JP7598345B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article having an antibacterial agent.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose absorbent articles having an antibacterial agent. In the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, an antibacterial agent is disposed in the absorbent body. In the absorbent article of Patent Document 2, an antibacterial sheet is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body. The absorbent articles of Patent Documents 1 and 2 can exert an antibacterial effect on bodily fluids drawn into the absorbent article.

JP 2018-166940 A JP 2011-30901 A

However, the above-mentioned absorbent articles have the following problems.
The antibacterial agent in the absorbent article may fall off during the process of transporting the absorbent article before use, and may not provide a sufficient antibacterial effect when used. Also, when attaching the absorbent article to a worn article, the antibacterial agent may fall off during the process of attaching the absorbent article, and may not provide a sufficient antibacterial effect when used.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide an absorbent article that suppresses the loss of antibacterial agents before use and can exert an antibacterial effect when the absorbent article is in use.

The absorbent article has a front-rear direction and a width direction that are perpendicular to each other, an absorbent body, a main body top sheet that is arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent body and contacts the wearer's skin, a flap portion that extends outward in the width direction than the absorbent body, and a flap fastening portion that is arranged on the non-skin side of the flap portion and fastens to the worn article. Before use of the absorbent article, the flap portion is folded inward in the width direction to cover the skin side of the main body top sheet. A flap release sheet that covers the flap fastening portion in a flap folded state in which the flap portion is folded. An antibacterial agent is arranged on the non-skin side of the main body top sheet and on the skin side of the non-skin side of the absorbent body. The flap release sheet covers the antibacterial agent.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article in an unfolded state as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article in an unfolded state as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article in an unfolded state as viewed from the non-skin side. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the absorbent article with the flaps folded, as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the absorbent article in a folded rear state as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the body side sheet and the absorbent core.

(1) Overview of the embodiment At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.
The absorbent article according to the first aspect has a front-rear direction and a width direction perpendicular to each other, an absorbent body, a main body top sheet arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent body and in contact with the skin of the wearer, a flap portion extending outward in the width direction than the absorbent body, and a flap fastening portion arranged on the non-skin side of the flap portion and fastened to a worn article. The flap portion is folded inward in the width direction before use of the absorbent article to cover the skin side of the main body top sheet. A flap release sheet is provided that covers the flap fastening portion in a flap folded state in which the flap portion is folded. An antibacterial agent is arranged on the non-skin side of the main body top sheet and on the skin side of the non-skin side of the absorbent body. The flap release sheet covers the antibacterial agent. According to this aspect, the flap release sheet covers the antibacterial agent from the skin side of the main body top sheet, and it is possible to prevent the antibacterial agent from falling off from the main body top sheet side during transportation before use. By preventing the antibacterial agent from falling off before use, the antibacterial effect can be exerted during use. In addition, the antibacterial agent is located on the non-skin side of the main top sheet, which is less likely to come into direct contact with the wearer, and the discomfort caused by the antibacterial agent coming into direct contact with the wearer's skin can be suppressed. Therefore, by increasing the content of the antibacterial agent, an appropriate amount of the antibacterial agent can be blended, and by preventing the antibacterial agent from falling off using the flap release sheet, an appropriate antibacterial effect can be provided to the wearer during use.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1. The flap portion is disposed in the crotch region of the absorbent article, and is a wing that is folded back to the non-skin side of the worn article when in use. The rear region behind the crotch region overlaps with the flap release sheet in a rear-folded state in which the flap is folded inward in the front-to-rear direction in the flap folded state. The antibacterial agent is disposed in the rear region where the flap release sheet overlaps. According to this embodiment, the antibacterial agent is disposed in the rear region, and the flap release sheet can prevent the antibacterial agent from falling off. The rear region is located behind the crotch region disposed opposite the excretory opening (e.g., the vaginal opening), and corresponds to a portion (e.g., the perineum) through which body fluids tend to flow from the excretory opening. The antibacterial effect can be exerted in the portion through which body fluids tend to flow from the excretory opening when in use.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 3 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 1 or 2. The flap portion has a flap top sheet that abuts against the main body top sheet in the flap folded state. The flap top sheet has a flap skin side region located on the skin side of the center in the thickness direction of the flap top sheet. The main body top sheet has a main body skin side region located on the skin side of the center in the thickness direction of the main body top sheet, and a main body non-skin side region located on the non-skin side of the center in the thickness direction of the main body top sheet. The amount of antibacterial agent in the main body non-skin side region is greater than the amount of antibacterial agent in the main body skin side region. The amount of antibacterial agent in the flap skin side region is less than the amount of antibacterial agent in the main body skin side region. The amount of antibacterial agent in the main body non-skin side region is greater than the amount of antibacterial agent in the main body skin side region. This allows the antibacterial agent to exert an antibacterial effect on body fluids drawn inside while suppressing direct contact of the antibacterial agent with the wearer's skin. The amount of antibacterial agent in the flap skin side region is less than the amount of antibacterial agent in the main body skin side region. This prevents the antibacterial agent from coming into direct contact with the inside of the thighs. On the other hand, bodily fluids tend to adhere to the main body top sheet more easily than to the flap top sheet. By distributing a large amount of antibacterial agent in the area of the main body facing the skin, the antibacterial agent can be distributed efficiently, and the antibacterial effect can be achieved with the appropriate amount of antibacterial agent.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 4 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3. The absorbent article has a back sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, a main body fastening part arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet and in an area overlapping the absorbent body, and a main body cover sheet that covers the main body fastening part before use of the absorbent article. The peel strength between the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part is lower than the peel strength between the flap release sheet and the flap fastening part. According to this embodiment, since the strength required to peel the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part is relatively low, the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part can be smoothly peeled off, and the antibacterial agent can be prevented from falling off. In addition, the peel strength between the flap release sheet and the flap fastening part is relatively high, and the flap release sheet can be prevented from unintentionally peeling off from the flap fastening part when the main body fastening part is fastened to the wearing article. Therefore, the main body top sheet is continuously covered by the flap release sheet when the main body fastening part is fastened to the wearing article, and the antibacterial agent can be further prevented from falling off.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 5 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 4. The antibacterial agent has a first antibacterial agent and a second antibacterial agent located closer to the skin than the first antibacterial agent. According to this embodiment, the first antibacterial agent and the second antibacterial agent are provided at different positions in the thickness direction of the absorbent article. Therefore, the timing at which the antibacterial effect is exerted differs. Therefore, different antibacterial effects can be exerted at different times, and a more appropriate antibacterial effect can be imparted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 6 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 5. The first antibacterial agent is disposed in the main body top sheet, and the second antibacterial agent is disposed in the absorbent body. According to this embodiment, since the second antibacterial agent is disposed in the absorbent body, the antibacterial effect can be exerted on the body fluid retained in the absorbent body for a long period of time while the body fluid remains in the absorbent body. Therefore, the proliferation of bacteria in the absorbent body can be suppressed, and the generation of bad odor can be suppressed. In addition, since the first antibacterial agent is disposed in the main body top sheet, the antibacterial effect can be exerted in the process in which the body fluid discharged from the wearer is guided to the absorbent body, and the antibacterial effect can also be exerted in the process in which the body fluid once drawn to the non-skin side returns to the skin side. Even if the body fluid once drawn to the non-skin side returns to the skin side and adheres to the skin, the discomfort can be suppressed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 7 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 6. The second antibacterial agent is disposed in a core wrap that covers the absorbent core, and the density of the core wrap is higher than the density of the main body top sheet. According to this embodiment, when the bodily fluid core wrap that has been drawn to the non-skin side is transferred, the core wrap has a relatively high fiber density, and the liquid can be diffused while the antibacterial effect is exerted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 8 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 6 or 7. The first antibacterial agent is disposed together with at least one of an aloe component and a mint component. According to this embodiment, by providing at least one of an aloe component and a mint component to the main body top sheet, an antibacterial effect can be exerted against bodily fluids passing through the main body top sheet, while at the same time, a protective effect on the skin can be exerted by at least one of the aloe component and the mint component.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 9 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 5 to 8. In a first direction, which is one of the front-rear direction and the width direction, the length of the first region in which the first antibacterial agent is disposed is shorter than the length of the second region in which the second antibacterial agent is disposed. Since the length of the first region in the first direction is short, the first region in which the effect of the first antibacterial agent can be exerted is locally disposed, and the antibacterial effect can be exerted intensively in the first region. For example, by arranging the first antibacterial agent in a region facing the excretory opening (vaginal opening), the antibacterial effect can be exerted quickly and appropriately against the body fluid discharged from the excretory opening. On the other hand, since the length of the second region in the first direction is long , the antibacterial effect can be exerted over a wide range against the body fluid drawn into the non-skin side.

