Absorbent article and method for manufacturing absorbent article

The absorbent article design with a laminated cooling layer on the topsheet facing the absorbent body addresses skin irritation and manufacturing issues by embedding the cooling agent in recesses, maintaining a sustained cooling effect and preventing equipment contact.

JP2025153738APending Publication Date: 2025-10-10DAIO PAPER CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024056356
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-29
Publication Date
2025-10-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional absorbent articles with cooling agents cause skin irritation and are prone to mixing with manufacturing equipment due to the exposure of cooling agents, especially when applied in amounts of 10 gsm or more.

Method used

The absorbent article is configured with a cooling layer containing a cooling agent laminated on the surface of the topsheet facing the absorbent body, which is not exposed on the skin side, and is embedded in recesses formed on the topsheet, using a nonwoven fabric to maintain the cooling effect and prevent contact with manufacturing equipment.

Benefits of technology

The configuration sustains a cooling sensation without strong skin irritation and reduces the likelihood of the cooling agent contacting manufacturing equipment, ensuring a consistent and comfortable wearing experience.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To sustain a cooling effect without causing strong stimulation when worn, and to make it difficult for a cooling agent to come into contact with manufacturing equipment during a production process.SOLUTION: Provided is an absorbent article configured such that an absorbent is sandwiched between a front surface sheet and a back surface sheet, and the front surface sheet is worn on the skin surface side, where a cool-feeling layer containing a cooling agent is laminated on the surface of the front surface sheet facing the absorbent, and the cool-feeling layer is not exposed at the surface of the front surface sheet on the opposite side from the absorbent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article and a method for manufacturing an absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins can cause stuffiness and stickiness, making the wearer feel uncomfortable. To address this, there has been a conventional technique for eliminating this discomfort and improving the wearing comfort by incorporating a cooling agent such as a freshening agent into the absorbent article.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article comprising a surface layer, a back layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the surface layer and the back layer, and an intermediate fiber layer between the surface layer and the absorbent layer, wherein the absorbent layer, the surface layer, and the intermediate fiber layer each contain a cooling agent by, for example, incorporating it into microcapsules. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 092810 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the cooling sensation agent is contained in the surface layer and exposed to the outside as in the case of Patent Document 1, the cooling sensation agent may come into contact with the skin when worn, causing a tingling sensation. In particular, when microcapsules containing a cooling sensation agent are released from the microcapsules arranged in a position that comes into contact with the skin, a cooling effect that causes a momentary pain is generated, but there is a problem in that the duration of the effect is likely to decrease.

[0006] Furthermore, if the cooling sensation agent is contained in the surface layer and is therefore exposed to the outside, when the surface layer, back layer, and absorbent layer are cut into the shape of the product during the manufacturing process, the cooling sensation agent may adhere to the cutting blade, causing foreign matter to be mixed in or causing poor cutting performance of the cutting blade. Such problems are particularly likely to occur when a solution containing a cooling sensation agent is applied to the surface of the surface layer in an amount of 10 gsm or more.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems associated with the conventional techniques as described above, and aims to provide an absorbent article and a method for manufacturing an absorbent article that can maintain a cooling sensation effect without causing strong irritation when worn and that can make it difficult for the cooling sensation agent to come into contact with manufacturing equipment during the manufacturing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: An absorbent article configured by sandwiching an absorbent body between a top sheet and a back sheet, the top sheet being worn as the skin-facing side, A cooling layer containing a cooling agent is laminated on the surface of the top sheet facing the absorbent body, The cooling layer is not exposed on the surface of the topsheet opposite to the absorbent body.

[0009] In the present invention configured as described above, the topsheet is worn facing the skin, but the cooling layer containing a cooling agent is laminated on the surface of the topsheet facing the absorbent and is not exposed on the surface of the topsheet opposite the absorbent, so that the topsheet is interposed between the cooling layer and the skin when worn. This prevents the cooling agent from providing a strong irritation when worn and maintains the cooling effect. Furthermore, because the cooling layer is not exposed, the cooling agent is less likely to come into contact with the manufacturing equipment during the manufacturing process.

[0010] Alternatively, the topsheet may be textured, and the cooling layer may be embedded in recesses formed on the surface of the topsheet facing the absorbent body by the textured surface.

[0011] In such a configuration, the cooling layer is easily held on the surface of the topsheet facing the absorbent body.

[0012] The top sheet may also be made of a nonwoven fabric.

