Sanitary products and methods for manufacturing sanitary products

Abstract

To rationally develop sanitary products that can reliably prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood. [Solution] The sanitary napkin 1 is composed of multiple folds 4 and a mountain fold section PMF1 (folding center line CL). The multiple folds 4 are arranged in a stepped manner from one side of the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1 toward the other side of the longitudinal direction. The mountain fold section PMF1 (folding center line CL) extends along the longitudinal direction so that the multiple folds 4 ascend in a stepped manner from one side of the longitudinal direction toward the other side of the longitudinal direction, and the sanitary napkin 1 is symmetrical, allowing the sanitary napkin 1 to be folded. The mountain fold section PMF1 (folding center line CL) may or may not be provided in advance on the sanitary napkin 1. If it is not provided in advance, the mountain fold section PMF1 (folding center line CL) corresponds to the area where the mountain fold section PMF1 (folding center line CL) will appear when the user uses the sanitary napkin 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sanitary product for preventing leakage of body fluids including menstrual blood and a method for manufacturing the sanitary product.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-554385 (Patent Document 1) describes a sanitary product including a base portion composed of a flexible absorbent pad layer and a fin-shaped structure provided so that an absorbent material is packed therein and protrudes from the surface of the base.

[0003] In this sanitary product, when the fin-shaped structure is inserted between the user's thighs and buttocks, the gap generated between the user's thighs and buttocks is filled by the fin-shaped structure. Therefore, even when the user lies on their back or sits reclined to sleep, it is possible to prevent body fluids including menstrual blood from leaking to the rear of the body.

[0004] In addition, in the sanitary product described in the above-mentioned publication, by setting various types of sanitary products with different sizes such as the height, length, and thickness of the fin-shaped structure, it is possible for the user to select an optimal sanitary product according to their body shape, the amount of menstrual blood, and the timing of menstrual blood.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, with the sanitary products described in the aforementioned publication, users not only need to select a sanitary product of the appropriate size from a variety of different sizes to suit their body shape, but also need to prepare multiple sizes of sanitary products considering the amount and timing of menstruation, which is cumbersome, costly, and impractical. Moreover, if a sanitary product that is not suitable for the amount or timing of menstruation is selected from the multiple sizes prepared, leakage will occur. It is conceivable to prepare only sanitary products suitable for heavy menstruation and always use those products regardless of the amount of menstruation, but such sanitary products are generally expensive, making it impractical from an economic standpoint as well.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and one of its objectives is to rationally realize a sanitary product that can reliably prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention employs the following means to achieve the above-mentioned objectives:

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the sanitary product according to the present invention provides a sanitary product having a longitudinal direction and capable of preventing leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood. The sanitary product comprises a plurality of folds and a bendable portion. The plurality of folds are arranged in a stepped manner from one side of the longitudinal direction of the sanitary product toward the other side of the longitudinal direction. The bendable portion extends along the longitudinal direction so that the plurality of folds are arranged in an ascending stepped manner from one side of the longitudinal direction toward the other side of the longitudinal direction, and the sanitary product is symmetrical, and the sanitary product is bendable. It is equipped with. Here, "longitudinal direction" in the present invention refers to the direction in which the sanitary product has a dimension that is longer than other dimensions, and typically refers to the direction of arrangement of folds in a sanitary product that has folds. Even if the dimension in the direction of arrangement of the folds in a sanitary product that has folds is shorter than other dimensions, if the dimension in the direction of arrangement of the folded parts (mountain folds and valley folds) of the folds in a sanitary product that has unfolded folds is longer than other dimensions, the direction of arrangement of the folds in a sanitary product that has folds is defined as the "longitudinal direction". Furthermore, "folded part" in the present invention typically refers to a fold line that is pre-provided on the sanitary product, but if there is no fold line that is pre-provided on the sanitary product, it preferably includes the area in which a fold line would appear when the user uses the sanitary product. Furthermore, "sanitary product is symmetrical" in the present invention means that the sanitary product is symmetrical with respect to the folded part.

