Body fluid absorbent pads

Abstract

To provide a thin-type body fluid absorbent pad capable of securing sufficient durability even after repeated use and providing excellent fit.SOLUTION: A reusable body fluid absorbent pad to be mounted on a crotch part of shorts, comprises a base member, an absorbent member and a fixing member to be fixed to the crotch part. The base member comprises at least three layers including a waterproof layer and a pair of covering fabric layers disposed on both sides of the waterproof layer, where both sides of the waterproof layer are laminated with the pair of covering fabric layers, so that edges of the covering fabric layers have anti-fray properties, and a water-repellent surface is formed on a surface facing the crotch part, of the pair of covering fabric layers. The absorbent member includes an absorbent fabric layer to be disposed on a skin side and a water retention layer to be disposed on the base member side, where an edge of the water retention layer is fixedly bonded to the absorbent fabric layer, and a peripheral edge of the absorbent fabric layer is fixedly bonded continuously via an adhesive penetrating in a thickness direction of the covering fabric layer disposed on the skin side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reusable body fluid absorbent pad that is worn along the front-rear direction in the crotch portion of underwear.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article that does not bulge before use and can be easily deformed into a convex shape on the skin side of the wearer during use.

[0003] The absorbent article includes a vertically long absorbent body having a liquid-retaining absorbent layer and a liquid-impermeable back layer, and a pair of wing portions provided on both sides of the absorbent body. Each of the wing portions has a displacement preventing means on the non-skin contact surface side in the vicinity of the absorbent body, and has a fastening means for joining the wing portions to each other. When the wing portions are joined to each other and fixed to the crotch portion of underwear, the central portion in the width direction of the crotch portion and both wing portions are made separable.

[0004] Such absorbent articles have high absorbency of body fluids because they incorporate a polymer absorbent or the like, and are suitably used for menstrual pads, urine pads, and the like. However, there is a problem in that they are disposable and have a high environmental load such as causing environmental pollution when incinerated later.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a body fluid absorbent pad that can be repeatedly used, is gentle on the skin, and effectively prevents leakage of absorbed body fluids. The body fluid absorbent pad is a body fluid absorbent pad using cloth for the portion in contact with the skin, provided with an absorbent body for absorbing body fluids, formed in a substantially oval shape, and formed with a plurality of sewing lines extending substantially parallel to the entire length or substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the body fluid absorbent pad at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the body fluid absorbent pad, and the absorbent body is provided between at least the sewing lines.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-7074 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-314625 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, while the bodily fluid absorption pad described in Patent Document 2 can be reused after washing, it requires durability to prevent leakage from the edges even after repeated washing, as well as dimensional stability. It has a five-layer structure consisting of a skin-side layer, a backflow prevention layer, an absorbent layer, a waterproof layer, and a bottom layer. Each layer is superimposed on the absorbent layer, and a roughly annular waterproof sheet is sewn around the entire periphery to prevent bodily fluids from spreading to the outside. While this configuration prevents shrinkage during washing and ensures durability, it results in a complex structure, increased thickness of the bodily fluid absorption pad, and a poor wearing experience.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a thin, body fluid absorbent pad that can be used repeatedly while ensuring sufficient durability and providing excellent comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the first characteristic configuration of the bodily fluid absorbent pad according to the present invention is a reusable bodily fluid absorbent pad that is attached to the crotch area of ​​shorts along the front-to-back direction, comprising a base member disposed on the crotch side, an absorbent member disposed on the skin side, and a fixing member that fixes the base member attached to the crotch area to the crotch area, wherein the base member is composed of at least three layers including a waterproof layer and a pair of covering fabric layers disposed on both sides of the waterproof layer, and both sides of the waterproof layer are covered by the pair of covering fabric layers. The laminate process provides the edges of the covering fabric layer with fray-resistant properties, and a water-repellent surface is formed on the surface of the pair of covering fabric layers facing the crotch area. The absorbent member comprises a water-absorbing fabric layer disposed on the skin side and a water-retaining layer disposed on the base member side, with the front-to-back edge of the water-retaining layer being bonded and fixed to the water-absorbing fabric layer, and the peripheral edge of the water-absorbing fabric layer being continuously bonded and fixed via an adhesive that has penetrated in the thickness direction of the covering fabric layer disposed on the skin side.