According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 10 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 9. In a second direction, which is the other of the front-rear direction and the width direction, the length of the first region is longer than the length of the second region. According to this aspect, the first region is relatively short in the first direction and relatively long in the second direction. On the other hand, the second region is relatively long in the first direction and relatively short in the second direction. Since the length relationship between the first region and the second region differs depending on the direction, the arrangement of the antibacterial agents can be adjusted according to the diffusion mode of the sheet in which the first antibacterial agent and the second antibacterial agent are respectively arranged, and an appropriate antibacterial effect can be exerted against the diffusing body fluid.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 11 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 9 or 10. The absorbent article has a side sheet that covers the outer portion of the main body top sheet. The first direction is the width direction. The second antibacterial agent is disposed in an area overlapping the side sheet. According to this embodiment, the second antibacterial agent located on the non-skin side has a longer widthwise length than the first antibacterial agent, and can exert an antibacterial effect over a wide range in the width direction. Since the second antibacterial agent is disposed in an area overlapping the side sheet, even if a body fluid that comes into contact with the second antibacterial agent disposed over a wide range in the width direction rewets the body fluid, the antibacterial agent can be prevented from adhering to the side of the excretory opening (e.g., the labia majora) via the body fluid. Therefore, discomfort on the skin can be prevented.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 12 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 11. The antibacterial agent is solid at room temperature. Since the antibacterial agent is solid at room temperature and does not volatilize, the antibacterial agent is less likely to shift position, and the antibacterial agent can be placed in the intended position and exert its antibacterial effect. In addition, it is possible to suppress the discomfort on the skin caused by the volatilized antibacterial agent adhering to the skin.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 13 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12. The absorbent body includes an absorbent core having pulp. The pulp extends into the skin-side sheet from the non-skin surface of the skin-side sheet that is located closer to the skin than the absorbent core. According to this embodiment, the pulp can rapidly draw body fluids from the skin-side sheet side to the absorbent core, and an antibacterial effect can be rapidly and efficiently exerted.

