Absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that can strike a balance among preferable texture, a wet feeling and sheet joint fixing, in an absorbent article using a cotton nonwoven fabric for a sheet on a skin-abutment surface side.SOLUTION: An absorbent article includes: a liquid permeable top sheet; a liquid impermeable back sheet; and an absorber disposed between the top sheet and the back seat. The top sheet includes a first sheet and a second sheet in the order from a skin-abutment surface side toward a skin-non-abutment surface side. The first sheet is a composite sheet formed by integrating a cotton layer on the skin-abutment surface side with a heat-sealed fiber layer on the skin-non-abutment surface side by hydro-entanglement processing. The second sheet is a nonwoven fabric including a heat-sealed fiber. The first sheet and the second sheet are bonded with heat-sealed embossment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having cotton and heat-fusible fibers. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, absorbent articles consist of a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core placed between the top sheet and the back sheet. As a result, bodily fluids such as urine are absorbed into the absorbent core through the top sheet.

[0003] In recent years, there has been a demand for absorbent articles with a soft texture, and absorbent articles using cotton nonwoven fabric for the sheet on the skin-contacting side (usually the top sheet) have been disclosed.

[0004] As a prior art document for absorbent articles using cotton nonwoven fabric for the skin-contacting sheet, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article in which the surface sheet is made of spunlace nonwoven fabric coated with a softening agent, preferably the softening agent is mainly applied to the side opposite to the side facing the wearer's skin, the absorbent article is an absorbent article used in contact with the wearer's skin when worn, and the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is formed by the surface sheet of the absorbent article described above, and the constituent fibers of the spunlace nonwoven fabric are mainly cotton and / or rayon.

[0005] Furthermore, as prior art documents for absorbent articles using cotton nonwoven fabric for the skin-contacting sheet, Patent Document 2 discloses a body fluid absorbent comprising a body fluid permeable surface layer, a waterproof back layer, and an absorbent layer between these layers, wherein the surface layer is made of a nonwoven fabric mainly composed of uncolored fibers, and the absorbent layer comprises a first absorbent layer disposed on the surface layer side and a second absorbent layer disposed on the back layer side, wherein the first absorbent layer is made of white nonwoven fabric and the second absorbent layer is made of a colored nonwoven fabric with a higher density than the first absorbent layer, wherein the nonwoven fabric mainly composed of uncolored fibers is made mainly of natural fibers including any of cotton, silk, pulp, wool, or hemp, and the sheets of the surface layer, first absorbent layer, second absorbent layer, and back layer are bonded together by coating them with a hot melt adhesive. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-193001 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-230127 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Cotton nonwoven fabric has a unique softness, so using it as the sheet on the skin-contacting side of absorbent products has the advantage of providing a pleasant feel against the skin. However, because cotton fibers have high water retention, it has the disadvantage of being less effective at reducing the feeling of wetness (wet back) when urinating while wearing the product. One way to solve this is to mix a certain amount of heat-fusible fibers into the cotton nonwoven fabric layer. However, if heat-fusible fibers are incorporated into the skin-contacting surface, the amount of cotton per unit area of ​​the skin-contacting sheet decreases, worsening the feel against the skin. Therefore, this method cannot achieve both improved feel and wetness.

[0008] In addition, when a cotton non-woven fabric made only of cotton fibers is used for the sheet on the skin contact surface side, since cotton fibers are non-thermally fused fibers, there is a problem that it is difficult to join and fix the sheet on the skin contact surface side to the lower sheet by heat treatment. If the sheet on the skin contact surface side is not fixed, a part of the sheet on the skin contact surface side will lift from the lower sheet during wearing, become wrinkled, and the skin feel will deteriorate due to the generated wrinkles. In addition, it is difficult for moisture to transfer from the sheet on the skin contact surface side to the lower sheet, and liquid remains on the sheet on the skin contact surface side, resulting in poor wet-back properties.

[0009] As a method to solve this problem, there is a method of using a hot melt adhesive as in Patent Document 2. However, when using a hot melt adhesive, the cotton non-woven fabric becomes hard and the skin feel deteriorates. Therefore, with this method, it is impossible to achieve both a good skin feel and joining and fixing. In addition, since the hot melt adhesive covers the sheet on the skin contact surface side in a film shape and clogs the pores of the sheet, it is difficult for moisture to transfer to the lower layer, resulting in poor wet-back properties.

