Absorbent article containing antibacterial composition containing hydrophilic antibacterial agent

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article that has excellent antibacterial action of an antibacterial agent, is not likely to irritate skin of a wearer, and is not easily deformed.　An absorbent article (1) is characterized by comprising a first sheet (3), a second sheet (5), and an absorbent core (11), at least one of the first sheet (3) and the second sheet (5) being provided with an antibacterial composition (19), which contains a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic and nonvolatile organic solvent, and comprising an antibacterial composition placement region (21) overlapping the antibacterial composition (19) in the thickness direction (T) and an antibacterial composition non-placement region (23) not overlapping the antibacterial composition (19), the antibacterial composition placement region (21) and the antibacterial composition non-placement region (23) both being provided with a joining part (31) for joining the first sheet (3) and the second sheet (5), and the joining strength of the joining part (31) in the antibacterial composition placement region (21) is lower than the joining strength of the joining part (31) in the antibacterial composition non-placement region (23).

Description

Absorbent articles containing an antimicrobial composition containing a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent

[0001] This disclosure relates to an absorbent article comprising an antimicrobial composition containing a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent.

[0002] Absorbent articles containing antibacterial agents are being considered. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent sheet (Claim 1) containing an organic hydrophobic antibacterial agent, a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, and 10% by mass or less of water, and an absorbent article (Claim 6) containing an absorbent core containing an organic hydrophobic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-70515

[0004] In the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, when bodily fluids containing water, such as urine or menstrual blood, are released onto the sheet, the antibacterial solution (a solution containing an antibacterial agent and an organic solvent) contained in the sheet mixes with the bodily fluids. However, because the antibacterial agent contained in the antibacterial solution is hydrophobic, it tends to aggregate and crystallize when mixed with bodily fluids. Crystallized antibacterial agents may not be able to exert their antibacterial effect sufficiently due to factors such as a reduced contact area with bodily fluids. Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an absorbent article that has excellent antibacterial activity of the antibacterial agent, is less irritating to the wearer's skin, and is less prone to deformation.

[0005] The Disclosers have found an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core having longitudinal, width, and thickness directions that are orthogonal to each other, wherein the absorbent article comprises a liquid-permeable first sheet, a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet, and the absorbent core disposed on the non-skin side of the second sheet, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet comprises an antimicrobial composition comprising a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, wherein the absorbent article comprises an antimicrobial composition-placed region that overlaps with the antimicrobial composition in the thickness direction and an antimicrobial composition-non-placed region that does not overlap with the antimicrobial composition in the thickness direction, wherein the absorbent article comprises a joint for joining the first sheet and the second sheet in each of the antimicrobial composition-placed region and the antimicrobial composition-non-placed region, and the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial composition-placed region is lower than the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial composition-non-placed region.

[0006] The absorbent articles relating to this disclosure have excellent antibacterial properties, are less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, and are resistant to deformation.

[0007] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a sanitary napkin 1 according to the second embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a sanitary napkin 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0008] Specifically, this disclosure relates to the following embodiments. [Embodiment 1] An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core having longitudinal, widthwise, and thicknesswise directions that are orthogonal to each other, wherein the absorbent article comprises a liquid-permeable first sheet, a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet, and the absorbent core disposed on the non-skin side of the second sheet, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet comprises an antimicrobial composition comprising a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, wherein the absorbent article comprises an antimicrobial composition-placed region that overlaps with the antimicrobial composition in the thicknesswise direction, and an antimicrobial composition-non-placed region that does not overlap with the antimicrobial composition in the thicknesswise direction, wherein the absorbent article comprises a joint for joining the first sheet and the second sheet in each of the antimicrobial composition-placed region and the antimicrobial composition-non-placed region, and the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial composition-placed region is lower than the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial composition-non-placed region.

[0009] In the absorbent article described above, the antibacterial composition contains a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, making it difficult for the hydrophilic antibacterial agent dissolved in the organic solvent to crystallize. Therefore, in the absorbent article described above, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can be rapidly transferred to the bodily fluids absorbed by the absorbent article, and even after the hydrophilic antibacterial agent has moved to the bodily fluids, it is difficult for the hydrophilic antibacterial agent to crystallize, making it easy for it to exert its antibacterial effect on the bodily fluids. On the other hand, in the absorbent article described above, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is likely to come into contact with the wearer's skin, so there is a risk of skin irritation for wearers with sensitive skin.

[0010] In the absorbent article described above, the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial composition area is lower than that of the joint in the area without the antimicrobial composition, due to the antimicrobial composition, particularly the hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent. Therefore, in the area with the antimicrobial composition, the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent easily exerts an antimicrobial effect on bodily fluids, while the top sheet with a skin-contacting surface can follow the movement of the wearer's skin (hereinafter, the ability of the top sheet to follow the movement of the wearer's skin may be referred to as "top sheet conformability"), thus reducing irritation to the wearer's skin, which may be prone to skin irritation from hydrophilic antimicrobial agents (hereinafter, the reduced irritation to the wearer's skin may be referred to as "skin irritation suppression"). Furthermore, in the area without the antimicrobial composition, the joint can suppress wrinkles, creases, etc., of the absorbent article (hereinafter, the suppression of wrinkles, creases, etc., of the absorbent article by the joint may be referred to as "wrinkle and crease suppression"). Based on the above, the absorbent material described above has excellent antibacterial properties, is less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, and is resistant to deformation.

[0011] [Aspect 2] The absorbent article according to Aspect 1, wherein the combination of the first sheet and the second sheet is a combination of a top sheet and a second sheet having a skin-contact surface, a combination of a top sheet and a core wrap sheet having a skin-contact surface, or a combination of a second sheet and a core wrap sheet. In the above absorbent article, the effects of Aspect 1 are enhanced because the first sheet and the second sheet are selected from predetermined combinations.

[0012] [Aspect 3] The absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the joint is bonded with a hot melt adhesive.

[0013] In the absorbent article described above, the joint is bonded with a hot-melt adhesive. Therefore, in the area where the antibacterial composition is placed, the strength of the joint can be more easily reduced by the antibacterial composition, particularly by a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, improving the top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression, and making it less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, which may be prone to skin irritation due to the hydrophilic antibacterial agent. As a result, the absorbent article described above has excellent antibacterial action of the antibacterial agent, is less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, and is less prone to deformation.

