Absorbent bodies and absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorber to which SAP leakage and gel blocking hardly occur, which is capable of absorbing body fluid more than once, and contains no absorbent fiber, and an absorbent article provided with the absorber.SOLUTION: An absorber 20 includes a first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21, a first bag body layer 25 including a plurality of first bag bodies 27 with high absorbent polymer 12 sealed inside the nonwoven fabric, a second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22, a second bag body layer 26 including a plurality of second bag bodies 28 with the high absorbent polymer 12 sealed inside hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, and a third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23 in this order from the skin side. In the absorber 20 for an absorbent article 50, the first bag body 27 is fixed to the first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21 or the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22; the second bag body 28 is fixed to the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22 or the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent core and an absorbent article including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] An absorbent article generally comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween, and is configured so that the absorbent body absorbs and retains body fluids such as urine that have permeated the top sheet, while the back sheet prevents the body fluids from coming into contact with the wearer's clothing, etc. Absorbent bodies currently in common use contain absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp and superabsorbent polymers (hereinafter also referred to as "SAP") as a body fluid absorption base material, and are capable of absorbing and retaining a relatively large amount of body fluid.

[0003] Absorbent articles are widely used by people of all ages, from the elderly to adults and infants. However, there is a growing demand for improved performance. For example, there is a demand for absorbent articles that can absorb multiple excretions of body fluids in a single garment. One possible way to meet this demand is to increase the amount of SAP in the absorbent body. However, increasing the amount of SAP reduces the spacing between SAPs, and because SAPs swell highly upon absorbing body fluids, adjacent SAPs tend to swell and bond together, blocking the flow path of body fluids in the absorbent body. This increases the likelihood of a phenomenon known as gel blocking, which prevents the body fluid absorption capacity from increasing in proportion to the amount of SAP. Additionally, there is a problem in that the wearing comfort of the absorbent article and its concealment from others decrease with each absorption of body fluid.

[0004] In light of this current situation, various absorbent sheets (hereinafter also referred to as "SAP sheets") that do not contain absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp have been proposed as absorbents for absorbent articles, in which SAP is fixed between two hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics using a hot melt adhesive or the like.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent laminate (absorbent sheet) that includes two sheets of nonwoven fabric, a network layer made of a hot melt adhesive provided between the nonwoven fabrics to bond them together, and SAP powder attached to the hot melt adhesive that constitutes the network layer, and does not include pulp fibers (body fluid absorbing substrate) other than the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric (Claim 1). Patent Document 1 states that it provides an absorbent laminate that is ultra-thin, does not lose its shape after absorbing body fluids, and is capable of fully demonstrating its absorption capacity (Paragraph 0011).

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses an SAP sheet comprising first and second sheets made of a fibrous material and an SAP layer containing SAP particles disposed between these sheets, wherein some of the SAP particles form an adhesive portion that forms a closed space sandwiched between the first and second sheets, and the remainder of the SAP particles form a group of free SAP particles that are sealed in a free state relative to the first and second sheets within the closed space. Patent Document 2 describes that an SAP sheet can be obtained in which some of the SAP particles partially adhere the first and second sheets to form a closed space, and the remaining SAP particles are sealed in an unadhered state within the closed space (paragraphs 0005 to 0006 and 0008). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-106554 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-136152 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The absorbent laminate described in Patent Document 1 is, in other words, an absorbent body made of pulpless SAP sheets. Such pulpless SAP sheets can be made thinner due to the high liquid absorption capacity of SAP, which can absorb liquid components several hundred times its own weight. However, although SAP has high liquid absorption capacity, its liquid absorption rate is slower than that of pulp. Therefore, when SAP sheets are used in, for example, disposable diapers, problems such as urine leakage before the SAP begins to absorb bodily fluids and gel blocking, which causes repeated deterioration of absorbency, arise. Therefore, additional layers made of airlaid or fluff pulp are required. Furthermore, even when these layers made of airlaid or fluff pulp are added, simply stacking them still results in problems such as leakage from the front, back, left, and right, and liquid return from the surface due to the slow liquid absorption rate, and stickiness.

