U.S. patent application number 10/311653 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for absorber product.
Invention is credited to Kuwabara, Rie, Sugiyama, Katsuhiko, Suzuki, Migaku, Takamatsu, Yoshiaki, Tsubata, Masaru.
Application Number | 20040039363 10/311653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27343907 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040039363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sugiyama, Katsuhiko ; et
al. |
February 26, 2004 |
Absorber product
Abstract
In an absorbent product such as a diaper comprising a back
sheet, an absorber, and a skin contact sheet, the skin contact
sheet is disposed on the absorber as the uppermost layer which
comes in contact with the skin of the wearer and has openings which
allow the passage of excretions. The absorber and the skin contact
sheet are joined only at both ends of the absorbent product in the
longitudinal directions.
Inventors: |
Sugiyama, Katsuhiko;
(Kasugai-shi Aichi, JP) ; Takamatsu, Yoshiaki;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Kuwabara, Rie; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Tsubata, Masaru; (Kasugai-shi Aichi, JP) ; Suzuki,
Migaku; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ronald R Santucci
Frommer Lawrence & Haug
745 Fifth Avenue
New York
NY
10151
US
|
Family ID: |
27343907 |
Appl. No.: |
10/311653 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
June 28, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP01/05584 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.101 ;
604/367; 604/385.24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/495 20130101;
A61F 13/5633 20130101; A61F 13/511 20130101; A61F 13/515 20130101;
A61F 13/49473 20130101; A61F 13/49009 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/385.101 ;
604/367; 604/385.24 |
International
Class: |
A61F 013/15; A61F
013/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 29, 2000 |
JP |
2000-197378 |
Nov 14, 2000 |
JP |
2000-346949 |
Jan 10, 2001 |
JP |
01-2945 |
Claims
1. An absorbent product comprising a portion which is constituted
of a liquid-impervious back sheet and an absorber superposed upon
the back sheet and which extends to a back body portion positioned
on a back side from a front body portion positioned on a front side
of a wearer in a wearing state, wherein a skin contact sheet as an
uppermost layer in contact with a wearer's skin is disposed on the
absorbent product, the skin contact sheet includes at least one
opening to allow passage of excretions from the wearer, and the
absorbent product and skin contact sheet are joined to each other
in opposite ends in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent
product, and are kept in a non-contact state so that a gap can be
formed between the absorbent product and skin contact sheet in
portions other than the opposite ends.
2. The absorbent product according to claim 1, further comprising a
liquid-pervious top sheet with which the absorber is covered and
which is disposed between the absorber and skin contact sheet and
which is in a contact joined state with the skin contact sheet in
the opposite ends of the longitudinal direction of the absorbent
product and is kept in a non-contact state so that the gap can be
formed between the top sheet and skin contact sheet in the portions
other than the opposite ends.
3. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
skin contact sheet is disposed in a portion extending to a back
body region from at least a crotch region of the absorbent product
in the wearing state of the absorbent product.
4. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
skin contact sheet is disposed in a portion extending to a back
body region from a front body region of the absorbent product in
the wearing state of the absorbent product, and includes a cutout
portion in a middle portion of the front body region in a width
direction.
5. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the skin contact sheet is a mesh state material.
6. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the skin contact sheet is constituted of a foamed state
resin.
7. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein the skin contact sheet is constituted of an elastic
member.
8. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the absorber is disposed in at least the front body
region.
9. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
further comprising an elastic member joined to the skin contact
sheet in an extended state so as to surround the opening formed in
the skin contact sheet.
10. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
further comprising at least four elastic members which are joined
to the skin contact sheet in an extended state so as to surround
the opening formed in the skin contact sheet and which are disposed
to extend to the back body region from the front body region of the
absorbent product and to pass in the vicinity of the opening.
11. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
further comprising elastic members which are arranged in a crossed
form in the skin contact sheet so as to surround the opening of the
skin contact sheet and to intersect with each other.
12. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
further comprising at least two elastic members extending to reach
one side edge of the back body region from one side edge of the
front body region of the absorbent product through opposite side
edges of the opening of the skin contact sheet, and at least two
elastic members extending to reach the other side edge of the back
body region from the other side edge of the front body region of
the absorbent product through the opposite side edges of the
opening of the skin contact sheet.
13. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
further comprising at least two elastic members extending from one
side edge of the front body region of the absorbent product to the
other side edge of the front body region through opposite side
edges of the opening and crotch region, and at least two elastic
members extending from one side edge of the back body region of the
absorbent product to the other side edge of the back body region
through the opposite side edges of the opening and crotch
region.
14. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
wherein the elastic members are arranged in such a manner that a
tensile force functions uniformly in mutual approach directions of
edges of the opening disposed opposite to each other.
15. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
wherein a cutout portion is formed in a middle portion of the skin
contact sheet in a width direction in a portion corresponding to
the front body region.
16. The absorbent product according to claim 15, wherein the skin
contact sheet includes a liquid-impervious portion.
17. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
wherein a second absorber is disposed in the skin contact sheet in
a portion corresponding to the front body region.
18. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
wherein the back sheet forms a pair of longitudinal side flaps with
which a wearer's waist part is covered, opposite edges of the
respective side flaps are joined to or overlapped with each other
to form a waist surrounding opening and a pair of leg surrounding
openings, and the absorbent product further comprises a stretchable
band member with which the wearer's waist is surrounded, the skin
contact sheet is connected to the stretchable band member at the
ends of the skin contact sheet in the longitudinal direction, and
thereby the skin contact sheet can elastically be displaced with
respect to a wearer's body in an appropriate range.
19. The absorbent product according to claim 18, wherein the
stretchable band member is constituted of front and back end flaps
which have stretchable properties, the skin contact sheet is joined
to the respective end flaps at opposite ends of the sheet in the
longitudinal direction, and a dimension of the skin contact sheet
between the end flaps in the longitudinal direction is set to be
shorter than an extension dimension between the end flaps.
20. The absorbent product according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the
opening of the skin contact sheet is a cutout portion.
21. The absorbent product according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the
skin contact sheet includes a cutout portion formed in the middle
portion of the front body region in the width direction, and an
opening formed in the crotch region.
22. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 19 to 21,
wherein the end flap is formed by turning back the back sheet on an
absorber side.
23. The absorbent product according to claim 22, wherein the end
flap includes a stretchable elastic member which is disposed along
the waist surrounding opening and which has a length to obtain an
extended state in the wearing state.
24. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 18 to 23,
wherein the stretchable band member includes a pair of front and
back slits formed along the waist surrounding opening, and elastic
members attached to positions disposed opposite to each other via
each slit so as to obtain an extended state in the wearing state,
each of the opposite ends of the skin contact sheet in the
longitudinal direction is joined to the stretchable elastic band
member in the vicinity of each of the pair of slits, and a
dimension of the skin contact sheet positioned between the pair of
slits in the longitudinal direction is set to be shorter than an
extension dimension between the pair of slits.
25. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 18 to 24,
wherein the opening of the skin contact sheet is a cutout
portion.
26. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 18 to 25,
wherein each of opposite ends of the skin contact sheet in the
longitudinal direction is joined to the elastic band member in the
vicinity of each of the pair of slits, a cutout portion is formed
in the middle portion of the front body region of the skin contact
sheet in the width direction, an opening is formed in the crotch
region, and a longitudinal dimension of the skin contact sheet
positioned between the pair of slits is set to be shorter than an
extension dimension between the pair of slits.
27. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 18 to 26,
wherein at least one of opposite ends of the skin contact sheet in
the longitudinal direction is joined to the elastic band member on
a side of the slit close to an opening end of the waist surrounding
opening, or on a side close to the crotch region from the slit.
28. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 18 to 27,
wherein a stretchable elastic member which has a length sufficient
to obtain an elongated state in a wearing state is attached to a
position adjacent to the absorber so as to extend along the waist
surrounding opening in at least a part of the front and back body
regions of the back sheet.
29. The absorbent product according to any one of claims 18 to 28,
wherein a second absorber is attached to the skin contact
sheet.
30. The absorbent product according to claim 29, wherein the skin
contact sheet is coated with the second absorber, and the absorber
includes a mixture of a super absorbent polymer (SAP) and
micro-fibrillated cellulose.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent products such as
a diaper. For details, the present invention relates to an
absorbent product considered and designed so that stool is
prevented from being directly attached to a wearer's backside and
skin troubles of the backside are decreased.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Concerning causes and development mechanism of diaper rash,
according to "So-Called Diaper Rash" of Kazuya YAMAMOTO described
in pages 949 to 956 (1998) of "Clinical of Dermatology" Vol. 30,
authored by Kazuya YAMAMOTO, issued by Kinbara Shuppan, (1) ammonia
is generated, when urine and stool are mixed, (2) this ammonia sets
environment to be alkaline, (3) an enzyme in the stool is strongly
activated in an alkaline atmosphere and a weak portion of skin is
inflamed by the enzyme and ammonia, and the diaper rash is
generated. As a cause for producing the weak portion of the skin, a
mechanical stimulus such as touch of a diaper constituting material
in contact with the skin, an environment inside the diaper in which
the skin is in a puckered state because of high humidity in the
diaper, and the like are pointed out.
[0003] By capability enhancement with the technical progress of a
super absorbent polymer (SAP) against the causes of the
above-described diaper rash, for example, discharged urine is
quickly absorbed and permeation/diffusion of the urine is
minimized. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the urine from being
easily mixed with the discharged stool. Moreover, concerning the
environment inside the diaper, for example, when an air-permeable
sheet is used in the diaper, a countermeasure against a sweaty skin
in the diaper is possible, and the skin is effectively prevented
from being puckered. With this advancement of the countermeasure
against the diaper rash, skin troubles have decreased such as rash
generated by use of a so-called disposable diaper,
[0004] However, countermeasures have not been sufficient yet for
prevention of rash by substantially simultaneously discharged urine
and stool, or soft stool. Even when the soft stool is not mixed
with the urine, the stool left to stand is a heavy burden on the
skin. Since the soft stool hardly passes through a top sheet of the
diaper abutting on the skin, a part of moisture shifts to an
absorber, but the remaining part remains in the top sheet and
sticks to a backside of a wearer. Therefore, even when a trouble is
not generated in the skin, a wiping operation of the backside
becomes laborious at a time of diaper changing.