[0014] [Aspect 4] The absorbent article according to aspect 3, wherein, in the thickness direction, the antibacterial composition in the antibacterial composition arrangement region is arranged between the first sheet or the second sheet and the adhesive portion.

[0015] In the absorbent article described above, the antibacterial composition is positioned at a predetermined location in the thickness direction of the absorbent article. Therefore, in the area where the antibacterial composition is positioned, the strength of the joint is more easily reduced by the antibacterial composition, particularly by hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvents, improving the top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression, and reducing irritation to the wearer's skin, which may be prone to skin irritation due to hydrophilic antibacterial agents. As a result, the absorbent article described above has excellent antibacterial action, is less irritating to the wearer's skin, and is less prone to deformation.

[0016] [Aspect 5] The absorbent article according to aspect 3 or 4, wherein the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition area is higher than the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the area where the antibacterial composition is not placed.

[0017] In the absorbent article described above, the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition area and the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the area without the antibacterial composition are in a predetermined relationship, thereby suppressing the peeling of the first and second sheets in the antibacterial composition area. As a result, the absorbent article exhibits excellent absorbency.

[0018] [Aspect 6] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the organic solvent contains a polyhydric alcohol that is liquid at room temperature and pressure.

[0019] In the absorbent article described above, the organic solvent contains a predetermined polyhydric alcohol. Therefore, in the antimicrobial composition area, the antimicrobial composition readily blends with the water in body fluids, making it easier to impart antimicrobial activity to the body fluids. Furthermore, in the antimicrobial composition area, the polyhydric alcohol can improve the permeability of body fluids. In addition, the antimicrobial composition area is more likely to exhibit the top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression properties described above.

[0020] [Aspect 7] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the area where the antimicrobial composition is not placed is located outside the area where the antimicrobial composition is placed in the width direction.

[0021] In the absorbent article described above, the antibacterial composition area and the area without the antibacterial composition are positioned in predetermined locations. Therefore, the antibacterial composition area is more likely to be positioned in the center of the absorbent article in the width direction, and the area without the antibacterial composition is more likely to be positioned outside the antibacterial composition area in the width direction. As a result, the antibacterial composition area, located in the center of the width direction, is more likely to impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids and exhibits excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the area without the antibacterial composition, located outside the antibacterial composition area in the width direction, can exhibit the aforementioned wrinkle and crease suppression properties.

[0022] [Aspect 8] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the area where the antimicrobial composition is not placed is located outside the area where the antimicrobial composition is placed in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] In the absorbent article described above, the antibacterial composition area and the area without the antibacterial composition are positioned in predetermined locations. Therefore, the antibacterial composition area is more likely to be located in the center of the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction, and the area without the antibacterial composition is more likely to be located outside the antibacterial composition area in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the antibacterial composition area, located in the center of the longitudinal direction, is more likely to impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids and exhibits excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the area without the antibacterial composition, located outside the antibacterial composition area in the longitudinal direction, can exhibit the aforementioned wrinkle and crease suppression properties.

[0024] [Aspect 9] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the antibacterial composition area is located in the area in contact with the excretory opening, and the area not containing the antibacterial composition is located so as to surround the antibacterial composition area.

[0025] In the absorbent article described above, the antibacterial composition area and the area without the antibacterial composition are positioned at predetermined locations. Therefore, the area with the antibacterial composition facilitates the imparting of antibacterial action to bodily fluids in the area in contact with the excretory opening, and also exhibits excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the area without the antibacterial composition can exhibit the aforementioned wrinkle and crease suppression properties at the periphery of the area with the antibacterial composition.

[0026] [Aspect 10] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the absorbent article comprises the antibacterial composition on a first sheet, the first sheet being a top sheet having a skin-contact surface and a non-skin-contact surface, and in the antibacterial composition area, the antibacterial composition is more abundantly distributed on the non-skin-contact surface than on the skin-contact surface.

[0027] In the absorbent article described above, the antibacterial composition is distributed in greater quantities on the non-skin contact surface than on the skin contact surface within the antibacterial composition distribution area. Therefore, the amount and opportunity of direct contact between the antibacterial agent and the wearer's skin are suppressed, while the antibacterial agent can quickly exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids.

[0028] [Aspect 11] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein in the antibacterial composition arrangement area, the antibacterial composition is arranged in greater proportion on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core than on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core.

[0029] In the absorbent article described above, the antibacterial composition is distributed in greater quantities on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core than on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core. Therefore, the antibacterial agent can impart its antibacterial effect to the body fluid before it reaches the absorbent core.

[0030] [Aspect 12] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, further comprising a pair of side sheets arranged on both outer sides in the width direction of the first sheet, and further comprising side joints that join the first sheet and the pair of side sheets, wherein the bonding strength of the side joints is higher than the bonding strength of the joints in the antimicrobial composition area.

[0031] In the absorbent article, the bonding strength of the side joint portion is higher than the bonding strength of the joint portion in the antibacterial composition arrangement region. Therefore, in the antibacterial composition arrangement region, while exhibiting the above-described topsheet followability, in the side joint portion, the above-described wrinkle and sag suppression can be exhibited.

[0032] [Aspect 13] The absorbent article further includes a squeezing portion that squeezes the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core, and the antibacterial composition arrangement region and the non-arrangement region of the antibacterial composition are arranged in the squeezing portion. The absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12.

[0033] In the absorbent article, the antibacterial composition arrangement region and the non-arrangement region of the antibacterial composition are arranged in the squeezing portion. Therefore, in the antibacterial composition arrangement region in the squeezing portion, while exhibiting the above-described topsheet followability to a certain extent, in the non-arrangement region of the antibacterial composition in the squeezing portion, the above-described wrinkle and sag suppression can be exhibited.

[0034] The absorbent article according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below. [First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "the first embodiment"), specifically, a sanitary napkin 1. Specifically, FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a back view of the sanitary napkin 1, respectively. FIG. 3 is an end view of the sanitary napkin 1 at the III-III end face of FIG. 1.

