JP6026314B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as urine collection pads, disposable diapers, light incontinence pads, and liners.

Absorbent articles such as urine pads and disposable diapers have an absorbent core that absorbs urine and filth, and the absorbent core includes fluff pulp and a water-absorbent resin. The absorbent core is covered with a core wrap sheet, and the core wrap sheet has a high water absorption and a small amount of liquid return so that the moisture can permeate quickly to the absorbent core and the moisture does not easily spread to the outside. Is required.
As such a core wrap sheet, conventionally, crepe paper made from inexpensive wood pulp fibers has been widely used. However, the crepe paper has a problem that the density is higher than the fluff pulp of the absorbent core and the absorption speed (water absorption) is low.

Therefore, a core wrap sheet in which a fine synthetic fiber having a fineness of 1.0 dtex or less is formed into a sheet, and a core wrap sheet made of a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a meltblown nonwoven fabric have been developed (Patent Documents 1 and 2). Further, a core wrap sheet has been developed in which two types of hydrophilic cellulose fibers having different fiber roughness are made, the basis weight and density are relatively low, and the liquid permeability is improved (Patent Document 3).
Furthermore, a certain amount of bulkiness (high bulk) is required for the core wrap sheet.

Furthermore, as an absorbent body suitable for a thin absorbent article, a sheet-like absorbent body (sheet-like SAP) which is substantially free of fluff mats and has an absorbent layer having a water-absorbing resin and an adhesive laminated on a sheet-like support. (Water absorbent resin)) has been proposed (Patent Document 7). Since this sheet-like SAP does not include a fluff mat, the absorption rate cannot catch up with a relatively large amount of urination, which may cause urine leakage.
Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 7, a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric having a high absorption rate and high bulk is used as a sheet-like support for fixing a water-absorbent resin (SAP).

On the other hand, as a mechanical treatment for obtaining a high-bulk paper product, a method TAD (through air drying) method in which a wet paper is air-dried without press-dehydrating in a dehydration drying process of the papermaking process (Patent Document 4). ), And a method of performing uneven processing on the wet paper web between the formation of the wet paper and the drying process.
Furthermore, there is a method of mechanically treating the web after paper making by embossing or the like. Further, these methods may be combined.
However, in the case of the TAD method described above, the cost of drying energy is enormous. Furthermore, in the method of performing unevenness treatment after paper making, the bond between fibers and the paper layer structure are broken, the web strength is lowered, or the apparent bulk of the web is increased, but the paper layer bulk (caliper) of the web itself is increased ( There is a problem that it is difficult to produce a soft feeling).

On the other hand, in the paper making of conventional paper products, the wet paper web is dehydrated by pressing it with a Yankee dryer at one or two roll press nips through a felt, and further attached to a Yankee dryer (cylinder) and then dried. Creping (crease) is performed when the web is peeled off from the dryer. Moreover, in a press part, like a double felt machine, it presses with the top and bottom rolls of a wet part, and dehydrates, and it may press against a Yankee dryer by a roll press nip after that.
However, there is a problem that the web becomes relatively low bulk due to the pressing to the Yankee dryer. And even if it tries to suppress the bulk fall by creping by adding the above-mentioned bulking agent to a pulp raw material, only the bulkiness effect of about 3 to 5% is obtained at most, On the other hand, intensity | strength falls remarkably.
In addition, the TAD method described above is a technique in which the final drying and creping are performed with a Yankee dryer and dehydrated with a vacuum, and preliminarily dried with a ventilating dryer. And a high bulk web is obtained. However, since the TAD method removes moisture equivalent to press nip dehydration by ventilation heat, it is said that about twice as much drying energy is required as compared with the conventional roll press nip method.

Therefore, as a method of performing high bulk processing in the wet paper process without using the TAD method, a method of adjusting pressure dehydration by a wide press nip called a shoe press method has been proposed (Patent Document 5). The shoe press method can obtain a higher bulk and softness than the conventional roll press nip method, but cannot obtain a higher bulk than the TAD method.
Furthermore, as a method for solving these problems, a paper machine called a fabric press system has been developed (Patent Document 6). The fabric press method follows the conventional press technology, but is provided with unevenness on the web by means of an uneven belt or fabric simultaneously with dewatering. This dewatering and roughening is performed in one or more press nips while the wet web is fed from the felt to the roughening belt, and then the web is transported to a Yankee dryer and dried.
According to the fabric press method, a high bulk equivalent to the TAD method can be obtained while the drying energy is equivalent to that of the conventional roll press nip method.

The structure of the web by the fabric press method is not a woven fabric, but forms a three-dimensional pattern similar to the woven fabric. This is considered because web unevenness is performed as follows. That is, during the pressing process, the fibrous network fills the three-dimensional pattern (pattern) of the concavo-convex belt, but at that time, the three-dimensional pattern of the concavo-convex layer forms a wet fibrous web. Is granted. The wet fibrous webs are moveable relative to each other, so that they take a new position and orientation relative to each other due to the elastic compression of the press felt. Press felt presses the wet fibrous web against the three-dimensional pattern of the textured belt, thereby increasing bulk and softness with the same basis weight and an improved structure.
The bulk of the web is then maintained uncompressed by receiving a fibrous network (network) in cavities in the belt structure while dewatering in the press nip.

JP 2010-148751 JP 2012-105962 A JP 2012-148060 JP-A-8-3890 JP-A-6-158578 Special table 2001-521999 gazette JP 2004-106554 A

However, the core wrap sheet described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is expensive because synthetic fibers and non-woven fabrics are used, and the water absorption is inferior to the core wrap sheet made of wood pulp. is there. Further, the core wrap sheet described in Patent Document 3 is manufactured by making paper in the same manner as existing crepe paper, and it cannot be said that the water absorption is sufficiently high.
Further, even when paper is made using the technique described in Patent Document 6, there is a problem that the water absorption is reduced when the basis weight is lowered.
Moreover, in the case of the technique described in Patent Document 7, a bulky hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is used as the support, and thus there is a problem that the cost of the absorbent article is increased.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article that uses wood pulp fiber as a raw material and that reduces costs, has an excellent absorption rate, and has a low liquid return amount.