[0005] To prevent the above-described mixing of the stool and urine
or the sticking of the stool to the backside, a diaper which can
separate the urine and stool is proposed, for example, in Jpn. Pat.
Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 61-41304, Jpn. UM Appln. KOKAI
Publication Nos. 6-5614, 6-21623, 6-11723, and Jpn. Pat. Appln.
KOKAI Publication No. 10-192339.
[0006] In the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 61-41304, an opening long in a longitudinal
direction is disposed in the middle of the top sheet, an elastic
member is attached to a peripheral edge of the opening, and
arrangements are made such that so-called sturdiness is imparted to
the top sheet and the opening is prevented from being closed.
Moreover, the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. UM Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 6-5614 includes: a concave portion extending under
the opening disposed in a surface sheet; and a valve portion
constituted by the surface sheet extended into a middle portion
from the periphery of the opening. Arrangements are made such that
the stool separated by the opening is prevented from returning. For
the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. UM Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
6-21623, two sets of flaps extending in longitudinal and width
directions are overlapped with each other, and the opening is
formed in the middle of the overlap, so that the area of the
opening containing the stool can be set to be large. Furthermore,
the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. UM Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
6-11723 includes: a second surface sheet disposed on a first
surface sheet; and further a plurality of elastic members for
expanding the opening disposed in the middle portion of the second
surface sheet in the longitudinal direction in a transverse
direction. In the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 10-192339, a spacer is disposed between the
absorber and top sheet, and the opening connected to a space formed
by the spacer is formed in the top sheet.
[0007] For the diapers disclosed in the Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 61-41304 and Jpn. UM Appln. KOKAI Publication No
6-5614, when actual wearing of the diaper is observed, a crotch
region of the diaper is attracted toward the middle by a wearer's
legs thigh. It has further been found that the region hangs
downwards without closely sticking to the skin. That is, since the
crotch region of the top sheet or surface sheet (hereinafter these
will be generically referred to as the top sheets) of each of these
diapers does not closely stick to a wearer's crotch, the opening
disposed in the top sheet does not have any meaning. This causes a
disadvantage that the stool spreads over the top sheet. Even if the
position of the opening of the top sheet agrees with that of
wearer's anus, the top sheet does not closely stick to the wearer's
crotch, and the opening is therefore in a closed state. Therefore,
it is expected that the stool cannot be guided between the top
sheet and a back sheet via the opening.
[0008] Moreover, with the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. UM Appln.
KOKAI Publication No. 6-21623, when the area of the opening formed
in the second surface sheet is set to be large, the position of the
opening can substantially securely be aligned with that of the
wearer's anus. Conversely, the opening area of the opening is
excessively large, the stool is guided between the second surface
sheet and first surface sheet via the opening and returns again
onto the second surface sheet via the opening, and the wearer's
backside may be made dirty in high possibility.
[0009] Furthermore, for the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. UM Appln.
KOKAI Publication No 6-11723, the opening is expanded only in the
width direction, the opening is collapsed by the wearer's crotch,
and the sufficient function of the opening cannot basically be
fulfilled in the same manner as in the prior art.
[0010] In the diaper disclosed in the Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 10-192339, since the space for containing the stool
is formed between the absorber and top sheet by the spacer using
the elastic material, the spacer is in contact with the wearer's
backside via the top sheet. There is a disadvantage that comfort of
wear is impaired. Moreover, occupancy of the opening formed in the
top sheet is small. Therefore, stool having low fluidity cannot
easily pass through the opening of the top sheet quickly, and the
wearer's backside may be made dirty.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide absorbent
products such as a diaper in which a skin contact sheet including
at least one opening can be used to decrease skin troubles such as
diaper rash.
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an absorbent product comprising: a portion which is
constituted of a liquid-impervious back sheet and an absorber
superposed upon the back sheet and which extends to a back body
portion positioned on a back side from a front body portion
positioned on a front side of a wearer in a wearing state,
[0013] wherein a skin contact sheet as an uppermost layer in
contact with a skin of the wearer is disposed on the absorbent
product,
[0014] the skin contact sheet includes at least one opening to
allow passage of excretions from the wearer, and
[0015] the absorbent product and skin contact sheet are joined to
each other in opposite ends in a longitudinal direction of the
absorbent product, and are kept in a non-contact state so that a
gap can be formed between the absorbent product and skin contact
sheet in portions other than the opposite ends.
[0016] Examples of a preferred mode in which the absorbent product
of the present invention is to be achieved are as follows.
[0017] The absorbent product includes a liquid-pervious top sheet
with which the absorber is covered and which is disposed between
the absorber and skin contact sheet, and the top sheet is in a
contact joined state with the skin contact sheet in the opposite
ends of the longitudinal direction of the absorbent product, and is
kept in a non-contact state so that the gap can be formed between
the top sheet and skin contact sheet in the portions other than the
opposite ends.
[0018] The skin contact sheet is disposed in a portion extending to
a back body region from at least a crotch region of the absorbent
product in the wearing state of the absorbent product.
[0019] The skin contact sheet is disposed in a portion extending to
a back body region from a front body region of the absorbent
product in the wearing state of the absorbent product, and includes
a cutout portion in a middle portion of the front body region in a
width direction in the wearing state of the absorbent product.
[0020] The skin contact sheet is constituted, for example, of a
mesh material, foamed resin, elastic member, and the like.
[0021] The absorber is disposed in at least the front body
region.
[0022] The absorbent product further includes an elastic member
joined to the skin contact sheet in an extended state so as to
surround the opening formed in the skin contact sheet.
[0023] The absorbent product further includes at least four elastic
members joined to the skin contact sheet in an extended state so as
to surround the opening formed in the skin contact sheet, and the
elastic members are arranged so as to extend to the back body
region from the front body region of the absorbent product and to
pass in the vicinity of the opening.
[0024] The absorbent product further includes elastic members
arranged in a crossed mode in the skin contact sheet so as to
surround the opening of the skin contact sheet and to intersect
with each other.
[0025] The absorbent product further includes
[0026] at least two elastic members extending to reach one side
edge of the back body region from one side edge of the front body
region through opposite side edges of the opening of the skin
contact sheet, and
[0027] at least two elastic members extending to reach the other
side edge of the back body region from the other side edge of the
front body region of the absorbent product through the opposite
side edges of the opening of the skin contact sheet.
[0028] The absorbent product further includes
[0029] at least two elastic members extending from one side edge of
the front body region to the other side edge of the front body
region through opposite side edges of the opening and crotch
region, and
[0030] at least two elastic members extending from one side edge of
the back body region of the absorbent product to the other side
edge of the back body region through the opposite side edges of the
opening and crotch region.
[0031] The elastic members are arranged in such a manner that a
tensile force acts substantially uniformly in mutual approach
directions of edges of the opening disposed opposite to each
other.
[0032] In a portion corresponding to the front body region, a
cutout portion is formed in a middle portion of the skin contact
sheet in a width direction.
[0033] The skin contact sheet includes a liquid-impervious
portion.
[0034] In a portion corresponding to the front body region, a
second absorber is disposed in the skin contact sheet.
[0035] The back sheet forms a pair of longitudinal side flaps with
which a waist part of the wearer is covered.
[0036] Furthermore, opposite edges of the respective side flaps are
joined to or overlapped with each other to form a waist surrounding
opening and a pair of leg surrounding openings.
[0037] Additionally, the absorbent product further includes a
stretchable band member with which a waist of the wearer is
surrounded, the skin contact sheet is connected to the stretchable
band member at the ends of the skin contact sheet in a longitudinal
direction, and thereby the skin contact sheet can elastically be
displaced with respect to a body of the wearer in an appropriate
range.
[0038] The stretchable band member is constituted of front and back
end flaps which have stretchable properties,
[0039] the skin contact sheet is joined to the respective end flaps
at opposite ends of the sheet in the longitudinal direction,
and
[0040] a dimension of the skin contact sheet between the end flaps
in the longitudinal direction is set to be shorter than an
extension dimension between the end flaps.
[0041] The opening of the skin contact sheet is a cutout
portion.
[0042] The skin contact sheet includes a cutout portion formed in a
middle portion of the front body region in the width direction, and
an opening formed in the crotch region.
[0043] The end flap is formed by turning back the back sheet on the
absorber.
[0044] The end flap includes a stretchable elastic member which is
disposed along the waist surrounding opening and which has a length
to obtain an extended state in the wearing state.
[0045] The stretchable band member includes a pair of front and
back slits formed along the waist surrounding opening, and elastic
members attached to positions disposed opposite to each other via
each slit so as to obtain an extended state in the wearing
state.
[0046] The opposite ends of the skin contact sheet in the
longitudinal direction are joined to the stretchable elastic band
member in the vicinity of the pair of slits, and
[0047] a dimension of the skin contact sheet positioned between the
pair of slits in the longitudinal direction is set to be shorter
than an extension dimension between the pair of slits.
[0048] The opening of the skin contact sheet is a cutout
portion.
[0049] The opposite ends of the skin contact sheet in the
longitudinal direction are joined to the elastic band member in the
vicinity of the pair of slits,
[0050] a cutout portion is formed in a middle portion of the front
body region of the skin contact sheet in the width direction, an
opening is formed in the crotch region, and
[0051] a longitudinal dimension of the skin contact sheet
positioned between the pair of slits is set to be shorter than an
extension dimension between the pair of slits.
[0052] At least one of opposite ends of the skin contact sheet in
the longitudinal direction is joined to the elastic band member on
a side of the slit close to an opening end of the waist surrounding
opening, or on a side of the slit close to the crotch region.