[0013] In such a configuration, the cooling layer is more easily held on the surface of the topsheet facing the absorbent body, and the surface of the topsheet is less likely to become sticky.

[0014] The top sheet may also be made of an air-through nonwoven fabric.

[0015] In such a configuration, the air-through nonwoven fabric is bulky and therefore can be easily textured.

[0016] The top sheet may also be made of an air-through nonwoven fabric using full-dull yarn.

[0017] In such a configuration, the full dull yarn is often colored white or the like, so that if the cooling layer is colored white or the like, for example, the appearance of a foreign body can be reduced.

[0018] The cooling layer may also have microcapsules containing a cooling agent.

[0019] In such a configuration, the microcapsules are broken in response to the wearer's movements, and the cooling agent that acts as the cooling component is released as needed, making it possible to maintain a moderate cooling effect for a long period of time.

[0020] The cooling agent may have a viscosity of 30 to 80 mPa.

[0021] In such a configuration, the cooling agent is less likely to appear on the surface of the topsheet opposite the absorbent body.

[0022] Further, a method for manufacturing an absorbent article includes the steps of: a step of laminating a backsheet on one side of the absorbent body; a step of laminating a cooling layer containing a cooling agent on the other surface of the absorbent body; The method may further include a step of transferring the cooling layer to the topsheet by laminating a topsheet on the other surface of the absorbent body.

[0023] In such a configuration, a cooling layer is laminated on the other side of the absorbent body, and then a top sheet is laminated on the other side of the absorbent body, thereby transferring the cooling layer to the top sheet, making it less likely for the cooling layer to appear on the side of the top sheet opposite the absorbent body.

[0024] The other surface of the absorbent body may be formed of an SMS nonwoven fabric in which a spunbond layer, a meltblown layer, and a spunbond layer are laminated together. The name SMS nonwoven fabric is derived from the initials of the spunbond layer, meltblown layer, and spunbond layer.

[0025] In such a configuration, the meltblown layer makes it difficult for the cooling layer to adhere to the other surface of the absorbent body and to penetrate into the absorbent body, thereby making it easier for the cooling layer to be transferred to the top sheet.

[0026] Alternatively, the cooling layer may be laminated on the other surface of the absorbent body by slot coating.

[0027] In this configuration, scattering or rebound of the cooling agent can be prevented when the cooling agent is applied to the other surface of the absorbent body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, the cooling sensation effect can be sustained without causing strong irritation when worn, and the cooling sensation agent can be made less likely to come into contact with the manufacturing equipment during the manufacturing process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention, viewed from the skin-facing side. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a laminated portion of the top sheet and absorbent body of the absorbent article shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing the absorbent article shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the absorbent article shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining differences in cooling effect obtained depending on the arrangement position of the cooling layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, identical or corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description may be omitted. Furthermore, deviations in the orthogonal, left-right, and other directions are permitted to the extent that they do not impair the functions and effects of the embodiments. The shape of the corners is not limited to right angles and may be rounded in an arched shape. Orthogonal may also include being approximately orthogonal. In this specification, the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article 1 is designated D1, and the width direction of the absorbent article 1, which is orthogonal to the front-to-back direction, is designated D2. The front-to-back direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction of a human body wearing the absorbent article 1, and the width direction corresponds to the left-to-right direction of the human body wearing the absorbent article 1. In this specification, the surface of the absorbent article 1 that faces the human body is designated the skin side, and the surface of the absorbent article 1 opposite the skin side is designated the non-skin side.

[0031] <Configuration of absorbent article> First, the configuration of the absorbent article in this embodiment will be described.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention as seen from the skin-facing side. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the laminated portion of the top sheet 10 and absorbent body 30 of the absorbent article 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] The absorbent article 1 in this embodiment has a shape for being worn so as to face the excretory opening for bodily fluids (menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, urine, etc.), and is, for example, a flat, elongated article with the longitudinal direction in the front-to-rear direction D1. Specific examples of the absorbent article 1 include sanitary napkins, panty liners (discharge sheets), and light incontinence pads. In this specification, the absorbent article will be mainly described as a sanitary napkin.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent article 1 has a liquid-permeable top sheet 10, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 20, and an absorbent body 30 sandwiched between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20.

