Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article provided with three dimensional gathers for which the improvement of air permeability and leakage prevention are made compatible.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 10 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 on a skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet on a non-skin side, and an absorbent body 13 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet, wherein the absorbent article 10 includes a gather sheet 15, and includes a three dimensional gather 14 that is disposed on both sides of a skin-side surface of the top sheet 11 in a widthwise direction so as to extend in a longitudinal direction and is capable of standing from a proximal end 14a side supported on the top sheet 11 side toward a distal end 14b side, and a Cut is provided in a part of the gather sheet 15 of the three dimensional gather 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable diaper. This diaper includes an absorbent body having a liquid-retaining absorbent core, a topsheet disposed on the skin-contacting side of the absorbent core, and an outer composite sheet disposed on the non-skin-contacting side of the absorbent core. The absorbent core has side sheets disposed and fixed via fixing parts on both longitudinal sides of the absorbent core. When worn, the side sheets form three-dimensional gathers on the widthwise inward side of the fixing parts, and leg gathers on the widthwise outward side of the fixing parts. The folded-back sheets in the side sheets, excluding the areas where the elastic members for forming the three-dimensional gathers and the areas where the elastic members for forming the leg gathers are disposed, are joined by a plurality of intermittently arranged fused parts to improve breathability and leak resistance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-090723 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The three-dimensional gathers provided in absorbent articles to prevent leakage are generally made of nonwoven fabric and therefore have breathability, but the breathability of the nonwoven fabrics generally used in three-dimensional gathers is not sufficient to eliminate stuffiness in the crotch area, and can cause skin problems such as itching and rashes in the crotch area.

[0005] In the diaper described in Patent Document 1, part of the side sheet functions as a standing gather to improve breathability, and the breathability is superior to that of conventional absorbent articles with a structure in which the standing gathers and leg gathers are separate (hereinafter referred to as a "separate structure"). However, because the standing gathers and leg gathers are integrated, there is a risk that the leak prevention performance of the diaper may be inferior to that of conventional absorbent articles with a separate structure.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article with three-dimensional gathers that achieves both improved breathability and leak prevention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet on the non-skin side, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, which has a gathered sheet, which is arranged to extend longitudinally on both sides of the width direction of the skin side of the top sheet, and which has three-dimensional gathers that can stand up from the base end side supported by the top sheet side to the tip end side, and a cut is provided in a part of the gathered sheet of the three-dimensional gathers.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to the first aspect, wherein the gathered sheet is folded back at the tip end of the three-dimensional gather, and has an inner sheet portion on the inside in the width direction when the three-dimensional gather is erected, and an outer sheet portion on the outside in the width direction, and the notch is provided in the inner sheet portion of the gathered sheet, but not in the outer sheet portion.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to the second aspect, wherein a plurality of the cuts are provided in the inner sheet portion of the gathered sheet.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the length of the slit is between 10% and 30% of the height of the three-dimensional gathers when the three-dimensional gathers are in an upright position.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the notches are inclined relative to the height direction of the three-dimensional gathers when the three-dimensional gathers are in an upright state, and the inclination angle of the acute side of the notches relative to the height direction of the three-dimensional gathers is 45 degrees or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article with three-dimensional gathers that achieves both improved breathability and leak prevention. [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. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the standing gathers. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the standing three-dimensional gathers of FIG. 3 as viewed from direction IV. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion V in FIG. 4. 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, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2 of a standing upright gather. Fig. 4 is an explanatory view showing the standing upright gather of Fig. 3 as viewed from the direction IV. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part V in Fig. 4. Figs. 2 and 3 show schematic cross sections of the absorbent article.

[0017] The absorbent article 10 according to this embodiment can be used as a variety of absorbent articles, not just for adults, but representative examples include light incontinence pads, urine absorption pads, pants-type disposable diapers, tape-fastened disposable diapers, sanitary products, etc.

[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 left and right three-dimensional gathers 14. In addition to these, a carrier sheet that wraps around the absorbent body 13, a transfer sheet that is disposed between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent body 13, etc. may also be provided.

[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] (absorber) 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. (absorbent fiber)

[0024] 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, recycled pulp, etc., which have been defibrated into a cotton-like state. (body fluid absorbing material)

[0025] 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] (3D gathers) As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the left and right three-dimensional gathers 14 are components for preventing leakage of bodily fluids outward in the width direction and are arranged to extend longitudinally on both widthwise sides of the skin-facing side of the top sheet 11. The left and right three-dimensional gathers 14 each have a water-repellent and / or waterproof gathered sheet 15 and are capable of standing up from a base end 14a supported by the top sheet 11 toward a tip 14b (free end) (see Figures 3 and 4). In addition to the gathered sheet 15, the left and right three-dimensional gathers 14 preferably have an elastic stretchable member 16, such as rubber thread, provided along the length of the tip 14b of the three-dimensional gathers 14. The provision of the elastic stretchable member 16 makes it easier for the three-dimensional gathers 14 to stand up. A slit 20 is provided in a portion of the gathered sheet 15 of each of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 14. The left and right three-dimensional gathers 14 are arranged symmetrically on the absorbent article 10 and have substantially the same configuration, so one will be described below and the other will not be described.

