Disposable wearable items

Abstract

The present invention suppresses folding of an end on the tip side of a flap part, prevents the end on the tip side of the flap part from covering a fastener member, and ensures sufficient fastening power of the fastener member.　The present invention comprises: an absorptive body (12) in which an absorber is disposed between a top sheet and a back sheet; flap parts (14u) that are put on one (12a) of a front part (12c) and back part (12a) of the absorptive body (12) and extend to the both sides in the waist line direction (10x); and fastener members (16) that are each installed on the flap part (14u) at a distance from a tip end (14v) of the flap part (14u) in the waist line direction (10x) and are attachably and detachably joined to an opposing part (13) put on the absorptive main body (12). Each flap part (14u) is formed from thermoplastic nonwoven fabric and has, in an extending part (14p) between the tip end (14v) of the flap part (14u) and the fastener member (16), a thermally-fused part (18) at which the nonwoven fabric is thermally fused and bending rigidity of the nonwoven fabric is increased.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a disposable wearing article, and more particularly to a disposable wearing article provided with a fastener member. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that fasteners are used in disposable wearing articles such as disposable diapers and adult incontinence products. For example, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of such a disposable wearing article 110, and Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the disposable wearing article in an unfolded state. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, flap portions 131, 133, 135, and 137 extend from the front portion 122 and the back portion 124 on either side of the clock portion 126 of the absorbent main body 112 in the waist direction indicated by arrow 149. Fastener members 182 and 184 are disposed on the flap portions 131, 133, 135, and 137. For example, one fastener member 182 is a loop fastener, and the other fastener member 184 is a hook fastener, and the fastener members 182 and 184 are fastened by overlapping them.

[0003] The fastener members 182, 184 are disposed at a distance from the ends in the waist circumference direction of the flap portions 131, 133, 135, 137. This prevents contact with the fastening surfaces of the hard fastener members 182, 184 when the fastener members 182, 184 are fastened. Furthermore, the fastening of the fastener members 182, 184 can be released by pinching up the portions of the flap portions 131, 135 extending from the back portion 124 that protrude further toward the end in the waist circumference direction than the fastener member 182 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5411158 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In such a configuration, if the flap portion is made of nonwoven fabric, the portion of the flap portion closer to the waist circumference direction than the fastener member may bend and adhere to the fastening surface of the fastener member, covering part of the fastening surface of the fastener member. When the fastener member is fastened in this state, the fastening area is insufficient, resulting in a problem of weak fastening force. In particular, in the case of male fasteners, since many hook portions are arranged, the nonwoven fabric at the tip of the flap may engage with the hook portions.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a disposable wearing article that can suppress bending of the portion of the flap that protrudes further toward the tip in the waist direction than the fastener member, prevent the flap from covering the fastener member, and ensure sufficient fastening force of the fastener member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a disposable wearing article configured as follows.

[0008] The disposable wearing article comprises (a) an absorbent main body having an absorbent body disposed between a top sheet and a back sheet, (b) a pair of flap portions provided on one of the front portion and the back portion on either side of a crotch portion of the absorbent main body and extending in the waist direction, and (c) a pair of fastener members provided on the pair of flap portions at a distance from the front ends of the flap portions in the waist direction and removably joined to opposing portions provided on the absorbent main body. The flap portions are made of a thermoplastic nonwoven fabric, and have a heat-sealed portion at the extending portion between the front ends of the flap portions and the fastener member, where the nonwoven fabric is heat-sealed to increase the bending rigidity of the nonwoven fabric. In the portion of the flap closer to the crotch portion than the fastener member, no other heat-sealed portion to which the nonwoven fabric is heat-sealed is formed, which has the same shape as the heat-sealed portion formed in the extension portion.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the flap portion has a heat-sealed portion in a portion that protrudes further toward the front end in the waist circumference direction than the fastener member, i.e., the extension portion. The heat-sealed portion suppresses bending of the front end side of the flap portion. This prevents the front end side of the flap portion in the waist circumference direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "front end side") from covering the fastening surface of the fastener member, ensuring sufficient fastening force of the fastener member.

[0010] The heat-sealed portion may be formed over the entire area of ​​the extending portion in the waist circumference direction, or may be formed over a partial area of ​​the extending portion in the waist circumference direction.

