Outer type disposable diaper and leakage detection method

Abstract

To provide an outer type paper diaper which easily detects leakage of body fluid reaching an outer even in a worn state and is capable of obtaining an estimated timing for exchange of the outer before body fluid leaks from the outer even in an environment where illumination is insufficient at night, and a leakage detection method.SOLUTION: An outer type paper diaper 10 includes: an exterior body 11; and an absorber 12 which is supported by the exterior body 11 and extends from a front body part 13 to a back body part 14 via a crotch part 15. A length in a longitudinal direction of the exterior body 11 is between 700 mm and 1100 mm; a maximum length in a short hand direction of the absorber 12 in the front body part 13 is between 300 mm and 500 mm; a maximum length in the short hand direction of the absorber 12 in the crotch part 15 is between 180 mm and 260 mm; and a maximum length in the short hand direction of the absorber 12 in the back body part 14 is between 300 mm and 500 mm. The absorber 12 contains fluff pulp, a high absorbent polymer and an endothermic agent causing endothermic reaction when solved in moisture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outer-type disposable diaper and a leakage detection method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article that suppresses the stuffiness felt by a wearer when excreting bodily fluids such as menstrual blood or urine. This absorbent article has a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, in which a front region, a central region, and a rear region are provided continuously in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body, and a heat-absorbing material is arranged inside the absorbent body in an arrangement region that includes at least the central region of the absorbent article. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2009 / 145139 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In care settings for severely disabled people, disposable diapers are used as the outer layer and urine-absorbing pads as the inner layer. With the current chronic shortage of staff at care facilities, it is impossible to check the leakage status of each care recipient and change their disposable diapers. Therefore, the reality is that caregivers plan diaper changes in advance and, when the scheduled time arrives, change all diapers at the same time, regardless of whether or not there is leakage of bodily fluids (urine, etc.). Even so, if the timing of the changes is not right, bodily fluids may reach the outer layer from the inner pad and then leak out from the outer layer, soiling clothing and bedding, placing a heavy burden on caregivers when changing these diapers.

[0005] The absorbent article described in Patent Document 1 can reduce the stuffiness felt by the wearer when body fluids are excreted by lowering the temperature using a heat-absorbing material, but it does not address the issue of when to change outer-type disposable diapers for nursing care.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an outer-type disposable diaper and a leakage detection method that makes it easy to detect leakage of bodily fluids that reach the outer layer even when the diaper is being worn, and that makes it possible to obtain an indication of when to change the outer layer before bodily fluids leak from the outer layer, even in environments with insufficient lighting at night. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the outer-type disposable diaper of the first aspect of the present invention comprises an outer body including a front body that is located in front of the wearer's abdomen when worn, a rear body that is located behind the wearer's back, and a crotch portion that is located between the wearer's legs, and an absorbent body that is supported by the outer body and extends from the front body of the outer body via the crotch portion to the rear body, wherein the longitudinal length of the outer body is 700 mm to 1100 mm, the maximum transverse length of the absorbent body in the front body is 300 mm to 500 mm, the maximum transverse length of the absorbent body in the crotch portion is 180 mm to 260 mm, and the maximum transverse length of the absorbent body in the rear body is 300 mm to 500 mm, and the absorbent body contains fluff pulp, a highly absorbent polymer, and an endothermic agent that undergoes an endothermic reaction when dissolved in water.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the outer type disposable diaper of the first aspect, wherein the heat-absorbing agent is provided in at least the regions of the absorber located in the crotch portion and the rear body portion.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is the outer type disposable diaper of the first aspect, wherein the weight ratio of the heat-absorbing agent in the absorbent body is 5% or more and 20% or less.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an outer-type disposable diaper according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the outer body has fastening tapes provided on both sides of the rear body in the short direction and target tapes provided on the surface side of the front body to which the fastening tapes can be attached and detached, and the maximum length of the outer body in the short direction is 700 mm or more and 1500 mm or less.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a leakage detection method for detecting leakage of bodily fluids into an outer type paper diaper, which detects leakage of bodily fluids reaching the absorbent body 12 by detecting the temperature of the absorbent body 12 of the outer type paper diaper described in claim 1 using a detection means capable of detecting temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, leakage of bodily fluids reaching the outer layer can be easily detected even when the outer layer is being worn, and even in environments with insufficient lighting at night, it is possible to obtain an indication of when to replace the outer layer before bodily fluids leak from the outer layer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing an outer type disposable diaper according to an embodiment of the present invention when worn. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a development view of the outer type disposable diaper of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a leakage detection method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Note that the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the description of the embodiment.

