Absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article capable of providing a wearer with a warming effect and / or a cooling effect immediately after wearing and, even during the wearing, continuously providing these effects for a long period of time.SOLUTION: An absorbent article according to the present invention comprises a liquid permeable layer (2), a liquid impermeable layer (3), and an absorber layer (4) located between both layers. The absorbent article has gel lotion (5) at least at a part of an area coming into contact with the skin of a wearer, and the gel lotion (5) includes a styrene-based elastomer, hydrocarbon oil, and a lipophilic functional agent containing a warming agent and / or a cooling agent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, disposable diapers, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and disposable diapers have become known in which a lotion composition is disposed in an area that comes into contact with the wearer's skin in order to provide a skin care effect or the like to the wearer's skin.

[0003] Furthermore, in the absorbent article containing such a lotion composition, various absorbent articles that provide sensory effects such as warmth and coolness to the wearer's skin in addition to the above-mentioned skin care effects have been studied.For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article that includes a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, and includes a lotion composition disposed on one or more layers of the absorbent article, and the lotion composition includes a carrier and a cooling agent including a specific N-substituted p-menthane carboxamide substance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2011-513236 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the absorbent article of Patent Document 1 contains a solidifying agent so that the lotion composition is solid at room temperature and has a melting point of at least 32° C., so that the wearer has a problem that it is difficult to obtain a refreshing feeling (i.e., a cooling effect) due to the cooling agent immediately after opening the individual package of the absorbent article and wearing the absorbent article. Furthermore, after the lotion composition melts due to the wearer's body temperature while wearing the absorbent article, the cooling agent contained in the lotion composition is released all at once, so that it is difficult to obtain a cooling effect due to the cooling agent for a long period of time. This problem is not limited to cooling agents, but can also occur with warming agents that provide a warming effect.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an absorbent article that can provide a warming effect and / or a cooling effect immediately after wearing, and that can provide these effects continuously for a long period of time even while wearing it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment (embodiment 1) of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable layer, a liquid-impermeable layer, and an absorbent layer located between these two layers, The absorbent article has a gel lotion on at least a portion of an area that contacts the wearer's skin, The absorbent article is characterized in that the gel lotion contains a styrene-based elastomer, a hydrocarbon oil, and a lipophilic functional agent including a warming agent and / or a cooling agent. In this specification, a lipophilic functional agent containing a warming agent and / or a cooling agent means that the lipophilic functional agent includes an embodiment in which the lipophilic functional agent contains only one of a warming agent and a cooling agent, and an embodiment in which the lipophilic functional agent contains both a warming agent and a cooling agent.

[0008] The absorbent article of this embodiment has a gel lotion containing a styrene-based elastomer, a hydrocarbon oil, and a lipophilic functional agent containing a warming agent and / or a cooling agent in at least a portion of the area that comes into contact with the wearer's skin, and the gel lotion is capable of gradually releasing the lipophilic functional agent together with the hydrocarbon oil, so that the functional agent is gradually released from the storage stage before use of the absorbent article (for example, when in an individually packaged state), allowing the wearer to feel a warmth and / or coolness caused by the functional agent immediately after opening the individually packaged absorbent article and wearing it, and further, the functional agent is gradually released even while the absorbent article is being worn, allowing the wearer to feel a continuous warmth and / or coolness for a long period of time. Therefore, the absorbent article of this embodiment can provide a warming effect and / or a cooling effect due to the functional agent immediately after wearing, and can provide these effects continuously for a long period of time even while wearing the article.

[0009] In another aspect (aspect 2) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of aspect 1, the gel lotion contains the functional agent in a content ratio of 5% to 50% by mass.

[0010] In the absorbent article of this embodiment, the gel lotion contains a functional agent at a content ratio of 5% by mass or more, so that the warming effect and / or cooling effect due to the functional agent can be obtained more reliably. Also, the gel lotion contains a functional agent at a content ratio of 50% by mass or less, so that the styrene-based elastomer more reliably forms a gel. This allows the absorbent article of this embodiment to more reliably obtain the warming effect and / or cooling effect provided by the functional agent.

[0011] In still another aspect (aspect 3) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of aspect 1 or 2 above, the gel lotion contains the styrene-based elastomer in a content ratio of 2% by mass to 30% by mass.

[0012] In the absorbent article of this embodiment, the gel lotion contains a styrene-based elastomer at a content ratio of 2% by mass or more, which makes it easy to form a gel with high retention power of the hydrocarbon oil and the functional agent, and allows for more stable and sustained release of the hydrocarbon oil and the functional agent. Also, the gel lotion contains a styrene-based elastomer at a content ratio of 30% by mass or less, which makes it possible to keep the temperature conditions (e.g., coating temperature, etc.) low when the gel lotion is melted and applied to the absorbent article or its constituent members (e.g., liquid-permeable layer, etc.), making it difficult to release the functional agent. This allows the absorbent article of this embodiment to provide the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect more stably and continuously.

[0013] In still another aspect (Aspect 4) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of Aspects 1 to 3 above, the viscosity of the functional agent at 35°C is greater than the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C.

