion 30 and the rear body circumferential portion 40 may be provided. Also, elastic members such as the body circumferential elastic members 33 and 43 may be sheet-like elastic members instead of thread rubber.

[0067] <<Configuration of Absorbent Body>> Next, with respect to the absorbent article (diaper 1) described above, details of the absorbent body 20 will be described based on FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5.

[0068] FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 20. FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 20A showing details of the SAP layer 27. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent body 20A.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4A, the absorbent body 20 of the absorbent article (diaper 1) described above has absorbent cores 21 to 23 between the skin-side core wrap sheet 24 and the non-skin-side core wrap sheet 25. Each of the absorbent cores 21 to 23 is a member that absorbs and holds excreted fluids such as urine and contains at least one of a fibrous material and a super absorbent polymer (hereinafter also referred to as SAP).

[0070] The fibrous material and the superabsorbent polymer are not particularly limited as long as they can be used as the absorbent core of the absorbent article. The fibrous material is a fibrous material having liquid absorbency, and examples thereof include wood pulp fibers, non-wood pulp fibers such as bagasse, kenaf, bamboo, hemp, and cotton, regenerated cellulose fibers such as rayon fibers, and semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate fibers, or mixtures thereof. Examples of the SAP include starch-based, cellulose-based, synthetic polymer-based polymer absorbents, or mixtures thereof. Further, the core wrap sheets 24 and 25 are liquid-permeable sheets, and examples thereof include non-woven fabrics and tissues.

[0071] The absorbent cores 21 to 23 may be referred to as the skin-side layer 21, the intermediate layer 22, and the non-skin-side layer 23 in this order from the skin side in the thickness direction. In the absorber 20 shown in FIG. 4A, the skin-side layer 21 is not integrally formed with the intermediate layer 22 located on the non-skin side of the skin-side layer 21, and is laminated adjacent to the intermediate layer 22 in the thickness direction via a sheet 26 formed of a non-woven fabric or a tissue. Further, in the absorber 20 shown in FIG. 4A, the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin-side layer 23 are integrally formed. That is, the non-skin-side layer 23 is directly laminated on the non-skin side of the intermediate layer 22 without passing through a sheet such as a non-woven fabric or an adhesive HMA.

[0072] The volume occupancy rate of the fibrous material or SAP in the absorbent cores 21 to 23 can be changed for each of the absorbent cores 21 to 23 according to the purpose. For example, the volume occupancy rate of SAP may be high in the skin-side layer 21, the volume occupancy rate of the fibrous material may be high in the intermediate layer 22, and the volume occupancy rate of SAP may be high in the non-skin-side layer 23. Further, the skin-side layer 21 may have only SAP without having a fibrous material, the intermediate layer 22 may have only a fibrous material without having SAP, and the non-skin-side layer 23 may have only SAP without having a fibrous material. Since the absorption rate of SAP for liquid is slow and the absorption rate of the fibrous material for liquid is faster than that of SAP, the excreted liquid easily migrates to the intermediate layer 22 before being absorbed by the SAP in the skin-side layer 21. Then, the excreted liquid absorbed between the fibers of the fibrous material in the intermediate layer 22 gradually migrates to the non-skin-side layer 23 by gravity and is firmly absorbed and held by the SAP in the non-skin-side layer 23.

[0073] This makes it easier to draw the excreted liquid into the non-skin side layer 23, and the absorbent cores 21 to 23 can be effectively utilized in the thickness direction. Therefore, the water absorption and retention capacity of the absorbent cores 21 to 23 is increased, and leakage of the excreted liquid can be suppressed even when repeated excretion occurs. In addition, the dryness of the skin-side surface of the absorbent cores 21 to 23 is ensured, improving the wearing comfort of the diaper 1. Further, when the excreted liquid in the intermediate layer 22 or the non-skin side layer 23 attempts to return to the skin side, the SAP in the skin-side layer 21 absorbs and retains the excreted liquid. Therefore, rewetting of the excreted liquid can be suppressed. From this aspect as well, the dryness of the skin-side surface of the absorbent cores 21 to 23 is ensured.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 4A, in the thickness direction, a sheet 26 is located closer to the skin side (the side where the skin-side layer 21 is located) than the intermediate layer 22, and an adhesive HMA is provided between the intermediate layer 22 and the sheet 26. Here, the adhesive HMA is a hot melt adhesive. In other words, an adhesive HMA is provided between the fibrous material (intermediate layer 22) and the SAP (skin-side layer 21). Further, a core wrap sheet 25 is located on the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer 23, and an adhesive HMA is provided between the non-skin side layer 23 and the core wrap sheet 25. The adhesive HMA provided between the intermediate layer 22 and the sheet 26 and the adhesive HMA provided between the non-skin side layer 23 and the core wrap sheet 25 can join the sheet 26 and the core wrap sheet 25 and fix the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin side layer 23 to the sheet 26 and the core wrap sheet 25.

[0075] Here, the absorber 20 is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A. In the absorber 20 shown in FIG. 4A, in order from the skin side in the thickness direction, there are a sheet (core wrap sheet 24), a skin side layer 21, a sheet 26, an integrally formed intermediate layer 22 and a non-skin side layer 23, and a sheet (core wrap sheet 25) laminated in this order. However, the sheet 26 may be located between the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin side layer 23 instead of between the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22. In this case, the skin side layer 21 (the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of SAP) and the intermediate layer 22 (the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of fibrous material) may be integrally formed. That is, on the non-skin side of the skin side layer 21 (the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of SAP), the intermediate layer 22 (the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of fibrous material) may be directly laminated without using a sheet such as a non-woven fabric or an adhesive HMA. In this case, the absorber 20 has a fibrous material containing pulp at a position adjacent to SAP in the thickness direction. Thereby, excreted liquid can be quickly temporarily absorbed, and overflow and leakage of excreted liquid during excretion can be suppressed. And through the sheet 26, the non-skin side layer 23 (the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of SAP) may be laminated adjacent in the thickness direction.

[0076] Furthermore, not limited to the above, the skin side layer 21 not integrally formed with the intermediate layer 22 may be laminated with the intermediate layer 22 without using a sheet such as a non-woven fabric or an adhesive HMA. Similarly, the non-skin side layer 23 not integrally formed with the intermediate layer 22 may be laminated with the intermediate layer 22 without using a sheet such as a non-woven fabric or an adhesive HMA. Furthermore, the intermediate layer 22 is not limited to being integrally formed with only one of the skin side layer 21 and the non-skin side layer 23, and may be integrally formed with both the skin side layer 21 and the non-skin side layer 23. A sheet such as a non-woven fabric or an adhesive HMA may or may not be provided between the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22, and between the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin side layer 23.

[0077] The absorber 20 is not limited to the mode in which three absorbent cores of the skin-side layer 21, the intermediate layer 22, and the non-skin-side layer 23 are laminated. The absorbent cores may be laminated in two layers, or only one absorbent core may be laminated. Hereinafter, as an embodiment of only one absorbent core, the description will continue using an absorber (hereinafter referred to as a SAP sheet) in which SAP is laminated on a sheet such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 4B, the absorber 20A has a base sheet 14, a SAP layer 27, and another sheet 14S. The combination of the base sheet 14 and the SAP layer 27 and another sheet 14S in the absorber 20A, for example, in the above description, is the combination of the core wrap sheet 24, the skin-side layer 21, and the sheet 26 of the absorber 20, or the core wrap sheet 25, the non-skin-side layer 23, and the sheet 26 when the sheet 26 is located between the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin-side layer 23. Here, the SAP layer 27 (the high basis weight region 211 and the low basis weight region 212 described later) has only SAP and does not contain fibrous materials other than SAP. Thereby, a thinner absorber 20A can be formed as compared with an absorber containing fibrous materials. The SAP in the SAP layer 27 is fixed to the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S by the adhesive HMA. Thereby, the SAP can be surely fixed to the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S.

