Absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article suppressing leakage of excretory fluid with a slow flow rate.SOLUTION: An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and formed by concatenating a front body area facing an abdominal part of a wearer, a back body area facing the back of the wearer, and a crotch area for disposing an absorber, located between the front body area and the back body area, the absorbent body includes the absorber, and a top sheet with water permeability, disposed on a skin surface side of the absorber. The top sheet in the crotch area and the front body area, is temporarily bonded to a member facing a non-skin surface side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, absorbent pads, and sanitary products have been developed. For example, an absorbent pad has been proposed in which the height and width of three-dimensional gathers can be changed by temporarily fixing a part of the three-dimensional gathers to the topsheet so as to be separable (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The amount of excreted fluid of the elderly, who are an example of consumers of absorbent articles, decreases with aging, and the excretion frequency increases with aging. And it is known that the flow rate of the excreted fluid may also decrease due to aging or disease. When a certain amount or more of excreted fluid is discharged onto an absorbent article at the same flow rate as that of a healthy person, the excreted fluid easily passes through the topsheet of the absorbent article and penetrates into the absorbent core and is absorbed. However, when the amount of excreted fluid is small and the flow rate is further slow, the excreted fluid does not reach the topsheet, moves along the wearer's skin surface, reaches the width-direction end or length-direction end of the absorbent article, and may cause side leakage, abdominal leakage, back leakage, etc.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that suppresses leakage of excreted fluid having a slow flow rate. [[ID=CO]]

Means for Solving the Problems

[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 comprises a front body region facing the wearer's abdomen, a back body region facing the wearer's back, and a crotch region located between the front body region and the back body region where an absorbent is placed, and comprises an absorbent and a water-permeable top sheet placed on the skin side of the absorbent, and the top sheet is temporarily bonded to a member facing the non-skin side in the crotch region and the front body region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an absorbent article can be provided that suppresses the leakage of slow-flowing discharge liquids. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the top sheet peeled off from the absorber side. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a table showing the verification results regarding the optimal adhesive strength between the top sheet and the absorber. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing an application embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0010] <First Embodiment> In this embodiment, for a disposable absorbent pad (an example of an "absorbent article" as referred to in this application), the direction connecting the front panel, which is positioned opposite the wearer's abdomen, and the back panel, which is positioned opposite the wearer's back, is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between these front panel (one side in the longitudinal direction) and back panel (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (in the center in the longitudinal direction), the inseam section, which is positioned between the wearer's legs (opposite the crotch), is connected. Furthermore, when the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "wearing state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (inside in the wearing state) is defined as the skin side, and the side opposite the skin side (outside in the wearing state) is defined as the non-skin side. In addition, the direction connecting the skin side and the non-skin side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction. Moreover, viewing from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view.

[0011] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 is used to absorb and retain liquids such as urine, and can be used alone by placing it on the skin-facing side of lower garments, or it can be used layered inside a disposable diaper. The absorbent pad 1 has a crotch area 1B that covers the wearer's genitals when worn, a front body area 1F located in front of the crotch area 1B and corresponding to the wearer's front body, and a back body area 1R located behind the crotch area 1B and corresponding to the wearer's back body. In plan view, the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment has a gourd shape with a constricted crotch area 1B, where the front body area 1F and back body area 1R are wider than the crotch area 1B. Furthermore, comparing the width of the front body area 1F and the back body area 1R, the back body area 1R is wider. This shape allows the absorbent pad 1 to conform more easily to the wearer's abdomen and buttocks when worn. Note that the shape of the absorbent pad is not limited to a roughly gourd shape; for example, it may be roughly rectangular.

[0012] Figure 2 is a plan view of an absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 includes a top sheet 8 positioned on the skin-facing side when worn. The top sheet 8 is the part of the absorbent pad 1 that comes into contact with the wearer's skin (skin-facing surface) when worn, and is a water-permeable sheet made of a liquid-permeable material that allows liquids such as urine to pass through. Woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, porous film, etc. can be used for the top sheet 8. For the nonwoven fabric, hydrophilic treatment of thermoplastic resin fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon may be used, or air-through nonwoven fabric, point-bonded nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, melt-blown nonwoven fabric, etc. may be used.

[0013] The absorbent pad 1 includes an absorbent body 6 that absorbs liquids such as urine. The absorbent body 6 is positioned to include a crotch area 1B to absorb liquids discharged by the wearer. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 6 has an absorbent mat consisting of an upper absorbent mat 6A positioned on the top sheet 8 side and a lower absorbent mat 6B positioned on the non-skin side. In a plan view, the upper absorbent mat 6A has a gourd shape, similar to the absorbent pad 1. The lower absorbent mat 6B is positioned below the upper absorbent mat 6A when viewed from the top sheet 8 side, and in a plan view, it has a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 as its longer side. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are stacked in the thickness direction such that their respective width centers substantially coincide. Also, in a plan view, the upper absorbent mat 6A is formed to be larger than the lower absorbent mat 6B. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent material 6 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B, as well as the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0014] In the central portion in the width direction on the skin side of the absorber, a groove portion 6H extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 is provided. The groove portion 6H corresponds to the midline of the human body. The discharged liquid such as urine flows into the groove portion 6H, moves in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion 6H, and is rapidly absorbed over a wide range in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment can rapidly diffuse the discharged liquid by providing the groove portion 6H. As shown in the figure, the groove portion 6H does not reach the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6. Therefore, the discharged liquid that has moved to the outside in the longitudinal direction stays inside the groove portion 6H without reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorber 6 and is sequentially absorbed. Note that the groove portion 6H is not essential and may not be provided.