[0014] In the absorbent article of the present embodiment, the viscosity of the functional agent at 35°C is greater than the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C, i.e., the functional agent is less likely to spread than the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C, which is close to the wearer's body temperature. Therefore, while the absorbent article is being worn, the functional agent released from the gel tends to remain in place, while the hydrocarbon oil released from the gel together with the functional agent tends to spread out to surround the functional agent. When the functional agent and hydrocarbon oil released from such a gel come into contact with the wearer's skin, the localized presence of the functional agent makes the wearer more likely to feel a warm and / or cool sensation, and the hydrocarbon oil adheres to the wearer's skin in a manner that surrounds the functional agent, making it easier for the functional agent to remain on the wearer's skin. This allows the absorbent article of this embodiment to more effectively and accurately obtain the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect.

[0015] In yet another embodiment (embodiment 5) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of embodiments 1 to 4 above, the gel lotion is 20 g / m 2 ~1000g / m 2The absorbent article is characterized in that the absorbent article has a basis weight of 1000 g / m2.

[0016] The absorbent article of this embodiment has a gel lotion content of 20 g / m 2 By disposing the gel in the absorbent article at a basis weight of 1000 g / m or more, a predetermined gel thickness can be ensured, and the warming effect and / or cooling effect of the gel can be obtained more reliably. 2 By disposing the gel lotion in the absorbent article with the following basis weight, the gel lotion can be disposed stably when applied by coating or the like, and the wearer is less likely to experience a foreign body sensation or discomfort due to a large gel thickness. As a result, the absorbent article of this embodiment can more reliably obtain the warming effect and / or cooling effect described above, and can provide a more excellent wearing comfort.

[0017] In yet another aspect (Aspect 6) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any of Aspects 1 to 5 above, the gel lotion is disposed on the surface of the non-skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer, and a portion of the gel lotion disposed on the surface of the non-skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer penetrates the liquid-permeable layer in the thickness direction and reaches the surface of the skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer.

[0018] In the absorbent article of this embodiment, the gel lotion is disposed on the surface of the non-skin facing side of the liquid-permeable layer, so that the gel lotion is unlikely to fall off even when rubbed against the wearer's skin, and the effect can be steadily obtained. In addition, a part of the gel lotion disposed on the surface of the non-skin facing side of the liquid-permeable layer penetrates the liquid-permeable layer in the thickness direction and reaches the surface of the skin facing side of the liquid-permeable layer, so that the functional agent contained in the gel lotion, together with the hydrocarbon oil, can easily come into contact with the wearer's skin. This allows the absorbent article of this embodiment to more stably and reliably obtain the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect.

[0019] In still another aspect (aspect 7) of the present invention, in the absorbent article of any one of the above aspects 1 to 6, the gel lotion has a compressive stress at 50% strain of 1 kPa to 100 kPa.

[0020] In the absorbent article of this embodiment, the gel lotion has a compressive stress at 50% strain of 1 kPa or more, so that even if the wearer's body pressure is applied while wearing the absorbent article, the gel can be sufficiently elastically deformed against the body pressure, that is, the gel is unlikely to deform beyond its elastic limit and break. Also, the gel lotion has a compressive stress at 50% strain of 100 kPa or less, so that the gel has appropriate flexibility and is unlikely to cause a foreign body sensation or discomfort to the wearer. As a result, the absorbent article of this embodiment can more stably obtain the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect, and can provide a more excellent wearing comfort. Effect of the Invention

[0021] The absorbent article of the present invention can provide a warming effect and / or a cooling effect immediately after wearing, and can provide these effects continuously for a long period of time even while wearing the article. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the width direction W of a main portion of the liquid-permeable layer 2 on which the gel lotion 5 is disposed. [Diagram 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the width direction W of a key portion of the liquid-permeable layer 2 when the viscosity of the functional agent contained in the gel lotion 5 at 35°C is greater than the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C, where (a) shows the state of the sanitary napkin 1 before use (before wearing), and (b) shows the state of the sanitary napkin 1 while being worn. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] (Various definitions) Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the absorbent article of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "plan view" simply refers to "viewing an object (e.g., an absorbent article, a liquid-permeable layer, etc.) placed on a horizontal surface in an unfolded state in the thickness direction of the object from above in the vertical direction."

[0024] Unless otherwise specified, the various directions and the like used in this specification are as follows. In this specification, the "longitudinal direction" refers to the "longer direction of the length of a vertically elongated object (e.g., an absorbent article, etc.) when viewed in a plane", the "width direction" refers to the "shorter direction of the length of a vertically elongated object when viewed in a plane", and the "thickness direction" refers to the "perpendicular direction to an object placed on a horizontal surface in an unfolded state", and these longitudinal, width and thickness directions are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, in this specification, "in the longitudinal direction of a vertically elongated object, a side proximal to a central axis line located in the longitudinal center of the object and extending in the width direction" is referred to as "inner side in the longitudinal direction," and "in the longitudinal direction of the vertically elongated object, a side distal to the central axis line" is referred to as "outer side in the longitudinal direction." Similarly, "in the longitudinal direction of a vertically elongated object, a side proximal to a central axis line C located in the longitudinal center of the object and extending in the width direction" is referred to as "outer side in the longitudinal direction." L "The proximal side relative to the central axis C in the width direction" is referred to as "the inner side in the width direction" and "the L The "distal side relative to the" is referred to as the "outer side in the width direction." Furthermore, in this specification, in the thickness direction of the absorbent article, "the side that is relatively proximal to the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn" is referred to as the "skin-facing side", and "the side that is relatively distal to the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn" is referred to as the "non-skin-facing side".