[0009] The SAP sheet described in Patent Document 2 is structurally difficult to distribute evenly throughout, resulting in uneven distribution of SAP, which makes it prone to gel blocking during repeated absorption. Furthermore, the adhesive layer that forms the closed space between the first and second sheets is prone to gel blocking, which can prevent the free SAP particles in the closed space from fully exerting their absorption capacity.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent core that is less susceptible to SAP leakage and gel blocking and that can absorb body fluids multiple times, and an absorbent article that includes the absorbent core. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] As a result of extensive research to solve the above problems, the inventors came up with the idea of ​​a pouch (hereinafter also referred to as an "SAP pouch") that is smaller than a typical absorbent body and is made of a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and has a superabsorbent polymer sealed inside, and discovered that by constructing an absorbent body with a predetermined structure using multiple SAP pouches, it is possible to obtain an absorbent body that meets the intended purpose and an absorbent article that includes said absorbent body, thereby completing the present invention. The present invention relates to the following absorbent bodies and absorbent articles.

[0012] (1) An absorbent body for an absorbent article, The absorbent body includes, in order from the skin side, a first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet; a first bag layer including a plurality of first bags each having a superabsorbent polymer sealed inside a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric; a second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet; a second bag layer including a plurality of second bags each having a superabsorbent polymer sealed inside a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric; a third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet; the first bag body is fixed to the first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet or the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet, An absorbent body for an absorbent article, wherein the second bag body is fixed to the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet or the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet. (2) The absorbent body according to (1) above, wherein the number of the second bag bodies per unit area is greater than the number of the first bag bodies per unit area. (3) An absorbent body according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the first bag body has a length of 20 mm or more and 40 mm or less and a width of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the second bag body has a length of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less and a width of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. (4) The absorbent body according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the content of the superabsorbent polymer per one of the first bag body and the second bag body is 0.03 g or more and 0.3 g or less, respectively. (5) The first bag layer is formed by separating the first bag by 100 cm 2 The second bag layer includes 20 or more and 50 or less per 100 cm 2 An absorbent body according to any one of (1) to (4) above, containing 50 or more and 80 or less particles per unit area. (6) The absorbent according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the first to third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets are air-through nonwoven fabrics or pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics. (7) 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, the absorbent body being any one of the absorbents described above in (1) to (6). [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, there are provided an absorbent core that is resistant to SAP leakage and gel blocking and is capable of absorbing body fluids multiple times, and an absorbent article including the absorbent core. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the X1-X1 cutting line shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an absorbent body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are plan views schematically illustrating the configurations of first and second bags, where (a) shows the first and second bags according to the present embodiment, and (b) shows modified examples of the first and second bags. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an absorbent body according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a development view schematically showing the configuration of the absorbent body shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of first and second bags according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In this specification, "wearing an absorbent article" refers to the state in which the absorbent article is worn on the body, regardless of whether bodily fluids have been absorbed or not. In an absorbent article, the longitudinal direction is the direction indicated by Y in the figure that extends from the front to the back of the body via the wearer's crotch when the absorbent article is worn on the body; the width direction is the direction indicated by X in the figure that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and the thickness direction is the direction indicated by Z in the figure in which the components are stacked. The skin side is the surface that contacts the wearer's skin or faces the skin when the absorbent article is worn, and the non-skin side is the surface that contacts the wearer's clothing or faces the clothing. Body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0016] <Absorbent articles> An absorbent article 50 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 show the absorbent article 50. Fig. 3 shows the absorbent body 20. Fig. 4 shows the first bag body 27 and the second bag body 28, as well as modifications thereof. Figs. 5 and 6 show the absorbent body 20B. Fig. 7 shows the first bag body 27B and the second bag body 28B. These drawings do not stipulate the shape, dimensions, size relationships, etc. of each component member in the absorbent article 50.

[0017] The absorbent article 50 of this embodiment can be used as various absorbent articles for infants, adults, and the elderly, including pad products such as light incontinence products, light incontinence liners, urine absorption pads, and sanitary napkins, as well as disposable diaper products such as pants-type disposable diapers and tape-type disposable diapers. Among these, the absorbent article 50 is particularly suitable for use as pad products such as light incontinence products and urine absorption pads, taking advantage of its thinness and the fact that its absorption capacity and absorption speed do not decrease even after multiple absorptions. Various disposable diaper products may also be combined as outerwear with the absorbent article 50 as innerwear. The longitudinal dimension (maximum dimension) and width dimension (maximum dimension) of the absorbent article 50 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 50 within the above ranges, various types of absorbent articles can be easily obtained.