(2) Configuration of the absorbent article Hereinafter, the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are plan views of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin side T1. FIG. 1 shows a first region R81 in which a first antibacterial agent 81 described later is arranged by oblique lines, and FIG. 2 shows a second region R82 in which a second antibacterial agent 82 described later is arranged by oblique lines. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the non-skin side T2. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin side T1 in the flap-folded state. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin side T1 in the rear-folded state. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions are different from the actual ones. Therefore, the specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include parts whose dimensional relationships and ratios differ from one another. In addition, in the cross-sectional views, the components are shown separated from one another, but in the actual product, the components may be in contact with one another.

The absorbent article 1 has a front-rear direction L and a width direction W that are perpendicular to each other. The front-rear direction L is defined by the direction extending to the front and rear of the wearer. In other words, the front-rear direction L is the direction extending to the front and rear in the absorbent article 1. The absorbent article 1 has a thickness direction T that is perpendicular to both the front-rear direction L and the width direction W. The thickness direction T extends to a skin side T1 that faces the wearer and a non-skin side T2 that faces away from the wearer. In this specification, the "skin side" corresponds to the side that faces the skin of the wearer during use. The "non-skin side" corresponds to the side that faces away from the skin of the wearer during use. In addition, the outer part in the present invention is a part that occupies a certain range in the width direction W including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge is the outer edge in the width direction W. In the present invention, the inner part is a part that occupies a certain range in the width direction W including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge is the inner edge in the width direction W. In addition, the front end and rear end in the present invention are parts that occupy a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L, including edges in the front-to-rear direction L, and the front edge and rear edge are edges in the front-to-rear direction L. The outer end includes the front end and rear end, and the outer edge includes the front edge and rear edge.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 has a crotch region S3, a front region S1, and a rear region S2. The crotch region S3 is a region having an excretory opening contact portion that contacts the wearer's excretory opening (e.g., vaginal opening). When the absorbent article 1 is attached to a worn article (e.g., underwear), the crotch region S3 is a region that faces the crotch of the worn article and is disposed between the wearer's legs. The front region S1 is located forward of the crotch region S3. The rear region S2 is located rearward of the crotch region S3. The crotch region S3 may be a region in which a wing 41, which will be described later, is disposed. In other words, the front end edge of the wing 41 may form the boundary between the front region S1 and the crotch region S3, and the rear end edge of the wing 41 may form the boundary between the rear region S2 and the crotch region S3.

The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is attached to the inside of a worn article such as underwear. Examples of the absorbent article 1 include a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad, and a panty liner. The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment is a sanitary napkin. The absorbent article 1 has an absorbent body 20. The absorbent body 20 includes an absorbent core 22 that includes an absorbent material that absorbs liquid. The absorbent material includes at least one of hydrophilic fibers, pulp 25 (see FIG. 7), and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The absorbent core 22 may be wrapped by a core wrap 21. The core wrap 21 may cover the absorbent core 22 at least on the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 20. The core wrap 21 may have a first core wrap 211 that is arranged on the skin side T1 of the absorbent core 22, and a second core wrap 212 that is arranged on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent core 22. The first core wrap 211 and the second core wrap 212 may be formed from the same sheet or may be formed from separate sheets. In a modified example, the absorbent core 22 may not be covered by the core wrap 21.

The absorbent article 1 has a main body top sheet 31 that is disposed on the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 20 and abuts against the wearer's skin. The main body top sheet 31 faces the wearer's skin and has a skin surface of the absorbent article 1. The main body top sheet 31 is liquid permeable. The main body top sheet 31 may be made of any sheet-like material having a structure that allows liquid to pass through, such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a perforated plastic sheet, a mesh sheet, etc. Both natural fibers and chemical fibers can be used as the material for the woven fabric or nonwoven fabric. The main body top sheet 31 may abut against the skin surface of the absorbent body 20. Alternatively, another sheet member (for example, a second sheet that improves the ability to draw in bodily fluids) may be disposed between the main body top sheet 31 and the absorbent body 20. In this embodiment, a second sheet 38 is disposed between the main body top sheet 31 and the absorbent body 20. The absorbent article 1 may have a pair of side sheets 32 that cover the outer parts of the main body top sheet 31. The pair of side sheets 32 may be spaced apart in the width direction W. Each side sheet 32 may be disposed in a flap portion 40. The inner edge of the side sheet 32 may overlap the absorbent body 20, and the outer edge of the side sheet 32 may be disposed on the outer edge of the flap portion 40.

The absorbent article 1 has a back sheet 35 that is disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 20. The back sheet 35 has a liquid-impermeable sheet and covers at least the non-skin side of the absorbent body 20. The back sheet 35 can be a polyethylene sheet, a laminated nonwoven fabric mainly made of polypropylene or the like, a breathable resin film, or a sheet in which a breathable resin film is bonded to a nonwoven fabric such as spunbond or spunlace.

The absorbent article 1 may have a compressed portion 90 formed by compressing at least the absorbent body 20 in the thickness direction T. The compressed portion 90 may be formed by compressing the main body top sheet 31 together with the absorbent body 20, or may be formed by compressing the main body top sheet 31 and the second sheet 38 together with the absorbent body 20. In this embodiment, in the region where the absorbent body 20, the main body top sheet 31, and the second sheet 38 overlap, the absorbent body 20, the main body top sheet 31, and the second sheet 38 are all compressed. In the region where the absorbent body 20 and the main body top sheet 31 overlap and the second sheet 38 does not overlap, both the absorbent body 20 and the main body top sheet 31 are compressed. The compressed portion 80 has a pair of first compressed portions 91 and a pair of second compressed portions 92 extending in the front-rear direction L. The second compressed portion 92 is located outside the first compressed portion 91 in the width direction. A dot-like compressed portion 93 is arranged between the pair of first compressed portions 91. The dot-like compression portions 93 are dot-like and are provided at intervals in plan view.