[0079] Here, in the following description, the "particles" when used together with the term "superabsorbent polymer (SAP)" include any individual shape or form, and the "particles" can include granules, aggregates, flakes, fibers, spheres, etc., and combinations thereof. Further, the particles can have any desired shape, for example, spherical, polygonal, rod-shaped, polyhedral, or other regular or irregular forms of circular or angular shapes.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4B, the SAP layer 27 has a high basis weight region 211 where the basis weight of the SAP is higher than that of the surroundings. And as shown in FIG. 5, among the high basis weight regions 211, the point S with the maximum thickness in the thickness direction is intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. Thereby, the high basis weight region 211 shown in FIG. 5 is intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. Further, between adjacent points S with the maximum thickness (that is, around the high basis weight region 211), a low basis weight region 212 where the basis weight of the SAP is lower than that of the high basis weight region 211 is formed.

[0081] However, if the point S with the maximum thickness is intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, a part of the space between adjacent points S with the maximum thickness may be formed by the high basis weight region 211. That is, a part of the space between adjacent points S with the maximum thickness may be connected by the high basis weight region 211. In FIG. 5, the range of the high basis weight region 211 in plan view is represented by a solid line, and the range of the low basis weight region 212 is represented by a dashed line. The ranges of the high basis weight region 211 and the low basis weight region 212 shown in FIG. 5 are schematically represented for convenience.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, the low basis weight region 212 has a low basis weight laminated region 212E where the SAP is laminated and a non-laminated region 212N where there is no SAP. Here, "there is no SAP" includes not only the meaning that there are no SAP particles but also that there are very few laminated SAP particles and substantially no SAP particles exist. In FIG. 5, a △ mark is attached to the center of the low basis weight laminated region 212E, and a × mark is attached to the center of the non-laminated region 212N.

[0083] In the absorber 20A of the present embodiment, the low basis weight region 212 (the low basis weight laminated region 212E and the non-laminated region 212N) serves as a folding starting point, making it easier to deform along the unevenness of the wearer's body and improving the fit. Further, as the low basis weight region 212 serving as the folding starting point, it has a low basis weight laminated region 212E that can absorb and retain excreted liquid, and a non-laminated region 212N that is more easily foldable due to the absence of SAP. Thereby, even in the low basis weight region 212 where the basis weight of SAP is lower than that of the high basis weight region 211, it is possible to achieve both ease of deformation along the unevenness of the wearer's body and the absorption and retention power of excreted liquid.

[0084] As described above, the low basis weight region 212 is formed between the points S having the maximum thickness that are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. Therefore, the low basis weight region 212 is also intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction as shown in FIG. 5. That is, the low basis weight laminated region 212E is intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and similarly, the non-laminated region 212N is also intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. The absorber 20A can have, with a planar spread, both ease of deformation along the unevenness of the wearer's body and the absorption and retention power of excreted liquid due to the planar sparse arrangement of the low basis weight laminated region 212E and the non-laminated region 212N.

[0085] In the absorber 20A of the present embodiment, for example, in the plan view shown in FIG. 5, the number of low basis weight laminated regions 212E is different in each region obtained by trisecting the absorber 20A in the longitudinal direction. Also, the number of non-laminated regions 212N is different in each region obtained by trisecting the absorber 20A in the longitudinal direction. Although details will be described later, when manufacturing the absorber by supplying SAP particles toward the base sheet, the region where the SAP particles did not adhere becomes the non-laminated region 212N, and the region where some of the SAP particles adhered becomes the low basis weight laminated region 212E. Since each of the non-laminated region 212N and the low basis weight laminated region 212E occurs randomly in a planar manner, as described above, in the plan view, the number of low basis weight laminated regions 212E and the number of non-laminated regions 212N are different in each region obtained by trisecting the absorber 20A in the longitudinal direction. Thus, by arranging the low basis weight laminated region 212E and the non-laminated region 212N randomly in a planar manner, the absorber 20A can be easily deformed along the unevenness of the wearer's body, and the fit can be improved.

[0086] Furthermore, in the absorber 20A of the present embodiment, by having the low basis weight region 212 around the high basis weight region 211, the excreted liquid is likely to diffuse in the planar direction. If the basis weight of the SAP is constant in a planar manner, when adjacent SAPs absorb moisture, they are likely to stick together to form a lump, which may inhibit further diffusion of the excreted liquid. That is, when the basis weight of the SAP is constant in a planar manner, there is a risk of so-called gel blocking occurring.

[0087] Therefore, in the absorber 20A of the present embodiment, by having the low basis weight region 212 around the high basis weight region 211, even after absorbing a certain amount of excreted liquid, the excreted liquid can be easily diffused along the low basis weight region 212, and the occurrence of the above-described gel blocking can be suppressed.

[0088] The non-laminated region 212N is arranged such that, when viewed from a certain high basis weight region 211, there are more on the width direction side than on the longitudinal direction side. In other words, among the points S with the maximum thickness, the number of points S where the non-laminated region 212N is adjacent to one side or the other side in the width direction is greater than the number of points S where the non-laminated region 212N is adjacent to one side or the other side in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the low basis weight laminated region 212E is arranged such that, when viewed from the high basis weight region 211, there are more on the longitudinal direction side than on the width direction side. In this case, when the absorber 20A is in a state of absorbing excreted liquid, that is, in a swollen state, more SAPs will stick together in the longitudinal direction where many low basis weight laminated regions 212E are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the loss of flexibility in the width direction when the absorber 20A is in a swollen state.

[0089] In the absorber 20A shown in FIG. 5, a channel region 215 shown in FIG. 8 to be described later may be further provided. Although detailed description of the channel region 215 will be given later, by the absorber 20A having the channel region 215, for example, when sandwiched between the wearer's two legs (i.e., the groin) during wearing, it becomes easier to deform in the width direction under the wearer's crotch, the storage property under the crotch increases, and the fit is further improved. At this time, since the channel region 215 itself serves as a folding starting point, it contributes to the improvement of the fit. However, the absorber 20A may not be provided with the channel region 215.

[0090] In addition, in the absorber 20A of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the maximum thickness T is within 3 mm, and the interval between the points S that become the adjacent maximum thicknesses is preferably 5 times or less the maximum thickness T. Thereby, while maintaining the thinness of the absorber 20A, a large number of high basis weight regions and low basis weight regions can be arranged. Therefore, in the absorber 20A having the superabsorbent polymer, the fit during wearing can be improved while maintaining the thinness. Further, it is more preferable that the maximum thickness T is within 2 mm, and the interval between the points S that become the adjacent maximum thicknesses is 4 times or less the maximum thickness T. Thereby, in the absorber 20A having the superabsorbent polymer, the fit during wearing can be improved while maintaining the thinness more.

[0091] In the plan view shown in FIG. 5, the diameter of the circumscribed circle CC circumscribing each of the plurality of high basis weight regions 211 is preferably 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less. Thereby, the size of each of the plurality of high basis weight regions 211 can be reduced, and a large number of high basis weight regions 211 and low basis weight regions 212 can be arranged on the base sheet 14. Therefore, the absorber 20A is likely to deform along the unevenness of the wearer's body, and the fit can be improved.

[0092] Further, in the plan view shown in FIG. 5, among the diameters of the inscribed circles IC inscribed in each of the plurality of non-laminated regions 212N, the maximum diameter is preferably equal to or less than the maximum thickness T. By thus reducing the size in the plan view of the non-laminated region 212N without SAP, leakage of excreted liquid through the non-laminated region 212N can be suppressed.

[0093] Furthermore, in the plan view shown in FIG. 5, a joining portion 213 is provided outside the high basis weight regions 211 and the low basis weight regions 212 (that is, the regions where SAP is provided) in the longitudinal direction. The joining portion 213 is a portion where the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S are joined in the thickness direction. The joining portion 213 is formed by a known joining means such as embossing, welding, or adhesion. Thereby, the opening of the mouth can be suppressed between the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S.

[0094] Note that the region of the base sheet 14 where the joint portion 213 is formed is a region where no SAP is provided and is also a region where no adhesive for fixing the SAP is provided. Here, the region where no SAP is provided is a region where substantially no SAP is arranged (for example, among the weights of the SAP arranged over the entire base sheet 14, the weight of the SAP arranged in the region is 10% or less). Also, the joint portion 213 may not be provided.