[0011] Preferably, the heat-sealed portion extends continuously from the extension portion into the area of ​​the flap portion where the fastener member is arranged.

[0012] In this case, bending of the flap portion on the tip side of the fastener member is suppressed at the base on the fastener member side, thereby more reliably ensuring sufficient fastening force of the fastener member.

[0013] Preferably, the flap portion has a plurality of heat-sealed portions extending linearly and forming right angles with the tip of the flap portion.

[0014] In this case, the heat-sealed portion can be easily formed, facilitating mass production of disposable wearing articles.

[0015] Preferably, the flap portion has the heat-sealed portion formed in a lattice pattern.

[0016] In this case, bending of the tip end of the flap portion in all directions is suppressed, and as a result, sufficient fastening force of the fastener member can be more reliably ensured.

[0017] Preferably, the flap portion has the heat-sealed portion formed adjacent to the entire area between one end and the other end of the tip of the flap portion in a direction perpendicular to the waist-circumference direction.

[0018] In this case, bending of the tip end of the flap portion is suppressed over the entire area along the tip end of the flap portion, thereby more reliably ensuring sufficient fastening force of the fastener member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The disposable wearing article of the present invention suppresses bending of the portion (extension portion) of the flap portion that protrudes further toward the tip end in the waist direction than the fastener member, thereby preventing the flap portion from covering the fastener member and ensuring sufficient fastening force of the fastener member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a disposable wearing article (Example 1). [Figure 2] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part of Fig. 1 (Example 1). [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram of a manufacturing process of a disposable wearing article (Example 1). [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram of a manufacturing process of a disposable wearing article (Example 1). [Figure 5] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the area near the planned tip portion (Example 1). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area near the tip portion (Modification 1). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the area near the tip portion (Modification 2). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area near the tip portion (Variation 3). [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the planned tip portion region (Modification 4). [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view of a disposable wearing article (Example 2). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a disposable wearing article (conventional example 1). [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a disposable wearing article (conventional example 1). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Example 1 A disposable wearing article 10 of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0023] 1 is a plan view of a disposable wearing article 10, showing the skin-facing side in an unfolded state. As shown in FIG. 1, the disposable wearing article 10 has an absorbent main body 12 joined to flap members 14.

[0024] Although not shown, the absorbent main body 12 has an absorbent body that absorbs liquid between a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet. The absorbent body is arranged around the crotch portion 12b of the absorbent main body 12 so as to extend into the back portion 12a and the front portion 12c on both sides of the crotch portion 12b.

[0025] The absorbent main body 12 is provided with an opposing member 13 on the side opposite the top sheet of the absorbent main body 12, i.e., on the non-skin-facing side. The opposing member 13 may be provided in one location or in multiple locations. The opposing member 13 covers part or all of the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent main body 12 and is exposed on the non-skin-facing side. The opposing member 13 forms an opposing portion to which a fastener member 16, described below, is detachably joined, and may be, for example, a loop fastener or a nonwoven fabric sheet.

[0026] The flap member 14 has a stretchable elastic member 15 disposed between two thermoplastic nonwoven fabrics. The flap member 14 is folded in half along a fold line 14r between opposing side edges 14n, 14m of the two nonwoven fabrics, and extends in the waist-circumference direction 10x indicated by an arrow 10x. The flap member 14 has cutouts 14k formed therein that correspond to the leg openings. The elastic member 15 is, for example, rubber thread, and extends in the waist-circumference direction 10x. Figure 1 shows the elastic member 15 in a stretched state.

[0027] The back portion 12a of the absorbent main body 12 is joined to the center of the flap member 14 in the waist direction 10x. The flap member 14 forms a pair of flap portions 14u that are provided on the back portion 12a of the absorbent main body 12 and extend on both sides in the waist direction 10x. In this case, the opposing member 13 that forms the opposing portion is provided, for example, on the non-skin-facing side of the front portion 12c of the absorbent main body 12.

