Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that is capable of easily detecting a biomarker in urine and deepening understanding of a health condition of a user.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 10 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 on a skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 on a non-skin side, and an absorbent body 13 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12. The absorbent article includes a disease determination sheet 14, which is disposed between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent body 13 and is capable of detecting a biomarker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Human urine contains various biomarkers, which can indicate potential risk for various diseases. Diabetes, a typical lifestyle-related disease, tends to have a higher prevalence with age, which also overlaps with the age group in which urinary incontinence is more common. Furthermore, according to the results of the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, one in four diabetic patients receives no treatment. Because the disease progresses without noticeable symptoms, many people, especially those in their prime working years, develop the disease without ever seeking medical attention. Therefore, increasing the rate of diabetes consultations among the working generation is crucial for early detection. Furthermore, as diabetes progresses, the peripheral nervous system, which controls urination, can become impaired, leading to urinary incontinence, suggesting a strong connection between diabetes and urinary incontinence.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a health management device for measuring urinary glucose levels in the low concentration range and managing the risk of diabetes at home or for individuals.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a kit for detecting biomarkers in sanitary products by further absorbing a liquid reagent for detecting biomarkers into sanitary products that have absorbed urine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-270241 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-132371 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The health management device described in Patent Document 1 requires a urine glucose meter to be installed in the home, which is costly and requires the effort of collecting urine and measuring it, making it inconvenient.

[0007] The kit described in Patent Document 1 requires that the sanitary product absorbing urine (the absorbent article after urination) be brought to a medical institution, making the process for detecting the biomarker complicated. Furthermore, if there is a problem with the sanitary management of the absorbent article after urination, the biomarker may not necessarily be detected correctly.

[0008] Therefore, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article that can easily detect biomarkers in urine and deepen the user's understanding of their health condition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and further comprising a disease determination sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body and capable of detecting biomarkers.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article of the first aspect, wherein the disease determination sheet is tissue paper or nonwoven fabric, the width of the disease determination sheet is 5% to 30% of the width of the absorber, the length of the disease determination sheet in the longitudinal direction is 10% to 30% of the length of the absorber in the longitudinal direction, and the basis weight of the disease determination sheet is 30 g / m 2 More than 200g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article of the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the entire absorbent body is wrapped in a core wrap sheet of tissue paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can easily detect biomarkers in urine and deepen the user's understanding of their health condition. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the skin side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a method for measuring absorption rate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] In this specification, "wearing an absorbent article" refers to a state in which the absorbent article is attached to the body, regardless of whether the absorbent article is worn before, during, or after absorbing bodily fluids. Furthermore, "left-right direction" refers to the left-right direction as seen from a wearer facing forward. Furthermore, "longitudinal direction" refers to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, a direction that runs along the front and back of the wearer when worn, and is the direction indicated by arrow X in the drawings. Furthermore, the inner side in the longitudinal direction refers to the direction toward the center in the longitudinal direction, and the outer side in the longitudinal direction refers to the direction away from the center in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, "width direction" refers to the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction, a direction that runs along the left and right sides of the wearer when worn, and is the direction indicated by arrow Y in the drawings. Furthermore, the inner side in the width direction refers to the direction toward the center in the width direction, and the outer side in the width direction refers to the direction away from the center in the width direction. Furthermore, "thickness direction" refers to the direction in which each component is layered, and is the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) both the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and is the direction along arrow Z in the figure. Furthermore, "skin side" refers to the direction in the thickness direction that faces the body of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, and "non-skin side" refers to the direction in the thickness direction opposite to the skin side. Furthermore, body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0016] (Absorbent articles) Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the absorbent article.

[0017] The absorbent article 10 according to this embodiment can be used as various absorbent articles for both adults and children, and representative examples include light incontinence pads, urine absorption pads, pants-type disposable diapers, tape-fastened disposable diapers, sanitary products, etc. Among these, the absorbent article 10 is preferably an absorbent article for absorbing urine, such as a light incontinence pad, urine absorption pad, or disposable diaper.