[0053] In at least a part of the front and back body regions of the
back sheet, a stretchable elastic member which has a length
sufficient to obtain an extended state in the wearing state is
attached to a position adjacent to the absorber so as to extend
along the waist surrounding opening.
[0054] A second absorber is attached to the skin contact sheet.
[0055] The skin contact sheet is coated with the second absorber,
and the absorber is constituted of a mixture of a super absorbent
polymer (SAP) and micro-fibrillated cellulose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of
one embodiment of a diaper as an absorbent product according to the
present invention;
[0057] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a developed state of the
diaper shown in FIG. 1;
[0058] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a middle portion extending to
a back body region from a front body region of the diaper shown in
FIG. 1;
[0059] FIG. 4 is a IV-IV arrow sectional view in FIG. 2;
[0060] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a developed state of another
embodiment of the diaper according to the present invention;
[0061] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a developed state of another
embodiment of the diaper according to the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of one
embodiment of the diaper according to the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 8 is a development view of the diaper shown in FIG.
7;
[0064] FIG. 9 is a III-III arrow sectional view in FIG. 8;
[0065] FIG. 10 is a middle sectional view extending to the back
body region from the front body region of the diaper in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 7;
[0066] FIG. 11 is a development view of another embodiment of a
part of a skin contact sheet for use in the diaper according to the
present invention;
[0067] FIG. 12 is a development view of a second embodiment of the
part of the skin contact sheet for use in the diaper according to
the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 13 is a development view of still another embodiment of
the part of the skin contact sheet for use in the diaper according
to the present invention;
[0069] FIG. 14 is a development view of a still second embodiment
of the part of the skin contact sheet for use in the diaper
according to the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 15 is a middle sectional view extending to the back
body region from the front body region of the diaper in an
embodiment corresponding to FIG. 13;
[0071] FIG. 16 is a middle sectional view extending to the back
body region from the front body region of another embodiment of the
diaper according to the present invention;
[0072] FIG. 17 is a middle sectional view extending to the back
body region from the front body region of a second embodiment of
the diaper according to the present invention;
[0073] FIG. 18 is a middle sectional view extending to the back
body region from the front body region of still another embodiment
of the diaper according to the present invention;
[0074] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the appearance of one
embodiment of the diaper according to the present invention;
[0075] FIG. 20 is a perspective view seen from the inside in the
developed state of the diaper of the embodiment shown in FIG.
19;
[0076] FIG. 21 is a front view on a skin contact sheet side in an
extended state on a back sheet side of the diaper shown in FIG.
20;
[0077] FIG. 22 is a front view on the skin contact sheet side in a
non-extended state on the back sheet side of the diaper shown in
FIG. 20;
[0078] FIG. 23 is a middle sectional view extending to the back
body region from the front body region of the diaper shown in FIG.
19;
[0079] FIG. 24 is a front view showing one example of the skin
contact sheet for use in the present invention;
[0080] FIG. 25 is a front view on the skin contact sheet side in a
non-extended state on the back sheet side in the development of
another embodiment of the diaper according to the present
invention;
[0081] FIG. 26 is a perspective view seen from the inside in a
developed state of a second embodiment of the diaper according to
the present invention;
[0082] FIG. 27 is a perspective view seen from the inside in a
developed state of another embodiment of the diaper according to
the present invention;
[0083] FIG. 28 is a perspective view seen from the inside in a
developed state of still another embodiment of the diaper according
to the present invention;
[0084] FIG. 29 is a perspective view seen from the inside in a
developed state of a still second embodiment of the diaper
according to the present invention;
[0085] FIG. 30 is a perspective view seen from the inside in a
developed state of a different embodiment of the diaper according
to the present invention;
[0086] FIG. 31 is a front view of the diaper shown in FIG. 30 on
the skin contact sheet side in an extended state on the back sheet
side;
[0087] FIG. 32 is a front view of the diaper shown in FIG. 30 on
the skin contact sheet side in a non-extended state on the back
sheet side;
[0088] FIG. 33 is a middle sectional view extending to the back
body region from the front body region of the diaper shown in FIG.
30;
[0089] FIG. 34 is a perspective view seen from the inside in a
developed state of another embodiment of the diaper according to
the present invention;
[0090] FIG. 35 is a perspective view seen from the inside in a
developed state of a still second embodiment of the diaper
according to the present invention;
[0091] FIG. 36 is a front view of another embodiment of the skin
contact sheet for use in the present invention; and
[0092] FIG. 37 is a front view of a still second embodiment of the
skin contact sheet for use in the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0093] As described above, the present invention relates to a mode
of a skin contact sheet which is disposed on a topmost surface of
an absorbent product so as to be constantly in contact with a body
and which includes an opening for easier passage of excretions.
Preferred modes for carrying out embodiments of the present
invention will be described in detail using embodiments, and three
roughly divided mode groups will be described.
[0094] The first mode group relates to a skin contact sheet which
includes an opening, especially a plurality of relatively small
opening portions and in which cutout portions as larger openings
are combined and arranged depending on the circumstances.
[0095] The second mode group relates to a skin contact sheet which
includes one opening for exclusive use in stool disposal surrounded
with a relatively large stretchable band and in which cutout
portions as larger openings are combined and arranged depending on
the circumstances.
[0096] The third mode group relates to a skin contact sheet which
includes a stretchable end flap before and/or after the sheet
including a single or a plurality of openings, or cutout portions
depending on the circumstances and in which a part of the end flap
is joined to a waist portion so as to constantly keep a close
contact state in accordance with a body movement.
[0097] Prior to the description of these three groups of
embodiments, the desired basic properties, materials, and the like
will be described for a skin contact sheet, back sheet, top sheet,
absorber, and elastic member as basic elements constituting the
present invention.
[0098] First, materials constituting the skin contact sheet as a
major part of the present invention will be described.
[0099] Nonwoven cloth constituted of combined fabric, mesh sheet or
film of a thermoplastic resin, and the like can be used as the
constituting material of the skin contact sheet having an opening.
Desired materials and shapes will be illustrated.
[0100] As the material of the skin contact sheet, it is preferred
to use hydrophobic or water-repellent liquid permeable material to
which liquid materials such as urine and soft stool do not easily
stick, and a perforated film referred to as a dry web for use in a
surface sheet of a napkin, and a filament net material particularly
having stain-free property are preferred. For example, filaments of
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, silicone, and Teflon
(tradename: manufactured by Du Pont K.K.), and the like; or woven
or knitted cloth formed of filaments of nylon or polyester and
post-treated with a silicone resin or Teflon resin can be used. It
is to be noted that the above-described stain-free property means a
property indicating smooth passage of fluid materials such as urine
and stool. In the property, a stain does not easily stick.
[0101] The skin contact sheet may have a mesh form, and Miranet
(tradename: manufactured by JSP Co.) formed of foamed polyethylene
by a non-crosslinked method for use as a cushion material for
transport of fruits can be used.
[0102] Moreover, the skin contact sheet can be constituted of
foamed resins such as a foamed styrol resin for general use as a
cushion material of fruits, or stretchable elastic members such as
an urethane resin and natural rubber. For example, polyethylene,
polypropylene, a sheet in which a plurality of openings are formed
in an extruded/molded sheet-like material of polystyrene with a
foaming agent added thereto using a hot needle or suction, or an
extruded/molded net of the raw material in a mesh form can also be
used as the above-described foamed resins.
[0103] Miramat (tradename: manufactured by JSP Co.), Highethylene
(tradename: manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.), and
Softron (tradename: manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) are
known as the foamed resin sheet using polyethylene as the raw
material. Hiethylene (tradename: manufactured by Hitachi Chemical
Co., Ltd.), and P-mat (tradename: manufactured by JSP Co.) are
known as the foamed resin sheet using polypropylene as the raw
material. Polystyrene Paper and Miraboard (either is tradename:
manufactured by JSP Co.) are known as the foamed resin sheet using
polystyrene as the raw material. Among these, Miramat has soft
properties, is not crosslinked, and is therefore preferred.
[0104] Moreover, the skin contact sheet may also have stretchable
properties. For example, a wearer uses a net elastic structure
manufactured by U.S. Conwed Co. or an elastic sheet including a
fabric texture consisting of polyurethane filaments. Then, even
when the wearer moves, the skin contact sheet constantly securely
and comes in close contact with the skin and provides a desirable
mode.
[0105] Furthermore, when dense nonwoven cloth, staple woven cloth,
or knitted cloth constitutes the skin contact sheet, the urine or
stool sticks among these fibers and fiber gaps are also unfavorably
clogged with the urine or stool. Therefore, the sheet needs to be
devised so as to partially include a large opening. Moreover, the
skin contact sheet does not have to be constituted of a single
sheet, and it is possible to use a skin contact sheet in which a
plurality of sheets having different properties are laminated and
joined in a longitudinal or width direction. For example, liquid
absorbent sheets such as tissues may also be laminated.
Furthermore, hydrophilic or hydrophobic nonwoven cloths may also be
joined in the longitudinal or width direction. Moreover, for
example, a measure in which front and back body regions are formed
in different constitutions can be taken.
[0106] The absorbent product according to the present invention can
also be applied to a developed type diaper in which the edges of a
pair of longitudinal side flaps are overlapped with each other and
fastened with a tape, or an underwear type diaper in which the ends
of the pair of longitudinal side flaps are welded and bonded to
each other.
[0107] As the back sheet in the present invention, it is possible
to use a liquid-impervious sheet alone, or to laminate and use one
to a plurality of nonwoven cloths on the sheet. As the
liquid-impervious back sheet, a polyethylene sheet, particularly a
polyethylene sheet in which micro holes are formed to impart air
permeability, or a material having moisture permeability, such as a
drawn sheet obtained by adding a filler to a thermoplastic resin,
is preferably used so as to impart comfort under high humidity. In
this case, the single sheet can also be used alone, but at least
one nonwoven cloth may also be laminated. For example, it is
possible to attach a nonwoven cloth of synthetic fiber using
thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and
polyester as raw materials to the surface of the back sheet for
good touch. In this case, the nonwoven cloth may be either
liquid-impervious or liquid-pervious.