[0010] According to the present invention, by folding the sanitary napkin at the fold portion, the sanitary napkin can be deformed so that its projection on a virtual projection plane, when viewed from one side in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin, takes the shape of a mountain. Then, by inserting the mountain-shaped sanitary napkin between the user's thigh and buttocks (the groove formed from the perineum or vagina to the tailbone) with the fold portion facing the user's skin, and with one end in the longitudinal direction facing the front (vagina side) and the other end facing the back (coccyx side), the gap between the user's thigh and buttocks (the groove formed from the perineum or vagina to the coccyx) is filled, thereby effectively preventing leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, backward (towards the tailbone). Moreover, since multiple folds are arranged in an upward staircase-like manner from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin, a larger surface area can be secured compared to sanitary napkins without folds. This allows for effective absorption of bodily fluids, including large amounts of menstrual blood. Furthermore, the multiple folds arranged in an upward-stepping pattern effectively obstruct the flow of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, towards the rear (from the vagina towards the tailbone). Additionally, the length of the sanitary product can be adjusted by unfolding some of these folds. This eliminates the need for users to select sanitary products that suit their body shape, or to prepare and select the appropriate product from a variety of products depending on the amount and timing of menstruation.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the sanitary product according to the present invention, the folds are arranged from one side in the longitudinal direction to the entire other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] This design allows for greater absorption of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, and enables a wider range of adjustment of the longitudinal length of the sanitary product.

[0013] A further embodiment of the sanitary product according to the present invention has a short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the dimension in the short side direction at one end in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the dimension in the short side direction at the other end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the dimension in the short side direction may be configured to gradually increase from one end in the longitudinal direction towards the other end in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] This design makes it possible to achieve both wearability and absorbency.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the sanitary product according to the present invention, the folds are arranged to be denser on one side in the longitudinal direction than on the other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] This configuration allows for the absorption of a large amount of menstrual fluid at a location close to the source of menstrual fluid (vagina), thereby reducing the flow of menstrual fluid posteriorly (towards the tailbone). This makes it possible to more reliably prevent leakage of menstrual fluid posteriorly (towards the tailbone).

[0017] A further embodiment of the sanitary product according to the present invention further comprises an absorbent portion capable of absorbing a larger amount of bodily fluids containing menstrual blood than the amount absorbed by each fold containing menstrual blood. The absorbent portion is located at one end in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] In this design, since bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, are first absorbed by the absorbent section, only the remaining bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, that were not absorbed by the absorbent section need to be absorbed by the folds. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, towards the rear (from the vagina towards the tailbone).

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the sanitary product of the present invention, the sanitary product that is folded at the fold portion has a curved shape in which the projection of the fold portion on a virtual projection plane, when viewed from one side in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, is convex toward the inside of the sanitary product.

[0020] According to this form, the sanitary product can be fitted to the user's skin. As a result, the gap generated between the user's thighs and buttocks (the groove formed from the perineum or vagina to the coccyx) can be further reduced, so that the leakage of body fluids including menstrual blood backward (in the direction from the vagina to the coccyx) can be more reliably prevented. In addition, since the sanitary product fits the skin, the wearing feeling can also be improved.

[0021] According to a further form of the sanitary product according to the present invention, the sanitary product has water solubility. Here, "water solubility" in the present invention not only literally means the property of dissolving in water, but also preferably includes a mode in which the fibers are loosened and scattered.

[0022] According to this form, like toilet paper, the sanitary product can be flushed down the toilet after use. This is more hygienic than throwing away the used sanitary product in a trash can or the like.

[0023] According to a further form of the sanitary product according to the present invention, the sanitary product is mainly composed of pulp fibers extracted from hardwood or recycled pulp, and starch is used as a sizing agent.