[0035] The sanitary napkin 1 includes a topsheet 3 as a first sheet having liquid permeability, a second sheet 5 as a second sheet having liquid permeability disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the topsheet 3, an absorber 9 disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the second sheet 5, and a liquid-impermeable backsheet 15 disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the absorber 9. The second sheet 5 includes a skin-side surface 7a and a non-skin-side surface 7b.

[0036] The absorber 9 includes an absorption core 11, a skin-side core wrap sheet 13a that covers the absorption core 11 from the skin side, and a non-skin-side core wrap sheet 13b that covers the absorption core 11 from the non-skin side. The sanitary napkin 1 includes a pair of side sheets 17 on both outer sides in the width direction W of the top sheet 3. Each of the pair of side sheets 17 has hydrophobicity. The absorption core 11 has a longitudinal direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T that are orthogonal to each other.

[0037] In the sanitary napkin 1, an antibacterial composition 19 containing a hydrophilic antibacterial agent and propylene glycol, which is a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, is disposed on the non-skin side surface 7b of the second sheet 5. Thereby, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can be quickly transferred to the body fluid absorbed by the sanitary napkin 1, and even after the hydrophilic antibacterial agent has moved to the body fluid, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is less likely to crystallize and is more likely to exhibit an antibacterial action on the body fluid. Also, in the antibacterial composition disposition region 21, the antibacterial composition 19 is easily miscible with the moisture in the body fluid and is more likely to impart an antibacterial action to the body fluid. In the antibacterial composition disposition region 21, propylene glycol can improve the permeability of the body fluid, and the antibacterial composition disposition region 21 is more likely to exhibit top sheet followability and skin irritation inhibitory properties. The sanitary napkin 1 includes an antibacterial composition disposition region 21 that overlaps with the antibacterial composition 19 in the thickness direction T and an antibacterial composition non-disposition region 23 that does not overlap with the antibacterial composition 19 in the thickness direction T.

[0038] In each of the antibacterial composition disposition region 21 and the antibacterial composition non-disposition region 23 of the sanitary napkin 1, a first joining portion 31 that joins the top sheet 3 as the first sheet and the second sheet 5 as the second sheet is provided. The first joining portion 31 is a first adhesion portion formed by a hot melt adhesive, and the first adhesion portion is arranged in a coating pattern (not shown) that extends in a wave shape in the longitudinal direction L and is intermittently arranged in the width direction W. The basis weight (basis weight of the hot melt adhesive) of the first joining portion 31 in the antibacterial composition disposition region 21 and the basis weight (basis weight of the hot melt adhesive) of the first joining portion 31 in the antibacterial composition non-disposition region 23 are substantially the same.

[0039] Due to the antibacterial composition 19, particularly the hydrophilic antibacterial agent, the bonding strength of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial composition area 21 is lower than that of the first joint 31 in the area without the antibacterial composition 23. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 has excellent top sheet conformability, skin irritation suppression, and wrinkle and crease suppression.

[0040] Furthermore, in the sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment, the second sheet 5 and the skin-side core wrap sheet 13a can be considered as a liquid-permeable first sheet and a liquid-permeable second sheet, respectively. The sanitary napkin 1 is provided with a second joining portion 33 that joins the second sheet 5 and the skin-side core wrap sheet 13a in the antibacterial composition area 21 and the antibacterial composition non-area 23, respectively. The second joining portion 33 is a second adhesive portion formed with a hot-melt adhesive, and the second adhesive portion is arranged in a coating pattern (not shown) that extends in a wavy shape in the longitudinal direction L and is intermittently arranged in the width direction W. The basis weight of the second joining portion 33 in the antibacterial composition area 21 (basis weight of the hot-melt adhesive) and the basis weight of the second joining portion 33 in the antibacterial composition non-area 23 (basis weight of the hot-melt adhesive) are substantially the same.

[0041] The bonding strength of the second joint 33 in the antibacterial composition area 21 is lower than that of the second joint 33 in the area without the antibacterial composition 23. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 has excellent top sheet conformability, skin irritation suppression, and wrinkle and twist suppression.

[0042] In the antibacterial composition placement area 21, the antibacterial composition 19 is placed between the second joint 33 and the second sheet 5 as a second sheet or the second sheet 5 as a first sheet. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 has excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, as described above, the second joint 33 is a second adhesive part made of hot melt adhesive, which further enhances the top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0043] The antibacterial composition non-placement areas 23 are located on both outer sides in the width direction W of the antibacterial composition placement area 21. As a result, the antibacterial composition placement area 21 is able to easily impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids in the center in the width direction W, and also exhibits excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the antibacterial composition non-placement areas 23 can exhibit the aforementioned wrinkle and crease suppression properties on the outer sides in the width direction of the antibacterial composition placement area 21.

[0044] The antibacterial composition non-placement areas 23 are located on both outer sides of the antibacterial composition placement area 21 in the longitudinal direction L. As a result, the antibacterial composition placement area 21 is able to easily impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids in the center of the longitudinal direction L, and also exhibits excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the antibacterial composition non-placement areas 23 can exhibit the aforementioned wrinkle and crease suppression properties on the outer sides of the antibacterial composition placement area 21 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0045] Furthermore, the antibacterial composition area 21 is located in the area in contact with the excretory opening (not shown), and the area without the antibacterial composition 23 is located surrounding the area with the antibacterial composition 21. As a result, the area with the antibacterial composition 21 makes it easier to impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids in the area in contact with the excretory opening, and also exhibits excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. In addition, the area without the antibacterial composition 23 can exhibit the aforementioned wrinkle and crease suppression at the periphery of the area with the antibacterial composition 21.

[0046] The sanitary napkin 1 further includes a side joint portion 35 that joins the top sheet 3, which serves as the first sheet, to each of the pair of side sheets 17. The side joint portion 35 is composed of a combination of a side adhesive portion 37a that adheres the top sheet 3 and the pair of side sheets 17 to each of them using a hot melt adhesive, and a side embossing portion 37b that embosses the top sheet 3 and the side sheets 17. The bonding strength of the side joint portion 35 is higher than the bonding strength of the first joint portion 31 in the antibacterial composition placement area 21. As a result, the top sheet conformability described above can be exhibited in the antibacterial composition placement area 21, while the wrinkle and twist suppression described above can be exhibited in the side joint portion 35.