[0010] The present invention discloses a technique for simultaneously solving these problems, and in an absorbent article using a cotton non-woven fabric for the sheet on the skin contact surface side, an absorbent article that can achieve both a good skin feel, a wet feeling, and joining and fixing of the sheet is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The inventor conducted intensive studies and found that in an absorbent article that sandwiches an absorber between a topsheet, a backsheet, and the absorber, the topsheet has a first sheet and a second sheet in order from the skin contact surface side to the non-skin contact surface side. The first sheet is a composite sheet with a cotton layer on the skin contact surface side and a thermally fused fiber layer on the non-skin contact surface side, the second sheet is a non-woven fabric made of thermally fused fibers, and the first sheet and the second sheet are adhered by a thermally fused emboss. By making it an absorbent article, it is possible to make an absorbent article that can achieve both a good skin feel, a wet feeling, and joining and fixing of the sheet, and the present invention has been completed. That is, the present invention provides the following.

[0012] (1) A first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent sandwiched between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the top sheet has a first sheet and a second sheet arranged in order from the skin-contacting side to the non-skin-contacting side, the first sheet is a composite sheet formed by entangling a cotton layer on the skin-contacting side with a heat-fusible fiber layer on the non-skin-contacting side with water flow, the second sheet is a nonwoven fabric containing heat-fusible fibers, and the first sheet and the second sheet are bonded together by heat-fusible embossing.

[0013] (2) A second aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article as described in (1), characterized in that the weight ratio of the cotton layer to the heat-fusible fiber layer is 40:60 or more and 80:20 or less.

[0014] (3) A third aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article as described in (1) or (2), characterized in that the heat-seal embossing includes decorative embossing and diffusion channel embossing, the decorative embossing is discontinuous, and the distance between embossings is 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0015] (4) A fourth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article as described in (3), characterized in that the area ratio of the decorative emboss is 1% or more and 5% or less of the surface area of ​​the first sheet.

[0016] (5) A fifth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (4), characterized in that the peel strength of the first sheet and the second sheet is 0.1N or more and 1.5N or less.

[0017] (6) A sixth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (5), characterized in that a third sheet, which is an open film, is further provided on the non-skin contact side of the second sheet in contact with the second sheet.

[0018] (7) A seventh aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article as described in (6), characterized in that, in the third sheet, the diameter of the opening portion is 2 mm or less, the distance between the opening portions is 0.2 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, and the area ratio of the opening portions is 25% or more and 50% or less.

[0019] (8) An eighth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article as described in (6) or (7), characterized in that the second sheet and the third sheet are bonded together with a hot melt adhesive, and the area ratio of the bonded portion is 10% or more and 50% or less of the surface area of ​​the second sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, an absorbent article using cotton nonwoven fabric for the sheet on the skin-contacting side can be provided that offers a good feel against the skin while simultaneously achieving a sense of wetness and secure adhesion of the sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the line Y1-Y1 in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The following describes in detail embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "this embodiment"). This embodiment is illustrative for explaining the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to the following content. The present invention can be implemented by modifying it as appropriate within the scope of its gist. In the drawings, identical elements will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, positional relationships such as top, bottom, left, and right shall be based on those shown in the drawings. Additionally, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to those shown.

[0023] Furthermore, in this specification, "when the absorbent article 1 is worn" refers to at least one of the time when the absorbent article 1 is worn and the time after it is worn. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 is the direction that runs across the front and back of the wearer when the absorbent article 1 is worn, and is indicated by the symbol X in the figure. The width direction of the absorbent article 1 is the direction that is transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is indicated by the symbol Y in the figure. Furthermore, the skin-contacting surface is the surface of each component of the outer casing, etc., that is positioned on the skin side of the wearer when worn, and the non-skin-contacting surface is the surface of each component of the absorbent, etc., that is oriented away from the wearer's skin side (towards the clothing side) when worn. Furthermore, body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body to the outside, such as urine and water in loose stools. In addition, absorbent articles 1 are exemplified by light incontinence products and urine pads, but are not limited to these, and may include other absorbent articles.

