absorbent articles
The absorbent article's innovative design with folded sheets and three-dimensional gathers effectively addresses the issue of liquid leakage from the ventral and dorsal sides by guiding liquid into the absorbent body, improving absorption and preventing leakage.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022110726
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-07-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing absorbent articles struggle to effectively prevent liquid leakage from the ventral and dorsal sides, despite having structures to prevent side leakage.
The absorbent article features a design with a front body region, crotch region, and back body region, incorporating water-permeable and water-impermeable sheets that are folded to overlap and include three-dimensional gathers with elastic contractile members to rise towards the skin, forming leak-proof walls, and weakly bonded areas to guide liquid to the absorbent body.
This design significantly reduces liquid leakage from both the ventral and dorsal sides by utilizing the three-dimensional gathers and fold lines to direct liquid into the absorbent body, enhancing absorption and preventing leakage.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article. [Background technology]
[0002] Disposable diapers and urine pads are known as absorbent articles. Patent Document 1 describes a urine pad. Absorbent articles absorb and retain liquid excreted by the wearer using an absorbent body. Generally, absorbent articles have three-dimensional gathers to prevent side leakage of liquid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-68949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In absorbent articles, three-dimensional gathers are useful for preventing side leakage of liquid, but it is difficult to prevent back leakage of liquid from the ventral or dorsal sides. There is room for improvement in the structure and configuration of absorbent articles that prevent leakage of liquid from the ventral or dorsal sides.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that suppresses leakage of liquid from the ventral side and the dorsal side. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention has a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and when worn, has a front body region located on the abdominal side of the wearer, a crotch region located under the crotch, and a back body region located on the back side, arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction, and comprises an absorbent body, a water-permeable sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and a pair of water-impermeable leak-proof sheets arranged on both sides of the water-permeable sheet in the width direction, extending in the longitudinal direction, and each leak-proof sheet has a base end that is joined to the water-permeable sheet and is the starting point of the rise, a free end that is the tip side of the rise, and a fixing part that is fixed to the water-permeable sheet at the end in the longitudinal direction, and when the absorbent article is in a state before use, the water-permeable sheet and the leak-proof sheet are folded so that they face each other at a fold line that extends in the longitudinal direction and overlaps the fixing part. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, leakage of liquid from the ventral side and the dorsal side can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the absorbent pad according to the embodiment in a folded state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an absorbent pad according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an absorbent pad according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Hereinafter, absorbent articles according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.
[0010] In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of a replaceable absorbent pad (an example of an "absorbent article" in this application) is the direction connecting the front body portion, which is positioned opposite the wearer's abdomen, and the back body portion, which is positioned opposite the wearer's back. A crotch section, which is positioned between the front body portion (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portion (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (at the center in the longitudinal direction), is connected to the front body portion and the back body portion, which is positioned between the wearer's crotch (facing the crotch). Furthermore, when the absorbent pad is worn by a wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "worn state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side when worn) is the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side (the outer side when worn) is the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side is the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is the width direction. Additionally, a view from the thickness direction is a planar view.
[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 is an absorbent article that is worn between a diaper or underwear and the wearer's skin, thereby coming into contact with the wearer's skin. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn inside a tape-type diaper or pants-type diaper, the absorbent pad 1 retains and absorbs exudates, preventing them from flowing into the diaper, thereby reducing the frequency of diaper changes.
[0012] The absorbent pad 1 has a crotch region 1B corresponding to the crotch area that covers the wearer's genitals when worn, a front body region 1F located in front of the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the wearer's front body, and a back body region 1R located behind the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the wearer's back body. The absorbent pad 1 has a front body region 1F that is wider than the crotch region 1B, with the crotch region 1B as a waistband, and a back body region 1R that is wider than the front body region 1F, and has a generally gourd-shaped planar shape overall. The front body region 1F, back body region 1R, and crotch region 1B of the absorbent pad 1 incorporate a generally gourd-shaped absorber that is narrowed in the crotch area around the crotch region 1B.