[0018] 1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 on the non-skin side, an absorbent body 13 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12, and a disease determination sheet 14 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent body 13. In addition to these, the absorbent article 10 may comprise left and right three-dimensional gathers 15 extending in the longitudinal direction (X direction) on both sides of the skin side of the top sheet 11 in the width direction (Y direction).

[0019] (Top sheet) The top sheet 11 is a liquid-permeable sheet-like substrate that allows bodily fluids to pass quickly toward the absorbent body 13 and diffuse the bodily fluids in the plane direction of the absorbent body 13. The top sheet 11 is a sheet that is positioned on the skin side when worn and is arranged opposite the back sheet 12 with the absorbent body 13 in between. The top sheet 11 is preferably a substrate that is soft to the touch and does not irritate the skin so that it may come into direct contact with the wearer's skin. Examples of the substrate include hydrophilic sheets, composite nonwoven fabrics that are laminates of the same or different hydrophilic sheets, apertured films such as apertured polyethylene films, and foamed films such as polyethylene foam and urethane foam. Examples of hydrophilic sheets include air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, and spunbonded nonwoven fabrics made from one or more of synthetic fibers made from synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton.

[0020] In order to reduce irritation to the skin, the top sheet 11 may contain lotion, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory component, pH adjuster, antibacterial agent, moisturizer, etc. The shape of the top sheet 11 is not particularly limited, and it may be of any shape as long as it has a size required to guide bodily fluids to the absorbent body 13 without leakage and covers part or all of the absorbent body 13.

[0021] (back seat) The backsheet 12 is a sheet positioned away from the skin when worn. The backsheet 12 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate that prevents body fluids held by the absorbent body 13 from wetting the wearer's clothing. Examples of such substrates include resin films and composite sheets that are laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics. The nonwoven fabrics used in the composite sheets may be produced by any method, and examples include single-layer nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates and spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbonded nonwoven fabric laminates, and composite materials thereof. Examples of resin films include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0022] It is preferable that the back sheet 12 be breathable to prevent stuffiness during wear. To provide breathability to the back sheet 12, for example, a filler may be blended into the resin film substrate or the back sheet 12 may be embossed. An example of the filler is calcium carbonate, and the blending method may be any known method without limitation.

[0023] (absorbent) The absorbent body 13 is a member capable of absorbing and retaining mainly bodily fluids, and includes a bodily fluid absorbing material, preferably including absorbent fibers as a base material and a bodily fluid absorbing material retained in the absorbent fibers. The shape of the absorbent body 13 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangular, oval, hourglass, etc.

[0024] (absorbent fiber) The absorbent fiber used as the base material of the absorber 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is one generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, and urine absorption pads, and may be formed from materials such as fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, etc. Examples of fluff pulp include wood pulp, synthetic fiber, polymer fiber, non-wood pulp, etc., which have been defibrated into a cotton-like state.

[0025] (body fluid absorbing material) The body fluid absorbing material of the absorber 13 is not particularly limited as long as it absorbs and retains body fluids, and examples thereof include super absorbent polymers (SAPs). Examples of SAPs include polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof. Among these, from the viewpoint of absorption per weight, polyacrylates are preferred, alkali metal polyacrylates are more preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is even more preferred. SAPs can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0026] SAP is used in the form of particles, fibers, etc., for example, but is preferably used in the form of particles from the viewpoint of ease of handling, etc. In this case, by avoiding the use of SAP in the form of a fine powder that has poor fluidity as a powder and using SAP with a medium particle size, it is possible to improve basic absorption performance and reduce the rough feel that occurs when the absorbent body 13 hardens.

[0027] The absorbent fibers and SAP in the absorbent body 13 may be in the form of a mixture of absorbent fibers and SAP particles, or may be an SAP sheet with SAP particles fixed between absorbent fibers. Another form of absorbent body 13 is an absorbent sheet containing multiple hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics and SAP fixed between the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics.