[0010] A base member positioned on the crotch side and an absorbent member positioned on the skin side are superimposed and fixed to the crotch area of ​​the shorts via a fixing member. The base member has a waterproof layer sandwiched between two covering fabric layers, which prevents fraying without sewing the edges of the covering fabric layers, resulting in a comfortable feel against the skin. Furthermore, even if bodily fluids permeate the absorbent member, the waterproof layer and the water-repellent surface formed on the side of the covering fabric layer facing the crotch area effectively prevent leakage of bodily fluids to the shorts. The absorbent member comprises a water-absorbing fabric layer that comes into contact with the skin and allows bodily fluids to pass through, and a water-retaining layer that absorbs and retains the passed bodily fluids. The front and rear edges of the water-retaining layer are bonded and fixed to the water-absorbing fabric layer, ensuring a high water-retention effect from the water-retaining layer. Furthermore, since the periphery of the absorbent fabric layer covering the water-retaining layer is continuously bonded and fixed via an adhesive that has penetrated in the thickness direction of the covering fabric layer positioned on the skin side, there is no need to sew the absorbent component to the base component. This allows for a comfortable feel against the skin, while also preventing bodily fluids absorbed by the water-retaining layer from seeping through the penetration layer to the outside of the covering fabric layer due to the penetration layer of adhesive formed in the thickness direction of the covering fabric layer.

[0011] The second characteristic configuration is, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the covering fabric of the base member that is placed on the skin side. layer The key point is that its average thickness is 0.4 mm or less.

[0012] By using a thin covering fabric piece with an average thickness of 0.4 mm or less, the adhesive can penetrate well, and the infiltration of bodily fluids into the periphery of the covering fabric piece can be avoided.

[0013] The third characteristic feature is that, in addition to the first characteristic feature described above, the average thickness of the base member is 1 mm or less.

[0014] By creating a thin base material, it is possible to achieve a good fit without causing any stiffness against the skin when attached to shorts.

[0015] The fourth characteristic configuration is that, in addition to any of the above-described first to third characteristic configurations, the adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive containing a moisture-curing type adhesive, and the width of the adhesive continuously formed at the peripheral portion of the water-absorbent fabric layer is formed to be 4 mm or less.

[0016] By forming the width of the adhesive to be 4 mm or less, it is possible to sufficiently secure the surface area of the water-absorbent fabric layer that can absorb body fluids without being inhibited by the adhesive, and moreover, the range in which the elasticity is inhibited by the adhesive can be made sufficiently narrow, so that an excellent wearing feeling can be ensured.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, it has become possible to provide a thin body fluid absorbent pad that can ensure sufficient durability even when repeatedly used and has an excellent wearing feeling.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] (a) is an explanatory view of the body fluid absorbent pad according to the present invention as viewed from the skin side, and (b) is an explanatory view of the body fluid absorbent pad according to the present invention as viewed from the side opposite to the skin side. [Figure 2] (a) is an explanatory view of the absorbent member constituting the body fluid absorbent pad, and (b) is an explanatory view of the base member constituting the body fluid absorbent pad. [Figure 3] An explanatory view showing the cross-sectional structure of the body fluid absorbent pad [Figure 4] (a) is an explanatory view of the body fluid absorbent pad disposed in the crotch portion of the shorts as viewed from the side opposite to the skin side, and (b) is an explanatory view of the body fluid absorbent pad fixed to the crotch portion of the shorts as viewed from the side opposite to the skin side.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an example of the body fluid absorbent pad according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In FIG. 1(a), the body fluid absorbent pad 100 as viewed from the skin surface side is shown, and in FIG. 1(b), the body fluid absorbent pad 100 as viewed from the side opposite to the skin surface side is shown. Fig. 4(a) shows the body fluid absorbent pad 100 disposed on the skin side of the crotch portion 2 of the shorts 1, as viewed from the non-skin side direction, and Fig. 4(b) shows the body fluid absorbent pad in a state fixed to the crotch portion 2.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), the body fluid absorbent pad 100 is detachably attached along the longitudinal direction to the crotch portion 2 of the shorts 1 and is used to absorb body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood. The body fluid absorbent pad 100 is configured to be reusable by being removed from the shorts 1 and washed.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 1(a) and 1(b), the body fluid absorbent pad 100 is arranged such that the absorbent member 20 disposed on the skin side overlaps the base member 10 disposed on the crotch portion 2 side, and is configured to have a symmetric shape in the up-down, left-right directions. At the longitudinal center portion of the base member 10, blade portions 15 having arcuate edges are integrally formed to project from both sides in the short width direction of the base member 10, and a pair of fixing members 40 are disposed on one side surface of one blade portion 15 and the other side surface of the other blade portion 15.