[0035] The back sheet 20 is an example of the back sheet of the present invention. The back sheet 20 can be made of a sheet material that is at least water-proof, such as an olefin resin sheet made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. It can also be made of a laminated nonwoven fabric in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated on a polyethylene sheet, or a laminated sheet of nonwoven fabric that is substantially liquid-impermeable by inserting a waterproof film therebetween. It can also be made of a moisture-permeable material.

[0036] The top sheet 10 is an example of a surface sheet in the present invention. The top sheet 10 may be a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic sheet, or the like. Materials constituting the nonwoven fabric include, for example, olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and blends thereof, as well as natural fibers such as cotton, either alone or in combination of two or more. In this embodiment, the top sheet 10 is preferably made of an air-through nonwoven fabric using full-dull yarn.

[0037] The top sheet 10 is textured to form minute depressions 11 on the surface facing the absorbent body 30, as shown in FIG.

[0038] The absorbent body 30 is constructed by encasing an absorbent material 31 between wrapping materials 32a and 32b. The absorbent material 31 is not limited to any material capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, but preferably contains a flocculent pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. Examples of water-absorbent polymers that can be used include superabsorbent polymer (SAP), superabsorbent fiber (SAF), and combinations thereof. Examples of pulp include chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Pulp may be hardwood pulp obtained from hardwoods, softwood pulp obtained from softwoods, or a mixture of these. Pulp may also be recycled pulp regenerated from used pulp. The wrapping material 32a covers the surface and sides of the absorbent material 31 facing the backsheet 20 and also partially covers the surface facing the topsheet 10. The packaging material 32b covers, like a lid, the portion of the surface of the absorbent 31 facing the top sheet 10 that is not covered by the packaging material 32a. The packaging materials 32a and 32b may be made of nonwoven fabric or crepe paper. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use an SMS nonwoven fabric, which is a laminate of a spunbond layer, a meltblown layer, and a spunbond layer, as the packaging materials 32a and 32b. In this case, of the packaging materials 32a and 32b, only the packaging material 32b may be made of an SMS nonwoven fabric.

[0039] The thickness of the absorbent body 30 may be 0.5 to 25 mm. The absorbent body 30 may have a bulging structure in the area corresponding to the bodily fluid outlet (area corresponding to the bodily fluid outlet) and in the area behind the area corresponding to the bodily fluid outlet that faces the gluteal crease. The absorbent body 30 has dimensions and a shape that do not protrude from the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20, and the outer edges of the front and rear edges of the absorbent body 30 are joined to the back sheet 20 and the top sheet 10 by an adhesive such as hot melt, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like.

[0040] Furthermore, side sheets 40a, 40b may be provided on the outer lateral sides of the absorbent body 30, at both ends in the width direction D2, along the front-to-rear direction D1. Water-repellent treated nonwoven fabric or hydrophilic treated nonwoven fabric can be used as the side sheets 40a, 40b. The side sheets 40a, 40b are joined to the back sheet 20 and the top sheet 10 while covering the lateral sides of the absorbent body 30. The side sheets 40a, 40b may also be joined to the back sheet 20 and the top sheet 10 by adhesives such as hot melt, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or other bonding means.

[0041] 1 to 3, the absorbent article 1 is of a so-called wingless type, but it may be configured as an article with wings that extend to the sides. The wings may be formed by joining the side sheets 40a, 40b and the back sheet 20.

[0042] Furthermore, an anti-slip adhesive portion may be provided on the back sheet 20 side (non-skin side, i.e., the side facing the underwear when worn) of the absorbent article 1 to prevent the absorbent article 1 from slipping off from the underwear when attached to the underwear. The anti-slip adhesive portion is formed, for example, in the shape of multiple strips extending in the front-to-rear direction D1 or the width direction D2.

[0043] The overall length of the absorbent article 1 can be 140 to 430 mm, and the width of the absorbent article 1 (the width of the main body excluding the wings if the absorbent article has wings) can be 40 to 130 mm.

[0044] The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment further includes a cooling layer 50 laminated on a portion of each of the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30 and the surface of the absorbent body 30 facing the top sheet 10. As described above, minute recesses 11 are formed on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30. Therefore, the cooling layer 50 laminated on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30 is embedded in the recesses 11. A small gap 51 is formed between the cooling layer 50 laminated on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30 and the cooling layer 50 laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30 facing the top sheet 10. The cooling layer 50 may be composed of microcapsules encapsulating a cooling agent. The cooling agent may be a liquid medicine that provides a cooling effect, such as menthol or peppermint oil. In this case, the viscosity of the cooling agent is preferably 30 to 80 mPa. The microcapsules used may be crushable, meaning that they are destroyed when pressure is applied.

