Absorbent implement

The present invention relates to absorbents such as sanitary napkins, women's hygiene pads and urinary incontinence pads.

Various absorbents such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, urinary incontinence pads, and disposable diapers have been developed. When a large amount of bodily fluid is discharged from the wearer, the bodily fluid may flow out from the surface of the absorber and leak out, or even if the bodily fluid does not flow out, the surface of the absorber becomes moist and causes discomfort to the wearer due to wetting. In some cases. In these absorbers, it is extremely important to prevent lateral and anterior-posterior leakage of body fluids. A typical technique for solving this problem is described in Patent Document 1. In this conventional technique, in order to improve absorbability and prevent liquid leakage, a three-dimensional projecting portion is formed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction, and a recess is formed around the outer periphery of the projecting portion. Absorbent.

<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-33054</text></patcit>

<p> Increasing the amount of the absorbent to form a protruding portion in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorber is effective for enhancing the absorbability of body fluids such as menstrual blood. Absorbents that have increased the absorbency of body fluids by providing a projecting portion containing a large amount of absorbent will absorb a large amount of body fluid in the projecting portion, and the surface side sheet of the projecting portion will become damp, and the wearer It tends to cause discomfort due to wetting. An object of the present invention is to provide an absorber that prevents leakage of body fluids such as menstrual blood and does not cause discomfort due to wetting to the wearer.</p>

<p> In the present invention, there is a water-permeable front-side sheet, a water-absorbing layer that holds body fluid absorbed through the front-side sheet, a water-impermeable back-side sheet, and between the front-side sheet and the back-side sheet. , An absorber including a water-conducting layer interposed in a state where at least a part of the water-absorbing layer is in contact with the surface-side sheet, and at least a part of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the surface-side sheet is in contact with the water-conducting layer. It is an absorber characterized by.</p><p> According to the present invention, body fluids such as menstrual blood move from at least a part of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the surface side sheet to the aquifer. Since body fluids such as menstrual blood are guided by the water-absorbing layer to a wide range of the water-absorbing layer and absorbed in a short time, more water is present inside the water-absorbing layer than near the surface. Therefore, since moisture does not stay in the surface-side sheet portion in contact with the skin and is maintained in a state where there is almost no moisture, the wearer is hardly uncomfortable due to wetting.</p><p> Further, since the body fluid such as menstrual blood can be guided to the water absorption layer by the water conducting layer, the amount of body fluid such as menstrual blood absorbed can be increased as compared with the conventional case. Further, since the amount of absorption can be increased, the water absorption layer can be formed with a smaller amount of absorbent material, and the absorber can be made smaller, thinner and lighter. Further, even if it is folded, it does not become bulky as in the case where the projecting portion described in relation to the conventional technique is provided, which is convenient for transportation.</p><p> The present invention is characterized in that at least a part of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the surface side sheet is retracted from the water conveyance layer to form a concave groove with respect to the surrounding region.</p><p> According to the present invention, a concave groove is formed. Body fluids such as menstrual blood discharged from the wearer are temporarily stored in the concave groove. The stored body fluid is transmitted from the side surface and the bottom of the concave groove through the water-conducting layer and absorbed by the water-absorbing layer. Further, even if the supply rate of the discharged liquid is faster than the rate of absorption through the surface layer, it can be temporarily stored in the concave groove. Differences between supply and absorption rates are acceptable. Therefore, the leakage of body fluid can be effectively prevented.</p><p> Since the concave groove is formed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorber, the peripheral portion of the concave groove in the central portion in the longitudinal direction becomes movable and easily shrinks toward the center. Therefore, even a person with a narrow crotch can be suitably used.</p><p> The present invention is characterized in that the water conducting layer is a diffusion water absorption sheet. According to the present invention, the water-conducting layer can diffuse the body fluid absorbed through the surface side sheet over a wide range, and can send the body fluid to each part of the water-absorbing layer.</p><p> The present invention is characterized in that a water-absorbing polymer is interposed between the water-absorbing layers. According to the present invention, the water-absorbing polymer interposed in the water-absorbing layer absorbs a large amount of water, so that the absorption capacity is improved. The absorber can be made lighter and thinner.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorber having excellent absorption capacity and giving the wearer almost no discomfort due to wetting. In addition, since it has an excellent absorption capacity, it is possible to provide a small, thin and lightweight absorber. Therefore, since it does not become bulky even when folded, it is possible to provide an absorber that is convenient for transportation.</p><p> According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent body fluids such as menstrual blood from leaking from the absorber along the surface. Further, even a person with a narrow crotch width can be suitably used because the peripheral portion of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorber can be reduced in the width direction.</p><p> According to the present invention, since the body fluid is absorbed by the water-conducting layer and diffused over a wide range, the body fluid can be sent to a wide range of water-absorbing layers.</p><p> According to the present invention, since the water-absorbing polymer absorbs a large amount of water, the ability to absorb body fluids such as menstrual blood is further improved. The absorber can be made lighter and thinner.</p>

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an absorber 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view seen from the cut plane line AA of FIG.