[0018] The absorbent article 50 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 10 located on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 30 positioned opposite the top sheet 10 and located on the non-skin side, an absorbent body 20 positioned between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30, and a pair of three-dimensional gathers 40 provided on the skin side of the top sheet 10.

[0019] The absorbent body 20 does not contain absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4(a), is composed of, from the skin side, a first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21, a first bag layer 25 including a plurality of first bags 27 in which a superabsorbent polymer 12 is sealed inside the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, a second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22, a second bag layer 26 including a plurality of second bags 28 in which a superabsorbent polymer 12 is sealed inside the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, and a third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23, and the first bags 27 are fixed to the first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21 and / or the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22, and the second bags 28 are fixed to the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22 and / or the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23. In this embodiment, the second bag body 28 is usually formed to be smaller than the first bag body 27, but the size and shape may be the same.

[0020] According to this embodiment, first and second bag layers 25, 26 for absorbing and retaining body fluids are formed using a plurality of first and second bags 27, 28, each of which is formed by sealing a superabsorbent polymer 12 in a bag made of hydrophilic nonwoven fabric. First, second, and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21, 22, 23 are arranged on the skin side of the first bag layer 25, between the first bag layer 25 and the second bag layer 26, and on the non-skin side of the second bag layer 26, respectively, to form an absorbent body 2. The first bag 27 constituting the first bag layer 25 is fixed to the first and second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21 and 22, and the second bag 28 constituting the second bag layer 26 is fixed to the second and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 22 and 23, thereby preventing the first and second bags 27 and 28 from falling off the absorbent body 20 due to the wearer's movements, changes in posture, etc. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer 12 and the first and second bags 27, 28 are prevented from falling off from the absorbent body 20, and since the superabsorbent polymer 12 is sealed in a relatively small bag made of hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and is surrounded by the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, gel blocking is prevented.Furthermore, despite having a two-layer structure consisting of the first and second bag layers 25, 26, the absorbent body 20 as a whole has high rigidity, so that the body fluid absorption capacity of the superabsorbent polymer 12 in the absorbent body 20 can be fully exerted, the overall body fluid absorption capacity is increased, and repeated absorption can be carried out smoothly.

[0021] The absorbent article 50 of this embodiment has as its basic constituent units the top sheet 10, the absorber 20 (or the absorber 20B), and the back sheet 30, and can be modified as needed with various known modifications, such as the provision of the above-mentioned three-dimensional gathers 40, or the provision of a liquid-permeable transfer sheet (not shown) or a liquid-permeable second sheet between the top sheet 10 and the absorber 20 (or the absorber 20B). Below, the constituent members of the absorbent article 50 will be described in more detail in the order of the top sheet 10, the absorber 20 (or the absorber 20B), the back sheet 30, and the three-dimensional gathers 40.

[0022] <Top sheet> The top sheet 10 is a liquid-permeable sheet-like substrate that allows bodily fluids to pass quickly toward the absorbent body 20. The top sheet 10 is preferably a substrate that is soft to the touch and non-irritating to the skin so that it can come into contact with the wearer's skin. Examples of such substrates include hydrophilic sheets, composite sheets that are laminates of the same or different hydrophilic sheets, apertured films such as apertured polyethylene films, and foamed films such as polyethylene foam and urethane foam. Examples of hydrophilic sheets include air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, and spunbonded nonwoven fabrics made from one or more types of synthetic fibers made from synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, recycled fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton. Among these, nonwoven fabrics are preferred, and air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, and spunbonded nonwoven fabrics are more preferred.

[0023] 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 ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc. to reduce irritation to the skin. The basis weight of the top sheet 10 is set to, for example, 18 g / m² from the viewpoints of strength, processability, and liquid wetting-back. 2 More than 400g / m 2 The shape of the top sheet 10 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape that covers part or all of the absorbent body 20 necessary to guide bodily fluids to the absorbent body 20 without leakage.