The absorbent article 1 may have a flap portion 40 extending outward in the width direction W from the absorbent body 20. Examples of the flap portion 40 include wings and hip flaps. The flap portion 40 in this embodiment is composed of wings 41. The wings 41 are arranged in the crotch region S3 and are folded back to the non-skin side T2 of the worn article when worn. In a modified example, the flap portion 40 may be composed only of hip flaps without the wings 41, or may have both wings and hip flaps. The hip flaps are not folded back to the non-skin side T2 of the worn article when worn, and are arranged to contact the wearer's skin. As shown in FIG. 4, the flap portion 40 is folded inward in the width direction W to cover the skin side of the main body top sheet 31 before use of the absorbent article 1. FIG. 4 shows the flap folded state in which the flap portion 40 is folded, and the wings 41 are folded inward in the width direction W from the flap crease FL3 along the front-rear direction L as a base point. The flap portion 40 may have a flap top sheet 45 that constitutes the skin side of the flap portion 40, and a flap back sheet 46 that constitutes the non-skin side of the flap portion 40. In this embodiment, the flap top sheet 45 is constituted by the side sheet 32. In a modified example, the flap top sheet 45 may be constituted by a sheet other than the side sheet 32. The flap top sheet 45 abuts against the main body top sheet 31 in the flap folded state. In this embodiment, the flap back sheet 46 is constituted by the back sheet 35. In other words, the back sheet 35 constitutes the non-skin side of the entire absorbent article 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent article 1 has a fastening part 60 that is fastened to the worn article. The fastening part 60 may have a main fastening part 61 arranged in an area overlapping the absorbent body 20 and a flap fastening part 62 arranged in the flap part 40. The main fastening part 61 is arranged on the non-skin surface of the back sheet 35. The flap fastening part 62 is arranged on the non-skin surface of the sheet (back sheet 35 in this embodiment) that constitutes the non-skin surface of the flap part 40. The fastening part 60 may be coated with an adhesive that fastens to the worn article, or a mechanical hook that fastens to the worn article may be arranged. In the pre-use state of the absorbent article 1, the flap fastening part 62 is covered by a flap peeling sheet 72. More specifically, in the flap folded state, the flap peeling sheet 72 is arranged so as to straddle a pair of flap parts 40 and covers both of the pair of flap fastening parts 62. When the wearer peels off the flap release sheet 72 during use, the flap fastening portion 62 is exposed. Before use of the absorbent article 1, the main fastening portion 61 may be covered by the main cover sheet. When used, the wearer peels off the main cover sheet. The main cover sheet may be at least one of an individual packaging sheet 75 that individually packages the absorbent article 1 and a main release sheet (not shown) arranged between the individual packaging sheet 75 and the main fastening portion 61. For convenience of explanation, the individual packaging sheet 75 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, but is omitted in Figures 1 to 3. The main cover sheet may be, for example, paper coated with silicone, a film coated with silicone, or a film used for the individual packaging sheet coated with silicone. Examples of the individual packaging sheet 75 include a film and a nonwoven fabric.

Next, the folding mode of the absorbent article 1 configured in this manner will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the absorbent article 1 is in a flap-folded state in which the flap portion 40 is folded inward in the width direction W with the flap fold FL3 as a base point. In the flap-folded state, the absorbent article 1 is not folded by any fold other than the flap fold FL3. In the flap-folded state, the absorbent article 1 is placed on the individual packaging sheet 75. In this embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is folded not only by the flap portion 40 but also from the front region S1 to the rear region S2 as a whole with the flap fold FL3. Next, in the flap-folded state, the rear region S2 of the absorbent article 1 is folded inward in the front-rear direction L with the first fold FL1 along the width direction W as a base point. FIG. 5 shows a rear-folded state in which the rear region S2 is folded inward in the front-rear direction L. Next, although not shown, the absorbent article 1 is folded in the front-rear direction around the second fold FL2 located in front of the first fold FL1. This results in an individually packaged state in which the absorbent article 1 is individually packaged by the individual packaging sheet 75. In a modified example, after the absorbent article 1 is folded around the first fold FL1 and before the absorbent article 1 is folded around the second fold FL2, the absorbent article 1 may be individually packaged by folding an area behind the third fold around a third fold located between the first fold FL1 and the second fold FL2, and then folding in the front-rear direction around the second fold FL2. The first fold FL1 and the flap fold FL3 are folds that fold the absorbent article 1 so that the skin surfaces of the absorbent article 1 face each other.

The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment has an antibacterial agent 80 and is configured to exhibit an antibacterial effect when used. Next, the configuration for exhibiting an antibacterial effect when used will be described in detail. The antibacterial agent 80 can be, for example, an antibacterial liquid produced by diluting a benzalkonium chloride solution with an appropriate solvent such as water. In detail, the above antibacterial liquid can be produced by mixing an aqueous solution of benzalkonium chloride diluted to 5%, ethanol, and water in proportions of 0.25%, 10%, and 89.75%, respectively, and this antibacterial liquid is used in this example. Then, at the time when the absorbent article 1 is supplied to the market, the solvent such as water has already evaporated, and as a result, benzalkonium chloride remains as the main antibacterial component inside each of these sheets and absorbents. Incidentally, the above-mentioned mixing ratios and ingredients are merely examples and are not limited thereto. In other words, the antibacterial liquid may be produced with other mixing ratios and ingredients. Furthermore, in addition to the above antibacterial liquid, cetylpyridium chloride, benzethonium chloride, polyaminopropyl biguanide, paraben, etc. may be used as the antibacterial agent 80. It is preferable that the antibacterial agent 80 is solid at room temperature. Since the antibacterial agent 80 is solid at room temperature and does not volatilize, the position of the antibacterial agent 80 is unlikely to shift, and the antibacterial agent 80 can be placed at the intended position and exhibit antibacterial effects. In addition, it is possible to suppress the discomfort of the skin caused by the volatilized antibacterial agent 80 adhering to the skin. In this embodiment, room temperature refers to 20°C. Furthermore, a solid refers to a material with a melting point exceeding 40°C.