In order to solve the above problems, an absorbent article of the present invention is disposed between a liquid-permeable top sheet that forms a body-contacting surface, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and the top sheet and the back sheet. And a sheet-like absorbent body in which an absorbent layer having a water-absorbing resin and an adhesive is laminated with a sheet-like core wrap sheet, wherein the core wrap sheet has pulp as a main component and a basis weight of 15 a ~45g / ^{m 2,} the water absorption amount is 60~230 water-g / ^{m 2,} and water absorbency as defined in the old JIS-S3104 method is 25.0 seconds /0.1ml below, the core wrap The height difference of the unevenness on the surface of the sheet is 100 to 600 μm, and the area ratio of the recesses on the surface is 2 to 12%.

The specific volume of the core wrap sheet is preferably 4.5 to 9.0 cm 3 / g.
It is the square root of the product of the tensile strength WMDT in the longitudinal direction when wet based on the former JIS S3104 and the tensile strength WCDT in the lateral direction when wet of the core wrap sheet (WMDT × WCDT) ^1/2 (WGMT ) Is preferably 2.0 to 6.0 N / 25 mm.
It is preferable to provide a liquid diffusive sheet that is disposed between the top sheet and the body side of the sheet-like absorbent body and improves the liquid diffusibility.
The sheet-like absorber is formed by laminating an upper core wrap sheet, an absorbent layer containing a water absorbent resin and an adhesive, and a lower core wrap sheet in order from the top sheet side. The lower core wrap sheet is preferably composed of the core wrap sheet, and the amount of the water-absorbent resin contained in the sheet-like absorbent body is preferably 100 to 1000 g / m ² .
It is a laminated portion from the upper core wrap sheet to the lower core wrap sheet, and it is preferable that a partial region in the surface direction of the sheet-like absorbent body is integrated by embossing.
It is preferred absorption rate of the water absorbent resin is 20 to 70 seconds at Vortex method absorption rate.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an absorbent article that uses wood pulp fiber as a raw material, reduces costs, has an excellent absorption rate, and has a small liquid return amount.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the absorbent article which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the image acquired with the shape measurement laser microscope. It is a figure which shows an example of the height profile of the line segment L which crosses the observation visual field of an image. It is a figure which shows the image which took in the core wrap sheet | seat surface with the image scanner. It is a figure which shows the measuring method of the water absorption amount of a core wrap sheet | seat. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing apparatus of the web of the core wrap sheet which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a sheet-like absorber.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an absorbent article 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an elongated piece shape, and a liquid-permeable top sheet 202 that forms a body contact side surface (upper surface in FIG. 2). A liquid-impermeable back sheet 204, and a sheet-like absorbent body which is disposed between the top sheet 202 and the back sheet 204 and is laminated with a sheet-like core wrap sheet having a water-absorbing resin and an adhesive. 207. Further, a liquid diffusive sheet 208 for improving the liquid diffusibility is disposed between the top sheet 202 and the body side of the sheet-like absorber 207 (the upper surface side in FIG. 2). A water absorbent fiber layer 210 is disposed between the sheet 204.
The absorbent article 200 is passed in the longitudinal direction before and after the crotch of the user, and is attached so that the top sheet 202 touches the user's skin (crotch), and both sides of the absorbent article 200 are three-dimensional gathers. Standing up as 212 prevents side leakage of urine and the like. Further, the absorbent article 200 has a slightly narrower width near the center of the top sheet 202 so that it can be easily attached to the crotch.

The sheet-like absorbent body 207 is formed by sandwiching an absorbent layer 207x between an upper core wrap sheet 207a and a lower core wrap sheet 207b (see FIG. 8).
Each core wrap sheets 207a, 207b (see FIG. 8 described later) is mainly composed of pulp, basis weight of 15~45g / ^{m 2,} the water absorption amount is 60~230 water-g / ^{m 2,} and The water absorption specified in the old JIS-S3104 method is 25.0 seconds / 0.1 ml or less. By configuring the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b in this way, the absorption speed is excellent, the liquid return amount is small, and the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b (and the absorbent layer 207x laminated with each core wrap sheet (described later) (See Fig. 8)) is not hard, so it feels good.
If the basis weight of each of the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b is less than 15 g / m ² , the strength is lowered, and there is a risk of tearing or liquid leakage when using the absorbent article. When the basis weight exceeds 45 g / m ² , the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b become hard and the absorbent layer 207x becomes hard, resulting in poor adhesion to the user and a feeling of use. The basis weight is preferably 15~45g / ^{m 2,} more preferably 15 to 40 g / ^{m 2,} and most preferably 15 to 35 g / ^{m 2.}
When the water absorption amount of each core wrap sheet 207a, 207b is less than 60 water-g / m ² , the liquid return amount from the absorption layer 207x increases, and moisture easily oozes outside. On the other hand, if the amount of water absorption exceeds 230 water-g / m ² , the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b become hard and the absorbent layer 207x becomes hard, resulting in poor adhesion to the user and a feeling of use. Preferably each core wrap sheet 207a, the water absorption of 207b is 60~230water-g / ^{m 2,} more preferably 80~230water-g / ^{m 2,} is 100~230water-g / ^{m 2} Most preferred.

