Absorbent body and absorbent article including said absorbent body

Abstract

To provide an absorbent body in which a body fluid absorbed dose is relatively large, absorbency and diffusibility of the body fluid are superior, an absorption rate is not lowered even if absorbing the body fluid repeatedly, and the wearing feeling is good, and provide an absorbent article with the same.SOLUTION: An absorbent body includes a composite-type non-woven fabric containing a spunbond non-woven fabric, and a pulp fiber web integrated on the spunbond non-woven fabric. Further, the absorbent body includes a bonding part for partially bonding the spunbond non-woven fabric and the pulp fiber web and sectioning the inside of the composite-type non-woven fabric in multiple areas, and a block-shaped high-absorbent polymeric layer encapsulated in the area sectioned in the bonding part. Also, an absorbent article with the absorbent body is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent body and an absorbent article including the absorbent body, and more particularly to an absorbent body having good absorbency and wearing comfort, and an absorbent article including the absorbent body. [Background technology]

[0002] A composite nonwoven fabric made of a pulp fiber web and a spunbond nonwoven fabric combines the liquid absorbency of the pulp fibers with the strength of the spunbond nonwoven fabric, and is therefore widely used in a variety of applications, such as industrial wipers such as rags, and personal wipers such as hand towels and towels.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a composite nonwoven fabric in which a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a pulp fiber web are layered together and then integrated by a hydroentanglement process in which a high-pressure water jet (water flow) is sprayed onto them. The spunbond nonwoven fabric has excellent strength and therefore functions as a backing layer for the composite nonwoven fabric. Meanwhile, the pulp fiber web has excellent liquid absorption properties. Therefore, such a composite nonwoven fabric can be offered to consumers as an excellent composite nonwoven fabric that combines the advantages of a pulp fiber web, which has good absorbency for both aqueous and oily liquids, and a spunbond nonwoven fabric, which has excellent strength.

[0004] In absorbent articles such as tape-fastened types, pants-type diapers, and urine absorption pads, composite nonwoven fabrics are commonly used as the component (absorbent body) that absorbs body fluids such as urine. However, because changing disposable diapers is time-consuming, many types that repeatedly absorb body fluids have recently become commercially available. Conventional absorbent articles that use composite nonwoven fabrics as absorbents have room for further improvement in terms of the amount of body fluid absorbed, absorbency and diffusibility, absorption speed during repeated absorption, wearing comfort, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2533260 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent body that can absorb a relatively large amount of body fluid, has excellent absorbency and diffusibility of body fluid, does not decrease in absorption rate even when body fluid is repeatedly absorbed, and is comfortable to wear, and an absorbent article that includes the absorbent body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As preferred embodiments, the present invention provides the following absorbent bodies (1) to (9) and absorbent articles (10) to (12). (1) An absorbent body comprising a composite nonwoven fabric including a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a pulp fiber web integrated on the spunbond nonwoven fabric, a joining section that partially joins the spunbond nonwoven fabric and the pulp fiber web to divide the interior of the composite nonwoven fabric into a plurality of regions; and a block-shaped superabsorbent polymer layer enclosed within an area defined by a joint. (2) The composite nonwoven fabric is a hydroentangled integrated product of a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a pulp fiber web, and the water jet nozzles that spray water jets in the hydroentanglement step have a hole diameter Φ of 0.06 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less, and the interval between the water jet nozzles is 0.4 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, in accordance with the absorbent body of (1) above. (3) An absorbent body according to (2) above, in which, when an absorbent article including the absorbent body is worn, the water-exposed intertwined surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric faces the wearer's skin, and the highly absorbent polymer layer contacts at least a portion of the water-exposed intertwined surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric. (4) An absorbent body according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the composite nonwoven fabric has joints along its edges. (5) The composite nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of 7 g / m2 for the spunbond nonwoven fabric. 2 More than 20g / m 2and the pulp fiber web has a basis weight of 30 g / m 2 More than 70g / m 2 The absorbent body according to any one of the above (1) to (4), wherein the weight composition ratio of the spunbond nonwoven fabric to the pulp fiber web is 40 / 60% by weight or more and 10 / 90% by weight or less. (6) The composite nonwoven fabric is an absorbent material according to any one of (1) to (5) above, in which the force required to stretch a 25 mm wide test piece by 2 mm in the longitudinal direction in a Tensilon tensile strength test is 1.5 N / 25 mm or more and 5.0 N / 25 mm or less. (7) An absorbent according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the material of the spunbond nonwoven fabric is one or a combination of two or more selected from the group consisting of nylon (trade name), vinylon, polyester, acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. (8) The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the composite nonwoven fabric is 200 g / m 2 More than 1200g / m 2 An absorbent according to any one of the above (1) to (7) which is: (9) An absorbent according to any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the pulp fiber web contains fibers of one or more types of kra pulp selected from the group consisting of radiata pine, slash pine, southern pine, lodgepole pine, spruce, and Douglas fir. (10) An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body interposed therebetween, characterized in that the absorbent body is any one of the absorbents described above in (1) to (9). (11) The absorbent article of (10) above, wherein the water-exposed, intertwined surface of the composite nonwoven fabric contained in the absorbent body faces the skin when the absorbent article is worn on the body. (12) The absorbent article according to (10) or (111) above, further comprising a hydrophilic sheet covering the entire absorbent body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent body that can absorb a relatively large amount of body fluid, has excellent absorbency and diffusibility of body fluid, does not decrease in absorption rate even when repeatedly absorbing body fluid, and is comfortable to wear, and an absorbent article that includes the absorbent body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the X1-X1 cross-sectional line shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a composite nonwoven fabric before bonding. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of an absorbent article according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of an absorbent article according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The absorbent article 1 and absorbent core 3 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the absorbent article 1 of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 taken along the X1-X1 cross-sectional line shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a composite nonwoven fabric 13 before bonding. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an absorbent article 6 of a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an absorbent article 7 of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 are plan views of the absorbent articles 1, 6, and 7, respectively, as viewed from the top sheet 2 side. Note that in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the absorbent core 3 is located below the top sheet 2 in the thickness direction and should be depicted entirely or partially using dotted lines, but is shown using solid lines to more clearly explain the configuration of this embodiment.