[0024] <Absorbent> The absorber 20 (or absorber 20B) 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 absorber 20 (or absorber 20B) is, for example, 50 mm to 500 mm, 60 mm to 400 mm, or 70 mm to 105 mm. Furthermore, when the absorber 20 (or absorber 20B) has an hourglass-shaped planar shape, the longitudinal dimension is in the range of 180 mm to 800 mm, the widthwise dimensions of the ventral and dorsal portions that come into contact with the wearer's abdomen and back, respectively, are both in the range of 60 mm to 400 mm, and the widthwise dimension of the crotch portion that comes into contact with the wearer's crotch is in the range of 90 mm to 250 mm. Embossing may be applied to the entire surface or a part of the absorbent body 20 (or the absorbent body 20B). In this embodiment, the planar shape of the absorbent body 20 (or the absorbent body 20B) is a vertically long rectangular shape, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an hourglass shape, an I-shape, a gourd shape, a rectangle, a rounded rectangle with rounded corners, an oval, or the like.

[0025] (Absorbent body of this embodiment) The absorbent body 20 of this embodiment does not contain absorbent fibers such as fluff pulp, and therefore can be considered a type of absorbent sheet. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent body 20 is a laminate formed by stacking, in order from the skin side to the non-skin side, a first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21, a first bag layer 25, a second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22, a second bag layer 26, and a third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23.

[0026] <Hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet> As shown in Figure 2, the first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21 is disposed between the top sheet 10 and the first bag layer 25 on the skin side of the first bag layer 25, the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22 is disposed between the first bag layer 25 and the second bag layer 26, and the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23 is disposed between the second bag layer 26 and the backsheet 30 on the non-skin side of the second bag layer 26. By arranging the first, second, and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21, 22, and 23 as described above, bodily fluid diffusion into the first and second bag layers 25, 26 is improved, and the rigidity of the entire absorber 20 is increased, maintaining a stable high level of bodily fluid absorption, while preventing a decrease in bodily fluid absorption due to the first and second bags 27, 28 falling off from the first and second bag layers 25, 26.

[0027] The first, second, and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21, 22, and 23 are all sheet-like hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics. Any hydrophilic nonwoven fabric commonly used in the field of disposable diapers can be used, including, for example, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics, air-laid nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, and pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics. Among these, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, and pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics are preferred, with air-through nonwoven fabrics, pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics, and spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics being more preferred. Among the aforementioned hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics, those containing one or more of fibers made from synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester, recycled fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton are even more preferred. The thickness of the first, second and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21, 22 and 23 is, for example, in the range of 0.10 mm to 0.25 mm, and the basis weight is, for example, 5 g / m2 More than 40g / m 2 The ranges are as follows: The hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics constituting the first, second and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21, 22 and 23 may be the same or different.

[0028] <Bag layer> 3, the first bag layer 26 is composed of a plurality of flat first bags 27 each having a superabsorbent polymer 12 sealed therein, and the first bags 27 are fixed to the non-skin side of the first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21 and / or the skin side of the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22 using a hot melt adhesive or the like. In this embodiment, the flat first bags 27 are arranged regularly or irregularly between the first and second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21, 22 so that their longitudinal direction coincides with the width direction of the absorbent article 50, and are laminated in two or more layers as necessary.

[0029] 3, the second bag layer 26 is configured to include a plurality of square-shaped second bags 28 each having a superabsorbent polymer 12 sealed therein, and the second bags 28 are fixed to the non-skin side of the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22 and / or the skin side surface of the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23 using a hot melt adhesive or the like. In this embodiment, the square-shaped second bags 28 are arranged regularly or irregularly between the second and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 22, 23 so that their longitudinal direction coincides with the width direction of the absorbent article 50, and are stacked in two or more layers as necessary, with some areas consisting of one layer and others consisting of two or more layers.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the number of second bags 28 in the second bag layer 26 is greater than the number of first bags 27 in the first bag layer 25, and the SAP amount of the second bag layer 26 is greater than the SAP amount of the first bag layer 25. Specifically, the first bag layer 25 has the first bags 27 arranged in a 100 cm 2 The second bag layer 26 includes 20 or more and 50 or less bags per 100 cm 2The absorbent article 50 includes 50 or more and 80 or less second bags 28 per layer, and the number of second bags 28 is set to be greater than the number of first bags 27. If the number of first bags 27 is less than 20 and / or the number of second bags 28 is less than 50, the absorbent article 20 as a whole will have a reduced body fluid absorption capacity and will tend not to be able to withstand multiple body fluid absorptions. If the number of first bags 27 exceeds 50 and / or the number of second bags 28 exceeds 80, the absorbent article 50 will tend to become less comfortable to wear and less concealable from others as the number of body fluid absorptions increases. The area of ​​the first and second bag layers 25, 26 is the area of ​​the smallest rectangle that can contain all of the first and second bags 27, 28 when viewed from above and set by image processing. With this configuration, the absorbent body 20 as a whole has improved bodily fluid diffusion properties and absorption speed, and the second bag layer 26 can securely retain bodily fluids.

