Absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article allowing a user to hygienically and easily perform replacement work of an absorbent article and to dispose the absorbent article which was used with high concealability.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 50 including a liquid permeable top sheet 10, a liquid impermeable back sheet 30, and an absorber 20 disposed therebetween, includes a first adhesive layer 80 provided on a non-skin-side surface of the back sheet 30, an individual package sheet 70 to be stuck to the first adhesive layer 80, and release paper 71 disposed on a non-skin side of the individual package sheet 70. The individual package sheet 70 includes a second adhesive layer 81 with a release agent applied to the skin side surface so as to be releasably stuck to the first adhesive layer 80, provided on the non-skin-side surface thereof, where the release paper 71 covers the second adhesive layer 81 and releasably stuck to the second adhesive layer 81.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] An absorbent article generally comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent disposed therebetween, and is configured such that the absorbent absorbs body fluids such as urine that have permeated the top sheet, and the back sheet prevents the body fluids from adhering to the wearer's clothing, etc. Absorbent articles come in various forms depending on the application, such as pad products such as light incontinence pads, light incontinence liners, urine absorption pads, and sanitary napkins, and paper diaper products such as pants-type paper diapers and tape-fastened paper diapers, and are widely used by elderly people, adults, and infants alike. Absorbent articles are usually published as products stored in a predetermined package.

[0003] Among absorbent articles, pad products, in particular, are generally used by fixing the non-skin side surface of the back sheet to the wearer's underwear. Since both hands are required to remove a used pad product from the underwear, it is difficult to remove the used pad product while holding a new pad product.

[0004] When replacing an absorbent article, many people wrap the used absorbent article in a new absorbent article packaging and throw it away. At this time, there may be no place to put the new absorbent article between the time of removing the new absorbent article from the packaging and wrapping the used absorbent article and throwing it away. Even if there is a stand in the toilet stall, it is troublesome that the slip prevention tape of the absorbent article sticks to the body, and placing the absorbent article with the skin side down is unhygienic. For this reason, the new absorbent article is temporarily attached to the wearer's own body or placed on the lap, but in that case, there is a risk that the adhesive strength of the slip prevention tape will weaken or that the absorbent article will accidentally drop to the floor when moving.

[0005] Some people also throw away used absorbent articles by rolling them up in toilet paper and wrapping them, but toilet paper wrapping is easier to open than wrapping them in a package, and there is a risk that the used absorbent article may be seen by cleaners or the next person who uses it. Also, if toilet paper is wrapped around the used absorbent article multiple times to prevent it from being exposed, the volume increases and the trash can becomes more likely to fill up.

[0006] Various proposals have been made to solve such problems. Patent Document 1 discloses a package for absorbent articles, which includes an absorbent article, a packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article, and an adhesive tape having one end releasably attached to the surface of the packaging sheet and the other end joined to an end in the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet, the adhesive tape being formed by laminating a first adhesive layer, a first substrate, a second adhesive layer, and a second substrate in this order, and further having a connecting portion connecting the first substrate and the second substrate (Claim 1). In the adhesive tape, the first adhesive layer and the first substrate joined thereto are releasably attached to the non-skin side of the packaging sheet by the first adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer and the second substrate joined thereto are releasably attached to the non-skin side of the first substrate by the second adhesive layer, and the second adhesive layer serves as an adhesive layer for temporarily attaching the package for absorbent articles to a wall or the wearer's body (Paragraphs 0036 to 0037). According to Patent Document 1, the second adhesive layer and the second substrate are peeled off from the adhesive tape starting from the connecting portion to expose the second adhesive layer connected to the packaging sheet and the absorbent article via the first substrate, and this second adhesive layer is attached to the wall of a toilet cubicle or to the wearer's body to secure the absorbent article so that it does not fall to the floor; after removing the used absorbent article using both hands, only the absorbent article secured as described above is removed and attached to underwear (paragraphs 0015 and 0053). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-198586 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the absorbent article packaging body described in Patent Document 1, even if the packaging body is temporarily attached to a wall or the body with the second adhesive layer, the possibility of the packaging body falling off is not eliminated, so it is not a fundamental solution. In addition, in a toilet cubicle when going out, even if the wall looks clean, it cannot necessarily be said to be hygienic. In addition, since the packaging body described in Patent Document 1 is not configured to wrap the used absorbent article in a packaging material such as a packaging sheet, when trying to wrap the used absorbent article in a packaging material or toilet paper, the fingertips etc. directly touch the used absorbent article, and the fingers are likely to become dirty.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article which allows the replacement of the absorbent article to be carried out hygienically and easily, and which allows the used absorbent article to be disposed of in a concealed manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In the course of research to solve the above problems, the inventor came up with the idea of ​​attaching a new absorbent article to the skin-facing surface of a used absorbent article that is attached to underwear, rather than attaching it to the wearer's body or the wall of a toilet cubicle, as in the conventional method. As a result of extensive research to realize the above idea, the inventor discovered that by using an absorbent article in which an individual packaging sheet of a predetermined structure is provided on the non-skin-facing surface of a backsheet, the used absorbent article and a new absorbent article can be handled as a laminated integral unit, and replacement of the used absorbent article can be carried out smoothly, easily and hygienically, and further the used absorbent article can be disposed of with good concealment, which led to the completion of the present invention. The present invention provides the following absorbent article.