[0015] In the description of this specification, "wearing the outer disposable diaper 10" refers to at least one of "while wearing" and "after wearing" the outer disposable diaper 10. The longitudinal direction of the outer disposable diaper 10 refers to the direction from the front to the back of the wearer when the outer disposable diaper 10 is worn, and is the direction indicated by the symbol Y in the drawings. The lateral direction of the outer disposable diaper 10 refers to the direction horizontal to or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is the direction indicated by the symbol X in the drawings. The "skin side" refers to the direction facing the skin of the wearer in the thickness direction (the direction indicated by the symbol Z in the drawings) when the outer disposable diaper 10 is worn, and the "non-skin side" refers to the direction opposite the skin side in the thickness direction. Body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0016] Fig. 1 is an external view showing an outer type disposable diaper 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention when worn. Fig. 2 is a development view of the outer type disposable diaper 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2.

[0017] [Outerwear type disposable diapers] The outer disposable diaper 10 according to this embodiment is a disposable outer disposable diaper that is used in combination with an inner pad 1. The outer disposable diaper 10 according to this embodiment is in an unfolded state (see FIG. 2) before being worn, and is a tape-fastened outer disposable diaper that is fastened to the body by tape when worn.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the outer type disposable diaper 10 comprises an exterior body 11 that forms the outer shape of the diaper when worn, and an absorbent body 12 that is placed inside the exterior body 11 and absorbs bodily fluids.

[0019] (exterior body) When worn, exterior body 11 is divided into a front body 13 that is located in front of the wearer's abdomen, a back body 14 that is located behind the wearer's back, and a crotch section 15 that is located between the wearer's legs. As shown in Figure 2, in the unfolded state of exterior body 11, front body 13 is located on one side in the longitudinal direction, back body 14 is located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, and crotch section 15 is located in the middle part in the longitudinal direction. In the unfolded state, exterior body 11 has a bilaterally symmetrical shape.

[0020] (Exterior dimensions) The longitudinal dimension of the outer body 11 is set to be 700 mm or more and 1100 mm or more. By setting the longitudinal dimension of the outer body 11 within the above range, outer disposable diapers 10 for adults in various sizes such as small, medium, and large sizes can be provided.

[0021] The outer body 11 has a liquid-permeable top sheet 16 that is placed on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 17 that is placed on the non-skin side opposite the top sheet 16, left and right side flaps 18 that are placed at both ends of the rear body 14 in the short direction, a plurality of fastening tapes 19 that extend outward in the short direction from the left and right side flaps 18, and a target tape 20 that is provided on the surface (non-skin side) of the front body 13.

[0022] (Top sheet) The top sheet 16 is formed from a liquid-permeable substrate that allows bodily fluids to move toward the absorbent body 12. Examples of substrates for the top sheet 16 include known hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics and spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics. The top sheet 16 may be embossed or perforated on its surface to improve its liquid permeability. Any known method can be used to perform the embossing or perforation without limitation. To reduce skin irritation, the top sheet 16 may contain lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, and the like. The shape of the top sheet 16 is not particularly limited, as long as it covers the absorbent body 12 in a manner that allows bodily fluids to be guided toward the absorbent body 12 and prevent leakage.

[0023] (back seat) The backsheet 17 is formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate that prevents body fluids held by the absorbent body 12 from wetting clothing. Examples of the substrate for the backsheet 17 include breathable or non-breathable liquid-impermeable plastic films. In order to ensure the breathability of the backsheet 17, for example, a filler may be blended into the resin film substrate or the backsheet 17 may be embossed. An example of the filler is calcium carbonate, and the blending method may be any known method without limitation.

[0024] (Side flap) The left and right side flaps 18 are stretchable members for fitting the exterior body 11 around the waist when worn, and extend outward in the short direction from both ends in the short direction of the back body 14 of the exterior body 11. The left and right side flaps 18 are stretchable in the short direction.

