JPH0638998A - Absorbable product with quickly liquid conveying belt - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To provide an absorbent article provided with a liquid carrying zone that improves the penetration and diffusion of liquid into the absorbent core and reduces the risk of lateral leakage. A liquid-permeable topsheet 2, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 3, an absorbent pad 4 arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet to absorb liquid discharge from the human body, a topsheet and A liquid transfer zone 10 is provided between the absorbent pads.
The liquid carrier zone 10 comprises a screen pattern 13 and / or an embossing pattern 15 that is longitudinally oriented. The high fiber density portion of the screen pattern 13 realizes high-speed liquid transport compared to other portions, and the embossed portion of the emboss pattern 15 in which the fibers are highly compressed suppresses the transport of liquid to the lateral end portion.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel absorbent article, and more particularly to sanitary articles, sanitary napkins, absorbent sheets and the like. As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to an article that absorbs and retains body exudates, and more specifically, into a wearer's body to absorb and retain various exudates discharged from the body. It relates to articles placed opposite or close together.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Absorbent articles in various forms formed to absorb body fluids such as menth, urine and excrement are well known. Absorbent articles generally include a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core or pad disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. Emissions from the wearer's body easily pass through the topsheet and are retained by the absorber core. Further, additional layers or a plurality of additional layers may be interposed between these layers. These additional layers may be responsible for the rapid transport of the effluent.

Such additional layers improve the diffusion of the effluent into the absorber core. There are several reasons why improved diffusivity of liquid effluent is important, for example, in addition to providing liquid effluent transport throughout the absorbent core, absorbent articles can be made relatively thin. Sometimes it is possible to do. Diffusive as used herein includes transport of liquid in one, two or all directions (ie, the x-y plane and / or the z-direction). Such carrier layers can be constructed from a number of different materials including non-wovens and woven synthetic fibers. Several references disclose absorbent articles having layers for such purposes. For example, a sanitary napkin comprising a liquid acquisition layer and a topsheet was filed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,264 issued to Osborn and also filed on Dec. 17, 1991 in the name of Cree et al. Patent application number 07 / 810,774, "Absorben
t Article Having Fused Layers ".

[0004]

However, there is a need for a further improved liquid transport layer having a high liquid diffusivity in the longitudinal direction. This is because the diffusion speed of the liquid in the nonwoven fabric is generally constant regardless of the direction. When a nonwoven fabric is generally used as a cover sheet or a top sheet for an absorbent core in a sanitary napkin, a large amount of liquid may diffuse in the lateral (width) direction. Lateral leakage sometimes occurs when liquid is stored beyond the lateral liquid absorption capacity of the absorber core.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid transfer zone which exhibits improved diffusivity and excellent transfer of liquid to the longitudinal edges of a sanitary napkin. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid transfer belt that suppresses the transfer of liquid to the lateral end of the sanitary napkin.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article having an improved carrier zone.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an absorbent article having a rapid liquid transport zone, such as a physiological fluid transport zone with improved transport or diffusivity of liquid exudates. We provide napkins, disposable diapers and incontinence pads. Such an absorbent article comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, an absorbent pad, and a liquid carrying band. The absorbent pad is located between the topsheet and the backsheet and has a longitudinal edge. The liquid transfer zone is located between the topsheet and the absorbent pad. The liquid carrying zone comprises a non-woven fabric, the non-woven fabric has a screen pattern with high fiber density parts in which the spaces between the fibers are narrowed, or an embossed pattern with embossed parts in which the fibers are highly compressed, or It has both a screen pattern and an embossed pattern. The high fiber density portion of the screen pattern is predominantly oriented at the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad to carry liquid to the longitudinal edges. The highly compressed parts of the embossed pattern of fibers are predominantly tended to the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad and inhibit the transfer of liquid to the lateral edges.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 1, an absorbent article 1 typically has a generally rectangular shape, although the edges may each be formed as an arcuate portion 5. The absorbing member 4 is generally smaller than the back sheet 3 and has a substantially rectangular shape, but the edge portion following the arc-shaped portion 5 of the back sheet 3 may be formed as the arc-shaped portion 6. The longitudinal side portion 7 of the absorbent pad 4 as the absorbing member may be curved inward and the central portion may be formed to be slightly narrow.