The antibacterial agent 80 is disposed in a region (region X shown in FIG. 6) on the non-skin side T2 of the skin side of the main body top sheet 31 and on the skin side of the non-skin side of the absorbent body 20. The antibacterial agent 80 only needs to be disposed in region X, and may be disposed in a region other than region X (for example, the skin side of the main body top sheet 31, the back sheet 35). In the flap folded state shown in FIG. 4, the flap peeling sheet 72 covers the antibacterial agent 80. At least a portion of the antibacterial agent 80 needs to be covered by the flap peeling sheet 72. The antibacterial agent 80 may be disposed in a region not covered by the flap peeling sheet 72. The skin side of the absorbent article 1 is more breathable than the non-skin side of the absorbent article 1, and the antibacterial agent 80 is more likely to fall off. However, the flap peeling sheet 72 covers the skin side of the main body top sheet 31, and the antibacterial agent 80 can be prevented from falling off from the main body top sheet 31 side during transportation before use. In addition, in the flap folded state, a part of the area covered by the flap peeling sheet 72 is also covered by the flap portion 40. Therefore, both the flap portion 40 and the flap peeling sheet 72 can prevent the antibacterial agent 80 from falling off. When attaching the absorbent article 1 to the wearing article, the absorbent article 1 may be attached to the wearing article once in the flap folded state, and then the flap peeling sheet 72 may be removed and the flap portion 40 may be attached to the wearing article. In this wearing mode, when attaching the absorbent article 1 to the wearing article once in the flap folded state, the flap peeling sheet 72 can suppress the antibacterial agent 80 from falling off, and the antibacterial agent 80 can be suppressed from falling off during the wearing operation. By suppressing the fall off of the antibacterial agent 80 before use, the antibacterial effect during use can be exerted. In addition, the antibacterial agent 80 is located on the non-skin side of the skin surface of the main body top sheet 31, and is difficult to directly touch the wearer, and the discomfort caused by the antibacterial agent 80 directly touching the wearer's skin can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to incorporate an appropriate amount of antibacterial agent 80, such as by increasing the content of antibacterial agent 80, and by preventing it from falling off using the flap release sheet 72, it is possible to provide the wearer with an appropriate antibacterial effect during use.

The rear region S2 overlaps the flap peel-off sheet 72 in the folded-back state shown in FIG. 5, and an antibacterial agent 80 may be placed in the area of the rear region S2 where the flap peel-off sheet 72 overlaps. That is, in the folded-back state, at least a part of the area (first region R81, second region R82) in the rear region S2 where the antibacterial agent 80 is placed may be covered by the flap peel-off sheet 72. With this configuration, the antibacterial agent 80 is placed in the rear region S2, and the flap peel-off sheet 72 can prevent the antibacterial agent 80 from falling off. The rear region S2 is located behind the crotch region S3 that contacts the excretory opening (e.g., the vaginal opening), and comes into contact with a part (e.g., the perineum) through which body fluids tend to flow from the excretory opening. The antibacterial effect can be exerted during use in the part through which body fluids tend to flow from the excretory opening.

As shown in FIG. 6, the flap top sheet 45 has a flap skin side region 451 located on the skin side T1 of the center 45C of the flap top sheet 45 in the thickness direction T, and a flap non-skin side region 452 located on the skin side of the center 45C of the flap top sheet 45 in the thickness direction T. The flap skin side region 451 and the flap non-skin side region 452 are regions obtained by dividing the flap top sheet 45 into two equal parts in the thickness direction. The main body top sheet 31 has a main body skin side region 311 located on the skin side T1 of the center 31C of the thickness direction T of the main body top sheet 31, and a main body non-skin side region 312 located on the non-skin side T2 of the center 31C of the thickness direction T of the main body top sheet 31. The main body skin side region 311 and the main body non-skin side region 312 are regions obtained by dividing the main body top sheet 31 into two equal parts in the thickness direction T. The amount of antibacterial agent 80 in the main body non-skin side region 312 may be greater than the amount of antibacterial agent 80 in the main body skin side region 311. This allows the antibacterial agent 80 to exert an antibacterial effect against the body fluid drawn in while preventing the antibacterial agent 80 from coming into direct contact with the wearer's skin. The amount of the antibacterial agent 80 in the flap skin side region 451 may be less than the amount of the antibacterial agent 80 in the main body skin side region 311. This allows the antibacterial agent 80 to be prevented from coming into direct contact with the inside of the thigh. In addition, when the flap portion 40 is in the form of a wing 41, most of the flap skin side region 451 is disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the worn article, and body fluids do not adhere to the flap skin side region 451. On the other hand, body fluids are more likely to adhere to the main body top sheet 31 than the flap top sheet 45. By disposing a large amount of the antibacterial agent 80 in the main body skin side region 311, the antibacterial agent 80 can be efficiently disposed, and an antibacterial effect can be exerted by an appropriate amount of the antibacterial agent 80. The amount of the antibacterial agent 80 in the flap skin side region 451 may be greater than the amount of the antibacterial agent 80 in the flap non-skin side region 452. This allows the body fluids guided to the flap portion (e.g., the hip flap) to be given an antibacterial effect immediately after being drawn into the flap portion (before it reaches the non-skin side area of the flap).