[0045] The absorbent article 1 configured in this manner is worn with the top sheet 10 facing the skin.

[0046] <Method for manufacturing absorbent articles> Next, a method for manufacturing the absorbent article 1 configured as above will be described.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing the absorbent article 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the absorbent article 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, showing a stacked state.

[0048] When manufacturing the absorbent article 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, first, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the absorbent body 30 is laminated on the back sheet 20 (step S1). As a result, the back sheet 20 is laminated on the back surface of the absorbent body 30. As described above, the absorbent body 30 and the back sheet 20 may be joined at the front and rear edge portions of the absorbent body 30 by an adhesive such as hot melt, or by an adhesive means such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. Furthermore, when an adhesive such as hot melt is used, the adhesive may be applied in a predetermined pattern rather than being applied solidly over the entire surface of the absorbent body 30 or the back sheet 20.

[0049] Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the cooling layer 50 is laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30 (step S2). In this embodiment, the surface of the absorbent body 30 refers to the side of the absorbent material 31 covered by the packaging material 32b. As described above, the cooling layer 50 is formed by applying a solution containing microcapsules encapsulating a cooling agent to the surface of the absorbent body 30. If the solution is applied by spraying, the solution may bounce back when it hits the surface of the absorbent body 30, resulting in the solution scattering. Furthermore, if the cooling agent constituting the cooling layer 50 is viscous, it is difficult to atomize it using air pressure. Therefore, it is preferable to apply a solution containing microcapsules encapsulating a cooling agent to the surface of the absorbent body 30 by a slot coating method. This prevents the cooling agent from scattering or scattering when it is applied to the surface of the absorbent body 30.

[0050] The order of steps S1 and S2 may be reversed; that is, the cooling layer 50 may be laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30, and then the absorbent body 30 may be laminated on the backsheet 20.

[0051] Next, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the top sheet 10 is laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30 on which the cooling layer 50 has been laminated (step S3). At this time, the top sheet 10 has already been textured, and recesses 11 have been created by the textured surface on one side. Therefore, the top sheet 10 is laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30 so that the side with the recesses 11 faces the absorbent body 30. As a result, the cooling layer 50 laminated on the absorbent body 30 is also laminated on the side of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30, but the cooling layer 50 is not exposed on the side of the top sheet 10 opposite the absorbent body 30. As described above, the absorbent body 30 and the top sheet 10 may be joined at the front and rear edge portions of the absorbent body 30 by an adhesive such as hot melt, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like. Furthermore, when an adhesive such as hot melt is used, the adhesive may be applied in a predetermined pattern rather than being applied solidly over the entire surface of the absorbent body 30 or the top sheet 10.

[0052] 5(d), the solvent in the solution containing the microcapsules that make up the cooling layer 50 dries, and the cooling layer 50 made of the microcapsules is transferred to the surface of the top sheet 10 that faces the absorbent body 30 (step S4). By transferring the cooling layer 50 to the surface of the top sheet 10 that faces the absorbent body 30 in this way, a small gap 51 is formed between the cooling layer 50 laminated on the surface of the top sheet 10 that faces the absorbent body 30 and the cooling layer 50 laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30 that faces the top sheet 10, as shown in FIG. 3. The cooling layer 50 transferred from the absorbent body 30 to the surface of the top sheet 10 that faces the absorbent body 30 enters the recesses 11 that are formed on the surface of the top sheet 10 that faces the absorbent body 30.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, the cooling layer 50 is not directly laminated on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30, but is laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30, and then the top sheet 10 is laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30, thereby transferring the cooling layer 50 to the top sheet 10. This makes it difficult for the cooling layer 50 to appear on the surface of the top sheet 10 opposite the absorbent body 30.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, it is preferable that at least the packaging material 32b of the absorbent body 30, out of the packaging materials 32a and 32b, be an SMS nonwoven fabric formed by laminating a spunbond layer, a meltblown layer, and a spunbond layer. The meltblown layer has properties that make it difficult for microcapsules to adhere to the surface and difficult for liquids to permeate. Therefore, if an SMS nonwoven fabric is used as the packaging material 32b of the absorbent body 30, the cooling layer 50 laminated on the surface of the absorbent body 30 will not easily adhere to the surface of the absorbent body 30 and will not easily penetrate into the absorbent body 30, which will make it easier for the cooling layer 50 to be transferred to the top sheet 10.