[0028] (Core wrap sheet) From the viewpoint of suppressing interaction between the SAP in the absorbent body 13 and the disease determination sheet 14 described below, it is preferable that the entire absorbent body 13 be wrapped in a core wrap sheet 16. The base material of the core wrap sheet 16 may be any hydrophilic material, such as thin paper (such as tissue), absorbent paper, or hydrophilic nonwoven fabric such as airlaid nonwoven fabric. Among these, it is preferable that the core wrap sheet 16 be thin paper. Note that while the core wrap sheet 16 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being cylindrical, it is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and both widthwise ends of the core wrap sheet 16 may overlap each other on the skin side (top sheet 11 side) of the absorbent body 13, or may overlap each other on the non-skin side (back sheet 12 side) of the absorbent body 13.

[0029] The basis weight of the core wrap sheet 16 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 g / m 2 More than 30g / m 2 The basis weight of the core wrap sheet 16 is preferably 10 g / m or less. 2 On the other hand, if the basis weight of the core wrap sheet 16 is less than 30 g / m, the operability may be reduced. 2 If it is larger than this, it may affect the wearability and may deteriorate the water absorption rate, which is not preferable.

[0030] (3D gathers) To prevent side leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the wearer, left and right three-dimensional gathers 15 may be provided on both the left and right sides of the skin-side surface of the absorbent article 10. The three-dimensional gathers 15 are provided on both widthwise ends of the skin-side surface of the top sheet 11, extending along the longitudinal direction. The three-dimensional gathers include a water-repellent and / or waterproof gathered sheet, and an elastic, stretchable member such as rubber thread that is provided on the free end side (inner end side in the widthwise direction) of the gathered sheet to provide it with standing ability.

[0031] (Disease assessment sheet) The disease determination sheet 14 is a sheet capable of detecting biomarkers in urine, and is placed between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent body 13. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the entire absorbent body 13 is wrapped in a core wrap sheet 16, so the disease determination sheet 14 is placed between the core wrap sheet 16 located on the skin side of the absorbent body 13 and the top sheet 11. The shape of the disease determination sheet 14 is not particularly limited, and examples include a rectangular, circular, and elliptical shape.

[0032] The urinary biomarker is not particularly limited as long as it is present in urine and can be used to diagnose a disease, but is preferably a chemical substance such as albumin or glucose.

[0033] The disease determination sheet 14 has a reagent added to a sheet base material. The sheet base material of the disease determination sheet 14 is preferably thin paper (tissue, etc.) or nonwoven fabric having hydrophilic properties. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ease of confirmation, the reagent added to the disease determination sheet 14 is preferably a reagent that indicates the presence of a biomarker by coloring (a color reagent). By using a color reagent, the user can easily make a judgment, and the absorbent article 10 can be used as a simple means of determination to recommend detailed examination at a hospital.

[0034] (Disease assessment sheet dimensions) The widthwise length (maximum length) W2 of the disease determination sheet 14 is preferably 5% to 30% of the widthwise length (maximum length) W1 of the absorber 13. If the widthwise length W2 of the disease determination sheet 14 is less than 5% of the widthwise length W1 of the absorber 13, a sufficient amount of excrement may not be applied to the disease determination sheet 14, and operability may also be affected. On the other hand, if the widthwise length W2 of the disease determination sheet 14 is greater than 30% of the widthwise length W1 of the absorber 13, not only will the absorption rate of the absorber 13 located on the non-skin side of the disease determination sheet 14 be significantly affected, but excrement (urine) may also be dispersed, making it difficult to detect biomarkers.

[0035] Furthermore, the longitudinal length (maximum length) L2 of the disease determination sheet 14 is preferably 10% to 30% of the longitudinal length (maximum length) L1 of the absorbent 13. If the longitudinal length L2 of the disease determination sheet 14 is less than 10% of the longitudinal length L1 of the absorbent 13, a sufficient amount of excrement will not be applied to the disease determination sheet 14, and operability may also be affected. On the other hand, if the longitudinal length L2 of the disease determination sheet 14 is greater than 30% of the longitudinal length L1 of the absorbent 13, not only will the absorption rate of the absorbent 13 located on the non-skin side of the disease determination sheet 14 be significantly affected, but excrement (urine) will also be dispersed, potentially making biomarker detection difficult. Furthermore, the disease determination sheet 14 may reduce the flexibility of the absorbent 13, potentially reducing wearability.