[0011] In this specification, "wearing the absorbent article 1" refers to at least one of when the absorbent article 1 is being worn and after it has been worn. "Wearing" refers to a state in which the absorbent article 1 is worn on the body. The absorbent article 1 is usually worn on the body inside clothing, but it may also be worn on the body so that at least a portion of the absorbent article 1 is exposed to the outside. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 is the direction that extends from the front to the back of the body across the wearer's crotch when the absorbent article 1 is worn. The width direction of the absorbent article 1 is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The thickness direction of the absorbent article 1 is the layering direction of each component, such as the top sheet 2, the absorbent body 3 covered with the hydrophilic sheet 5, and the back sheet 4. The "skin side" refers to the surface of each component of the absorbent article 1 that faces the wearer's skin when worn, and the "non-skin side" refers to the surface of each component of the absorbent article 1 that faces the wearer's clothing when worn. Body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0012] Examples of the absorbent article 1 include light incontinence pads, pants-type disposable diapers, tape-fastened disposable diapers, etc., whether for babies or adults, but are not limited to these and may be other absorbent articles. Also, various types of disposable diapers can be used as outerwear in combination with the absorbent article 1 as innerwear.

[0013] [Absorbent articles] The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 2 positioned against the skin when worn, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 4 positioned against the skin when worn, an absorbent core 3 provided between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 4 and covered with a hydrophilic sheet 5, and three-dimensional gathers (not shown). In a more preferred embodiment, the absorbent article 1 does not contain fluff pulp and has good absorbency and comfort when worn. The longitudinal and width dimensions of the absorbent article 1 are not particularly limited, but are, for example, in the ranges of 100 mm to 800 mm and 50 mm to 500 mm, respectively. By adjusting the dimensions of the absorbent article 1 to fall within the above ranges, an absorbent article 1 suitable for use as a light incontinence pad, pants-type disposable diaper, tape-fastened disposable diaper, etc. can be obtained.