[0047] Furthermore, the bonding strength of the side joint 35 is higher than that of the second joint 33 in the antibacterial composition placement area 21. As a result, the top sheet conformability described above can be achieved in the antibacterial composition placement area 21, while the wrinkle and twist suppression described above can be achieved in the side joint 35.

[0048] The sanitary napkin 1 includes a top sheet 3 as a first sheet, a second sheet 5 as a second sheet, and an absorbent core 11, and is equipped with an excretion port contact area compression section 41 located in the area that contacts the excretion port, and an excretion port periphery compression section 43 located outside the excretion port contact area compression section 41, which also compresses the top sheet 3 as a first sheet, the second sheet 5 as a second sheet, and the absorbent core 11. Both the antibacterial composition area 21 and the antibacterial composition non-placement area 23 are located in the excretion port contact area compression section 41. As a result, the antibacterial composition area 21 in the excretion port contact area compression section 41 exhibits the above-mentioned top sheet conformability to a certain extent, while the antibacterial composition non-placement area 23 in the excretion port contact area compression section 41 exhibits the above-mentioned wrinkle and twist suppression.

[0049] The sanitary napkin 1 further includes an absorbent core 11 and an absorbent adhesive portion 101 that adheres the skin-side core wrap sheet 13a, an absorbent adhesive portion 101 that adheres the absorbent core 11 and the non-skin-side core wrap sheet 13b, a back sheet adhesive portion 103 that adheres the side sheet 17 and the non-skin-side core wrap sheet 13b to the back sheet 15, an adhesive portion 105 for fixing the sanitary napkin 1 to clothing, a release sheet 107, a round seal portion 109 that seals the top sheet 3 and the side sheet 17 to the back sheet 15, etc., but these are known components of the sanitary napkin 1 so their explanation will be omitted.

[0050] [Second Embodiment] Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a sanitary napkin 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "second embodiment"). Specifically, Figure 4 is a front view of the sanitary napkin 1. Figure 5 is an end view of the sanitary napkin 1 at the V-V end face of Figure 4. Figures 4 and 5 are drawings corresponding to Figures 1 and 3 of the sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment, respectively. Since the sanitary napkin 1 according to the second embodiment has many similarities to the sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment, the explanation of the sanitary napkin 1 according to the second embodiment will focus on the differences from the sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] The sanitary napkin 1 according to the second embodiment comprises a top sheet 3 as a liquid-permeable first sheet, a second sheet 5 as a liquid-permeable second sheet positioned adjacent to the non-skin side of the top sheet 3, an absorbent 9 positioned adjacent to the non-skin side of the second sheet 5, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 15 positioned adjacent to the non-skin side of the absorbent 9. The top sheet 3 comprises a skin-contact surface 51 which is the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin, and a non-skin-contact surface 53 which is the surface opposite to the skin-contact surface 51.

[0052] The absorbent body 9 comprises an absorbent core 11, a skin-side core wrap sheet 13a that covers the absorbent core 11 from the skin side, and a non-skin-side core wrap sheet 13b that covers the absorbent core 11 from the non-skin side. The sanitary napkin 1 has a pair of side sheets 17 on both outer sides in the width direction W of the top sheet 3. Each of the pair of side sheets 17 is hydrophobic. The absorbent core 11 has a longitudinal direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T that are perpendicular to each other.

[0053] The sanitary napkin 1 contains an antimicrobial composition 19 on the non-skin contact surface 53 of the top sheet 3, which includes a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and propylene glycol, which is a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent. The sanitary napkin 1 comprises an antimicrobial composition area 21 that overlaps with the antimicrobial composition 19 in the thickness direction T, and an antimicrobial composition non-area 23 that does not overlap with the antimicrobial composition 19 in the thickness direction T.

[0054] The sanitary napkin 1 is provided with a first joining portion 31 that joins the top sheet 3 and the second sheet 5 in both the antibacterial composition area 21 and the antibacterial composition non-area 23. The first joining portion 31 is a first adhesive portion formed with a hot melt adhesive, and the first adhesive portion is arranged in a coating pattern (not shown) that extends in a wavy shape in the longitudinal direction L and is intermittently arranged in the width direction W. The basis weight of the first joining portion 31 in the antibacterial composition area 21 (basis weight of the hot melt adhesive) and the basis weight of the first joining portion 31 in the antibacterial composition non-area 23 (basis weight of the hot melt adhesive) are substantially the same.

[0055] Due to the antibacterial composition 19, particularly the hydrophilic antibacterial agent, the bonding strength of the first joint 31 in the antibacterial composition area 21 is lower than that of the first joint 31 in the area without the antibacterial composition 23. As a result, the sanitary napkin 1 has excellent top sheet conformability, skin irritation suppression, and wrinkle and crease suppression.

[0056] In the sanitary napkin 1 according to the second embodiment, in the antibacterial composition area 21, the antibacterial composition 19 is distributed more in the non-skin contact surface 53 than in the skin contact surface 51. More specifically, the antibacterial composition 19 is not distributed on the skin contact surface 51, but is distributed on the non-skin contact surface 53. This allows the antibacterial agent to exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids quickly while suppressing the amount and opportunity of direct contact of the antibacterial agent with the wearer's skin.

[0057] In the sanitary napkin 1 according to the second embodiment, the antibacterial composition area 21 is arranged along the entire length of the sanitary napkin 1. This makes it easier for the antibacterial composition 19 to exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids other than those excreted from the excretory opening, such as sweat, in areas that are prone to sweating and close contact, such as the lower abdomen and buttocks, and are easily touched when moving.

[0058] The absorbent articles relating to this disclosure are not particularly limited as long as they absorb bodily fluids, and include, for example, sanitary napkins, panty liners, shorts-type napkins, tampons, disposable diapers (e.g., adult disposable diapers, baby disposable diapers), urine pads, incontinence pads, absorbent shorts, breast pads, etc.

[0059] The absorbent article described above generally comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbent article may further optionally include a liquid diffusion sheet (hereinafter referred to as a "second sheet") placed between the top sheet and the absorbent core, a liquid diffusion sheet (sometimes referred to as a "third sheet") placed between the absorbent core and the back sheet, and a sheet (e.g., a nonwoven fabric sheet, e.g., a hydrophobic sheet member) placed on the non-skin side of the back sheet.

