Absorbent Article

ES 2 247 493 T3

DESCRIPTION

Absorbent article.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a diaper, incontinence pad, pad, etc., which is worn by a user and which absorbs and retains body fluids of the user.

Background of the invention

Conventionally, absorbent articles that a user dons in order to absorb and retain body fluids of the user have been known. Such an absorbent article comprises a front or face sheet that allows filtration of body fluids, a back or back sheet that does not allow filtration of body fluids, and an absorbent body that is arranged between the above sheets. Through the absorbent article, the absorbent body absorbs and retains body fluids in order to prevent leakage of body fluids to the outside through the backsheet.

The portion of the above absorbent article that conforms to a wearer's crotch has to be narrow for the wearer to feel comfortable. Therefore, the absorption capacity of the absorbent article is reduced.

Furthermore, the width of the absorbent article varies as a result of the movements of the wearer and this causes folding, twisting, etc., of the absorbent article. Thus, it is difficult to fit the absorbent article to the wearer's crotch to make the wearer feel comfortable.

In order to solve the problems, the following absorbent article has been proposed (with reference to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-354601). Namely, an absorbent article includes a front sheet, a back sheet, attached to the front sheet, and an absorbent body, interposed between the front sheet and the back sheet. Central portions in the longitudinal direction of the front sheet and the absorbent body have bellows-like cross-sectional configurations, and the backsheet is laminated on the absorbent body of the bellows-like configuration.

By this arrangement, the front sheet and the absorbent body expand and contract in order to adapt to the movements of a user, so that the dimension varies in the direction of the width of the absorbent article. Thus, folding and twisting of the absorbent body can be avoided to make the user not feel uncomfortable.

The above absorbent article is manufactured by the following method. Namely, a face sheet and an absorbent are laminated and then pressure formed into a bellows-like configuration by a rotating drum, and then a back sheet is laminated onto the absorbent body. Consequently, because of the pressure forming, the absorbent body tended to stiffen and increase in density, decreasing its absorbent capacity.

WO 91/09580 describes a method for the flat manufacture of a three-dimensional disposable absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad enclosed between two inner and outer cover layers or veils, wherein the absorbent body is constructed from a plurality of elongated narrow bodies or pads, each of which is enclosed between the two veils. The parts of the veils joined together located between the different pads are capable of contracting, so that the faces of the pads come closer to each other.

Compendium of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of such prior art problems and an object thereof is to provide an absorbent article that can maintain absorbent capacity without diminishing a wearer's comfort.

More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) An absorbent article for a wearer to wear to absorb and retain the wearer's bodily fluids, comprising: a face sheet that allows filtering of bodily fluids; a back sheet joined to said face sheet and which does not allow the filtration of body fluids; an absorbent body interposed between said face sheet and said back sheet; wherein said absorbent body includes an intermediate sheet, a first group of absorbent bodies provided on the side of the front sheet of said intermediate sheet, a second group of absorbent bodies provided on the side of the reverse sheet of said intermediate sheet , and an elastic member with elastic ability to shrink said intermediate sheet, said first group of absorbent bodies and said second group of absorbent bodies in the transverse direction; and wherein each of said groups of absorbent bodies has a plurality of band-shaped absorbent bodies extending in the longitudinal direction, the band-shaped absorbent bodies being arranged at predetermined intervals.

The absorbent article can be favorably used as a diaper, incontinence pad, pad, etc.

By the invention of (1), an absorbent body includes an intermediate sheet, a first group of absorbent bodies, arranged on the side of the front sheet of the intermediate sheet, a second group of absorbent bodies, arranged on the side of the reverse sheet of the intermediate sheet, and an elastic member, with elastic ability to shrink the intermediate sheet, the first group of absorbent bodies and the second group of absorbent bodies in the transverse direction. Since the elastic member shrinks in order to reduce the width of the absorbent article, it can be adjusted to a user so that they are comfortable.

Furthermore, as each of the groups of absorbent bodies has a plurality of band-shaped absorbent bodies that extend in the longitudinal direction and these band-shaped absorbent bodies are arranged at predetermined intervals, when the elastic member shrinks, the intermediate sheet assumes a bellows-like configuration and the band-shaped absorbent bodies of the first group of absorbent bodies and of the second group of absorbent bodies come together and increase in specific gravity. In this way, the absorbent capacity per unit area of ​​each of the absorbent bodies can be increased. In addition, the bodily fluids of a user flow along grooves between the respective absorbent bodies at

ES 2 247 493 T3 are band-shaped and spread in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. In this way the absorbent capacity of each of the groups of absorbent bodies can be maintained.