The amount of antibacterial agent 80 can be compared quantitatively, not by comparing absolute weight values. Specifically, the main body top sheet and the flap top sheet are each frozen with liquid nitrogen and cut. In the cut cross section, the peak intensity of the constituent elements of the antibacterial agent 80, or the peak intensity of the peak characteristic of the antibacterial agent 80, is measured using XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) or SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). By comparing these peak intensities in different regions, the basis weights of the regions can be compared. The quantity of antibacterial agent 80 can be determined by using a calibration curve based on the correlation between the amount of antibacterial agent 80 present in each region and the peak intensity of its constituent elements or the peak intensity of the peak characteristic of the antibacterial agent 80.

The peel strength between the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part 61 may be lower than the peel strength between the flap release sheet 72 and the flap fastening part 62. In this embodiment, the main body fastening part 61 is joined to the main body release sheet not shown as the main body cover sheet. Therefore, the peel strength between the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part 61 is the peel strength between the main body release sheet and the main body fastening part 61. Generally, when attaching an absorbent article to a worn article, the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part are first peeled off, and the main body fastening part 61 is fastened to the worn article. At this time, since the strength for peeling the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part 61 is relatively low, the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening part 61 can be smoothly peeled off, and the antibacterial agent 80 can be prevented from falling off. In addition, the peel strength between the flap release sheet 72 and the flap fastening part 62 is relatively high, and the flap release sheet 72 can be prevented from peeling off unintentionally from the flap fastening part 62 when fastening the main body fastening part 61 to the worn article. Therefore, when the main body fastening part 61 is fastened to the wearable article, the main body top sheet 31 is continuously covered by the flap release sheet 72, and the antibacterial agent 80 can be further prevented from falling off. The peel strength can be compared, for example, by clamping the sheets (for example, the main body cover sheet and the back sheet) fastened by the fastening part with a zipper using an Instron (tensile tester), pulling one sheet at a speed of 100 mm/min, and measuring the maximum strength at that time as the peel strength. Examples of configurations that make the peel strength different include a configuration in which the adhesive component of the fastening part is different, a configuration in which the area ratio of the fastening part is different, and a configuration in which the main body cover sheet and the flap release sheet are different in structure. In this embodiment, the main body fastening part 61 and the flap fastening part 62 are made of the same adhesive, and the main body cover sheet and the flap release sheet are made of different materials. Specifically, the main body cover sheet is a film that has been siliconized, and the flap release sheet is a paper that has been siliconized.

The antibacterial agent 80 may be provided at different positions in the thickness direction T. In detail, the antibacterial agent 80 may have a first antibacterial agent 81 and a second antibacterial agent 82 located on the non-skin side T2 of the first antibacterial agent 81. The first antibacterial agent 81 and the second antibacterial agent 82 are provided at different positions in the thickness direction T of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, the timing at which the antibacterial effect is exerted is different. Therefore, different antibacterial effects can be exerted at different times, and a more appropriate antibacterial effect can be imparted. The first antibacterial agent 81 and the second antibacterial agent may be composed of antibacterial agents of the same component, or may be composed of different components. For example, the first antibacterial agent 81 may be composed of benzalkonium chloride, and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be composed of cetylpyridium chloride.

The first antibacterial agent 81 and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed on the same component among the components that constitute the absorbent article 1. In more detail, for example, the first antibacterial agent 81 may be disposed on the skin side of the second sheet 38, and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed on the non-skin side of the second sheet 38. Alternatively, the first antibacterial agent 81 may be disposed on the skin side of the first core wrap 211, and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed on the non-skin side of the first core wrap 211.

The first antibacterial agent 81 and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed in different components among the components constituting the absorbent article. The first antibacterial agent 81 may be disposed in the main body top sheet 31, and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed in the absorbent body 20. The second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed in at least one of the first core wrap 211, the absorbent core 22, and the second core wrap 212 constituting the absorbent body 20. According to this embodiment, since the second antibacterial agent 82 is disposed in the absorbent body 20, the antibacterial effect can be exerted on the body fluid retained in the absorbent body 20 for a long period of time that the body fluid remains in the absorbent body 20. Therefore, the proliferation of bacteria in the absorbent body 20 can be suppressed, and the generation of bad odor can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the first antibacterial agent 81 is disposed in the main body top sheet 31, the antibacterial effect can be exerted in the process in which the body fluid discharged from the wearer is led to the absorbent body, and the antibacterial effect can also be exerted in the process in which the body fluid once drawn into the non-skin side T2 returns to the skin side T1 (in the process of rewetting). Bodily fluids that are once drawn into the non-skin side T2 return to the skin side T1, reducing discomfort even if the bodily fluids come into contact with the skin.

In a modified example, the first antibacterial agent 81 may be disposed on the main body top sheet 31, and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed on the second sheet 38. In this embodiment, the first antibacterial agent 81 is disposed on the main body top sheet 31, so that an antibacterial effect is exerted in the process in which the body fluid discharged from the wearer is guided to the absorbent body 20, and an antibacterial effect can also be exerted in the process in which the body fluid once drawn into the non-skin side T2 returns to the skin side T1. In addition, the second antibacterial agent 82 is disposed on the second sheet 38, so that a different antibacterial effect can be exerted in the process of passing through the second sheet 38.