[0022] A surface fastener is preferably used as the fixing member 40. The pile fabric 41 functioning as the engaged body is sewn to one side surface of one blade portion 15, and the plush fabric 42 functioning as the engaging body is sewn to the other side surface of the other blade portion 15. Note that it is not necessary to integrally form the blade portions 15 to project from both sides of the base member 10. The blade portions 15 formed of separate members different from the base member 10 may be joined to both sides of the base member 10. For example, the blade portions 15 may be constituted by a pair of wing pieces in which the pile fabric functioning as the engaged body is disposed on one side surface and the plush fabric functioning as the engaging body is disposed to overlap the pile fabric on the other side surface. In this case, it is not necessary to separately dispose a surface fastener on the blade portions 15.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the absorbent material 20 is positioned on the skin side of the crotch area 2 of the shorts 1, a pair of wing-shaped parts 15 are folded over to sandwich the crotch area 2, and the pile fabric 41 attached to one wing-shaped part 15 and the pile fabric 42 attached to the other wing-shaped part 15 are brought into opposition, causing the hook-and-loop fastener to engage and attaching the bodily fluid absorbent pad 100 to the shorts 1.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2(b), the base member 10 is composed of at least three layers, including a waterproof layer 12 and a pair of covering fabric layers 11 and 13 arranged on both sides of the waterproof layer 12, with both sides of the waterproof layer 12 laminated with the pair of covering fabric layers 11 and 13. By bonding the waterproof layer 12 and the pair of covering fabric layers 11 and 13, including the wing portion 15, via adhesive, fray-resistant properties are achieved without the need for special fray-resistant treatments such as placing tape on the edges of the covering fabric layers 11 and 13 and sewing them on, resulting in a pleasant feel against the skin.

[0025] Furthermore, a water-repellent surface 14 is formed on the surface of the pair of covering fabric layers 11 and 13 that faces the crotch area 2. Therefore, even if bodily fluids permeate the absorbent member 20, the waterproof layer 12 and the water-repellent surface 14 formed on the surface of the covering fabric layers 11 and 13 that faces the crotch area 2 effectively prevent leakage of bodily fluids to the shorts 1.

[0026] As the waterproof layer 12, a urethane sheet with an average thickness of about 0.1 mm is used, and as the covering fabric layers 11 and 13, knitted fabric made of polyester yarn with an average thickness of 0.4 mm or less, preferably 0.3 mm or less, is used. These values ​​are examples and are not limiting, but it is preferable that the overall thickness of the base member 10 is formed to be 1 mm or less in order to provide a good wearing experience.