The absorber 1 includes a water-permeable front surface side sheet 2, an impermeable back surface side sheet 5, a water absorption layer 3 interposed between the front surface side and the back surface side sheets 5, a front surface side sheet 2 and a back surface side sheet. It is composed of 5 including a water absorbing layer 3 and a water conducting layer 4 interposed in a state where at least a part of the water absorbing layer 3 is in contact with the surface side sheet 2.

The front side sheet 2 is realized by, for example, a non-woven fabric. When the absorber 1 is used, the front surface side sheet 2 is arranged on the side that comes into direct contact with the wearer's skin. If a non-woven fabric having a feel similar to that of underwear is used for the front side sheet 2, the wearer can use the absorber 1 without discomfort.

The water absorption layer 3 is composed of, for example, fluff pulp and a water absorption polymer. The water-absorbing polymer consists of, for example, a sodium acrylate salt or a potassium acrylate salt. The water absorption layer 3 can be prevented from leaking from the surface side sheet 2 by absorbing body fluid such as menstrual blood absorbed through the surface side sheet 2 and coagulating and holding it in a gel form. Absorption via the surface side sheet 2 is not necessarily limited to the case where the body fluid that has reached the water absorption layer 3 by directly passing through the surface side sheet 2 is absorbed, but passes through the surface side sheet 2 and passes through the water guide layer 4. It also includes the case where body fluid such as menstrual blood that has reached the water absorption layer 3 is absorbed.

The back surface side sheet 5 is realized by, for example, a thermoplastic synthetic resin such as polyethylene, and can prevent the liquid absorbed by the water absorbing layer 3 from leaking to the outside while the absorber 1 is used. ..

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of body fluid such as menstrual blood in the absorber 1 of the embodiment of the present invention. The arrow in FIG. 3 schematically shows the dispersion path of the liquid in which the body fluid stored in the groove 6 is dispersed by the water conveyance layer 4 or directly through the surface side sheet on both sides in the width direction, and the groove is formed. The liquid in 6 is guided over substantially the entire surface of the water absorption layer 3 and is absorbed by the water absorption layer 3 in a short time.

The water guide layer 4 can be realized by, for example, a diffusion water absorption sheet. As the material of the diffusion water-absorbent sheet, for example, a tissue made of a non-woven fabric in which cellulose is hydrogen-bonded can be used. A part of the water guide layer 4 is in contact with the front surface side sheet 2. The water-conducting layer 4 may be provided only in the portion in contact with the surface-side sheet 2 and its periphery, but is preferably provided over substantially the entire surface of the water-absorbing layer 3 of the absorber 1. A water absorbing layer 3 exists on the water conducting layer 4 in a portion not in contact with the surface side sheet 2. Body fluids such as menstrual blood are guided to the water absorption layer 3 by the water conduction layer 4. When a diffusion water absorption sheet is used as the water conduction layer 4, body fluids such as menstrual blood are absorbed by the diffusion water absorption sheet and diffused to each part of the water conduction layer 4. The water-conducting layer 4 has a significantly higher absorption rate than the absorption rate due to the capillary phenomenon in the water-absorbing layer 3. Body fluids such as menstrual blood that have permeated and diffused into the water-conducting layer 4 are diffused from the lower part to the upper part of the water-absorbing layer 3 and solidified in a gel form. Will exist in large numbers. Therefore, since there is almost no moisture in the two surface-side sheets in contact with the skin, there is almost no discomfort due to wetting of the wearer.

Since the body fluid such as menstrual blood can be distributed to each part of the water absorption layer 3 by the action of the water guide layer 4, the amount of body fluid such as menstrual blood absorbed can be increased as compared with the case where the water guide layer 4 is not provided. Further, since the amount of body fluid absorbed is increased, the water absorbing layer 3 can be formed with a smaller amount of absorbing material, and the body fluid absorbing article can be made smaller, thinner and lighter.

Further, when folded, it does not become bulky as in the case where the projecting portion described in the conventional technique is provided, which is convenient for transportation and carrying.

In one embodiment of the present embodiment, the outer shape of the absorber 1 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably an elliptical gourd shape having a thin overall thickness and a constricted central portion in the longitudinal direction. Since the outer shape of the absorber 1 is constricted at the center in the longitudinal direction, the absorber 1 can be attached to worn shorts without being significantly displaced. In addition, the constriction of the central portion 24 in the longitudinal direction is formed in a concave shape that retracts in the direction close to each other along the curvature of the bases of both feet when worn in the crotch, and follows the shape of the crotch. It is comfortable and prevents the formation of gaps due to wrinkles.