[0095] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where a superabsorbent polymer is laminated on the base sheet 14. FIG. 6B is a schematic plan view showing the state of the recessed region 214F on one surface side of the base sheet 14.

[0096] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, recessed regions 214 are formed on each of one surface side and the other surface side in the thickness direction of the base sheet 14. Specifically, in the base sheet 14, a recessed region 214F is formed on one surface side, and a recessed region 214B is formed on the other surface side. On one surface in the thickness direction of the base sheet 14, a large amount of SAP is arranged in the recessed region 214F to form a high basis weight region 211. On the other hand, in a region other than the recessed region 214F, no SAP is arranged, or even if SAP is arranged, it is arranged less than in the recessed region 214F, thereby forming a low basis weight region 212 (low basis weight laminated region 212E or non-laminated region 212N).

[0097] Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, on one surface side of the base sheet 14, the recessed regions 214F are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. As a result, the points S where the high basis weight region 211 has the maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently positioned in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. Similarly, the low basis weight regions 212 (low basis weight laminated regions 212E and non-laminated regions 212N) are also intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

[0098] Further, the difference SB1 between the highest point H1 and the lowest point L1 in the thickness direction on one surface side of the base sheet 14 is different from the difference SB2 between the highest point H2 and the lowest point L2 in the thickness direction on the other surface side of the base sheet 14. That is, the depth of the recessed region 214 where the SAP is disposed can be made different between the recessed region 214F on one surface side of the base sheet 14 and the recessed region 214B on the other surface side. That is, in the base sheet 14 shown in FIG. 6B, the recess in the recessed region 214F on one surface side is shallow, and the recess in the recessed region 214B on the other surface side is deep.

[0099] Here, in the base sheet 14 shown in FIG. 6A, the absorber 20A is formed by disposing the SAP in the recessed region 214F on the side where the recess is shallow. However, the absorber 20A may be formed by disposing the SAP in the recessed region 214B on the side where the recess is deep. For example, more SAP can be disposed in the recessed region 214B on the side where the recess is deep than in the recessed region 214F on the side where the recess is shallow, and the absorption and retention power of excreted liquid can be improved. Conversely, by disposing the SAP in the recessed region 214F on the side where the recess is shallow, the liquid diffusibility can be improved compared to the recessed region 214B. Therefore, by making the depths different between the recessed region 214F and the recessed region 214B as described above, it becomes possible to select in which recessed region 214 the SAP is disposed, and an absorber having characteristics according to the purpose can be formed.

[0100] However, the difference SB1 between the highest point H1 and the lowest point L1 in the thickness direction on the front surface side of the base sheet 14 may be the same as the difference SB2 between the highest point H2 and the lowest point L2 in the thickness direction on the back surface side of the base sheet 14. That is, the depth of the recessed region 214 where the SAP is disposed may be the same between one surface and the other surface of the base sheet 14.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 6A, on the front surface side of the base sheet 14, the weight of the SAP laminated below the highest point H1 is 50% or more of the weight of the SAP laminated on the entire base sheet 14. Thereby, by laminating the desired weight of the SAP in the concave region of the base sheet 14, the high basis weight region 211 can be formed at an appropriate position.

[0102] Further, in the plan view shown in FIG. 6B, among the diameters of the inscribed circles IC inscribed in each of the plurality of non-laminated regions 212N, the maximum diameter is equal to or less than the difference SB1 on the front surface side. Thereby, by reducing the size in the plan view of the non-laminated region 212N without SAP, leakage of the excreted liquid through the non-laminated region 212N can be suppressed.

[0103] Here, in the plan view shown in FIG. 6B, the region below the intermediate position M1 between the highest point H1 and the lowest point L1 shown in FIG. 6A is represented as the range of the concave region 214F. In this case, it is preferable that the total length LG1 of the plurality of concave regions 214F on the virtual line V1 passing through the centers C of the plurality of concave regions 214F along the longitudinal direction is 50% or more of the length of the entire base sheet 14. Thereby, by laminating the SAP in the desired region of the base sheet 14, the high basis weight region 211 and the low basis weight region 212 can be formed at appropriate positions.

[0104] Similarly, it is preferable that the total length LG2 of the plurality of concave regions 214F on the virtual line V2 passing through the centers of the plurality of concave regions 214F along the width direction is 50% or more of the length of the entire base sheet 14. Thereby, by laminating the SAP in the desired region of the base sheet 14, the high basis weight region 211 and the low basis weight region 212 can be formed at appropriate positions.

[0105] FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state before the absorber 20A absorbs moisture. FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state after the absorber 20A absorbs moisture.

[0106] In the absorber 20A of the present embodiment, there are a joining region 28 where the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S are joined between the points S having the adjacent maximum thicknesses, and a non-joining region 29 where the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S are not joined between the points S having the adjacent maximum thicknesses. Thereby, by having the joining region 28 serving as a folding starting point and the non-joining region 29 where SAP can be disposed between the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S, it is possible to achieve both ease of deformation along the unevenness of the wearer's body and absorption and retention power of excreted liquid.

[0107] In the joining region 28, the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S are joined via an adhesive HMA in the non-laminated region 212N. When the absorber 20A absorbs moisture, as shown in FIG. 7B, the SAP swells, and the joined portion of the joining region 28 between the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S comes off. In this way, as the absorber 20A absorbs moisture and the joined portion of the joining region 28 comes off, it is possible to suppress the swelling of the SAP from being hindered by the joining region 28.

[0108] FIG. 8 is a plan schematic view of the absorber 20B of a modified example.

[0109] The absorber 20B of the modified example has a channel region 215 where the basis weight of the SAP is lower than that of the high basis weight region 211. As shown in FIG. 8, the channel region 215 extends in the longitudinal direction, and in the width direction, the width of the channel region 215 is larger than the interval between the points S having the adjacent maximum thicknesses. That is, the width of the channel region 215 is larger than the width of the low basis weight region 212 formed between the adjacent high basis weight regions 211 (that is, around the high basis weight region 211). When the absorber 20B of the modified example is sandwiched between the wearer's legs (that is, the groin) during wearing, for example, the channel region 215 serves as a folding starting point, becomes easily deformable in the width direction under the wearer's crotch, increases the storage property under the crotch, and further improves the fitness. Also, the excreted liquid becomes easily diffused in the longitudinal direction.

[0110] A plurality of channel regions 215 are provided in the width direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, two channel regions 215 are provided. This further increases the storage capacity in the crotch area and can further improve the fit. However, only one channel region 215 may be provided in the width direction.

[0111] ===Absorbent Body Manufacturing Apparatus and Method for Manufacturing an Absorbent Body=== Hereinafter, an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus and a method for manufacturing an absorbent body will be described with respect to the absorbent body 20A described above.

[0112] <<Configuration of Absorbent Body Manufacturing Apparatus 50>> FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 50.

[0113] The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 50 is an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body containing a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 50 includes a transport unit 11x, an upstream adhesive application unit 18, a particle supply unit 19, a suction unit 11P, an adhesive discharge unit 15D, and a joint formation unit 11em.

[0114] The transport unit 11x is a member that transports the base sheet 14 in the transport direction. In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 9, the transport unit 11x includes a transport belt 11cn and a plurality of transport rollers 11rn. The transport belt 11cn has the upper surface of an endless belt that rotates driven as the transport surface of the base sheet 14. That is, the transport belt 11cn supports the lower surface of the base sheet 14 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "one surface") and transports the base sheet 14. Therefore, the transport belt 11cn may be referred to as a support unit.

[0115] Also, in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 9, the transport unit 11x is a suction belt conveyor that transports the base sheet 14 while sucking it by the suction unit 11P through a plurality of openings 11pn (described later) provided on the transport surface of the transport belt 11cn. The transport roller 11rn may be a drive roller that is driven to rotate by a drive source such as a motor, or may be a driven roller that rotates driven without a drive source.