[0036] (Basis weight of disease assessment sheet) The basis weight of the disease assessment sheet 14 is 30 g / m 2 More than 200g / m 2 The basis weight of the disease assessment sheet 14 is preferably 30 g / m or less. 2 If the basis weight of the disease assessment sheet 14 is smaller than 200 g / m, not only will it not be possible to absorb a sufficient amount of excrement for detecting biomarkers, but it may also affect operability. 2 If the thickness is greater than this, the fabric will become thicker, which may affect wearability. Basis weight can be measured in accordance with JIS P8124. Basis weight is measured after maintaining the fabric in equilibrium under the temperature and humidity conditions specified in JIS P8111 (23±1°C, 50±2% RH).

[0037] The absorbent article 10 configured as described above includes a disease determination sheet 14 capable of detecting biomarkers between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent body 13. Therefore, the user of the absorbent article 10 can check the disease determination sheet immediately after wearing the absorbent article 10 and excreting. This allows the user to easily know the risk of diseases such as diabetes, and easily deepen their understanding of their own health condition.

[0038] Furthermore, by using a color reagent as the reagent added to the disease determination sheet 14, after wearing the absorbent article 10 and excreting, the color of the disease determination sheet 14 can be confirmed by looking at the surface (absorbent surface) of the top sheet 11 of the absorbent article 10. This makes it easier to know the risk of disease and to easily deepen one's understanding of one's own health condition.

[0039] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an absorbent article 10 that can easily detect biomarkers in urine and deepen the user's understanding of their health condition.

[0040] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Example]

[0041] Below, examples and comparative examples are given to explain more preferred examples of this embodiment. Note that the following explanation is about examples of absorbent articles (more preferred examples of this embodiment) that can maintain good absorbency in addition to solving the problems of the present invention. In other words, all of the absorbent articles in the examples and comparative examples described below can solve the problems of the present invention. The present invention is not limited in any way by the following examples.

[0042] (Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5) Absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were produced under the conditions shown in Table 1. In these absorbent articles, as described above, a disease determination sheet was placed between the top sheet and the absorbent body. The entire absorbent body was wrapped in a core wrap sheet. The following five items ("absorption speed," "amount of liquid return," "comfort during use (before absorption)," "comfort during use (after absorption)," and "amount of water absorption by the detection sheet") were measured or evaluated for each absorbent article. In Table 1, the disease determination sheet is referred to as "detection sheet," and the core wrap sheet is referred to as "core wrap."

[0043] (Absorption rate) The "absorption rate" was evaluated based on the absorption time measured after injecting saline into each absorbent article. The "absorption rate" was measured using the following method. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the method for measuring the absorption rate (absorption time).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, first, an absorbent article serving as sample S is spread out on a horizontal table 100 and fixed to the table 100 (for example, by fixing both sides in a predetermined direction with packing tape). Next, an absorption rate measurement jig 200 is placed in the center of sample S. The absorption rate measurement jig 200 is an acrylic jig having a rectangular bottom plate 200a and a tubular portion 200b extending upward from the center of the bottom plate 200a, with the lower end of the tubular portion 200b penetrating the bottom plate 200a. Next, two weights 300 are placed on the bottom plate 200a so as to sandwich the tubular portion 200b of the absorption rate measurement jig 200 from both sides. Next, saline (150 ml) is poured into the tubular portion 200b from above, and the time from the pouring until the saline level is completely absorbed by the sample S is measured in seconds to two decimal places. This measured value is the absorption rate. The bottom plate 200a of the absorption rate measurement jig 200 has a width a of 100 mm and a length b of 140 mm. The cylindrical portion 200b of the absorption rate measurement jig 200 has an inner diameter of 36 mm and an outer diameter of 40 mm. The weight of the weight 300 is such that the load (pressure) acting on the sample S by the two weights 300 is 10 gf / cm. 2The physiological saline solution is an aqueous solution of NaCl with a concentration of 0.9% (w / w). The accuracy of the stopwatch is ±0.0008%.