[0011] (1) An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, a first adhesive layer provided on a non-skin side surface of the back sheet, an individually wrapped sheet attached to the first adhesive layer, and a release paper disposed on the non-skin side of the individually wrapped sheet, the individual packaging sheet has a release agent applied to its skin-side surface, is releasably attached to the first adhesive layer, and has a second adhesive layer provided on its non-skin-side surface; The release paper covers the second adhesive layer and is releasably attached to the second adhesive layer, an absorbent article. (2) The absorbent article of (1) above, further comprising a pair of liquid-impermeable side sheets at both longitudinal ends of the absorbent article on the skin-facing surface of the top sheet. (3) The absorbent article according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the release paper is smaller in the longitudinal and transverse directions than the first individual packaging sheet. (4) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the release paper is larger than the second adhesive layer in the longitudinal and transverse directions. (5) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (4) above, further comprising a printed layer provided on the non-skin side surface of the release paper. (6) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the release paper comprises semi-bleached kraft paper, kraft paper, fine paper, medium-quality paper, alkaline paper, glassine paper, semi-glassine paper, paperboard, or white paperboard. (7) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the first individual packaging sheet is a resin film, paper, nonwoven fabric, or a laminate of two or more of these. (8) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the release agent is a silicone-based release agent or a fluorine-based release agent. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, an absorbent article is provided which allows the replacement of the absorbent article to be carried out hygienically and easily, and allows the used absorbent article to be disposed of with good concealment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the top sheet side. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the width direction taken along the line XX shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams showing the replacement work of the absorbent article of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic example of an individual package which is a product (the absorbent article according to the present embodiment). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In this specification, wearing the absorbent article 50 refers to a state in which the absorbent article 50 is attached to the wearer's body, regardless of whether it is before or after absorbing bodily fluids. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 50 is the direction indicated by Y in the figure, which extends from front to back through the crotch of the wearer when the absorbent article 50 is worn, the width direction is the direction indicated by X in the figure, which is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the thickness direction is the direction indicated by Z in the figure, in which each component is stacked. The skin-side surfaces of the absorbent article 50 and each component thereof are the surfaces that contact the wearer's skin or face the skin, and the non-skin-side surfaces are the surfaces that contact the wearer's clothing or face the clothing. Body fluids refer to liquids discharged from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stool.

[0015] <Absorbent articles> Hereinafter, an absorbent article 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the absorbent article 50. Fig. 3 shows a series of steps for replacing the absorbent article 50. Fig. 4 shows an individual package (product) 51 of the absorbent article 50. The drawings do not stipulate the shapes of the absorbent article 50 and each of its components, or the size relationships between the dimensions, etc.

[0016] The absorbent article 50 of this embodiment can be used as various absorbent articles for babies, adults, and the elderly, and is particularly suitable for use as pad products such as light incontinence pads, light incontinence liners, sanitary napkins, and panty liners. The longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 50 is, for example, in the range of 100 mm to 800 mm, and the width dimension is, for example, in the range of 50 mm to 500 mm. By setting each dimension within the aforementioned numerical range, an absorbent article 50 suitable for light incontinence products, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and the like can be obtained.

[0017] 1 and 2, the absorbent article 50 of the present embodiment includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 10 located on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 30 located opposite the top sheet 10 and on the non-skin side, an absorbent 20 located between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30, a pair of three-dimensional gathers 40 provided at both ends in the width direction of the skin side surface of the top sheet 10, a pair of liquid-impermeable side sheets 60 provided at both ends in the length direction of the skin side surface of the top sheet 10, a first adhesive layer 80 provided on the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 30, an individually wrapped sheet 70 releasably attached to the first adhesive layer 80, and a release paper 71 provided on the non-skin side of the individually wrapped sheet 70. The individually wrapped sheet 70 has a first release layer 85 provided on its skin side surface so as to be in contact with the first adhesive layer 80, and a second adhesive layer 81 provided on its non-skin side surface. The release paper 71 is located on the closest side to the skin of the absorbent article 50 and is releasably attached to the second adhesive layer 81. Note that imaginary fold lines 61, 62 extending in the width direction and arranged in the longitudinal direction are set on the skin side surface of the absorbent article 50, and are used when folding the absorbent article 50 to manufacture the absorbent article 50. The manufacturing of the absorbent article 50 will be described later.