[0116] The upstream adhesive application unit 18 is a member that applies an adhesive to the base sheet 14 in advance before the SAP particles 19S are supplied to the base sheet 14. As shown in FIG. 9, the upstream adhesive application unit 18 is provided upstream of the particle supply unit 19 that supplies the SAP particles 19S in the transport direction. The adhesive applied by the upstream adhesive application unit 18 is, here, a hot melt adhesive. By applying the adhesive to the base sheet 14 in advance before the SAP particles 19S are supplied to the base sheet 14 by the particle supply unit 19, the SAP particles 19S can be more easily attached to the base sheet 14, and the amount of bounce-back of the SAP particles 19S can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the SAP particles 19S from being arranged at unintended positions. However, the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 may not have the upstream adhesive application unit 18.

[0117] The particle supply unit 19 is a member that supplies the SAP particles 19S toward the upper surface of the base sheet 14 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "the other surface"). When the particle supply unit 19 discharges the SAP particles 19S, the SAP particles 19S are gravity-supplied toward the base sheet 14 disposed on the transport surface of the transport unit 11x, or discharged together with pressurized air.

[0118] The suction unit 11P is a member that suctions the base sheet 14 from the side of one surface (lower surface) of the base sheet 14 through a plurality of openings 11pn of the transport belt 11cn. Details of the suction unit 11P will be described later.

[0119] The adhesive discharge unit 15D is a member that discharges the adhesive together with an air flow toward the base sheet 14. The adhesive discharge unit 15D is disposed downstream of the particle supply unit 19 in the transport direction. Further, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 9, the adhesive discharge unit 15D has two adhesive discharge units 15D, namely, a first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and a second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 disposed downstream of the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 in the transport direction. Details of the adhesive discharge unit 15D will be described later.

[0120] The joint forming part 11em is a member that forms a joint by joining in the thickness direction after the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S merge. The joint forming part 11em may perform, for example, embossing on the base sheet 14 and another sheet 14S, or may perform other known joining means such as welding and adhesion. The joint forming part 11em can form the joint 213 in the absorber 20A shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0121] In this embodiment, an absorber having the above-described components is manufactured by the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50. As a method for manufacturing an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer, first, a conveying step of conveying the base sheet 14 while supporting one surface (lower surface) of the base sheet 14 by a support part (conveying belt 11cn), and a particle supply step of supplying SAP particles 19S toward the other surface (upper surface) of the base sheet 14 are included. Thereby, an absorber having a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base sheet 14 can be manufactured.

[0122] As a method for manufacturing an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer, in this embodiment, an adhesive may be applied toward the other surface (upper surface) of the base sheet 14 by the upstream adhesive application part 18 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the base sheet 14 from the position where the SAP particles 19S are supplied to the base sheet 14 (upstream adhesive application step). Thereby, the SAP particles 19S can be easily attached to the base sheet 14. However, as a method for manufacturing an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer, the upstream adhesive application step may not be provided.

[0123] Also, as a method for manufacturing an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer, in the present embodiment, on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the base sheet 14 from the position where the SAP particles 19S are supplied to the base sheet 14, another sheet 14S may be supplied so as to cover the SAP particles 19S from the other surface (upper surface) side of the base sheet 14 (separate sheet supply step). Further, in the present embodiment, in a region where the adhesive is not applied to the other surface (upper surface) of the base sheet 14, the other sheet 14S and the base sheet 14 may be joined in the thickness direction along the intersection direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the base sheet 14 (joint portion forming step). Thereby, it is possible to suppress the opening between the base sheet 14 and the other sheet 14S. However, as a method for manufacturing an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer, it may not have a separate sheet supply step or a joint portion forming step.

[0124] In the present embodiment, the absorber is formed by being cut into a desired size further downstream of the joint portion forming step. In the present embodiment, although another sheet 14S is laminated after the SAP particles are supplied onto the base sheet 14, it is not limited thereto. For example, after laminating the SAP particles on the base sheet 14, an absorber can be formed simply by cutting the base sheet 14 into a desired size. Alternatively, after laminating the SAP particles on the base sheet 14, a fibrous material containing pulp may be laminated to form an absorber. Thereby, it is possible to easily manufacture an absorber that can quickly temporarily absorb excreted liquid and suppress the overflow and leakage of excreted liquid during excretion. Further, when a fibrous material containing pulp is mixed as a material of the absorber in addition to the SAP particles, such a fibrous material may be supplied to the base sheet 14 before or after the particle supply unit 19 supplies the SAP particles 19S.

[0125] As described above, the conveyance unit 11x of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 is a suction belt conveyor that conveys the base sheet 14 while sucking it by the suction unit 11P through a plurality of openings 11pn provided on the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 11cn. Details of the suction unit 11P and the conveyance belt 11cn will be described with respect to this point.

[0126] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the suction opening 11su of the suction unit 11P. FIG. 11A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the conveyor belt 11cn. FIG. 11B is a schematic plan view showing a part of the conveyor belt 11cn. In FIGS. 10 and 11A, for reference, the outer contour line of the base material sheet 14 is represented by a dashed line.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 10, the suction unit 11P is provided on the side opposite to the side where the base material sheet 14 is located when viewed from the conveyor belt 11cn (supporting portion). And in the suction unit 11P, a suction opening 11su is provided on the side where the base material sheet 14 is located. The suction unit 11P sucks from the suction opening 11su. Also, between the base material sheet 14 and the suction opening 11su of the suction unit 11P, the conveyor belt 11cn is located, and the conveyor belt 11cn conveys the base material sheet 14 in the conveying direction.

[0128] The conveyor belt 11cn is, for example, a mesh belt, and a plurality of openings 11pn are provided on the conveying surface 11m of the conveyor belt 11cn. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the conveying surface 11m of the conveyor belt 11cn is formed by weaving a filamentous member using fibers made of a synthetic resin such as nylon. However, the filamentous member may be formed of a metal such as a wire. The filamentous member is composed of, for example, a vertical member 116 and a horizontal member 117, and the opening defined by the vertical member 116 and the horizontal member 117 becomes the opening 11pn when sucking the base material sheet 14.

[0129] In the above-described particle supply process, as shown in FIG. 11A, the suction unit 11P sucks the base material sheet 14 from the side of one surface (lower surface) of the base material sheet 14 through a plurality of openings 11pn provided on the conveying surface 11m of the conveyor belt 11cn. Since the base material sheet 14 is formed of a very soft and easily deformable material such as a non-woven fabric as described above, the portion corresponding to the opening 11pn is pulled by the suction force generated by the suction unit 11P (see the white arrow in FIG. 11A), and a concave region 214 is formed corresponding to the shape of the opening 11pn.

[0130] At this time, the supplied SAP particles 19S (not shown in FIG. 11A) also tend to stay in the recessed area 214 of the base sheet 14 due to the suction force generated by the suction part 11P. As a result, similarly to the description in FIG. 6A above, a large number of SAP particles 19S are arranged in the recessed area 214, and a high basis weight area 211 is formed. On the other hand, in areas other than the recessed area 214 (areas blocked by the vertical member 116 in FIG. 11A and not becoming the recessed area 214), either no SAP particles 19S are arranged, or even if SAP particles 19S are arranged, they are arranged less than in the recessed area 214. As a result, a low basis weight area 212 (low basis weight laminated area 212E or non-laminated area 212N) is formed.

[0131] As described above, in the conveying part 11x of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50, the support part (conveying belt 11cn) has a plurality of openings 11pn, and by sucking the base sheet 14 from the side of one surface (lower surface) of the base sheet 14 through the plurality of openings 11pn in the particle supply process, an absorber can be manufactured in which a high basis weight area 211 and a low basis weight area 212 are formed around each high basis weight area 211.

[0132] Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the diameter of the inscribed circle IC inscribed in the opening 11pn of the conveying belt 11cn is equal to or greater than the average particle diameter of the SAP particles. For example, it is preferable that the diameter of the inscribed circle IC inscribed in the opening 11pn of the conveying belt 11cn is 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less. As a result, by reducing the size of each high basis weight area 211 in plan view, a large number of high basis weight areas 211 and low basis weight areas 212 can be arranged on the base sheet 14. In this embodiment, an absorber having good SAP with good fit during wearing can be easily manufactured while maintaining the thinness.