[0027] In this embodiment, jersey knit fabric is used as the knitted fabric, but it is not limited to jersey knit fabric and other types of knitted fabrics may be used. Furthermore, the fibers that make up the knitted fabric are not limited to polyester yarn, but can be appropriately used, such as a blend of polyester yarn and cotton yarn. Instead of cotton yarn, recycled fiber yarns such as rayon or cupro may be used.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(a), the absorbent member 20 is composed of a water-absorbing fabric layer 21 placed on the skin side and a water-retaining layer 22 placed on the base member 10 side. The front-rear edges 22F and 22R of the water-retaining layer 22 are bonded and fixed to the water-absorbing fabric layer 21, and the peripheral edges of the water-absorbing fabric layer 21 are continuously bonded and fixed via an adhesive that has penetrated in the thickness direction of the covering fabric layer 11 placed on the skin side. The absorbent member 20 is formed in an oval shape so as to follow the front-rear direction of the crotch portion 2, with the central part in the longitudinal direction slightly narrowed towards the center in the short-width direction.

[0029] The edges 22F and 22R of the water-retaining layer 22 in the front-rear direction are bonded and fixed to the water-absorbing fabric layer 21, thereby widening the water-retaining area of ​​the water-retaining layer 22 and ensuring a high water-retention effect. Reference numeral 23 indicates the adhesive application trajectory, which is applied in an arc shape to follow the shape of the edges 22F and 22R of the water-retaining layer 22 in the front-rear direction, with one end rounded back. This is to prevent stringing at the end when applying the adhesive with an application nozzle. When using an application nozzle, only one end is rounded back to reduce manufacturing costs. When screen printing is used, both ends may be rounded back. By applying the adhesive so that the ends are rounded back, adhesive strength at the ends is ensured.

[0030] A spunbond nonwoven fabric made of acrylic, rayon, polyester, etc., is preferably used as the water-retaining layer 22, and a polyurethane film is laminated to the base member 10 side in order to prevent moisture from seeping into the base member 10.

[0031] As the absorbent fabric layer 21, a reversible polyester mesh fabric is used, with a mesh-like surface and a flat surface. For example, by using a fabric with a water-repellent finish on the raised parts of the surface and an absorbent finish on the surface, moisture can be quickly absorbed into the recesses of the mesh, preventing stickiness. As such a fabric, fabrics treated with AquaHall®, provided by Toyo Senko Co., Ltd., can be suitably used.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the absorbent fabric layer 21 is formed to have an outer shape several millimeters larger than the outer shape of the water-retaining layer 22, and is joined to the covering fabric layer 11 of the base member 10 via adhesive 50 formed linearly on its edge. That is, the peripheral edge of the absorbent fabric layer 21 is continuously bonded and fixed via adhesive that has penetrated in the thickness direction of the covering fabric layer 11, which is positioned on the skin side. Preferably, the penetration depth of the adhesive is 80% or more of the thickness of the covering fabric layer 11. This eliminates the need to sew the absorbent member 20 to the base member 10, and while maintaining a pleasant feel against the skin, the penetration layer of adhesive 50 formed in the thickness direction of the covering fabric layer 11 prevents bodily fluids absorbed by the water-retaining layer 22 from seeping through the penetration layer of adhesive 50 to the outside of the covering fabric layer 11.

[0033] Preferably, a hot-melt adhesive including a moisture-curing adhesive is used, and it is preferable that the width of the adhesive continuously formed on the periphery of the absorbent fabric layer 21 is 4 mm or less.

[0034] By forming the adhesive to a narrow width of 4 mm or less, a sufficient surface area of ​​the absorbent fabric layer 21 that can absorb bodily fluids without being hindered by the adhesive can be secured, and the area in which elasticity is hindered by the adhesive can be sufficiently narrowed, thus ensuring a superior fit. If the adhesive width is 1 mm or less, the adhesive strength and penetration into the fabric are slightly reduced, so the adhesive width is preferably 1 to 4 mm, and more preferably 1 to 2 mm. Furthermore, the method of forming the adhesive is not limited, and a film-like adhesive may be used, but considering the thinning of the adhesive and penetration into the fabric, it is preferable to apply the adhesive in a molten state using an application nozzle. Note that the numerical value indicating the width of the adhesive is an average value, and localized widths and narrows are acceptable.