[0018] According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when replacing a used absorbent article 50a with a new absorbent article 50b, the used absorbent article 50a is left attached to the underwear 90, and the new absorbent article 50b is attached to the skin-facing surface of the used absorbent article 50a by removing the release paper 71 to expose the second adhesive layer 81 (FIG. 3(a)). Then, the laminate of the used absorbent article 50a and the new absorbent article 50b is removed from the underwear 90 and the laminate is folded so that the used absorbent article 50a faces inward. The used absorbent article 50a is folded as shown in FIG. 3(b) and the new absorbent article 50b is separated at the interface between the individual packaging sheet 70 and the first adhesive layer 80 (FIG. 3(c)). The folded used absorbent article 50a is then wrapped in the second adhesive layer 81 and the individual packaging sheet 70 which are part of the new absorbent article 50b, while the new absorbent article 50b is attached to the underwear 90 by the first adhesive layer 80 (FIG. 3(d)), thereby replacing the used absorbent article 50a with the new absorbent article 50b.

[0019] That is, according to this embodiment, firstly, by constructing a laminate in which absorbent article 50b is attached to absorbent article 50a attached to underwear 90, the laminate can be easily removed from underwear 90 using both hands, and by holding the laminate with both hands, absorbent article 50b is reliably prevented from falling off, and further, there is no need to attach absorbent article 50b to a wall of a toilet cubicle when going out, the hygienic condition of which is unknown. Secondly, because the individual packaging sheet 70 can be peeled off from the first adhesive layer 80, the laminate can be easily separated into absorbent article 50a wrapped with the second adhesive layer 81 and the individual packaging sheet 70, and absorbent article 50b with the first adhesive layer 80 exposed. Absorbent article 50b can be attached to underwear 90 as is with the first adhesive layer 80, and then absorbent article 50a can be sufficiently wrapped with the individual packaging sheet 70 using the second adhesive layer 81 before being discarded. This is hygienic as fingers do not directly touch absorbent article 50a, and also significantly improves concealment.

[0020] The absorbent article 50 of this embodiment has the top sheet 10, absorbent body 20, back sheet 30, first adhesive layer 80, individual packaging sheet 70, and release paper 71 as basic constituent units, and may be modified in various known ways, such as providing the three-dimensional gathers 40 and side sheets 60 as described above, arranging a second sheet 60 or a transfer sheet (not shown) between the top sheet 10 and absorbent body 20, and covering the absorbent body 20 with a carrier sheet (not shown). The constituent members of the absorbent article 50 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below in the order of the top sheet 10, absorbent body 20, back sheet 30, three-dimensional gathers 40, side sheets 60, individual packaging sheet 70, and release paper 71.

[0021] <Top sheet> The top sheet 10 is a liquid-permeable sheet-like substrate that quickly passes bodily fluids toward the absorbent 20 and diffuses the bodily fluids in the surface direction of the absorbent 20. The top sheet 10 is preferably a substrate that is soft to the touch and does not irritate the skin so that it may be directly in contact with the wearer's skin. Examples of the substrate include hydrophilic sheets, composite nonwoven fabrics that are laminates of the same or different hydrophilic sheets, open-ended films such as open-ended polyethylene films, and foamed films such as polyethylene foam and urethane foam. Examples of hydrophilic sheets include air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal bond nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, and the like, which are made using synthetic fibers made of synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton. Among these, each nonwoven fabric is preferable.

[0022] The surface of the top sheet 10 may be embossed or perforated to improve liquid permeability. The top sheet 10 may contain one or more of lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory components, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc. to reduce irritation to the skin. The basis weight of the top sheet 10 is, for example, 15 g / m2 from the viewpoints of strength, processability, and liquid return. 2 More than 40g / m 2 The following range or 19g / m 2 More than 35g / m 2The range is as follows: The shape of the top sheet 10 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape that covers all or a part of the absorbent body 20, which is necessary for guiding bodily fluids to the absorbent body 20 without leakage.