[0045] The evaluation was carried out according to the following criteria. 〇: Water absorption time is less than 20 seconds ×: Water absorption time is 20 seconds or more

[0046] (amount of liquid returning) The evaluation of "amount of liquid return" is based on the amount of liquid return from each absorbent article measured after injecting saline into the absorbent article. When measuring the amount of liquid return, first, 450 mL of saline is injected through the top sheet into the center of the absorbent article in the longitudinal and width directions, and left to stand for 10 minutes. Next, a filter paper (NO. 2 manufactured by ADVANTEC, diameter 55 mm) whose weight before the test has been measured is placed in the center of the injected part of the top sheet of the absorbent article after leaving it to stand for 10 minutes, and a 35 g / cm2 solution is applied to the filter paper. 2 After one minute has passed since the weight was placed on the filter paper, the filter paper is removed and weighed after the test. The difference in weight (g) of the filter paper before and after the test is calculated, and this calculated value is the amount of liquid returning. Evaluation was then carried out according to the following criteria. 〇: Less than 0.1g of liquid leaked △: The amount of liquid returning is 0.1g or more but less than 1.0g ×: The amount of liquid returning is 1.0 g or more.

[0047] (Comfort during use (before absorption)) The evaluation of "comfort during use (before absorption)" was a sensory evaluation by 20 monitors, who wore each absorbent article while exercising and sitting and standing up, and rated the comfort on a three-point scale: 0 (uncomfortable), 1 (slightly bothersome), and 2 (comfortable). The total score for each absorbent article was then evaluated according to the following criteria. ○: Total score is 25 points or more △: Total score is between 15 and 25 points ×: Total points are less than 15 points

[0048] (Comfort during use (after absorption)) The "comfort during use (after absorption)" was evaluated by a sensory test conducted by 20 test subjects. They wore each absorbent article soaked in saline (0.9% NaCl aqueous solution) and performed exercise and sitting and standing movements. They rated the comfort on a three-point scale: 0 (uncomfortable), 1 (slightly bothersome), and 2 (comfortable). 300 mL of the saline solution was absorbed into the absorbent core of each absorbent article. The total score for each absorbent article was then evaluated according to the following criteria. ○: Total score is 25 points or more △: Total score is between 15 and 25 points ×: Total points are less than 15 points

[0049] (Water absorption amount of detection sheet) The evaluation of "water absorption amount of detection sheet" is based on the water absorption amount of the disease determination sheet (detection sheet). The "water absorption amount of detection sheet" was measured using the following measurement method. For disease determination sheets of the size and basis weight in each example and comparative example, one end was contacted with pure water, and the disease determination sheet was weighed 10 minutes after it began to absorb water. The difference in weight between this weight and the weight before the experiment was taken as the water absorption amount of the disease determination sheet. Evaluation was then performed according to the following criteria. 〇: Water absorption (weight difference) is 0.01g or more ×: Water absorption (weight difference) is less than 0.01g

[0050] The results obtained are shown in Table 1.

[0051] [Table 1]

[0052] As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that Example 1 could solve four problems related to absorbency and one problem related to the amount of reagent added, in addition to the problems of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10: Absorbent articles 11: Top sheet 12: Back seat 13: Absorbent 14:Disease assessment sheet 16: Core wrap sheet

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, A disease determination sheet capable of detecting biomarkers is provided between the top sheet and the absorbent body. An absorbent article characterized by:

2. The disease determination sheet is made of tissue paper or nonwoven fabric, The width of the disease determination sheet is 5% to 30% of the width of the absorbent body, The longitudinal length of the disease determination sheet is 10% or more and 30% or less of the longitudinal length of the absorbent body, The basis weight of the disease assessment sheet is 30 g / m ２ More than 200g / m ２ is 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. The entire absorbent body is wrapped in a tissue paper core wrap sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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