[0108] As the top sheet, a liquid-pervious nonwoven cloth or a
resin film in which a large number of pores are formed can be used.
For the nonwoven cloth, a dry-forming nonwoven cloth may also be
used which is formed using a synthetic fiber manufactured from
polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester or other thermoplastic
resins alone as the raw material, or a mixture of a synthetic fiber
with a hydrophilic fiber such as cellulose pulp or rayon fiber. To
increase the liquid-pervious property, it is also effective to
perform hydrophilic treatment if necessary. For the resin film in
which a large number pores are formed, a large number of pores may
be formed in a film of thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene
and polypropylene in a mesh form. A reason why the top sheet is
used in the present invention is that an absorber component is
prevented from being detached or moved. Therefore, when the
absorber has a molded sheet form or a stabled sheet form, the top
sheet is partially cut out in order to promote the liquid-pervious
property. Alternatively, the top sheet is omitted, and the upper
surface of the absorber can be allowed to function as the top
sheet.
[0109] As the absorber, a super absorbent polymer (SAP) is
preferably used together with a main material of fluff pulp
including wood pulp or non-wood pulp in a cotton form.
Additionally, absorber paper alone, or a mixture or lamination of
thermally bonded fibers is used. Moreover, a laminated structure is
preferred in which the whole material is enwrapped with tissue in
order to prevent such SAP from jumping out. For the absorber, in
addition to the above-described constitution, a skin contact sheet
may directly be coated with a coat liquid in which the super
absorbent polymer (SAP) and micro-fibrillated cellulose are
dispersed in an aqueous solution of propylene glycol or methanol,
or a nonwoven cloth of a synthetic fiber using polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester and other thermoplastic resins as the raw
materials may also be coated with the coat liquid.
[0110] It is to be noted that the above-described micro-fibrillated
cellulose is a very micro fiber obtained by refining the wood pulp
under high share and having an average fiber length of 0.1 mm or
less.
[0111] As a stretchable band member, stretchable elastic members
for use in a conventional absorbent product as an object of the
present invention, such as ribbon-shaped flat rubber of natural
rubber, urethane thread, thread rubber, stretchable net, and
stretchable film, may be are used as such. Alternatively, a
composite elastic material joined to the same sheet material as the
material of the back sheet or top sheet via measures such as a hot
melt adhesive and heat seal in an extended state may separately be
attached for use, and may be used with an arbitrary width dimension
and extension magnification.
Embodiments
[0112] Embodiments of a diaper as an absorbent product according to
the present invention will be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 6. However, the present invention is not limited to
these embodiments, and these can further be combined, or applied
also to another technique which is to be included in the scope of
the present invention described in claims of this specification.
This will also similarly apply to the following.
[0113] An appearance of the diaper according to a first group of
embodiments as one mode of the absorbent product of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1, a developed configuration thereof is
shown in FIG. 2, a middle sectional shape extending to a back body
region from a front body region is shown in FIG. 3, and a IV-IV
arrow view sectional structure of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 4. That
is, a diaper 10 in the present embodiment has an underwear shape as
a whole, and includes: a liquid-impervious back sheet 11
constituting a so-called diaper cover; a liquid-pervious center top
sheet 12C to be overlapped with a width-direction middle portion of
the back sheet 11; a pair of liquid-pervious left and right side
top sheets 12S to be overlapped with width-direction opposite side
edges of the back sheet 11 so that inner side edges of the top
sheets are overlapped with width-direction opposite side edges of
the center top sheet 12C having a given width; an absorber 13 which
is disposed among the back sheet 11 and center top sheet 12C, and
pair of left and right side top sheets 12S (hereinafter referred to
collectively and roughly as the top sheets 12) and which extends to
a back body region 10R from a front body region 10F of the diaper
10 and which substantially includes a sheet of a sand clock shape;
a plurality of stretchable waist surrounding elastic members 15
which are held by turnup portions (waist surrounding opening 14) in
an extended state along the waist surrounding opening 14 of the
diaper 10; a plurality of stretchable leg surrounding elastic
members 17 which are held between the back sheet 11 and top sheet
12 in an extended state along leg surrounding openings 16 of the
diaper 10; and a skin contact sheet 18 which is disposed on the top
sheet 12 to extend to the back body region 10R from the front body
region 10F of the diaper 10 and in which longitudinal-direction
opposite ends 18E are bonded to the turnup portions of the back
sheet 11 on a top sheet 12 side. In the present embodiment, the top
sheet 12 is divided into the center top sheet 12C and one pair of
left and right side top sheets 12S, but these can naturally be
constituted of a single sheet.
[0114] Moreover, a sheet base material coated with a mixture of a
super absorbent polymer (SAP) and micro-fibrillated cellulose, or a
pulpless sheet of the mixture of SAP and micro-fibrillated
cellulose held between the sheet base materials is used as the
absorber 13 in the present embodiment. When this pulpless sheet is
used, the thickness of the absorber 13 can be set to be very small,
and therefore wearable properties are satisfactory. This pulpless
sheet is superior in water absorbing property and shape holding
property, and the pulp is not used as a basic constitution.
Therefore, even after the liquid is absorbed, a wet state does not
last. Miscellaneous bacteria breeding is not easily caused, and
therefore the sheet is also superior in hygiene aspect. As the
pulpless sheet, Mega Thin.RTM. (tradename: manufactured by Japan
Absorbent Technology Institute) of a nonwoven cloth coated with a
mixture of SAP and micro-fibrillated cellulose, or a sheet having a
mixture of SAP and micro-fibrillated cellulose held between the
tissues is known.
[0115] It is to be noted that as the absorber 13, the
above-described pulpless sheet and pulp may be used in combination.
In this case, it is also possible to dispose the pulpless sheet
over the whole lower surface of the pulp sheet, or to dispose the
pulpless sheet in a portion where an absorption amount of urine is
to be increased in a concentrated manner.
[0116] For the skin contact sheet 18 in the present embodiment, a
large number of mesh openings 19 are formed over the whole surface
of a foamed polyethylene resin molded in a net shape, the
longitudinal-direction opposite ends 18E are bonded to the turnup
portion of the back sheet 11 in an extended state, and the sheet
can stretch along the longitudinal direction. In this case, the
stool is guided into a gap 21 between the skin contact sheet 18 and
top sheet 12 via a large number of openings 19 formed in the skin
contact sheet 18.
[0117] An open area ratio of the skin contact sheet 18, that is, a
ratio of the area of the openings 19 occupied per unit area of the
skin contact sheet 18 is preferably in a range of 10 to 90%. When
the open area ratio is lower than 10%, the stool does not easily
pass through the skin contact sheet 18. Conversely, when the ratio
exceeds 90%, the skin contact sheet 18 drops in strength, and the
stool passes through the openings 19 of the skin contact sheet 18
and easily turns back.
[0118] It is to be noted that in the present embodiment a cutout
portion 20 substantially having a V shape is formed in a
width-direction middle portion of a portion constituting a front
body region of the diaper 10. Since the cutout portion 20 is formed
in this manner, the urine can be guided into the absorber 13 from
the top sheet 12 without passing through the skin contact sheet 18.
Therefore, a skin of a wearer can be prevented from being wetted by
the urine. However, as in the present embodiment, with the skin
contact sheet 18 in which a large number of openings 19 are formed,
the urine is immediately absorbed by the absorber 13 from the top
sheet 12 via the openings 19 of the skin contact sheet 18, and
therefore the cutout portion 20 is not necessarily required.
[0119] Since the stretchable skin contact sheet 18 extends to the
back body region 10R from the front body region 10F of the diaper
10, the skin contact sheet 18 includes a hanging structure inside
the top sheet 12. At a wearing time, the skin contact sheet 18 is
stretched in the longitudinal direction, the skin contact sheet 18
securely abuts on the wearer's skin in a close contact state, and
the gap 21 is formed between the top sheet 12 and skin contact
sheet 18. Therefore, even when the skin contact sheet 18 is in
close contact with the wearer's skin, the high humidity state can
be prevented. Additionally, even when the wearer moves in any
direction, any one of the mesh openings 19 can be kept in an opened
state, and the stool can securely be guided onto the top sheet 12
through the openings 19.
[0120] It is to be noted that the wearer's urine can quickly be
absorbed into the absorber 13 from the top sheet 12 by the cutout
portion 20 of the skin contact sheet 18 without passing through the
skin contact sheet 18. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment,
the underwear type diaper 10 has been described, but the present
invention can also be applied in a developed-type diaper in which
opposite sides of the front body region 10F of the diaper 10 are
overlapped with the opposite sides of the back body region 10R and
fastened with tapes.
[0121] Stretchable elastic members for conventional use in the
so-called disposable diaper, such as flat rubber of natural rubber,
urethane thread, and thread rubber, are used as the elastic members
15, 17 arranged in the waist surrounding opening 14 and leg
surrounding openings 16, and bonded and fixed using a hot melt
adhesive.
[0122] In the above-described embodiment, the foamed resin molded
in the net shape is used as the skin contact sheet 18, but a sheet
in which a large number of openings are mechanically formed may
also be used as the skin contact sheet 18. A developed
configuration of another embodiment of the diaper according to the
present invention is shown in FIG. 5, the same function members as
those of the above embodiment are denoted with the same reference
numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. That is, the skin
contact sheet 18 in the present embodiment is formed of a
stretchable sheet elastic member, and a large number of circular
openings 19 are formed at predetermined intervals. Each of the
openings 19 has a diameter of 3 mm or more, preferably 5 mm or
more, and the openings 19 are arranged at such a density that the
skin contact sheet 18 is not broken by these openings 19.
[0123] In addition to the circular shape as in the present
embodiment, the shape of the opening 19 can appropriately be
selected from rectangular, elliptical, and triangular shapes and a
shape including a plurality of slits carved in the skin contact
sheet 18 in an intersecting manner.