[0023] <Absorbent> The absorbent body 20 has a longitudinal dimension (maximum length) in the range of, for example, 100 mm to 800 mm, 150 mm to 500 mm, or 270 mm to 500 mm. The widthwise dimension (maximum width) of the absorbent body 20 is, for example, 50 mm to 500 mm, 60 mm to 400 mm, or 70 mm to 105 mm. When the absorbent body 20 has an hourglass-shaped planar shape, the longitudinal dimension is in the range of 180 mm to 800 mm, the widthwise dimensions of the front and rear parts that contact the wearer's abdomen and back, respectively, are both in the range of 60 mm to 400 mm, and the widthwise dimension of the central part that contacts the wearer's crotch is in the range of 90 mm to 250 mm. Examples of the planar shape of the absorbent body 20 include an hourglass shape, an I-shape, a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, an oval, and the like. The absorbent body 20 may be, for example, a fluff absorbent body containing absorbent fibers and a highly absorbent polymer.

[0024] (Absorbent Fiber) The absorbent fibers are not particularly limited as long as they are generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, paper diapers, and urine pads, and examples thereof include fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, etc. Among these, it is preferable to use fluff pulp from the viewpoint of absorbency. Examples of fluff pulp include wood pulp (e.g., coniferous bleached kraft pulp (N-BKP) such as southern pine and Douglas fir), synthetic fibers, resin fibers, non-wood pulp, etc. that have been defibrated into a cotton-like state. When fluff pulp is used as the absorbent fiber as the base material for the absorbent body 20, the basis weight of the absorbent fiber is, for example, 100 g / m2 from the viewpoint of skin feel, body fluid absorption capacity, etc. 2 More than 800g / m 2 Below range, 325g / m2 More than 615g / m 2 The range is as follows:

[0025] (Superabsorbent polymer) The superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter also referred to as "SAP") is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow, and examples thereof include polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponification products thereof. Among these, from the viewpoint of the absorption amount per weight, polyacrylates are preferred, alkali metal polyacrylates are more preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is even more preferred. The superabsorbent polymers can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0026] The superabsorbent polymer is used in the form of particles, fibers, etc., for example, but is preferably used in the form of particles from the viewpoint of ease of handling. In this case, by avoiding the use of a fine powder of superabsorbent polymer that has poor flowability as a powder and using a superabsorbent polymer having a median particle size, it is possible to improve the basic performance regarding absorption and reduce the rough feel caused by the absorbent body 20 hardening after absorbing body fluids. The median particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 12 is, for example, in the range of 50 μm to 600 μm or in the range of 100 μm to 500 μm. The content of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent body 20 is in the range of 40% by weight or more of the total amount of the absorbent body 20, or in the range of 40% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less.

[0027] In the absorbent body 20, the absorbent fibers and SAP may be in the form of a mixture of SAP particles in absorbent fibers, or may be in the form of a SAP sheet in which SAP particles are fixed between absorbent fibers. In addition to the above-mentioned fluff absorbent body, an absorbent sheet containing a plurality of hydrophilic sheets and a superabsorbent polymer fixed and supported between them may be used as the absorbent body 20. From the viewpoint of preventing leakage of SAP particles from the absorbent body 20 and stabilizing the shape of the absorbent body 20, a carrier sheet may be provided under the absorbent body 20 or so as to wrap the absorbent body 20 as a whole (not shown). The substrate of the carrier sheet may be any one that has hydrophilicity, and examples of the substrate include tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabric such as airlaid nonwoven fabric. When a plurality of carrier sheets are provided, the substrates of the plurality of carrier sheets may be the same or different.

[0028] <Back sheet> The back sheet 30 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate that prevents the body fluid held by the absorbent sheet 20 from wetting the wearer's clothing, and examples of the substrate include a resin film and a composite sheet that is a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric used in the composite sheet is not particularly limited in its manufacturing method, and examples thereof include single-layer nonwoven fabrics such as spunbond nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics such as spunbond nonwoven fabrics / meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates, and composite materials thereof. Examples of the resin film include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0029] The basis weight of the back sheet 30 is, for example, 15 g / m 2 More than 60g / m 2The range is as follows. In order to prevent stuffiness during wearing, it is preferable that the back sheet 30 has breathability. In order to provide the back sheet 30 with breathability, for example, a filler may be blended into the resin film of the base material, or the back sheet 30 may be embossed. An example of the filler is calcium carbonate, and the blending method may be a known method without any restrictions.

[0030] (First adhesive layer) A first adhesive layer 80 is provided on the non-skin side surface of the backsheet 30. The shape of the first adhesive layer 80 in a plan view is not particularly limited, but examples include a band-like shape extending in the width direction of the absorbent article 50, a stripe-like shape in which a plurality of elongated rectangles extend in the width direction or diagonal direction while being spaced apart and generally parallel to each other, and a plurality of circles, squares, triangles, hexagons, or stars are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction and / or length direction.