[0028] Although not shown, the front portion 12c of the absorbent main body 12, rather than the back portion 12a of the absorbent main body 12, may be joined to the center of the flap member 14 in the waist direction 10x. In that case, the pair of flap portions 14u are provided on the front portion 12c of the absorbent main body 12 and extend on both sides in the waist direction 10x. The opposing members 13 forming the opposing portions are provided on the non-skin-facing side of the back portion 12a of the absorbent main body 12, for example.

[0029] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a distal end portion of a flap portion 14u of a disposable wearing article 10 in the waist circumference direction 10x. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a fastener member 16 is disposed on the flap portion 14u at a distance from a distal end 14v of the flap member 14 in the waist circumference direction 10x. The fastener member 16 is a hook and loop fastener or the like that is detachably attached to the opposing member 13. When the disposable wearing article 10 is in use, the fastener member 16 is attached to the opposing member 13 and fastens the flap portion 14u to the front portion 12c of the absorbent main body 12.

[0030] The flap portion 14u has a heat-sealed portion 18 in which the nonwoven fabric of the flap member 14 is heat-sealed to increase the bending rigidity of the nonwoven fabric. The heat-sealed portion 18 is formed on the extension portion 14p between the tip 14v of the flap portion 14u and the fastener member 16, and further extends beyond the extension portion 14p and continues to the inside of the region of the flap portion 14u in which the fastener member 16 is disposed. The heat-sealed portion 18 may be formed only on the extension portion 14p.

[0031] The extension 14p between the tip 14v of the flap member 14 and the fastener member 16 is made of nonwoven fabric, and therefore is weak and easily bent, so that it may bend and overlap the fastening surface of the fastener member 16, remaining attached to the fastening surface of the fastener member 16. If the fastener member 16 is fastened in this state, there is a problem that the fastening area is insufficient and the fastening force is weak.

[0032] When the heat-sealed portion 18 is formed on the extending portion 14p, the rigidity of the extending portion 14p is increased and bending of the extending portion 14p is suppressed. This prevents the extending portion 14p on the tip side of the flap portion 14u from covering the fastening surface of the fastener member 16, and ensures sufficient fastening force of the fastener member 16.

[0033] The heat-sealed portion 18 may be formed adjacent to only a portion of the area between the one end 14a and the other end 14b of the tip 14v of the flap portion 14u in a direction perpendicular to the waistline direction, but is preferably formed adjacent to the entire area as shown in the figure. When the heat-sealed portion 18 is formed adjacent to the entire area between the one end 14a and the other end 14b, bending of the tip side of the flap portion 14u is suppressed along the entire area of ​​the tip 14v of the flap portion 14u. As a result, sufficient fastening force of the fastener member 16 can be more reliably ensured.

[0034] 1 and 2, when the heat-sealing portion 18 continues from the extending portion 14p into the area where the fastener member 16 is arranged, bending of the extending portion 14p on the tip side of the flap portion 14u is suppressed from the base of the extending portion 14p. As a result, sufficient fastening force of the fastener member 16 can be more reliably secured.

[0035] Next, the steps of manufacturing the disposable wearing article 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are explanatory views of the steps of manufacturing the disposable wearing article 10.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3(a), a flap member continuum 14x, in which portions that will become flap members 14 are connected, is prepared and transported in the longitudinal direction. The flap member continuum 14x is formed by placing a continuum of elastic members 15 in a stretched state between nonwoven fabric sheets, joining the nonwoven fabric sheets and the continuum of elastic members 15 together, and then cutting appropriate locations of the continuum of elastic members 15. After cutting, the stretched elastic members 15 are not positioned in the tip end regions 14w that are intended to become the tips of the flap portions 14u.

[0037] Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), when the flap member continuous body 14x passes through the heat sealing device during transport, the central portion of the tip end planned region 14w is heat sealed to form multiple heat sealed portions 18 that are parallel to each other and extend linearly.

[0038] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the planned tip region 14w. In Fig. 5, the dashed-dotted line 14k indicates the planned cutting position 14k where the flap member continuum 14x is to be cut, and the dashed-two-dotted line indicates the fastener member arrangement region 16k where the fastener member 16 is to be fixed. The multiple heat-sealed portions 18 are perpendicular to the planned cutting position 14k and continue into the fastener member arrangement region 16k on both sides of the planned cutting position 14k. In a later process, the flap member continuum 14x is cut at the planned cutting position 14k, thereby forming the multiple heat-sealed portions 18 that extend linearly and form right angles with the tips 14v of the flap portions 14u.