The longest longitudinal length L1 from one end 20 to the other end 21 of the whole longitudinal direction is 18.6 cm, and the longest longitudinal length L2 of the smaller anterior region 22 of the gourd shape is At 8.4 cm, the longest of the larger posterior region 23 of the gourd shape, the length L3 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is 8.7 cm, and the shortest in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the region 24 in the middle portion of the longitudinal direction. However, the length L4 is 7.0 cm. The size and shape of the present invention are not limited to this size, and the size and shape may be changed as appropriate.

At least a part of the above-mentioned intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the surface side sheet 2 can be retracted from the water guiding layer 4 to form a concave groove 6 with respect to the surrounding region.

The concave groove 6 is not particularly limited, but specifically as an example, the longitudinal direction of the smaller front region 22 of the gourd shape on the central axis m passing through the center in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. There is one end 25 of the groove at a position of 20 to 4.6 cm from one end of the groove, and it extends from this one end 25 toward the other end 26 over a length L = 6.3 cm in the longitudinal direction, and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. It is formed with a width W = 1.0 cm in the direction parallel to the front surface, a depth H = 3 mm perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the surface, and the other end 26 is the other rear region 23 of the larger gourd shape. It is formed with a gap of 7.7 cm from the end 21 to the one end 20 side.

The position of the groove 6 is not particularly limited, but the groove 6 is located on the longitudinal central axis m of the absorber 1 from one end 20 in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 1 to 1 of the total length L1. It is preferable to form one end 25 of the concave groove 6 at the / 4 position. The length L of the groove 6 is preferably about 1/3 of the total length L1.

The length L of the groove 6 in the longitudinal direction is not particularly limited, but is preferably 4.0 cm to 12.0 cm. If the length L of the concave groove 6 in the longitudinal direction is less than 4.0 cm, the concave groove 6 may come off from the excretion site due to a misalignment of the absorber 1 or an individual difference in the optimum mounting position. When the length L of the groove 6 in the longitudinal direction is 12.0 cm or more, the fit is deteriorated, which is not preferable.

The width W of the groove 6 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 cm or more and 2.5 cm or less. Further, it is preferably more than 0.7 cm and less than 1.3 cm. If it is less than 0.3 cm, the blood drainage part tends to shift from the concave groove 6 due to its narrowness, which is not practical. Even if it is 0.7 cm or less, the blood drainage portion may deviate from the concave groove 6, and a sufficient body fluid inflow region may not be secured. If it exceeds 1.3 cm, the rigidity of the absorber 1 increases and the fit tends to decrease. If it exceeds 2.5 cm, the contact width with the skin on both sides will be reduced, and body fluids such as menstrual blood will easily leak to the outside.

The depth H of the groove 6 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. If the depth H of the groove is less than 2 mm, a sufficient body fluid inflow region cannot be secured. If the depth H of the groove 6 exceeds 5 mm, the thickness of the absorber 1 may become thick and the wearing comfort may become uncomfortable. If the depth H of the groove 6 exceeds 15 mm, problems such as the surface side sheet 2 may be torn due to stretching may occur.

Further, both ends of the concave groove 6 in the longitudinal direction are not particularly limited, but a rounded shape is preferable. This is to give the skin a soft feel.

By providing the appropriately shaped concave groove 6 at an appropriate position, the supply rate of body fluid such as menstrual blood discharged from the body is temporarily faster than the rate of absorption through the surface side sheet 2. It can be stored in the concave groove 6 of the absorber 1. In addition, since menstrual blood tends to coagulate in a short time and rapidly increase in viscosity, once it is stored in the concave groove 6, it is unlikely to leak to the outside of the absorber 1. Therefore, even if there is a temporary difference between the supply rate and the absorption rate, it is acceptable. Further, if a small amount of body fluid such as menstrual blood overflows from the groove 6, the body fluid such as menstrual blood is directly absorbed from the surface side sheet 2 around the groove 6 to the water absorption layer 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent body fluids such as menstrual blood from leaking from the absorber 1.

Since the concave groove 6 long in the longitudinal direction is provided in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorber 1, the peripheral portion of the concave groove 6 becomes movable and easily shrinks toward the center. Therefore, even a person with a narrow crotch can be suitably used.

The water-permeable front-side sheet 2 and the water-impermeable back-side sheet 5 have substantially the same size, respectively, and their peripheral edges are coated with a hot-melt adhesive and welded by heat and pressure welding. Stick to each other.