The water absorption is measured as shown in FIG. First, the core wrap sheet 206 (for the water absorption test, one selected from the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b is represented by reference numeral 206) is used, and a square stencil with a piece of 7.62 cm (3 inches) is used. To make a rectangular test piece with a side of 7.62 cm. The mass of the test piece before water absorption is measured with an electronic balance. The test piece is set in a holder (a jig that fixes three points of the test piece, and the jig is made of a metal that does not absorb moisture).
Next, 1 cm of distilled water is put into a commercially available vat, and the test piece set in the holder is immersed in the distilled water of the vat for 2 minutes. After immersion for 2 minutes, the test piece is taken out of the water together with the holder, and as shown in FIG. 6, a band 310 is attached to one corner 206d of the test piece 206T. The band 310 is obtained by cutting a 1ply general core wrap sheet product into a size of 2 mm wide × 15 mm long and affixing it to a 6 mm portion from the corner 206 d of the test piece toward the center. Next, the holder and the test piece 206T are hung on a stick installed in an empty water tank with the corner 206a facing the corner 206d facing upward, and the lid of the water tank is closed and left for 30 minutes. Thereafter, the holder 320 and the test piece 206T are taken out of the water tank, the band 310 and the holder 320 are removed, and the mass of the test piece 206T is measured with an electronic balance. From the mass change of the test piece 206T before and after being immersed in water, the amount of water absorption (Water-g / m ² ) per 1 m ^{2 of} the test piece is calculated. The measurement was performed 5 times for each sample, and the average value was adopted.
This measurement is performed in accordance with JIS-P8111 method at a temperature of 23 ± 1 ° C. and a humidity of 50 ± 2%. Distilled water is kept at 23 ± 1 ° C.

The water absorption specified in the old JIS-S3104 method for each core wrap sheet 207a, 207b is 25.0 seconds / 0.1 ml or less, and the smaller the value, the better. If the water absorption exceeds 25.0 seconds / 0.1 ml, the absorption rate of the absorbent article decreases. The water absorption is defined in the old JIS-S3104 method, and “0.1 ml” is a dripping amount (milliliter) of water on each of the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b.
The water absorption is preferably 2.3 to 25 seconds / 0.1 ml, more preferably 2.3 to 20 seconds / 0.1 ml, and more preferably 2.3 to 15 seconds / 0.1 ml. Most preferred.

Each of the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b may be made of 100% wood pulp, and may include waste paper pulp and non-wood pulp. In order to obtain the target quality, it is preferable to use wood pulp of NBKP: LBKP = 10: 90 to 90:10 (mass ratio) as a raw material, and a more preferable range is NBKP: LBKP = 20: 80 to 80: 20, A more preferable range is NBKP: LBKP = 30: 70 to 70:30. Pulp produced from Eucalyptus eucalyptus represented by Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus globulus is preferred as the grade of LBKP. Moreover, a waste paper pulp mixing | blending can also be 100 mass%. Waste paper pulp has a large variation in quality, and as the blending ratio increases, the quality of the product, particularly the softness, is greatly affected. Therefore, it is desirable to blend it to 60% by weight or less with respect to the wood pulp.
In addition, in order to ensure appropriate strength for each of the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b, raw materials can be blended by ordinary means, and the strength can be adjusted by beating the pulp fibers. As the beating for obtaining the target quality, 0 to 300 ml, more preferably 0 to 250 ml, and still more preferably 50 to 250 ml filtered water with respect to a commercially available virgin pulp in Canadian standard freeness measured by JIS P8121. Reduce the degree.
Details of the manufacturing method of the core wrap sheets 207a and 207b will be described later.

In the core wrap sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention, the average value of the height difference of the unevenness on the surface is 100 to 600 μm, preferably 100 to 550 μm, more preferably 150 to 500 μm, and the average value of the area ratio of the recesses on the surface is 2. It is preferable that it is ˜12%, preferably 3 to 12%, more preferably 4 to 12%, since the above-mentioned water absorption amount and water absorption degree can be obtained with certainty.
The surface means both surfaces of one sheet.
The height difference of the surface irregularities is measured using a shape measuring laser microscope. The shape measurement laser microscope scans a laser light source, which is a point light source, into pixels obtained by dividing an XY plane in an observation field into a plurality of pixels through an objective lens, and detects reflected light for each pixel with a light receiving element. . Then, the objective lens is driven in the height (Z-axis) direction, and the height information and the reflected light amount are detected with the Z-axis position having the highest reflected light amount as a focal point. By repeating the scanning in this way, an ultra-deep light amount image and a high / low image (information) focused on the whole can be obtained. Since the laser light source is a pinhole confocal optical system, the measurement accuracy is high.
As the shape measurement laser microscope, the product name “Ultra Deep Color 3D Shape Measurement Microscope VK-9510” manufactured by KEYENCE can be used. The product name “VK Viewer” can be used as the observation / measurement software. The measurement conditions are 200x magnification (standard objective lens uses 10x magnification), the measurement mode is color ultra-deep, the gain is adjusted automatically by Auto setting, the measurement pitch is 1μm, the distance (range in the Z-axis direction) Set (μm) to be equal to or greater than the sample paper thickness and measure. Note that the measurement is performed at a location other than the portion mechanically embossed in a process other than the paper machine (for example, an interfolder).

Thereafter, a height profile is acquired from the obtained image using image analysis software (VK Analyzer). First, a line segment L that crosses the observation visual field of the image shown in FIG. 3 is visually drawn so that a white portion and a black portion are adjacent to each other in the image. Since the white portion in FIG. 3 corresponds to the convex portion and the black portion corresponds to the concave portion, the line segment L may be determined so as to cross the portion where the white strong portion and the black strong portion are adjacent to each other. The height profile is acquired by selecting one line segment L for each image. The length of the line segment L is 1.0-1.4 mm. Then, a height profile is obtained as shown in FIG. Here, the height profile in FIG. 4 is a (measurement) cross-sectional curve S representing the unevenness of the actual sample surface, but noise (fiber lumps are present on the surface of the core wrap sheet or the fibers are stretched like a beard. Or a steep peak due to a portion having no fiber), and it is necessary to remove such a noise peak when calculating the height difference of the unevenness.
Therefore, the “contour curve” W is calculated from the cross-sectional curve of the height profile, and the difference between the maximum value MAX and the minimum value MIN of the “contour curve” is defined as the “concave height difference”. Here, the “contour curve” is λc: 250 μm from the cross-sectional curve (where λc is a “filter that defines the boundary between roughness component and waviness component” described in JIS-B0601 “3.1.1.2”). It is a curve obtained by removing the surface roughness component of the above by a low-pass filter.
4 is based on the height of the pedestal on which the sample is placed on the shape measuring laser microscope. In the line segment L, for example, when there is one peak (convex portion) and two valleys (concave portions) adjacent to it, the smallest MIN of the concave portion is used. When there are two peaks (convex parts), the maximum convex MAX is used.
As described above, the field of view of the height profile (length of L) is 1.0-1.4 mm, and surface embossing can be sufficiently avoided during measurement.