[0039] The heat-sealed portions 18 can be easily formed when the flap member continuous body 14x being conveyed in the longitudinal direction passes through a heat-sealing device, which facilitates mass production of the disposable wearing article 10.

[0040] Next, as shown in Figure 4(c), a pair of fastener members 16 are placed on both sides of the intended cutting position 14k in the intended tip region 14w of the flap member continuum 14x, leaving a gap between them and the intended cutting position 14k, and fixed by heat fusion, adhesive, etc.

[0041] Next, as shown in Fig. 4(d), the absorbent main body 12 is fixed to the flap member continuum 14x by heat fusion, adhesion, or the like. Although not shown, the opposing members 13 are provided in advance on the absorbent main body 12. Alternatively, the opposing members 13 are provided on the absorbent main body 12 after the absorbent main body 12 is fixed to the flap member continuum 14x. Note that the stretchability of the elastic members 15 may be eliminated or weakened by cutting the continuum of the elastic members 15 in the region where the absorbent main body 12 is fixed.

[0042] Next, the flap member continuous body 14x is cut at the planned cutting positions 14k indicated by the dashed dotted lines 14k in FIG. 4(d) to form individual pieces of the disposable wearing article 10.

[0043] Through the above steps, the disposable wearing article 10 can be continuously formed.

[0044] 6 to 9 are explanatory views showing the heat-sealed portions 18a to 18d of Modified Examples 1 to 4 of Example 1. Similar to FIG. 5, FIGS. 6 to 9 are enlarged views of the vicinity of the planned tip region 14w of the continuous body of flap members 14x before cutting.

[0045] 6 is formed in a zigzag shape and intersects the planned cutting position 14k and the fastener member arrangement region 16k at an angle (not at a right angle). The heat-sealed portion 18a extends linearly between the planned cutting position 14k and the fastener member arrangement region 16k (i.e., the region corresponding to the extending portion 14p). When the flap member continuum 14x is cut at the planned cutting position 14k, the heat-sealed portion 18a is formed in a V-shape in the flap portion 14u and extends linearly in the extending portion 14p.

[0046] 7, the heat-sealed portion 18b is formed in a more zigzag shape and intersects the intended cutting position 14k and the fastener member arrangement region 16k at an oblique angle (not at a right angle). The heat-sealed portion 18b extends in a V-shape between the intended cutting position 14k and the fastener member arrangement region 16k (i.e., the region corresponding to the extending portion 14p). When the flap member continuum 14x is cut at the intended cutting position 14k, the heat-sealed portion 18b is formed in a W-shape in the flap portion 14u and extends in a V-shape in the extending portion 14p.

[0047] <Modification 3> The heat-sealed portion 18c of Modification 3 shown in Fig. 8 is formed in a lattice pattern and includes a plurality of first linear segments extending parallel to the intended cutting position 14k and a plurality of second linear segments perpendicular to the intended cutting position 14k. The lattice-shaped heat-sealed portion 18c prevents the tip side of the flap portion 14u from bending in all directions. As a result, sufficient fastening force of the fastener member 16 can be more reliably ensured.

[0048] <Modification 4> The heat-sealed portion 18d of Modification 4 shown in Fig. 9 is formed in a diagonal lattice pattern and includes a plurality of first and second straight line segments that intersect the intended cutting position 14k diagonally and are parallel to each other. While the first and second straight line segments are shown perpendicular to each other, they may also intersect diagonally (at non-right angles). The lattice-shaped heat-sealed portion 18d prevents bending in all directions at the tip end of the flap portion 14u. As a result, sufficient fastening force of the fastener member 16 can be more reliably secured.

[0049] Example 2 A disposable wearing article 10a according to Example 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the disposable wearing article 10a.

[0050] 10, a disposable wearing article 10a has a flap member 20 in which a stretchable elastic member 21 is disposed between two thermoplastic nonwoven fabrics and an absorbent main body 12 similar to that of Example 1 is joined to the flap member 20. The flap member 20 provides a pair of first flap members 22 extending on both sides in the waist direction in the back portion 12a of the absorbent main body 12, and a pair of second flap members 24 extending on both sides in the waist direction in the front portion 12c of the absorbent main body 12.