[0024] According to this form, a sanitary product can be realized with the same material as toilet paper or the like. Thereby, a sanitary product can be realized simply.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the method for manufacturing sanitary products according to the present invention provides a method for manufacturing sanitary products to prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood. The method for manufacturing sanitary products comprises (a) the step of preparing a sheet having a longitudinal direction; (b) the step of generating a plurality of stepped folds on the sheet from one side of the longitudinal direction toward the other side of the longitudinal direction; and the step of arranging a fold portion along the longitudinal direction such that the plurality of folds ascend in a stepped manner from one side of the longitudinal direction toward the other side of the longitudinal direction, and the sanitary product is symmetrical. Here, "longitudinal direction" in the present invention refers to the direction in which the sanitary product has a dimension that is longer than other dimensions, and typically refers to the direction in which the folds are arranged in a sanitary product having folds. Furthermore, even if the dimension in the direction of the arrangement of folds in a sanitary product having folds is shorter than other dimensions, if the dimension in the direction of the arrangement of the folded parts (mountain folds and valley folds) of the folds in a sanitary product with the folds unfolded is longer than other dimensions, the direction of the arrangement of folds in a sanitary product having folds is defined as the "longitudinal direction." In addition, the "folded part" in this invention typically refers to a fold line that is pre-provided on the sanitary product, but if no fold line is pre-provided on the sanitary product, it preferably includes the area where a fold line would appear when the user uses the sanitary product. Therefore, "arranging the folded part along the longitudinal direction" in this invention preferably includes not only the embodiment of pre-providing a fold line on the sanitary product, but also the embodiment of providing an area on the sanitary product where a fold line can be placed. Furthermore, "sanitary product is symmetrical" in this invention means that the sanitary product is symmetrical with respect to the folded part.

[0026] According to the present invention, by folding the sanitary product at the folding part, the sanitary product can be deformed so that the projection of the sanitary product on the virtual projection plane when viewed from one side in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary product is in a mountain shape. Then, the mountain-shaped sanitary product is inserted between the user's thighs and buttocks (the groove formed from the perineum or vagina to the coccyx) such that the folding part is on the user's skin side, one end in the longitudinal direction is on the front side (vaginal side), and the other end in the longitudinal direction is on the rear side (coccyx side). As a result, the gap formed between the user's thighs and buttocks (the groove formed from the perineum or vagina to the coccyx) is filled, and thus, leakage of body fluids including menstrual blood backward (in the direction from the vagina to the coccyx) can be effectively prevented. Moreover, since a plurality of folds are arranged in a rising staircase shape from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary product, a larger surface area can be ensured compared to a sanitary product without folds. Thereby, a large amount of body fluids including menstrual blood can be effectively absorbed. Note that the plurality of folds arranged in a rising staircase shape can effectively inhibit the flow of body fluids including menstrual blood backward (in the direction from the vagina to the coccyx). Also, by unfolding a part of the fold, the length in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary product can be adjusted. Thereby, the user does not need to select a sanitary product suitable for their body shape, or prepare and select appropriate sanitary products from a variety of sanitary products according to the amount and timing of menstrual blood.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the method for manufacturing a sanitary product according to the present invention, step (b) is a step of generating folds across the entire area from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] According to this aspect, it becomes possible to absorb more body fluids including menstrual blood, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary product can be adjusted over a wider range.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the method for manufacturing sanitary products according to the present invention, step (c) includes folding the sanitary product such that the projection of the folded portion on a virtual projection plane, when viewed from one side in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, has a curved shape that is convex inward.

[0030] This design allows the sanitary product to fit snugly against the user's skin. This reduces the gap between the user's thighs and buttocks (the groove formed from the perineum or vagina to the tailbone), thus more effectively preventing leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, towards the rear (from the vagina towards the tailbone). Furthermore, because the sanitary product fits snugly against the skin, the wearing comfort may also be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the present invention, it is possible to rationally realize a sanitary product that can reliably prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a sanitary product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front and diagonally upward direction. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a sanitary product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear and diagonally upward direction. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing section AA in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a side view of a sanitary product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one side in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the unfolded state of sanitary product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for attaching sanitary products 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing another example of how to attach the sanitary product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]This is an explanatory diagram showing how the sanitary product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention looks when worn. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the VV section. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the modified sanitary product 100, seen from an oblique angle above. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing how the modified sanitary product 100 looks when worn. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples. [Examples]