[0029] (Gathered sheet) The gathered sheet 15 is a water-repellent and / or waterproof sheet, and is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric for the gathered sheet 15 can be any water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers, and examples thereof include spunbonded nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, and composite nonwoven fabric (SMS nonwoven fabric) which is a spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbonded nonwoven fabric laminate. The outer ends (fixed ends) of the gathered sheet 15 in the width direction are fixed near both widthwise ends of the absorbent article 10, and the inner ends in the width direction are free ends that can stand up.

[0030] The gathered sheet 15 of this embodiment is folded back on the tip 14b side of the three-dimensional gathers 14, and has an inner sheet portion 17 on the inner side in the width direction when the three-dimensional gathers 14 are in an upright state (hereinafter referred to as the "upright state"), and an outer sheet portion 18 on the outer side in the width direction. The inner sheet portion 17 and the outer sheet portion 18 are bonded by an adhesive 19 (for example, a hot melt adhesive) on the base end 14a side of the three-dimensional gathers 14. Note that in this embodiment, the gathered sheet 15 extending from the base end 14a side of the three-dimensional gathers 14 is folded back on the inner side in the width direction on the tip 14b side, but this is not limiting, and the gathered sheet 15 may also be folded back on the outer side in the width direction on the tip 14b side.

[0031] (Elastic elastic member) The elastic stretchable member 16 is disposed along the longitudinal direction near the tip 14b of the gathered sheet 15, imparting upstanding property to the tip 14b side and enabling the tip 14b of the gathered sheet 15 and its surrounding area to deform to fit the wearer's body shape. The elastic stretchable member 16 can be made of, for example, a thread-like, string-like or band-like material made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane or the like. The elastic stretchable member 16 of this embodiment is disposed between the inner sheet portion 17 and outer sheet portion 18 of the gathered sheet 15 on the tip 14b side of the three-dimensional gathers 14, and is fixed to the gathered sheet 15.

[0032] (Notch) 4 and 5, the incisions 20 are provided to improve the breathability of the three-dimensional gathers 14, and extend linearly through the gathered sheet 15. In this embodiment, the incisions 20 are provided in the inner sheet portion 17 of the gathered sheet 15, but not in the outer sheet portion 18. In other words, the incisions 20 are linear incisions that pass through the inner sheet portion 17. It is preferable that a plurality of incisions 20 be provided in the inner sheet portion 17 of the gathered sheet 15.

[0033] 4 and 5, the multiple incisions 20 in this embodiment extend linearly and are inclined relative to the height direction of the three-dimensional gathers 14 in the upright state (Z direction in FIGS. 4 and 5). The multiple incisions 20 in this embodiment are arranged in three vertical rows and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (X direction). As shown in FIG. 5, the vertically adjacent incisions 20 are arranged alternately so that their inclination directions are opposite to each other with respect to an imaginary line VL extending in the height direction of the three-dimensional gathers 14.

[0034] (Length of cut) The length L1 of the slits 20 is preferably 10% to 30% of the height L0 of the standing gathers 14 in the upright state. If the length L1 of the slits 20 is shorter than 10% of the height L0 of the standing gathers 14 in the upright state, it becomes difficult to ensure sufficient breathability for the standing gathers 14. On the other hand, if the length L1 of the slits 20 is longer than 30% of the height L0 of the standing gathers 14 in the upright state, the possibility of side leakage of bodily fluids increases and it is also undesirable from the standpoint of the strength of the standing gathers 14.

[0035] (cutting angle) The inclination angle θ of the acute angle side of the slit 20 relative to the height direction (imaginary line VL) of the three-dimensional gathers 14 (hereinafter simply referred to as "the inclination angle θ of the slit 20") is preferably 45 degrees or less. If the inclination angle θ of the slit 20 is greater than 45 degrees, the slit 20 may widen excessively and open when the three-dimensional gathers 14 expands or contracts, which may reduce leak-proofness.

[0036] In the absorbent article 10 configured as described above, a slit 20 is provided in a part of the gathered sheet 15 of the three-dimensional gathers 14, so that the breathability of the three-dimensional gathers 14 can be improved by the slit 20 while ensuring leakproofness of the three-dimensional gathers 14.

[0037] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an absorbent article 10 having standing gathers 14 that achieve both improved breathability and leak prevention.

[0038] Furthermore, by providing the cuts 20 in the inner sheet portion 17 of the gathered sheet 15 and not in the outer sheet portion 18, the breathability of the inner sheet portion 17 of the three-dimensional gathers 14 can be improved and leak-proofness can be ensured by the outer sheet portion 18.

[0039] Furthermore, by providing a plurality of cuts 20 in the inner sheet portion 17, the breathability of the standing gathers 14 can be further improved.

[0040] The shape, length L1, inclination angle θ, arrangement (alignment), etc. of the cuts 20 are not limited to those described above.

[0041] 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]

[0042] More preferred examples of this embodiment will be described below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples in any way.