[0051] The first flap portion 22 is provided with a pair of fastener members 26 spaced apart from the leading end 22v of the first flap portion 22 in the waist circumference direction. The fastener members 26 are detachably joined to the second flap portion 24. The second flap portion 24 is a facing portion provided on the absorbent main body 12. The second flap portion 24 may be provided with a facing member such as a loop fastener to which the fastener members 26, such as a hook fastener, are joined. The first flap portion 22 is formed from a thermoplastic nonwoven fabric, and has a heat-sealed portion 28 in an extension portion 23 between the leading end 22v of the first flap portion 22 and the fastener members 26, where the nonwoven fabric is heat-sealed to increase the bending rigidity of the nonwoven fabric. The heat-sealed portion 28 extends beyond the extension portion 23 and continuously into the region of the first flap portion 22 where the fastener members 26 are arranged. The heat-sealed portion 28 may be formed only on the extension portion 23 .

[0052] The heat-sealed portion 28 of the disposable wearing article 10a suppresses bending of the portion of the first flap portion 22 that protrudes further toward the tip end in the waist direction than the fastener member 26, i.e., the extension portion 23, thereby preventing the first flap portion 22 from covering the fastener member 26 and ensuring sufficient fastening force of the fastener member 26.

[0053] The disposable wearing article 10a of the second embodiment may have heat-sealed portions formed in a zigzag or lattice pattern, similar to the first to fourth modifications described above.

[0054] <Summary> As explained above, by having the flap portion have a heat-sealed portion, bending of the portion of the flap portion that protrudes further toward the tip of the waist circumference than the fastener member, i.e., the extension portion, is suppressed, and the flap portion is prevented from covering the fastener member, thereby ensuring sufficient fastening force of the fastener member.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications.

[0056] For example, the heat-sealed portion may be formed in a curved shape or a staggered shape. The heat-sealed portion may be formed away from the tip 14v of the flap portion 14u or away from the area where the fastener member 16 is disposed. Furthermore, the configurations shown in Example 1, Modifications 1 to 4, and Example 2 may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10,10a Disposable clothing items 10x waist circumference 12 Absorbent body 12a Back section 12b Crotch area 12c front 13 opposing member (opposing portion provided on absorbent body) 14a One end 14b Other end 14p extension 14u flap section 14v tip 16 Fastener member 18,18a~18d Heat fusion part 22 First flap section 22v tip 23 Extension 24 Second flap portion (opposing portion provided on absorbent main body) 26 Fastener member 28 Heat-sealed part

Claims

1. an absorbent body in which an absorbent body is disposed between a top sheet and a back sheet; a pair of flap portions provided on one of the front portion and the back portion on both sides of the crotch portion of the absorbent main body and extending in both sides in the waist direction; a pair of fastener members provided on the pair of flap portions at intervals from the ends of the flap portions in the waist circumference direction and removably joined to opposing portions provided on the absorbent main body; Equipped with the flap portion is formed from a thermoplastic nonwoven fabric, and has a heat-sealed portion in an extension portion between the tip of the flap portion and the fastener member, where the nonwoven fabric is heat-sealed to increase the bending rigidity of the nonwoven fabric; a portion of the flap closer to the crotch portion than the fastener member is provided with no other heat-sealed portion to which the nonwoven fabric is heat-sealed, the heat-sealed portion having the same shape as the heat-sealed portion formed on the extended portion.

2. The disposable wearing article according to claim 1 , wherein the heat-sealed portion extends continuously from the extension portion into a region of the flap portion where the fastener member is disposed.

3. The disposable wearing article according to claim 1 , wherein the flap portion has a plurality of heat-sealed portions that extend linearly and form right angles with the distal ends of the flap portion.

4. The disposable wearing article according to claim 1 , wherein the flap portion has the heat-sealed portion formed in a lattice pattern.

5. 5. The disposable wearing article according to claim 1, wherein the flap portion has the heat-sealed portion formed adjacent to the entire area between one end and the other end of the tip of the flap portion in a direction perpendicular to the waist-circumference direction.

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