The absorbent article 1 has two centerlines, a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline.
The term “longitudinal” as used herein generally refers to a plane of the absorbent article 1 that is aligned with the vertical line that divides the standing body into right and left when the absorbent article 1 is worn (eg, substantially parallel). A line, axis, or direction. As used herein, the terms "transverse" or "lateral" are interchangeable and are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1
A line, axis, or direction on the plane of.

The topsheet is generally formed to completely cover the wearer side surface of the absorbent pad. Preferably, the topsheet may extend beyond the peripheral edge of the absorbent pad or may wrap around the lateral edge of the absorbent pad and be secured to the backsheet while surrounding the peripheral edge of the absorbent pad.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an absorbent article 1 according to the present invention. The absorbent article 1 comprises a liquid permeable topsheet 2, a liquid impermeable backsheet 3, an absorbent pad 4 for absorbing liquid exudates from the human body interposed therebetween, and generally in the longitudinal direction. Further, a liquid transfer belt 10 for transferring the liquid discharge is provided. The term "generally longitudinal" is used herein to include directions oblique to the longitudinal centerline. The term “primarily” is used herein in a manner similar to the term “generally” and is not intended to be limited to a particular orientation or angle. The preferred absorbent article 1 additionally has a second layer between the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3.

The top sheet 2, the back sheet 3, and the absorber core 4 have various well-known structures (so-called tube type products or side flaps).
However, the preferred sanitary napkin construction is generally 19
U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,264 issued to Osborn on Aug. 21, 1990, entitled "Thin, Flexible San.
itary Napkin, "U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,13 issued Jan. 10, 1984 to DesMarais.
No. 0 “Compound Sanitary Napkin”, US Pat. No. 4,32, issued March 30, 1982 to Ahr.
No. 1,924, "Bordered Disposable Absorbent Art
icle ”, Van Tillberg, August 18, 1987
U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,47 issued to (Van Tilburg)
No. 8 "Shaped Sanitary Napkins With Flaps". Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference and its disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a sanitary napkin in which the length and width dimensions of the topsheet 2 and backsheet 3 are generally larger than those of the absorbent core 4. The top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 may extend beyond the end edge of the absorber core 4, and in this case, the extended portion may form a part of the peripheral edge portion or may form a side flap.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier belt 10 is shown.
Is arranged between the top sheet 2 and the absorber core 4. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier belt 1
0 is arranged between the top sheet 2 and the air-laid tissue which is arranged on the absorber core 4 and functions as the second layer. The conveyor belt 10 is arranged in the vicinity of the central portion 4a between the longitudinal edges 4b of the absorber core 4 and in the substantially central portion between the side ends of the absorber core 4. Conveyor belt 10
Controls the permeation and transport of the liquid along the length of the absorbent core 4 toward the inside of the core.

The conveyor belt 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier strip 10 is a strip having a rectangular shape in plan view. It should be understood, however, that the carrier strip need not be strip-shaped. The term "strip" as used herein refers to a single unfolded sheet or groups of sheets, folded sheets, strips or bands of material, sheets with loose or bonded fibers, multiple layers. And material laminates, or combinations of other such material groups, and the like, but are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the carrier strip 10 need not be rectangular. The term "strip" as used herein also includes, but is not limited to, rectangular shapes, dog-bone shapes, hourglass shapes, triangular shapes.