[0013] Side sheets 9L, 9R (an example of a pair of leak-proof sheets as referred to in this application) are provided on both widthwise sides of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L, 9R are made of a nonwoven fabric that is moisture-permeable and water-impermeable. The inner widthwise ends of the side sheets 9L, 9R are free ends that are not bonded to other sheets. Rubber thread is bonded to these free ends in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. When worn, the free ends rise toward the skin-facing side due to the biasing force of the rubber thread, and function as three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, which are leak-proof walls that prevent lateral leakage of exudates. The side sheets 9L, 9R protect the outer widthwise sides of the skin-facing side of the absorbent pad 1, and the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R also function to prevent lateral leakage of exudates.
[0014] In the areas of the absorbent pad 1 where the absorbent body does not extend, the sheets covering the absorbent body are adhered with a hot melt adhesive or the like. By adhering the sheets outside the periphery of the absorbent body, the inflow of bodily fluids from the non-adhesive areas can be prevented and the position of the absorbent body can be kept constant.
[0015] The absorbent pad 1 is provided with a cover sheet 4 that forms the exterior surface. The cover sheet 4 is placed on the side of the absorbent pad 1 that is closest to the skin, and has enough rigidity to withstand friction with diapers, underwear, etc. that are used in combination. The cover sheet 4 is generally made of a nonwoven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The cover sheet 4 is preferably moisture-permeable and liquid-impermeable.
[0016] The absorbent pad 1 also includes a top sheet 8 (an example of a "water-permeable sheet" as used herein) disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body. The top sheet 8 is a sheet-like member disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body so as to cover the water-absorbing surface of the absorbent body. The top sheet 8 is liquid-permeable in part or in whole. Therefore, when the absorbent pad 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 8, which may come into contact with the wearer's skin, and enters the absorbent body, where it is absorbed. Examples of liquid-permeable sheets include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and porous films. Alternatively, the top sheet 8 may be made of a spunbond nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic resin fibers or an air-through nonwoven fabric. The top sheet 8 is liquid-permeable in part or in whole. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 8, which may come into contact with the wearer's skin, and enters the absorbent body, where it is absorbed. The top sheet 8 may also be hydrophilic.
[0017] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the embodiment, seen from the skin-facing side. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 when cut widthwise along line AA shown in Fig. 2. The cover sheet 4, back sheet 5, absorber 6, and top sheet 8 all extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. Therefore, when the wearer's genitals are covered with the cover sheet 4, in which the back sheet 5, absorber 6, and top sheet 8 are laminated, both longitudinal ends of the back sheet 5, absorber 6, and top sheet 8 are positioned on the wearer's ventral and dorsal sides.
[0018] When the wearer is lying on their back or stomach, the excreted liquid spreads evenly between the body surface and the top sheet 8 and is gradually absorbed by the absorbent body 6. When the wearer is lying on their side, the excreted liquid may flow to one side in the width direction before the absorbent body 6 has completely absorbed it, but the absorbent pad 1 is provided with three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R that catch the excreted liquid and prevent it from leaking to the side.
[0019] The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are bonded to the top sheet 8 at both widthwise ends. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise from rising lines 3LL, 3LR provided near the widthwise ends of the lower-layer absorbent mat extending region, and their widthwise inner ends become free ends 3BFL, 3BFR. Near the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR, which are the widthwise inner ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, elastic contractile members 3BL, 3BR (an example of the "contractile member" referred to in this application) are provided. The rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are bonded to the side sheets 9L, 9R near the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a stretched state.
[0020] At the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are bonded to the top sheet 8 by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive or by thermal welding, forming fixed portions 3E. When the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR exert a contractile force and the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise up along the wearer's skin, the inside of the fixed portions 3E at both longitudinal ends becomes the starting point of the contraction. The contractile force of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR is also transmitted to both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, causing the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R to rise up toward the skin. As a result, the absorbent pad 1 properly conforms to the wearer's skin.
[0021] A high-rigidity portion 3HL is provided between the rubber thread 3BL and the standing line 3LL, formed by welding the three-dimensional gathers 3L. A similar high-rigidity portion 3HR is also provided between the rubber thread 3BR and the standing line 3LR. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are welded to the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR, thereby preventing the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR from shifting position. Therefore, when the absorbent pad 1 is worn, the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR exert an appropriate biasing force, allowing the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R to rise appropriately and come into contact with the wearer's skin. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are not bonded to other sheets and are not highly rigid, but in the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR, the rising side sheets 9L, 9R and the side sheets 9L, 9R folded back at the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR are welded together in two layers, so the three-dimensional gathers It is more rigid than other parts of the Zer 3L and 3R.