[0014] (Top sheet) In this embodiment, the top sheet 2 is arranged to cover the entire surface of the absorbent body 3, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 5, an absorbent article 7 may be configured in which a portion of the absorbent body 3 covered with the hydrophilic sheet 5 is exposed (in practice, a portion of the hydrophilic sheet 5 is exposed). The top sheet 2 is composed of a liquid-permeable substrate that allows body fluids to move to the absorbent body 3. Examples of liquid-permeable substrates for the top sheet include nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, and spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics formed by laminating the same or different types of nonwoven fabrics such as thermal-bonded and spun-bonded, foamed films made of urethane foam, polyethylene foam, and the like, and composite sheets that are laminates of two or more of these. Of these, from the viewpoints of the transfer of body fluids to the absorbent body 3 and the diffusion of body fluids within the absorbent article 1, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics, and thermal-bonded / spun-bonded composite nonwoven fabrics are preferred.

[0015] The surface of the top sheet 2 may be embossed or perforated, for example, to improve liquid permeability. Embossing or perforation can be performed by any known method without limitation. Furthermore, to reduce irritation to the skin, the top sheet 2 may contain lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc.

[0016] The basis weight of the top sheet 2 of this embodiment is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of strength, processability, and liquid return, it is preferably 18 g / m 2 More than 40g / m 2 The following is preferable: There are no particular restrictions on the shape of the top sheet 2, as long as it has a shape that covers the absorbent body 3 and is necessary to guide bodily fluids to the absorbent body 3 without leakage.

[0017] (absorbent) As shown in Fig. 2, the absorbent body 3 of this embodiment is a composite nonwoven fabric in which a pulp fiber web 12 is integrated onto a spunbond nonwoven fabric 11. The spunbond nonwoven fabric 11 and the pulp fiber web 12 are partially joined at a plurality of linear joints 10. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the entire periphery of the edge of the composite nonwoven fabric is joined to form joints 10, and a plurality of joints 10 extending in the width direction of the composite nonwoven fabric and connected at both ends to the edge joints 10 are connected at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the composite nonwoven fabric. Within the composite nonwoven fabric, approximately rectangular regions (internal spaces or gaps) are formed, partitioned by the approximately linear joints 10, and block-shaped, thin-leaf-shaped, or other superabsorbent polymer layers 15 are enclosed in these regions. In this embodiment, a plurality of regions surrounded on all four sides by joints 10 are formed.

[0018] The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent body 3 (or composite nonwoven fabric) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 200 g / m from the viewpoint of, for example, the absorption amount, the feel, and the comfort after absorption. 2 More than 1200g / m 2 The following is an explanation. From the viewpoint of fixing the superabsorbent polymer layer 15 in the absorbent body 3, it is preferable to provide a plurality of joints 10 spaced apart from one another. In this case, the joints 10 are not limited to those in this embodiment, and examples thereof include concentric circles, a honeycomb shape, a shape in which a plurality of triangles are arranged in the longitudinal and width directions and a pair of adjacent triangles share one side, a plurality of oblique lines, etc.

[0019] The provision of the joints 10 in this manner prevents the superabsorbent polymer from falling off from the absorbent body 3, so that even when body fluids are absorbed multiple times, the absorbency and body fluid absorption rate are maintained at a high level, and the body fluid diffusibility is also good. As a result, there is no backflow of body fluids, and a storage article 1 that is comfortable to wear is obtained.