Furthermore, even when the dimension in the transverse direction of the absorbent article varies due to the movements of the wearer, as the spaces between the absorbent web-shaped bodies vary in order to accommodate the variation in the dimension of the absorbent article, it is not they cause folds or twists in the band-shaped absorbent bodies. The absorbent article can adapt to the movements of the wearer safely.

On the other hand, since an intermediate sheet is provided, the flexibility and rigidity of the absorbent article can be ensured.

(2) The absorbent article described above, wherein the spaces between the band-shaped absorbent bodies in at least one of said first group of absorbent bodies and second group of absorbent bodies are large.

By the invention of (2), since the gaps between the band-shaped absorbent bodies are large, even though the absorbent article is considerably narrowed in the transverse direction due to the shrinkage of the elastic member, folding and twisting of the bodies can be avoided. absorbent in the form of a band in order not to diminish the user's comfort Furthermore, even when a large amount of body fluids is excreted with a high frequency, as the grooves in the spaces between the band-shaped absorbent bodies are wide, the body fluids can be spread safely. In this way, the absorbent capacity of the absorbent article can be maintained.

(3) The absorbent article described above, wherein said intermediate sheet allows filtration of body fluids.

By the invention of (3), since an intermediate sheet is provided that allows the filtration of body fluids, the body fluids of a user can be made to flow safely into the second group of absorbent bodies.

(4) The absorbent article described above, wherein said elastic member is arranged substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction of said intermediate sheet, and said intermediate sheet supports said elastic member on the surface of the side of said back sheet.

By the invention of (4), the elastic member is arranged substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate sheet, and the intermediate sheet supports the elastic member on the surface of the reverse sheet side. Namely, the elastic member is supported at a plurality of points by the intermediate sheet, which is exposed in the spaces between the band-shaped absorbent bodies on the reverse sheet side. Thus, the intermediate sheet, the first group of absorbent bodies and the second group of absorbent bodies can be definitively shrunk in the transverse direction. Furthermore, the intermediate sheet can safely assume a bellows-like configuration when the elastic member shrinks.

(5) The absorbent article described above, wherein said intermediate sheet supports said elastic member in portions of the side surface of said reverse sheet corresponding to the back faces of said first group of absorbent bodies.

The invention of (5) provides effects similar to those of the invention of (4).

(6) The absorbent article described above, wherein said elastic member is positioned at a crotch of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said absorbent article.

As a result of the movements of a user, folds and twists tend to easily form in the crotch portion of the absorbent article. Therefore, by the invention of (6), the elastic member is positioned at a crotch of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said absorbent article.

Thus, the absorbent article can conform to the crotch of the wearer and can absorb and hold the wearer's fluids safely without diminishing the wearer's comfort.

(7) The absorbent article described above, wherein said elastic member is integrally formed with said backsheet.

In this case, the backsheet may include an elastic resin, for example, a polyolefin, a polyurethane, a styrene elastomer copolymer, etc., as the main component.

(8) The absorbent article described above, further comprising: leak-proof gathers arranged perpendicularly along both edges in a transverse direction of said face sheet.

By the invention of (8), since the leak-proof gathers are arranged perpendicularly along both edges in a transverse direction of the absorbent article, leakage of body fluids through the edges of the absorbent article can be safely prevented. .

(9) The absorbent article described above, wherein the absorbent article is a disposable diaper.

(10) A method of making an absorbent article for a wearer to wear to absorb and retain the wearer's body fluids, wherein the absorbent article includes a face sheet that allows for filtration of body fluids, a back sheet, joined to the front sheet and that does not allow the filtration of body fluids, and an absorbent body, interposed between the front sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent body including an intermediate sheet, a first group of absorbent bodies, provided on the side of the front sheet of the intermediate sheet, a second group of absorbent bodies, provided on the side of the reverse sheet of the intermediate sheet, and an elastic member with elasticity to shrink the intermediate sheet, the first group of absorbent bodies and the second group of absorbent bodies in the transverse direction, wherein each of the groups of absorbent bodies has a plurality of band-shaped absorbent bodies extending in the longitudinal direction, the band-shaped absorbent bodies being arranged at predetermined intervals, said method comprising the steps of: joining a single continuous absorbent member with the intermediate sheet; cutting portions of the continuous absorbent member at predetermined intervals to form the absorbent web-shaped bodies.

ES 2 247 493 T3

By the invention of (10), the web-shaped absorbent bodies are formed by bonding a single continuous absorbent member to the intermediate sheet and then cutting parts of the continuous absorbent member at predetermined intervals. Therefore, compared to a case where the respective band-shaped absorbent bodies are formed separately by cutting a continuous absorbent member and the cut-formed absorbent bodies are individually joined with the intermediate sheet, the process is simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line AA 'of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line AA 'of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the absorbent article in a state in which an elastic member is shrunk in accordance with the embodiment.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line AA 'of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line BB 'of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line CC 'of Figure 4.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a sectional view along line AA 'of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view along line AA' of Figure 1.