[0025] [Absorbent articles] As shown in FIG. 1, a sanitary napkin 1, which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, has a longitudinal direction L and a width direction W when viewed in a plane, and has a vertically elongated outer shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction L protrude in an arc toward the outside in the longitudinal direction L. In the present invention, the external shape of the absorbent article is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and any shape (for example, oval, hourglass, gourd, etc.) can be adopted according to various applications and usage modes.

[0026] Furthermore, the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1 has as its main components in the thickness direction T: a liquid-permeable layer 2 made of a liquid-permeable sheet such as a nonwoven fabric located relatively on the skin-facing side T1; a liquid-impermeable layer 3 made of a liquid-permeable sheet such as a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric or a resin film located relatively on the non-skin-facing side T2; and an absorbent layer 4 having liquid-absorbing and liquid-retaining properties located between these two sheets.

[0027] The sanitary napkin 1 further comprises, as its constituent parts, a pair of side sheets (not shown) located at both ends in the width direction W on the skin-facing side T1 of the liquid-permeable layer 2; and an adhesive portion (not shown) for fastening to clothing, which is located on the surface of the non-skin-facing side T2 of the liquid-impermeable layer 3.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment has a gel lotion 5 containing a styrene-based elastomer, a hydrocarbon oil, and a lipophilic functional agent including a warming agent and / or a cooling agent disposed on a portion of the surface of the non-skin-facing side T2 of the liquid-permeable layer 2, and further, the gel lotion 5 is arranged in the form of six stripes extending linearly in the longitudinal direction L and aligned at a predetermined interval in the width direction W.

[0029] 2, the gel lotion 5 disposed on the surface of the non-skin facing side T2 of the liquid-permeable layer 2 is present such that a part of it permeates the liquid-permeable layer 2 in the thickness direction T and reaches the surface of the skin facing side T1 of the liquid-permeable layer 2 (i.e., part of the area in contact with the wearer's skin). In other words, the sanitary napkin 1 has the gel lotion 5 on part of the surface of the skin facing side T1 of the liquid-permeable layer 2, which is the area in contact with the wearer's skin.

[0030] In this way, the sanitary napkin 1 has a gel lotion 5 containing a styrene-based elastomer, a hydrocarbon oil, and a lipophilic functional agent including a warming agent and / or a cooling agent on a portion of the surface of the skin-facing side T1 of the liquid-permeable layer 2, which is the area that comes into contact with the wearer's skin, and the gel lotion 5 is capable of gradually releasing the lipophilic functional agent along with the hydrocarbon oil, so that the functional agent is gradually released from the storage stage before use of the sanitary napkin 1 (for example, when it is individually packaged), allowing the wearer to feel a warm or cool sensation caused by the functional agent immediately after opening the individually packaged sanitary napkin 1 and putting it on, and further, the functional agent is gradually released even while the sanitary napkin 1 is being worn, allowing the wearer to feel a warm and / or cool sensation continuously for a long period of time. Therefore, the sanitary napkin 1 can provide a warming and / or cooling effect due to the functional agents immediately after wearing, and can provide these effects continuously for a long period of time even while the napkin is being worn.

[0031] Various constituent members that can be used in the absorbent article of the present invention will now be described in more detail using the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1.

[0032] [Liquid permeable layer] In the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1, as shown in Figure 1, the liquid-permeable layer 2 has an elongated outer shape that extends from one edge to the other edge in the longitudinal direction L of the sanitary napkin 1 when viewed in a plane, and also extends from near one edge to near the other edge in the width direction W of the sanitary napkin 1 (i.e., has a size larger in the longitudinal direction L and width direction W than the absorbent layer 4 arranged on the non-skin-facing side T2 of the liquid-permeable layer 2).

[0033] Such a liquid-permeable layer 2 is positioned relatively at the position of the skin-facing side T1 in the thickness direction T of the sanitary napkin 1 (more specifically, at the position of the skin-facing side T1 of the absorbent layer 4) and forms the contact surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin, i.e., the surface of the skin-facing side T1 of the sanitary napkin 1, and is composed of a sheet-like member (liquid-permeable sheet) that has a predetermined liquid permeability that allows excretory fluids such as menstrual blood discharged from the wearer to pass through.

[0034] In the present invention, the sheet-like member that can be used as the liquid-permeable layer is not particularly limited as long as it has various properties (e.g., liquid permeability, texture, flexibility, strength, etc.) that can be used as a liquid-permeable layer of an absorbent article. For example, known liquid-permeable sheet-like members such as nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, and point-bond nonwoven fabrics, and porous resin films can be used.

[0035] In addition, when a nonwoven fabric is used as the liquid-permeable layer, the nonwoven fabric may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure of two or more layers. The type of fiber constituting the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include hydrophilic fibers such as cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic resin fibers that have been subjected to hydrophilic treatment. These fibers may be used alone or in combination of two or more types of fibers.

[0036] Furthermore, examples of cellulosic fibers that can be used as constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric include natural cellulose fibers (eg, plant fibers such as cotton), regenerated cellulose fibers, refined cellulose fibers, and semi-synthetic cellulose fibers. Examples of thermoplastic resin fibers that can be used as constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric include fibers made of known thermoplastic resins such as olefin resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide resins such as nylon 6. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0037] In the present invention, the outer shape, various dimensions, basis weight, etc. of the liquid-permeable layer are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention, and any shape, various dimensions, basis weight, etc. can be adopted according to the desired liquid permeability, touch, flexibility, strength, etc. For example, the basis weight of the liquid-permeable layer is 25 g / m 2 ~50g / m 2 The thickness of the sheet is, for example, 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The basis weight of the liquid-permeable layer can be measured in accordance with 5.2 of JIS L 1906, and the thickness of the liquid-permeable layer can be measured in a non-contact manner using a laser displacement meter (for example, a high-precision two-dimensional laser displacement meter LJ-G series (model: LJ-G030) manufactured by Keyence Corporation). The thickness of the liquid-permeable layer is measured at five different measurement target locations, and the average value is used.