[0024] <Absorbent Articles> Figure 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y1 in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the absorbent article 1 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 10, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 20, and an absorbent 30 sandwiched between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. The longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 1 is preferably 150 mm to 450 mm, and more preferably 200 mm to 350 mm. The width dimension is preferably 50 mm to 250 mm, and more preferably 80 mm to 180 mm. Furthermore, the shape of the absorbent article 1 is not limited to the approximate hourglass shape shown in Figure 1, but is not limited to an approximate rectangular shape, approximate fan shape, or any other shape that fits the wearer's body part.

[0025] <Top sheet> The top sheet 10 provided in the absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a first sheet 11 and a second sheet 12 in order from the skin-contacting side to the non-skin-contacting side.

[0026] (First sheet) The first sheet 11 is a composite sheet formed by entangling a cotton layer 111 on the skin-contacting side and a heat-fusible fiber layer 112 on the non-skin-contacting side with water flow to integrate them. In this case, it is preferable that the first sheet 11 is a spunlace nonwoven fabric, manufactured by dry lamination and entanglement using a water jet method. Specifically, it is preferable that the cotton fibers on the skin-contacting side of the first sheet 11 and the heat-fusible fibers on the non-skin-contacting side are dry laminated using carding or air lamination, and then entangled and integrated using a water flow entanglement device.

[0027] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the cotton fibers used in the cotton layer 111 and the heat-fusible fibers used in the heat-fusible fiber layer 112; known materials can be used. For example, the heat-fusible fibers may be a continuous fiber sheet such as spunbond, a laminate of separate short fibers, or a material in which some of the fibers are heat-fused together, but a spunbond nonwoven fabric is even better. When spunbond (continuous long fibers) is used as the heat-fusible fiber layer 112 on the non-skin-contact side, since spunbond does not have fiber ends due to its manufacturing process, the fibers on the non-skin-contact side of the first sheet 11 that has undergone water-flow entanglement treatment are less likely to protrude and be exposed on the surface of the cotton layer 111 on the skin-contact side, resulting in a good feel against the skin. On the other hand, when heat-fusible short fibers are used as the heat-fusible fiber layer 112 on the non-skin-contact side, some of the short fibers on the non-skin side are exposed on the surface of the cotton layer 111 on the skin side after water-flow entanglement, so a good feel against the skin equivalent to that of spunbond cannot be achieved. Furthermore, spunbond nonwoven fabrics have the advantage of higher strength and superior processability compared to nonwoven fabrics made of heat-fusible short fibers when compared in sheets of the same basis weight. Furthermore, the weight ratio of the cotton layer 111 to the heat-fusible fiber layer 112 is preferably 40:60 or more and 80:20 or less, and more preferably 50:50 or more and 70:30 or less.

[0028] (Second sheet) The second sheet 12 is a nonwoven fabric containing heat-fusible fibers, and is preferably a nonwoven fabric consisting only of heat-fusible fibers, with a general air-through nonwoven fabric being particularly preferred. The basis weight of the second sheet 12 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of strength and processability, 18 g / m² is preferred. 2 More than 40g / m 2 The following is preferable:

[0029] In this case, the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 are bonded together by heat-seal embossing (embossing by heat fusion). When the first sheet 11, which contains only the cotton layer 111, and the second sheet 12 are bonded together by heat-seal embossing, the bond is insufficient. By further including a heat-sealable fiber layer 112 in the first sheet 11 and placing the heat-sealable fiber layer 112 adjacent to the second sheet 12, the bond is improved. In addition, since the heat-sealable fiber layer 112 is bonded to the cotton layer 111 by water flow entanglement, the bond between these two layers is also improved. Furthermore, since the heat-sealable fiber layer 112 and the second sheet 12 are bonded together by heat-seal embossing, and each layer is joined without using hot-melt adhesive, a good feel (softness) and secure bond of the sheets are achieved. Moreover, the inclusion of the heat-sealable fiber layer 112 also improves the wettability of the absorbent article 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the heat-seal embossing may consist only of decorative embossing 60 as shown in Figure 1, and in this case, it is preferable that the decorative embossing 60 is discontinuous. Also, it is preferable that the distance between embossings is 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 4 mm or more and 8 mm or less. By keeping the distance between embossings within the above numerical range, the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 can be more securely joined and fixed while maintaining a good texture (softness). Furthermore, the area ratio of the decorative embossing 60 (referring to the ratio of the cumulative area of ​​multiple decorative embossings 60 present within the surface area of ​​the first sheet 11 to the total surface area of ​​the first sheet 11) is preferably 1% to 5% of the surface area of ​​the first sheet 11, and more preferably 2% to 4%. By keeping the area ratio between the embossings within the above numerical range, the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 can be more securely joined and fixed while maintaining a good texture (softness). The shape of the decorative embossing 60 is not particularly limited, and as shown in Figure 1, dot-shaped decorative embossings 60 may be arranged regularly in the longitudinal and width directions, but they may also be arranged alternately, or there may be regularly untreated areas, and certain dots may be processed with star shapes or the like (not shown). Preferably, the decorative embossing 60 is selected from dot shape, rod shape, diamond shape, or a combination thereof.