[0124] In the above-described embodiment, the skin contact sheet 18
is formed to the back body region 10R from the front body region
10F of the diaper 10, but may be disposed to the back body region
10R from at least a crotch region. A developed configuration of a
second embodiment of the diaper according to the present invention
is shown in FIG. 6, the same function elements as those of the
above embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals, and
the redundant description is omitted. That is, for the skin contact
sheet 18 in the present embodiment, stretchable elastic ribbons 22
are arranged in longitudinal and transverse directions at
predetermined intervals, these intersecting portions are integrally
joined to one another, and the sheet includes a large number of
openings 19 each forming a rectangle surrounded with four elastic
ribbons 22. The skin contact sheet 18 is disposed to the back body
region 10R from the crotch region of the diaper 10 in an extended
state, and the longitudinal-direction opposite ends 18E are joined
to the top sheet 12 and the turnup portion of the back sheet 11
positioned in a middle portion of a crotch region.
[0125] Also in the present embodiment, the stool is guided into the
gap 21 (not shown: see FIG. 3) formed between the skin contact
sheet 18 and the top sheet 12 via the openings 19 of the skin
contact sheet 18, and the urine is absorbed by the absorber 13 from
the top sheet 12 in the front body region 10F of the diaper 10.
[0126] According to one mode (first group) of the above-described
diaper of the present invention, a plurality of openings are formed
in the skin contact sheet which is disposed on the top sheet and in
which at least longitudinal-direction opposite ends are joined on
the top sheet. Therefore, the discharged stool is guided between
the skin contact sheet and top sheet via the openings, the backside
of the wearer is not made dirty, and as a result skin troubles can
be avoided.
[0127] When the cutout portion is formed in the width-direction
middle portion of the front body region of the skin contact sheet,
the urine can be guided into the absorber from the top sheet
without passing through the skin contact sheet.
[0128] When the skin contact sheet is in the form of a net shape,
the stool can quickly be guided into a portion between the skin
contact sheet and top sheet.
[0129] When the skin contact sheet is constituted of a foamed
resin, feeling of wear can be kept to be satisfactory.
[0130] When the skin contact sheet is constituted of a stretchable
elastic member, the skin contact sheet can securely be brought into
close contact with the wearer.
[0131] When the absorber includes a mixture of a super absorbent
polymer (SAP) and micro-fibrillated cellulose, the thickness of the
diaper is reduced and the feeling of wear can be kept to be
satisfactory.
[0132] An appearance of the diaper according to a second group of
embodiments as another mode of the absorbent product of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 7, a developed configuration thereof is
shown in FIG. 8, a III-III arrow view sectional structure is shown
in FIG. 9, and the middle sectional shape extending to the back
body region from the front body region of the diaper in the
embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. That is, a diaper 110 in the
present embodiment includes: a liquid-pervious top sheet 111
constituting the underwear type as the whole; a liquid-impervious
back sheet 112 to be overlapped with the top sheet 111; an absorber
113 which is disposed between the top sheet 111 and back sheet 112
and which extends to a back body region 110R from a front body
region 110F of the diaper 110 and which substantially includes a
sheet of a sand clock shape; a plurality of stretchable waist
surrounding elastic members 115 which are held between the top
sheet 111 and back sheet 112 in an extended state along a waist
surrounding opening 114 of the diaper 110; a plurality of
stretchable leg surrounding elastic members 117 which are held
between the top sheet 111 and back sheet 112 in an extended state
along leg surrounding openings 116 of the diaper 110; a skin
contact sheet 118 which is disposed on the top sheet 111 to extend
to the back body region 110R from the front body region 110F of the
diaper 110 and in which longitudinal-direction opposite ends 118E
are joined to the top sheet 111; a cutout portion 119 which is
formed in a width-direction middle portion of the portion
constituting the front body region of the diaper 110 of the skin
contact sheet 118 and which is substantially in the form of a V
shape or U shape; an opening 120 formed in the portion forming the
crotch region of the diaper 110 in the middle portion of the skin
contact sheet 118; and two sets of four stretchable elastic members
121a, 121b, 122a, 122b joined in an extended state along the
longitudinal direction of the skin contact sheet 118 so as to
surround the opening 120.
[0133] The skin contact sheet 118 in the present embodiment
includes an upper sheet 118U and a lower sheet 118L overlapped with
each other, and the above-described two sets of elastic members
121a, 121b, 122a, 122b are held between the upper sheet 118U and
lower sheet 118L. One set of elastic members 121a, 121b pass
through the crotch region from a width-direction one end of the
front body region so as to hold the opening 120, and extend to the
width-direction other end of the back body region. The other set of
elastic members 122a, 122b pass through the crotch region from the
other end of the width direction of the front body region so as to
hold the opening 120, and extend to the width-direction one end of
the back body region. That is, two sets of elastic members 121a,
121b, 122a, 122b are arranged in a crossed state with respect to
the skin contact sheet 118 so as to intersect with one another via
the opening 120, and the opening 120 is surrounded with these two
sets of elastic members 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b.
[0134] As the top sheet 111, it is preferred to use a
liquid-pervious nonwoven cloth of synthetic fiber using
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and other thermoplastic
resins as the raw materials.
[0135] As the back sheet 112 constituting the so-called diaper
cover, it is possible to use the liquid-impervious sheet alone, and
it is also possible to use a plurality of laminated nonwoven
cloths. A liquid-impervious polyethylene sheet, preferably a
polyethylene sheet in which micro holes are formed for air
permeability, or a liquid-impervious sheet having moisture
permeability, such as a stretch-oriented sheet obtained by adding
fillers to a thermoplastic resin, is preferably used as the
liquid-impervious sheet. When the moisture permeability is
imparted, fear of humidity state can be eliminated, and the diaper
becomes more comfortable. Furthermore, to enhance feeling of touch,
a nonwoven cloth of synthetic fiber using thermoplastic resins such
as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester as the raw materials
may be attached to the surface of the back sheet 112. In this case,
the nonwoven cloth may be either liquid-impervious or
liquid-pervious.
[0136] For the absorber 113, a super absorbent polymer (SAP) is
preferably used together with the main material of fluff pulp
including wood pulp or non-wood pulp in the form of cotton.
Additionally, an absorber paper alone, or a mixture or lamination
of thermally bonded fibers is used. Moreover, a laminated structure
is preferred in which the whole material is enwrapped with a tissue
123 in order to prevent SAP from jumping out.
[0137] For the elastic members 115, 117 arranged in the waist
surrounding opening 114 and leg surrounding openings 116,
stretchable elastic members for use in a conventional disposable
diaper, such as a flat rubber of natural rubber, urethane thread,
and thread rubber, are used, and bonded and fixed using a hot melt
adhesive.
[0138] A nonwoven cloth of synthetic fibers using polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester and other thermoplastic resins as the raw
materials, mesh sheet, and film are used as the skin contact sheet
118. In this case, the front body region may be formed of a
liquid-pervious nonwoven cloth or film, and the crotch region and
back body region may be formed of a liquid-impervious nonwoven
cloth, mesh sheet, or film.
[0139] For the elastic members 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b, the
stretchable elastic members for use in a conventional absorbent
product, such as a ribbon-shaped flat rubber of natural rubber,
urethane thread, thread rubber, stretchable net, and stretchable
film, can be used as such, have arbitrary width dimensions, and are
joined to the skin contact sheet 118 by the hot melt or heat seal
with an arbitrary extension magnification. In the present
embodiment, for each of the elastic members 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b,
one member is used, but each member may be constituted of a
plurality of members if necessary.
[0140] An arbitrary shape of the opening 120 can be used, and, for
example, a circular or elliptical opening, or a star-shaped slit
formed of two or more intersecting cuts can appropriately be
selected.
[0141] As described above, since at least four elastic members
121a, 121b, 122a, 122b joined to the skin contact sheet extend to
the back body region 110R from the front body region 110F of the
diaper 110, the skin contact sheet 118 has a hanging structure
inside the top sheet 111. At the wearing time, these elastic
members 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b are stretched, the skin contact
sheet 118 abuts on the wearer's skin in a close contact state, a
gap 124 is formed between the top sheet 111 and skin contact sheet
118, and the stool is guided into the gap through the opening 120.
Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the opening 120 of the skin
contact sheet 118 from being closed by elastic forces of the
elastic members 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b.
[0142] In the present embodiment, at the wearing time, the skin
contact sheet 118 in a contracted state by the elastic members
121a, 121b, 122a, 122b is stretched into a developed configuration
as shown in FIG. 8, and the middle portion of the crotch region
surrounding the opening 120 is deformed into a rhombic shape by
four linearly stretched elastic members 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b.
However, the deformation acts substantially equally in the
periphery of the opening 120, and the opening 120 is held in the
rhombic portion without being closed. Moreover, since the elastic
members 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b are arranged in a width-direction
outer edge of the skin contact sheet 118, and the skin contact
sheet 118 can abut on the wearer's skin to prevent its position
deviation. Even if the stool is not guided onto the top sheet 111
from the opening 120 of the skin contact sheet 118 and remains
between the skin contact sheet 118 and the wearer's backside, the
elastic members can function as a gather for preventing leak from
the width-direction outer edge of the skin contact sheet 118.
[0143] It is to be noted that the wearer's urine is quickly
absorbed into the absorber 13 from the top sheet 111 by the cutout
portion 119 of the skin contact sheet 118 without passing through
the skin contact sheet 118. Moreover, in the above-described
embodiment, the underwear-type diaper 110 has been described, but
the present invention can also be applied to a developed-type
diaper in which the opposite sides of the front body region 110F of
the diaper 110 are overlapped with the opposite sides of the back
body region 110R and fastened with tapes.
[0144] Furthermore, a joined pattern of the elastic members 121a,
121b, 122a, 122b with respect to the skin contact sheet 118 is not
limited to the crossed pattern, and patterns shown in FIGS. 11 to
14 can also be used. Such another embodiment of the present
invention will be described hereinafter, but the same function
members as those of the above embodiment are only denoted with the
same reference numerals, and the redundant description is
omitted.