[0133] In addition, in the support part (conveying belt 11cn), it is preferable that the opening ratio of the opening 11pn in the area where the opening 11pn is provided is 40% or more and 60% or less. Thereby, the high basis weight area 211 can be appropriately formed in the absorber. In the following description, the opening ratio of the opening means the ratio of the area of the opening per unit area.

[0134] FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the suction opening su of the suction part 11P. In FIG. 12 as well, for reference, the outer contour line of the base sheet 14 is represented by a broken line together with the end part 142 in the crossing direction of the base sheet 14. Also, the position of the particle supply part 19 in a plan view is represented by a one-dot chain line.

[0135] In the particle supply step, the suction part 11P sucks the base sheet 14 from the side of one surface (lower surface) of the base sheet 14 through the suction opening su (the first opening region 111 and the second opening region 112 described later) shown in FIG. 12 and the opening 11pn of the above-described conveyor belt 11cn, thereby forming the absorber 20B having the channel region 215 shown in FIG. 8 described above. Hereinafter, the characteristics of the suction opening su of the suction part 11P will be described.

[0136] The suction opening su of the suction part 11P has a first opening region 111 and a second opening region 112. As shown in FIG. 12, the second opening region 112 is adjacent to the first opening region 111 in the crossing direction that crosses the conveyance direction of the base sheet 14. Also, a plurality (here, two) of the second opening regions 112 are provided in the crossing direction. However, only one second opening region 112 may be provided.

[0137] Here, the opening ratio of the first opening region 111 is equal to or higher than the opening ratio of the opening 11pn in the region where the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn (support part) is provided. For example, in the conveyor belt 11cn shown in FIG. 11B described above, the opening 11pn is defined by the vertical member 116 and the horizontal member 117. In this case, when looking at the entire region where the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn is provided, the opening ratio of the opening 11pn becomes lower by the size (width) of the vertical member 116 and the horizontal member 117. On the other hand, in the first opening region 111, the entire region is an opening (space). However, although not shown in the figure, a crossbar may be provided at the edge of the opening in the first opening region 111. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the suction force to the extent that the shape of the base sheet 14 collapses.

[0138] Also, the aperture ratio of the second opening region 112 is lower than that of the first opening region 111, and is equal to or lower than the aperture ratio of the opening 11pn in the region where the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn (support portion) is provided. Specifically, the aperture ratio of the second opening region 112 is preferably 25% or more and 35% or less. However, as long as the aperture ratio of the second opening region 112 is lower than that of the first opening region 111 and is equal to or lower than the aperture ratio of the opening 11pn in the region where the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn (support portion) is provided, it may be in a range other than 25% or more and 35% or less.

[0139] As described above, in the particle supply step, the particle supply unit 19 supplies the SAP particles 19S toward the other surface (upper surface) of the base material sheet 14, and the suction unit 11P sucks the base material sheet 14 from the side of one surface (lower surface) of the base material sheet 14 through the first opening region 111, the second opening region 112, and the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn. Here, as described above, the aperture ratio of the second opening region 112 is lower than that of the first opening region 111. For this reason, in plan view, the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the second opening region 112 has a lower suction force than the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the first opening region 111. At this time, the SAP particles 19S (not shown in FIG. 12) supplied to the base material sheet 14 are more likely to remain in the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the first opening region 111 than in the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the second opening region 112.

[0140] Furthermore, as described above, the aperture ratio of the second opening region 112 is equal to or less than the aperture ratio of the opening 11pn in the region where the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn is provided. Therefore, in the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the second opening region 112, the suction force is reduced by the second opening region 112. Then, in the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the second opening region 112, the suction force that would cause the portion corresponding to the opening 11pn of the base material sheet 14 to be pulled and the recessed region 214 to be formed is suppressed. Therefore, in the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the second opening region 112, the formation of the high basis weight region 211 is suppressed, and the channel region 215 where the basis weight of the SAP is lower than that of the high basis weight region 211 is formed. As described above, since two second opening regions 112 are provided in the crossing direction, two channel regions 215 corresponding to each of the two second opening regions 112 are formed as in the absorber 20B shown in FIG. 8.

[0141] On the other hand, the aperture ratio of the first opening region 111 is equal to or greater than the aperture ratio of the opening 11pn in the region where the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn is provided. Therefore, in the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the first opening region 111, the suction force is not reduced by the first opening region 111, the recessed region 214 is formed, and it becomes easier for the base material sheet 14 to stay in the recessed region 214 due to the suction force generated by the suction portion 11P. That is, in the region sucked through the first opening region 111, the high basis weight region 211 and the low basis weight region 212 are formed.

[0142] In addition, the suction opening su of the suction unit 11P has a third opening region 113 and a non-opening region 114. As shown in FIG. 12, the third opening region 113 is located downstream of the first opening region 111 in the conveyance direction and has a portion overlapping the first opening region 111 in the crossing direction. Also, the non-opening region 114 is located downstream of the second opening region 112 in the conveyance direction and has a portion overlapping the second opening region 112 in the crossing direction. The aperture ratio of the third opening region 113 is lower than that of the first opening region 111. However, the third opening region 113 may be further located upstream of the first opening region 111 in the conveyance direction, or the non-opening region 114 may be further located upstream of the second opening region 112 in the conveyance direction. Also, the suction opening su of the suction unit 11P may not have the third opening region 113 and the non-opening region 114.

[0143] In the particle supply step, a suction force continues to be generated in the third opening region 113 located downstream of the first opening region 111, and the suction force is suppressed in the non-opening region 114 located downstream of the second opening region 112. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the SAP particles that have rebounded in the region of the base material sheet 14 to which the SAP particles are supplied, that is, the region of the base material sheet 14 sucked through the first opening region 111 and the second opening region 112, from being disposed in the channel region 215 on the downstream side.

[0144] Furthermore, the suction opening su of the suction unit 11P has a fourth opening region 115. The fourth opening region 115 is provided at a position overlapping the end portion of the base material sheet 14 in the crossing direction and outside the first opening region 111 and the third opening region 113 in the crossing direction in plan view. In the conveyance step, the suction unit 11P sucks the end portion of the base material sheet 14 through the fourth opening region 115 from the side of one surface (lower surface) of the base material sheet 14. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the upward curling of the base material sheet 14 during conveyance. However, the suction opening su of the suction unit 11P may not have the fourth opening region 115.

[0145] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the mode of supply of SAP particles and discharge of an adhesive in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50.

[0146] In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, immediately after the step of supplying SAP particles from the particle supply unit 19 (particle supply step), the adhesive discharge unit 15D (first adhesive discharge unit 15x1) discharges the adhesive 15H together with an air flow toward the base material sheet 14 (downstream side adhesive discharge step). Here, the adhesive 15H is a hot melt adhesive and is discharged from a plurality of discharge ports (nozzles) (not shown) provided in the adhesive discharge unit 15D. After the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 discharges the adhesive 15H, the adhesive 15H is further discharged toward the base material sheet 14 together with an air flow by the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 installed downstream in the transport direction from the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1.

[0147] Although the adhesive 15H is discharged together with an air flow, in the present embodiment, the pressure of this air flow is the same for both the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and they may have different air pressures.

[0148] The SAP particles 19S supplied from the particle supply unit 19 are likely to bounce back when hitting the base material sheet 14 on the transport surface 11m (see FIG. 13). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that about 60% of the SAP particles 19S supplied at one time bounce back. In addition, the supplied SAP particles 19S are likely to bounce back in an unintended direction, and thus may scatter to places where they should not be arranged.

[0149] Regarding this point, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, at least a part of the SAP particles 19S rebounded from the base material sheet 14 can be pushed back toward the base material sheet 14 by the adhesive 15H discharged from the adhesive discharge part 15D. "Pushing back" here means moving the SAP particles 19S in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction and in the direction of gravity (vertically downward). That is, when the discharged adhesive 15H hits the SAP particles 19S rebounded from the base material sheet 14, the SAP particles 19S can be dropped again toward the base material sheet 14 side. Further, the air flow discharged together with the adhesive 15H can reduce the possibility that the SAP particles 19S are disposed at unintended positions. Then, by the adhesive 15H entangling around the rebounded SAP particles 19S, the fixing of the SAP particles 19S to the base material sheet 14 can be performed more reliably.