The width of the carrier belt 10 is preferably about 20 mm to about 40 m for the absorber core 4 having a width of about 60 mm.
m, more preferably 30 mm. The ratio of the width of the carrier zone 10 to the width of the absorbent core 4 takes various forms depending on the degree of liquid diffusibility and the absorption capacity of the absorbent core 4. This ratio is preferably 1: 6 to 5: 6, more preferably 2: 5 to 7:10. The length of the transport belt 10 is preferably shorter than the length of the absorber core 4 in the longitudinal direction. The conveyor belt 10 is attached to the absorber core 4 having a length of about 180 mm in the longitudinal direction.
The length is preferably about 110 mm. It has been found that the shape and size of such a carrier band are determined from the viewpoint of product performance, manufacturing process, aesthetics, and the like.

The carrier strip 10 comprises a nonwoven having on its surface a visible pattern 11 which is predominantly longitudinally oriented. The visible pattern 11 characterizes the transport direction of the liquid in the transport zone 10 of the present invention apart from the inherent tendency of a nonwoven fabric having a uniform fiber density and a uniform configuration. Generally, non-woven materials provide liquid transfer in all directions (ie, the x-y plane direction and the z (vertical) direction) to the same degree.

The visible pattern 11 is a screen pattern 13 or an embossed pattern (embo).
Any of the ssed pattern 15 may be used, but a combination of the screen pattern 13 and the emboss pattern 15 is preferable. As shown in FIG. 3, the screen pattern 13 comprises high fiber density portions 17 that are predominantly longitudinally trended toward the longitudinal edges of the napkin. The high fiber density portion 17 is a part of the nonwoven fabric in which the nonwoven fabric is compressed in the z direction, that is, the vertical direction. In the preferred embodiment, the screen pattern 13 comprises a grid pattern 19 consisting of diamonds 21 having a major axis 23 and a minor axis. Screen patterns as used herein include substantially parallel lines or lines having repeating elements on the long and short sides, herringbone patterns, as well as continuous and / or interrupted patterns of such lines or patterns, It also includes, but is not limited to, combinations of such patterns that are predominantly longitudinally oriented.

The screen pattern is a melt blow
blown) It can be formed in the process of bonding fibers to a nonwoven fabric. In the manufacturing process, the molten thermoplastic plastic resin is blown from a die tip of an extruder onto a conveyor or collection screen by a high velocity gas stream. In such a process, as shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the conveyor or the collection screen on which the contour of the collecting screen is reflected forms a concave screen pattern 13 in the nonwoven fabric. In this concave screen pattern 13, the fibers are closer to each other as compared with the rest of the nonwoven fabric, and the density of the fibers is relatively high. The concave screen pattern 13 has a high fiber density portion having a narrow gap between fibers for exhibiting an excellent capillary phenomenon, and therefore the liquid transport speed in the concave portion is higher than that in the uncompressed portion 18. Since the transport belt 10 of this embodiment has the lattice pattern 19 and the long axis 23 of each rhombus is oriented in the longitudinal direction, the transport rate of the liquid in the longitudinal direction is higher than that in the lateral direction.

Embossed pattern 15 of visible pattern 11
Has a portion of the thin film element 25 in which the fibers of the non-woven fabric are highly compressed, and suppresses the transport of the liquid through the embossing pattern 15. In the preferred embodiment, the embossed pattern 15
Comprises a fine ellipse 27 in which the fibers of the nonwoven are highly compressed, pressed or even perforated.
The thin ellipses 27 are arranged at regular intervals over the entire transport zone, and more preferably in the vicinity of the central portion and the lateral edges. Each slender ellipse 27 is preferably longitudinally trended. However, the embossed pattern 15
Is not limited to the slender ellipse 27 which is longitudinally inclined. As used herein, the term "emboss pattern (emboss
"ed pattern)" includes, but is not limited to, straight lines, curves, or continuous and / or interrupted lines of these lines, or other patterns that are predominantly longitudinally oriented. The embossing pattern applies pressure and heat energy to one surface of the nonwoven fabric by a pair of embossing rollers,
It is preferably formed by applying to both surfaces. The thin film element 25 of the embossing portion regulates the conveyance of the liquid passing through the embossing portion and substantially conveys all the liquid so as to bypass the embossing pattern 27.