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 1 according to Example 1 is composed of a sheet-like material having a longitudinal direction, and is folded in a mountain-fold manner such that, at least when in use, the projection on a virtual projection plane viewed from one side in the longitudinal direction has an inverted V-shape or an inverted U-shape. The sheet-like material is the same material as toilet paper, specifically, a material produced by mainly using pulp fibers extracted from hardwoods or recycled pulp, with starch used as a paper strengthening agent. Therefore, it can be said that the sanitary napkin 1 has the property of easily breaking down and falling apart when immersed in water, in other words, it is water-soluble. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 can be flushed down the toilet after use, just like toilet paper. This is more hygienic than disposing of used sanitary napkins in a trash can or the like. In the following description of this embodiment, for convenience, the side of the sanitary napkin 1 that is positioned in front of the user when the user puts on the sanitary napkin 1 (left side in Figure 1, right side in Figure 2) is defined as the "front side" or "forward side," and the side that is positioned behind the user (towards the tailbone) when the user puts on the sanitary napkin 1 (right side in Figure 1, left side in Figure 2) is defined as the "rear side" or "backward side." Furthermore, the side of the mountain-folded sanitary napkin 1 that is PMF1 is defined as the "upper side" or "upward side," and the side opposite to the mountain-folded PMF1 is defined as the "lower side" or "downward side." Here, the sheet-like material is an example of an embodiment corresponding to the "sheet having a longitudinal direction" in the present invention.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sanitary napkin 1 according to Example 1 has multiple folds 4 that rise in a step-like manner from the front end 2a to the rear end 2b. In other words, the folds 4 are arranged so that the mountain fold portion PMF2 faces the front of the sanitary napkin 1, and are gradually shifted toward the rear of the sanitary napkin 1 as one fold 4 moves from the lower fold 4 to the upper fold 4. Furthermore, the folds 4 are arranged so that they are denser on the front of the sanitary napkin 1 than on the rear. Moreover, the folds 4 are arranged over the entire length of the sanitary napkin 1 (sheet-like body 10) (from the front to the rear). The front end 2a corresponds to "one end in the longitudinal direction" in the present invention, and the rear end 2b is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to "the other end in the longitudinal direction" in the present invention.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the sanitary product 1 according to Example 1 has a curved shape in which the projection of the mountain fold portion PMF1 on the virtual projection plane is convex downwards when viewed from directions perpendicular to both the front-to-back direction (longitudinal direction, left-to-right direction in Figure 4) and the up-to-down direction (short direction, up-to-down direction in Figure 4).

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the sanitary product 1 according to Example 1 has a shape in which the dimension in the shorter direction (up and down direction in Figure 4) gradually increases from the front end 2a to the rear end 2b of the sanitary product 1.

[0038] Next, a method for manufacturing the sanitary product 1 thus constructed will be described. First, as shown in Figure 4, a sheet-like body 10 having an arrowhead shape or a heart shape in plan view is prepared. Next, a plurality of folds 4 are created on the sheet-like body 10, arranged in a stepped manner from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 5). Here, the valley fold lines VFL that constitute the folds 4 are perpendicular to the folding center line CL that extends along the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like body 10. In other words, the valley fold lines VFL can be said to extend parallel to each other along the short direction of the sheet-like body 10. Here, the folding center line CL is a line that, when the sheet-like body 10 is folded along the folding center line CL, is positioned such that the sheet-like body 10 is symmetrical with respect to the folding center line CL. The mountain fold portion PMF1 and the folding center line CL are examples of implementation configurations corresponding to the "folded portion" in the present invention.

[0039] On the other hand, the mountain fold line MFL that constitutes the fold 4 is inclined with respect to the valley fold line VFL. Specifically, the mountain fold line MFL has an inclination that gradually approaches the valley fold line VFL, which is located adjacent to the front side of the sheet-like body 10, as it moves from the center line CL toward the outer edge of the sheet-like body 10. In other words, the mountain fold line MFL can be said to have a V-shape in plan view when the front side of the sheet-like body 10 is facing upwards. In this embodiment, the valley fold line VFL and the mountain fold line MFL are arranged so that they are denser on the front side of the sheet-like body 10 than on the rear side.