[0031] <Bag body> As shown in FIG. 4(a), the first bag 27 and the second bag 28 are configured by sealing the superabsorbent polymer 12 in a relatively small bag 11 made of hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, without containing absorbent fibers such as flap pulp, and are small, thin, and lightweight, capable of absorbing body fluids from all directions, and with almost no leakage of the superabsorbent polymer 12. The first and second bags 27, 28 include the bag 11 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and a flattened shape in three dimensions, and particulate superabsorbent polymer 12 sealed inside the bag 11. The bag 11 can be produced, for example, by folding the edges of a substantially rectangular hydrophilic nonwoven fabric in half in the width (short side) direction and overlapping them, filling the interior with the superabsorbent polymer 12, adhering a region of a predetermined width from the overlapped edges to form a sealing layer 13, and sealing the superabsorbent polymer 12 inside. The sealing layer 13 can be formed by, for example, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, or adhesion using a hot melt adhesive.

[0032] In the first bag body 27, the width dimension a and the length dimension b of the bag 11 shown in FIG. 1(a) are not particularly limited. For example, the width dimension a is in the range of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the length dimension b is in the range of 20 mm or more and 40 mm or less. If the length dimension b of the first bag body 27 is less than 20 mm and / or the width dimension a is less than 5 mm, the first bag body 27 becomes too small, the content of the superabsorbent polymer 12 decreases, and it is likely to fall off from the first bag body layer 25, resulting in a tendency for the body fluid absorbency to decrease. If the length dimension b of the first bag body 27 exceeds 40 mm and / or the width dimension a exceeds 10 mm, the diffusibility of body fluid from the first bag body layer 25 to the second bag body layer 26 tends to decrease.

[0033] Also, in the second bag body 28, the length dimension b and the width dimension a of the bag 11 shown in FIG. 1(a) are not particularly limited. For example, the length dimension b is in the range of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and the width dimension a is in the range of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. If the length dimension b of the second bag body 28 is less than 5 mm and / or the width dimension a is less than 5 mm, the second bag body 28 becomes too small, the content of the superabsorbent polymer 12 decreases, it is likely to fall off from the second bag body layer 26, and gel blocking is likely to occur, resulting in a tendency for the body fluid absorbency to decrease. If the length dimension b of the second bag body 28 exceeds 20 mm and / or the width dimension a exceeds 10 mm, the diffusibility of body fluid in the second bag body layer 26 decreases, and leakage and the like are likely to occur.

[0034] By setting the length dimension b and the width dimension a of the first bag body 27 and the second bag body 28 within the above-mentioned ranges, the first bag body layer 25 absorbs a part of the body fluid and assists in multiple absorptions of the body fluid, while emphasizing the diffusibility of the body fluid and serving as a layer responsible for supplying the body fluid to the second bag body layer 26. The role of the second bag body layer 26 mainly responsible for multiple absorptions of the body fluid becomes clear, and the effects of this embodiment are fully exerted. Also, in the first and second bag bodies 27, 28, the thickness of the bag 11 is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of significantly miniaturizing the dimensions a and b compared to conventional absorbers as described above, for example, it is in the range of 1.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less.