[0038] In addition, any drug other than a gel lotion (e.g., a plant-derived extract, etc.) may be applied to the surface facing the skin of the liquid-permeable layer, and an intermediate layer having predetermined liquid diffusibility and liquid permeability may be disposed on the non-skin facing side of the liquid-permeable layer.

[0039] The liquid-permeable layer may be bonded to the non-skin facing surfaces of the pair of side sheets, to the skin facing side or non-skin facing side of the absorbent layer, to the skin facing side of the liquid-impermeable layer, or to all of the above. Furthermore, the bonding method is not particularly limited, and any bonding means such as a hot melt adhesive or heat fusion can be used.

[0040] [Gel lotion] In the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1, the gel lotion 5 is arranged in the form of six stripes on the surface of the non-skin-facing side T2 of the liquid-permeable layer 2, extending linearly in the longitudinal direction L and aligned at a predetermined interval in the width direction W, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0041] The gel lotion 5 contains a styrene-based elastomer as a gelling agent component, a hydrocarbon oil as a lotion component, and a lipophilic functional agent containing a warming agent and / or a cooling agent as a warming component and / or a cooling agent. The mesh-like network structure formed by the styrene-based elastomer described below holds the hydrocarbon oil and the lipophilic functional agent so that they can be gradually released (sustained release), thereby providing a lotion effect (i.e., skin care effect) due to the hydrocarbon oil and a warming effect and / or cooling effect due to the functional agent (more specifically, due to the warming agent and / or cooling agent contained in the functional agent) that is sustained over a long period of time.

[0042] The various components of the gel lotion that can be used in the present invention will now be described in detail.

[0043] (styrene elastomer) The styrene-based elastomer used in the gel lotion is not particularly limited as long as it can achieve the effects of the present invention, and examples thereof include those having a hard segment and a soft segment. The hard segment may be, for example, a styrene-based hard segment, and the soft segment may be, for example, an olefin-based soft segment.

[0044] Furthermore, examples of the styrene-based hard segment include polystyrene, polyα-methylstyrene, and copolymers of styrene and α-methylstyrene, and examples of the olefin-based soft segment include homopolymers of polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polybutadiene, etc.), copolymers of polyolefins, and hydrogen adducts thereof.

[0045] The arrangement of the hard segment and soft segment in the styrene-based elastomer is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the hard segment is arranged at both ends of a molecular chain consisting of one or more types of soft segments.

[0046] Such styrenic elastomers form a network structure composed of a plurality of aggregated domains formed by the interaction of hard segments and soft segments connecting the plurality of aggregated domains. Therefore, they exhibit the function of an elastomer and can maintain a gel state even under temperature conditions near body temperature (about 35°C to about 40°C). In addition, the network structure formed by such styrenic elastomers also has the function of retaining and gradually releasing (sustained release) hydrocarbon oil and lipophilic functional agents.

[0047] Specific examples of such styrenic elastomers include, for example, styrene-ethylene-propylene block copolymers (SEP), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers (SEPS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers (SEEPS), and other styrenic block copolymers.

[0048] In addition, the weight average molecular weight (M W ) of the styrenic elastomer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5,000 or more and 500,000 or less, more preferably 10,000 or more and 400,000 or less, and still more preferably 50,000 or more and 300,000 or less. When the weight average molecular weight is 5,000 or more, the styrenic elastomer is likely to retain the gel structure. When the weight average molecular weight is 500,000 or less, the gelation does not become too hard, and it is possible to less likely cause a foreign body sensation or discomfort to the wearer during the wearing of the absorbent article.

[0049] The weight average molecular weight of the styrenic elastomer can be determined by gel filtration chromatography (GPC) measurement under the following conditions using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the mobile phase and converting to polystyrene equivalent. <GPC measurement conditions> Model: High Performance Liquid Chromatogram Lachrom Elite manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation Column: SHODEX KF-804 manufactured by Showa Denko Co., Ltd. Solvent: THF Flow rate: 1.0mL / min Injection amount: 100μL Detection: RI (differential refractometer)

[0050] The styrene-based elastomer preferably contains 10% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less of a styrene-based block component and 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less of an olefin-based block component, more preferably contains 15% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less of a styrene-based block component and 60% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less of an olefin-based block component, and particularly preferably contains 18% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less of a styrene-based block component and 65% by mass or more and 82% by mass or less of an olefin-based block component.

[0051] When the amount of the styrene-based block component is 10% by mass or more, the amount of the hard segment (i.e., the styrene-based block component) that forms the above-mentioned aggregation domain can be ensured to be at least a certain amount, so that the styrene-based elastomer is likely to form a mesh-like network structure. On the other hand, when the amount of the styrene-based block component is 50% by mass or less, the amount of the olefin-based block component that holds the hydrocarbon oil or functional agent can be ensured to be at least a certain amount, so that the amount of the hydrocarbon oil or functional agent that can be held can be increased, and the amount of the aggregation domain formed by the hard segment (styrene-based block component) can be limited to a certain amount or less, so that the gel applied to the liquid-permeable layer does not become too hard, and it is possible to make it difficult for the wearer to feel a foreign body sensation or discomfort while wearing the absorbent article.