[0025] (fastening tape) The fastening tape 19 functions as a fastening means for fastening the back body 14 of the exterior body 11 to the front body 13. The fastening tape 19 extends outward in the short-side direction from the outer ends of the left and right side flaps 18. In this embodiment, the fastening tapes 19 are provided on the left and right side flaps 18, two on each side, for a total of four fastening tapes 19 on both sides. Hook-and-loop fasteners 19a are provided on the skin-facing surface of the fastening tape 19. The hook-and-loop fasteners 19a of the fastening tape 19 are hook-and-loop fasteners 19a that are attachable to and detachable from the target tape 20 described below. The length of the exterior body 11 in the short-side direction is maximum at the position where the fastening tape 19 is provided. The maximum length of the exterior body 11 in the short-side direction (the distance between the outer end of the fastening tape 19 on one side in the short-side direction and the outer end of the fastening tape 19 on the other side in the short-side direction) is preferably 700 mm or more and 1500 mm or more. By setting the maximum length of the outer casing 11 in the short direction within the above range, the engagement position between the fastening tape 19 and the target tape 20 can be adjusted to a position that corresponds to the waist size of all body types and postures of adult men and women.

[0026] (Target Tape) The target tape 20 functions together with the fastening tape 19 as a fastening means for fastening the rear body 14 of the exterior body 11 to the front body 13. The target tape 20 is a tape that can be attached to and detached from the hook-and-loop fastener 19a of the fastening tape 19, and is provided on the surface (non-skin side) of the backsheet 17 of the front body 13. The target tape 20 is arranged on the surface of the front body 13 at a position that corresponds to the fastening tape 19 when fastening the back body 14 to the front body 13. In other words, by attaching the hook-and-loop fastener 19a of the fastening tape 19 to the target tape 20, the rear body 14 of the exterior body 11 can be fastened to the front body 13, and the outer disposable diaper 10 can be put on.

[0027] (3D gathers) The exterior body 11 may include a pair of three-dimensional gathers 21 to prevent side leakage of bodily fluids. The three-dimensional gathers 21 may have their outer ends in the short side direction fixed to the skin-side surface of the backsheet 17 and their middle parts in the short side direction fixed to the skin-side surface of the topsheet 16, with their inner ends in the short side direction being free ends that extend onto the skin-side surface of the topsheet 16. By configuring the three-dimensional gathers 21 in this way, the areas near the free ends of the three-dimensional gathers 21 are given the ability to stand up, making them deformable to fit the wearer's body shape.

[0028] (absorber) The absorbent body 12 is disposed between the top sheet 16 and the back sheet 17 of the exterior body 11, and is supported (sandwiched) by the exterior body 11. The absorbent body 12 contains fluff pulp (not shown) as an absorbent base material, a highly absorbent polymer (not shown) as an absorbing component, and a heat-absorbing agent (not shown).

[0029] The absorbent body 12 extends continuously in the longitudinal direction from the front body 13 of the exterior body 11, through the crotch region 15, to the back body 14. In this embodiment, both short-side edges 12a of the absorbent body 12 in the crotch region 15 extend substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, both short-side edges 12a of the absorbent body 12 in the front body 13 and the back body 14 are curved so as to bulge outward on both sides in the short-side direction. Note that the shape of both short-side edges of the absorbent body 12 is not limited to the above; for example, both short-side edges of the absorbent body 12 in the crotch region 15 may be curved so as to recess inward in the short-side direction.

[0030] (Absorbent body dimensions) The maximum length in the short side direction of the absorber 12 in the front body region 13 is set to be 300 mm or more and 500 mm or less. The maximum length in the short side direction of the absorber 12 in the crotch region 15 is set to be 180 mm or more and 260 mm or less. The maximum length in the short side direction of the absorber 12 in the back body region 14 is set to be 300 mm or more and 500 mm or less. By setting the dimensions of the absorber 12 within the above ranges, it is possible to ensure the amount of bodily fluid absorption while preventing a decrease in wearing comfort.

[0031] (Fluff pulp) Examples of fluff pulp include wood pulp (e.g., bleached kraft pulp (N-BKP) of softwood such as southern pine or Douglas fir), synthetic fiber, resin fiber, non-wood pulp, etc., which have been defibrated into a cotton-like state. From the viewpoints of absorption performance and feel, the basis weight of the fluff pulp is, for example, 50 g / m 2 More than 800g / m 2 Preferably, the following is true. Furthermore, other absorbent substrates can be used together with the fluff pulp. The other absorbent substrates are not particularly limited as long as they are used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, and urine absorption pads, and examples thereof include cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics.