[0031] The first adhesive layer 80 contains an adhesive that exhibits adhesion to the first individual packaging sheet 70. The adhesive contained in the first adhesive layer 80 is not particularly limited, and known adhesives can be used, for example, hot melt adhesives. Hot melt adhesives having a melting point of 100°C or more and 180°C or less can be used without particular limitation, and examples thereof include synthetic rubber hot melt adhesives such as styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymers and styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymers, and olefin hot melt adhesives such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. As a method for applying the hot melt adhesive to the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 30, known methods such as a curtain coat method or a spiral method in which the molten hot melt adhesive is applied from a nozzle in a non-contact manner, and a slot method in which the adhesive is applied in a contact manner can be used. Double-sided tape or the like can also be used for the first adhesive layer 80.

[0032] <3D gathers> The three-dimensional gathers 40 may be provided at both widthwise ends of the skin-facing surface of the top sheet 10 so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 50, for example, in order to prevent lateral leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the wearer of the absorbent article 50. The three-dimensional gathers 40 include an elastic stretchable member 40a and a water-repellent and / or waterproof sheet member 40b.

[0033] The elastically stretchable member 40a is disposed in the vicinity of the free end (other end) of the sheet member 40b along the longitudinal direction, imparting uprightness to the free end, and enabling the free end of the sheet member 40b and its neighboring area to be deformed to fit the wearer's body shape. In this embodiment, the sheet member 40b has one widthwise end (fixed end) fixed to the vicinity of both widthwise ends of the skin side of the back sheet 30, a widthwise intermediate portion fixed to the vicinity of both widthwise ends of the skin side of the top sheet 10, and the other widthwise end being a free end having uprightness. The fixing position of the fixed end (one widthwise end) of the sheet member 40b is not limited to this embodiment, and examples thereof include the non-skin side of the back sheet 30, the vicinity of both widthwise ends of the skin side or non-skin side of the joint of all or part of each edge of the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30 containing the absorbent body 20 therein, and the vicinity of both widthwise ends of the skin side of the top sheet 10.

[0034] The sheet member 40b is a water-repellent and / or waterproof sheet, and is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. As the nonwoven fabric for the first sheet member, any water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers can be used without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, and composite nonwoven fabric (SMS nonwoven fabric) which is a spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric laminate. The basis weight of the sheet member 40b is, for example, 13 g / m 2 More than 20g / m 2 The range is as follows: As the elastic stretchable member 40a, for example, thread-, string- or band-shaped members made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane or the like can be appropriately used.

[0035] <Side sheet> The side sheet 60 enhances the adhesive strength between the used and new absorbent articles 50 when the used and new absorbent articles 50 are bonded together to form a laminate in order to replace the used absorbent article 50 with a new one, and more reliably prevents the new absorbent article 50 from dropping onto the floor of a toilet cubicle or the like. The side sheet 60 of this embodiment is provided at both longitudinal ends of the skin-side surface of the top sheet 10 so as to extend in the width direction of the absorbent article 50. That is, a pair of liquid-impermeable side sheets 60 may be provided at both longitudinal ends of the skin-side surface of the top sheet 10. The material of the side sheet 60 may be the same as that used for the back sheet 30, and may be any liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric or resin film, without any particular limitation. The side sheet 60 is provided, for example, so as to cover both longitudinal ends of the top sheet 10 along its shape, and the longitudinal dimensions of one and the other are, for example, in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. In another embodiment, the side sheets 60 may be disposed so as to cover the outer regions of the three-dimensional gathers 40 on both sides in the width direction of the skin-facing surface of the top sheet 10 .

[0036] <Individually wrapped sheets> The individual packaging sheet 70 is releasably attached to a first adhesive layer 80 provided on the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the individual packaging sheet 70 has a first release layer 85 on its skin side surface and a second adhesive layer 81 on its non-skin side surface. The individual packaging sheet 70 and the second adhesive layer 81 are used to hygienically wrap and conceal a used absorbent article (hereinafter also simply referred to as "used") 50 when replacing it with a new absorbent article (hereinafter also simply referred to as "new") 50. The release paper 71 is used, for example, to cover and protect the second adhesive layer 81, and is peeled off when the absorbent article 50 is worn. Since the individual packaging sheet 70 is used as a packaging material that wraps the used absorbent article 50, by configuring it to be wider than the main body part of the absorbent article 50 excluding the individual packaging sheet 70 and the release paper 71, the used absorbent article 50 can be reliably wrapped with good concealment without touching the fingers.