The combination of the screen pattern 13 and the embossing pattern 15 described above exhibits excellent liquid conveyance characteristics in the longitudinal direction. This is due to the excellent diffusibility of the liquid in the screen pattern 13 in the longitudinal direction and the regulation of the lateral transfer of the liquid in the embossed pattern 15.
The screen pattern 13 and the embossing pattern 15 can also be randomly combined. In the preferred embodiment, embossing pattern 15 is screen pattern 13
Which are combined between the concave line elements 13a of FIG. 1 and exhibit excellent liquid transportability by combining different characteristics of the screen pattern 13 and the embossing pattern 15.

The transport belt 10 is preferably hydrophilic in order to exhibit good transportability and liquid absorption / diffusion property. The fibers or yarns that make up the conveyor belt
Although a) can be made hydrophilic originally, in this case, it is preferable to perform a treatment for making the surface hydrophilic. A preferred material for making the fibers hydrophilic is treatment with a surfactant. The fibers may be spray treated or the material may be dipped into a surfactant to form the hydrophilic carrier zone 10. For details of such treatment and hydrophilicity, US Pat. No. 4,988,34 issued to Reising et al.
No. 4, US Patent 4, issued to Reising
No. 988,345, respectively.

The carrier strip 10 can be formed of a woven or non-woven material. The material may be synthetic fiber or a partially synthetic and partially natural material. Preferred synthetic fibers are polyester and polypropylene.
ylene), nylon (nylon), viscose rayon (v
iscos rayon) fiber or cellulose acetate (c
ellulose acetate), a mixture of polyester fibers. Preferred natural fibers include cotton, cellulose, or other natural fibers. The carrier strip 10 may also comprise at least partially cross-linked cellulosic fibers. Suitable cross-linked cellulosic fibers are disclosed in Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,093 issued Dec. 19, 1989, Dean et al.
Published on April 18, 989 4,822,543
U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,595 issued Dec. 26, 1989 to Schoggen et al. And U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,642 issued Feb. 6, 1989 to Moor et al. No. 1 for Lash etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,935 issued Jun. 19, 990
No. 022. The amount of these natural or altered fibers, however, should not be so great that the topsheet cannot adequately melt into the synthetic fibers in the rest. The carrier zone may also be provided with capillary channel fibers, that is to say fibers which preferably constitute the channels on the outer surface. Such fibers are disclosed in detail in EPO patent application 0,391,814, published October 10, 1990, and in such patent applications for capillary fiber. The carrier zone may also be comprised of any of the above materials combinations, such as a mixture of fibers similar to the constructions described below for the absorbent core, and any equivalent material or combination of materials.

If the carrier belt 10 is a non-woven fabric, various different manufacturing processes, such as spunbonding, are used.
It can be formed by or carding. However, it is not limited to these examples. In a more preferred embodiment, the carrier zone comprises a meltblown nonwoven fabric. Preferably, the carrier zone comprises a polyethylene meltblown nonwoven having a basis weight of about 50 to 100 gms / m ² , more preferably about 90 gms / m ² . These types of meltblown fibers are available in Scott Nonwovens; Scott Paper Company, Philadelph
ia, Pennsylvania, the USA).
The melt-blown non-woven fabric is composed of fibers having a small wire diameter that creates minute gaps between the fibers to cause diffusibility of liquid. The fibers or yarns that make up the carrier zone can be of various fiber lengths, from a given length to continuous filaments. The fibers preferably have a denier of 1.0 or less, and more preferably an average of about 0.52 denier.

