Absorbent articles

Abstract

It reduces contact between the skin and loose stool, and suppresses the inhibition of urine absorption caused by loose stool. [Solution] The absorbent article 10 of the present disclosure comprises a liquid-impermeable top sheet 11 on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 on the non-skin side, an absorbent body 13, and a second sheet 14 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent body 13. A first slit extending in the width direction is provided in the central part in the longitudinal direction. The top sheet 11 is formed to be shorter in the width direction than the second sheet 14, and is positioned on one side in the longitudinal direction that is on the back side of the wearer from the first slit, and in the central part in the width direction. The absorbent body 13 has a thickness in the central part in the width direction that is thicker than the thickness at the outer end in the width direction, and has a raised structure in which the central part in the width direction is higher towards the skin than the outer end in the width direction. The absorbent body 13 is provided with a plurality of second slits extending to both ends in the width direction of the absorbent body 13, and the plurality of second slits are provided on the one side in the longitudinal direction from the first slit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article comprising a surface sheet made of a perforated sheet, a permeable sheet that allows excreted liquid to pass through, and an absorbent element including a cotton-like pulp layer on the back side of the permeable sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional absorbent articles such as urine pads have low absorbency for soft stools, so there is a problem that the soft stools retained inside come into contact with the wearer's skin for a long time, leading to skin irritation.

[0005] There are also absorbent articles that have a plurality of holes in the top sheet and the second sheet and can retain and absorb soft stools. However, since the amount of soft stools that can be retained in the holes is limited, when a large amount of soft stools is excreted, they cannot be sufficiently retained and absorbed.

[0006] Also, when urine and soft stools are excreted simultaneously, the soft stools may inhibit the absorption of urine.

[0007] In the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, since the amount of soft stools that can be retained in the holes is limited, when a large amount of soft stools is excreted, they cannot be sufficiently retained and absorbed.

[0008] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide an absorbent article that can reduce contact between the skin and loose stool and suppress the inhibition of urine absorption by loose stool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, an absorbent article according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a liquid-impermeable top sheet on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet on the non-skin side, an absorbent disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a second sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent to cover the absorbent, wherein a first slit is provided in the longitudinal center portion, extending in the width direction with a depth that penetrates at least the absorbent from the skin side, the top sheet is formed to be shorter in the width direction than the second sheet, and is disposed in the longitudinal center portion that is on the back side of the wearer from the first slit, the absorbent has a thickness in the width direction center portion that is thicker than the thickness of the outer end portion in the width direction, and has a raised structure in which the width direction center portion is higher towards the skin than the outer end portion in the width direction, the absorbent is provided with a plurality of second slits that extend to both ends of the absorbent in the width direction, and the plurality of second slits are provided on the longitudinal side from the first slit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can reduce contact between the skin and loose stool and suppress the inhibition of urine absorption by loose stool. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of an absorbent article from the skin side according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the backsheet and absorbent material from the skin side. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 3, which shows a modified example of the absorber. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In this specification, wearing an absorbent article means the state in which the absorbent article is attached to the body, regardless of whether it is before, during, or after the absorption of bodily fluids. The longitudinal direction of each component of the absorbent article refers to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article (front-to-back direction when worn), and is the direction along arrow X in each figure. The "front side" refers to the direction that is the wearer's ventral side when the absorbent article is worn, and is the direction indicated by arrow X. The "back side" refers to the direction that is the wearer's dorsal side, and is the opposite direction from the direction indicated by arrow X. The width direction of each component of the absorbent article refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the direction along left and right), and is the direction along arrow Y in each figure. The thickness direction of each component of the absorbent article refers to the direction in which each component is stacked, and is the direction along arrow Z in each figure. Furthermore, the "skin side" of each component of an absorbent article refers to the direction in the thickness direction that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, while the "non-skin side" refers to the direction in the thickness direction opposite to the skin side. Also, the "left-right direction" refers to the width direction, viewed from the perspective of a wearer facing forward. Furthermore, "body fluid" refers to liquids that are expelled from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0014] Figure 1 is a plan view from the skin side of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view from the skin side of the backsheet and absorbent. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 3, showing a modified example of the absorbent.

[0015] <Absorbent Articles> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the absorbent article 10 comprises a liquid-impermeable top sheet 11 on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 on the non-skin side, an absorbent core 13 positioned between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12, and a second sheet 14 positioned between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent core 13 to cover the absorbent core 13. The absorbent article 10 according to this disclosure can be used as an inner layer by layering it over an outer absorbent article (for example, a pant-type disposable diaper or a tape-fastened disposable diaper), such as a urine absorption pad. In Figure 1, the second sheet 14 is hatched to make it easier to see. In Figure 2, the absorbent core 13 is hatched to make it easier to see.