[0060] The absorbent core of the absorbent article relating to this disclosure may have longitudinal, widthwise, and thicknesswise directions that are orthogonal to each other. The plane orthogonal to the thicknesswise direction may be referred to as the planar direction, and this planar direction includes the longitudinal and widthwise directions. The longitudinal and widthwise directions used in reference to the absorbent article refer to the longitudinal and widthwise directions of the absorbent core, and not to the long and short directions of the absorbent article. Furthermore, in this specification, when the terms longitudinal, widthwise, and / or thicknesswise are used simply, they refer to the longitudinal, widthwise, and / or thicknesswise directions as defined above in reference to the absorbent article.

[0061] The absorbent article according to this disclosure comprises a liquid-permeable first sheet, a liquid-permeable second sheet positioned adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet, and an absorbent core positioned adjacent to or not adjacent to the second sheet on the non-skin side. The first and second sheets are preferably hydrophilic in order to absorb bodily fluids. Note that the adjacentness of the first and second sheets does not include the presence of a joint between the first and second sheets, such as a joint bonded by a hot-melt adhesive.

[0062] Examples of combinations of the first and second sheets include a top sheet and a second sheet with a skin-contact surface, a top sheet and a core wrap sheet with a skin-contact surface, and a second sheet and a core wrap sheet. This makes it easier for the absorbent article to exhibit antibacterial action by antibacterial agents, top sheet conformability, skin irritation suppression, wrinkle and crease suppression, etc. Examples of the top sheet and second sheet include nonwoven fabric and perforated film. Examples of the core wrap sheet include nonwoven fabric and tissue.

[0063] The absorbent article relating to this disclosure comprises an antimicrobial composition containing a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent in one or both of the first and second sheets. The hydrophilic antimicrobial agent means an antimicrobial agent that can be dissolved in 100 g of deionized water at 25°C in 40 g or more in 5 hours. Examples of the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent include cationic antimicrobial agents. Examples of cationic antimicrobial agents include guanidine-based antimicrobial agents, biguanide-based antimicrobial agents, and quaternary ammonium salts. An example of the guanidine-based antimicrobial agent is polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). An example of the biguanide-based antimicrobial agent is polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), also known as polyaminopropyl biguanide. Examples of the quaternary ammonium salts include benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride.

[0064] The above-mentioned organic solvent is hydrophilic and non-volatile. Hydrophilicity of the above-mentioned organic solvent means that it is miscible with water in any ratio. Non-volatility of the above-mentioned organic solvent means that it has a vapor pressure of 50 Pa or less at 25°C.

[0065] Examples of the above organic solvents include polyhydric alcohols (for example, polyhydric alcohols that are liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure) and monohydric alcohols. Room temperature means 25°C, and atmospheric pressure means 1,013 hPa. Examples of polyhydric alcohols that are liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure include glycols and glycerin. Examples of glycols include propylene glycol (PG), dipropylene glycol (DPG), 1,3-butylene glycol (BG), and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400). Examples of monohydric alcohols include 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol.

[0066] The absorbent article relating to this disclosure comprises an antimicrobial composition containing a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent. As a result, the absorbent article allows the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent to be rapidly transferred to the body fluid absorbed by the absorbent article, and even after the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent has moved to the body fluid, it is less likely to crystallize and is more likely to exert its antimicrobial effect on the body fluid.

[0067] The basis weight of the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can be appropriately set according to the antibacterial performance required for the absorbent article. The basis weight of the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can be set in accordance with JIS L 1902:2015 "Test method and antibacterial effect of textile products" to obtain the required antibacterial performance. The required antibacterial performance is defined as showing antibacterial activity with a statistically significant difference of log 2 or higher when the test bacteria used for antibacterial testing are Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

[0068] The basis weight of the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is preferably 0.01 g / m². 2 The above, and more preferably 0.02 g / m³ 2 That concludes the explanation. Furthermore, the basis weight of the hydrophilic antibacterial agent is preferably 1.0 g / m². 2 The following, and more preferably, 0.8 g / m 2 The following applies. Furthermore, the basis weight of the above antibacterial composition is preferably 0.1 g / m². 2 The above, and more preferably 0.3 g / m² 2 That concludes the explanation. Furthermore, the basis weight of the above antibacterial composition is preferably 50.0 g / m². 2The following, and more preferably 40 g / m² 2 The following applies:

[0069] By setting the basis weight of the hydrophilic antibacterial agent within the above range, when evaluating antibacterial activity using Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as test bacteria in JIS L 1902:2015 "Antibacterial Test Method and Antibacterial Effect of Textile Products," it is possible to demonstrate antibacterial activity with a statistically significant difference of log 2 or higher. Furthermore, with the above basis weight, the hydrophilic antibacterial agent can maintain its effectiveness even when the absorbent material repeatedly absorbs bodily fluids.

[0070] In this disclosure, the basis weight of the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent is measured as follows: (1) A material coated with the antimicrobial composition is cut to a predetermined area (e.g., 3 cm x 3 cm) to obtain a sample. (2) The sample is dissolved in a predetermined reagent (e.g., ethanol), and the sample is analyzed using a predetermined analytical method to identify and quantify the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and organic solvent constituting the antimicrobial composition. The organic solvent is analyzed using GC / MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), and the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent is analyzed using LC / MS (high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). (3) The basis weight of the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent is calculated by dividing the mass of the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent obtained in (2) above by the predetermined area of ​​the sample.

[0071] In the absorbent articles relating to this disclosure, it is preferable that the hydrophilic antibacterial agent in the antibacterial composition does not precipitate even when left standing at 0°C for 24 hours. This makes it possible to suppress the crystallization of the hydrophilic antibacterial agent during storage and use of the absorbent articles.

[0072] In this disclosure, the presence or absence of precipitation of the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent is evaluated as follows: (1) Prepare a predetermined amount (e.g., 5 g) of the antimicrobial composition and place it in a petri dish. (2) Leave the petri dish containing the antimicrobial composition to stand for 24 hours at a temperature of 0°C and a relative humidity of 50% RH, and visually check whether or not the hydrophilic antimicrobial agent has precipitated and formed a precipitate.