[0020] The spunbond nonwoven fabric 11 used here can be any nonwoven fabric made by a spunbonding method, meltblowing method, flash spinning method, or the like, without any particular limitation. Its material is preferably a synthetic resin, such as nylon (trade name), vinylon, polyester, acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene. The spunbond nonwoven fabric may contain multiple synthetic resin fibers. The basis weight of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 11 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 7 g / m² from the viewpoint of tensile strength and softness to the touch. 2 More than 20g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0021] The pulp fiber web 12 can be any nonwoven fabric primarily made of pulp fibers, and may also be a pulp fiber web 12 formed by spraying pulp fibers onto the surface of a spunbond nonwoven fabric 11 using a hydroentanglement method. The pulp fibers used here are not particularly limited, but are preferably softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP) such as radiata pine, slash pine, southern pine, lodgepole pine, spruce, and Douglas fir. NBKP can be used alone or in combination of two or more types. The basis weight of the pulp fiber web is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30 g / m² from the viewpoints of uniformity, touch, absorbency, etc. 2 More than 70g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0022] The weight composition ratio of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 11 to the pulp fiber web 12 in the absorbent body 3 (or composite nonwoven fabric) is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of absorbency, diffusibility, etc., the ratio (spunbond nonwoven fabric 11 / pulp fiber web 12) is preferably 40 / 60% by weight or more and 10 / 90% by weight or less.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the superabsorbent polymer layer 15 is a layer containing a superabsorbent polymer 14. Examples of such layers include a layer consisting solely of the superabsorbent polymer 14 (e.g., a sheet-like layer prepared by filling a sheet-shaped mold with superabsorbent polymer particles and heating and / or pressing the layer to such an extent that the particle shape of the superabsorbent polymer remains), a layer containing the superabsorbent polymer 14 and a binder to such an extent that it does not affect the absorbency (e.g., a layer prepared by applying a dispersion of superabsorbent polymer particles, an appropriate amount of binder, and a solvent to the surface of a spunbonded nonwoven fabric 11 and then heating to solidify the binder), and a layer containing the superabsorbent polymer 14 and pulp fibers constituting a pulp fiber web (e.g., a layer obtained by forming a layer containing a superabsorbent polymer on the surface of a spunbonded nonwoven fabric 11 and then spraying pulp fibers onto the layer by a hydroentanglement method). Here, the shape of the superabsorbent polymer is particulate in this embodiment as shown in Fig. 3, but is not limited thereto and can be various shapes such as fibers, flakes, and thin leaves.

[0024] In this embodiment, as described below, the absorbent body 3 (or composite nonwoven fabric) may be produced by a hydroentanglement method. In the composite nonwoven fabric, when the water-entangled surface of the spunbond nonwoven fabric 11 is positioned so that it faces the skin, the superabsorbent polymer layer 15 is placed on the upper side of the water-entangled surface. As a result, the unevenness formed on the water-entangled surface by the water jet significantly suppresses the shifting and movement of the superabsorbent polymer layer 15, so that the absorbency and absorption rate of body fluids can be maintained at a high level, and the thickness and texture can be kept more uniform in the longitudinal and transverse directions even after absorbing body fluids, improving wearing comfort.

[0025] The superabsorbent polymer is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow of body fluids, but examples include polymers containing carboxyl group-containing monomers such as polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof. One type of superabsorbent polymer can be used alone, or two or more types can be used in combination. Among these superabsorbent polymers, polyacrylates are preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is more preferred, from the viewpoint of the amount of body fluid absorbed per weight.

[0026] Furthermore, for the absorbent body 3 (or composite nonwoven fabric), in a tensile strength test using a Tensilon, the force (tensile strength) required to stretch a test piece formed to a width of 25 mm in the vertical direction by 2 mm is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.5 N / 25 mm or more and 5.0 N / 25 mm or less, for example, from the standpoint of the overall strength of the absorbent article 1 and the ease of pulling out the absorbent article 1 when replacing it.

[0027] [Method for manufacturing absorbent body (or composite nonwoven fabric)] The composite nonwoven fabric of this embodiment can be produced, for example, by joining pre-bonded composite nonwoven fabrics 13 (FIG. 3) at predetermined positions. The pre-bonded composite nonwoven fabric 13 can be produced, for example, by a manufacturing method including the steps of laminating a spunbonded nonwoven fabric 11, a superabsorbent polymer layer 15, and a pulp fiber web 12, and, as necessary, pressing and / or heating the resulting laminate using a roll or the like. The spunbonded nonwoven fabric 11, the superabsorbent polymer layer 15, and the pulp fiber web 12 may also be integrated using an adhesive or by sewing. The pre-bonded composite nonwoven fabric 13 can also be produced by a manufacturing method including the step of hydroentangling the pulp fiber web 12 of the laminate of the spunbonded nonwoven fabric 11, the superabsorbent polymer-containing layer, and the pulp fiber web 12 with a water jet. The pre-bonded composite nonwoven fabric 13 may also be embossed.

[0028] Among the above-mentioned manufacturing methods, the method using hydroentangling is preferred from the viewpoint of achieving both appearance, softness to the touch, and strength. In the hydroentangling step, from the viewpoint of balancing appearance, softness to the touch, and efficiency, it is preferred that the hole diameter Φ of the water jet nozzle that ejects the water jet is 0.06 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less, and that the spacing between adjacent water jet nozzles is 0.4 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less.