[0015] On the non-skin side of the absorber 6, a backsheet 5 having substantially the same shape as the absorber 6 is provided. The backsheet 5 is a sheet formed of a thermoplastic liquid-impermeable resin such as a polyethylene film in order to suppress leakage of the discharged liquid that has flowed into the absorber 6. The backsheet 5 may be made of a material having moisture permeability in order to suppress stuffiness in the worn state.

[0016] Note that an intermediate sheet (second sheet) not shown separately may be provided between the topsheet 8 and the absorber 6. When providing the intermediate sheet, the same material as the topsheet 8 can be used as the intermediate sheet. Also, materials such as pulp fibers and non-woven fabrics having liquid permeability and hydrophilicity may be used.

[0017] On the further non-skin side of the backsheet 5, a cover sheet 4 is provided. The cover sheet 4 forms the outer surface of the absorbent pad 1 and has rigidity that can withstand friction with the diapers, underwear, etc. used in combination. Generally, a non-woven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate is used for the cover sheet 4. The cover sheet 4 may be liquid-permeable or may have liquid-impermeability. When the backsheet 5 has moisture permeability, it is desirable that the cover sheet 4 also has moisture permeability.

[0018] A fixing tape may be provided on a part of the non-skin side of the cover sheet 4. The fixing tape is an adhesive tape, which prevents the diaper, undergarment, etc. from shifting from the absorbent pad 1 when the wearer moves around, etc., and prevents the function of the absorbent pad 1 from being impaired. Note that, instead of providing the fixing tape, a member with a large coefficient of friction on the non-skin side may be adopted as the cover sheet 4 to suppress the shift from the diaper or the like. Further, an anti-slip process such as applying a hot melt adhesive may be performed on the non-skin side of the cover sheet 4.

[0019] Further, the absorbent pad 1 includes a pair of non-water-permeable side sheets 9L and 9R that are arranged on the skin side of both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 and extend along the longitudinal direction. The side sheets 9L and 9R are arranged such that the longitudinal ends thereof coincide with the longitudinal ends of the top sheet 8. The side sheets 9L and 9R have fixed ends 9LA and 9RA arranged on the outer side in the width direction. The fixed ends 9LA and 9RA are adhered to the top sheet 8, the absorber 6, and the back sheet 5, which are members arranged on the non-skin side (lower layer) thereof, by an adhesive such as hot melt. Further, the upper absorbent mat 6A is formed to have a dimension wider than the top sheet 8, and the end portions in the width direction of the upper absorbent mat 6A do not overlap the top sheet 8, but overlap the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA of the side sheets 9L and 9R and are adhered to the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA. In the present embodiment, the entire non-skin side surface of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA arranged on the upper absorbent mat 6A of the absorber 6 is adhered to the upper absorbent mat l6A by an adhesive such as hot melt. The side sheets 9L and 9R are an example of a pair of leakage-preventing sheets in the present disclosure.

[0020] Further, the side sheets 9L and 9R each have free ends 9LB and 9RB arranged at one end on the inner side in the width direction thereof. Thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR, which are filamentous elastic members, are attached to the free ends 9LB and 9RB in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Near the longitudinal ends, the free ends 9LB and 9RB are bonded to the top sheet 8, but on the longitudinal inner side, the free ends 9LB and 9RB are not bonded to any part of the absorbent pad 1 and can stand upright on the skin side. As the elastic threads 3BL and 3BR contract, the free ends 9LB and 9RB stand upright on the skin side with the inner widthwise side of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA as the upright ends, forming three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R. The upright three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R inhibit the movement of discharged liquid outward in the widthwise direction of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R, suppressing lateral leakage of liquid.

[0021] Furthermore, in a plan view, the areas extending outward in the width direction from the free ends 9LB, 9RB (outward in the width direction from the upright lines of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R) are the selvage portions 10L, 10R. In this embodiment, the selvage portions 10L, 10R are formed extending from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R, and the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R are wider than the crotch region 1B. The upper absorbent mat 6A is positioned to include the outward side in the width direction of the free ends 9LB, 9RB, and the lower absorbent mat 6B is positioned inside the free ends 9LB, 9RB in the width direction. The absorbent pad 1 can increase the amount of liquid absorbed by making the upper absorbent mat 6A larger while enhancing the cushioning in the selvage portions 10L, 10R. Note that the selvage portions 10L, 10R may be formed in either the front body region 1F or the back body region 1R.

[0022] The absorbent material 6 extends to a portion of the non-skin-facing side of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA of the side sheets 9L and 9R. Therefore, the side sheets 9L and 9R and the absorbent material 6 overlap not only with the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R but also with the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA, and the absorbent material 6 may absorb water in the overlapping portion. Although the side sheets 9L and 9R are impermeable, their water resistance is not as high as that of the back sheet 5. If body pressure is applied to the overlapping portion of the side sheets 9L and 9R while the absorbent material 6 has absorbed water, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent material 6 may seep out from the surface of the side sheets 9L and 9R. If liquid seeps out on the outer widthwise side of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R, it can lead to leakage from the side portion of the absorbent material. To prevent such leakage, it is conceivable to further laminate a hydrophobic sheet material on the skin-facing side of the earpieces 10L and 10R. However, this would increase the number of components (materials) in the absorbent material, raising manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the hydrophobic sheet material may cause discomfort to the wearer.