[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the absorbent pad 1 comprises a back sheet 5 (impermeable sheet), an absorbent body 6, and a top sheet 8, which are layered in this order on the skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5 is a roughly gourd-shaped sheet that has a length in the longitudinal direction that extends from the wearer's front body to the back body, passing through the crotch area, and has a predetermined width in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The back sheet 5 is made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin material to prevent leakage of exudates. The absorbent body 6 and the top sheet 9 are both sheets that have a roughly rectangular appearance like the back sheet 5, and are layered in this order on the back sheet 5, with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the back sheet 5.
[0023] The absorbent body 6 has a structure in which granular absorbent resin (polymeric water-absorbing material) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water, is held in the gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, or short fibers that have been hydrophilically treated synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate.
[0024] In this embodiment, SAP particles refer to a resin composition containing SAP in a granular form. The term "SAP-containing resin composition" as used herein encompasses both a composition consisting solely of SAP and a composition containing SAP as the main component and containing other substances to the extent that they do not adversely affect the water absorption properties. Examples of "other substances" include additives (such as surface modifiers added to hydrophobize the particle surface) and unreacted monomers remaining during the synthesis of SAP.
[0025] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the absorbent body 6 includes an upper absorbent mat 6a disposed on the skin-facing side and a lower absorbent mat 6b disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 6a. The upper absorbent mat 6a is wider than the lower absorbent mat 6b throughout its entire length. When viewed from the skin-facing side, the rectangular lower absorbent mat 6b is positioned inside the upper absorbent mat 6a in the width direction. The upper absorbent mat 6a has a roughly gourd-shaped planar shape and extends to the widthwise outer side of the standing lines 3LL and 3RL in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. Therefore, in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R, the upper absorbent mat 6a extends to the widthwise outer side of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R. Meanwhile, in the crotch region 1B, the upper absorbent mat 6a is narrowed in the width direction, with its ends positioned inside the standing lines 3LL and 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R.
[0026] The absorbent body 6 also has a SAP layer 6s, which is disposed between the upper and lower absorbent mats 6a and 6b and is formed from SAP particles. The SAP layer 6s is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the surface of the lower absorbent mat 6b with an adhesive. The SAP layers 6s are disposed on both sides of the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction, with a gap between them, at the center of the width direction. These two SAP layers 6s extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Note that, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the SAP layer 6s is contained within the upper and lower absorbent mats 6a and 6b. For example, SAP that is granular before absorbing liquid is used. SAP absorbs approximately 10 to 100 times its own weight in liquid. The SAP layer 6s absorbs and retains liquid dispersed by the upper and lower absorbent mats 6a and 6b.
[0027] The absorbent body 6 also has a core wrap sheet 7 that wraps the entire upper absorbent mat 6a and the lower absorbent mat 6b. The core wrap sheet 7 is a thin, water-permeable sheet, and an example of this is a sheet made of pulp fiber such as tissue paper. By covering multiple absorbent mats with the core wrap sheet 7, the absorbent body 6 prevents the absorbent mats from losing their shape. It can be suppressed.
[0028] In this embodiment, the core wrap sheet 7 has an upper core wrap sheet 7a and a lower core wrap sheet 7b. The upper core wrap sheet 7a covers the skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a. The lower core wrap sheet 7b covers the non-skin-facing side of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b and the side portions of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a and the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b, with its ends overlapping the skin-facing sides of the widthwise ends of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a. The upper core wrap sheet 7a and the lower core wrap sheet 7b are joined at the skin-facing sides of the widthwise ends of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a, and together they completely encase the absorbent mat.