[0016] The shape of the absorbent article 10 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably roughly rectangular, like a typical urine pad. The length L1 in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 10 is preferably 100 mm or more and 1000 mm or less, and the length W1 in the width direction is preferably 30 mm or more and 400 mm or less. By setting the length in the longitudinal and width directions of the absorbent article 10 within these ranges, it is possible to provide an absorbent article 10 that can appropriately prevent leakage of loose stools when used in combination with an absorbent article such as an outer disposable diaper, in accordance with the type, size, and shape of the absorbent article being worn.

[0017] (Top sheet) The top sheet 11 is formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate so as to prevent leakage of bodily fluids held by the absorbent 13 to the skin side, and is formed from materials such as a resin film or a composite sheet formed by laminating a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric used in the composite sheet is not particularly limited in its manufacturing method and can include, for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric, and composite nonwoven fabrics and composite materials thereof, which are formed by laminating multiple identical and / or different types of nonwoven fabrics. Examples of resin films include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene. The size and arrangement of the top sheet 11 will be described later.

[0018] (Back seat) The backsheet 12 can be formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate to prevent leakage of bodily fluids held by the absorbent 13 to the non-skin side, and can be formed from materials such as a resin film or a composite sheet formed by laminating a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric used in the composite sheet is not particularly limited in its manufacturing method and can include, for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric, and composite nonwoven fabrics and composite materials thereof, which are formed by laminating multiple identical and / or different types of nonwoven fabrics. The resin film can be, for example, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a composite film of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0019] The backsheet 12 preferably has air permeability to prevent stuffiness during wearing. To provide the backsheet 12 with air permeability, for example, a filler may be blended into the resin film of the base material, or the backsheet 12 may be embossed. As the filler, calcium carbonate can be mentioned, and the blending method can be carried out without limitation by known methods. For example, a porous (air-permeable) resin film can be obtained by kneading a resin and a filler, forming the obtained kneaded product into a film shape, and removing the filler from the obtained film.

[0020] A fixing member for preventing displacement during attachment to an outer garment or the like may be provided on the non-skin side surface of the backsheet 12. The base material of the fixing member is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a mechanical hook tape or an adhesive. Further, a release sheet for protecting the fixing member may be provided.

[0021] (Absorbent body) The absorbent body 13 contains a body fluid absorbing material, and preferably includes absorbent fibers as a base material and a body fluid absorbing material held by the absorbent fibers.

[0022] The absorbent fibers as the base material of the absorbent body 13 are not particularly limited as long as they are generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, urine pads, etc. For example, they are formed from materials such as fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic non-woven fabric. Among these, from the perspective of absorbency, it is preferable to use fluff pulp. Examples of fluff pulp include those obtained by defibrating wood pulp, synthetic fibers, polymer fibers, non-wood pulp, etc. into a cotton-like shape.

[0023] The body fluid absorbing material of the absorbent body 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb and hold body fluid. For example, super absorbent polymer (SAP) etc. can be mentioned.

[0024] The absorbent body 13 preferably contains absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer. Its composition may include one formed by mixing SAP particles into absorbent fibers, or an SAP sheet in which SAP particles are fixed between the fibers of the napped portion of the absorbent fibers. The shape of the absorbent body 13 will be described later.

[0025] (Absorbent paper) The absorbent article 10 may have absorbent paper (not shown) that encloses the entire absorbent body 13, from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of superabsorbent polymer particles and stabilizing the shape of the absorbent body 13. The base material of the absorbent paper can be any material that is hydrophilic, such as tissue, absorbent paper, or hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as airlaid nonwoven fabric. Among hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as thermal bond nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, and pulp-containing nonwoven fabric are more preferred, and tissue paper (crepe paper) and, if necessary, spunbond nonwoven fabric that has been treated to be hydrophilic are even more preferred. If multiple absorbent papers are provided, the base materials of the absorbent papers may be the same or different.

[0026] (Second row seats) The second sheet 14 is formed from a substrate that has liquid permeability, allowing bodily fluids to move to the absorbent 13. Examples of substrates include nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabrics and thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics formed by laminating thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics / spunbond nonwoven fabrics, open films such as open polyethylene films, foamed films such as polyethylene foam and urethane foam, or composite sheets formed by laminating these. The second sheet 14 may be embossed or perforated on its surface to improve liquid permeability. Known methods can be used without limitation for these embossing and perforating processes. Furthermore, to reduce skin irritation, the second sheet 14 may contain lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory components, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc.