The second antibacterial agent 82 is disposed in the core wrap 21, and the density of the core wrap 21 may be higher than the density of the main body top sheet 31. According to this embodiment, when bodily fluids drawn into the non-skin side T2 transfer to the core wrap 21, the core wrap 21 has a relatively high fiber density, and can exhibit an antibacterial effect while diffusing the fluid. Note that the second antibacterial agent 82 only needs to be disposed in a sheet having a higher fiber density than the main body top sheet 31, and may only need to be disposed in at least one of the first core wrap 211 and the second core wrap 212. For example, the main body top sheet 31 may be made of nonwoven fabric, and the core wrap may be made of tissue, in a configuration with different fiber densities.

The first antibacterial agent 81 disposed on the main body top sheet 31 may be disposed together with at least one of an aloe component and a mint component. According to this embodiment, by providing at least one of an aloe component and a mint component to the main body top sheet 31, an antibacterial effect can be exerted against bodily fluids passing through the main body top sheet 31, while at the same time, a protective effect on the skin can be exerted by at least one of the aloe component and the mint component.

In this embodiment, the first antibacterial agent 81 is disposed on the non-skin surface of the main body top sheet 31, and the second antibacterial agent 82 is disposed on the first core wrap 211. In FIG. 1, the first region R81 in which the first antibacterial agent 81 is disposed is shown with oblique lines, and in FIG. 2, the second region R82 in which the second antibacterial agent 82 is disposed is shown with oblique lines. The first region R81 is disposed in the center of the width direction W of the main body top sheet 31, and is not provided on the side of the width direction W of the main body top sheet 31. That is, the first region R81 is separated from the outer edge 31E of the main body top sheet 31. The second region R82 is provided over the entire area of the first core wrap 211. In the first direction D1, which is one of the front-rear direction L and the width direction W, the length of the first region R81 in which the first antibacterial agent 81 is disposed is shorter than the length of the second region R82 in which the second antibacterial agent 82 is disposed. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is the width direction W, and the length of the first region R81 in the width direction W may be shorter than the length of the second region R82 in the width direction W. Since the length of the first region R81 in the first direction D1 is short, the first region R81 in which the effect of the first antibacterial agent 81 can be exerted is locally arranged, and the antibacterial effect can be exerted intensively in the first region R81. For example, by arranging the first antibacterial agent 81 in a region facing the excretory opening (vaginal opening), the antibacterial effect can be exerted quickly and appropriately against the body fluid discharged from the excretory opening. On the other hand, since the length of the second region R82 in the first direction is long , the antibacterial effect can be exerted over a wide range against the body fluid drawn into the non-skin side T2.

In the second direction D2, which is the other of the front-rear direction L and the width direction W, the length of the first region R81 may be longer than the length of the second region R82. According to this embodiment, the first region R81 is relatively short in the first direction D1 and relatively long in the second direction D2. On the other hand, the second region R82 is relatively long in the first direction D1 and relatively short in the second direction D2. Since the length relationship between the first region R81 and the second region R82 differs depending on the direction, the arrangement of the antibacterial agent can be adjusted according to the diffusion mode of the sheet in which the first antibacterial agent 81 and the second antibacterial agent 82 are respectively arranged, and an appropriate antibacterial effect can be exerted against the diffusing body fluid. For example, when the member in which the first antibacterial agent 81 is arranged is relatively easy to diffuse in the first direction D1, the arrangement area of the antibacterial agent in the first direction can be secured. Furthermore, if the component on which the first antibacterial agent is placed is relatively difficult to diffuse in the second direction, the area in which the antibacterial agent is placed in the second direction can be shortened to prevent the antibacterial agent from being applied to areas where it is not needed, and further prevent the antibacterial agent from coming into contact with the skin.

The first direction D1 is the width direction W, and the second antibacterial agent 82 may be disposed in an area overlapping with the side sheet 32. According to this embodiment, the length in the width direction W of the second antibacterial agent 82 located on the non-skin side T2 is longer than that of the first antibacterial agent 81, and the antibacterial effect can be exerted over a wide range in the width direction W. Since the second antibacterial agent 82 is disposed in an area overlapping with the side sheet 32, even if the body fluid that has come into contact with the second antibacterial agent 82 rewets, the antibacterial agent can be prevented from adhering to the side of the excretory opening (e.g., the labia majora) via the body fluid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the skin from feeling uncomfortable. In addition, the first region R81 may be located on the inside of the width direction W of the inner edge 32I of the side sheet 32. The first antibacterial agent 81 is located closer to the skin than the second antibacterial agent 82 and is likely to come into direct contact with the wearer. Since the first antibacterial agent 81 is located on the inside of the width direction W of the inner edge 32I of the side sheet 32, it is possible to prevent the antibacterial agent from coming into direct contact with the inner thigh. Note. In this embodiment, the first direction is the width direction and the second direction is the front-rear direction, but in a modified example, the first direction may be the front-rear direction and the second direction may be the width direction.