The area ratio of the recesses on the surface is obtained by performing image analysis on the surface of the core wrap sheet, considering dark portions below a predetermined threshold as recesses, and calculating the area ratio.
Specifically, the surface of the core wrap sheet is captured as image data as shown in FIG. 5 by a commercially available image scanner (for example, GT-X770 manufactured by Epson), and a predetermined image analysis device (for example, Nippon Paper Unitech) The area ratio of the dark part below a predetermined threshold value is obtained under the conditions of a resolution of 800 dpi and a scan area of 6 cm × 6 cm using an “Easy Scan” (manufactured “Easy Scan”). Here, the above threshold is set to 98% close to the white side when black is 0 bits and white is 255 bits, and each dark part (shadow part) obtained is treated as particles (contamination). The particle diameter (equivalent circle diameter) (μm) is measured. Thereafter, for the particles having a particle size of 200 to 999 μm, the area of each particle was integrated and converted into the area ratio of the dark part (recess) per 1 m ^{2 of} the image area (for example, particles having a measurement area of 0.0036 m ^{2 and} 200 to 999 μm) If the integrated area is 500mm2, the area ratio (%) is 500mm2 ÷ 0.0036m2 x 100 = 13.9%).
In measuring the area ratio, a sample of the core wrap sheet is placed along one side of the core wrap sheet along one side of the scanner so that no wrinkles, perforations, folds, or the like enter the sample, and image data is captured. Next, one side of the core wrap sheet is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the scanner, and each image data is captured (a total of four image data). This operation is repeated twice, and a total of 8 pieces of image data are captured. Further, the same operation is performed 8 times on the other surface of the core wrap sheet sample. The 16 image data of the two surfaces (both sides) of the product thus obtained are subjected to the image analysis described above, the area ratio of the dark part (concave part) is measured, and the average value of these 16 area ratios Is adopted.
If the scan area of 6cm x 6cm (0.0036m2) cannot be secured because the core wrap sheet sample has perforations or creases, the measurement area to be measured at one time may be reduced. Increase the number of measurement points so that the measurement area is at least 0.0036m2. For example, if two points of 3 cm × 6 cm (0.0018 m 2) are measured, the measurement area becomes 0.0036 m 2.

When the height difference of the unevenness and the area ratio of the recesses are in the above ranges, moderate unevenness is generated on the surface of the core wrap sheet, and water is easily absorbed even if the basis weight is low.
On the other hand, when the height difference of the unevenness and the area ratio of the recesses are less than the above range, the unevenness on the surface of the core wrap sheet becomes low and it becomes difficult to absorb water, and the water absorption amount may be less than the above range.
When the height difference of the unevenness and the area ratio of the recesses exceed the above range, it becomes easy to absorb water, but the core wrap sheet becomes hard and the usability may be inferior.
In addition, as an example of the method of managing the height difference of the unevenness and the area ratio of the recessed portion within the above range, it is possible to press the uneven fabric described later against the wet paper web and perform unevenness simultaneously with dehydration.
The core wrap sheet may be mechanically embossed after paper making in a process other than the paper machine (for example, an interfolder). Since the size of these embosses (the height difference of the unevenness and the period of the unevenness) is as large as several millimeters, the effect of improving the water absorption and the amount of water absorption hardly occurs.

Preferably the specific volume of the core wrap sheets are 4.5~9.0cm ³ / g, and more preferably 5.0~9.0cm ³ / g. When the specific volume is less than 4.5 cm ³ / g, the feeling of fluff is poor and the feeling of use may be inferior. On the other hand, if the specific volume exceeds 9.0 cm ³ / g, the bulk (bulkiness) becomes high, but it may be irritating and the feeling of use may deteriorate.
Moreover, it is preferable that WGMT of a core wrap sheet | seat is 2.0-6.0N / 25mm, and it is more preferable that it is 2.5-6.0N / 25mm. If the WGMT is less than 2.0 N / 25 mm, it may be easily shaken and liquid leakage may occur. When WGMT exceeds 6.0 N / 25 mm, it becomes hard and water absorption and water absorption may be reduced.

In addition, the WGMT of the core wrap sheet is a tensile strength WMDT (Wet Machine Direction Tensile strength) in the wet direction according to the former JIS S3104 and a transverse tensile strength WCDT (Wet Cross Direction Tensile strength) in the wet direction. And is expressed by (WMDT × WCDT) ^1/2 (WGMT: Wet Geometric Tensile Strength).

Next, other components of the absorbent article 200 will be described.
The top sheet 202 may be a liquid-permeable hydrophilic non-woven fabric, and is made of a fiber material that is soft to the touch and does not irritate the skin because it contacts the user's skin. The basis weight of the top sheet 202 is preferably 20 g / m ² or more. When the basis weight of the top sheet 202 is less than 20 g / m ² , the amount of liquid return increases, giving the wearer an unpleasant feeling and further causing a rash. As the top sheet 202, an air-through nonwoven fabric, a point bond nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, or the like made of a synthetic fiber such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester can be used. In particular, an air-through nonwoven fabric with a small liquid return amount is suitable.
The back sheet 204 only needs to be formed from a liquid-impermeable material having a waterproof property so that liquid held in the sheet-like absorber 207 does not leak into the underwear, such as a breathable polyethylene film. Although it can be made into a thin plastic film, a cross-like back with micro embossing applied to the back sheet 204 or a non-woven fabric bonded to the outside of the plastic film so that it does not sound harsh during wearing and is soft. A sheet can also be used.
Further, as the back sheet 204, it is preferable to reduce stuffiness using a breathable film.
The water-absorbent fiber layer 210 absorbs the liquid that has not been absorbed by the sheet-like absorbent body 207, and prevents liquid return to the upper part. As the water absorbent fiber layer 210, a wood pulp-based air laid nonwoven fabric or fluff pulp can be laminated to have a water absorption of 5 g / g or more. Further, as the water absorbent fiber layer 210, a product obtained by laminating fluff pulp and containing 50% by mass or less of a water absorbent resin is more excellent in terms of water absorption performance.