[0031] Furthermore, the peel strength between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 is preferably 0.1N or more and 1.5N or less, and more preferably 0.1N or more and 0.8N or less. By having the peel strength within the above numerical range, the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 can be more reliably joined and fixed while maintaining a good texture (softness). The peel strength is measured by cutting out rectangular pieces measuring 5 cm x 10 cm from the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, which are bonded together by heat embossing. The short-side edges of the rectangles are peeled off and attached to the chucks of a Tensilon-type tensile testing machine. Tensile testing is started at a crosshead speed of 100 mm / min, and the maximum load when pulled 10 mm or 50 mm is read. The rectangular sample used in this peel test is cut so that the edge region including the short side of the rectangle (specifically, a 5 cm x 1 cm region or a 5 cm x 5 cm region) does not contain the diffusion channel embossing 61 described later. In the test, the peel test is performed using the region that does not contain the diffusion channel embossing 61. This eliminates the influence originating from the diffusion channel embossing 61.

[0032] The basis weight of the top sheet 10 (a combination of the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12) is not particularly limited, but from the standpoint of strength and processability, it is 30 g / m². 2 More than 80g / m 2 Preferably, it is 40 g / m 2 More than 70g / m 2 The following is more preferable:

[0033] (Third sheet) Preferably, the absorbent article 1 further includes a third sheet 13, which is an open film, on the non-skin-contact side of the second sheet 12, in contact with the second sheet 12. By arranging the third sheet 13 in contact with the non-skin-contact side of the second sheet 12, the absorbent article 1 becomes very wet. Known materials can be used as the open film, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene films can be used. Furthermore, in the third sheet 13, it is preferable that the diameter of the opening is 2 mm or less, the distance between the openings is 0.2 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, and the area ratio of the openings is 25% or more and 50% or less. By having the physical properties of the openings within the above numerical ranges, it is possible to improve the wettability while maintaining the absorbency of the absorbent article 1.

[0034] Preferably, the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are bonded together with a hot-melt adhesive, and the area ratio of the bonded portion is preferably 10% to 50% of the surface area of ​​the second sheet 12. By keeping the area ratio within the above numerical range, the sheets can be joined and fixed while maintaining a wet feeling. In this case, while there are slot-coat and spiral application methods for the hot-melt adhesive, the spiral application method is preferred. By adopting this method, the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 can be bonded together, and the blockage of the openings in the third sheet 13 by the hot-melt adhesive can be reduced, allowing bodily fluids to be quickly transferred from the top sheet 10 to the absorbent 30.

[0035] As described above, the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 are joined by heat-seal embossing (decorative embossing 60), and the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are bonded with hot-melt adhesive. However, a diffusion channel embossing 61, which is formed by heat treatment and is separate from the decorative embossing 60, may be provided in the thickness direction from the first sheet 10 to the absorbent body 30. This allows for the temporary storage of bodily fluids and the diffusion of bodily fluids in the longitudinal direction when absorbing a large amount of bodily fluids. Furthermore, by providing the diffusion channel embossing 61 on the top sheet 10, which is easily visible to the wearer, it becomes easier to use as a guide for the contact area of ​​the wearer's urination site, resulting in an absorbent article 1 with excellent guidance on how to wear it. In this case, the heat-seal embossing that bonds the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 will include both the decorative embossing 60 and the diffusion channel embossing 61. The shape of the diffusion channel emboss 61 is such that it sandwiches the contact area of ​​the wearer's urination site, as shown in Figure 2, a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention, and extends from the excretion area to the front and rear areas of the absorbent article 1. However, it may also be elliptical, rectangular, etc., and constricted portions (a convex hourglass shape extending continuously in the longitudinal direction and inward in the width direction) may be provided on both longitudinal edges (not shown).