[0023] Therefore, in the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the entire non-skin-facing surface of the fixed ends 9LA, 9RA is bonded to the absorbent material 6 with an impermeable adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive. By applying the adhesive, the fixed ends 9LA, 9RA can be fixed to the absorbent material 6 while simultaneously enhancing the water resistance of the fixed ends 9LA, 9RA. As a result, the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment can suppress leakage of liquid absorbed by the absorbent material 6 from the outside in the width direction of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R (free ends 9LB, 9RB) to the skin-facing surface. Therefore, by providing a separate leak-proof member, leakage of liquid from the ear portions 10L, 10R can be suppressed without reducing the wearing comfort. The impermeable adhesive that bonds the entire non-skin-facing surface of the fixed ends 9LA, 9RA to the absorbent material 6 is an example of the "impermeable portion" as referred to in this application.

[0024] In this embodiment, the absorbent pad 1 has the entire non-skin-facing surface of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA positioned on the absorbent body 6 bonded to the upper absorbent mat 6A of the absorbent body 6 with an adhesive. As a result, the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA of the side sheets 9L and 9R are firmly bonded to the upper absorbent mat 6A, making the upper absorbent mat 6A less prone to cracking. Furthermore, the widthwise ends of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA are bonded to the non-skin-facing sheet with an adhesive. The absorbent pad 1 can fix the position of the absorbent body 6 by bonding the side sheets 9L and 9R to the sheet members positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 6, thus suppressing deformation of the absorbent body 6.

[0025] The upper absorbent mat 6A is positioned to include the outer width of the free ends 9LB, 9RB, while the lower absorbent mat 6B is positioned to include the inner width of the free ends 9LB, 9RB. With this configuration, the lower absorbent mat 6B absorbs and holds the urine in the upper absorbent mat 6A, and since the outer width of the lower absorbent mat 6B is inside (within the range of) the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, even if urine or other discharged fluid is squeezed out from the lower absorbent mat 6B, the upper absorbent mat 6A is positioned on the skin side, and the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are also positioned on the outer width of the upper absorbent mat 6A, thus suppressing leakage of liquid from the space formed between the absorbent pad 1 and the wearer's skin. Furthermore, this configuration makes it difficult for urine to reach the outer edges (ear portions 10L, 10R) in the width direction of the free ends 9LB, 9RB. Even if urine is squeezed out from the edges in the width direction of the lower absorbent mat 6B, the upper absorbent mat 6A surrounding these edges can absorb and retain the urine. Moreover, since the entire non-skin surface of the fixed ends 9LA, 9RA, which are placed on the upper absorbent mat 6A, is bonded to the upper absorbent mat 6A with adhesive, leakage of liquid from the outer edges in the width direction of the free ends 9LB, 9RB can be suppressed.

[0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. More specifically, it is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad when the central part is cut along the width direction. In the cross-sectional views shown below, the thickness of each structure is exaggerated to make the internal structure of the absorbent pad 1 easier to understand, but in reality, the absorbent pad 1 is very thin. The absorbent body 6 has an absorbent core 6C and a core wrap sheet 7 that covers the absorbent core 6C. The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which granular absorbent resin (super absorbent polymer) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), which is 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 of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate that have been treated to be hydrophilic.

[0027] In this embodiment, SAP particles refer to a resin composition containing SAP that has been made into granules. The term "resin composition containing SAP" here is a concept that encompasses both compositions consisting solely of SAP and compositions in which SAP is the main component and other substances are added to an extent that does not adversely affect water absorption. Examples of "other substances" include additives (such as surface modifiers added to hydrophobicize the particle surface) and unreacted monomers remaining after the synthesis of SAP. SAP particles can absorb liquids approximately 10 to 100 times their own weight (for example, 60 times in this embodiment). For example, granular SAP particles with a diameter of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 mm before liquid absorption may be used.

[0028] While SAP particles can gel and retain moisture, absorption takes a certain amount of time. Therefore, while the SAP particles are absorbing the moisture, the short fibers slow down the discharged liquid and diffuse it within the absorption core 6C, allowing the liquid to be absorbed by a wide range of SAP particles and suppressing backflow.

[0029] In this embodiment, the absorbent core 6C has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper absorbent mat 6A and a lower absorbent mat 6B. The upper absorbent mat 6A is wider than the lower absorbent mat 6B throughout its entire extension region, and when observed from the skin side, the lower absorbent mat 6B is contained within the width of the upper absorbent mat 6A. The upper absorbent mat 6A has a roughly gourd-shaped outer form and extends outward in the width direction of the vertical lines 3LL and 3RL in the front body region 1F and back body region 1R. Therefore, in the front body region 1F and back body region 1R, the upper absorbent mat 6A extends outward in the width direction of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R. On the other hand, in the crotch region 1B, the upper absorbent mat 6A is constricted in the width direction, and its end is contained within the vertical lines 3LL and 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R.