[0032] (Superabsorbent polymer) The superabsorbent polymer (also referred to as "SAP") of the absorbent body 12 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow. Among these, highly absorbent resins are preferred from the viewpoint of absorption capacity per weight. Examples include polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof. Among these, polyacrylates are preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is more preferred, from the viewpoint of absorption capacity per weight. One type of superabsorbent polymer may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination. Furthermore, the absorbent body 12 may be wrapped in a carrier sheet from the viewpoint of preventing the superabsorbent polymer particles from falling off and stabilizing the shape of the absorbent body 12. Examples of carrier sheets include tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as airlaid nonwoven fabrics.

[0033] (endothermic agent) The endothermic agent may be any agent that has the property of causing an endothermic reaction when dissolved in water, and preferably includes any one of sugar alcohols and sugars. Examples of endothermic agents include xylitol, erythritol, and trehalose, which may be used alone or in combination.

[0034] The heat-absorbing agent is preferably provided in at least the regions of the absorber 12 located in the crotch portion 15 and the back body portion 14. This allows the heat-absorbing agent in the absorber 12 to undergo an endothermic reaction with the body fluids not only when leakage of body fluids from the inner pad 1 occurs while the wearer is standing or sitting, but also when the wearer is lying down.

[0035] The weight ratio (%) of the heat-absorbing agent in the absorbent body 12 is preferably 5% or more and 20% or less. By setting the weight ratio of the heat-absorbing agent in the absorbent body 12 to 5% or more, it becomes easier for the detection means to detect a temperature drop in the absorbent body 12, and by setting it to 20% or less, it is possible to prevent a decrease in absorption performance and a decrease in wearing comfort due to the heat-absorbing agent, and it is possible to maintain absorption performance and wearing comfort. The weight ratio of the heat-absorbing agent in the absorbent body 12 refers to the ratio of the weight of the heat-absorbing agent to the total weight of the absorbent body 12.

[0036] [Inner pad] As described above, the outer type disposable diaper 10 of the present invention is preferably used in combination with the inner pad 1. Like the outer type disposable diaper 10 of the present invention, the inner pad 1 is preferably divided into a front body section, a rear body section, and a crotch section between the front and rear body sections, and has a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet.

[0037] Next, a leakage detection method according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the leakage detection method. The leakage detection method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a leakage detection method for detecting leakage of bodily fluids into the outer disposable diaper 10. The leakage detection method detects leakage of bodily fluids reaching the absorbent body 12 by capturing an image of the outer disposable diaper 10 with a thermographic camera (detection means) 30 capable of detecting the temperature of the absorbent body 12 and detecting the temperature of the absorbent body 12. That is, the leakage detection method of this embodiment detects leakage of bodily fluids reaching the absorbent body 12 by detecting the temperature of the absorbent body 12 with a detection means capable of detecting the temperature of the absorbent body 12. Note that while Fig. 4 illustrates a wearer wearing only the outer disposable diaper 10, the wearer may also wear other clothing such as pajamas over the outer disposable diaper 10.

[0038] In the outer disposable diaper 10 configured as described above, the absorbent 12 contains fluff pulp, a highly absorbent polymer, and an endothermic agent that undergoes an endothermic reaction when dissolved in water. Therefore, when the wearer excretes and the body fluid leaks from the inner pad 1 and reaches the outer disposable diaper 10 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "outer 10"), the moisture causes the endothermic agent in the absorbent 12 to endothermically react, lowering the temperature of the region of the absorbent 12 where the endothermic agent has endothermically reacted.

[0039] In this way, when bodily fluids reach the outer 10, the temperature of the area of ​​the absorbent 12 that has undergone an endothermic reaction drops, so by detecting the temperature of the absorbent 12 by capturing an image of the outer 10 with a detection means (for example, a thermographic camera 30) that can detect the temperature of the absorbent 12, it is possible to detect leakage of bodily fluids that have reached the outer 10 without touching or removing the outer 10. Furthermore, by checking the extent of the low-temperature area of ​​the absorbent 12 with the detection means, it is possible to obtain an indication of when to replace the outer 10 before bodily fluids leak from the outer 10, even in an environment with insufficient lighting at night.

[0040] Furthermore, since the outer disposable diaper 10 is used in combination with the inner pad 1, the inner pad 1 is interposed between the outer disposable diaper 10 and the wearer's skin. Therefore, even if the temperature of the absorbent body 12 of the outer disposable diaper 10 drops, the wearer does not feel uncomfortable due to a cold sensation.