[0036] Furthermore, a more preferred external shape for the diffusion channel emboss 61 is as follows: (1) It includes an even number of symmetrical lines extending in the vertical direction, preferably two lines as shown in Figure 2(a) or four lines as shown in Figure 2(b); (2) If there are four or more lines, the spacing L4 between two lines aligned in the vertical direction is preferably 3 mm or more and within 10 mm; (3) The sum of the longitudinal dimensions of the diffusion channel emboss 61 (L1 or L2 + L3) is formed to cover preferably 30% to 70%, more preferably 40% to 60%, of the total length in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1; and (4) The distance W1 between the left and right diffusion channel emboss 61 is preferably 10 mm or more and within 60 mm, more preferably 15 mm or more and within 45 mm. Note that the distance W1 refers to the distance between the inner edges in the width direction that constitute the left and right diffusion channel emboss 61 (recessed portions). By providing the diffusion channel embossment 61 within the above numerical range, urine is sufficiently diffused in the longitudinal direction (front-back direction) of the absorbent article 1, so that the entire planar direction of the first sheet 11, the second sheet 12, the third sheet 13, and the absorbent body 30 is efficiently used for water absorption. Also, since the amount of absorption per unit area can be relatively reduced, the wet feeling can be further improved.

[0037] The dimension in the thickness direction of the diffusion channel embossment 61 is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 7 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. The diffusion channel embossment 61 may be one continuous embossment, or may be a substantially continuous embossment such as when a large number of small crimping portions are arranged in a row to form a leak prevention groove as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the small crimping portion preferably has a length in the longitudinal direction of 3 mm or more and 30 mm or less, a length in the width direction of 0.5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and it is preferable that the interval between the small crimping portions (distance between the ends of the crimping portions) is less than 3 mm.

[0038] Also, in order to reduce the irritation to the skin, the topsheet 10 may contain a lotion, an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory component, a pH adjuster, an antibacterial agent, a moisturizing agent, etc. The shape of the topsheet is not particularly limited, but it may be any shape that covers the absorbent body 30 and is necessary to guide body fluid to the absorbent body 30 so as not to leak.

[0039] <Backsheet> The backsheet 20 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable base material having liquid impermeability such that the body fluid held by the absorbent body 30 does not wet the clothing, and a breathable or non-breathable liquid-impermeable plastic film can be used.

[0040] From the viewpoints of strength and workability, the basis weight of the backsheet 20 is preferably 15 g / m 2 or more and 60 g / m 2 or less, more preferably 25 g / m 2 or more and 45 g / m 2The following is more preferable: In order to provide breathability to the backsheet 20, for example, a filler can be compounded into the resin film of the base material, or the backsheet 20 can be embossed. Calcium carbonate can be used as a filler, and the compounding method can be any known method without limitation.

[0041] <Absorbent> The absorbent material 30 preferably includes absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymers (hereinafter also referred to as SAP) as base materials.

[0042] (Absorbent fiber) Absorbent fibers are not particularly limited as long as they are generally used in absorbent articles, and examples include fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, etc. Among these, fluff pulp is preferred from the viewpoint of absorbency. Examples of fluff pulp include wood pulp (for example, bleached kraft pulp of softwood such as Southern pine or Douglas fir (N-BKP)), synthetic fibers, resin fibers, non-wood pulp, etc., which have been defibrated into a cotton-like form. When fluff pulp is used as the absorbent fiber base material in the absorbent body 30, the basis weight of the absorbent fiber is not particularly limited, but is 50 g / m². 2 More than 500g / m 2 Preferably, it is 100g / m² 2 More than 300g / m 2 The following is more preferable. This allows the absorbent material 30 to absorb more bodily fluids.