An absorbent article 100 is worn by a user and absorbs and retains body fluids from the user. The absorbent article 100 has a crotch zone b, provided substantially in the central part in the longitudinal direction and fitted to the wearer's crotch, a lower abdominal zone a, provided on an end side in the longitudinal direction and fitted to the lower abdominal of the user, and a buttock area c, provided on the other end side, in the longitudinal direction, and fitted to the buttocks of the user.

This absorbent article 100 has a face sheet 101 that allows the filtration of body fluids, a back sheet 102, which is bonded to the face sheet 101 and does not allow the filtration of body fluids, and an absorbent body 103, which is interposed between the face sheet 101 and the back sheet 102.

Also, although not shown, there are leak-proof gathers arranged perpendicularly along both edges in a transverse direction of the face sheet 101. These leak-proof gathers are forced to shrink by a non-illustrated elastic rubber and conform to the leg portions of a wearer.

The face sheet 101 is formed from a material with hydrophilic and non-irritating properties to the skin. Specifically, the material of the face sheet 101 includes a nonwoven fabric or fabrics prepared by manufacturing methods such as meltblown, heat-weld spinning, air-through, point bonding, needle treatment, wet interlacing, etc. The face sheet 101 is formed from such a non-woven fabric or by blending such non-woven fabrics.

The reverse sheet 102 has the property of not allowing the filtration of body fluids in order to prevent the body fluids absorbed by the absorbent body 103 from escaping to the outside. The backsheet 102 may be formed from a moisture permeable material in order to reduce moisture when the absorbent article 100 is on. The material of the backsheet 102 includes a sheet-like film obtained by forming a film of a synthetic resin, an air-permeable film obtained by incorporating an inorganic filler and performing a stretching process, a paper, a laminate combining a non-woven fabric and a film, and an air-permeable sheet that blocks open-pored liquids, with a pore diameter of the order of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, with a porosity of 10 to 30%, and capillary tubes arranged so that they are directed towards the absorbent body side.

The absorbent body 103 has an intermediate sheet 107 that allows the filtration of body fluids, a first group 103a of absorbent bodies arranged on the side of the obverse sheet 101 of the intermediate sheet 107, a second group 103b of absorbent bodies arranged on the reverse side of the sheet 102 of the middle sheet 107, and an elastic member 106 with elasticity to shrink the middle sheet 107, the first group 103a of absorbent bodies and the second group 103b of absorbent bodies, in the transverse direction.

The first group 103a of absorbent bodies has a plurality of band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a, parallel to each other, extending in the longitudinal direction and the spaces between these band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a define grooves 105a.

The second group 103b of absorbent bodies has a plurality of band-shaped absorbent bodies 104b, parallel to each other, extending in the longitudinal direction and the spaces between these band-shaped absorbent bodies 104b define grooves 105b.

These absorbent bodies 104a, 104b in the form of a band are alternately arranged in relation to the intermediate sheet 107. That is, a band-shaped absorbent body 104a of a first group 103a of absorbent bodies and a slot 105b of a second group 103b of absorbent bodies have interposed between them an intermediate sheet 107, and a slot 105a of a first group 103a of absorbent bodies and an absorbent body 104b in the form of a band of a second group 103b of absorbent bodies have interposed between them an intermediate sheet 107.

The first group 103a of absorbent bodies and the second group 103b of absorbent bodies are formed by bonding a single continuous absorbent to the intermediate sheet 107 and then cutting parts of the continuous absorbent member at predetermined intervals in order to form grooves. 105a, 105b.

The method for manufacturing the first group 103a of absorbent bodies and the second group 103b of absorbent bodies is not limited to the above method.

ES 2 247 493 T3 and, for example, absorbent bodies may be individually arranged in the form of bands at predetermined intervals on the intermediate sheet.

The band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a, 104b absorb and retain body fluids, etc. Preferably, the band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a, 104b are bulky, hold their configurations well, and produce a low level of chemical irritation. Examples of the absorbent body material 104a, 104b in web form include pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate, natural cotton, absorbent polymer, absorbent polymer fibers, synthetic fibers, etc. Specifically, the band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a, 104b are formed from such a material or by mixing such materials.

The elastic member 106 is disposed between the second group 103b of absorbent bodies and the reverse sheet 102 in the crotch area b in a state that the elastic member 106 is tensioned in a direction that intersects the direction in which the elastic members extend. absorbent bodies 104a, 104b in the form of a band.

The elastic member 106 is supported on the surface of the reverse sheet 102 side of the intermediate sheet 107, in grooves 105b of the second group 103b of absorbent bodies.