[0037] The individual packaging sheet 70 may have a printed layer (not shown) of coloring or a pattern on the skin-facing surface in contact with the first adhesive layer 80, if necessary. In this case, the printed layer is formed under the first release layer 85. One or more colors can be used for the printed layer, and a pattern such as a floral pattern can be applied in addition to the coloring. The formation of the printed layer improves the cosmetic properties of the absorbent article 50, and wrapping a used absorbent article 50 with the individual packaging sheet 70 on which the printed layer is formed further improves the concealment, and makes it easier to distinguish between the individual packaging sheet 70 and the release paper 71, eliminating erroneous operations such as peeling off the individual packaging sheet 70 by mistake for the release paper 71, and allowing replacement to be performed smoothly according to procedure. The coloring of the nonwoven fabric may be, for example, by forming the nonwoven fabric using fibers colored by kneading a coloring agent such as a pigment or dye, or by applying a coloring agent to the surface of the nonwoven fabric to form a colored layer or a pattern layer. The coloring of a resin film may be performed by melting and kneading a raw resin and a colorant to form a film, or a colored layer may be formed on the surface of the resin film by coating, printing, etc. The coloring of paper may be performed by immersing the paper itself in a solution, dispersion, etc. of the colorant, or a colored layer may be formed on the surface of the paper by coating, printing, etc.

[0038] The individual wrapping sheet 70 is made of, for example, a resin film, a nonwoven fabric, paper, or a laminate of two or more of these. The nonwoven fabric may be an antibacterial nonwoven fabric. The use of an antibacterial nonwoven fabric prevents the proliferation of bacteria in the individual wrapping sheet 70 and the associated generation of odor, making it possible to replace the absorbent article 50 more hygienically and more safely. The basis weight of the antibacterial nonwoven fabric used here is, from the standpoint of strength and processability, for example, 15 g / m 2 More than 50g / m 2 The basis weight of the resin film or nonwoven fabric is, for example, 15 g / m from the viewpoint of strength and processability. 2 More than 30g / m 2 The paper has a basis weight of, for example, 30 g / m 2 More than 70g / m 2 The range is as follows:

[0039] An antibacterial nonwoven fabric is a nonwoven fabric containing antibacterial fibers with an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more. Examples of antibacterial nonwoven fabrics include nonwoven fabrics containing antibacterial fibers with an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more as the main component and also containing other fibers, and nonwoven fabrics made of antibacterial fibers with an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or more. "Containing as the main component" means that it contains more than 50% by weight of the whole. Examples of fibers that can be contained other than antibacterial fibers include synthetic fibers made of synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton.

[0040] The antibacterial fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is a fiber having antibacterial properties, but is preferably a fiber made from synthetic fibers kneaded with an inorganic antibacterial agent. As the inorganic antibacterial agent, an inorganic compound containing antibacterial metal ions such as silver, copper, zinc, etc. can be used without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include metal compounds containing the above-mentioned antibacterial metal ions, zeolite, hydrotalcite, hydroxyapatite, clay minerals, inorganic porous bodies such as alumina, silica, and bentonite. The inorganic antibacterial agent can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The antibacterial fiber can be produced, for example, by adding one or more inorganic antibacterial agents to a synthetic resin in a molten state and kneading the mixture, and then spinning the synthetic resin. Here, examples of the synthetic resin to which the inorganic antibacterial agent is mixed include polyester resins such as polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl formal, etc. The amount of inorganic antibacterial agent to be mixed with synthetic resin is, for example, in the range of 0.005% by weight or more and 0.5% by weight or less, based on 100% by weight of the total amount of inorganic antibacterial agent and synthetic resin, from the viewpoint of setting the antibacterial activity value within a predetermined range and from the viewpoint of the strength of the obtained antibacterial fiber.

[0041] In this embodiment, an antibacterial test is carried out using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in accordance with the JIS L 1902 bacterial liquid absorption method, and a standard cloth (cotton cloth) is used as a control. An antibacterial fiber having an antibacterial activity value of 2.0 or more is used. Here, the antibacterial activity value is measured according to the JIS L 1902 bacterial liquid absorption method.

[0042] (First release layer) In this embodiment, a release agent is applied to the skin-side surface of the individual packaging sheet 70 to form a first release layer 85. The first release layer 85 is a thin layer containing a release agent formed in a region of the skin-side surface of the individual packaging sheet 70 that contacts the first adhesive layer 80. The first release layer 85 may be provided on the entire surface or a part of the skin-side surface, and may be provided in a striped or scattered pattern. According to this embodiment, the individual packaging sheet 70 is easily peeled off, and the absorbent article 50 can be easily replaced. The release agent is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include silicone-based release agents and fluorine-based release agents. In addition, by making the total area of ​​the first release layer 85 on the skin-side surface of the individual packaging sheet 70 smaller than the total area of ​​the second release layer 86 on the skin-side surface of the release paper 71, it is possible to prevent the individual packaging sheet 70 from being accidentally peeled off when the release paper 71 is peeled off.