[0043] (SAP) The SAP contained in the absorbent body 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow. Materials such as sodium polyacrylate, polyaspartate, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymer, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymer, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymer, and their saponified products can be used. Among these, sodium polyacrylate is preferred from the viewpoint of absorption per unit weight. Furthermore, the basis weight of SAP is not particularly limited, but is 50 g / m². 2 More than 500g / m 2 Preferably, it is 100g / m² 2 More than 300g / m 2 The following is more preferable:

[0044] In the absorbent body 30, the form of the absorbent fibers and SAP may be one in which SAP particles are mixed into absorbent fibers, or it may be a sheet in which SAP particles are fixed between absorbent fibers. Furthermore, a carrier sheet 40 that encloses the absorbent body 30 may be provided for the purpose of preventing leakage of SAP particles and stabilizing the shape of the absorbent body 30. The base material of the carrier sheet 40 may be any material that is hydrophilic, and examples include hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as tissue, absorbent paper, airlaid nonwoven fabric, and spunbond nonwoven fabric, but spunbond nonwoven fabric is preferred among them. Furthermore, if multiple carrier sheets 40 are provided, the base materials of the multiple carrier sheets 40 may be the same or different.

[0045] <3D Gathering> The absorbent article 1 may further include a pair of three-dimensional gathers 50, each having a water-repellent or waterproof sheet, along the longitudinal direction on the skin-contacting side of the top sheet 10, in order to prevent leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the wearer to the sides (lateral leakage). The three-dimensional gathers 50 are arranged such that their outer ends in the width direction of the absorbent article 1 are fixed to the back sheet 20, their inner ends are fixed to the top sheet 10, and their center is a free end not fixed to the top sheet 10.

[0046] 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. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Examples]

[0047] The present invention will be described in more detail by the following examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited in any way by the following examples.

[0048] (Preparation of medical supplies) Example 1 uses an absorbent material formed by mixing 3g of SAP into 3g of the base material, which is fluff pulp (the basis weight of the absorbent material consisting of fluff pulp and SAP is 384g / m²). 2 ) was used. As the top sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet were laminated in order from the skin-contact side to the non-skin-contact side. The first sheet had cotton fibers on the skin-contact side and a basis weight of 20g / m² on the non-skin-contact side. 2 Cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25g / m²) is made from spunbond nonwoven fabric (weight ratio of the former to the latter is 20:80). 2 ) is used, and as the second sheet, air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight 30g / m²) is used. 2 Using ), the first and second sheets were embossed with a radius of 0.5 mm at a distance of 5 mm (embossing area ratio 2.2%) and bonded without using hot melt adhesive. As a liquid-impermeable backsheet, a breathable polyethylene sheet (basis weight 32 g / m²) was used. 2 ) is used, and tissue (basis weight 16g / m²) is used as the carrier sheet. 2 ) was used. The dimensions of the absorbent article were 273 mm in the longitudinal direction and 105 mm in width, and the dimensions of the absorbent material were 220 mm in the longitudinal direction and 71 mm in width, and this was used as the sample for Example 1. In each example, including Example 1, and each comparative example, decorative embossing from heat-seal embossing was used as the embossing, and diffusion channel embossing was not used.

[0049] In Example 2, the first sheet consisted of cotton fibers on the skin-contacting side and a material with a basis weight of 15 g / m² on the non-skin-contacting side. 2 Cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25g / m²) is made from spunbond nonwoven fabric (weight ratio of the former to the latter is 40:60). 2 Except for using ), the configuration was the same as in Example 1. In Example 3, the first sheet consisted of cotton fibers on the skin-contacting side and a material with a basis weight of 10 g / m² on the non-skin-contacting side. 2Cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25g / m²) is made from spunbond nonwoven fabric (weight ratio of the former to the latter is 60:40). 2 Except for using ), the configuration was the same as in Example 1. Example 4 uses a cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25 g / m²) as the first sheet, with cotton fibers on the skin-contacting side and heat-fusible fibers on the non-skin-contacting side (weight ratio of the former to the latter is 80:20). 2 Except for using ), the configuration was the same as in Example 1. Example 5 uses a cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25 g / m²) as the first sheet, with cotton fibers on the skin-contacting side and heat-fusible fibers on the non-skin-contacting side (weight ratio of the former to the latter is 90:10). 2 Except for using ), the configuration was the same as in Example 1.