[0035] Examples of adhesives include polyurethane-based hot melt resins, polyester-based hot melt resins, polyamide-based hot melt resins, EVA-based hot melt resins, polyolefin-based hot melt resins, styrene-based elastomer resins, moisture-curing hot melt resins, and reactive hot melt resins. Among these, moisture-curing hot melt resins are particularly preferred because they have high adhesive strength and can be bonded in a short time.

[0036] When using a moisture-curing hot-melt resin, the melt viscosity at 120°C is preferably 8,000 mPa·s to 22,000 mPa·s, and more preferably 13,000 mPa·s to 19,000 mPa·s.

[0037] If the adhesive's melt viscosity at 120°C is within this range, the adhesive will penetrate well between the fibers constituting the fabric, i.e., in the thickness direction and planar direction of the fabric, even without applying large pressure during heat treatment, resulting in sufficient adhesive strength.

[0038] In this embodiment, a moisture-curing hot-melt resin heated to approximately 120-140°C is applied using an application nozzle to the entire circumference of the water-absorbing fabric layer 21 and to positions corresponding to the front-to-back edges 22F and 22R of the water-retaining layer 22. After the water-retaining layer 22 is superimposed on the water-absorbing fabric layer 21, the water-absorbing fabric layer 21 is superimposed on the base member 10, with a yield of 150-800 g·f / cm².2 The material is heated at approximately 100-110°C for about 3-10 seconds under pressurized conditions. The pressure during the heat treatment is 310-700 gf / cm². 2 This is preferable.

[0039] The embodiments described above are merely examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by this description. [Industrial applicability]

[0040] The absorbent pad according to the present invention can be reused after cleaning and is a comfortable absorbent pad that can be easily attached to and removed from shorts, making it suitable for use by a wide range of generations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1: Shorts 2: Crotch area 10: Base component 11: Covering fabric layer 12: Waterproof layer 13: Covering fabric layer 14: Water-repellent treated surface 15: Feather section 20: Absorbent material 21: Water absorbent fabric layer 22: Water retention layer 23: Application trajectory of adhesive 40: Fixing member 41: Pile fabric 42: Standing pile fabric 100: Absorbent body fluid pads

Claims

1. A reusable bodily fluid absorbent pad that is attached to the crotch area of ​​shorts, along the front-to-back direction, The system comprises a base member disposed on the crotch side, an absorbent member disposed on the skin side, and a fixing member that secures the base member attached to the crotch to the crotch. The base member is composed of at least three layers, including a waterproof layer and a pair of covering fabric layers arranged on both sides of the waterproof layer, wherein both sides of the waterproof layer are laminated with the pair of covering fabric layers so that the edges of the covering fabric layers have fray-resistant properties, and a water-repellent surface is formed on the side of the pair of covering fabric layers facing the crotch area. The absorbent member comprises a water-absorbing fabric layer disposed on the skin side and a water-retaining layer disposed on the base member side, wherein the front-to-back edge of the water-retaining layer is bonded and fixed to the water-absorbing fabric layer, and the peripheral edge of the water-absorbing fabric layer is continuously bonded and fixed via an adhesive that has penetrated in the thickness direction of the covering fabric layer disposed on the skin side, thereby providing a body fluid absorbent pad.

2. The bodily fluid absorbent pad according to claim 1, wherein the average thickness of the covering fabric layer on the skin side of the base member is 0.4 mm or less.

3. The fluid-absorbing pad according to claim 1, wherein the average thickness of the base member is 1 mm or less.

4. The bodily fluid absorbent pad according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive including a moisture-curing adhesive, and the width of the adhesive continuously formed on the periphery of the absorbent fabric layer is 4 mm or less.

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