The fibers of the preferred carrier band material of this embodiment are formed from polyethylene resin. A preferred topsheet made of polyethylene resin facilitates meltbonding of the carrier strips. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier strip is associated with the topsheet in a contact relationship, which may be accomplished by any known fiber-to-cloth joining method. Examples of the joining method include mechanical joining and adhesive fixing means, and more preferred is the melt joining disclosed in US Serial No. 07 / 810,774 filed under the name of Cree and the like. Melt bonding includes thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding and the like.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the carrier belt 30 is a melt blown or spunbonded non-woven fabric to improve the transportability of liquid in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. A particular suitable carrier strip 30 comprises a series of longitudinally-oriented embossments or compressions. In this embodiment, a series of longitudinally oriented embossments or compressions is formed from a grid pattern 31 with diamonds 33. The size and shape of the carrier belt 30 are determined by the performance of the product and the aesthetic requirements. Preferably the dimension of the carrier belt 30 is z
Direction thickness or caliper is about 0.55
mm to 0.58 mm, width about 30 mm, length about 110 mm.

The longitudinal edge 5 of the absorbent article typically has a construction in which the topsheet 2 and backsheet 3 are joined together by a suitable seal 8, preferably heat seal, with an additional nonwoven layer 15 interposed. There are also things to do.

The backsheet 3 and topsheet 2, as well as any applicable additional non-woven layer 15, can be secured to the absorber core 4 by securing means known in the art. For example, the backsheet 3 and / or the topsheet 2 may be applied in a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, or a layer of adhesive shaped in a predetermined pattern, or in a line, spiral, or spot pattern of independent lines of adhesive. They can be bonded to each other by an adhesive. A satisfactory adhesive is HB Fuller Company (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Are manufactured under the designated number HL-1258 or H-2031. The securing means is preferably US Pat. No. 4,573,986 “Disposable Waste-Conainment Ga” issued to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986.
An open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as described under "rment" is preferably used. This patent is incorporated herein by reference and its description is omitted. An open pattern network of adhesive filaments as a typical joining means is 197
U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague. Jr. on October 7, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,785 issued to Ziecker on Nov. 22, 1978. No. 996, or June 2, 1989
There is a spiral pattern of multiple rows of adhesive filaments disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on 7th. The above U.S. patents are hereby incorporated by reference, and their disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference. Alternative fastening means include thermal bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable fastening means, as well as those known in the art. A combination of fixing means may be mentioned.

The top sheet 2 is soft, has a soft feeling of use, and is not irritating to the skin of the wearer. Further, the top sheet 2 has a liquid permeability that allows a liquid (for example, Menth and / or urine) to easily penetrate the thickness of the top sheet 2. Suitable topsheets 2 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and non-woven materials, and apertured formed thermoplastic films.
s), apertured plastic film (apertured plastic)
films) and hydroformed
) Thermoplastic plastic film, multi-hole foam (p
orousfoams), reticulated foam (reticulatedfoams),
Reticulated thermoplastic film (reticulated th
ermoplasticfilms), and thermoplastic plastic scrims. Suitable woven and non-woven materials include natural fibers such as wood.
Or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers (eg, polymeric fibers or polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. A preferred topsheet 2 comprises an apertured formed film. Aperture-molded films are preferred as topsheets because they are permeable to body exudates and not absorbent, allowing the liquid to revert and re-wet the wearer's skin.
) Is reduced. Therefore,
The cast film keeps the surface of the user in contact with the body dry, thereby reducing body stains and creating a more comfortable feel for the user. This preferred molded film is disclosed in US Patent 3,929, issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975.
No. 135 “Absorbtive Structures Having Tapered Cap
illaries ", April 13, 1982, Mullan
US Pat. No. 4,324,426 issued to e.
sposa ble Absorbent Article Having A Stain-Resista
nt Topsheet ", Radel on August 3, 1982.
No. 4,342,314 issued to Resili et al.
ent Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties
, "U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045, issued 31 July 1984 to Ahr et al.," Macroscopically. "
Expanded Three-Dimentional Plastic WebExhibiting N
on-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile I
mpression ", and the Bird (Bai, April 9, 1991)
rd) issued to U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394 "Mul
tilayer Polymeric Film ”. All of these patents are incorporated by reference, and their disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred topsheets for the present invention are the molded films disclosed in one or more of the above patents, which are "dry" sanitary napkins manufactured by The Procter & Gamble Company (Cincinnati, Ohio). Wave (Dri-
Weave) ”are sold.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least the surface of the molded film as the top sheet that faces the body of the user is hydrophilic, and the surface is not hydrophilic, whereas the surface of the top sheet is not hydrophilic. It accelerates liquid penetration and reduces the risk of menstrual fluids traveling through the topsheet rather than being absorbed by the absorbent core. In a preferred embodiment, the surface-active agent for imparting hydrophilicity is applied to the polymeric material of the cast film as the topsheet, such as Aziz.
No. 07 / 794,745 filed on Nov. 19, 1991 by "Absorbent Arti"
cle Having A Nonwoven and AperturedFilm Covershee
processing as disclosed in “t”. This patent application is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the bodyside surface of the topsheet is incorporated by reference into the previously referenced Osborne US Pat.
It may be rendered hydrophilic by treatment with a surface active agent as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,254,254.