[0029] A back sheet 5 having substantially the same shape as the absorbent body 6 but larger in size than the absorbent body 6 is provided on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 5 is a sheet made of a thermoplastic liquid-impermeable resin material such as polyethylene film to prevent leakage of discharged liquid that has flowed into the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 5 may also be made of a moisture-permeable material to prevent stuffiness when worn.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 , the absorbent body 6 has a narrow portion located in the longitudinal center of the absorbent pad 1, which has a short widthwise length, and wide portions located on the longitudinal sides of the narrow portion in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R, which are longer in width than the narrow portion. The absorbent body 6 has a gourd-like shape that narrows in width at the narrow portion. Specifically, the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a of the absorbent body 6 has this gourd-like shape. Note that in the absorbent pad 1, the backsheet 5 and the cover sheet 4 also have a gourd-like shape similar to the absorbent body 6. Note that the shape of the absorbent body 6 may be a gourd-like shape with the narrow portion extending 50 mm forward and backward from the narrowest point, or a funnel-like shape with a wide portion formed only on either the front body region 1F or the back body region 1R. If the absorbent body 6 is funnel-shaped, the absorbent pad 1 also has a funnel-like shape similar to the absorbent body 6.
[0031] A cover sheet 4 is provided on the non-skin facing side of the back sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 is generally made of a nonwoven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. The cover sheet 4 may be liquid permeable or liquid impermeable.
[0032] The width of the region sandwiched between the standing lines 3LL, 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R is narrower than the width of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b. Therefore, the absorbent body 6 has two layers of absorbent mats in the region on the inside in the width direction of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R that comes into contact with the wearer's skin.
[0033] The side sheets 9L, 9R extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 and cover both sides of the widthwise end of the absorbent body 6. The side sheets 9L, 9R are adhered to the top sheet 8 by strongly adhesive portions 16L, 16R formed with a hot melt adhesive. Upright lines 3LL, 3LR are formed on the widthwise inner side of the strongly adhesive portions 16L, 16R, and the widthwise inner side of the upright lines 3LL, 3LR of the side sheets 9L, 9R are not restricted but form free ends 3BFL, 3BFR. The portions of the side sheets 9L, 9R joined to the top sheet 8 by the strongly adhesive portions 16L, 16R form base ends 3AL, 3AR that are the starting points for the rise of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, and the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR are the tips of the rise. The base ends 3AL, 3AR are the portions where the side sheets 9L, 9R are joined to the top sheet 8 by the strongly adhesive portions 16L, 16R. The side sheets 9L, 9R correspond to the vicinity of the widthwise ends of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b, and rise from rising lines 3LL, 3LR formed inside the base ends 3AL, 3AR toward the skin side. Rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are provided on the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn, the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR on the inside of the widthwise direction of the side sheets 9L, 9R rise due to the biasing force of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR, and function as three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R.
[0034] The side sheets 9L, 9R are folded back at the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR to encase the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR. The folded back side sheets 9L, 9R are then bonded by a method such as heat welding between the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR and the standing wires 3LL, 3LR to form the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR. The free ends 3BFL, 3BFR and the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR prevent the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR from shifting, allowing them to exert their urging force as designed.
[0035] In this embodiment, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are bent outward in the width direction at the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR. Therefore, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise inward in the width direction at the rising lines 3LL, 3LR, bending the areas where the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR are present as bending portions, and rise with their free ends 3BFL, 3BFR facing outward in the width direction. Therefore, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are more likely to abut against the wearer's skin as a surface between the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR and the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR. When the ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R abut against the wearer's skin as a surface, they feel softer against the skin than when the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R simply rise in one direction and abut against the wearer's skin as a line. Furthermore, side leakage of exudates can be more effectively suppressed. In this embodiment, no contraction member is attached near the bent portion, and the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R stand up and perform their function due to the contraction force of the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR present on the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR.
[0036] More preferably, the bent portions are aligned with the widthwise ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR. When the bent portions are aligned with the widthwise ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR, the ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR become creases in the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, making them more likely to bend. Furthermore, even if a flexible nonwoven fabric is used as the material for the side sheets 9L, 9R to improve their feel against the skin, creases are likely to form at the widthwise ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR.