The absorber 1 of the present embodiment can be manufactured by the same method as that of a known absorber. For example, a diffusion water-absorbing sheet, which is a water-conducting layer 4, is placed at an appropriate position on the back-side sheet 5. An absorption sheet, which is a water absorption layer in which a portion to be a groove 6 is hollowed out, is placed on the diffusion water absorption sheet at an appropriate position. A hot melt adhesive is applied on the inner peripheral portion of the outer peripheral portion of the back surface side sheet 5 and the bottom portion of the concave groove 6 of the diffusion water absorbing sheet. The surface side sheet 2 is placed on the surface side sheet 2 and heated with a roll having a mold in which the unevenness is inverted and crimped to bond the outer peripheral portion and the concave groove 6 portion, respectively. After that, it is cut to form an outer shape.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorber 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the parts corresponding to the above-described embodiments. The arrow in FIG. 4 schematically shows the dispersion path of the liquid in which the body fluid stored in the groove 6 is dispersed by the water conveyance layer 4 or directly through the surface side sheet on both sides in the width direction, and the groove is formed. The body fluid in 6 is guided over substantially the entire surface of the water-conducting layer 4 and is absorbed by the water-absorbing layers 3 and 3a in a short time.

The absorber 1a of this embodiment includes a water-permeable front surface side sheet 2, a water absorption layer 3 that holds body fluid absorbed through the front surface side sheet 2, a back surface side sheet 5 that has impermeable water, and water absorption. It is composed of a water-conducting layer 4 interposed between the layer 3 and the back surface sheet 5, and a water absorption layer 3a interposed between the water-conducting layer 4 and the back surface sheet 5. The concave groove 6 can be provided as in the above-described embodiment. Further, as these materials, the same materials as those in the above-described embodiment can be used. In the absorber 1a of this embodiment, since the second water absorbing layer 3a is further below the water conducting layer 4, more body fluid such as menstrual blood can be absorbed.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorber 1b according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the parts corresponding to the above-described embodiments. The arrow in FIG. 5 schematically shows the dispersion path of the liquid in which the body fluid stored in the groove 6 is dispersed by the water conveyance layer 4 or directly through the surface side sheet 2, and the body fluid in the groove 6 is dispersed. , It is guided over almost the entire water-conducting layer 4 and absorbed by the water-absorbing layer 3 in a short time.

The absorber 1b of this embodiment has a water-permeable surface-side sheet 2, a water-absorbing layer 3 that holds body fluid absorbed through the surface-side sheet 2, and a water-absorbing layer having a surface in contact with the surface-side sheet 2. It is composed of a water conducting layer 4 surrounded by 3 and a back surface side sheet 5 having impermeable water. Further, as these materials, the same materials as those in the above-described embodiment can be used. The water-conducting layer 4 is formed by a surface-side sheet 2 having a width smaller than that of the water-conducting layer 4 of the above-described embodiment, which is interposed between both ends of the water-absorbing layer 3 in the width direction. As shown, the body fluid can be dispersed from both sides of the water-conducting layer 4 to the water-absorbing layer 3 and absorbed by the water-absorbing layer 3. The structure of the water-conducting layer 4 and the water-absorbing layer 3 of the absorber 1b is such that, for example, the water-conducting layer 4 is placed on the water-absorbing layer 3, and the water-absorbing layer 3 around the water-conducting layer 4 is bent so as to cover the water-absorbing layer 4. It can be realized by doing. The shape of the water-impermeable back surface side sheet 5 is not particularly limited and may be flat, but the surface surface corresponds to the thickness of the water absorbing material between the water conducting layer 4 and the back surface side sheet 5. By inflating in the direction from the side sheet 2 to the back surface side sheet 5, the amount of body fluid absorbed downward from the water-conducting layer by the absorption layer 3 can be increased. In the absorber 1b of this embodiment, since the water-conducting layer 4 is surrounded by the water-absorbing layer 3, more body fluid such as menstrual blood can be absorbed.

The absorbers 1, 1a, and 1b of the respective embodiments of the present invention may be used as they are, but in still another embodiment of the present invention, the absorbers 1, 1a are integrally provided with a wing portion for preventing lateral leakage. It may be realized as a formed sanitary napkin. In these cases, the B direction is used as the front and the C direction is used as the rear.

The absorbers 1, 1a, 1b of this embodiment can also be applied to, for example, sanitary pads, women's hygiene pads such as panty liners, and urinary incontinence pads.

<figref num="1">It is a front view which shows the absorber 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is sectional drawing seen from the cut plane line AA of FIG.</figref><figref num="3">It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the body fluid such as menstrual blood in the absorber 1 of the Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is sectional drawing of the absorber 1a of another embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="5">It is sectional drawing of the absorber 1b of still another embodiment of this invention.</figref>

Code description

1,1a, 1b Absorber 2 Front side sheet 3,3a Water absorption layer 4 Water conveyance layer 5 Back side sheet 6 Concave groove 20 One end of absorber 21 The other end of absorber 22 Front area 23 Rear area 24 Longitudinal middle part Region 25 One end of the recess 26 The other end of the recess