[0145] That is, each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 14
shows a portion of the skin contact sheet 118 in a developed state.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, one set of the elastic members
121a, 121b pass through the crotch region from the width-direction
one end of the front body region so as to hold the opening 120, and
extend to the width-direction one end of the back body region. The
other set of the elastic members 122a, 122b pass through the crotch
region from the width-direction other end of the front body region
so as to hold the opening 120, and extend to the width-direction
other end of the back body region. Therefore, the elastic members
121b, 122b positioned outside the skin contact sheet 118 in the
width direction are arranged along the width-direction opposite
side edges of the skin contact sheet 118, but the elastic members
121a, 122a positioned inside the skin contact sheet 118 in the
width direction are curved so as to surround the opening 120, and
the opening 120 is surrounded by the pair of elastic members 121a,
122a. In this case, the elastic members 121a, 122b and the elastic
members 121b, 122a can also be overlapped with one another, or
intersect with one another in the side edge of the opening 120, but
are preferably arranged not to be overlapped with one another as
shown.
[0146] The reason is that with the elastic members 121a, 122b
intersecting with the elastic members 121b, 122a, a tensile force
around the opening 120 becomes nonuniform, the skin contact sheet
118 is wrinkled, and a sense of discomfort is possibly given to the
wearer. Additionally, the elastic members 121b, 122b allows the
width-direction side edges of the skin contact sheet 118 to be in
close contact with the wearer. Therefore, when the elastic members
121a, 122a intersect, the close contact property of the skin
contact sheet 118 is deteriorated.
[0147] In this embodiment, when the skin contact sheet 118 is
stretched at the wearing time, the elastic members 121b, 122b
positioned in the width-direction opposite side edges are extended.
Therefore, the opening 120 is stretched on the width-direction
opposite sides and simultaneously stretched in an extension
direction of the elastic members 121a, 122a. In the same manner as
in the above embodiment, the deformation of the opening 120
surrounded with the elastic members 121a, 122a substantially
uniformly functions around the opening, and the opening 120 is held
without being closed.
[0148] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, one set of elastic
members 121a, 121b pass through the crotch region from one side
edge of the front body region so as to hold the opening 120, and
extend to the other side edge of the front body region. The other
set of elastic members 122a, 122b pass through the crotch region
from one side edge of the back body region so as to hold the
opening 120, and extend to the other side edge of the back body
region. That is, the elastic members 121b, 122b intersect with each
other over the opening 120, and the opening 120 is surrounded by
the elastic members 121b, 122b. The elastic members 121a, 121b, and
elastic members 121b, 122a can be arranged so as to overlap with or
intersect with each other, but are preferably arranged not to
overlap with each other as shown.
[0149] The reason is that with the elastic members 121a, 122b
intersecting with the elastic members 121b, 122a, the tensile force
around the opening becomes nonuniform, the skin contact sheet 118
is wrinkled, and the sense of discomfort is possibly given to the
wearer.
[0150] Also in the present embodiment, when the skin contact sheet
118 is stretched at the wearing time, the elastic members 121b,
122b surrounding the opening 120 is held in an extended state. In
the same manner as in the above embodiment, the deformation of the
opening 120 surrounded with the elastic members 121b, 122b
substantially uniformly functions around the opening, and the
opening 120 is held without being closed.
[0151] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the cutout portion 119
as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is removed, a second
absorber 125 forming a trapezoid is disposed instead in the front
body region of the skin contact sheet 118, and a middle sectional
shape extending to the back body region from the front body region
is shown in FIG. 15. That is, when the second absorber 125 is
disposed in the front body region of the skin contact sheet 118,
the thickness of the absorber 113 can be set to be entirely small,
and the skin contact sheet 118 can be kept to be in a dry state
even after urination. In the present embodiment, the second
absorber 125 covered with a cover sheet 118C is disposed on the
back side of the lower sheet 118L, but it is also possible to
dispose the second absorber 125 between the upper sheet 118U and
lower sheet 118L. For the second absorber 125, the same
constitution as that of the above-described absorber 113 can also
be used, but it is preferred to directly coat the skin contact
sheet with a coat liquid in which the super absorbent polymer (SAP)
and micro-fibrillated cellulose are dispersed in a mixed solution
of propylene glycol or methanol and water, or attach a web obtained
by coating a nonwoven cloth consisting of synthetic fibers using
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and other thermoplastic
resins as the raw materials with the coat liquid to the skin
contact sheet.
[0152] It is to be noted that the above-described micro-fibrillated
cellulose is a very micro fiber obtained by refining a wood pulp
under high share and has an average fiber length of 0.1 mm or
less.
[0153] Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the cutout portion
119 is removed, and the second absorber 125 forming a rhombus is
disposed in the front body region of the skin contact sheet 118.
Furthermore, elastic members 121c, 122c are added to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 12. The elastic member 121C in one set is disposed so
that a bent end of the member is disposed opposite to that of the
elastic member 122a in the other set. Similarly, the elastic member
122c in the other set is disposed so that the bent end of the
member is disposed opposite to that of the other elastic member
121a in one set. The opening 120 is surrounded by the elastic
members 121a, 122b, and the second absorber 125 is surrounded by
the elastic members 121b, 122a.
[0154] The elastic members 121b, 122a are arranged in this manner,
thereby a region where the second absorber 125 surrounded with the
elastic members 121b, 122a is disposed forms a concave depression
by contraction forces of these elastic members 121b, 122a, and the
depression functions as a urine reservoir until the urine is
absorbed by the second absorber 125.
[0155] In order to prevent the stool from being mixed with the
urine, the shape of the absorber 113 in the crotch region can be
devised as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18. Still further embodiments of
the present invention will be described hereinafter, but the same
function members as those of the above embodiment are only denoted
with the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are
omitted.
[0156] That is, each of embodiments shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 shows
the middle portion of the diaper 110 in a broken structure
extending to the back body region 110R from the front body region
110F. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, a weir portion 113D
positioned in the front body region from the opening 120 in the
crotch region just under the opening 120 is formed to extend in the
width direction, while the thickness of the absorber 113 is
increased. Arrangements are made such that the stool guided onto
the top sheet 111 from the opening 120 is prevented from easily
moving to the front body region and being mixed with the urine.
Conversely, the urine is prevented from easily moving to the crotch
region from the front body region and being mixed with the
stool.
[0157] Moreover, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a waveform
portion 120S which can avoid the movement of stool is formed on the
surface of the absorber 113 extending to the back body region from
the crotch region disposed opposite to the opening 120. On the
other hand, a weir 126 for inhibiting the stool guided to the
waveform portion 120S from the opening 120 from moving to the front
body region is formed by the top sheet 111 along the width
direction of the crotch region, and the upper end of the weir 126
is disposed to abut on the skin contact sheet 118.
[0158] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the thickness of the
absorber 113 extending to the back body region from the crotch
region disposed opposite to the opening 120 is reduced to form a
pocket portion 127, and arrangements are made such that the stool
guided to the pocket portion 127 from the opening does not easily
move on the top sheet 111.
[0159] According to another mode (second group) of the
above-described diaper of the present invention, since the
stretchable elastic member is joined to the skin contact sheet in
an extended state so as to surround the opening disposed in a
portion of the crotch region of the skin contact sheet, the skin
contact sheet can be in close contact with the wearer.
Additionally, the opening is held in an opened state by a
stretching force of the elastic member, the discharged stool is
guided between the skin contact sheet and top sheet via the
opening, the wearer's backside is not made dirty, and, as a result,
the skin trouble can be inhibited from being generated.
[0160] Moreover, two sets of two elastic members are arranged in a
crossed state in the skin contact sheet so as to intersect with
each other via the opening. Alternatively, at least two elastic
members are passed through the crotch region from one side edge of
the front body region of the diaper so as to hold the opening and
extended to the other side edge of the front body region, and at
least two elastic members are passed through the crotch region from
one side edge of the back body region of the diaper so as to hold
the opening and extended to the other side edge of the back body
region. In this case, the contraction force substantially uniformly
functions in the periphery of the opening. Therefore, when these
elastic members are extended, the opening can securely be opened
without being closed.
[0161] When the cutout portion is formed in the width-direction
middle portion of the skin contact sheet forming the front body
region of the diaper, the urine can quickly be absorbed by the
absorber disposed between the top sheet and back sheet. In this
case, when the skin contact sheet is set to be liquid-impervious,
the wearer's backside can be kept in a dry state.
[0162] When the second absorber is disposed in a portion of the
skin contact sheet forming the front body region of the diaper, the
urine can quickly be absorbed by the absorber and can be prevented
from being mixed with the stool.
[0163] An appearance of a diaper according to a third group of
embodiments as another mode of the absorbent product of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 19, a developed configuration thereof is
shown in FIG. 20, front shapes on the skin contact sheet side in an
extended or non-extended state on the back sheet side are shown in
FIGS. 21 and 22, and a middle sectional shape extending to the back
body region from the front body region of the diaper is shown in
FIG. 23. That is, a diaper 210 in the present embodiment includes:
a liquid-impervious back sheet 212 including a pair of longitudinal
side flap portions 211 with which a wearer's waist is covered; a
liquid-pervious top sheet 213 overlapped with the back sheet 212;
and an absorber 214 which is disposed between the back sheet 212
and top sheet 213 and which extends to a back body region 210R from
a front body region 210F of the diaper 210 and which substantially
includes a sheet of a sand clock shape. The side edges of the pair
of longitudinal side flap portions 211 are mutually fused/welded to
form a joined portion 215 so that the whole forms the underwear
pant shape, and thereby a waist surrounding opening 216 and a pair
of right and left leg surrounding openings 217 are simultaneously
formed.