The sheet-like absorbent body 207 is formed by laminating an absorbent layer having a water-absorbing resin (high water-absorbing polymer; SAP) and an adhesive with a sheet-like core wrap sheet. Both the water-absorbent resin and the core wrap sheet are bonded with an adhesive, and the absorbent layer can be supported on the surface of the core wrap sheet. For this reason, an absorption layer can be made comparatively thin and the thickness of the whole sheet-like absorber 207 can be made thin.
FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of the sheet-like absorber 207. The sheet-like absorber 207 is configured by laminating an upper core wrap sheet 207a, an absorbent layer 207x, and a lower core wrap sheet 207b in this order.

The absorbent layer 207x includes a water absorbent resin and an adhesive. The adhesive adheres to each water absorbent resin and each core wrap sheet. For this reason, the upper core wrap sheet 207a, the absorbent layer 207x, and the lower core wrap sheet 207b are bonded to each other.
As the SAP, either a crushing type or a pearl type (obtained by a reverse phase suspension polymerization method) can be selected. The water-absorbent resin (SAP) is a polymer having a network-like molecular structure, which absorbs water several hundred times its own weight, swells in a gel state, and retains the water. SAP has a synthetic polymer system and a natural product-derived system. As the synthetic polymer system, a polyacrylic acid system, a polysulfonic acid system, an acrylamide system, a polyvinyl alcohol system, etc. can be used. Although a system, a cellulose system, etc. can be utilized, these are not specifically limited but can be used suitably.

The absorption layer 207x is preferably one that avoids retention of absorbed liquid and quickly diffuses the liquid in the surface direction and lower layer side of the absorption layer 207x. Therefore, it is preferable that the absorption rate of physiological saline by Vortex method water absorbent resin used in absorbent layer 207x is 20 to 70 seconds, more preferably from 30 to 60 seconds, more preferably at 30 to 55 seconds is there.
The absorption rate of physiological saline by the Vortex method is as follows. First, 50 ± 0.1 g of physiological saline is added to a 100 ml beaker containing a rotor (no ring of 8 mmφ × 30 mm), and stirred at 600 rpm using a magnetic stirrer to generate a vortex. Weigh accurately 2.0 ± 0.002 g of the water-absorbent resin and put it in the stirring vortex. The time (seconds) from the addition of the water-absorbent resin particles to the point at which the liquid surface vortex converges is measured. The smaller the absorption rate (time), the faster the absorption rate.

  The median particle diameter (50% particle diameter) of the water-absorbent resin is preferably 100 to 600 μm and more preferably 200 to 500 μm. When the median particle diameter of the water-absorbent resin is less than 100 μm, it contains a large amount of fine powder with low fluidity, and the basic performance of the absorbent layer (liquid holding ability (absorption amount, liquid return amount)) may be inferior. If the median particle diameter of the water-absorbent resin exceeds 600 μm, the absorbent layer and thus the sheet-like absorbent body 207 may become hard or rugged, resulting in poor touch.

The amount of the water absorbent resin contained in the sheet-shaped absorbent body is also changed by the absorption performance required, preferably 100 to 1000 g / ^{m 2,} more preferably from 200 to 800 g / ^{m 2,} more preferably 250 ˜600 g / m ² . If the amount of the water-absorbent resin is less than 100 g / m ² , the sheet-like absorbent body 207 cannot obtain sufficient absorption performance, and the smooth feeling after absorption may be inferior. When the amount of the water absorbent resin exceeds 1000 g / m ² , the sheet-like absorbent body 207 becomes thick, and the softness and the ease of movement may be inferior.
The content ratio of the adhesive in the absorbent layer 207x is preferably 0.05 to 2.0 times that of the water absorbent resin (mass basis). If the content of the adhesive is less than 0.05 times, fixing of the water absorbent resin is insufficient, and if it exceeds 2.0 times, the water absorption of the water absorbent resin may be inhibited or the sheet may become hard. is there. The content ratio of the adhesive is more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 times.

Known water-absorbing resins can be used, and examples thereof include polyacrylic acid-based, starch-based, and cellulose-based resins.
The adhesive is a hot melt adhesive having a melting point of about 100 to 180 ° C., and is a synthetic rubber adhesive such as styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer; ethylene- Examples include olefinic adhesives such as vinyl acetate copolymers. Examples of the method for applying the hot melt adhesive include a curtain coating method and a spiral method in which a molten adhesive is applied in a non-contact manner from a nozzle, a slot method in which a contact method is applied, and known methods can be used.

  Furthermore, after the upper core wrap sheet 207a, the absorbent layer 207x, and the lower core wrap sheet 207b are integrated with the above-mentioned adhesive and the sheet-like absorbent body 207 is laminated, the entire core wrap sheet is subjected to hot embossing. It is a laminated portion from 207a to the lower core wrap sheet 207b, and a partial region in the surface direction of the sheet-like absorbent body 207 can be integrated by embossing. As a result, the liquid is efficiently diffused throughout the sheet-like absorbent body 207, and the water-absorbent resin is strongly fixed. Individual emboss patterns are not particularly limited, such as straight lines, curves, dots, etc., and the pattern shape is also appropriately selected to improve the diffusion of liquid, such as lattice, wave, and akon pattern (acorn continuous shape). can do.

The liquid diffusive sheet 208 is disposed on the lower side of the top sheet 202 to promote the diffusion of urine and filth, and the liquid can be moved to the sheet-like absorbent 207 over a wide range and efficiently absorbed. The liquid diffusive sheet 208 is hydrophilic, has a thickness of 0.5 mm or more, and has a basis weight of 25 g / m ² or more. The air-through nonwoven fabric, point bond nonwoven fabric, and spunbond nonwoven fabric are made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester. Etc. can be used. In particular, an air-through nonwoven fabric with a small liquid return amount is suitable.
The three-dimensional gather 212 can be comprised from water-repellent nonwoven fabrics, such as a spunbond nonwoven fabric and a spunbond / melt blow composite material, and the basis weight thereof is not particularly limited.