[0030] SAP particles may be unevenly distributed in either the upper absorbent mat 6A or the lower absorbent mat 6B. For example, SAP particles may be distributed only in the upper absorbent mat 6A. The lower absorbent mat 6B may not be provided. In this case, the lower absorbent mat 6B consists only of short fibers and plays the role of holding, diffusing, and suppressing backflow of the discharged fluid until it is absorbed by the SAP particles contained in the upper absorbent mat 6A. Alternatively, a layer made of SAP particles may be placed between the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B, and this may be called the SAP layer. If an SAP layer is provided, the SAP layer may be placed in a location where a relatively large amount of discharged fluid is likely to be absorbed, such as near the wearer's urethral opening. The SAP particles constituting the SAP layer may be temporarily bonded to the upper absorbent mat 6A or the lower absorbent mat 6B with an adhesive such as hot melt.

[0031] The upper absorbent mat 6A is provided with grooves 6H. In the configuration shown in Figure 3, the grooves 6H are through grooves that penetrate the upper absorbent mat 6A. Therefore, in the longitudinal center of the absorbent pad 1, the upper absorbent mat 6A is divided into left and right sections in the width direction by the grooves 6H. Alternatively, the grooves 6H may be formed in the width direction center by compressing the upper absorbent mat 6A to make it thinner.

[0032] In a plan view, the groove 6H has a rectangular shape with both its front and rear ends formed in an arc shape. The front end of the groove 6H is located in the middle of the front body area 1F, and the rear end of the groove 6H is located at the front of the back body area 1R. The groove 6H also has a certain width. For example, the width is 20 mm to 35 mm. The length of the groove 6H is 245 mm to 355 mm. An absorbent pad 1 with a groove 6H of this size is suitable for adults. Note that in a plan view, the groove 6H may be formed in a shape other than a rectangle, such as a polygon or an ellipse.

[0033] Furthermore, within the extended area of ​​the groove 6H in the absorbent pad 1, there is a urethral opening corresponding region UO that corresponds to the wearer's urethral opening. The urethral opening corresponding region UO corresponds to the wearer's urethral opening and is the position where urination occurs. In Figure 2, an example of the position directly corresponding to the wearer's urethral opening is indicated by a +, and the area enclosed by a circle is the urethral opening corresponding region UO. Note that the position of the urethral opening varies greatly depending on the wearing condition and the wearer's gender, so its position is not precise, especially in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] The groove 6H is formed to include a urethral opening area UO to facilitate the flow of urine generated by the wearer. When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed from above, the urethral opening area UO is defined, for example, at a position 60% of the longitudinal length of the upper absorbent mat 6A, extending forward from the rear end of the upper absorbent mat 6A. For example, if the longitudinal length of the upper absorbent mat 6A is 500 mm, the urethral opening area UO is defined as being near a position 300 mm forward from the rear end of the upper absorbent mat 6A.

[0035] Liquids such as urine generated by the wearer flow and diffuse through the grooves 6H. Furthermore, liquids such as urine excreted on the upper absorbent mat 6A can be guided to the lower absorbent mat 6B via the grooves 6H. Thus, the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment can effectively absorb liquids with its absorbent body 6, which has an upper absorbent mat 6A and a lower absorbent mat 6B. Additionally, because the extension of the grooves 6H includes the urethral opening area UO, the wetness near the wearer's urethral opening is quickly resolved even when excretion occurs. Therefore, the wearer is less likely to experience discomfort.

[0036] The absorbent body 6 according to this embodiment includes a core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is a water-permeable sheet that covers the outer surface of the absorbent body 6, and more specifically, covers the skin-facing side, non-skin-facing side, and side side of the absorbent body 6. The core wrap sheet 7 is a sheet made of thin pulp fibers, and as an example, tissue paper can be used. The core wrap sheet 7, when not in contact with the discharged liquid, is part of the absorbent core 6C composed of multiple absorbent mats. The core wrap sheet 7 protects the shape of the absorbent pad 6C, preventing deformation and preventing the SAP particles contained in the absorbent mat from escaping. The SAP particles are positioned so that the absorbent pad 1 can properly perform its function, and if they deviate from their position, the absorbent pad 1 will not be able to properly perform its function. In addition, SAP particles that have not absorbed moisture are hard, sand-like particles, and if these escaping, unabsorbed SAP particles come into direct contact with the wearer's skin, they may cause discomfort to the wearer. For this reason, the absorbent core 6C is wrapped in the core wrap sheet 7 to prevent deformation of the absorbent core 6C and to prevent the SAP particles from escaping.

[0037] As mentioned above, the absorbent core 6C has grooves 6H on its skin-facing side. The top sheet 8 is configured not to fall into the grooves 6H. Similarly, the core wrap sheet 7 is configured not to fall into the grooves 6H on its skin-facing side.

[0038] The core wrap sheet 7 may be a single sheet. Alternatively, it may be formed from two sheets: an upper core wrap sheet 7A placed between the absorbent core 6C and the top sheet 8, and a lower core wrap sheet 7B placed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 6C, covering the sides of the absorbent core 6C and further covering the outer width of the upper core wrap sheet 7A. The core wrap sheet 7 can be formed from a pulp fiber sheet or a thin nonwoven fabric, and one example is that it can be formed from tissue paper. When the core wrap sheet 7 is formed from two sheets, the upper core wrap sheet 7A and the lower core wrap sheet 7B can be made from different materials. For example, the upper core wrap sheet 7A can be a pulp fiber sheet, and the lower core wrap sheet can be a resin nonwoven fabric.