[0037] Before use, the absorbent pad 1 is folded along fold lines 20L, 20R (see FIG. 2) that extend in the longitudinal direction and overlap the fixing portion 3E, so that the side sheets 9L, 9R and the top sheet 8 face each other. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment folded in the width direction along the fold lines 20L, 20R shown in FIG. 2. The absorbent pad 1 is bent inward in the width direction along the pair of fold lines 20L, 20R that extend in the longitudinal direction, and is folded in a so-called gate fold, as shown in FIG. 4. The pair of fold lines 20L, 20R are formed near the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR provided in the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. Therefore, the upright lines 3LL, 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R bend toward the skin surface along the pair of fold lines, with the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR as the bending portions.
[0038] The fold lines 20L and 20R form grooves in the top sheet 8 and the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a that are valley-folded toward the skin-facing side (upper side). The absorbent pad 1 allows liquid to flow easily in the front-to-rear direction along these grooves. These grooves, i.e., the fold lines 20L and 20R, pass through the fixing portion 3E. If these grooves were connected to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, there would be a risk of abdominal leakage or back leakage, which is leakage of liquid from the longitudinal ends. In this embodiment, by passing the grooves formed by the fold lines 20L and 20R through the fixing portion 3E, the fixing portion 3E restricts the movement of liquid toward the longitudinal ends, while the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R prevent liquid from moving toward the skin-facing side. It is preferable that the fold lines 20L and 20R be formed widthwise inward of the upright lines 3LL and 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R. The absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment can prevent liquid leakage from the ventral and dorsal sides. Furthermore, the absorbent pad 1 can absorb liquid throughout the absorbent body 6 by utilizing the grooves created by the fold lines 20L and 20R formed before use, thereby increasing the absorption rate. The increased absorption rate also helps prevent liquid leakage.
[0039] 2, the inner longitudinal end of the absorbent pad 1 at the fixing part 3E is positioned so as to overlap with the absorbent body 6 when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan view. Liquid flowing along the fold lines 20L, 20R is blocked at the inner longitudinal end of the absorbent pad 1 at the fixing part 3E. This blocked liquid is absorbed by the absorbent body 6, so the absorbent pad 1 can prevent liquid from leaking when too much liquid accumulates at the end of the fixing part 3E in the longitudinal direction and the wearer's body position changes, for example.
[0040] Furthermore, in the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, a predetermined range on the inside of the fixed portion 3E in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 is not contracted by the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR. In other words, the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR do not extend within this predetermined range. The rubber threads 3BL, 3BR cause the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR to rise from the top sheet 8 toward the skin-facing side, but in order to suppress leakage of liquid that has flowed along the grooves formed by the fold lines 20L, 20R, it is preferable that the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR do not rise and cover the skin-facing side of the top sheet 8 near the fixed portion 3E. For this reason, in this embodiment, the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are not arranged in the predetermined range on the inside of the fixed portion 3E in the longitudinal direction, so that the contractile force of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR is not exerted within the predetermined range. In order to prevent the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR from exerting their contractile force, the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR may be arranged in a predetermined range, and the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR may be adhered to the side sheets 9L, 9R at a position inside the predetermined range in the longitudinal direction. The predetermined range is preferably set to be at least 10 mm or more in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The same applies when rubber threads other than the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are provided in the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R.
[0041] In addition, in this embodiment, the fixing part 3E is arranged at a position where a part of it overlaps with the absorbent body 6 when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, but it may be formed so that the whole of it overlaps with the absorbent body 6.
[0042] Here, the absorbent pad 1 is formed including the outer side of the free ends 3BFL, 3BFR in the width direction, and has weakly bonded portions 10 where the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L, 9R are not bonded or are weakly bonded. A small amount of hot melt adhesive is applied to the weakly bonded portions 10. Here, weakly bonded means an adhesive strength strong enough that the bonded portion peels off when the absorbent pad 1 is in use, and weakly bonded portions are usually not bonded when the absorbent pad 1 is worn. The weakly bonded portions 10 are portions on the outer side of the strongly bonded portions 16L, 16R in the width direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the weakly bonded portions 10 extend over the entire longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 and are disposed adjacent to the fixed portion 3E. The weakly bonded portion 10 is the gap between the side sheets 9L, 9R and the top sheet 8 bonded to the absorbent body 6, and since the side sheets 9L, 9R are not bonded or weakly bonded to the top sheet 8, the side sheets 9L, 9R are not bonded or weakly bonded to the absorbent body 6.