[0035] The hydrophilic nonwoven fabric constituting the bags 11 of the first bag body 27 and the second bag body 28 can be the same as the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric used for the first, second, and third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets 21, 22, and 23. Among them, air-through nonwoven fabrics and pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,703) are preferred from the viewpoints of bodily fluid absorbency, strength, flexibility, moldability, and the like. An example of a pulp-containing nonwoven fabric is a spunbonded nonwoven fabric (preferably containing polypropylene fibers, more preferably made of polypropylene fibers) in which the fibers constituting the spunbonded nonwoven fabric and pulp fibers are entangled on one surface to form a pulp fiber web, and some of the pulp fibers penetrate the spunbonded nonwoven fabric in the thickness direction and are exposed on the other surface, resulting in an extremely strong bond and integration between the nonwoven fabric and the pulp fiber web. Here, "integrated" means that the nonwoven fabric and the pulp fiber web do not separate to an extent that would degrade the functionality of the pulp-containing nonwoven fabric until the absorbent article is completely used up. The pulp-containing nonwoven fabric can be produced, for example, by spraying pulp fibers onto the nonwoven fabric using a hydroentanglement method.

[0036] The thickness of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric constituting the bag 11 of the first bag body 27 and the second bag body 28 is, for example, in the range of 0.05 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less from the viewpoint of bodily fluid diffusion, concealment from others, prevention of SAP leakage, etc., and the basis weight of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is, for example, 7 g / m2 from the viewpoint of bodily fluid permeability, strength of the bag 11, etc. 2 More than 30g / m 2 The range is as follows: In addition, the number of first and second bag bodies 27, 28 may be the same, and the SAP amount of the second bag body 28 may be greater than the SAP amount of the first bag body 28, or the number and SAP amount of the second bag bodies 28 may be greater than the number and SAP amount of the first bag bodies 28.

[0037] (Superabsorbent polymer) The superabsorbent polymer 12 sealed in the bag 11 can be any polymer capable of absorbing body fluids and preventing backflow, and examples thereof include polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified versions thereof. Among these, polyacrylates are preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is more preferred, from the viewpoint of the amount of body fluid absorbed per weight. SAPs can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Various commercially available products can be used as the superabsorbent polymer 12, without any particular limitations.

[0038] In one embodiment of the bag 11, the superabsorbent polymer 12 is sealed in the bag 11 as is. In another embodiment of the bag 11, the superabsorbent polymer 12 is wrapped in a carrier sheet such as tissue, absorbent paper, or airlaid nonwoven fabric and sealed in the bag 11. In other embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer 12 may be fixed to the surface of the carrier sheet with double-sided tape, adhesive, or the like. It is also preferable that the superabsorbent polymer 12 is sealed in the bag 11 in particulate form. In this case, the particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 12 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, in the range of 50 μm to 600 μm in terms of median particle size.

[0039] The content of superabsorbent polymer 12 per bag 11 is in the range of 0.03 g to 0.3 g or 0.05 g to 0.15 g. If the content of superabsorbent polymer 12 is within this range, the superabsorbent polymer 12 will not swell significantly after absorbing body fluids, causing a rough feel, and there will be almost no increase in the thickness of bag 11. Therefore, the texture, wearing comfort, and fit of the absorbent article including bag 11 after absorbing body fluids can be improved.

[0040] If the content of superabsorbent polymer 12 is less than 0.03 g, the amount of body fluid absorbed per superabsorbent polymer 12 decreases, tending to impair the advantages of bag 11. If the content of superabsorbent polymer 12 exceeds 0.3 g, localized gel blocking is more likely to occur within the absorbent article or absorbent body, and the amount of body fluid absorbed and the absorption speed after repeated absorption of body fluid tend to decrease.