[0052] Furthermore, the content of the styrene-based elastomer contained in the gel lotion is not particularly limited, but the styrene-based elastomer is preferably contained in a content ratio of 2% by mass to 30% by mass, more preferably 3% by mass to 20% by mass, and even more preferably 5% by mass to 20% by mass, relative to the total mass of the gel lotion. When the gel lotion contains a styrene-based elastomer at a content ratio of 2% by mass or more, it is easy to form a gel with high retention power of the hydrocarbon oil and the functional agent, and the hydrocarbon oil and the functional agent can be released more stably and sustainably. When the gel lotion contains a styrene-based elastomer at a content ratio of 30% by mass or less, when the gel lotion is melted and placed on the absorbent article or its constituent member (e.g., liquid-permeable layer, etc.) by coating or the like, the temperature conditions (e.g., coating temperature, etc.) can be kept low, making it difficult to release the functional agent. As a result, an absorbent article containing such a gel lotion can exhibit the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect more stably and sustainably.

[0053] (Hydrocarbon oil) The hydrocarbon oil used in the gel lotion has a certain degree of fluidity at room temperature, and when it comes into contact with the skin of a wearer of the absorbent article, it provides a lotion effect (i.e., a skin care effect) to the wearer's skin.

[0054] Such a hydrocarbon oil is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the effects of the present invention, and may have a linear, branched or cyclic structure, and may have a saturated or unsaturated bond. Examples of such a hydrocarbon oil include linear hydrocarbons such as olefinic hydrocarbons (alkenes containing one double bond), paraffinic hydrocarbons (alkanes containing neither double nor triple bonds), acetylene hydrocarbons (alkynes containing one triple bond), and hydrocarbons containing two or more double and / or triple bonds; and cyclic hydrocarbons such as aromatic hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons.

[0055] Among these hydrocarbons, it is preferable to use chain hydrocarbons or alicyclic hydrocarbons, more preferably chain hydrocarbons, even more preferably paraffinic hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, or hydrocarbons containing two or more double bonds (but not including triple bonds), and particularly preferably paraffinic hydrocarbons. The chain hydrocarbons include linear and branched chain hydrocarbons.

[0056] The above-mentioned hydrocarbon oil has a kinetic viscosity of 0.01 mm at 40°C. 2 / s or more 80mm 2 / s or less, and the weight average molecular weight is preferably less than 1,000. The kinetic viscosity can be measured at a test temperature of 40°C using a Cannon-Fenske reverse flow viscometer in accordance with "5. Kinetic viscosity test method" of JIS K 2283:2000.

[0057] A certain amount of the hydrocarbon oil contained in the gel lotion bleeds out onto the surface of the gel lotion together with the lipophilic functional agent, and when this bled-out hydrocarbon oil is transferred to the wearer's skin, a new certain amount of the hydrocarbon oil bleeds out onto the surface of the gel lotion. In this way, the gel lotion can continuously release a certain amount of hydrocarbon oil.

[0058] Furthermore, the content of the hydrocarbon oil contained in the gel lotion is not particularly limited, but the hydrocarbon oil is preferably contained in a content ratio of 20% by mass to 93% by mass, more preferably 40% by mass to 92% by mass, and even more preferably 50% by mass to 85% by mass, relative to the total mass of the gel lotion.

[0059] (Functional Agent) The lipophilic functional agent used in the gel lotion contains a warming agent and / or a cooling agent that stimulates the warmth perception receptors and / or coldness perception receptors in the wearer's skin, thereby causing the wearer to perceive a warmth and / or a coldness, thereby providing a warmth and / or a cooling effect to the wearer's skin.

[0060] The warming agent that can be used as the functional agent is not particularly limited as long as it can achieve the effects of the present invention, but examples include warming agents that activate TRP channels, i.e., agonists for TRPV1 receptors and agonists for TRPV3 receptors, among which agonists for TRPV1 are preferred, because the activation temperature threshold of the TRPV1 receptor is high at over 43°C and can provide a high warming sensation to the wearer.

[0061] Specific examples of the warming agent include capsicoside, capsaicin, capsaicinoids (dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, nonivamide, etc.), capsanthin, benzyl nicotinate, β-butoxyethyl nicotinate, N-acylvanilamide, nonanoic acid vanillylamide, polyhydric alcohols, chili pepper powder, chili pepper tincture, chili pepper extract, nonanoic acid vanillyl ether, vanillyl alcohol alkyl ether derivatives (e.g., vanillyl ethyl ether, vanillyl butyl ether, vanillyl pentyl ether, vanillyl hexyl ether), isovanillyl alcohol alkyl ether, ethyl vanillyl alcohol alkyl ether, veratorial alcohol derivatives, substituted benzyl alcohol derivatives, substituted benzyl alcohol alkyl ether, vanillin propylene glycol acetal, ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal, ginger extract, ginger oil, gingerol, zingerone, etc. These substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0062] The warming agent may be used together with a solvent component that dissolves or disperses the warming agent. Such a solvent component is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a lipophilic solvent, more specifically, fatty acid esters such as triglycerides, and fats and oils such as coconut oil and linseed oil.