[0040] By folding the sheet-like body 10 along the valley fold line VFL and mountain fold line MFL thus provided, a sanitary napkin 1 is completed in which multiple folds 4 are arranged in a stepped manner from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 5) of the sheet-like body 10. Here, the sanitary napkin 1 may be folded along the center fold line CL so that the multiple folds 4 ascend in a stepped manner from the front to the back of the sanitary napkin 1 and the sanitary napkin 1 is symmetrical, resulting in a final shape (shape at the time of sale) that has an inverted V-shape or inverted U-shape when viewed from one side in the longitudinal direction, or it may be left in a sheet-like state with multiple folds 4 without folding along the center fold line CL, and this final shape (shape at the time of sale) may be the final shape (shape at the time of sale). Furthermore, if the final shape (shape at the time of sale) is to remain in sheet form, the sanitary napkin 1 may have a pre-defined center fold line CL, or it may not have a pre-defined center fold line CL. For example, the center fold line CL may be illustrated, and instructions may state that the sanitary napkin 1 should be folded along the center fold line CL so that multiple folds 4 form an upward staircase shape from the front to the back of the sanitary napkin 1, and the sanitary napkin 1 is symmetrical with respect to the center fold line CL, and that when viewed from one side in the longitudinal direction, it should be used in an inverted V-shape or inverted U-shape.

[0041] Next, we will explain how to use the sanitary product 1 configured in this way, and in particular, how to attach the sanitary product 1 according to this embodiment. First, as shown in Figure 6(a), insert one finger into the valley of the sanitary product 1, which is folded into an inverted V-shape or inverted U-shape, and place the sanitary product 1 on that finger. For the sake of explanation, in the following description, we will assume that this finger is the "middle finger Mf". Next, as shown in Figure 6(b), lightly pinch the side of the sanitary product 1 with the middle finger Mf and the fingers on either side of the middle finger Mf, the index finger If and the ring finger Rf. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(c), lightly pinch the side of the sanitary product 1, which is folded into an inverted V-shape or inverted U-shape, with the index finger If and the thumb Th.

[0042] Then, the sanitary napkin 1, held between the fingers, is placed on the perineum 70 as shown in Figure 8, with the mountain-fold portion PMF1 facing upwards (towards the skin), the front end 2a facing the vagina 80, and the rear end 2b facing the anus 82, thereby completing the attachment of the sanitary napkin 1. In this embodiment, the sanitary napkin 1 is positioned at the rear end (the end facing the anus 82) of a regular sanitary napkin 50, as shown in Figure 8. In this embodiment, it is desirable that at least the front end 2a of the sanitary napkin 1 is positioned so that it overlaps with the rear end (the end facing the anus 82) of a regular sanitary napkin 50. In this embodiment, the length of the sanitary napkin 1 can be adjusted by unfolding a part of the fold 4, as shown in Figure 6(c). This eliminates the need for the user to select a sanitary napkin that is suitable for their body shape, as was done in the past.

[0043] With the sanitary product 1 placed on the perineum 70, when bodily fluids including menstrual blood are discharged, most of it is absorbed by a regular sanitary napkin 50. However, any bodily fluids including menstrual blood that cannot be absorbed by the regular sanitary napkin 50 are absorbed sequentially from the folds 4 of the sanitary product 1, starting from the folds 4 located on the front side. The sanitary product 1 according to this embodiment has folds 4, which allows for a larger surface area compared to sanitary products without folds 4, thus enabling better absorption of discharged bodily fluids including menstrual blood. Furthermore, since the folds 4 are arranged along the entire length of the sanitary product 1 (sheet-like body 10), an even larger surface area can be secured, enabling even better absorption of discharged bodily fluids including menstrual blood. Furthermore, since the folds 4 are more densely arranged at the front end 2a of the sanitary napkin 1 than at the rear end 2b of the sanitary napkin 1, the front of the sanitary napkin 1 can absorb more bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, thus effectively preventing leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, backward (towards the tailbone 84 from the vagina 80). In this way, even if a larger amount of menstrual blood is discharged than expected, or if the user assumes a position where menstrual blood is likely to leak with a normal sanitary napkin 50 (such as when the user lies on their back to sleep or sits lying down), simply by wearing the sanitary napkin 1 according to this embodiment, bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, can be effectively prevented from leaking backward (towards the tailbone 84 from the vagina 80). As a result, the user no longer needs to prepare multiple types of sanitary napkins according to the amount and timing of menstruation, or the position they can assume, and select the appropriate one from among them, as in the past.