[0029] The joining method is not particularly limited, and for example, the joint 10 may be formed by an appropriate method such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing at a predetermined position (position where the joint 10 is to be formed) of the composite nonwoven fabric 13 before joining. Alternatively, the joint 10 may be formed by applying a hot melt adhesive to a predetermined position of the composite nonwoven fabric 13 before joining, overlapping the fabrics, and heating or heating under pressure.

[0030] In this embodiment, the shape of the absorbent body 3 obtained in this manner is a strip or rectangle extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, an hourglass shape, an I-shape, etc. The absorbent body 3 may be used by stacking two or more layers. The thickness of the absorbent body 3 is selected appropriately depending on the type of body fluid to be absorbed and the material of the absorbent body 3, etc., but is preferably in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm from the viewpoint of the body fluid absorbency, absorption rate, retention, wearing comfort, etc. of the absorbent article 1. The longitudinal dimension of the absorbent body 3 is preferably 50 mm to 750 mm, and the width dimension is preferably 20 mm to 470 mm.

[0031] (back seat) The backsheet 4 is made of a breathable or non-breathable liquid-impermeable substrate that prevents body fluids held in the absorber 3 from wetting clothing or adhering to the skin surface. Examples of backsheet substrates include resin films and composite sheets that are laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics. Examples of resin films include films made of synthetic resins such as polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, and polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene. The nonwoven fabric used in the composite sheet is not particularly limited by its manufacturing method, and examples include spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics that are laminates of spunbond nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, and composite nonwoven fabrics that are laminates of spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, and spunbond nonwoven fabrics.

[0032] The basis weight of the back sheet 4 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of strength and processability, it is preferably 15 g / m 2 More than 40g / m 2 It is preferable that the back sheet 4 has a thickness of 1 / 4 or less. In addition, in order to prevent stuffiness during wear, it is preferable that the back sheet 4 has breathability. There is no particular limitation on the method for imparting breathability to the back sheet 4, and known methods can be used, for example, a method of making a resin film that is a back sheet substrate porous, or a method of embossing the back sheet substrate. One example of a method of making a resin film porous is a method of incorporating a filler into a resin to form a film, and then removing the filler from the obtained film. Examples of fillers include inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate.

[0033] (hydrophilic sheet) The hydrophilic sheet 5 is configured to wrap the entire absorbent body 3, for example, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the shape of the absorbent body 3 and preventing a layer of superabsorbent polymer from falling off. The base material of the hydrophilic sheet 5 may be any material that has hydrophilic properties, such as tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as airlaid nonwoven fabrics. When multiple hydrophilic sheets 5 are provided, the base materials of the multiple hydrophilic sheets 5 may be the same or different. Note that the hydrophilic sheet 5 need not be provided.

[0034] (3D gathers) Furthermore, the three-dimensional gathers are provided as necessary to prevent side leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the user of the absorbent article 1. The three-dimensional gathers are, for example, a pair of foldable members that extend outward in the width direction from both widthwise ends of the top sheet 2 and both widthwise ends of the non-skin-contacting side of the back sheet 4 along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1.

[0035] More specifically, for example, the three-dimensional gather sheet is arranged so that the outer edges of the three-dimensional gathers in the width direction of the absorbent article 1 are fixed to the non-skin side of the back sheet 4, the inner edges are fixed to the top sheet 2, and the center is a free edge that is not fixed to the top sheet 2. By providing elastic members for the three-dimensional gathers along the longitudinal direction, the three-dimensional gathers are given the ability to stand up, making them deformable to fit the wearer's body shape. As the elastic members for the three-dimensional gathers, for example, thread-like, string-like, or strip-like members made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc. can be used as appropriate. As the three-dimensional gather sheet, a water-repellent or liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers, such as a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, or a composite nonwoven fabric formed by laminating spunbond / meltblown / spunbond, can be used.

[0036] [Method for manufacturing absorbent articles] The method for manufacturing the absorbent article 1 is not particularly limited, and any conventionally known method can be used, and the absorbent article can be manufactured, for example, by laminating, from the clothing side, the back sheet 4, the absorbent body 3 entirely covered with the hydrophilic sheet 5, and the top sheet 2 in that order, and then fixing the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 4 partially or entirely using a hot melt adhesive, heat embossing, ultrasonic embossing, high-frequency embossing, etc. Then, after individually packaging this in a package, it can be folded lengthwise into thirds.