  Then, the sheet-like absorbent body 207 is sandwiched between the top sheet 202 and the back sheet 204, and further, the liquid diffusable sheet 208 and the three-dimensional gather 212 are disposed as appropriate, and then the top sheet 202 and the back sheet 204 are placed around the entire circumference. The absorbent article 200 can be manufactured by fixing with a hot melt adhesive. Adhesives include synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymers and styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymers having a melting point of about 100 to 180 ° C .; or olefins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers Hot melt adhesives of the system can be used. The hot melt adhesive application method includes a curtain coating method in which a molten adhesive is applied in a non-contact manner from a nozzle, a spiral method, a slot method in which a contact method is applied, and any known method can be used. .

Next, the manufacturing method of the web of the core wrap sheet which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example of a core wrap sheet web manufacturing apparatus 50.
The apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 7 is a fabric press type paper machine, and can produce the web 103 with the unevenness only by the pressing means without using the ventilation drying (TAD) equipment for preliminary dehydration. The apparatus 50 includes a wet part 2 for forming a continuous web, a press part 3 for dewatering the web to be patterned or uneven, and a drying part 4 for finally drying the web.

The wet section 2 forms a wet paper in the form of a crescent former, a head box 6 for supplying a stock made of fiber and water to the forming area, a forming felt 8 for dehydrating a part of the water of the web, and the forming. It has a wire 9, a plurality of guide rolls 10, and a forming roll 7.
The head box 6 discharges a paper jet at a molding portion 5 between the forming wire 9 and the forming felt 8. The forming wire 9 has an endless loop shape, travels around the plurality of guide rolls 10 and the forming roll 7, and contacts the forming felt 8 with the forming roll 7. Accordingly, the stock discharged to the position 5 is dehydrated by the forming wire 9 to form the fibrous web 101, and the fibrous web 101 is conveyed to the press unit 3 by the forming felt 8. The forming felt 8 is also in the form of an endless loop that travels around a plurality of guide rolls 18.
In addition, the shaping | molding part 5 can also be used as a suction breast roll former.

The press unit 3 includes a main press 11 and a textured fabric 14, and the main press 11 includes a first press element 12 and a second press element 13. The first and second pressing elements 12, 13 are pressed together to form a press nip N1 therebetween. In the example of FIG. 7, the main press 11 is a roll press and forms a twin roll in which the first and second press elements 12 and 13 face each other. And the 1st press element (roll) 12 is located in the loop of the uneven | corrugated fabric 14, the 2nd press element (roll) 13 is located in the loop of the forming felt 8, and forms felt at the press nip N1. 8 and the textured fabric 14 come into contact. The main press 11 may be a long nip press or a shoe press (not shown).
The uneven fabric 14 has an endless loop shape and runs around a plurality of guide rolls 15 and a smooth transfer roll 16 facing the drying unit 4. The uneven fabric 14 contacts with the fibrous web 101 conveyed by the forming felt 8 through the press nip N1 of the main press 11 when traveling around the first press element (roll) 12. And in the press nip N1, the uneven | corrugated fabric 14 dehydrates and uneven | corrugates the fibrous web 101, and forms the uneven | corrugated fibrous web 102. FIG. The uneven fibrous web 102 is conveyed to the transfer roll 16 by the uneven fabric 14.
The transfer roll 16 faces a drying cylinder 19 of the drying unit 4 described later, and forms a transfer nip N2 therebetween. And the uneven | corrugated fibrous web 102 conveyed by the transfer nip N2 is provided only to drying, without performing press and spin-drying | dehydration.

In the press section 3 (press nip N1), the forming felt 8 functions as a water-receiving press felt 17 that is elastically deformable and compressible in the z-direction (thickness direction). The water-receiving press felt 17 immediately separates the textured fibrous web 102 that has passed through the press nip N1, and prevents the web 102 from being wetted again.
While passing through the press section 3, the dryness of each of the webs 101, 102 can be in the range of fiber concentration 15-30% to 42-52%.

The drying unit 4 includes a drying cylinder 19, a creping doctor 21, and a hood 22 that covers the drying cylinder 19. In the example of FIG. 7, the drying cylinder 19 is a Yankee dryer, but other types of drying units (for example, an air-through dryer or a metal drying belt) can be applied. Further, the drying unit may be a single drying unit (for example, one cylinder as shown in FIG. 7), or may be constituted by a plurality of drying units.
The surface of the drying cylinder 19 forms a drying surface 20 for drying the textured fibrous web 102 in the vicinity of the transfer nip N2. The creping doctor 21 is also disposed downstream of the drying surface 20 and crepes the concavo-convex fibrous web 102 dried by the drying surface 20, thereby providing a final web that has been both concavo-convex and creped. 103 is obtained. With crepe is a known method in which paper is mechanically compressed in the machine direction (machine running direction) to form a wavy crease called crepe, and the paper is bulky, soft and water-absorbing. , Imparts surface smoothness, aesthetics (crepe shape), etc.
Then, the uneven fibrous web 102 is transferred from the uneven fabric 14 to the drying surface 20 of the drying cylinder 19 at the transfer nip N2. The pressure in the transfer nip N2 is 1 MPa or less, and the web 102 does not dehydrate at this pressure.
In order to reliably transfer the web 102 from the uneven fabric 14 to the dry surface 20 side, an adhesive may be applied to the dry surface 20 by the spray device 23. The spray device 23 can be placed between the creping doctor 21 and the transfer nip N2 at a position where the drying surface 20 is open.