[0044] Furthermore, the sanitary napkin 1 has an inverted V-shape or inverted U-shape when viewed from one side in the longitudinal direction, and the mountain-fold portion PMF1 has a curved shape that is convex downwards, so it fits well to the skin, especially the perineum 70 (see Figures 8 and 9). This not only improves the feeling of wearing the sanitary napkin 1, but also reduces the gap that occurs between the sanitary napkin 1 and the groove formed from the perineum 70 or vagina 80 to the coccyx 84 (between the user's thigh 72 and buttocks 74, see Figure 9). As a result, leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, toward the rear (from the vagina 80 toward the coccyx 84) can be prevented more reliably. In addition, since the sanitary napkin 1 has a shape in which the dimension in the short direction (up and down direction in Figure 4) gradually increases from the front end 2a to the rear end 2b, sufficient surface area can be secured even on the rear side of the sanitary napkin 1, so that bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, can be absorbed well even on the rear side of the sanitary napkin 1. This makes it possible to better prevent bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, from leaking backward (from the vagina 80 towards the coccyx 84). Furthermore, since the folded fins 4 are arranged in an upward step-like manner from the front to the back of the sanitary product 1, the flow of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, backward (from the vagina 80 towards the coccyx 84) can be effectively obstructed. [Examples]

[0045] The sanitary napkin 100 according to Example 2 has the same configuration as the sanitary napkin 1 according to Example 1, as described with reference to Figure 1, except that it is provided with an absorbent 102 at the front end 2a, as shown in Figure 10. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for parts of the sanitary napkin 100 according to Example 2 that are the same as those for the sanitary napkin 1 according to Example 1, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the absorbent body 102 has a cylindrical or frustoconical shape. The absorbent body 102 is made of the same material as toilet paper, specifically, a material produced by using pulp fibers extracted from hardwoods or recycled pulp as the main component and starch as a paper strengthening agent. The absorbent body 102 having a cylindrical or frustoconical shape can be realized, for example, by forming the material into a sheet and then rolling it. Alternatively, the absorbent body 102 having a cylindrical or frustoconical shape can be realized by pouring the above liquid material into a mold. In this way, because the absorbent body 102 has a solid internal structure, it has higher absorbency than the front end 2a of the sheet-like body 10. Here, it is preferable that the absorbent body 102 has a substantially spherical shape at its tip (the end opposite to the side where the front end 2a is located). In addition to being integrally molded with the sheet-like body 10, the absorbent 102 can also be molded separately from the sheet-like body 10 and then integrally attached to the front end 2a using an adhesive or the like. The absorbent 102 is an example of an embodiment corresponding to the "absorbent part" in the present invention.

[0047] The sanitary napkin 100 according to the above-described Example 2 is attached in the same manner as the sanitary napkin 1 according to the above-described Example 1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the sanitary napkin 100 has an absorbent body 102 positioned on the vaginal side 80 and at the rear end (the end on the anal side 82) of a normal sanitary napkin 50, with the rear end 2b positioned on the anal side 82. In addition, as shown in Figure 11, it is desirable that the sanitary napkin 100 according to Example 2 also has an absorbent body 102, preferably at least the front end 2a including the absorbent body 102, be positioned so as to overlap with the rear end (the end on the anal side 82) of a normal sanitary napkin 50.

[0048] The sanitary product 100 according to Example 2, as constructed in this manner, also provides the same effects as the sanitary product 1 according to Example 1 described above. For example, it effectively prevents leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, backward (towards the coccyx 84). It also eliminates the need to select a sanitary product that suits one's body shape, or to prepare a variety of sanitary products according to the amount and timing of menstruation, or the posture one can assume, and then select the appropriate one from among them. In addition, in the sanitary product 100 according to Example 2, since the bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, are first absorbed by the absorbent 102, the sheet-like body 10 only needs to absorb the bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, that were not absorbed by the absorbent 102. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, backward (towards the coccyx 84).