[0037] 4 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an absorbent article 6 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Components common to the absorbent article 1 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described further. The absorbent article 6 has the same configuration as the absorbent article 1, except that it includes an absorbent body 3a instead of the absorbent body 3. The absorbent body 3a is joined by a joining portion 10a.

[0038] The joints 10a include joints 10a provided around the entire periphery of the absorbent body 3a, a plurality of linear joints 10a connecting both widthwise ends of the absorbent body 3a and formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 3a, and a plurality of linear joints 10a connecting both widthwise ends of the absorbent body 3a and formed at intervals in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body 3a. Here, the width and longitudinal directions of the absorbent body 3a correspond to the width and longitudinal directions of the absorbent articles 1 and 6, respectively. By providing the joints 10a in this manner, a superabsorbent polymer layer (not shown) is housed in a plurality of internal spaces partitioned by the joints 10a inside the absorbent body 3a.

[0039] This further prevents the superabsorbent polymer from falling off from the absorbent body 3a, and even if the absorbent body 3a repeatedly absorbs body fluids, the absorbency and absorption speed are maintained at a high level, and the wearing comfort is improved. Furthermore, since the strength of not only the absorbent body 3a but also the absorbent article 6 as a whole is improved, it is easier to pull out the disposable diaper when changing it for a bedridden care recipient, reducing the burden on the caregiver.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of an absorbent article 7 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Components common to absorbent article 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The absorbent article 7 has the same configuration as absorbent article 6, except that it has a top sheet 8 instead of the top sheet 2. The top sheet 8 is narrower than the top sheet 2, and a portion of the hydrophilic sheet 5 is exposed on the surface of the absorbent article 7. Even with this configuration, the absorbent body 3a firmly retains body fluids after absorbing them, and thus the absorbent article 7 maintains high levels of absorbency and absorption speed after repeated absorption, while improving the diffusion (transfer) of body fluids into the absorbent body 3a, resulting in an excellent wearing comfort.

[0041] While the present invention has been described above using embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above embodiments, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that forms incorporating such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1, 6, 7 Absorbent articles 2, 8 Topsheet 3, 3a Absorbent 4 Back Seat 5 Hydrophilic sheet 10 Joint 11 Spunbond nonwoven fabric 12 Pulp fiber web 13 Composite nonwoven fabric before bonding 14 Superabsorbent Polymer 15 Superabsorbent polymer layer

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent body interposed therebetween, and a hydrophilic sheet covering the entire absorbent body, the absorbent body is a composite nonwoven fabric including a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a pulp fiber web integrated on the spunbond nonwoven fabric, The absorbent body comprises: joints that partially join the spunbond nonwoven fabric and the pulp fiber web to divide the interior of the composite nonwoven fabric into a plurality of regions; and block-shaped superabsorbent polymer layers that are enclosed within the regions divided by the joints; The bonded portion includes an outer peripheral bonded portion provided around the entire edge of the composite nonwoven fabric, and an inner bonded portion having both ends connected to the outer peripheral bonded portion and dividing the inside of the outer peripheral bonded portion into the plurality of regions, The absorbent article is formed by laminating the back sheet, the absorbent body entirely covered with the hydrophilic sheet, and the top sheet in this order, The top sheet is configured to be narrower than the absorbent body entirely covered with the hydrophilic sheet, An absorbent article, characterized in that a part of the hydrophilic sheet is exposed on the surface of the absorbent article.

2. The composite nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of 7 g / m ２ 20g / m or more ２ the pulp fiber web has a basis weight of 30 g / m or less ２ 70g / m or more ２ 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the spunbond nonwoven fabric to the pulp fiber web is 40 / 60% by weight or more and 10 / 90% by weight or less.

3. 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the material of the spunbond nonwoven fabric is one or a combination of two or more selected from the group consisting of nylon (trade name), vinylon, polyester, acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

4. The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the composite nonwoven fabric is 200 g / m ２ More than 1200g / m ２ The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pulp fiber web contains fibers of one or more types of bleached softwood kraft pulp selected from the group consisting of radiata pine, slash pine, southern pine, lodgepole pine, spruce, and Douglas fir.

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