[0039] In this embodiment, multiple hot-melt adhesives HM are applied intermittently in the longitudinal direction and at regular intervals in the width direction between the top sheet 8 and the skin-facing side of the absorbent material 6. The adhesive strength of the hot-melt adhesive HM is weakened at least in the urethral opening area UO. In the urethral opening area UO, the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 are in a temporary bonded state. A temporary bonded state refers to a bonded state where the top sheet 8 can be peeled off from the absorbent material 6 without damaging the absorbent pad 1, such as tearing it. This temporary bonded state can be achieved by adjusting the placement of the hot-melt adhesive HM, or by adjusting the performance and application amount of the hot-melt adhesive HM. The temporary bonded portion of the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 will not peel off under conditions where only relatively weak frictional force is applied to the temporary bonded portion, such as during the manufacturing process or distribution. On the other hand, the temporary bonded portion of the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 will naturally peel off due to the relatively strong frictional force applied to the absorbent pad 1 during wear and the irritation associated with the initial inflow of discharge.

[0040] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the top sheet detached from the absorbent side. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent 6, particularly in the urethral opening area UO, the absorbent 6 and the top sheet 8 are in a temporary adhesive state, so at least a portion of the top sheet 8 can easily detach from the absorbent 6. In the urethral opening area UO, the top sheet 8 detaches from the absorbent 6 due to the irritation when wearing the absorbent pad 1 or the irritation from the initial inflow of discharge. The top sheet 8 that has detached from the absorbent 6 is in contact with the wearer's skin in the urethral opening area UO. If the amount of discharge generated from the wearer's urethra is small and the flow rate is slow, for example, if it is generated in the form of seeping from the urethra without a clear water flow, even if the absorbent product is worn correctly, the discharge may not reach the top sheet 8 and may flow over the wearer's body surface and not be absorbed by the absorbent 6. In this embodiment, in the urethral opening region UO, the top sheet 8 detaches from the absorbent material 6 and comes into contact with the wearer's body surface near the urethral opening. Because the detached top sheet 8 and the wearer's body surface are in contact near the urethral opening, even if the flow rate of the discharged fluid is slow, the generated discharged fluid moves along the top sheet 8 that has detached from the absorbent material 6, rather than along the wearer's body surface, and diffuses around the urethral opening region UO. In Figure 4, the direction of discharged fluid flow is indicated by arrow F.

[0041] In this way, by temporarily bonding the absorbent material 6 and the top sheet 8 in the urethral opening area UO, the discharge fluid generated from the wearer's urethra can be more easily diffused over the top sheet 8 rather than on the wearer's skin. In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the possibility of discharge fluid flowing over the wearer's body surface and moving to the outside without being absorbed by the absorbent material 6, causing abdominal leakage, back leakage, and lateral leakage can be reduced.

[0042] Furthermore, non-permeable side sheets 9L and 9R are positioned on the outer side of the top sheet 8 in the width direction, and three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R are formed on the inner side of the side sheets 9L and 9R in the width direction. Fixed ends 9LA and 9RA are located on the outer side of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R in the width direction, and free ends 9LB and 9RB are located on the inner side in the width direction. Elastic threads 3BL and 3BR, extending in the longitudinal direction, are positioned in an extended state near the inner end in the width direction on the free end side 9LB and 9RB of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R. Upright lines 3LL and 3RL are located between the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA and the free ends 9LB and 9RB. An absorbent material 6 extends on the non-skin side of the upright lines 3LL and 3RL. The top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6, which is the absorbent material side member, are temporarily bonded together at positions corresponding to the free ends 9LB and 9RB, and near the upright lines 3LL and 3RL.

[0043] When worn, the free ends 9LB and 9RB are biased by the elastic threads 3BL and 3BR, causing them to rise towards the skin and form three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R. The top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 separate at positions corresponding to the free ends 9LB and 9RB, and near the upright lines 3LL and 3RL. Because the absorbent material 6 has high rigidity, if the side sheets 9L and 9R were bonded to the absorbent material 6 via the top sheet 8 near the upright lines 3LL and 3RL, the rising of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R might be suppressed by the rigidity of the absorbent material 6. However, in the absorbent pad 1 of this embodiment, the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 separate even at the upright lines 3LL and 3RL, making it easier for the free ends 9LB and 9RB of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R to rise towards the wearer's skin. Therefore, when the discharged fluid moves along the wearer's skin surface towards the outside in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1, the free ends 9LB and 9RB of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R effectively prevent the discharged fluid from moving outward in the width direction, increasing the likelihood of suppressing lateral leakage.