[0164] In the diaper 210 in the present embodiment, end parts of a
back sheet 212 and top sheet 213 constituting the waist surrounding
opening 216 are turned back toward the inside (top sheet 213 side),
and a pair of front and back slits 218 extending along the waist
surrounding opening 216 are formed in the turnup portion, so that a
pair of front and back end flaps 219 are formed and opposite ends
of the flaps are fastened with the joined portion 215. In these end
flaps 219 and waist surrounding opening 216, a plurality of
stretchable elastic members 220 for the end flaps and waist
surrounding elastic members 221 held between the top sheet 213 and
back sheet 212 are disposed in an extended state along the waist
surrounding opening 216. Similarly, a plurality of stretchable leg
surrounding elastic members 222 held between the top sheet 213 and
back sheet 212 are disposed along the leg surrounding openings 217
in an extended state.
[0165] A skin contact sheet 223 is disposed on the top sheet 213,
and extends to a back body region 210R from a front body region
210F of the diaper 210, and longitudinal-direction opposite ends
223E of the sheet are joined to the pair of front and back end
flaps 219. The length of the skin contact sheet 223 is set to be
shorter than an interval of the pair of front and back slits 218 in
an extended state. Therefore, when the back sheet 212 and 213 are
in an extended state, as shown in FIG. 21, the end flaps 219 are
stretched and the slits 218 are largely opened. Conversely, when
the slits 218 are closed, as shown in FIG. 22, the back sheet 212
and top sheet 213 are loosened. The length of the skin contact
sheet 223 is set to be shorter than the interval of the pair of
front and back slits 218 in an extended state in this manner, and
thereby a gap 224 can be formed between top sheet 213 and skin
contact sheet 223, which comes in close contact with the skin at
the wearing time of the diaper 210.
[0166] An elliptic opening 229 for guiding the stool onto the top
sheet 213 from the gap 224 formed between the skin contact sheet
223 and top sheet 213 is formed in the crotch region of the skin
contact sheet 223. When the skin contact sheet 223 is formed to be
liquid-impervious in a region to the back body region from the
crotch region, even a mixture of stool and urine is partitioned
from the wearer's backside by the skin contact sheet 223, and the
wearer's backside can be kept to be clean.
[0167] That is, the urine is passed through the skin contact sheet
223 and absorbed by the absorber 214 held between the top sheet 213
and back sheet 212. Moreover, the stool is guided into the gap 224
between the skin contact sheet 223 and top sheet 213 from the
opening 229 formed in the crotch region of the skin contact sheet
223, and held on the top sheet 213. This can prevent the urine from
being mixed with stool and reduce the occurrence of diaper
rash.
[0168] Only the skin contact sheet 223 is extracted and shown in
FIG. 24. In the skin contact sheet 223, second absorbers 225
extending along the longitudinal direction of the sheet can be
formed in stripes at given intervals, and this can provide a
satisfactory dry feeling of touch. The second absorbers 225 include
a mixture of SAP and micro-fibrillated cellulose, and the skin
contact sheet 223 is coated with the absorber, so that the
thickness of the absorber can be reduced and a sense of discomfort
at the wearing time can be eased.
[0169] In the above-described embodiment, the end flaps 219 are
formed over the whole region of the waist surrounding opening 216,
but may substantially have the same widths as those of the
longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E of the skin contact sheet
223, and the elastic members can also be disposed in regions other
than the vicinity of the waist surrounding opening 216 in the front
and back body regions.
[0170] In another embodiment of this diaper according to the
present invention, a front configuration on the skin contact sheet
223 side in a developed state is shown in FIG. 25 in which the back
sheet side is not extended, but the same function members as those
of the above embodiment are only denoted with the same reference
numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. That is, in the
present embodiment, in a region including the side flap portions
211 between the waist surrounding opening 216 and leg surrounding
openings 217 in the front and back body regions, a plurality of
elastic members 232 disposed adjacent to the absorber 214 are
disposed along the waist surrounding opening 216 in an extended
state. Moreover, the longitudinal-direction opposite ends of the
leg surrounding elastic members 222 are disposed in the vicinity of
elastic member 232 of the front body region and elastic member 232
in the back body region so as to cross at right angles to these
elastic members 232.
[0171] The end flaps 219 are disposed only in the width-direction
middle portion of the diaper 210, and the slits 218 are formed
along the waist surrounding opening 216. Moreover, a region on the
waist surrounding opening 216 side from the slits 218 is joined
integrally to the top sheet 213, and the plurality of elastic
members for end flaps 220 are disposed in an extended state on the
crotch region in a free state. The longitudinal-direction opposite
ends 223E of the skin contact sheet 223 are integrally joined to
the portions of the end flaps 219 on the crotch region side from
the slits 218. Even in the present embodiment, the length of the
skin contact sheet 223 is set to be shorter than an interval of the
pair of front and back slits 218 in an extended state of the diaper
210. Thereby, the skin contact sheet 223 can be brought in close
contact with the wearer's skin at the wearing time of the diaper
210.
[0172] In the above-described embodiment, at least the front body
region of the skin contact sheet 223 is formed to be
liquid-pervious, and thereby the urine is passed through the skin
contact sheet 223 and absorbed by the absorber 214 from the top
sheet 213. Moreover, when the cutout portion is formed in the
width-direction middle portion of the front body region of the skin
contact sheet 223, it is also possible to absorb the urine directly
by the absorber 214 from the top sheet 213 without being passed
through the skin contact sheet 223.
[0173] An appearance of another embodiment of this diaper according
to the present invention is shown in FIG. 26 in a developed state,
the same function members as those of the above embodiment are only
denoted with the same reference numerals, and redundant
descriptions are omitted. That is, in the present embodiment, a
cutout portion 226 is formed in the width-direction middle portion
of the front body region of the skin contact sheet 223 in the
present embodiment, and thereby the urine is absorbed into the
absorber 214 directly from the top sheet 213 not via the skin
contact sheet 223. Therefore, it is also possible to form the whole
skin contact sheet 223 to be liquid-impervious, and this can more
securely prevent the urine from being mixed with stool.
[0174] In the above-described embodiment, the
longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E of the skin contact sheet
223 are joined to the stretchable end flaps 219. However, the slits
passed to the outside from the inside of the diaper 210 are formed
along the waist surrounding opening 216, and the
longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E of the skin contact sheet
223 may also be joined right in the vicinity of the waist
surrounding opening side from the slit.
[0175] An appearance of another embodiment of this diaper according
to the present invention is shown in FIG. 27 in a developed state,
the same function members as those of the above embodiment are only
denoted with the same reference numerals, and redundant
descriptions are omitted. That is, each of the
longitudinal-direction opposite ends of the back sheet 212 in the
present embodiment is turned back on the top sheet 213 side to form
a turnup portion 227 joined integrally to the top sheet 213, and a
pair of front and back slits 228 extending along the waist
surrounding opening 216 are formed in the turnup portion 227. The
slits 228 in the present embodiment are passed to the outside from
the inside of the diaper 210. Therefore, the waist surrounding
opening 216 has a tape-shaped portion in the front and back body
regions of the diaper 210, and in the present embodiment this
portion is joined to the longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E
of the skin contact sheet 223. The waist surrounding elastic
members 221 are disposed over the whole regions of the turnup
portions 227 via the slits 228. Even in the present embodiment, a
distance between the front and back turnup portions 227 joined to
the longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E of the skin contact
sheet 223 is set to be longer than the length of the skin contact
sheet 223.
[0176] It is to be noted that the second absorbers 225 are disposed
in the front body region of the skin contact sheet 223 in the
present embodiment, and further the back body region is formed in a
net shape to constitute the openings of the present invention.
[0177] Therefore, at the wearing time of the diaper 210, a
tape-shaped portion of the waist surrounding opening 216 is
stretched by the skin contact sheet 223 and extended to form a gap
among the skin contact sheet 223, back sheet 212, and top sheet 213
in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and the stool is
passed through the back body region of the skin contact sheet 223
having a net shape and held onto the top sheet 213.
[0178] Instead of the above-described skin contact sheet 223, it is
also possible to dispose the skin contact sheet 223 shown in FIG.
24 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 28. In this case, the urine
is held by the second absorbers 225 of the skin contact sheet 223,
and the stool is passed through the opening 229 and held on the top
sheet 213, so that the urine and stool can be prevented from being
easily mixed.
[0179] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 29, the width-direction middle
portion of the region to the back body region from the crotch
region of the skin contact sheet 223 can be cut out to form the
opening. In the present embodiment, stretchable elastic members 231
are disposed in an extended state in the back body region of the
tape-shaped skin contact sheet 223, and thereby arrangements are
made such that the skin contact sheet 223 is securely in close
contact with the wearer's skin at the wearing time.
[0180] In this manner, the constitution of the skin contact sheet
223 can arbitrarily be changed if necessary. Moreover, in FIGS.
28-29, the same function parts as those of the above embodiment are
denoted with the same reference numerals.
[0181] An appearance of another embodiment of this diaper according
to the present invention is shown in FIG. 30 in a developed state,
front configurations on the skin contact sheet 223 side are shown
in FIGS. 31 and 32 in an extended or non-extended state on the back
sheet side, and a middle sectional configuration extending to the
back body region from the front body region of the diaper is shown
in FIG. 33. The same function members as those of the above
embodiment are only denoted with the same reference numerals, and
redundant descriptions are omitted.
[0182] That is, in the present embodiment the waist surrounding
elastic members 221 held between the back sheet 212 and top sheet
213 is divided by the slits 228 reaching the inside and outside of
the diaper 210. For the front and back body regions of the diaper
210, the longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E of the skin
contact sheet 223 are joined to the taped waist surrounding opening
216.
[0183] Therefore, in the same manner as in the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 27 to 29, at the wearing time the tape-shaped portion of the
waist surrounding opening 216 is stretched by the skin contact
sheet 223 and elongated, and the gap 224 is formed among the skin
contact sheet 223, back sheet 212, and top sheet 213.
[0184] In the above-described embodiment, the elastic members for
the end flaps 220 and waist surrounding elastic members 221 are
used to elongate the end flaps 219 and tape-shaped waist
surrounding opening 216 at the wearing time, but a stretchable
sheet which elongates itself can also be used as the end flap.