[0041] The first bag 27A and the second bag 28A shown in FIG. 4(b) are modified versions of the first bag 27 and the second bag 28. The first and second bags 27A and 28A have the same configuration as the first and second bags 27 and 28, except that instead of the sealing layer 13, sealing layers 13 and non-sealing layers 14 are alternately formed in the circumferential direction. The non-sealing layers 14 are regions where the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics on both sides are not bonded, and the internal and external spaces of the first and second bags 27A and 28A are connected via the non-sealing layers 14. The circumferential width of the non-sealing layers 14 may be set within a range that prevents leakage of the superabsorbent polymer 12 therein. Note that because the first and second bags 27A and 28A are thin and folded in a substantially flat shape, leakage of the superabsorbent polymer 12 to the outside is unlikely to occur even when multiple non-sealing layers 14 are present. By configuring the first and second bag bodies 27A, 28A in this manner, body fluids are introduced more uniformly into the first and second bag bodies 27A, 28A from all directions, allowing the amount of body fluid absorption to be commensurate with the amount of superabsorbent polymer, further reducing the possibility of gel blocking occurring.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first bag 27 (or the first bag 27A) is bonded to the non-skin-side surface of the first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 21 and / or the skin-side surface of the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22, and the second bag 28 (or the second bag 28A) is bonded to the non-skin-side surface of the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 22 and / or the skin-side surface of the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23. For bonding, an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive is used. Any hot melt adhesive having a melting point of 100°C or higher and 180°C or lower can be used without any particular limitation. Examples of such hot melt adhesives 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, known methods can be used, such as a curtain coating method or a spiral method in which the molten hot melt adhesive is applied from a nozzle in a non-contact manner, or a slot method in which the hot melt adhesive is applied in a contact manner. The content of the hot melt adhesive is set to, for example, 10 g / m from the viewpoint of not impairing the absorbency of the superabsorbent polymer 12 and the feel on the skin when worn. 2 The range is as follows:

[0043] <Method of manufacturing absorbent body> The absorbent body 20 of this embodiment can be produced by a method including, for example, the steps of forming a coating layer of hot melt adhesive on the skin-side surface of the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 23, spraying and adhering a plurality of second bags 28 onto the coating layer of hot melt adhesive, superimposing a second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22 (which may have a predetermined amount of hot melt adhesive applied to its non-skin-side surface) on the sprayed second bags 28 to form a second bag layer 26, forming a coating layer of hot melt adhesive on the skin-side surface of the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22, spraying and adhering a plurality of first bags 27 onto the coating layer of hot melt adhesive, and superimposing a first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 21 (which may have a predetermined amount of hot melt adhesive applied to its non-skin-side surface) on the sprayed first bags 27 to form a first bag layer 25.

[0044] (Absorbent body of another embodiment) 5 to 7, an absorbent body 20B according to another embodiment has the same configuration as the absorbent body 20, except that a first bag body 27B and a second bag body 28B have a cylindrical three-dimensional shape. In the first bag body layer 25, the first bags 27B are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the first bag body 27B coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 20B, and in the second bag body layer 26, the second bags 27B are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the second bag body 27B coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorber 20B and the number of second bags 27B is greater than the number of first bags 27B. The diameter dimension a of the upper and lower circular surfaces of the first and second bags 27B, 28B corresponds to the width dimension a of the first and second bags 27, 28, and the height dimension b of the cylinder corresponds to the length dimension b of the first and second bags 27, 28.

[0045] <Carrier sheet> In this embodiment, the absorbers 20, 20B may be entirely wrapped in a carrier sheet (not shown). Any hydrophilic sheet commonly used in this field can be used as the carrier sheet, including, for example, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics, air-laid nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, and pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics, as well as tissue paper and absorbent paper. Among hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, and pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics are more preferred, with air-through nonwoven fabrics, pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics, and spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics being even more preferred. The thickness of the carrier sheet is, for example, in the range of 0.10 mm to 0.25 mm, and the basis weight is, for example, 5 g / m 2 More than 40g / m 2 The range is as follows:

[0046] <Back seat> The backsheet 30 may be formed using a breathable or non-breathable substrate that is liquid-impermeable so that body fluids held by the absorber 20 do not wet clothing. Examples of such substrates include resin films and composite sheets that are laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics. The nonwoven fabrics used in the composite sheets may be made by any method, and examples include single-layer nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates, and spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbonded nonwoven fabric laminates, as well as composite materials thereof. Examples of resin films include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0047] The basis weight of the back sheet 30 is, for example, 15 g / m from the viewpoint of strength and processability. 2 More than 40g / m 2 The range is as follows. In order to prevent stuffiness during wear, it is preferable that the back sheet 30 be breathable. To make the back sheet 30 breathable, 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 can be any known method without any restrictions.