[0043] (Second adhesive layer) The second adhesive layer 81 contains an adhesive that exhibits adhesion to the release paper 71. The second adhesive layer 81 has the same configuration as the first adhesive layer 80 described above. Preferred embodiments include an embodiment in which the basis weight of the adhesive in the first adhesive layer 80 is made higher than the basis weight of the adhesive in the second adhesive layer 81, an embodiment in which the adhesive in the first adhesive layer 80 has stronger adhesive strength than the adhesive in the second adhesive layer 81, an embodiment in which the area of ​​the first adhesive layer 80 is made larger than the area of ​​the second adhesive layer 81, and the like. According to these embodiments, when the release paper 71 is peeled off, it is possible to prevent the individual packaging sheet 70 from being peeled off by mistake.

[0044] <Release paper> The release paper 71 includes a paper base material and a release layer that is provided on the entire surface or a part of the paper base material and contains a release agent, and may further include a sealing layer (not shown) between the paper base material and the release layer. Here, examples of the paper base material include semi-bleached kraft paper, kraft paper, fine paper, medium-quality paper, alkaline paper, glassine paper, semi-glassine paper, paperboard, and white paperboard. Examples of the release agent contained in the release layer include silicone-based release agents and fluorine-based release agents. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the release paper 71 has a second release layer 86 on its skin side surface in an area that contacts the second adhesive layer 81. The sealing layer is for preventing the release agent from penetrating into the paper base material when the release agent is applied to the paper base material, and is formed as a thin layer of about several μm to several tens of μm made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, and polyvinyl alcohol. The sealing layer may be a clay coat layer. The release paper 71 includes a paper base material, which has a higher rigidity than the nonwoven fabric and resin film that constitute the individual wrapping sheet 70, and therefore has the advantage of being easy to peel off from the individual wrapping sheet 70.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the release paper 71 is smaller in the longitudinal and width directions than the individual packaging sheet 70, and / or larger in the longitudinal and width directions than the second adhesive layer 81. According to this embodiment, the release paper 71 can be easily peeled off, and by peeling the release paper 71 to expose the second adhesive layer 81, the release paper 71 can be configured not to get in the way when adhering and stacking a new article on top of a used article. In another preferred embodiment, the release paper 71 has a printed layer (not shown) provided on the non-skin-facing surface. The printed layer has the same configuration as the printed layer formed on the skin-facing surface of the individual packaging sheet 70. According to this embodiment, the overall aesthetic appeal of the absorbent article 50 is improved, and the concealment of the absorbent article 50 as a product is improved.

[0046] <Examples of replacing absorbent articles> Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a replacement method for replacing a used absorbent article 50a with a new absorbent article 50b. The replacement method shown in Fig. 3 includes a first step (Fig. 3(a)), a second step (Fig. 3(b)), a third step (Fig. 3(c)), and a fourth step (Fig. 3(d)), which are carried out in this order. Note that in Figs. 3(a) to 3(d), each main body part of the absorbent articles 50a and 50b, excluding the individual packaging sheet 70 and the release paper 71, is abbreviated as one layer, and the first release layer 85 and the second release layer 86 are partially omitted from the illustration.

[0047] In the first step shown in FIG. 3(a), the release paper 71 of the new absorbent article 50b is peeled off to expose the second adhesive layer 81, and then the new absorbent article 50b is attached to the skin-facing surface of the used absorbent article 50a attached to the underwear 90 via the exposed second adhesive layer 81, to obtain a laminate (hereinafter simply referred to as "laminate") of the absorbent article 50b and the absorbent article 50a. By removing this laminate from the underwear 90 using both hands (not shown), it becomes unnecessary to adhere the new absorbent article 50b to the wearer's body or the wall of the toilet stall. Note that, since the second release layer 86 provided on the skin-facing surface of the release paper 71 exists between the release paper 71 and the second adhesive layer 81, the release paper 71 alone can be easily peeled off by applying force to the end of the release paper 71 and pulling it.

[0048] In the second step shown in Fig. 3(b), the laminate obtained in the first step is folded in half so that the used absorbent article 50a is on the inside. At this time, the folding direction may be either the lengthwise direction or the widthwise direction, but from the viewpoint of ease of folding, folding in the lengthwise direction is preferable. Moreover, the laminate folded in half can be held with both hands.

[0049] 3(c), the folded laminate obtained in the second step is gradually separated with both hands at the interface (first release layer 85) between the individual packaging sheet 70 and the first adhesive layer 80 of the new absorbent article 50b while maintaining the folded state, to obtain a used absorbent article 50a folded in two and wrapped in the individual packaging sheet 70 via the second adhesive layer 81, and a new absorbent article 50b in which only the first adhesive layer 80 remains on the non-skin side surface of the backsheet 30. Note that the individual packaging sheet 70 is configured to be wider than the main body portion of the absorbent article 50b excluding the individual packaging sheet 70 and the release paper 71, so that the used absorbent article 50a can be reliably wrapped.