[0063] The cooling sensation agent that can be used as the functional agent is not particularly limited as long as it can produce the effects of the present invention, and examples thereof include known cooling sensation agents such as menthol and its derivatives, methyl salicylate, and essential oils derived from plants such as mint and eucalyptus, and more specifically, 1-menthol, menthyl glyceryl ether, menthone glycerin acetal, etc. These substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0064] The cooling agent may be used together with a solvent component that dissolves or disperses the cooling agent. Such a solvent component is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a lipophilic solvent similar to that of the above-mentioned warming agent.

[0065] The above-mentioned warming agent and cooling agent may each be contained alone in the functional agent, or both may be contained together in the functional agent. Such lipophilic functional agents containing warming and / or cooling agents are not miscible with hydrocarbon oils, but like hydrocarbon oils, they bleed out in constant amounts and transfer to the wearer's skin, and therefore the gel lotion can continuously release a constant amount of the functional agent.

[0066] Furthermore, the content of the lipophilic functional agent contained in the gel lotion is not particularly limited, but the lipophilic functional agent is preferably contained in a content ratio of 5 mass % to 50 mass % relative to the total mass of the gel lotion, more preferably a content ratio of 5 mass % to 40 mass %, and even more preferably a content ratio of 10 mass % to 30 mass %. When the gel lotion contains a functional agent at a content ratio of 5% by mass or more, the warming effect and / or cooling effect of the functional agent can be obtained more reliably. When the gel lotion contains a functional agent at a content ratio of 50% by mass or less, the styrene-based elastomer more reliably forms a gel. As a result, an absorbent article containing such a gel lotion can more reliably exhibit the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect.

[0067] In the present invention, it is also preferred that the viscosity of the functional agent contained in the gel lotion at 35°C is greater than the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C. In this way, when the viscosity of the functional agent at 35°C is greater than that of the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C, that is, when the functional agent spreads less easily than the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C near the body temperature of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 3, the functional agent 51 released from the gel (i.e., the gel skeleton of the gel lotion 5) tends to remain in place while the hydrocarbon oil 52 released from the gel together with the functional agent 51 tends to spread so as to surround the functional agent 51 (see FIG. 3(b)). When the functional agent 51 and the hydrocarbon oil 52 released from such a gel permeate the liquid-permeable layer 2 and come into contact with the wearer's skin, the local presence of the functional agent 51 makes it easier for the wearer to feel a warming sensation and / or a cold sensation, and the hydrocarbon oil 52 adheres to the wearer's skin so as to surround the functional agent 51, making it easier for the functional agent 51 to remain on the wearer's skin. As a result, an absorbent article containing such a gel lotion can more effectively and accurately exhibit the above-mentioned warming sensation effect and / or cold sensation effect.

[0068] Here, the method for determining the magnitude relationship between the viscosity of the functional agent and the hydrocarbon oil at 35° C. is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to compare the viscosities of both at 35° C., and for example, the magnitude relationship between the two can be determined by measuring the respective viscosities using a general rotational viscometer (e.g., B-type or cone-plate type viscometer, etc.) under common measurement conditions at 35° C. Note that when the functional agent is solid at 35° C., it is determined that the viscosity of the functional agent is greater than that of the hydrocarbon oil at 35° C. in that state.

[0069] (Other Ingredients) The gel lotion used in the present invention may contain other components in addition to the styrene-based elastomer, the hydrocarbon oil, and the lipophilic functional agent, within the range that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0070] Such other components are not particularly limited, but include known additives such as vitamins, various amino acids, peptides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid, lecithin, ceramide, skin astringents, anti-acne agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-cellulite agents, skin whitening agents, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory components, pH adjusters, moisturizers, silicone oils, surfactants (e.g., cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, etc.), antioxidants (e.g., 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate, etc.), natural zeolites (e.g., analcime, chabazite, heulandite, natrolite, stilbite, somosonite, etc.), synthetic zeolites, stabilizers (e.g., light stabilizers, etc.), colorants, pigments (e.g., titanium oxide, zinc oxide, etc.), and fragrances. These components may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0071] Furthermore, the gel lotion used in the present invention preferably has a compressive stress at 50% strain of 1 kPa to 100 kPa, more preferably a compressive stress at 50% strain of 1 kPa to 80 kPa, and even more preferably a compressive stress at 50% strain of 1.5 kPa to 60 kPa. When the gel lotion has a compressive stress at 50% strain of 1 kPa or more, even if the wearer's body pressure is applied while wearing it, the gel can be sufficiently elastically deformed against the body pressure, that is, the gel is unlikely to deform beyond its elastic limit and break. Also, when the gel lotion has a compressive stress at 50% strain of 100 kPa or less, the gel has a suitable flexibility and is unlikely to cause a foreign body sensation or discomfort to the wearer. As a result, an absorbent article containing such a gel lotion can more stably exhibit the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect, and can provide a better wearing feeling.

[0072] Here, the compressive stress at 50% strain of the gel lotion can be measured as follows. Any matters not specified below shall follow "Compressive stress at 3.7 x% strain" in JIS K 7181:2011 "Plastics - Determination of compressive properties". (1) Prepare a compression tester (e.g., a small tabletop tester EzTest (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation)) in a constant temperature and humidity room at 20°C and 65% RH. (2) Attach a compression jig (for example, a stainless steel compression jig with a diameter of 120 mm) to the compression test machine. (3) A gel lotion of a given shape (for example, a cylinder with a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 8 mm) is placed in a compression jig. (4) The gel lotion is compressed at a compression speed of 5 mm / min until the compression amount reaches 4 mm, i.e., the strain is 50%, and the compression force (N) is read. (5) Convert the compressed force (N) read into compressive stress (Pa). The compressive stress is measured three times on different samples, and the average value is used.