[0043] (Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3) Absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were produced under the conditions shown in Table 1. In these absorbent articles, the total length (maximum length in the longitudinal direction; the same applies hereinafter) of the product was standardized to 420 mm, and the total width (maximum length in the width direction; the same applies hereinafter) of the product was standardized to 120 mm. The absorbent body was composed of fluff pulp as absorbent fiber and SAP (sodium polyacrylate) as a bodily fluid absorbing material, and the total length of the absorbent body was set to 350 mm, the total width of the absorbent body to 100 mm, and the basis weight of the SAP to 290 g / m 2 The basis weight of the fluff pulp is 430 g / m 2The mass of SAP was standardized to 10g and the mass of fluff pulp to 15g. The total length of the three-dimensional gathers was also standardized to 420mm, the base distance between the left and right three-dimensional gathers (the distance between the base ends of the three-dimensional gathers) to 100mm, and the height of the three-dimensional gathers (in the standing state) to 30mm. The material of the gather sheet was also standardized to SMS nonwoven fabric, and the basis weight of the gather sheet was 15g / m 2 The mass of the gathered sheet was standardized to 6.30 g, and the tip of the three-dimensional gather was folded inward in the width direction. Also, cuts were arranged in three rows, one above the other, on the inner sheet, and multiple cuts were arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, no cuts were made in the outer sheet.

[0044] Each absorbent article was then evaluated in the following three categories ("comfort when absorbing body fluids," "leakage resistance," and "strength").

[0045] (Comfort when absorbing body fluids) The "comfort when absorbing bodily fluids" was evaluated by a sensory test conducted by 20 test subjects, who wore each absorbent article with 300 mL of 0.9% aqueous sodium chloride solution absorbed in the absorbent body while exercising and sitting and standing up, and rated the comfort on a three-point scale: 0 points (uncomfortable), 1 point (slightly bothersome), and 2 points (comfortable). The total score for each absorbent article was then calculated and evaluated according to the following criteria. ○: Total score is 30 points or more △: Total score is between 10 and 30 points ×: Total points are less than 10 points

[0046] (Leak resistance) The "leakage resistance" evaluation was based on the measurement results of the amount of water absorbable by the three-dimensional gathers of each absorbent article. To measure the amount of water absorbable by the three-dimensional gathers, first, the three-dimensional gathers of each absorbent article were placed on a tissue, 1 mL of 0.9% NaCl aqueous solution was dropped onto them, and then a 3 mm thick acrylic plate was placed on top of the three-dimensional gathers. Next, a 200 g weight was placed on the acrylic plate, and the amount of water absorbed by the tissue was measured after 10 seconds. Finally, the percentage of the water content of the three-dimensional gathers of each absorbent article was calculated, assuming the water content of the three-dimensional gathers without cuts as 100%. This measurement was repeated five times, and the average value was taken as the percentage of the absorbed water content. Based on the calculated percentage, the evaluation was performed according to the following criteria. ○: Less than 110% △: 110% or more, 130% or less ×: 130% or more

[0047] (strength) The "strength" evaluation was based on the measurement results of the strength of the three-dimensional gathers of each absorbent article. To measure the strength of the three-dimensional gathers, first, the same substrate with the same width as the three-dimensional gathers of each absorbent article was prepared and cut into the test specimens shown in Table 1. The test specimens were then placed in a Tensilon tensile tester and pulled at a chuck distance of 100 mm and a pulling speed of 300 mm / min. The maximum strength at which the test specimen broke was measured as the tensile strength. Finally, the tensile strength of the test specimens with three-dimensional gathers of each absorbent article was calculated as a percentage, assuming that the tensile strength of the test specimens with three-dimensional gathers without cuts was 100%. Evaluation was then performed based on the calculated percentages according to the following criteria. ○: 80% or more △: 50% or more but less than 80% ×: 50% or less

[0048] The results obtained are shown in Table 1.

[0049] [Table 1]

[0050] As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that Examples 1 to 5 could provide absorbent articles with standing gathers that achieved both improved breathability and leak prevention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10: Absorbent articles 11: Top sheet 12: Back seat 13: Absorbent 14: 3D gathers 15: Gathered sheet 17: Inner seat part 18: Outer sheet part 20: Cut

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet on the non-skin side, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, The top sheet has a gathered sheet, and is arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the width direction of the skin-side surface of the top sheet, and is provided with three-dimensional gathers that can stand up from a base end side supported by the top sheet side to a tip end side, A cut is provided in a part of the gathered sheet of the three-dimensional gather. An absorbent article characterized by:

2. The gathered sheet is folded back at the tip end side of the three-dimensional gathers, and has an inner sheet portion on the inner side in the width direction when the three-dimensional gathers are standing up, and an outer sheet portion on the outer side in the width direction, The cut is provided in the inner sheet portion of the gathered sheet, but not in the outer sheet portion.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. The incisions are provided in a plurality in the inner sheet portion of the gathered sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2.

4. The length of the cut is 10% to 30% of the height of the standing gathers when the standing gathers are in an upright position. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the cuts are inclined with respect to a height direction of the three-dimensional gathers when the three-dimensional gathers are in a standing state, The inclination angle of the acute angle side of the cut with respect to the height direction of the three-dimensional gather is 45 degrees or less. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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