[0055] <Absorbent article function> Next, the function of the absorbent article 1 described above will be described.

[0056] As described above, the absorbent article 1 in this embodiment is worn with the top sheet 10 facing the skin. In this case, the cooling layer 50 containing a cooling agent to produce a cooling effect is laminated on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30, but the cooling layer 50 is not exposed on the skin side, which is the surface of the top sheet 10 opposite the absorbent body 30. Therefore, when worn, the top sheet 10 is interposed between the cooling layer 50 and the skin, which prevents the strong irritation caused by the cooling agent when worn and maintains the cooling effect.

[0057] Furthermore, since the cooling layer 50 is not exposed, the cooling agent constituting the cooling layer 50 is less likely to come into contact with manufacturing equipment such as cutting blades when the absorbent article 1 is cut in the manufacturing process.

[0058] In addition, the top sheet 10 is textured, and the cooling layer 50 enters into recesses 11 created by the textured surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30. This makes it easier for the cooling layer 50 to be held on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30.

[0059] Furthermore, the cooling layer 50 is microscopically separated into a portion transferred to the top sheet 10 side and a portion laminated on the absorbent body 30 side by the above-mentioned transfer process to the top sheet 10. Therefore, a small microscopic gap 51 is formed between the two, which increases the cooling effect of the cooling layer 50 and makes it possible to maintain the cooling effect for a long period of time.

[0060] Furthermore, if the top sheet 10 is made of a nonwoven fabric, the cooling layer 50 is more easily retained on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30, and the surface of the top sheet 10 is less likely to become sticky. Among nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics are bulky and fluffy. Therefore, using an air-through nonwoven fabric as the top sheet 10 makes it easier to apply textured processing. Furthermore, full-dull yarns can be colored white or other colors to prevent transparency. Therefore, for example, if the cooling layer 50 is colored white or other colors, constructing the top sheet 10 from an air-through nonwoven fabric using full-dull yarns can make the cooling layer 50 less noticeable and reduce the visual feeling of a foreign body. In particular, when the microcapsules that make up the cooling layer 50 are applied with a high basis weight, the microcapsules may bond to each other to form a coating, which may visually cause a foreign body feeling. Therefore, constructing the top sheet 10 from an air-through nonwoven fabric using full-dull yarns can reduce the visual feeling of a foreign body.

[0061] Furthermore, the cooling layer 50 is configured with microcapsules containing a cooling agent, and the microcapsules are broken when pressure is applied, releasing the encapsulated material. Therefore, by configuring the cooling layer 50 with microcapsules containing a cooling agent, the microcapsules are broken in response to the movement of the wearer of the absorbent article 1, and the cooling agent, which serves as the cooling component, is released as needed. This makes it possible to maintain a moderate cooling effect over a long period of time while having an immediate effect in response to the movement of the wearer of the absorbent article 1.

[0062] Furthermore, if the cooling agent constituting the cooling layer 50 has a viscosity of 30 to 80 mPa, for example, when the cooling agent is encapsulated in microcapsules, the cooling agent released when the microcapsules are ruptured is less likely to appear on the side of the top sheet 10 opposite the absorbent body 30. If the cooling agent is not encapsulated in microcapsules and the viscosity of the cooling agent is too low, the cooling agent will penetrate the absorbent body 30 when applied to the absorbent body 30, making it difficult to transfer to the top sheet 10. Furthermore, if the viscosity of the cooling agent is too high when not encapsulated in microcapsules, there is a risk that the cooling agent will appear on the side of the top sheet 10 opposite the absorbent body 30 due to the pressure applied to make the absorbent article 1 have a predetermined thickness when the top sheet 10 is layered on the absorbent body 30. Therefore, if the cooling sensation agent constituting the cooling sensation layer 50 has a viscosity of 30 to 80 mPa, the cooling sensation layer 50 can be easily transferred to the top sheet 10, and the cooling sensation agent constituting the cooling sensation layer 50 can be less likely to appear on the side of the top sheet 10 opposite the absorbent body 30.

[0063] For reference, the difference in cooling effect obtained depending on the position of the cooling layer 50 was evaluated.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the difference in cooling effect obtained depending on the arrangement position of the cooling layer 50.