[0027] The shape of the second sheet 14 is not particularly limited, but it should be a shape that covers the entire area of ​​the absorbent material 13 from the skin side. In this embodiment, the second sheet 14 is formed to be approximately the same size as the back sheet 12 and faces the back sheet 12 from the skin side. That is, the length L2 in the longitudinal direction and the length W2 in the width direction of the second sheet 14 in this embodiment are approximately the same as those of the back sheet 12, and are approximately the same as the length L1 in the longitudinal direction and the length W1 in the width direction of the absorbent article 10. Note that the lengths L2 and W2 of the second sheet 14 are the lengths in a plan view as seen from the skin side.

[0028] (First slit) A first slit 15 is provided in the longitudinal center of the absorbent article 10, extending in the width direction with a depth that penetrates at least the absorbent material 13 from the skin-side surface of the absorbent article 10. In this embodiment, the first slit 15 extends in the width direction with a depth that reaches the backsheet 12 from the skin-side surface of the absorbent article 10. Preferably, the first slit 15 extends to at least both ends of the absorbent material 13 in the width direction. In Figure 1, the first slit 15 is shown extending to both ends of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction, but this is not the only way to do so, and the ends of the first slit 15 do not necessarily have to reach both ends of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction.

[0029] (Size and layout of the top sheet) As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the longitudinal length L3 of the top sheet 11 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is set to be approximately the same length as the length of the absorbent article 10 on one longitudinal side (the rear side, which is the back side of the wearer when worn) of the first slit 15. The widthwise length W3 of the top sheet 11 is shorter than the widthwise length W2 of the second sheet 14. Also, the widthwise length W3 of the top sheet 11 in this embodiment is shorter than the widthwise length W4 of the absorbent body 13, which will be described later. Note that the lengths L3 and W3 of the top sheet 11 are lengths in a plan view as seen from the skin side.

[0030] The top sheet 11 is positioned on one side of the first slit 15 in the longitudinal direction (opposite the direction indicated by arrow X) and in the center in the width direction. The top sheet 11 is laminated on the skin side of the second sheet 14 and fixed to the second sheet 14. Note that "positioned in the center in the width direction" means that it is positioned symmetrically (it does not have to be perfectly symmetrical).

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, both ends 14a of the second sheet 14 in the width direction are exposed to the skin on both sides of the top sheet 11 in the width direction. The ends of the absorbent material 13 in the width direction are positioned on the non-skin side of the ends 14a of the second sheet 14 that are exposed on both sides of the top sheet 11 in the width direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the second sheet 14 is exposed to the skin on almost the entire area on the other side in the longitudinal direction from the first slit 15 of the absorbent article 10 (the front side which is the abdominal side of the wearer when worn).

[0032] (Shape of the absorber) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent body 13 has a raised structure (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "raised structure") in which the thickness of the central part in the width direction is greater than the thickness of the outer end in the width direction, and the central part in the width direction is higher towards the skin than the outer end in the width direction. The longitudinal length L4 of the absorbent body 13 in this embodiment is approximately the same as the longitudinal length L2 of the second sheet 14 (the longitudinal length L1 of the absorbent article 10 in this embodiment). Also, the widthwise length W4 of the absorbent body 13 in this embodiment is shorter than the widthwise length W2 of the second sheet 14 (the widthwise length W1 of the absorbent article 10 in this embodiment). Note that the lengths L4 and W4 of the absorbent body 13 are lengths in a plan view as seen from the skin side.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, in the widthwise cross-section, the skin-facing side of the absorbent 13 is formed in an arc shape with the central part in the widthwise direction bulging towards the skin. In addition, in this embodiment, the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent 13 is formed in a shape that follows the backsheet 12 (approximately flat). That is, the shape of the widthwise cross-section of the absorbent 13 in this embodiment is a crescent shape (fish cake shape).

[0034] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the absorbent 13 in the width direction is not limited to a crescent shape (fish cake shape), but is not limited to having the above-mentioned raised structure. For example, as shown in Figure 4, multiple (three in the figure) thin absorbent bodies 13a to 13c with different width directions may be stacked on top of each other. In this case, the absorbent bodies 13a to 13c are arranged in the center in the width direction such that their width directions decrease sequentially from the non-skin side to the skin side. That is, the absorbent body 13a with the longest width direction is placed on the non-skin side (backsheet 12 side), the absorbent body 13b with the second longest width direction is stacked on the skin side of absorbent body 13a, and the absorbent body 13c with the shortest width direction is stacked on the skin side of absorbent body 13b. Even in this case, the absorbent body 13 as a whole has a raised structure in which the thickness of the central part in the width direction is thicker than the thickness of the outer end in the width direction, and the central part in the width direction is higher towards the skin than the outer end in the width direction. Furthermore, the number of thin absorbers stacked in this case is not limited to three.