[0073] In the present invention, the gel lotion is 20 g / m 2 ~1000g / m 2 and more preferably 30 g / m 2 ~600g / m 2 and more preferably 40 g / m 2 ~400g / m 2 The basis weight is 100g. Gel lotion is 20g / m 2 When the gel lotion is placed in the absorbent article with a basis weight of 1000 g / m or more, a predetermined gel thickness can be ensured, and the warming effect and / or cooling effect of the gel can be obtained more reliably. 2When the gel lotion is placed in the absorbent article with the following basis weight, the gel lotion can be stably placed when it is placed by coating, etc., and the wearer is less likely to experience a foreign body sensation or discomfort due to a large gel thickness. As a result, an absorbent article in which the gel lotion is placed with such a basis weight can more reliably obtain the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect, and can provide a better wearing comfort.

[0074] In the sanitary napkin 1 of the above embodiment, the gel lotion 5 is disposed on the surface of the non-skin facing side T2 of the liquid permeable layer 2 by coating or the like, as shown in Fig. 2, and a part of the gel lotion 5 is present so as to reach the surface of the skin facing side T1 of the liquid permeable layer 2 while penetrating the liquid permeable layer 2 in the thickness direction T. By disposing the gel lotion 5 on the surface of the non-skin facing side T2 of the liquid permeable layer 2 in this manner, the sanitary napkin 1 is unlikely to fall off even if the wearer's skin is rubbed while wearing it, and can steadily exert its effect. In addition, by disposing a part of the gel lotion 5 on the surface of the non-skin facing side T2 of the liquid permeable layer 2 so as to reach the surface of the skin facing side T1 of the liquid permeable layer 2 while penetrating the liquid permeable layer 2 in the thickness direction T, the functional agent contained in the gel lotion 5 can easily come into contact with the wearer's skin together with the hydrocarbon oil. This allows the sanitary napkin 1 to more stably and steadily exert the above-mentioned warming effect and / or cooling effect.

[0075] In the present invention, the arrangement of the gel lotion is not limited to such an embodiment, and for example, the gel lotion may be arranged on the surface of the skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer so that a part of it permeates the liquid-permeable layer in the thickness direction, or it may be arranged only on the surface of the skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer (i.e., so as not to permeate into the liquid-permeable layer). Even when the gel lotion is arranged on the surface of the skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer, by arranging the gel lotion so that a part of it permeates the liquid-permeable layer in the thickness direction, the gel lotion can be made less likely to fall off even if the wearer's skin is rubbed while wearing it.

[0076] Furthermore, as in the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1 shown in Figure 2, when the amount of gel lotion 5 present on the surface of the non-skin-facing side T2 of the liquid-permeable layer 2 is greater than the amount of gel lotion 5 present on the surface of the skin-facing side T1, the gel lotion 5 is less likely to inhibit excreted liquid such as menstrual blood supplied to the surface of the skin-facing side T1 of the liquid-permeable layer 2 from penetrating into the liquid-permeable layer 2, making it easier to ensure the liquid permeability of the liquid-permeable layer 2.In addition, the gel lotion 5 present on the surface of the non-skin-facing side T2 of the liquid-permeable layer 2 prevents excreted liquid once absorbed into the absorbent layer 4 from returning to the skin-facing side T1, so that even if excessive body pressure is applied in the thickness direction T of the sanitary napkin 1 and the excreted liquid absorbed by the absorbent layer 4 flows to the skin-facing side T1 (i.e., returns), it is possible to prevent the excreted liquid from coming into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1, the gel lotion 5 is arranged in the form of six stripes extending linearly in the longitudinal direction L and lined up at a predetermined interval in the width direction W, but in the present invention, the arrangement of the gel lotion is not limited to this form, and for example, the gel lotion may be arranged to extend in the form of any line (e.g., a straight line, a curved line, a zigzag line, etc.) of one line or two or more lines lined up at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction and / or width direction, or may be arranged in the form of multiple dots arranged regularly or irregularly. Furthermore, the gel lotion may be disposed on the surface of the skin-facing side or the surface of the non-skin-facing side of the pair of side sheets, as long as it is in a region that comes into contact with the skin of the wearer. In addition, when the absorbent article to which the present invention is applied is, for example, a napkin, disposable diaper, shorts, or the like having a specific shape that extends to the abdominal side of the wearer, a gel lotion containing a warming agent as a functional agent may be used and the gel lotion may be disposed on the abdominal side extending portion of the napkin having the specific shape, the waist portion of the disposable diaper, or shorts.

[0078] In the present invention, the method for producing the gel lotion is not particularly limited, and the gel lotion can be produced by mixing the above-mentioned various blending components using any known mixing means.For example, the gel lotion can be produced by feeding the above-mentioned various blending components into a mixer simultaneously or in any order, and melt-mixing them in the mixer.The melt-mixing means is also not particularly limited, and any known means can be used, such as a means using a mixer such as a single-screw extruder, a twin-screw extruder, a roll, a Banbury mixer, various kneaders, or a blending kettle.

[0079] [Absorption layer] In the sanitary napkin 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when viewed in a plane, the absorbent layer 4 extends over a wide area in the longitudinal direction L from near one edge in the longitudinal direction L to near the other edge, centered on the central portion in the longitudinal direction L and width direction W of the sanitary napkin 1, and also extends over a wide area in the width direction W from near one edge in the width direction W to near the other edge, and further has a vertically elongated outer shape in which the two longitudinal edges protrude in an arc shape toward the outward longitudinal direction.