[0073] In the absorbent articles relating to this disclosure, it is preferable that the hydrophilic antibacterial agent does not precipitate even when twice the mass of water is added at 25°C. This makes it possible to suppress the crystallization of the antibacterial agent in the antibacterial composition when the antibacterial composition comes into contact with bodily fluids.

[0074] In this disclosure, the contact test between the antimicrobial composition and water is carried out as follows: (1) Prepare a predetermined amount (e.g., 5 g) of the antimicrobial composition and place it in a petri dish. (2) At 25°C, add twice the mass of deionized water (e.g., 10 g) to the antimicrobial composition in the petri dish, and visually observe whether or not the antimicrobial agent precipitates in the antimicrobial solution.

[0075] The absorbent article, in its unfolded state, comprises an antibacterial composition area that overlaps with the antibacterial composition in the thickness direction and is located on at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet, and an antibacterial composition non-area that does not overlap with the antibacterial composition in the thickness direction. The antibacterial composition area and the antibacterial composition non-area are terms used to demarcate the absorbent article in the planar direction. The area that demarcates the antibacterial composition area and the antibacterial composition non-area is the area where the sheet on which the antibacterial composition is located (the first sheet and / or the second sheet) is located.

[0076] In this specification, "unfolded state" means the state in which the absorbent article is spread out on a flat surface by stretching the material constituting the absorbent article (e.g., nonwoven fabric) to the extent that it does not tear. In the case of the absorbent article being of the pant type (e.g., panty-type sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, etc.), it means the state in which the fastening part of the pant-type absorbent article is released to separate the ventral and dorsal parts, and the material constituting the pant-type absorbent article (e.g., nonwoven fabric) is stretched to the extent that it does not tear, and the pant-type absorbent article is spread out on a flat surface. Furthermore, in this specification, the unfolded state of the absorbent article may be simply referred to as "unfolded state."

[0077] The absorbent article includes a joint portion that joins the first sheet and the second sheet in each of the antibacterial composition disposed region and the antibacterial composition non-disposed region. As the joint portion, in the technical field of absorbent articles, a joint portion that joins a plurality of sheets can be adopted without particular limitation. For example, an adhesive portion that adheres the first sheet and the second sheet with a hot melt adhesive, an embossed portion that embosses the first sheet and the second sheet by fusion of heat-fusible fibers included in the first sheet and / or the second sheet, a squeezing portion that squeezes the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core, and any combination thereof can be mentioned. Thereby, it becomes easier to reduce the joint strength of the joint portion in the antibacterial composition disposed region than the joint strength of the joint portion in the antibacterial composition non-disposed region.

[0078] When the joint portion is an adhesive portion using a hot melt adhesive, the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition disposed region can be the same as or different from the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition non-disposed region. When the basis weights are different, the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition disposed region can be higher or lower than the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition non-disposed region, and it is preferably higher. By the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition disposed region being high, peeling of the first sheet and the second sheet in the antibacterial composition disposed region can be suppressed.

[0079] When the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition disposed region is the same as the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition non-disposed region, the basis weight of the adhesive portion is preferably 1.0 g / m 2 or more, more preferably 2.0 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 10.0 g / m 2 or less, more preferably 9.0 g / m 2 or less. This is from the viewpoint of the effects according to the present disclosure.

[0080] When the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition disposed region is higher than the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition non-disposed region, the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition disposed region is preferably 2.0 g / m 2 or more, more preferably 3.0 g / m2 The above is true, and preferably 15.0 g / m 2 More preferably, 14.0 g / m 2 The following applies. Furthermore, the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antibacterial composition area is preferably 1.0 g / m², which is lower than the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the area where the antibacterial composition is not placed. 2 More preferably, 2.0 g / m 2 Within the above range, and preferably 8.0 g / m² 2 The following, and more preferably 7.0 g / m² 2 It is high within the following range. This makes it possible to suppress the peeling of the first and second sheets in the antibacterial composition placement area.

[0081] Preferably, the above-mentioned joint is an adhesive joint that bonds the first sheet and the second sheet using a hot-melt adhesive. This makes it easier to reduce the strength of the joint in the antibacterial composition area, further improving the top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression, and making it less likely to irritate the wearer's skin, which may be prone to skin irritation due to hydrophilic antibacterial agents.

[0082] The adhesive portion formed by the hot melt adhesive described above may be arranged continuously on the first sheet and / or the second sheet, or it may be arranged intermittently. An example of the intermittent arrangement is that the adhesive portion includes multiple adhesive parts. The multiple adhesive parts may be arranged such that the adhesive parts extending in the longitudinal direction are spaced apart in the width direction. The adhesive parts extending in the longitudinal direction may be linear, omega-shaped, spiral, wavy, etc.

[0083] In the absorbent article relating to this disclosure, the bonding strength of the joint in the area where the antimicrobial composition is placed is lower than the bonding strength of the joint in the area where the antimicrobial composition is not placed. As a result, the absorbent article is more likely to exhibit antimicrobial activity, top sheet conformability, skin irritation suppression, wrinkle and crease suppression, etc.

[0084] In this disclosure, the bonding strength is measured as follows: (1) Multiple absorbent articles (e.g., absorbent articles from the same package) are left standing for 24 hours in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at a temperature of 25°C ± 5°C and relative humidity of 65 ± 5% RH. (2) A dye (e.g., bromophenol blue solution) is sprayed onto one absorbent article to color the antimicrobial composition area with the dye, thereby identifying the antimicrobial composition area and the area without the antimicrobial composition. (3) From the multiple absorbent articles, samples of the antimicrobial composition area and the area without the antimicrobial composition are cut out from a new absorbent article that has not been sprayed with dye. The sample is based on a length of 70 mm × width of 25 mm (longitudinal direction × width direction), but if it is difficult to obtain a width of 25 mm, the sample may be the widest width that can be obtained.

[0085] (4) Peel off parts of the first and second sheets of the sample in the antibacterial composition area as needed, and attach adhesive tape to each of the first and second sheets to form gripping parts on each of the first and second sheets. (5) Set the gripping parts of the first sheet and the gripping parts of the second sheet in the jig of Instron Japan's 5900 series universal material testing machine with a chuck distance of 20 mm. (6) Perform a T-type peel test on the above sample at 25°C and a speed of 100 mm / min, and measure the maximum load.