[0049] In the sanitary napkins 1,100 of Examples 1 and 2, the folds 4 were arranged so that they were denser on the front side of the sanitary napkin 1,100 than on the back side, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. The folds 4 may be arranged, for example, evenly on the front and back sides of the sanitary napkin 1,100, or so that they are denser on the back side of the sanitary napkin 1,100 than on the front side. You can.

[0050] In the sanitary napkins 1,100 of Examples 1 and 2, the folds 4 are arranged over the entire length of the sanitary napkin 1,100 (sheet-like body 10), but this is not limited to this configuration. The folds 4 may be arranged only on the front side in the length of the sanitary napkin 1,100 (sheet-like body 10), only in the center in the length, or only on the back side in the length.

[0051] In the sanitary napkins 1,100 of Examples 1 and 2, the projection of the mountain fold portion PMF1 on the virtual projection plane when viewed from directions perpendicular to both the front-to-back direction (longitudinal direction) and the up-to-down direction (short direction) is a curved shape that is convex downwards, but the sanitary napkin is not limited to this. For example, the sanitary napkin 1,100 may have a shape in which the projection of the mountain fold portion PMF1 on the virtual projection plane when viewed from directions perpendicular to both the front-to-back direction (longitudinal direction) and the up-to-down direction (short direction) is a straight line.

[0052] In the sanitary napkins 1,100 of Examples 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 1,100 has a shape in which the dimension in the short direction gradually increases from the front end 2a to the rear end 2b, but it is not limited to this. The sanitary napkin 1,100 may have a shape (rectangle) in which the dimension in the short direction is the same from the front end 2a to the rear end 2b, or the sanitary napkin 1,100 may have a shape in which the dimension in the short direction gradually decreases from the front end 2a to the rear end 2b.

[0053] In the sanitary products 1,100 of Examples 1 and 2, the sheet-like body 10 and absorbent body 102 were made from a material produced by using pulp fibers extracted from hardwoods or recycled pulp as the main component and starch as a paper strengthening agent, but are not limited to this. The sheet-like body 10 and absorbent body 102 may be made from any material that is water-soluble, for example, or they may be made from a material that is not water-soluble.

[0054] In the sanitary products 1,100 of Examples 1 and 2, the sheet-like body 10 was configured to have an arrowhead shape or a heart shape in plan view, but is not limited to this. The sheet-like body 10 may have any shape in plan view, such as an ellipse shape or a trapezoid shape with arcs at the corners.

[0055] This embodiment illustrates one example of a configuration for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment.