Examples of the uneven fabric 14 include a mesh-like wire in which metal or synthetic resin (plastic) wires are knitted in the vertical and horizontal directions as warps and wefts. As the number of the wires, the number of warps and wefts may be 20 to 70 / 2.54 cm, preferably 20 to 60 / 2.54 cm, and more preferably 20 to 50 / 2.54 cm. The wire diameter of this wire may be 0.21 to 0.80 mm, preferably 0.25 to 0.80 mm, more preferably 0.30 to 0.80 mm.
When the number of warps and wefts is less than the above range, or when the diameters of the warp and wefts exceed the above range, the unevenness of the surface of the uneven fabric 14 is too strong and the unevenness of the surface of the obtained web is also strong. It becomes too much and the touch (smoothness) may be inferior.
When the number of warps and wefts exceeds the above range, or when the diameters of the warp and weft are less than the above range, the unevenness of the surface of the uneven fabric 14 is too low, and the unevenness of the surface of the obtained web is also The water absorption becomes lower than the above range.
In addition, the general fabric which is not an uneven | corrugated fabric has the number of eyes of a warp and a weft about 70-200 piece / 2.54cm, respectively. The diameters of the warp and the weft are about 0.08 to 0.20 mm.
The number of wires and the wire diameter shown above are the values of the top surface of the wire (surface on which the wet paper and the wire are in contact).

  In addition, in the process which makes a core wrap sheet | seat, the presence or absence of calendering and embossing and the presence or absence of implementation of printing can be selected suitably.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and extends to various modifications and equivalents included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

<Manufacture of core wrap sheet>
With a pulp composition (mass%) of NBKP 50% and LBKP 50%, as a one-ply core wrap sheet having the characteristics shown in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively, using a fabric press type paper machine 50 shown in FIG. A fibrous web 103 was manufactured and cut into a predetermined size.
As the concavo-convex fabric 14, a mesh-like plastic wire knitted longitudinally and laterally as warp and weft was used, and the number of warp and weft meshes and the wire diameter of the wire were defined as shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The following evaluation was performed on the core wrap sheet.
WGMT (Wet Geometric Tensile Strength): Based on the former JIS S3104, the wet tensile strength WMDT and the wet transverse tensile strength WCDT were measured, and the square root of these products was calculated.
Basis weight: measured based on JIS P8124.
Thickness: Measured using a thickness gauge (a dial thickness gauge “PEACOCK” manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho). The measurement conditions were a measurement load of 250 gf and a probe diameter of 30 mm. A sample was placed between the probe and the measurement table, and the gauge was read when the probe was lowered at a speed of 1 mm or less per second. The measurement was performed at 10 different points by stacking 10 samples, and the measurement results were averaged. Then, the average value obtained was divided by the number of sheets to obtain the paper thickness per sheet.
Specific volume: The thickness per sheet was divided by the basis weight and expressed as a volume cm ³ per unit g.
Water absorption: According to the old JIS-S3104 method, 0.1 ml of purified water is dropped at a temperature of 23 ± 1 ° C and humidity of 50 ± 2%, and the time (seconds) that the water drops are absorbed by the core wrap sheet is measured. did.
Water absorption: measured as described above.
Level difference of unevenness on the front and back surfaces of the core wrap sheet and the area ratio of the recesses: measured as described above. In addition, the average value of the value of each core wrap sheet | seat front and back was employ | adopted.

<Manufacture of absorbent articles>
Next, the absorbent article 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was manufactured using the core wrap sheet. The top sheet 202 is a 25 g / m ² air-through nonwoven fabric, the back sheet 204 is a 32 g / m ² breathable polyethylene sheet, and the liquid diffusive sheet (Example 10 only) is a 25 g / m ² air-through nonwoven fabric. did. The water-absorbent fiber layer 210 was a 75 g / m ² airlaid nonwoven fabric based on wood pulp.
The sheet-like absorbent body 207 was manufactured by laminating the following absorption layer and the core wrap sheet as shown in FIG. Further, as the absorbent resin, one having an absorption rate of physiological saline by the Vortex method for 42 seconds and a median particle diameter of 380 μm was used. The amount of the absorbent resin was 290 g / m ² .
The sheet-like absorber 207 has a length of 420 mm and a width of 150 mm, and the outer dimensions of the top sheet 202 and the back sheet 204 surrounding the sheet-like absorber 207 are 480 mm in length and 195 mm in width.
The following evaluation was performed about the obtained absorbent article 200.

Absorption speed of the absorbent article: A cylindrical measuring jig having a bottom area of 16.8 cm ^{2 with} a weight of 755.6 g and a hole with an inner diameter of 19 mm in the center is placed on the center of the absorbent article 200, and the measuring jig 20 ml of physiological saline was injected from the upper hole. The time from when the physiological saline contacted the water absorbent article 200 until the physiological saline was completely sucked into the edge of the jig center hole was measured (first time). Then, 20 ml of physiological saline is injected again after 3 minutes, and the time until absorption is similarly measured (second time). After further 3 minutes, 20 ml of physiological saline is injected again and absorbed similarly. Was measured (the third time). In addition, the measurement of each absorption rate of the above-mentioned 1st time, 2nd time, and 3rd time was made into the average value of what was performed about all N = 3 samples. Moreover, the total value of each absorption rate of the 1st time-the 3rd time was also calculated. The total value is preferably 50 to 120 seconds, more preferably 50 to 100 seconds, and most preferably 50 to 80 seconds.
Liquid return amount: 120 ml of physiological saline was injected into the center of the absorbent article 200, and after 10 minutes, pre-weighted filter paper (No. 2 filter paper manufactured by ADVANTEC, diameter 55 mm) was placed at the center of the injection part, A 687 g weight was placed on the filter paper (pressure: 35 g / cm ² ). One minute after placing the weight, the weight of the filter paper was measured, and the weight difference (g) of the filter paper before and after the test was defined as the liquid return amount. The liquid return amount was an average value of N = 3 samples. The liquid return amount is preferably 0 to 0.8 g, more preferably 0 to 0.4 g.
Thickness of the absorbent article 200: Using a dial gauge (“Peacock dial gauge” manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho), a weight was placed on the dial gauge so that a load of 3432 Pa was applied, and the absorbent article 200 was measured in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. The thickness of the central part was measured.
Softness of the sheet-like absorbent body 207: The sensory evaluation was performed by 20 monitors. The evaluation method touched sheet-like absorber itself with the hand, and evaluated the tactile sense on the following references | standards. If the evaluation is ○, there is no practical problem.
○: Soft △: Slightly hard ×: Hard Note that the basis weight, tensile strength (WGMT), thickness, and specific volume were measured under the temperature and humidity conditions specified in JIS-P8111 (23 ± 1 ° C, 50 ± 2 % RH) after holding in equilibrium.