[0150] Further, in the present embodiment, not only the adhesive 15H discharged from the first adhesive discharge part 15x1 but also the adhesive 15H is discharged from the second adhesive discharge part 15x2 provided downstream in the conveyance direction from the first adhesive discharge part 15x1. Thereby, the rebounding of the SAP particles 19S that could not be completely pushed back by only the adhesive 15H discharged from the first adhesive discharge part 15x1 is pushed back toward the base material sheet 14 side by the adhesive 15H discharged from the second adhesive discharge part 15x2, so that the rebounding amount can be further reduced. By doing so, the fixing of the SAP particles 19S to the base material sheet 14 can be performed more reliably.

[0151] Note that the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 of the present embodiment has two adhesive discharge units 15D (the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2), but it is not limited thereto. For example, when the amount of the supplied SAP particles 19S is small, only the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 may be used. Also, although the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 can push back the rebounded SAP particles 19S, the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 emphasizes fixing the SAP particles 19S to the base sheet 14, and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 can be designed mainly for the purpose of improving the adhesive strength of materials (such as the base sheet 14) and adjusting the strength.

[0152] Also, in the present embodiment, the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 are separated to increase the degree of freedom of each adhesive discharge unit 15D. However, the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 may be an integrated adhesive discharge unit. When the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 are installed integrally, the cost can be reduced compared to installing separate devices, and the maintenance and management of the device are also easier.

[0153] As described above, since the SAP particles 19S are likely to rebound when the SAP particles 19S are supplied from the particle supply unit 19, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the transport surface 11m of the transport belt 11cn is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane Hr such that the downstream side in the transport direction descends. By doing so, the SAP particles 19S rebounded from the base sheet 14 are likely to move downstream by gravity, and the arrangement of the SAP particles 19S at unintended positions can be reduced.

[0154] When the angle at which the conveying surface 11m shown in FIG. 13 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane Hr is θ0, the inclination angle θ0 in the present embodiment is approximately 30 degrees. This is because the angle of repose of the SAP particles (the maximum angle of the inclined plane that maintains stability without collapsing when the particles are stacked) is between 32 degrees and 38 degrees, and the inclination angle is set in the vicinity of this angle. By setting the inclination angle θ0 to approximately 30 degrees, it is possible to prevent the SAP particles 19S discharged from the particle supply unit 19 from rolling after getting onto the base material sheet 14, and at the same time, it is possible to make it less likely to bounce back compared to the case of discharging onto a conveying surface parallel to the horizontal plane. The inclination angle θ0 when the conveying surface 11m of the conveying belt 11cn is inclined such that the downstream side is lowered can be set up to approximately 75 degrees.

[0155] As described above, it is preferable that the conveying surface 11m is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane Hr such that the downstream side in the conveying direction is lowered, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the conveying surface 11m may be horizontal, or may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane Hr such that the upstream side in the conveying direction is lowered. It may be inclined such that the upstream side in the conveying direction is lowered (that is, the downstream side is raised). In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, since the conveying belt 11cn is a suction belt conveyor, if the suction force of the suction unit 11P for sucking the base material sheet 14 is increased, it is possible to similarly suppress the bouncing back of the SAP particles 19S. The inclination angle θ0 when inclined with respect to the horizontal plane Hr such that the upstream side in the conveying direction is lowered can be up to approximately 45 degrees, but preferably up to approximately 30 degrees.

[0156] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the suction opening 11su in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50A of the first modification. In FIG. 14, for reference, the outer contour line of the base material sheet 14 is represented by a dashed line.

[0157] In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50A of the first modification example, similar to the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 described above, a suction portion 11P is provided on the side opposite to the side where the base material sheet 14 is located as viewed from the conveying belt 11cn (support portion). However, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50A, different from the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50, the suction opening 11su is provided not in the suction portion 11P but in another conveying belt 11cn1. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of suction openings 11su are provided along the circumference of the other conveying belt 11cn1, and the position of the suction opening 11su also moves as the other conveying belt 11cn1 moves.

[0158] In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50A, the other conveying belt 11cn1 is located between the conveying belt 11cn and the suction portion 11P and moves in the same direction as the conveying direction of the conveying belt 11cn. Thereby, wear of the conveying belt 11cn due to rubbing of the conveying belt 11cn against the edge of the suction opening 11su can be suppressed, and the service life of the conveying belt 11cn can be extended. Further, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50A, since the suction opening 11su is provided in the other conveying belt 11cn1, when an adhesive adheres to the suction opening 11su, only the other conveying belt 11cn1 can be replaced. Therefore, compared with the case where the suction opening 11su is provided on the upper surface of the suction portion 11P, the replacement work when an adhesive adheres to the suction opening 11su can be easily performed.

[0159] In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50A, the other conveyor belt 11cn1 and the conveyor belt 11cn move at the same speed, but the circumferential lengths of the other conveyor belt 11cn1 and the conveyor belt 11cn are different. Therefore, the location where the conveyor belt 11cn rubs against the edge of the suction opening 11su also changes with each revolution. From this aspect as well, the conveyor belt 11cn can be made to have a longer life. Also, the position where the adhesive hits the conveyor belt 11cn can be shifted with each revolution, and the clogging of the adhesive at the opening 11pn of the conveyor belt 11cn can be reduced. However, when the circumferential length of the conveyor belt 11cn is an integer multiple of the pitch PH of the plurality of suction openings su, the position where the adhesive hits the conveyor belt 11cn becomes one of the positions of the plurality of suction openings su and does not shift. Therefore, it is necessary for the circumferential length of the conveyor belt 11cn to be other than an integer multiple of the pitch PH of the plurality of suction openings su.

[0160] <<Configuration of Absorber Manufacturing Apparatus 60>> Next, based on FIGS. 15 and 16, an absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 according to another embodiment different from the above-described absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 will be described.

[0161] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the plate portion 11pt of the conveying unit 11y.

[0162] The basic configuration of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 is the same as that of the above-described absorber manufacturing apparatus 50. The difference in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 is that the conveying unit 11y that conveys the base material sheet 14 in the conveying direction has a rotating body 11tn instead of the conveyor belt 11cn. In the following description of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60, the same components as those of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the parts common to the absorber manufacturing apparatus 50 is omitted.

[0163] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60, a plate portion 11pt is provided on the outer peripheral surface 11n of a rotating body 11tn that rotates in the conveying direction. The rotating body 11tn has the outer peripheral side surface of the plate portion 11pt as the conveying surface of the base material sheet 14. In other words, the plate portion 11pt of the rotating body 11tn supports the surface of the base material sheet 14 on the center side of the rotating body 11tn (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "one surface") while conveying the base material sheet 14. Therefore, the plate portion 11pt of the rotating body 11tn may be referred to as a support portion.

[0164] Also, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the conveying unit 11y is a suction drum that conveys the base material sheet 14 while sucking it by a suction unit 11P through a plurality of openings 11pn provided on the conveying surface of the plate portion 11pt of the rotating body 11tn.

[0165] In the present embodiment, an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer is manufactured by the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 having each of the above-described configurations. As a method for manufacturing an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer, first, a conveying step of conveying the base material sheet 14 while supporting one surface (the surface on the center side of the rotating body 11tn) of the base material sheet 14 by a support portion (the plate portion 11pt of the rotating body 11tn), and a particle supply step of supplying SAP particles 19S toward the other surface (the surface opposite to the center side of the rotating body 11tn) of the base material sheet 14 are included at least. Thereby, an absorber having a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base material sheet 14 can be manufactured.

[0166] The plate portion 11pt is, for example, a punching metal plate. As shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of openings 11pn are provided on the conveying surface of the plate portion 11pt. The suction unit 11P sucks the base material sheet 14 through the plurality of openings 11pn provided on the conveying surface of the plate portion 11pt in the above-described particle supply step.