[0043] Liquid that passes through the grooves formed by the fold lines 20L, 20R and reaches the vicinity of the fixed part 3E enters the weakly bonded parts 10, and is then absorbed by the absorbent body 6. This prevents liquid from accumulating in the fixed part 3E and prevents liquid blocked by the fixed part 3E from leaking when the wearer changes position, etc. Furthermore, the liquid that has entered the weakly bonded parts 10 is encouraged to move toward the absorbent body 6 by the liquid-impermeable side sheets 9L, 9R, making it easier for the liquid to enter the absorbent body 6.
[0044] 2 and 3, the weakly bonded portions 10 extend along the base ends 3AL, 3AR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. With this configuration, when the wearer is in a lateral position, the absorbent pad 1 guides liquid to the weakly bonded portions 10 on the non-skin-facing side of the strongly bonded portions 16L, 16R, where liquid tends to accumulate, and absorbs the liquid. It can be moved to the storage body 6. In the absorbent pad 1, liquid that reaches the fixed part 3E through the grooves formed by the fold lines 20L, 20R reaches the weakly bonded part 10 via the non-skin-facing sides of the strongly bonded parts 16L, 16R, so it is possible to prevent the weakly bonded part 10 from becoming filled with liquid or the liquid from leaking from the longitudinal end sides of the weakly bonded part 10.
[0045] Furthermore, the weakly bonded areas 10 are provided near the fold lines 20L, 20R. With this configuration, the absorbent pad 1 can prevent liquid that has passed through the grooves created by the fold lines 20L, 20R and reached the vicinity of the fixed part 3E from accumulating near the fixed part 3E by guiding the liquid to the weakly bonded areas 10. Furthermore, even on the non-skin-facing side of the weakly bonded areas 10, the top sheet 8 and / or absorbent body 6 are valley-folded toward the skin-facing side by the fold lines 20L, 20R, forming spaces between the side sheets 9L, 9R and the top sheet 8 in the weakly bonded areas 10 and making it easier to guide liquid to the weakly bonded areas 10.
[0046] Furthermore, in the region adjacent to the fixing part 3E, the weakly bonded parts 10 have a length in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 of 8 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and overlap with the absorbent body 6 in a range of 20 mm or more and 80 mm or less when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan. Note that the region adjacent to the fixing part 3E means that the position in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the same position as the fixing part 3E. In the region adjacent to the fixing part 3E, if the communication area between the weakly bonded parts 10 and the absorbent body 6 via the top sheet 8 is too small, it becomes difficult for liquid in the weakly bonded parts 10 to move to the absorbent body 6. In order to guide liquid that has reached the vicinity of the fixing part 3E to the weakly bonded parts 10 and to move the liquid from the weakly bonded parts 10 to the absorbent body 6, the area of the weakly bonded parts 10 facing the absorbent body 6 in the region adjacent to each fixing part 3E should be at least 100 mm 2 The general water absorption rate of an absorbent body is about 0.19 g / s.
[0047] Next, an experimental example for measuring the absorption rate of an absorbent body is described. The experimental method involves placing a test plate (15 cm x 15 cm, 7 mm thick, weighing 1253 g, and 7 mm thick) with a hole in the center on the absorbent body of an absorbent pad, and then pouring artificial urine through the hole to measure the absorption rate. The diameter of the hole in the test plate is 54 mm. Next, 150 g of artificial urine is prepared. The artificial urine was prepared by dissolving 20 g of urea, 8 g of sodium chloride, 0.8 g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, and 0.3 g of calcium chloride dihydrate in 1000 mL of distilled water. 150 g of artificial urine is poured into the absorbent pad through the hole in the test plate. Once the absorbent pad 1 has absorbed all of the artificial urine, the test plate is removed from the absorbent pad. The absorbent pad has completely absorbed the artificial urine when all of the artificial urine poured into the absorbent pad has disappeared from the top sheet. The time from the start of injection of the artificial urine until the artificial urine was completely absorbed was measured as the absorption rate (seconds).
[0048] The absorbent pad used in the experiment had a top sheet 8 made of spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 19 g / m 2 The core wrap sheet was tissue paper with a basis weight of 14 g / m 2 The upper and lower absorbent cores of the absorbent body were made of pulp containing SAP.