[0050] In the fourth step shown in FIG. 3(d), the new absorbent article 50b obtained in the third step, in which only the first adhesive layer 80 remains on the non-skin side surface of the backsheet 30, is attached to the underwear 90 by the first adhesive layer 80, and the used absorbent article 50a obtained in the third step, folded in half and wrapped with good concealment in the individual packaging sheet 70, is disposed of in a trash can or the like, thereby completing the replacement process.

[0051] Thus, according to this embodiment, both hands are free during the replacement procedure, there is no need to attach the new absorbent article 50b to a wall surface or the like, and there is no risk of it dropping to the floor, so the replacement procedure can be carried out hygienically and safely.

[0052] <Method of manufacturing absorbent articles> The absorbent article 50 can be manufactured by a known manufacturing method, and examples of the manufacturing method include a process of accommodating the absorbent body 20 between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30, a process of fixing the edge of the top sheet 10 and the edge of the back sheet 30 partially or entirely using a hot melt adhesive, heat embossing, ultrasonic embossing, high frequency embossing, etc., a process of placing the three-dimensional gathers 40 at predetermined positions on the back sheet 30 and the top sheet 10, a process of disposing a pair of side sheets 60 as necessary, and a process of adhering an individual packaging sheet 70 to the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 30 with a first adhesive layer 80, and further adhering a release paper 71 with a second adhesive layer 81. The absorbent article 50 is appropriately provided with leg gathers, waist gathers, side flaps, etc. as necessary. The absorbent article 50 thus obtained is folded and, as necessary, stored in an individual packaging body made of a resin film or the like to be manufactured.

[0053] <Product> The absorbent article 50 produced as described above has two fold lines (imaginary lines) 61, 62 extending in the width direction, which are set at predetermined positions in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 1. The area from the fold line 61 to one end in the longitudinal direction on the side closest to it is region 50B, and the area from the fold line 62 to the other end in the longitudinal direction on the side closest to it is region 50A. When the absorbent article 50 is manufactured, the areas 50A, 50B are each folded toward the skin-facing surface of the top sheet 10 to obtain a folded body of the absorbent article 50, as shown in Fig. 4, and this folded body is packaged in a resin film 55. The folded body is packaged in resin film 55 by, for example, folding resin film 55 in the longitudinal direction, sealing the end of resin film 55 on the outer periphery side and the end of resin film 55 on the inner periphery side with tape (e.g., tag tape) 87, and sealing both ends in the width direction with heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like to form sealed portions 55a, thereby packaging the folded body of absorbent article 50 in resin film 55 and obtaining product 51, which is an individually packaged body. When tape 87 of product 51 is opened and absorbent article 50 is taken out, used absorbent article 50, which has been folded in half and covered with individual packaging sheet 70 and second adhesive layer 81, can be stored and disposed of with even greater concealment.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments and examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. In addition, it is clear from the description of the claims that forms with such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Top sheet 20 Absorber 30 Back Seat 40 Three-dimensional gathers 40a Elastic elastic member 40b Sheet member 50, 50a, 50b Absorbent article 51 products (individually packaged) 55 Resin Film 55a Seal part 60 Side seat 61, 62 Turn-around lines 70 individual sheets 71 Release paper 80 First adhesive layer 81 Second adhesive layer 85 First peeling layer 86 Second peel layer 87 Tape 90 Underwear

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, a first adhesive layer provided on a non-skin side surface of the back sheet, an individual wrapping sheet attached to the first adhesive layer, and a release paper arranged on the non-skin side of the individual wrapping sheet, the individual packaging sheet has a release agent applied to its skin-side surface, is releasably attached to the first adhesive layer, and has a second adhesive layer provided on its non-skin-side surface; The release paper covers the second adhesive layer and is releasably attached to the second adhesive layer, an absorbent article (excluding those in which the release paper has an attachment portion attached to the individual packaging sheet).

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , further comprising a pair of liquid-impermeable side sheets at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article on the skin-facing surface of the top sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the release paper is smaller than the individual wrapping sheet in the longitudinal and width directions.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the release paper is larger than the second adhesive layer in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , further comprising a printed layer provided on a non-skin-facing surface of the release paper.

6. 6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the release paper comprises semi-bleached kraft paper, kraft paper, fine paper, medium quality paper, alkaline paper, glassine paper, semi-glassine paper, paperboard, or white paperboard.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the individual wrapping sheet is a resin film, paper, a nonwoven fabric, or a laminate of two or more of these.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the release agent is a silicone-based release agent or a fluorine-based release agent.

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