[0167] As described above, in the transport unit 11y of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60, the support part (the plate part 11pt of the rotating body 11tn) has a plurality of openings 11pn. In the particle supply step, by sucking the base sheet 14 from the side of one surface (the surface on the center side of the rotating body 11tn) of the base sheet 14 through the plurality of openings 11pn, an absorber can be manufactured in which a high basis weight region 211 and a low basis weight region 212 are formed around each high basis weight region 211. Although not shown, the diameter of the inscribed circle inscribed in the opening 11pn of the plate part 11pt is equal to or larger than the average particle diameter of the SAP particles. Thereby, as described above, the SAP particles can be arranged in the concave region 214 of the base sheet 14. In the present embodiment, an absorber having SAP with good fit during wearing can be easily manufactured while maintaining the thinness.

[0168] FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the plate part 11pt.

[0169] The plate part 11pt shown in FIG. 17 is also a punching metal plate provided with a plurality of openings. The plate part 11pt has a first opening region 111 and a second opening region 112. As shown in FIG. 17, the second opening region 112 is adjacent to the first opening region 111 in a crossing direction that crosses the transport direction of the base sheet 14. Further, a plurality (here, two) of the second opening regions 112 are provided in the crossing direction. However, only one second opening region 112 may be provided.

[0170] In the plate part 11pt shown in FIG. 17, the opening ratio of the openings in the second opening region 112 is lower than the opening ratio of the openings in the first opening region 111. Therefore, in the region sucked through the second opening region 112, the formation of the high basis weight region 211 is suppressed, and a channel region 215 in which the basis weight of the SAP is lower than that of the high basis weight region 211 is formed. Further, in the region sucked through the first opening region 111, the high basis weight region 211 and the low basis weight region 212 are formed.

[0171] In the particle supply step, the suction unit 11P sucks the base material sheet 14 from the side of one surface of the base material sheet 14 (the surface on the center side of the rotating body 11tn) through the openings (the first opening region 111 and the second opening region 112) shown in FIG. 17, thereby forming the absorber 20B having the channel region 215 shown in FIG. 8 described above.

[0172] FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the mode of supply of SAP particles and discharge of the adhesive in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60.

[0173] Also in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 of the present embodiment, immediately after the step (particle supply step) in which SAP particles are supplied from the particle supply unit 19, the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 (adhesive discharge unit 15D) discharges the adhesive 15H together with an air flow, and further downstream, the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 (adhesive discharge unit 15D) discharges the adhesive 15H together with an air flow toward the base material sheet 14 (adhesive discharge step).

[0174] As shown in FIG. 18, also in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 of the present embodiment, the adhesive 15H is discharged from the discharge ports of the respective adhesive discharge units 15D (the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2) in a predetermined discharge direction. Specifically, in the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1, the adhesive 15H is discharged from the discharge port of the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 in a predetermined discharge direction, and the upstream side of the discharge direction is inclined toward the downstream side of the conveyance direction so that the angle θ1 formed by an imaginary line extending the discharge direction and the tangent of the rotating body 11tn at the intersection of the imaginary line and the outer peripheral surface 11n of the rotating body 11tn is greater than 90 degrees. Since a part of the supplied SAP particles 19S bounces back toward the downstream in the conveyance direction, by discharging the adhesive 15H so as to cover the SAP particles 19S from the downstream side rather than discharging the adhesive 15H perpendicularly to the outer peripheral surface 11n, it becomes easier to push back the SAP particles 19S that have bounced back to the downstream side.

[0175] Also in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60 of the present embodiment, a second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 is provided downstream of the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 in the conveyance direction. Similar to the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1, the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 discharges the adhesive 15H from the discharge port in a predetermined discharge direction. And the discharge direction is such that the angle θ2 formed by an imaginary line extending the discharge direction of the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 and the tangent to the outer peripheral surface 11n of the rotating body 11tn at the intersection of the imaginary line and the outer peripheral surface 11n of the rotating body 11tn is greater than 90 degrees, and the upstream side of the discharge direction 15d2 of the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 is inclined toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction. In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60, by discharging the adhesive 15H at such an angle not only from the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 but also from the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2, it becomes easier to capture the rebound of the SAP particles 19S that could not be repelled only by the adhesive 15H discharged from the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1.

[0176] Note that the angle θ2 formed by an imaginary line extending the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 and the tangent to the outer peripheral surface 11n of the rotating body 11tn at the intersection of the imaginary line and the outer peripheral surface 11n of the rotating body 11tn is preferably larger than the angle θ1 formed by an imaginary line extending the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1 and the tangent to the outer peripheral surface 11n of the rotating body 11tn at the intersection of the imaginary line and the outer peripheral surface 11n of the rotating body 11tn (θ1 < θ2). Since the supplied SAP particles 19S tend to rebound toward the downstream in the conveyance direction, by discharging the adhesive 15H at a more inclined angle by the second adhesive discharge unit 15x2 disposed downstream of the first adhesive discharge unit 15x1, it becomes easier to capture the SAP particles 19S that have fallen to the downstream side.

[0177] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60A of the second modification.

[0178] In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60A of the second modification example, the plate portion 11pt is composed of a substrate 118 and a mesh plate 119. As shown in FIG. 19, a suction opening 11su is provided in the substrate 118. Further, an opening 11pn for sucking the base material sheet 14 is provided on the conveyance surface of the mesh plate 119. In the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60A, even when clogging of the adhesive occurs in the opening 11pn, it is only necessary to replace the mesh plate 119 that can be easily replaced, so that the replacement cost can be reduced.

[0179] FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the substrate 118 of the plate portion 11pt.

[0180] The basic configuration of the substrate 118 shown in FIG. 20 is the same as that of the plate portion 11pt shown in FIG. 17 described above, and has a first opening region 111 and a second opening region 112. As shown in FIG. 20, the second opening region 112 is adjacent to the first opening region 111 in a crossing direction that crosses the conveyance direction of the base material sheet 14. Further, a plurality (here, two) of second opening regions 112 are provided in the crossing direction. However, only one second opening region 112 may be provided.

[0181] In the plate portion 11pt shown in FIG. 20, the opening ratio of the openings in the second opening region 112 is lower than the opening ratio of the openings in the first opening region 111. Therefore, in the region sucked through the second opening region 112, formation of the high basis weight region 211 is suppressed, and a channel region 215 in which the basis weight of the SAP is lower than that of the high basis weight region 211 is formed. Further, in the region sucked through the first opening region 111, the high basis weight region 211 and the low basis weight region 212 are formed.

[0182] In the particle supply step, the suction unit 11P sucks the base material sheet 14 from the side of one surface (the surface on the center side of the rotating body 11tn) of the base material sheet 14 through the openings (the first opening region 111 and the second opening region 112) shown in FIG. 20, whereby the absorber 20B having the channel region 215 shown in FIG. 8 described above can be formed.

[0183] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60B of the third modification.

[0184] The absorber manufacturing apparatus 60B of the third modification has a configuration in which a conveying belt 11cn having a plurality of openings 11pn is wound around a rotating body provided with a suction opening 11su on its outer peripheral surface. As a method of manufacturing an absorber containing a superabsorbent polymer by the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60B, first, a conveying step of conveying the base sheet 14 while supporting one surface of the base sheet 14 (the surface on the center side of the rotating body 11tn) by a support portion (conveying belt 11cn), and a particle supply step of supplying SAP particles 19S toward the other surface of the base sheet 14 (the surface opposite to the center side of the rotating body 11tn) are included at least. Thereby, an absorber having a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base sheet 14 can be manufactured.

[0185] The conveying belt 11cn is, for example, a mesh belt, and as shown in FIG. 21, a plurality of openings 11pn are provided in the conveying surface 11m of the conveying belt 11cn. The suction portion 11P suctions the base sheet 14 through the plurality of openings 11pn provided in the conveying surface 11m of the conveying belt 11cn in the above-described particle supply step.