[0035] (Second slit) As shown in Figure 2, the absorbent material 13 is provided with a plurality of (three in the figure) second slits 16 that extend to both ends in the width direction of the absorbent material 13. The plurality of second slits 16 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the front and back directions. The depth of the second slits 16 is preferably such that it penetrates the absorbent material 13, but it may also be a second slit 16 that is recessed from the skin side of the absorbent material 13 toward the non-skin side and does not penetrate the absorbent material 13.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple second slits 16 are provided in the region 13A of the absorbent body 13 that is longitudinally rear (one side) of the first slit 15. Preferably, the region 13B of the absorbent body 13 that is longitudinally front (the other side) of the first slit 15 does not have second slits 16 that extend to both ends in the width direction of the absorbent body 13. However, slits for diffusing urine, etc. (slits different from the second slits 16) may be provided in the front region 13B of the absorbent body 13. Examples of slits different from the second slits 16 include slits that extend longitudinally and slits that do not extend to both ends in the width direction of the absorbent body 13.

[0037] In the absorbent article 10 configured as described above, the absorbent body 13 has a raised structure, and the liquid-impermeable top sheet 11 is positioned in the center of the width direction on the rear side (one side in the longitudinal direction) of the absorbent article 10. Therefore, when worn, the loose stool excreted can be moved outward in the width direction along the raised structure on the liquid-impermeable top sheet 11, thereby reducing contact between the skin and the loose stool in the center of the width direction of the absorbent article 10.

[0038] Furthermore, the absorbent body 13 is provided with multiple second slits 16 that extend to both ends in the width direction of the absorbent body 13. As a result, soft stool that has moved outward in the width direction along the raised structure is moved to the inner region in the width direction of the absorbent body 13 by the second slits 16, allowing for efficient absorption.

[0039] Furthermore, since the top sheet 11 is impermeable to liquid, it can prevent loose stool that has moved to the inner region in the width direction of the absorbent material 13 from flowing back to the skin side (the wearer's skin side).

[0040] Furthermore, the liquid-impermeable top sheet 11 is located behind the first slit 15, which is located in the center of the longitudinal direction (on one side in the longitudinal direction). Therefore, urine excreted in front of the first slit 15 (on the other side in the longitudinal direction) can be efficiently absorbed by the absorbent material 13 via the second sheet 14 without being blocked by the liquid-impermeable top sheet 11.

[0041] Furthermore, a first slit 15 is provided in the longitudinal center of the absorbent article 10, extending in the width direction with a depth that penetrates at least the absorbent body 13 from the skin side of the absorbent article 10. Therefore, even if urine and loose stool are excreted simultaneously in front of and behind the absorbent article 10, the first slit 15 can prevent the movement of loose stool toward the liquid-permeable second sheet 14 in the front, thereby suppressing the inhibition of urine absorption by loose stool.

[0042] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an absorbent article 10 that can reduce contact between the skin and loose stool and suppress the inhibition of urine absorption by loose stool.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and can naturally be modified as appropriate without departing from the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, and operational techniques made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10: Absorbent articles 11: Top sheet 12: Back seat 13: Absorbent material 14: Second row seats 15: First Slit 16: Second Slit

Claims

[Claim 1] A liquid-impermeable top sheet on the skin side, A liquid-impermeable backsheet on the non-skin side, An absorbent disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, The system comprises a second sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent, which covers the absorbent, A first slit is provided in the longitudinal central portion, extending in the width direction with a depth that penetrates at least the absorbent material from the side of the skin. The top sheet is formed to be shorter in length in the width direction than the second sheet, and is positioned on one side in the longitudinal direction that is on the back side of the wearer than the first slit, and in the center in the width direction. The absorbent material has a thickness in the central part in the width direction that is greater than the thickness at the outer edge in the width direction, and has a raised structure in which the central part in the width direction is higher towards the skin than the outer edge in the width direction. The absorbent body is provided with a plurality of second slits that extend to both ends in the width direction of the absorbent body. The plurality of second slits are provided on one side in the longitudinal direction compared to the first slit. An absorbent article characterized by the following features.

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