[0185] An appearance of another embodiment of this diaper according
to the present invention is shown in FIG. 34 in a developed state,
but the same function members as those of the above embodiment are
only denoted with the same reference numerals, and redundant
descriptions are omitted. That is, the stretchable sheet having
stretchable elasticity is used for the end flap 219 in the present
embodiment, and disposed along the waist surrounding opening 216,
and the opposite ends of the sheet are integrally joined to the
joined portion 215. Also in the present embodiment, a longitudinal
distance between the portions of the end flaps 219 to which the
longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E of the skin contact sheet
223 are joined is set to be longer than the length of the skin
contact sheet 223.
[0186] Therefore, at the wearing time the end flaps 219 are
stretched by the skin contact sheet 223 and elastically displaced
inwards, and a gap is formed among the skin contact sheet 223, back
sheet 212, and top sheet 213.
[0187] It is to be noted that for use in the stretchable sheet for
use as the end flap 219, in addition to a nonwoven cloth having
stretchable elasticity, a ribbon-shaped flat rubber of natural
rubber, urethane thread, thread rubber, stretchable net, or
stretchable film can also be held by the nonwoven cloth, and fixed
by measures such as a hot melt adhesive and heat seal.
[0188] The stretchable sheet can also be joined along the open end
of the waist surrounding opening 216, as long as the sheet can
elongate along the longitudinal direction of the skin contact sheet
223. An appearance of another embodiment of this diaper according
to the present invention is shown in FIG. 35 in a developed state,
but the same function members as those of the above embodiment are
only denoted with the same reference numerals, and redundant
descriptions are omitted. That is, the pair of front and back end
flaps 219 to which the longitudinal-direction opposite ends 223E of
the skin contact sheet 223 are joined are disposed along the waist
surrounding opening 216 using a longitudinally and transversely
stretchable sheet, and the open end side of the waist surrounding
opening 216 is integrally joined on the top sheet 213. Furthermore,
the back sheet 212 is turned back in the joined portion, and the
waist surrounding elastic members 221 are held. Therefore, at the
wearing time of the diaper 210 the end flaps 219 are stretched by
the skin contact sheet 223 to elongate, and the skin contact sheet
223 is in close contact with the wearer's skin.
[0189] In the above-described embodiment, the elliptic opening 229
is formed in the crotch region of the skin contact sheet 223, but
the shape of the opening 229 can appropriately be changed, and a
cutout portion 230 may have a shape shown in FIG. 36. FIG. 36 shows
an appearance of another embodiment of the skin contact sheet 223
according to the present invention. The above-described second
absorbers 225 are applied substantially in parallel via the cutout
portion 230 along the longitudinal direction of the skin contact
sheet 223. When the cutout portion 230 is formed instead of the
opening 229, the reverse flow of the stool guided into the gap
between the skin contact sheet 223 and top sheet 213 from the
cutout portion 230 can be reduced as compared with the above
embodiment, and the wearer's backside can be kept to be
cleaner.
[0190] As shown in FIG. 37, the above-described cutout portion 230
may be disposed over the whole back body region to the
longitudinal-direction one end 223, and the interval between the
ends is enlarged in a Y shape on the top sheet 213 side. The stool
can be guided onto the top sheet 213 through the cutout portion
230.
[0191] According to a still another mode (third group) of the
present invention, the stretchable band member is formed along at
least one waist surrounding opening on the absorber side, the skin
contact sheet is disposed on the absorber surface, the stretchable
band member is joined to the longitudinal-direction end of the skin
contact sheet, and the stretchable property is imparted to the skin
contact sheet. At the wearing time of the diaper, the skin contact
sheet can constantly be held in a close contact state with respect
to the wearer's skin by the contraction force of the stretchable
band member stretched by the skin contact sheet.
[0192] When the liquid-pervious top sheet is disposed between the
absorber and skin contact sheet, the urine is easily absorbed by
the absorber. Moreover, even if the wearer's skin is in contact
with the top sheet, the skin can be prevented from being directly
in contact with the wet absorber.
[0193] The end flaps which are disposed along the waist surrounding
opening and whose opposite ends are joined onto the absorber side
and which have stretchable properties along the waist surrounding
opening form the stretchable band member, a pair of front and back
end flaps are disposed along the waist surrounding opening, and the
longitudinal-direction opposite ends of the skin contact sheet are
joined to the pair of end flaps. At least the front body region is
formed to be liquid-pervious, the opening is formed in the crotch
region, and the length dimension of the skin contact sheet
positioned between the pair of end flaps is set to be shorter than
the extension dimension between the pair of end flaps. In this
case, by the contraction force of the end flap stretched by the
skin contact sheet, the skin contact sheet abuts on the wearer in a
close contact state, and the gap can be formed between the skin
contact sheet and back sheet. Moreover, the stool is guided onto
the back sheet through the opening, and the wearer's backside can
be isolated from the stool via the skin contact sheet. Even if the
sticking range of the stool spreads on the back sheet because of
the wearer's movement or stool fluidity after excretion, there can
be provided a diaper by which the wearer's backside is not easily
soiled and as a result the skin trouble is not easily
generated.
[0194] When the opening of the skin contact sheet is the cutout
portion, the wearer's backside can be kept to be cleaner as a
result of suppression of the reverse flow of the stool guided onto
the back sheet from the cutout portion.
[0195] The end flaps which are disposed along the waist surrounding
opening and whose opposite ends are joined onto the absorber side
and which have stretchable properties along the waist surrounding
opening form the stretchable band members, the pair of front and
back end flaps are disposed along the waist surrounding opening,
and the longitudinal-direction opposite ends of the skin contact
sheet are joined to the pair of end flaps. The cutout portion is
formed in the width-direction middle portion of the front body
region, the opening is formed in the crotch region, and the length
dimension of the skin contact sheet positioned between the pair of
end flaps is set to be shorter than the extension dimension between
the pair of end flaps. In this case, by the contraction force of
the end flap stretched by the skin contact sheet, the skin contact
sheet abuts on the wearer in a close contact state, and a gap can
be formed between the skin contact sheet and back sheet. Moreover,
the urine is quickly absorbed by the absorber from the cutout
portion of the skin contact sheet, the stool is held onto the back
sheet from the opening formed in the skin contact sheet, and, as a
result, mixing of these can be prevented.
[0196] When at least the back sheet is turned back on the absorber
side to form the end flaps, the same material as that of the back
sheet can be used as the end flaps. Therefore, it is not necessary
to use expensive elastic sheets as the end flaps, and the
manufacturing cost of the diaper can be reduced.
[0197] When the end flaps include stretchable elastic members
disposed along the waist surrounding opening in an extended state,
an arbitrary material can be used as the stretchable elastic member
as desired. Thereby, abutment strength of the skin contact sheet
with respect to the wearer's skin can freely be designed.
[0198] The pair of front and back slits are formed along the waist
surrounding opening, the stretchable elastic members are disposed
along and via the slits in an extended state to form the
stretchable band member, and the longitudinal-direction opposite
ends of the skin contact sheet are joined in the vicinity of the
pair of slits. At least the front body region is formed to the
liquid-pervious, the opening is formed in the crotch region, and
the length dimension of the skin contact sheet positioned between
the pair of slits is set to be shorter than the extension dimension
between the pair of slits. In this case, by the contraction force
of the stretchable band member stretched by the skin contact sheet,
the skin contact sheet abuts on the wearer in a close contact
state, and the gap can be formed between the skin contact sheet and
back sheet. Moreover, the urine is absorbed by the absorber from
the front body region of the skin contact sheet which has a
liquid-pervious property, the stool is held onto the back sheet
from the opening formed in the skin contact sheet, and, as a
result, mixing of these can be prevented.
[0199] The pair of front and back slits are formed along the waist
surrounding opening, the stretchable elastic members are disposed
along and via the slits in an extended state to form the
stretchable band member, and the longitudinal-direction opposite
ends of the skin contact sheet are joined in the vicinity of the
pair of slits. The cutout portion is formed in the width-direction
middle portion of the front body region, the opening is formed in
the crotch region, and the length dimension of the skin contact
sheet positioned between the pair of slits is set to be shorter
than the extension dimension between the pair of slits. In this
case, by the contraction force of the stretchable band member
stretched by the skin contact sheet, the skin contact sheet abuts
on the wearer in a close contact state, and a gap can be formed
between the skin contact sheet and back sheet. Moreover, the urine
is absorbed by the absorber from the cutout portion of the skin
contact sheet, the stool is held onto the back sheet from the
opening formed in the skin contact sheet, and, as a result, mixing
of these can be prevented.
[0200] At least one of the longitudinal-direction opposite ends of
the skin contact sheet is joined on the open end side of the waist
surrounding opening from the slit, or on the crotch region side
from the slit. In this case, the stretchable property is improved
as compared with the stretchable band member in which the slits are
not formed. Therefore, the follow-up property of the skin contact
sheet with respect to the wearer's movement can be enhanced.
[0201] The stretchable elastic member disposed adjacent to the
absorber along the waist surrounding opening is disposed in at
least a part of the front and back body regions of the back sheet
in an extended state. In this case, the fit property of the diaper
around the wearer's waist can be enhanced without unnecessarily
deforming the absorber.
[0202] To dispose the second absorber in the skin contact sheet,
particularly when the second absorber includes a mixture of the
super absorbent polymer (SAP) and micro-fibrillated cellulose, and
is applied/formed onto the skin contact sheet, dry feeling can be
kept even if the wetted skin contact sheet is in contact with the
wearer's skin. Additionally, the thickness of the second absorber
can be reduced, and the sense of discomfort at the wearing time can
be eased.
[0203] Moreover, the urine is promptly absorbed by the absorber
from the cutout portion of the skin contact sheet through the top
sheet, and the stool is held by the skin contact sheet. As a
result, mixing of these can be prevented.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0204] According to the present invention, there can be provided an
absorbent product in which a skin contact sheet including at least
one opening is used to devise a distribution state of openings and
arrangements of elastic members and skin troubles such as diaper
rash are thereby removed.
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