[0056] <Note> In view of the spirit of the invention described above, the sanitary products and methods for manufacturing sanitary products according to the present invention can be configured in the following forms. (Aspect 1) "Menstrual products that prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, Having a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of folds arranged in a stepped manner from one side of the longitudinal direction to the other side of the longitudinal direction, The plurality of folds are arranged in an upward staircase shape from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction, and a bendable portion extends along the longitudinal direction so that the sanitary product can be folded symmetrically, It is equipped with Sanitary products. ” (Aspect 2) "The aforementioned folds are arranged over the entire area from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction." The sanitary product described in the above embodiment 1. (Aspect 3) "Having a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the dimension in the short direction at one end of the longitudinal direction is shorter than the dimension in the short direction at the other end of the longitudinal direction." The sanitary product according to the above embodiment 1 or 2. (Aspect 4) "The dimension in the shorter direction gradually increases from one end in the longer direction toward the other end in the longer direction." The sanitary product described in embodiment 3 above. (Appendix 5) "The folds are arranged to be denser on one side in the longitudinal direction than on the other side in the longitudinal direction." A sanitary product according to any one of the above embodiments 1 to 4. (Aspect 6) "The device further comprises an absorbent section capable of absorbing a larger amount of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, than the amount absorbed by each of the aforementioned folds, The absorbing portion is located at one end in the longitudinal direction. The sanitary product described in any one of the above embodiments 1 to 5. (Aspect 7) "When the sanitary product is folded at the aforementioned folding portion, the projection of the folding portion on a virtual projection plane, viewed from one side in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, has a curved shape that is convex toward the inward direction of the sanitary product." The sanitary product described in the above embodiment 6. (Pattern 8) "The aforementioned sanitary product is water-soluble." The sanitary product described in any one of the above embodiments 1 to 7. (Aspect 9) "The aforementioned sanitary products mainly consist of pulp fibers extracted from broadleaf trees or recycled pulp, and starch is used as a paper strengthening agent." The sanitary product described in the above embodiment 8. (Aspect 10) A method for manufacturing sanitary products to prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, (a) The step of preparing a sheet having a longitudinal direction, (b) The step of generating a plurality of stepped folds on the sheet from one side in the longitudinal direction toward the other side in the longitudinal direction, (c) The steps of arranging a folding portion along the longitudinal direction such that the plurality of folds rise in a staircase shape from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction, and the sanitary product can be folded so that the sanitary product is symmetrical, A method for manufacturing sanitary products that include [the specified features / features]. (Aspect 11) "Step (b) is the step of generating the fold over the entire area from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction." A method for manufacturing sanitary products according to the above embodiment 10. (Aspect 12) "Step (c) includes folding the folded sanitary product such that the projection of the folded portion on a virtual projection plane, when viewed from one side in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, has a curved shape that is convex inward. A method for manufacturing sanitary products according to the above embodiment 10 or 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Sanitary products (sanitary products) 2a Front end (one end in the longitudinal direction) 2b Rear end (the other end in the longitudinal direction) 4. Folded pleats (folded pleats) 10 Sheet-like body 50 regular sanitary napkins 70 Perineum 72 Thigh 74 Buttocks 80 Vagina 82 Anal 84 Coccyx PMF1 mountain fold section (bent section) PMF2 mountain fold section CL Folding center line (folded part) MFL mountain fold line VFL Valley Fold Line Mf middle finger If index finger Rf ring finger Th thumb 100 Sanitary products (sanitary products) 102 Absorbent material (absorbent part)

Claims

1. A sanitary product having a longitudinal direction and capable of preventing leakage of bodily fluids including menstrual blood, A plurality of folds arranged in a stepped manner from one side in the longitudinal direction toward the other side in the longitudinal direction, The plurality of folds are arranged in an upward staircase shape from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction, and a bendable portion extends along the longitudinal direction so that the sanitary product can be folded symmetrically, It is equipped with Sanitary products.

2. The aforementioned folds are arranged over the entire area from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction. The sanitary product according to claim 1.

3. The material has a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the dimension in the short direction at one end of the longitudinal direction is shorter than the dimension in the short direction at the other end of the longitudinal direction. The sanitary product according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The dimension in the shorter direction gradually increases from one end in the longer direction to the other end in the longer direction. The sanitary product according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned folds are arranged to be denser on one side in the longitudinal direction than on the other side in the longitudinal direction. The sanitary product according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The device further includes an absorbent section capable of absorbing a larger amount of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, than the amount absorbed by each of the aforementioned folds, The absorbing portion is located at one end in the longitudinal direction. The sanitary product according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The sanitary product, when folded at the aforementioned bending portion, has a curved shape on a virtual projection plane when viewed from one side in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that the projection of the bending portion is convex toward the inside of the sanitary product. The sanitary product according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned sanitary product is water-soluble. The sanitary product according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The aforementioned sanitary products are primarily composed of pulp fibers extracted from broadleaf trees or recycled pulp, with starch used as a paper strengthening agent. The sanitary product according to claim 8.

10. A method for manufacturing sanitary products to prevent leakage of bodily fluids, including menstrual blood, (a) A step of preparing a sheet having a longitudinal direction, (b) The step of generating a plurality of stepped folds on the sheet from one side in the longitudinal direction toward the other side in the longitudinal direction, (c) The steps of arranging a plurality of folds that form an upward staircase shape from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction, and a folding portion that allows the sanitary product to be folded so that the sanitary product is symmetrical, along the longitudinal direction, A method for manufacturing sanitary products.

11. Step (b) is the step of generating the fold over the entire area from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction. A method for manufacturing sanitary products according to claim 10.

12. Step (c) includes folding the folded sanitary product such that the projection of the folded portion on a virtual projection plane, when viewed from one side in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, has a curved shape that is convex inward. A method for manufacturing sanitary products according to claim 10 or 11.

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