[0044] The discharged fluid, whose movement is obstructed by the free ends 9LB and 9RB, falls into the lateral leakage prevention space SO, which is a bag-like space formed between the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R and the top sheet 8. It then sequentially permeates the top sheet 8 and moves towards the absorbent material 6, where it is absorbed. Even if the discharged fluid does not flow into the top sheet 8, which is in contact with the wearer's body surface near the urethral opening, but instead travels along the wearer's skin surface towards the side of the absorbent pad 1, the discharged fluid comes into contact with the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R, which are prone to rising and therefore easily come into contact with the wearer's skin surface, thus obstructing its movement outward in the width direction and moving towards the absorbent material 6. This discharged fluid falls into the space formed between the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R and the absorbent material 6 and is absorbed by the absorbent material 6. Thus, in the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the urethral opening area UO is equipped with a top sheet 8 that easily contacts the wearer's urethral opening and three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R that easily stand up, so that even if the discharged fluid tends to move along the skin side, it can be guided to the absorbent body 6 and absorbed. For this reason, the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment can effectively suppress leakage of discharged fluid.

[0045] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an example of Embodiment 1. The absorbent material 6 extends to a portion of the non-skin side of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA of the side sheets 9L and 9R. The fixed ends 9LA and 9RA and the absorbent material 6 may be bonded together. The side sheets 9L and 9R and the absorbent material 6 overlap not only in the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R but also in the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA. In particular, if the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R portion suppresses the movement of the discharged liquid in the width direction, the absorbent material 6 may absorb the discharged liquid on the non-skin side of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA, which are the overlapping portion of the absorbent material 6 and the side sheets 9L and 9R. Absorbent pad according to this embodiment In pad 1, the top sheet 8 separates from the absorbent material 6 in the urethral opening area UO and comes into contact with the wearer's skin. In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the discharged fluid mainly travels along the top sheet 8 and moves outward in the width direction, flowing into the bag-like space formed between the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R and the top sheet 8, and is sequentially absorbed by the absorbent material 6 near that space. For this reason, the absorbent material 6 of the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment can absorb more discharged fluid near the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R than a typical diaper. On the other hand, the widthwise end side of the absorbent material 6 is closer to the wearer's buttocks than the widthwise center side and is a part that is more susceptible to body pressure. Although the side sheets 9L, 9R are impermeable to water, their water resistance is not as high as that of the back sheet 5.

[0046] Therefore, in the absorbent pad 1 according to Embodiment 1, when a load such as body pressure is applied to the side sheets 9L, 9R, the discharged liquid, which is absorbed more in the vicinity of the widthwise end of the absorbent body 6, is more likely to seep through the side sheets 9L, 9R and onto the skin side. To solve this problem, for example, non-permeable sheets 11L, 11R can be placed on the skin side of the fixed end 9LA, 9RA. By further placing non-permeable sheets 11L, 11R so as to cover the fixed end 9LA, 9RA, the seepage of liquid from the surface of the side sheets 9L, 9R can be suppressed more effectively. Both the side sheets 9L, 9R and the non-permeable sheets 11L, 11R are non-permeable and are examples of non-permeable sheets in this disclosure. Also, the non-permeable sheets 11L, 11R are examples of "non-permeable parts" as referred to in this application.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the non-permeable sheets 11L and 11R can be placed on the skin-facing side of the side sheets 9L and 9R, but they can also be placed between the non-skin-facing side of the side sheets 9L and 9R and the skin-facing side of the absorbent material 6. When the non-permeable sheets are placed on the skin-facing side of the side sheets 9L and 9R as shown in Figure 5, the non-permeable sheets 11L and 11R come into contact with the wearer's skin, and depending on the material of the non-permeable sheets 11L and 11R, the wearer may feel discomfort. However, this problem can be solved by placing the non-permeable sheets between the non-skin-facing side of the side sheets 9L and 9R and the absorbent material 6. Furthermore, when the non-permeable sheets 11L and 11R are placed on the skin-facing side of the side sheets 9L and 9R as shown in Figure 5, the discomfort that may be caused to the wearer can be reduced by processing the skin-facing side of the non-permeable sheets to be more comfortable against the skin.

[0048] Alternatively, instead of providing separate non-permeable sheets 11L and 11R as shown in Figure 5, a non-permeable adhesive such as hot melt may be applied planarly between the non-skin side of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA and the absorbent 6. By applying the non-permeable adhesive planarly, the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA can be fixed to the absorbent 6 while the vicinity of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA of the side sheets 9L and 9R can be made non-permeable. This non-permeable treatment makes it possible to suppress the seepage of liquid from the side sheets 9L and 9R without providing a separate structure such as the non-permeable sheets 11L and 11R. In this way, it is possible to suppress the seepage of discharged liquid from the side sheets 9L and 9R while reducing manufacturing costs. The non-permeable adhesive applied planarly between the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA and the absorbent 6 in the vicinity of the fixed ends 9LA and 9RA realizes the non-permeable treatment on the outside in the width direction of the fixed ends of the pair of leak-proof sheets in this disclosure. Impermeable adhesives are also an example of what is meant by "impermeable portion" in this application.