[0050] In Example 6, the first sheet consisted of cotton fibers on the skin-contacting side and a material with a basis weight of 10 g / m² on the non-skin-contacting side. 2 Cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25g / m²) is made from spunbond nonwoven fabric (weight ratio of the former to the latter is 60:40). 2 The configuration was the same as in Example 1, except that a perforated film (basis weight 26 g / m²) was used as a third sheet below the second sheet. 2 The opening diameter was 0.6 mm, the distance between openings was 0.3 mm, and the opening area ratio was 44%, with the side with the smaller opening diameter being the second sheet side. The third sheet was then bonded to the second and third sheets with a hot melt adhesive at an adhesive area ratio of 30%, but not bonded to the carrier sheet.

[0051] Example 7 uses an air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25 g / m²) as the third sheet. 2 The configuration was the same as in Example 6, except that the following was used: Example 8 had the same configuration as Example 6, except that the first sheet and the second sheet were embossed with a radius of 0.5 mm at a distance of 12 mm (embossing area ratio of 0.46%) and bonded together. Example 9 had the same configuration as Example 6, except that the first sheet and the second sheet were embossed with a radius of 0.5 mm at a distance of 1 mm (embossing area ratio of 19.6%) and bonded together. Example 10 had the same configuration as Example 6, except that the diameter of the openings in the perforated film was 0.8 mm, the distance between the openings was 0.65 mm, and the area ratio of the openings was 31%. Example 11 had the same configuration as Example 6, except that the diameter of the perforations in the perforated film was 0.4 mm, the distance between perforations was 0.37 mm, and the area ratio of the perforations was 16%. Example 12 had the same configuration as Example 6, except that the second and third sheets were not bonded together with hot melt adhesive.

[0052] Comparative Example 1 is an absorbent formed by mixing 3g of SAP into 3g of the base material, which is fluff pulp (the basis weight of the absorbent consisting of fluff pulp and SAP is 384g / m²). 2 ) was used as the top sheet. Air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight 20g / m²) was used. 2 Only one sheet of ) was used, and no bonding was performed with other sheets. As a liquid-impermeable backsheet, a breathable polyethylene sheet (basis weight 32 g / m²) was used. 2 ) is used, and tissue (basis weight 16g / m²) is used as the carrier sheet. 2 The absorbent article was made with dimensions of 273 mm in the longitudinal direction and 105 mm in width, and the absorbent material was made with dimensions of 220 mm in the longitudinal direction and 71 mm in width, and this was used as the sample for Comparative Example 1.

[0053] Comparative Example 2 uses a cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25 g / m²) made solely of cotton fibers as the top sheet. 2 The configuration was the same as in Comparative Example 1, except that only one sheet of ) was used. Comparative Example 3 consists of a top sheet in which the first and second sheets are laminated in order from the skin-contacting side to the non-skin-contacting side, with the first sheet being a cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric made only of cotton fibers (basis weight 25 g / m²). 2 ) is used, and as the second sheet, air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight 30g / m²) is used. 2 The configuration was the same as in Comparative Example 1, except for the use of ). In addition, the first sheet and the second sheet were bonded together using hot melt adhesive, but other than these, the configuration was the same as in Comparative Example 2. Comparative Example 4 had the same configuration as Comparative Example 3, except that the first sheet and the second sheet were bonded together without using hot melt adhesive, and were embossed with a radius of 0.5 mm at a distance of 5 mm (embossing area ratio of 2.2%). Comparative Example 5 is a spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25 g / m²) in which cotton fibers and heat-sealable fibers are uniformly dispersed throughout the first sheet in a weight ratio of 60:40. 2 Except for the use of ), the configuration was the same as in Comparative Example 3. Comparative Example 6 uses cotton fibers on the skin-contacting side and a basis weight of 10 g / m² as the first sheet. 2 Cotton spunlace nonwoven fabric (basis weight 25g / m²) is made from spunbond nonwoven fabric (weight ratio of the former to the latter is 60:40). 2 Except for the use of ), the configuration was the same as in Comparative Example 3.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, the absorbent articles described in Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 underwent the following physical property measurements and sensory evaluations.