The backsheet 3 is impermeable to liquids (eg Menth and / or urine) and is preferably made from a thin plastic film, but also other flexible liquid impermeable materials. Can also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to a material that is flexible and readily conforms to the general shape and contours of the human body. The backsheet 3 further prevents the exudates absorbed and retained by the absorbent core 4 from wetting articles, such as pants, pajamas and underwear, which are in contact with the sanitary napkin. The backsheet 3 is therefore a woven or non-woven material, a polymeric film such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene, or a composite.
) Materials such as film coated non-woven materials (fil
m-coated nonwoven material). Preferably, the backsheet 3 is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). Any known material used for this purpose can be used for this. A typical polyethylene film used for the back sheet 3 is Clopay Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio, th
manufactured by eU.SA) and specified by designated number P18-0401, and Ethyl Corp.
oration; Visqueen Division, of Terra Haute, Indian
Designated No. XP-39385 manufactured by a, the USA)
Are specified in. The backsheet preferably has an embossed and / or matte finish with a more textured appearance. The backsheet 3 allows vapors to escape from the absorbent core 4 (ie breathable (brea)) while impeding the passage of liquid exudates.
thable)) configuration is preferred.

Absorbent core 4 includes any absorbent means capable of absorbing or retaining liquids (eg Menth and / or urine). As mentioned above, absorber cores come in a variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, egg-shaped, hourglass, dock-bone (do-bone).
g bone), asymmetric shape, etc.). Absorbent core 4 is also made from a variety of liquid absorbing materials commonly used in sanitary napkins and other absorbent articles, such as ground pulp, commonly referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose waddin.
g), meltblown polymers including coforms, chemically cured and modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers such as crimped polyester fibers. fibers),
Peat moss, tissue laminate (ti
ssue laminates and tissue wraps (tissu e wr
Tissue containing abs, absorptive foam (ab
sorbent foams)
ponges), superabsorbent polymer (superabs
orbent polymers), absorbent gelling materials, or other equivalent materials, as well as combinations and mixtures thereof. The shape and configuration of the absorber core can take various forms. For example, an absorbent core may have regions of varying thickness (eg, contoured to be thicker in the center), hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or low density, low average basis weight absorbent regions, Alternatively, it can have one or more layers or structures. The overall absorbent capacity of the absorbent core is tailored to the intended use of the absorbent article and the absorption design. further,
The absorption capacity and size of the absorbent core are variously configured to fit different usage patterns, that is, incontinence pads, panty liners, normal sanitary napkins, night sanitary napkins, and the like.