[0049] <Experiment> Figure 6 is a table showing the verification results regarding the optimal adhesive strength between the top sheet and the absorbent. Ideally, the adhesive strength between the top sheet 8 and the absorbent 6 should be such that they easily separate upon and during wear. However, if the adhesive strength is too weak, it can lead to defects during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, if they separate during transport, the function may be impaired before use, so it is desirable that they have a certain degree of adhesive strength. Therefore, the desired adhesive strength between the top sheet 8 and the absorbent 6 is important. An experiment was conducted to determine whether temporary bonding was suitable. In the experiment, the absorbent pad 1 was spread out before wearing to confirm that the top sheet 8 and absorbent body 6 did not separate. Furthermore, the absorbent pad 1 was actually worn on a dummy doll, and artificial urine was injected multiple times to check for leakage. The absorbent pad 1 used was the one shown in Figure 3. The adhesive strength between the top sheet 8 and absorbent body 6 near the urethral opening area UO was measured in advance using a Strograph VG1E manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd. The test piece for measurement was 50 mm x 50 mm, the test speed was 100 mm / min, and the maximum convex test force (N) was defined as the adhesive strength (N). Before conducting the wearing experiment, the absorbent pad 1 was spread out to confirm that the top sheet 8 and absorbent body 6 did not separate. If the top sheet 8 and absorbent body 6 separated when the absorbent pad 1 was spread out, it was deemed unsuitable (×), and the final result was also considered poor (×). The experiment revealed that when the adhesive strength is 0.7N or less, the top sheet 8 and the absorbent 6 separate before wearing.

[0050] Next, an absorbent pad 1, which had sufficient adhesive strength to prevent the top sheet 8 and absorbent material 6 from separating before use, was fitted onto a dummy doll modeled after the lower body of an adult, which had an outlet mimicking the urethra. The dummy doll was then tilted at a 30-degree angle, and artificial urine was injected. The surface of the dummy doll was made of silicone. Artificial urine was prepared by mixing 776g of urea (NH2CONH2), 321.6g of sodium chloride (NaCl), 81.8g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO4·7H2O), 33.4g of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2·2H2O), and 60g of 0.5% Blue No. 1 aqueous solution with 40L of pure water, and stirring at 700rpm for more than 30 minutes. The coloring agent was added to clarify the experimental results.

[0051] The absorbent core 6C of the absorbent pad 1 used in the absorption performance test contains, for example, pulp and SAP in the upper absorbent mat 6A, with the basis weight of the pulp being 280 g / m². 2 SAP's basis weight is 180 g / m². 2 The lower absorbent mat 6B also contains, for example, pulp and SAP, with the pulp having a basis weight of 120 g / m². 2 The basis weight of SAP is 90 g / m². 2 The thickness of the absorption core 6C was 2 cm.

[0052] Artificial urine was administered three times, with a 10-minute interval between each administration. The amount and rate of artificial urine administration were set to simulate that of an elderly person, with a single administration volume of 150 ml and an administration rate of 15 ml / s. When the adhesive strength was 1.4 N or higher, artificial urine leakage occurred during the experiment. This is thought to be because, when attaching the dummy doll and during the first artificial urine administration, the top sheet 8 did not detach from the absorbent material 6 in the urethral opening area UO, and the artificial urine leaked to the outside via the surface of the dummy doll instead of the top sheet 8.

[0053] The experimental results showed that the optimal adhesive strength between the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6, which maintains a temporary bond before wearing and detaches during wear to contact the wearer's skin and prevent artificial urine from flowing over the skin, is preferably between 0.8N and 1.3N.

[0054] <Second Embodiment> Figure 7 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the second embodiment. In the following description, components having substantially the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals in each figure, and their descriptions are omitted. In the second embodiment, the skin-facing side of the absorbent pad 1 has not only side sheets 9L and 9R that cover both sides of the absorbent body 6 in the width direction, but also non-permeable end sheets 12F and 12R that cover the skin-facing side of the longitudinal end of the top sheet 8. The longitudinal inner side of the end sheets 12F and 12R overlaps with the absorbent body 6. The width-direction central part of the longitudinal inner side of the end sheets 12F and 12R is not bonded to the other sheet (the top sheet 8 in the second embodiment). On the other hand, the longitudinal outer side of the end sheets 12F and 12R is bonded to the top sheet 8, which is in contact with the non-skin-facing side of the end sheets 12F and 12R, by an adhesive such as hot melt or heat welding such as heat sealing. Therefore, near both longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6 A bag-like space is formed between the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R, the top sheet 8, and the absorbent material 6.

[0055] Discharged liquid that moves outward in the width direction falls into a bag-like space formed between the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R and the top sheet 8, and then sequentially permeates the top sheet 8 to the absorbent body 6 side and is absorbed by the absorbent body 6. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a bag-like space is formed not only near the widthwise end of the absorbent body 6, but also near the longitudinal end of the absorbent body 6, between the end sheets 12F, 12R and the top sheet 8. Discharged liquid that moves longitudinally along the skin-facing side of the top sheet 8 falls into a bag-like space formed between the end sheets 12F, 12R and the top sheet 8 and is sequentially absorbed by the absorbent body 6. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 according to the second embodiment can not only suppress lateral leakage by suppressing the movement of discharged liquid in the width direction, but also suppress the movement of discharged liquid in the longitudinal direction, thereby suppressing both front leakage and rear leakage.

[0056] Furthermore, a thread-like elastic member that expands in the width direction may be placed on the longitudinal inner side of the end sheets 12F and 12R, so that the longitudinal and widthwise inner sides of the end sheets 12F and 12R stand up when worn due to the biasing force of the thread-like elastic member. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn, similar to the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R, if the widthwise central part of the end sheets 12F and 12R stands up from the top sheet 8, the bag-like space will expand more easily. In this way, by providing a thread-like elastic member that expands in the width direction on the end sheets 12F and 12R, it becomes easier to more effectively suppress the discharged fluid moving in the longitudinal direction and guide it into the bag-like space. Depending on the expected movement of the discharged fluid, it is also conceivable to provide the thread-like elastic member on only one side of the end sheets 12F and 12R.