[0086] (7) A total of 10 T-type peel tests are performed on samples from different antibacterial composition areas, and the average value of the maximum load is converted to a value per 25 mm width to obtain the bonding strength (N / 25 mm) of the antibacterial composition area. (8) A T-type peel test is also performed on samples from areas without antibacterial composition in the same manner as the samples with antibacterial composition, and the bonding strength (N / 25 mm) of the areas without antibacterial composition is obtained. If the first sheet and / or the second sheet itself is destroyed during the measurement of bonding strength, the bonding strength shall be considered to be higher than the obtained maximum load per 25 mm width.

[0087] In the absorbent article according to this disclosure, the bonding strength of the antimicrobial composition area is preferably 0.5 N / 25 mm or more, more preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.5 N / 25 mm or more. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the antimicrobial composition area is preferably 4.0 N / 25 mm or less, more preferably 3.0 N / 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or less. This is from the viewpoint of top sheet conformability, skin irritation suppression, etc.

[0088] In the absorbent article relating to this disclosure, the bonding strength of the areas not containing the antimicrobial composition is preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or more, more preferably 1.5 N / 25 mm or more, and even more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or more. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the areas not containing the antimicrobial composition is preferably 7.0 N / 25 mm or less, more preferably 5.0 N / 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 4.0 N / 25 mm or less. This is from the viewpoint of wrinkle and crease suppression, etc.

[0089] In the absorbent article according to this disclosure, the bonding strength of the area without the antibacterial composition is preferably 0.5 N / 25 mm or more, and more preferably 0.7 N / 25 mm or more, higher than the bonding strength of the area with the antibacterial composition. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the area without the antibacterial composition is preferably 3.0 N / 25 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or less, higher than the bonding strength of the area with the antibacterial composition. As a result, the absorbent article according to this disclosure has excellent top sheet conformability, skin irritation suppression, and wrinkle and crease suppression.

[0090] The above antibacterial composition can be placed on the skin side, non-skin side and / or inside of the first sheet, the skin side, non-skin side and / or inside of the second sheet, etc. If the first sheet is the top sheet, the skin side and non-skin side are also referred to as the skin-contact surface and non-skin-contact surface, respectively. The above skin side and non-skin side refer to the surface facing the wearer's skin and the surface opposite to it, respectively. The above skin-contact surface and non-skin-contact surface refer to the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin and the surface opposite to it.

[0091] When the joint is a hot melt adhesive, the antibacterial composition in the antibacterial composition placement area may or may not be placed between the first sheet or the second sheet and the joint in the thickness direction, but it is preferable that it is placed. As a result, the strength of the joint tends to be lower in the antibacterial composition placement area, the top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression are further improved, and the wearer's skin, which may be irritated by hydrophilic antibacterial agents, becomes less likely to be irritated.

[0092] In the thickness direction described above, in the sheet on which the antibacterial composition is placed among the first sheet and / or second sheet, it is preferable that the antibacterial composition is more abundant on the non-skin side than on the skin side within the antibacterial composition area. This allows the antibacterial agent to exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids quickly while suppressing the amount and opportunity of direct contact between the antibacterial agent and the wearer's skin.

[0093] In particular, when the first sheet is a top sheet and the antibacterial composition is placed on the top sheet, it is preferable that the antibacterial composition is placed in greater quantities on the non-skin-contact surface of the top sheet than on the skin-contact surface of the top sheet within the antibacterial composition placement area. This allows the hydrophilic antibacterial agent to exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids more quickly while further suppressing the amount and opportunity of direct contact between the hydrophilic antibacterial agent and the wearer's skin. From the viewpoint of further suppressing the amount and opportunity of direct contact between the hydrophilic antibacterial agent and the wearer's skin, it is preferable that the antibacterial composition is not placed on the skin-contact surface of the top sheet.

[0094] In the unfolded state and in the planar direction, the area without the antibacterial composition and the area with the antibacterial composition can be positioned at any position. In the unfolded state and in the width direction, the area without the antibacterial composition is positioned preferably on one side, and more preferably on both sides, of the area with the antibacterial composition. This makes it easier for the area with the antibacterial composition to impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids in the center in the width direction, and also provides excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the area without the antibacterial composition can exhibit the wrinkle and crease suppression properties described above on the outside of the area with the antibacterial composition in the width direction.

[0095] In the unfolded state and in the longitudinal direction, the area without the antibacterial composition is preferably located on one side, and more preferably on both sides, of the area with the antibacterial composition. This makes it easier for the area with the antibacterial composition to impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids in the center of the longitudinal direction, and also provides excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the area without the antibacterial composition can exhibit the wrinkle and crease suppression properties described above on the longitudinal side of the area with the antibacterial composition.

[0096] In the unfolded state, the areas where the antibacterial composition is not placed may extend over the entire longitudinal area. This allows the antibacterial composition to exert its antibacterial effect on bodily fluids other than those excreted from the excretory opening, such as sweat, in areas that are prone to sweating and contact with the body, such as the lower abdomen and buttocks, and are easily touched when moving. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of manufacturing absorbent articles, the antibacterial composition can be applied continuously, which reduces the likelihood of unevenness in the amount (basis weight) of the antibacterial composition applied.

[0097] In the unfolded state and in the planar direction, it is preferable that the antibacterial composition area is located in the area in contact with the excretory opening, and that the area without the antibacterial composition is located surrounding the area with the antibacterial composition. This makes it easier for the area with the antibacterial composition to impart antibacterial action to bodily fluids in the area in contact with the excretory opening, and also provides excellent top sheet conformability and skin irritation suppression. Furthermore, the area without the antibacterial composition can exhibit the wrinkle and crease suppression properties described above at the periphery of the area with the antibacterial composition.

[0098] When an antimicrobial composition is placed on the absorbent core, it is preferable that the antimicrobial composition is more abundant on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core than on the non-skin-facing side. This allows the antimicrobial agent to impart its antimicrobial effect to the body fluid before it reaches the absorbent core.