[0049] Table 1 below shows the experimental results. [Table 1]
[0050] In this experiment, the absorption rate was measured using different absorbent bodies in Experimental Examples 1 to 6. The pulp basis weight (g / m 2 ), SAP weight (g / m 2) and absorption rate (g / s) are as shown in Table 1. As described above, the absorption rate was 0.19 g / s in Experimental Examples 3 and 4, and the absorption rate was close to 0.19 g / s in Experimental Examples 1, 2, and 6. Therefore, it can be said that the general water absorption rate of absorbent bodies is about 0.19 g / s. The area of the weakly bonded portion 10 facing the absorbent body 6 is at least 100 mm 2 As a result of the above, the absorbent body 6 can absorb liquid from the weakly bonded parts 10 at an absorption rate of 0.19 g / s, and leakage of liquid can be suppressed.
[0051] In this embodiment, the weakly bonded portions 10 extend to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1. At the longitudinal ends of the weakly bonded portions 10, the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet are not bonded or weakly bonded to each other. Here, the skin-facing sheet may be the side sheets 9L, 9R, or other impermeable sheets. The non-skin-facing sheet may be the top sheet 8, cover sheet 4, or back sheet 5, which are arranged closer to the skin than the side sheets 9L, 9R, or may be another sheet. In this embodiment, the skin-facing sheet is the side sheets 9L, 9R, and the non-skin-facing sheet is the top sheet 8. In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet are not bonded or weakly bonded to each other at the longitudinal ends of the weakly bonded portions 10, thereby preventing air from being trapped in the weakly bonded portions 10. In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, air can be expelled from the longitudinal ends of the weakly bonded portions 10, making it easier to introduce liquid into the weakly bonded portions 10. In addition, the weakly adhesive portion 10 does not have to extend to the longitudinal end of the absorbent pad 1, and the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet may be non-adhered at the longitudinal end of the weakly adhesive portion 10.
[0052] <Variation 1> Next, an absorbent pad according to Modification 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to Modification 1 as viewed from the skin-facing side. In this modification, the weakly bonded portions 10 do not extend to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, and the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet are bonded at the longitudinal end sides of the weakly bonded portions 10. This allows the absorbent pad 1 to prevent liquid in the weakly bonded portions 10 from leaking out of the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1. The skin-facing sheet may be the top sheet 8 or another sheet. For example, the skin-facing sheet may be the top sheet 8 or another water-permeable sheet arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent body 6. The non-skin-facing sheet may be the cover sheet 4 or the back sheet 5, or another sheet. For example, the non-skin-facing impermeable sheet may be the cover sheet 4 or the back sheet 5 or another water-permeable sheet arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent body 6. In this embodiment, the sheet facing the skin is the top sheet 8, and the sheet facing away from the skin is the cover sheet 4.
[0053] <Variation 2> Next, an absorbent pad according to Modification 2 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to Modification 2 as viewed from the skin-facing side. In this modification, the weakly bonded portions 10 have a shape that narrows in the width direction at the longitudinal end sides of the absorbent pad 1. In this modification, the weakly bonded portions 10 have a shape that narrows continuously at the longitudinal end sides, but may also have a shape that narrows discontinuously. This allows the absorbent pad 1 according to this modification to release air from the weakly bonded portions 10 while suppressing liquid leakage from the longitudinal end sides of the weakly bonded portions 10.
[0054] Although the features of the present invention have been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
[0055] Although the present embodiment has been described using a replaceable absorbent pad as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to pants-type diapers for infants or adults, or tape-type diapers for infants or adults.