Furthermore, the elastic member 106 is in contact with, but is not bonded to, the band-shaped absorbent bodies 104b of the second group 103b of absorbent bodies.

The elastic member 106 is not subject to particular restrictions, as long as it has elastic capacity. Examples for the elastic member material 106 include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and polyurethane. The elastic member 106 is formed from a filiform rubber, a flat rubber, an elastic body in the form of a tape, a thermoelastic material, or hydrophilic elastic fibers made from a material mentioned above.

The intermediate sheet 107 is formed from a material with hydrophilic properties and that allows the filtration of body fluids, such as the material of the face sheet 101.

The performances of the absorbent article 100 will now be described with reference to Figures 4-7.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the absorbent article in a state that the elastic member is shrunk. Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line AA 'of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line BB' of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line CC 'of figure 4.

When the elastic member 106 shrinks, as this elastic member 106 is attached at predetermined intervals with the intermediate sheet 107, the distances between grooves 105b of the second group 103b of absorbent bodies, to which the elastic member 106 is attached, decrease, as shown. shown in figure 4. The intermediate sheet 107 then assumes a bellows-like configuration and, according to this change in configuration, the band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a of the first group 103a of absorbent bodies and the band-shaped absorbent bodies 104b of the second group 103b of absorbent bodies take on substantially V-configurations. Thus, the crotch area b of absorbent article 100 assumes a bellows-like configuration.

As the width of the absorbent article 100 decreases due to the shrinkage of the elastic member 106, the absorbent article 100 can fit the user securely without affecting their comfort.

Furthermore, when the elastic material 106 shrinks, the intermediate sheet 107 assumes a bellows-like configuration and the band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a, 104b of the first group 103a of absorbent bodies and of the second group 103b of absorbent bodies come together and increase. in specific gravity. Thus, the absorbent capacity per unit area of ​​each of the groups 103a, 103b of absorbent bodies can be increased. Furthermore, the bodily fluids of a wearer flow along grooves 105a, 105b between the absorbent bodies 104a, 104b in the form of a band, and spread in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 100. Thus the absorbent capacity of each can be maintained. of groups 103a, 103b of absorbent bodies.

Furthermore, even when the dimension in the transverse direction of the absorbent article 100 varies due to the movements of the wearer, since the gaps between absorbent bodies 104a, 104b in the form of a band vary in order to adapt to the change in the dimension of the article 100 , no kinks or twists will occur in the absorbent bodies 104a, 104b in the form of a band. The absorbent article 100 can safely adapt to the movements of the user.

On the other hand, since the intermediate sheet 107 is provided, the flexibility and rigidity of the absorbent article can be ensured.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and modifications, improvements, etc. are included in the present invention within the scope in which the objects of the present invention can be achieved.

For example, although in the above-described embodiment the band-shaped absorbent bodies 104a, 104b are alternately arranged relative to the intermediate sheet 107, the present invention is not limited thereto and, alternatively, the absorbent bodies in Band-shaped can be arranged in the same positions in relation to the intermediate sheet.

On the other hand, although in the present embodiment the elastic member 106 is arranged between the second group 103b of absorbent bodies and the reverse sheet 102, the present invention is not limited thereto, and alternatively, for example, the elastic member may become one-piece with the back sheet.

Furthermore, although in the present invention, only the crotch area b of the absorbent article 100 has a gusseted configuration, the present invention is not limited thereto and, alternatively, the absorbent article 100, as a whole, may have a bellows-like configuration.

The absorbent article according to the present invention provides the following effects.

Since the elastic member shrinks to reduce the width of the absorbent article, the absorbent article can be tightly fitted to a wearer in order to maintain comfort. Furthermore, since each of the groups of absorbent bodies has a plurality of absorbent bodies in the form of a band extending in the longitudinal direction

ES 2 247 493 T3 and these band-shaped absorbent bodies are arranged at predetermined intervals, when the elastic member shrinks, the intermediate sheet acquires a bellows-like configuration and the band-shaped absorbent bodies of the first group of absorbent bodies and from the second group of absorbent bodies come together and increase in specific gravity. In this way, the absorbent capacity per unit area of ​​each group of absorbent bodies can be increased. On the other hand, the bodily fluids of a user flow along grooves between the respective absorbent web-shaped bodies and spread in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. In this way the absorbent capacity of each group of absorbent bodies can be maintained. Furthermore, even if the dimension in the transverse direction of the absorbent article varies as a consequence of the movements of the wearer, since the spaces between the absorbent web-shaped bodies vary in order to adapt to the change in the dimension of the absorbent article, it does not there will be no kinks or twists in the band-shaped absorbent bodies. The absorbent article can adapt to the movements of the wearer safely. On the other hand, since an intermediate sheet is provided, the flexibility and rigidity of the absorbent article can be ensured.