  The obtained results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Tables 1 to 2 is apparent from a basis weight of 15~45g / ^{m 2,} the water absorption amount is 60~230 water-g / ^{m 2,} the following core wrap sheet water absorbency 25.0 seconds /0.1ml In the case of each Example in which an absorbent article was produced using the above, the absorption rate of the obtained absorbent article (meaning that the total value from the first to the third time is small) is high, and the liquid return amount (g / 120 ml) was small.
In the case of each example, because the core wrap sheet was made by pressing the predetermined uneven fabric to the wet paper web and making the unevenness simultaneously with dehydration, the height difference of the unevenness on the front and back surfaces is 100 to 600 μm, The average value of the area ratio of the recesses on the front and back surfaces was 2 to 12%.
Further, in each example, in the case of Example 5 in which the number of warps and wefts of the uneven fabric is maximized and the wire diameter is the thinnest, the surface unevenness is lower than the other examples, Although the values of the height difference and the area ratio of the recesses were smaller than those of the other examples, the absorption rate and the liquid return amount of the obtained absorbent article were at a level causing no practical problem.
In Example 9, in which the number of warps and wefts of the uneven fabric was minimized and the wire diameter was the thickest, the surface unevenness was higher than in other examples, the unevenness level difference and the area ratio of the recesses Although the value was larger than that of the other examples, the absorption rate and the liquid return amount of the obtained absorbent article were at a level with no practical problem.
Further, in the case of Example 10 in which a liquid diffusable sheet (see FIG. 2) is further provided with respect to the absorbent article of Example 1, the absorption speed and liquid return amount of the absorbent article are further improved as compared with Example 1. did.

On the other hand, in the case of Comparative Example 1 in which the basis weight of the core wrap sheet is less than 15 g / m ² , the water absorption of the core wrap sheet is less than 60 water-g / m ^2, and the absorbent article manufactured using this core wrap sheet The liquid return amount exceeded 0.8 g. In the case of Comparative Example 1, the strength (WGMT) of the core wrap sheet was also reduced to less than 2.0 N / 25 mm, and was easily broken.
In the case of Comparative Example ^{2 in} which the basis weight of the core wrap sheet exceeds 45 g / m ² , the water absorption amount of the core wrap sheet exceeds 230 water-g / m ^2, and in the absorbent article manufactured using this core wrap sheet, The sheet-like absorber became hard and the usability was poor.
In the case of Comparative Example 3 in which the number of warp and weft yarns of the uneven fabric was increased from that of the example and the wire diameter was made thinner than that of the example, the unevenness of the surface of the core wrap sheet was too low, The value of the area ratio is less than the above range, the water absorption amount and water absorption of the core wrap sheet are inferior, and the absorption rate of the obtained absorbent article (total value from the first to the third) exceeds 120 seconds / 60ml (In other words, the absorption rate itself was slow), and the liquid return amount exceeded 0.8 g.
In the case of Comparative Example 4 in which the number of warp and weft yarns of the uneven fabric is less than that of the example and the wire diameter is thicker than that of the example, the unevenness of the surface of the core wrap sheet becomes too high, The value of area ratio exceeded the said range, and the liquid return amount of the obtained absorbent article exceeded 0.8g.
In the case of Comparative Example 5 in which the core wrap sheet was manufactured by the conventional papermaking method without using the uneven fabric, the unevenness on the surface of the core wrap sheet was too low, and the height difference of the unevenness was less than the above range, The amount of water absorption and the degree of water absorption were inferior, and the liquid return amount of the obtained absorbent article exceeded 0.8 g.
The WGMT (strength) can be appropriately adjusted depending on, for example, the raw material of the pulp and its blending amount, the beating degree, the presence / absence of addition of a paper strength agent, and papermaking conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Concavity and convexity fabric 101 Fibrous web 200 Absorbent article 202 Top sheet 204 Back sheet 207 Sheet-like absorber 206, 207a, 207b Core wrap sheet 207x Absorbing layer 208 Liquid diffusion sheet

Claims (7)

A liquid permeable top sheet forming a body contact side surface, a liquid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet and having a water absorbent resin and an adhesive An absorbent article including a sheet-shaped absorbent body laminated with a core-shaped core wrap sheet,
The core wrap sheet is mainly composed of pulp, basis weight of 15~45g / ^{m 2,} the water absorption amount is 60~230 water-g / ^{m 2,} and water absorbency as defined in the old JIS-S3104 Method Is 25.0 seconds / 0.1 ml or less,
An absorbent article, wherein the height difference of the irregularities on the surface of the core wrap sheet is 100 to 600 μm and the area ratio of the concave portions on the surface is 2 to 12%. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the specific volume of the core wrap sheet is 4.5 to 9.0 cm3 / g. It is the square root of the product of the tensile strength WMDT in the longitudinal direction when wet based on the former JIS S3104 and the tensile strength WCDT in the lateral direction when wet of the core wrap sheet (WMDT × WCDT) ^1/2 (WGMT ) Is 2.0 to 6.0 N / 25 mm. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2. The absorptive article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 provided with the liquid diffusion sheet which is arranged between said top sheet and the body side of said sheet-like absorber, and improves the diffusibility of liquid. The sheet-like absorber is formed by laminating an upper core wrap sheet, an absorbent layer containing a water absorbent resin and an adhesive, and a lower core wrap sheet in order from the top sheet side.
The upper core wrap sheet and the lower core wrap sheet are both composed of the core wrap sheet,
The absorbent article according to claim 1 the amount of the water absorbent resin contained in the sheet-shaped absorbent body is 100 to 1000 g / ^{m 2.} The absorbent article according to claim 5, which is a laminated portion from the upper core wrap sheet to the lower core wrap sheet, and a partial region in the surface direction of the sheet-like absorbent body is integrated by embossing. . The absorbent article according to the suction claim 5 or 6 absorption rate of the aqueous resin is 20 to 70 seconds at Vortex method absorption rate.