[0056] The features included in each of the embodiments and modifications thereof disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]
[0057] 1. Absorbent pad 1B...Inseam area 1F: Front body area 1R: Back area 3E·Fixed part 3BL, 3BR... Elastic thread 3HL,3HR·High rigidity part 3L, 3R: 3D gathers 3AL,3AR··Proximal end 3LL,3LR・・・Rise line 3BFL,3BFR・Free end 4. Cover sheet 5. Back seat 6. Absorber 7. Core wrap sheet 8. Top sheet 9L, 9R side seats 10...Weak adhesive area 16L, 16R · Strong adhesive part 20L, 20R fold lines
Claims
1. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent article including a front body region located on the abdomen side of a wearer when worn, a crotch region located between the legs, and a back body region located on the back side, arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction, An absorber; a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, A pair of water-impermeable leak-proof sheets arranged on both sides of the water-permeable sheet in the width direction, extending in the longitudinal direction, and Equipped with The leak-barrier sheet is joined to the water-permeable sheet and has a base end portion which is a starting point of the rise, a free end which is a tip side of the rise, and a fixing portion which is fixed to the water-permeable sheet at the end in the longitudinal direction, When the absorbent article is in a state before use, the water-permeable sheet and the leak-barrier sheet are folded so as to face each other along a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction while overlapping the fixing part, the fixing portion is disposed at a position where a part or the whole of the fixing portion overlaps with the absorber in a plan view, the absorbent article is formed to include an outer side of the free end in the width direction, and includes a weakly bonded portion where the absorber and the leak-barrier sheet are not bonded or are weakly bonded, At the longitudinal end of the weakly bonded portion, the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet are not bonded or weakly bonded to each other. Absorbent articles.
2. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent article including a front body region located on the abdomen side of a wearer when worn, a crotch region located between the legs, and a back body region located on the back side, arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction, An absorber; a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, A pair of water-impermeable leak-proof sheets arranged on both sides of the water-permeable sheet in the width direction, extending in the longitudinal direction, and Equipped with The leak-barrier sheet is joined to the water-permeable sheet and has a base end portion which is a starting point of the rise, a free end which is a tip side of the rise, and a fixing portion which is fixed to the water-permeable sheet at the end in the longitudinal direction, When the absorbent article is in a state before use, the water-permeable sheet and the leak-barrier sheet are folded so as to face each other along a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction while overlapping the fixing part, the fixing portion is disposed at a position where a part or the whole of the fixing portion overlaps with the absorber in a plan view, the absorbent article is formed to include an outer side of the free end in the width direction, and includes a weakly bonded portion where the absorber and the leak-barrier sheet are not bonded or are weakly bonded, the weakly bonded portion has a length of 8 mm or more in the width direction in a region adjacent to the fixed portion, and overlaps with the absorbent body over a range of 20 mm or more in plan view; Absorbent articles.
3. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent article including a front body region located on the abdomen side of a wearer when worn, a crotch region located between the legs, and a back body region located on the back side, arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction, An absorber; a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, A pair of water-impermeable leak-proof sheets arranged on both sides of the water-permeable sheet in the width direction, extending in the longitudinal direction, and Equipped with The leak-barrier sheet is joined to the water-permeable sheet and has a base end portion which is a starting point of the rise, a free end which is a tip side of the rise, and a fixing portion which is fixed to the water-permeable sheet at the end in the longitudinal direction, When the absorbent article is in a state before use, the water-permeable sheet and the leak-barrier sheet are folded so as to face each other along a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction while overlapping the fixing part, the fixing portion is disposed at a position where a part or the whole of the fixing portion overlaps with the absorber in a plan view, the absorbent article is formed to include an outer side of the free end in the width direction, and includes a weakly bonded portion where the absorber and the leak-barrier sheet are not bonded or are weakly bonded, The weakly bonded portion has a shape that narrows in the width direction at the end portions in the longitudinal direction. Absorbent articles.
4. an inner end portion of the fixing portion in the longitudinal direction is disposed at a position overlapping with the absorber in a plan view; The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. a contraction member that is attached in a stretched state to the free end side of the leak-barrier sheet and extends in the longitudinal direction, The contraction member does not extend in a predetermined range on the inside of the fixing portion in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
6. the weakly bonded portion extends in the longitudinal direction along the base end of the leak-barrier sheet; The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
7. A strong adhesive portion is provided which is arranged outside the fold line in the width direction and bonds the water-permeable sheet and the leak-proof sheet, The weakly bonded portion is provided on the outer side of the strongly bonded portion in the width direction. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
8. The skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet are bonded to each other at the longitudinal end portions of the weakly bonded portions. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3.
Citation Information
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