[0099] The absorbent article according to this disclosure may further comprise a pair of side sheets arranged on both outer sides in the width direction of the first sheet. Each of the pair of side sheets may be joined to the first sheet by a side joint. The side joint may be similar to the joint described above, for example, an adhesive portion that bonds the first sheet and the side sheet with a hot melt adhesive, an embossed portion that embosses the first sheet and the side sheet by fusing the heat-fusible fibers contained in the first sheet and / or the side sheet, or a combination of the adhesive portion and the embossed portion. In this case, it is preferable that the bonding strength of the side joint is higher than the bonding strength of the joint in the antibacterial composition area. This allows the top sheet conformability described above to be exhibited in the antibacterial composition area, while the wrinkle and twist suppression described above can be exhibited in the side joint.

[0100] In this disclosure, the bonding strength at the side joint is measured as follows: (1) Multiple absorbent articles (for example, absorbent articles in the same package) are left standing for 24 hours in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at a temperature of 25°C ± 5°C and relative humidity of 65 ± 5% RH. (2) A sample including the side joint and the leak-proof wall is cut out from the absorbent article. The sample is based on a length of 50 mm × a width of 25 mm (width direction × longitudinal direction), but if it is difficult to obtain a length of 50 mm or a width of 25 mm, the sample may be the maximum length or width that can be obtained. (3) Adhesive tape is attached to the first sheet and the leak-proof wall, and gripping portions are formed on the first sheet and the leak-proof wall. The size of the gripping portion is adjusted as appropriate by the amount of adhesive tape attached, so that the side joint is approximately in the center of the sample.

[0101] (4) Set the gripping portion of the first sheet and the gripping portion of the leak-proof wall in the fixture of Instron Japan's 5900 series universal material testing machine with a chuck distance of 20 mm, so that the side joint is positioned approximately in the center of the chuck. (5) Perform a tensile test on the above sample at 25°C and a speed of 100 mm / min, and measure the maximum load. (6) Perform a total of 10 tensile tests on samples of different absorbent articles, convert the average value of the maximum load to a value per 25 mm width, and obtain the joint strength (N / 25 mm) of the side joint.

[0102] In the absorbent article according to this disclosure, the bonding strength of the side joint is preferably 0.5 N / 25 mm or more, more preferably 0.8 N / 25 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or more, higher than the bonding strength of the joint in the antibacterial composition area. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the side joint is preferably 3.0 N / 25 mm or less, more preferably 2.0 N / 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 1.5 N / 25 mm or less, higher than the bonding strength of the joint in the antibacterial composition area. As a result, the above-mentioned top sheet conformability can be exhibited in the antibacterial composition area, while the above-mentioned wrinkle and twist suppression can be exhibited in the side joint.

[0103] The absorbent article described above may further include a compression section for compressing the first sheet, the second sheet, and the absorbent core. In this case, both the antibacterial composition area and the antibacterial composition non-area may or may not be located in the compression section, but it is preferable that they be located in the compression section. This allows the antibacterial composition area in the compression section to exhibit the top sheet conformability described above to a certain extent, while the non-area of ​​the antibacterial composition in the compression section can exhibit the wrinkle and twist suppression described above.

[0104] 1 Sanitary napkin 3 Top sheet 5 Second sheet 7a Skin side 7b Non-skin side 9 Absorbent core 11 Absorbent core 13a Skin-side core wrap sheet 13b Non-skin-side core wrap sheet 15 Back sheet 17 Side sheet 19 Antimicrobial composition 21 Area where antimicrobial composition is placed 23 Area where antimicrobial composition is not placed 31 First joint 33 Second joint 35 Side joint 37a Side adhesive area 37b Side embossed area 41 Compression area where urinary tract contacts 43 Compression area around urinary tract 51 Skin-contact surface 53 Non-skin-contact surface

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core having longitudinal, widthwise, and thicknesswise directions that are orthogonal to each other, wherein the absorbent article comprises a liquid-permeable first sheet, a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the first sheet, and the absorbent core disposed on the non-skin side of the second sheet, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is provided with an antimicrobial composition comprising a hydrophilic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic and non-volatile organic solvent, wherein the absorbent article comprises an antimicrobial composition-placed region that overlaps with the antimicrobial composition in the thicknesswise direction, and an antimicrobial composition-non-placed region that does not overlap with the antimicrobial composition in the thicknesswise direction, wherein the absorbent article is provided with a joint for joining the first sheet and the second sheet in each of the antimicrobial composition-placed region and the antimicrobial composition-non-placed region, and the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial composition-placed region is lower than the bonding strength of the joint in the antimicrobial composition-non-placed region.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the combination of the first sheet and the second sheet is a combination of a top sheet and a second sheet having a skin-contact surface, a combination of a top sheet and a core wrap sheet having a skin-contact surface, or a combination of a second sheet and a core wrap sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the joint is bonded with a hot melt adhesive.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein, in the thickness direction, the antibacterial composition in the antibacterial composition arrangement region is arranged between the first sheet or the second sheet and the adhesive portion.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the antimicrobial composition area is higher than the basis weight of the adhesive portion in the area where the antimicrobial composition is not placed.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the organic solvent contains a polyhydric alcohol that is liquid at room temperature and pressure.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the area not containing the antimicrobial composition is located outside the area containing the antimicrobial composition in the width direction.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the area not containing the antimicrobial composition is located outside the area containing the antimicrobial composition in the longitudinal direction.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the antimicrobial composition area is located in the area in contact with the excretory opening, and the area not containing the antimicrobial composition is located so as to surround the area containing the antimicrobial composition.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the absorbent article comprises the antimicrobial composition on a first sheet, the first sheet being a top sheet having a skin-contact surface and a non-skin-contact surface, and in the antimicrobial composition area, the antimicrobial composition is more abundantly distributed on the non-skin-contact surface than on the skin-contact surface.

11. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein in the antimicrobial composition placement area, the antimicrobial composition is more abundantly distributed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core than on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core.

12. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a pair of side sheets arranged on both outer sides in the width direction of the first sheet, and further comprising side joints that join the first sheet and the pair of side sheets, wherein the bonding strength of the side joints is higher than the bonding strength of the joints in the antimicrobial composition area.

13. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a compression section for compressing a first sheet, a second sheet, and the absorbent core, wherein the antimicrobial composition area and the antimicrobial composition non-area are located in the compression section.

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