[0057] <Application Embodiments> Figure 8 is a plan view showing an applied embodiment. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, adhesive regions 13 are arranged between the absorbent material 6 and the top sheet 8 at regular intervals surrounding the urethral opening region UO, with an increased proportion of hot melt adhesive applied. The absorbent material 6 and the top sheet 8 are bonded together in these adhesive regions 13. Although Figure 8 illustrates a fan-shaped adhesive region 13, its specific shape is arbitrary as long as it is positioned at a certain distance from the urethral opening region UO and surrounds it.

[0058] In this application embodiment, the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 are temporarily bonded near the urethral opening region UO. The top sheet 8 easily detaches from the absorbent material 6 in the urethral opening region UO and comes into contact with the wearer's urethral opening. As a result, the discharged fluid from the urethral opening travels along the surface of the top sheet 8, rather than directly on the wearer's skin, and reaches the bonded region 13. In the bonded region 13, the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 are bonded together, and the bond is maintained even when the temporarily bonded portion has detached. In the bonded region 13, the top sheet 8 and the absorbent material 6 are in contact, so the discharged fluid that reaches the vicinity of the bonded region 13 easily flows into the absorbent material 6 that is in contact with the top sheet 8. Therefore, in this application embodiment, the absorbent pad 1 can move the discharged fluid traveling along the surface of the top sheet 8, which has detached and come into contact with the urethral opening, to the absorbent material 6 before it reaches the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, etc., near the edge of the absorbent material 6, and absorb it. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 according to this application embodiment can effectively suppress leakage of discharged liquid from the ends of the absorbent body 6.

[0059] Although each embodiment and application embodiment has been described above, the content of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in each embodiment and application embodiment, the groove portion 6H is provided so as to penetrate the upper absorbent mat 6A, but in the lower absorbent mat 6B as well, groove portion 6H2 may be provided in all or part of the portion corresponding to groove portion 6H of the upper absorbent mat 6A. The groove portions 6H and 6H2 may be formed to be through grooves that penetrate the entire absorbent core 6C. In addition, multiple grooves may be provided parallel to the longitudinal direction. Note that the present invention is for discharge Since the assumption is that the liquid flow rate is slow, a configuration without grooves may be used.

[0060] This invention is applicable not only to absorbent pads, but also to adult pant-type diapers and adult tape-type diapers.

[0061] The features included in each embodiment and its modified form disclosed above can be combined in any way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1. Absorbent pad 1F ··Front bodice area 1B...Inseam area 1R · Back panel area 3BL, 3BR... elastic thread 3LL,3RL··Rise line 3L, 3R... 3D Gathered 4. Cover Sheet 5. Back seat 6. Absorbent 6C Absorption Core 6A ··Upper layer absorbent mat 6B ·· Lower layer absorbent mat 6H·Groove 7. Core Wrap Sheet 7A · Upper core wrap sheet 7B · Lower core wrap sheet 8. Top sheet 9L, 9R... Side seats 9LA,9RA·Fixed end 9LB,9RB··Free end 11L, 11R - Non-permeable sheet 12L, 12R End Seat 13...Adhesive area UO... Urethral opening area SO... Leak-proof space

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comprising a front body region facing the wearer's abdomen, a back body region facing the wearer's back, and a crotch region located between the front body region and the back body region where an absorbent material is placed, The absorbent body comprises an absorbent core and a core wrap sheet that encloses the absorbent core, The absorbent material is positioned on the skin-facing side and includes a water-permeable top sheet, Equipped with, In the crotch area and the front body area, the top sheet is temporarily bonded to the core wrap sheet facing the non-skin side, at least in the area corresponding to the urethral opening. The strength of the temporary adhesion between the top sheet and the core wrap sheet is 0.8 N or more and 1.3 N or less. Absorbent material.

2. The top sheet has a pair of non-permeable leak-proof sheets extending in the longitudinal direction on both sides in the width direction, The pair of leak-proof sheets, One outer end in the width direction in the area overlapping with the top sheet is a fixed end bonded to the side of the top sheet, and the inner end in the width direction is a free end that can stand upright on the skin side. An elastic member is attached to the free end in an extended state. The top sheet, located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction and overlapping with the fixed end, is temporarily bonded to the absorber side member. The absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. A non-permeable portion is provided on the outer side in the width direction of the fixed end of the pair of leak-proof sheets. The absorbent article according to claim 2.

4. The outer side in the width direction of the fixed ends of the pair of leak-proof sheets is covered with a non-permeable sheet. Yes, The absorbent article according to claim 3.

5. The outer side of the fixed end of the pair of leak-proof sheets in the width direction is treated to be impermeable to water. The absorbent article according to claim 3.

6. The non-permeable portion is bonded to the leak-proof sheet. The absorbent article according to claim 3.

7. The non-permeable portion is in contact with the absorbent. The absorbent article according to claim 3.

8. The top sheet has a portion that adheres to the absorbent, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images