[0055] (Measurement of remaining liquid amount) With the top sheet facing upwards, pour 120 ml of 35°C physiological saline solution towards the center of the absorbent material, let it stand for 90 seconds, then place 10 sheets of pre-weighted filter paper (ADVANTEC No. 2 filter paper, 55 mm in diameter) on top of the saline absorption area, and apply 35 kgf / cm². 2 A weight was placed on top, and after 30 seconds, the weight of the filter paper was measured. The difference in weight of the filter paper was defined as the amount of liquid returned.

[0056] (Texture / softness) Ten monitors touched the skin-contacting surface of the created absorbent material and evaluated its texture using a two-option choice: "pleasant to the touch" or "unpleasant to the touch." When 9 to 10 people touched two absorbent materials, it was rated "◎" if they selected "pleasant to the touch," "○" if they selected "pleasant to the touch," "△" if they selected "pleasant to the touch," and "×" if they selected "pleasant to the touch" with 1 or 2 people, or if no one selected "pleasant to the touch."

[0057] (Comfort (wrinkling, creasing)) Ten monitors wore the created absorbent items and evaluated their comfort using a two-option scale: "comfortable" or "uncomfortable." Two absorbent items were actually used, and a rating of "◎" was given when 9 to 10 people selected "comfortable," "○" when 6 to 8 people selected "comfortable," "△" when 3 to 5 people selected "comfortable," and "×" when 1 or 2 people selected "comfortable," or when no one selected "comfortable."

[0058] (Wet feeling (wet back)) Ten monitors wore the created absorbent items and evaluated them using a two-option scale: "Less wetness after use, good" and "More wetness after use, bad." Two absorbent items were actually used, and a rating of "◎" was given when 9 to 10 people selected "Less wetness after use, good," a rating of "○" was given when 6 to 8 people selected "Less wetness after use, good," a rating of "△" was given when 3 to 5 people selected "Less wetness after use, good," and a rating of "×" was given when 1 or 2 people selected "Less wetness after use, good," or when no one selected "Less wetness after use, good."

[0059] Details of the absorbent articles for each example and comparative example, as well as the results of their physical properties and sensory evaluation, are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. [Table 1]

[0060] [Table 2]

[0061] Based on the above, it has been confirmed that, according to this embodiment, an absorbent article can be obtained in which a cotton nonwoven fabric is used for the sheet on the skin-contacting side, and which can achieve both a good feel against the skin, a feeling of wetness, and secure adhesion of the sheet. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1. Absorbent articles 10 Top Sheets 11 First Sheet 111 Cotton layer 112 Heat-fusible fiber layer 12 Second seat 13 Third Seat 20 Backseat 30 absorbent material 40 Carrier Seats 50 Three-dimensional gathers 60 Decorative Embosses 61 Diffusion channel embossing

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent sandwiched between the top sheet and the back sheet, The top sheet has a first sheet and a second sheet arranged in order from the skin-contacting side to the non-skin-contacting side. The first sheet is a composite sheet formed by entangling a cotton layer on the skin-contacting side with a heat-fusible fiber layer on the non-skin-contacting side with water flow, The second sheet is a nonwoven fabric containing heat-fusible fibers, An absorbent article characterized in that the first sheet and the second sheet are bonded together solely by heat-seal embossing applied from the skin-contacting surface, without the use of hot-melt adhesive.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight ratio of the cotton layer to the heat-fusible fiber layer is 40:60 or more and 80:20 or less.

3. The heat-sealed embossing includes decorative embossing and diffusion channel embossing, The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the decorative embossing is discontinuous and the distance between the embossings is 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that the area ratio of the decorative embossing is 1% or more and 5% or less of the surface area of ​​the first sheet.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the peel strength of the first sheet and the second sheet is 0.1 N or more and 1.5 N or less.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a third sheet, which is an open film, on the non-skin contact side of the second sheet, in contact with the second sheet.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 6, characterized in that the third sheet has an opening diameter of 2 mm or less, a distance between openings of 0.2 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, and an opening area ratio of 25% or more and 50% or less.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second sheet and the third sheet are bonded together with a hot melt adhesive, and the area ratio of the bonded portion is 10% or more and 50% or less of the surface area of ​​the second sheet.

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