[0041] As described above, according to this embodiment, leakage of bodily fluids reaching the outerwear 10 can be easily detected even when the outerwear 10 is being worn, and even in an environment with insufficient lighting at night, an indication of when to replace the outerwear 10 can be obtained before bodily fluids leak from the outerwear 10. This reduces the burden on the caregiver by avoiding the heavy work of changing the position of the care recipient, pulling down their pants, and observing the back of the outerwear 10 from the crotch area in order to check whether it is time to replace the outerwear 10.

[0042] Furthermore, by providing the absorbent 12 in at least the regions located in the crotch portion 15 and the back body portion 14, the absorbent 12 can undergo an endothermic reaction with bodily fluids not only when leakage of bodily fluids from the inner pad 1 occurs while the wearer is standing or sitting, but also when leakage of bodily fluids occurs while the wearer is lying down. Therefore, the above-mentioned detection means can suitably detect leakage of bodily fluids that reaches the outer layer 10 of, for example, a severely care-receiver who is bedridden or a care-receiver who is lying down and sleeping.

[0043] The outer disposable diaper 10 of this embodiment has a fastening tape 19 and a target tape 20 that function as fastening means for fastening the rear body section 14 of the outer body 11 to the front body section 13, and the maximum length of the outer body 11 in the short direction is 700 mm or more and 1500 mm or less. That is, the outer disposable diaper 10 of this embodiment is a tape-fastened outer disposable diaper suitable for heavily cared-for individuals who are bedridden and have difficulty using pants-type outer disposable diapers. The outer disposable diaper 10 can detect leakage of bodily fluids reaching the outer disposable diaper 10 of such heavily cared-for individuals even while the diaper is being worn. This allows an indication of when to change the outer disposable diaper 10 before bodily fluids leak from the outer disposable diaper 10, even in poorly lit environments at night, thereby reducing the burden on caregivers caring for heavily cared-for individuals.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the outer disposable diaper 10 is a tape-fastened type having the fastening tape 19 and the target tape 20, and the maximum length in the short direction of the outer body 11 is 700 mm or more and 1500 mm or less, but is not limited to this. For example, the outer disposable diaper according to the present disclosure may be applied to a pants-type outer disposable diaper that does not have the fastening tape 19 or the target tape 20.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thermography camera 30 is used as a detection means capable of detecting the temperature of the absorber 12, but this is not limitative, and for example, a non-contact thermometer or the like may also be used.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10: Outerwear type disposable diapers 11: Exterior body 12: Absorbent 13: Front 14: Back 15: Crotch 19: Fastening tape 20: Target tape 30: Thermography camera (detection means)

Claims

1. A leakage detection method for detecting leakage of bodily fluids into an outer disposable diaper, comprising: An inner pad is used inside the outer disposable diaper, and a temperature detecting means is used to detect the temperature of the outer absorbent body of the outer disposable diaper, thereby detecting leakage of bodily fluids that reach the outer absorbent body; The outer type disposable diaper is an outer body including a front body portion positioned in front of the wearer's abdomen when worn, a back body portion positioned behind the wearer's back, and a crotch portion positioned between the wearer's legs; The outer absorbent body is supported by the exterior body and extends from the front body of the exterior body to the back body via the crotch portion, The longitudinal length of the exterior body is 700 mm or more and 1100 mm or less, The maximum length of the outer absorbent body in the short side direction in the front body is 300 mm or more and 500 mm or less, a maximum length in the lateral direction of the outer absorbent body in the crotch portion is 180 mm or more and 260 mm or less; The maximum length of the outer absorbent body in the short side direction in the rear body section is 300 mm or more and 500 mm or less, the outer absorbent body contains fluff pulp, a highly absorbent polymer, and an endothermic agent that undergoes an endothermic reaction when dissolved in water; The inner pad is The device has a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an inner absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. A leakage detection method characterized by:

2. The heat-absorbing agent is provided in at least the crotch area and the rear area of ​​the outer absorbent body. The leakage detection method according to claim 1 .

3. The weight ratio of the heat-absorbing agent in the outer absorbent is 5% or more and 20% or less.

3. The leakage detection method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The exterior body has fastening tapes provided on both sides of the back body in the short direction, and target tapes provided on the surface side of the front body to which the fastening tapes can be attached and detached, The maximum length of the outer casing in the short side direction is 700 mm or more and 1500 mm or less.

3. The leakage detection method according to claim 1 or 2.

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