In the area overlapping the first region R81 and the second region R82, a dot-like compressed portion 93 is provided. According to this configuration, the dot-like compressed portion 93 quickly draws the body fluid discharged to the main body top sheet 31 to the non-skin side T2, and the first antibacterial agent 81 and the second antibacterial agent 82 come into contact with the drawn-in body fluid, thereby exerting an antibacterial effect. Also, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the outer edge of the first region R81 may be located inside the outer edge 38E of the second sheet 38 in the width direction W, may be located outside the width direction W of the first compressed portion 91, or may be located inside the width direction W of the second compressed portion 92. According to this configuration, the first region R81 is locally arranged, and the antibacterial effect can be exerted more intensively in the first region. Furthermore, since the second compression portion 92 is disposed outside the first region R81 in the width direction W, the body fluid guided beyond the first region R81 to the outside in the width direction can be diffused in the front-to-rear direction while being drawn to the non-skin side by the second compression portion 92. Thus, the body fluid guided to the outside in the width direction beyond the first region can be guided to a wide range of the second region, and the second antibacterial agent 82 can exert an antibacterial effect on the body fluid. The outer edge 61E of the main body fastening portion 61 may be located outside the outer edge of the first region R81 in the width direction W, and may be located inside the outer edge of the second region R82 in the width direction W. According to this configuration, in the area where the first region R81 and the second region R82 overlap, the absorbent article is firmly attached to the worn article via the main fastening part 61, and in the area where only the second region R82 is arranged (the area on the outer side in the width direction than the first region), the absorbent article flexibly deforms, and it is possible to prevent the antibacterial agent from continuously contacting the inside of the thighs in particular.

The pulp 25 of the absorbent core 22 may extend from the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet 34 into the skin-side sheet 34. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the skin-side sheet 34 and the absorbent core 22. The skin-side sheet is a sheet arranged to overlap the absorbent core 22 on the skin side T1 of the absorbent core 22. The skin-side sheet 34 in this embodiment is composed of the main body top sheet 31, the second sheet 38, the side sheet 32, and the first core wrap 211. Therefore, the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet 34 is composed of the non-skin side of the first core wrap 211. The pulp can quickly draw body fluid from the skin-side sheet side to the absorbent core, and the antibacterial effect can be exerted quickly and efficiently. Preferably, the pulp 25 may extend into the main body top sheet 31. According to this configuration, the pulp 25 can quickly draw in body fluid discharged into the main body top sheet 31, and the body fluid can be quickly imparted with an antibacterial effect.

Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-mentioned embodiment, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention.

The present invention provides an absorbent article that prevents the antibacterial agent from falling off before use and exhibits antibacterial effects when the absorbent article is in use.

1: Absorbent article 20: Absorbent body 21: Core wrap 211: First core wrap 212: Second core wrap 22: Absorbent core 31: Main body top sheet 311: Main body skin side region 312: Main body non-skin side region 32: Side sheet 35: Back sheet 41: Wing (flap portion)
45 : Flap top sheet 451 : Flap skin side region 452 : Flap non-skin side region 46 : Flap back sheet 61 : Main body fastening portion 62 : Flap fastening portion 72 : Flap peel-off sheet 75 : Individually wrapped sheet 80 : Antibacterial agent 81 : First antibacterial agent 82 : Second antibacterial agent D1 : First direction FL1 : First fold FL2 : Second fold FL3 : Flap fold L : Front-to-rear direction R81 : First region R82 : Second region S1 : Front region S2 : Back region S3 : Crotch region T : Thickness direction T1 : Skin side T2 : Non-skin side W : Width direction X : Region

Claims (9)

A front-rear direction and a width direction perpendicular to each other;
An absorber;
a main top sheet that is disposed closer to the skin than the absorbent body and contacts the wearer's skin;
A flap portion extending outward in the width direction from the absorbent body;
and a flap fastening part disposed on a non-skin surface of the flap part and fastened to a worn article,
The flap portion is folded inward in the width direction to cover the skin side of the main body top sheet before use of the absorbent article,
a flap release sheet that covers the flap fastening portion when the flap portion is in a folded flap state,
An antibacterial agent is disposed on the non-skin side of the main top sheet and on the skin side of the absorbent body,
The flap release sheet covers the antimicrobial agent,
The antibacterial agent includes a first antibacterial agent and a second antibacterial agent located closer to the skin than the first antibacterial agent,
In a first direction which is one of the front-rear direction and the width direction, a length of a first region in which the first antibacterial agent is disposed is shorter than a length of a second region in which the second antibacterial agent is disposed;
An absorbent article, wherein in a second direction which is the other of the front-rear direction and the width direction, the length of the first region is longer than the length of the second region. The flap portion is disposed in a crotch region of the absorbent article and is a wing that is folded back to a non-skin side of the wearing article when in use,
a rear region behind the crotch region overlaps the flap release sheet in a rear-folded state in which the flap is folded inward in the front-rear direction in the flap folded state;
The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the antibacterial agent is disposed in the area where the flap release sheet overlaps in the rear area. A back sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body;
A main body fastening portion is disposed on the non-skin surface of the back sheet and in an area overlapping the absorbent body;
a main body cover sheet for covering the main body fastening part before use of the absorbent article,
3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a peel strength between the main body cover sheet and the main body fastening portion is lower than a peel strength between the flap release sheet and the flap fastening portion. The first antimicrobial agent is disposed on the main body topsheet,
The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second antibacterial agent is disposed in the absorbent body. the second antimicrobial agent is disposed in a core wrap surrounding the absorbent core;
The absorbent article of claim 4 , wherein the core wrap has a density greater than the density of the main topsheet. 10. The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the first antimicrobial agent is disposed with at least one of an aloe component and a mint component. The absorbent article has a side sheet covering an outer portion of the main body top sheet,
The first direction is the width direction,
The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the second antibacterial agent is disposed in an area overlapping with the side sheet. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the antibacterial agent is solid at room temperature. The absorbent body comprises an absorbent core having pulp;
3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the pulp extends into the skin side sheet from a non-skin surface of the skin side sheet that is located closer to the skin than the absorbent core.

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