[0186] As described above, in the conveying portion 11y of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 60B, the support portion (conveying belt 11cn) has a plurality of openings 11pn, and in the particle supply step, by suctioning the base sheet 14 from the side of one surface of the base sheet 14 (the surface on the center side of the rotating body 11tn) through the plurality of openings 11pn, an absorber in which a high basis weight region 211 and low basis weight regions 212 are formed around each high basis weight region 211 can be manufactured. Also, although not shown, the diameter of the inscribed circle inscribed in the opening 11pn of the conveying belt 11cn is equal to or larger than the average particle diameter of the SAP particles. Thereby, the SAP particles can be disposed in the concave region 214 of the base sheet 14 as described above. In the present embodiment, an absorber having good SAP fit during wearing can be easily manufactured while maintaining the thinness.

[0187] ===Others=== The above embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0188] 1 Pant-type disposable diaper (absorbent article), 2 Side joint, 10 Absorbent body, 11x, 11y Conveyor, 11cn, 11cn1 Conveyor belt, 11em Joint forming part, 11m Conveyor surface, 11n Outer peripheral surface, 11P Suction part, 11pn Opening, 11pt Plate part, 11rn Conveyor roller, 11su Suction opening, 11tn Rotating body, 12 Top sheet, 13a Back sheet (liquid-impermeable sheet), 13b Back sheet (outer cover sheet), 14 Base material sheet, 14S Another sheet, 15 Leakage prevention wall part, 15D Adhesive discharge part, 15H Adhesive, 15x1 First adhesive discharge part, 15x2 Second adhesive discharge part, 16 Leakage prevention wall elastic member, 17 Elastic member around legs, 18 Upstream adhesive application part, 19 Particle supply part, 19S Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles, 20, 20A, 20B Absorbers, 21 Skin side layer (absorbent core), 22 Intermediate layer (absorbent core), 23 Non-skin side layer (absorbent core), 24, 25 Core wrap sheet, 26 Sheet, 27 SAP layer, 28 Joint region, 29 Non-joint region, 30 Front side body around part, 31 Skin side sheet, 32 Non-skin side sheet, 33 Body around elastic member, 34 Cover sheet, 40 Rear side body around part, 40E part, 41 muscle side sheet, 42 non-muscle side sheet, 43 torso elastic member, 44 cover sheet, Absorber manufacturing apparatuses 50, 50A, 60, 60A 111 First opening region, 112 Second opening region, 113 Third opening region, 114 Non-opening region, 115 Fourth opening region, 116 Vertical member, 117 Horizontal member, 118 Substrate, 119 Mesh plate, 142 End 211 High basis weight region, 212 Low basis weight region, 212E Low basis weight laminated region, 212N Non-laminated region 213 Pressing part, 214, 214F, 214B Concave region, 215 Channel region

Claims

1. An absorber having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, comprising a base sheet and a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base sheet, wherein the superabsorbent polymer has a high basis weight region where the basis weight is higher than the surroundings, the high basis weight region is arranged such that the points of maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the maximum thickness is within 3 mm, and the interval between adjacent points of maximum thickness is not more than 5 times the maximum thickness The absorber is characterized by the above.

2. The absorber according to Claim 1, wherein the maximum thickness is within 2 mm, and the interval between adjacent points of maximum thickness is not more than 4 times the maximum thickness The absorber is characterized by the above.

3. The absorber according to Claim 1, wherein the high basis weight region does not contain fibrous materials other than the superabsorbent polymer The absorber is characterized by the above.

4. The absorber according to Claim 1, wherein, in plan view, the diameter of the circumscribed circle circumscribing each of the plurality of high basis weight regions is 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less The absorber is characterized by the above.

5. The absorber according to Claim 1, having a low basis weight laminated region where the superabsorbent polymer is laminated between adjacent points of maximum thickness, and a non-laminated region where there is no superabsorbent polymer between other adjacent points of maximum thickness The absorber is characterized by the above.

6. The absorber according to Claim 5, wherein the low basis weight laminated region is intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and the non-laminated region is intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction The absorber is characterized by the above.

7. The absorber according to Claim 6, wherein, in plan view, among the diameters of the inscribed circles inscribed in each of the plurality of non-laminated regions, the maximum diameter is not more than the maximum thickness The absorber is characterized by the above.

8. The absorber according to Claim 6, wherein the number of the low basis weight laminated regions is different in each region trisected in the longitudinal direction, or the number of the non-laminated regions is different in each region trisected in the longitudinal direction The absorber is characterized by the above.

9. The absorber according to Claim 6, among the points of maximum thickness, the number of points where the non-laminated region is adjacent to one side or the other side in the width direction is larger than the number of points where the non-laminated region is adjacent to one side or the other side in the longitudinal direction The absorber is characterized by the above.

10. An absorber according to claim 1, comprising: having another sheet positioned so as to sandwich the superabsorbent polymer between the substrate sheet; a bonding region where the substrate sheet and the other sheet are bonded between adjacent points of the maximum thickness; and a non-bonding region where the substrate sheet and the other sheet are not bonded between other adjacent points of the maximum thickness. An absorber, characterized by the above.

11. An absorber according to claim 1, wherein: the difference between the highest point and the lowest point in the thickness direction on one surface side of the substrate sheet is different from the difference on the other surface side of the substrate sheet. An absorber, characterized by the above.

12. An absorber according to claim 11, comprising: on one surface side of the substrate sheet, having a non-laminated region where the superabsorbent polymer does not exist between adjacent points of the maximum thickness; in a plan view, among the diameters of the inscribed circles inscribed in each of the plurality of non-laminated regions, the maximum diameter is equal to or less than the difference on the one surface side. An absorber, characterized by the above.

13. An absorber according to claim 11, wherein: on one surface side of the substrate sheet, the weight of the superabsorbent polymer laminated below the highest point is 50% or more of the weight of the superabsorbent polymer laminated on the entire substrate sheet. An absorber, characterized by the above.

14. An absorber according to claim 11, wherein: when a region below the intermediate position between the highest point and the lowest point is defined as a concave region, in a plan view, the total length of the plurality of concave regions on a virtual line passing through the centers of the plurality of concave regions along the longitudinal direction is 50% or more of the length of the entire substrate sheet. An absorber, characterized by the above.

15. An absorber according to claim 11, wherein: when a region below the intermediate position between the highest point and the lowest point is defined as a concave region, in a plan view, the total length of the plurality of concave regions on a virtual line passing through the centers of the plurality of concave regions along the width direction is 50% or more of the length of the entire substrate sheet. An absorber, characterized by the above.

16. An absorber according to claim 1, comprising: having a channel region where the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is lower than that in the high basis weight region; the channel region extends in the longitudinal direction, and in the width direction, the width of the channel region is larger than the interval between adjacent points of the maximum thickness. An absorber, characterized by the following.

17. The absorber according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of the channel regions are provided in the width direction. An absorber, characterized by the following.

18. The absorber according to claim 1, having another sheet positioned so as to sandwich the superabsorbent polymer between the other sheet and the base sheet, wherein, in the longitudinal direction, the other sheet and the base sheet are joined in the thickness direction outside the region where the superabsorbent polymer is provided. An absorber, characterized by the following.

19. The absorber according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive is provided between the base sheet and the superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction. An absorber, characterized by the following.

20. The absorber according to claim 1, having a fibrous material containing pulp at a position adjacent to the superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction. An absorber, characterized by the following.

21. The absorber according to claim 1, having a fibrous material containing pulp at a position adjacent to the superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction, and an adhesive is provided between the fibrous material and the superabsorbent polymer. An absorber, characterized by the following.

22. In the unfolded state, having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other, an absorbent article having an absorber including an absorbent core, a base sheet, and a superabsorbent polymer laminated on the base sheet, wherein the absorber has a high basis weight region where the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is higher than that of the surroundings, the high basis weight region is arranged such that the points of maximum thickness in the thickness direction are intermittently located in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the maximum thickness is within 3 mm, and the interval between adjacent points of maximum thickness is not more than 5 times the maximum thickness. An absorbent article, characterized by the following.

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