[0080] The absorbent layer 4 is arranged between the liquid-permeable layer 2 and the liquid-impermeable layer 3 in the thickness direction T of the sanitary napkin 1, and is composed of an absorbent member with predetermined liquid absorption and liquid retention properties that can absorb and retain excreted liquids such as menstrual blood that have permeated the liquid-permeable layer 2 in the thickness direction T.

[0081] In the present invention, the absorbent member that can be used as the absorbent layer is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb and retain at least liquid such as excreted liquid, and any absorbent member known in the art can be used. For example, such an absorbent member includes at least one absorbent core made of an absorbent material covered with a core wrap sheet such as a hydrophilic tissue. Here, examples of the absorbent material that constitutes the absorbent core include hydrophilic fibers and highly absorbent polymers, and more specifically, examples of the absorbent material that constitutes the absorbent core include cellulose fibers such as ground pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, etc.; granules made of highly absorbent polymers such as sodium acrylate copolymers; and mixtures of any combinations of these.

[0082] In the present invention, the outer shape, various dimensions, basis weight, etc. of the absorbent layer are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention, and any shape (e.g., rectangular, elliptical, hourglass, etc.), various dimensions, basis weight, etc. may be adopted according to the desired absorption performance, flexibility, strength, etc. In addition, the position at which the absorbent layer is disposed is also not particularly limited as long as it is a position including the longitudinal center of the absorbent article, and the absorbent layer may be disposed, for example, biased toward one side (e.g., toward the front side) in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article.

[0083] [Liquid impermeable layer] In the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1, as shown in Figure 1, the liquid-impermeable layer 3 has a vertically elongated outer shape in a planar view, extending from one edge to the other edge in the longitudinal direction L of the sanitary napkin 1, and also extending from one edge to the other edge in the width direction W of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0084] Such liquid-impermeable layer 3 is positioned relatively at the position of the non-skin-facing side T2 in the thickness direction T of the sanitary napkin 1 (more specifically, at the position of the non-skin-facing side T2 of the absorbent layer 4) and forms the surface that faces the wearer's underwear and other clothing, i.e., the surface of the non-skin-facing side T2 of the sanitary napkin 1, and is composed of a sheet-like member (liquid-impermeable sheet) having a predetermined liquid impermeability that prevents excretory liquids such as menstrual blood that have permeated the absorbent layer 4 from leaking out of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0085] An adhesive portion (not shown) is disposed on the surface of the non-skin facing side T2 of the liquid impermeable layer 3 for adhesively fixing the sanitary napkin 1 to the inner surface of the wearer's clothing such as underwear.

[0086] In the present invention, the sheet-like member that can be used as the liquid-impermeable layer is not particularly limited as long as it has various properties (e.g., liquid impermeability, flexibility, strength, etc.) that can be used as a liquid-impermeable layer of an absorbent article, and for example, known liquid-impermeable sheet-like members such as hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics formed from any hydrophobic thermoplastic resin fibers (e.g., polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), various composite fibers such as core-sheath type, etc.); porous or non-porous resin films formed from hydrophobic thermoplastic resins such as PE and PP; laminates in which nonwoven fabrics are bonded to such resin films; and laminated nonwoven fabrics such as SMS nonwoven fabrics can be used.

[0087] A leak-proof sheet made of a thermoplastic resin film such as polyethylene may be disposed on the skin-facing side of the liquid-impermeable layer.

[0088] In addition, it is preferable that the liquid-impermeable layer does not transmit liquids such as excreted liquids, but has a certain level of breathability.

[0089] In the present invention, the outer shape, various dimensions, basis weight, etc. of the liquid-impermeable layer are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention, and any shape, various dimensions, basis weight, etc. can be adopted according to the desired leak-proof performance, breathability, strength, etc.

[0090] In addition to the sanitary napkins of the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention can be applied to various absorbent articles such as panty liners, (light) incontinence pads, disposable diapers, etc. Furthermore, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, etc., and appropriate combinations, substitutions, modifications, etc. are possible within the scope of the object and spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Sanitary napkins 2 Liquid permeable layer 3 Liquid-impermeable layer 4 Absorbing Layer 5. Gel Lotion

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable layer, a liquid-impermeable layer, and an absorbent layer located between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, The absorbent article has a gel lotion on at least a portion of an area that contacts the wearer's skin, The gel lotion comprises a styrene-based elastomer, a hydrocarbon oil, and a lipophilic functional agent including a warming agent and / or a cooling agent; The absorbent article is characterized in that the gel lotion is disposed on the surface of the non-skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer, and a portion of the gel lotion disposed on the surface of the non-skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer penetrates the liquid-permeable layer in the thickness direction and reaches the surface of the skin-facing side of the liquid-permeable layer.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the gel lotion contains the functional agent in a content ratio of 5% by mass to 50% by mass.

3. 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the gel lotion contains the styrene-based elastomer in a content ratio of 2% by mass to 30% by mass.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the functional agent has a viscosity at 35°C greater than the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil at 35°C.

5. The gel lotion has a density of 20 g / m ２ ~1000g / m ２ The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the absorbent article is disposed with a basis weight of 100 g / m2 or less.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gel lotion has a compressive stress at 50% strain of 1 kPa to 100 kPa.

Images