[0048] <3D gathers> The three-dimensional gathers 40 are fixed to the skin side of the top sheet 10 near both ends in the width direction of the absorbent article 50 along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 50, for example, 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.

[0049] The elastically stretchable member 40a is disposed along the longitudinal direction near the free end (other end) of the sheet member 40b, imparting upstanding property to the free end and allowing the free end and its neighboring area of ​​the sheet member 40b to deform to fit the wearer's body shape. In this embodiment, one widthwise end (fixed end) of the sheet member 40b is fixed to near both widthwise ends of the skin-side surface of the backsheet 30, a middle portion in the widthwise direction is fixed to near both widthwise ends of the skin-side surface of the topsheet 10, and the other widthwise end is a free end that is upstanding. The fixing position of the fixed end (one widthwise end) of the sheet member 40b is not limited to this embodiment, and examples include the non-skin-side surface of the backsheet 30, near both widthwise ends of the skin-side surface or non-skin-side surface of the joint between the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 30, which has the absorbent body 20 housed therein, and near both widthwise ends of the skin-side surface of the topsheet 10.

[0050] The sheet member 40b is a water-repellent and / or waterproof sheet, and is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric for the first sheet member can be any water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers, 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 used as appropriate.

[0051] <Method for manufacturing absorbent articles> The absorbent article 50 can be manufactured by a known manufacturing method, for example, a manufacturing method including the steps of placing the absorber 20 or 20B between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30, fixing the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 30 partially or entirely around the periphery using a hot melt adhesive, heat embossing, ultrasonic embossing, high-frequency embossing, or the like, and providing three-dimensional gathers 40 at predetermined positions on the back sheet 30 and the top sheet 10. When the absorbent article 50 is a urine absorption pad or a light incontinence pad, it can be individually packaged in a package and then folded lengthwise in thirds. Leg gathers, waist gathers, side flaps, and the like can be provided as needed.

[0052] Although 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 described in the above embodiments and examples. 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 such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Topsheet 11 bags 12 Superabsorbent Polymer 13 Sealing layer 14 Non-sealing layer 20, 20B absorber 21 First hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet 22 Second hydrophilic nonwoven sheet 23 Third hydrophilic nonwoven sheet 25 First bag layer 26 Second bag layer 27, 27A, 27B First bag (first SAP bag) 28, 28A, 28B Second bag body (second SAP bag body) 30 Back Seat 40 Three-dimensional gathers 40a Elastic and stretchable member 40b Sheet member 50 Absorbent articles

Claims

1. An absorbent body for an absorbent article, The absorbent body includes, in order from the skin side, a first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet; a first pouch layer including a plurality of first pouches formed as independent bodies by sealing a superabsorbent polymer inside a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric; a second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet; a second pouch layer including a plurality of second pouches formed as independent bodies by sealing a superabsorbent polymer inside a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric; a third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet; the plurality of first bags are fixed to the first hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet or the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet, the second bags are fixed to the second hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet or the third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheet; the amount of the superabsorbent polymer in the second packet layer is greater than the amount of the superabsorbent polymer in the first packet layer; the first bag body and the second bag body have sealing layers to which the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is adhered and non-sealing layers to which the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is not adhered, alternately arranged in a circumferential direction; An absorbent body for an absorbent article, wherein the spaces between the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics forming the non-sealing layer are smaller than the particle size of the superabsorbent polymer.

2. The absorbent body according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the second bags per unit area is greater than the number of the first bags per unit area.

3. 3. The absorbent body according to claim 1, wherein the first bag body has a length of 20 mm or more and 40 mm or less and a width of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the second bag body has a length of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less and a width of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

4. 4. The absorbent body according to claim 1, wherein the first bag body and the second bag body each have a content of the superabsorbent polymer of 0.03 g or more and 0.3 g or less.

5. The first bag layer is configured to cover the first bag by 100 cm ２ The second bag layer includes 20 or more and 50 or less per 100 cm ２ The absorbent body according to claim 1 , wherein the absorbent body contains 50 to 80 particles per one particle.

6. 6. The absorbent body according to claim 1, wherein the first to third hydrophilic nonwoven fabric sheets are air-through nonwoven fabrics or pulp-containing nonwoven fabrics.

7. 7. 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, wherein the absorbent body is the absorbent body according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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