[0065] The cooling sensation was evaluated on a seven-point scale to see how it differed over time in the following cases: when the cooling layer 50 was held only on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30; when the cooling layer 50 was held only on an intermediate fiber layer (also called a second sheet or intermediate sheet) provided between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30; and when the cooling layer 50 was held only on the absorbent body 30. In the above-described embodiment, no intermediate fiber layer was provided between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30. However, in order to evaluate the cooling sensation when the cooling layer 50 was held only on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30, the case where the cooling layer 50 was held only on the intermediate fiber layer provided between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30 was also evaluated.

[0066] 6, the scores for a very strong sense of coolness were assigned 7 points, a strong sense of coolness 6 points, a moderate sense of coolness 5 points, a neutral sense of coolness 4 points, a moderate sense of coolness 3 points, a weak sense of coolness 2 points, and a very weak sense of coolness 1 point, and the scores were multiplied by the number of evaluators for each category, added together, and then divided by the total number of evaluators to obtain the average value. The change in the average value when the cooling layer 50 is held only on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30 is shown by a solid line, the change in the average value when the cooling layer 50 is held only on the intermediate fiber layer provided between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30 is shown by a dashed line, and the change in the average value when the cooling layer 50 is held only on the absorbent body 30 is shown by a dashed line.

[0067] As a result, as shown in Figure 6, when the cooling layer 50 is held only on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30, when the cooling layer 50 is held only on the intermediate fiber layer provided between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30, and when the cooling layer 50 is held only on the absorbent body 30, the result was that the cooling sensation was greatest when the cooling layer 50 was held only on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30.

[0068] Therefore, as in this embodiment, by retaining the cooling layer 50 on the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the absorbent body 30, it becomes easier to obtain a cooling effect, eliminating discomfort when wearing the absorbent article 1 and improving wearing comfort. In such a configuration, the cooling layer 50 is not exposed on the surface of the top sheet 10 opposite the absorbent body 30, so the cooling effect can be maintained without causing strong irritation when worn, and the cooling agent can be made less likely to come into contact with the manufacturing equipment during the manufacturing process. In addition, when comparing the amount of the cooling layer 50 fixed onto the top sheet 10 and the amount of the cooling layer 50 fixed onto the absorbent body 30, it is preferable that the amount of the cooling layer 50 fixed onto the top sheet 10 is greater.

[0069] In this embodiment, the top sheet 10 is laminated on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 30, and the cooling layer 50 is laminated between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30. However, a second sheet may be interposed between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30. As with the top sheet 10, the second sheet may be made of a liquid-permeable material such as a nonwoven fabric. When a second sheet is interposed between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30, the cooling layer 50 may be laminated on the skin-facing side of the second sheet, and then the top sheet 10 may be laminated thereon, thereby transferring the cooling layer 50 to the surface of the top sheet 10 facing the second sheet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Absorbent articles 10 Topsheet 11 Recess 20 Back Seat 30 absorber 31 Absorbent material 32a,32b Packaging material 40a, 40b Side sheets 50 Cool layer 51 void

Claims

1. An absorbent article configured by sandwiching an absorbent body between a top sheet and a back sheet, the top sheet being worn as the skin-facing side, A cooling layer containing a cooling agent is laminated on the surface of the top sheet facing the absorbent body, The absorbent article, wherein the cooling layer is not exposed on the surface of the topsheet opposite to the absorbent body.

2. The surface sheet is textured, The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling layer is embedded in a recess formed by the uneven surface treatment on the surface of the topsheet facing the absorbent body.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2 , wherein the top sheet is made of a nonwoven fabric.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3 , wherein the top sheet is made of an air-through nonwoven fabric.

5. 5. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the topsheet is made of an air-through nonwoven fabric using full-dull yarn.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling layer has microcapsules containing a cooling agent.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the cooling agent has a viscosity of 30 to 80 mPa.

8. a step of laminating a backsheet on one side of the absorbent body; a step of laminating a cooling layer containing a cooling agent on the other surface of the absorbent body; and a step of laminating a top sheet on the other surface of the absorbent body to transfer the cooling layer to the top sheet.

9. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 8 , wherein the other surface of the absorbent body is formed of an SMS nonwoven fabric in which a spunbond layer, a meltblown layer, and a spunbond layer are laminated.

10. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 8 , wherein the cooling layer is laminated on the other surface of the absorbent body by a slot coating method.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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