A suitable absorbent structure for use as the absorbent core of the present invention is described in US Patent "Thin, Flexible S," issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990.
anitary Napkin ", U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986.
"High-Density Absorbent Structure", May 1989
U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735 "High Density Absorbent Membe" issued to Alemany et al.
rs Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Aqu
isition Zones ", and in 1986 Duen
European Patent Application No. 0,19 issued to The Procter & Gamble Company under the name k) et al.
8,683. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In the state of use, the sanitary napkin 1 described above is held in place by a fixing means or a supporting means (not shown) which is well known for this purpose.
Preferably, the sanitary napkin is placed on the user's underwear or panties and fixed by a fixing means such as an adhesive 40. The adhesive 40 provides a means of securing the sanitary napkin to the crotch portion of the panty. Therefore, the adhesive is applied to part or all of the underwear side surface of the absorbent article 1. Any known adhesive or glue used for these purposes can be used as the adhesive here, but pressure sensitive adhesive
sensitive adhesives) are preferred. Suitable adhesives include Century Adhesive Corporation (Cent
ury Adhesives Corporation; Columbus, Ohio)
Century A-305-IV and National Starch and Chemical C
Instant Lock 34-2823 by Ompany; Bridgewater, New Jersey, the USA). Suitable adhesive fasteners are also disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,917,697. Before the sanitary napkin is put into use, the pressure sensitive adhesive is usually covered by a removable release liner 41, which allows the adhesive to dry before use and stick to areas other than the crotch of the panty. Prevent from doing. A preferred release liner is disclosed in the above referenced US Pat. No. 4,917,697. Any available release liner used for this purpose can be used here. A non-limiting example of a release liner is:
Akrosil Corporation; Menasha, Wisconsi
BL30MG-A Silox E1 manufactured by N, the USA)
/ 0 or release paper specified by BL30MG-A, Silox 4R / 0. In the sanitary napkin 1 of the present invention, the release liner is removed and then the sanitary napkin is placed on the panty to bring the adhesive into contact with the panty. The adhesive 40 helps keep the sanitary napkin in place on the panty during use.

As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sanitary napkin may further include a pair of flaps (not shown). Each flap extends laterally from near the line of the juncture located along the side edge of the absorber core. The flap (or wing) is formed to fold back at the end of the crotch portion of the user's panty, and the flap is located between the crotch end and pan of the panty. The flap is provided for at least two purposes. First, the flaps help prevent the Menth from becoming soiled to the wearer and panties, especially by forming a double barrier at the ends of the panties. Secondly, the flaps are preferably provided with fixing means on the undergarment surface so that when the flaps are folded back under the panties, the side facing the panties is fixed to the underwear. In this way, the flap holds the sanitary napkin in place on the panty. The flaps are top sheet 2, back sheet 3,
Alternatively, it can be made of various materials including materials similar to those obtained by combining these materials. In addition, the flap may consist of a single discrete element attached to the main body, as well as an extension of the topsheet and backsheet (ie an integrated flap). Many sanitary napkins having flaps that can be or are suitable for the sanitary napkins of the present invention are available from August 1, 1987.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,478 issued to Van Tilburg on August 8 "Shaped Sanitary Na
pkins With Flaps ", Van on May 20, 1986
US Pat. No. 4, issued to Van Tilburg
589,876 "Sanitary Napkin At" and U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,047 "Sanitary Napkin At" issued to Mattingly on Aug. 26, 1986.
Tachment Means ”. The respective patents are incorporated herein by reference and their disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the liquid carrying zone improves the permeation and diffusion of liquid into the absorbent core and allows the absorbent article to be made relatively thin. . Accordingly, the present invention provides a liquid transport zone with improved liquid transport characteristics, as well as an absorbent article having an improved liquid transport zone that further prevents leakage along the lateral edges.

Although the respective embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, it is obvious that various other variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, such variations and modifications are covered by the appended claims and are within the scope of the invention.

[0037]

As described in detail above, according to the absorbent article of the present invention, the liquid transfer characteristic of the screen pattern of the liquid transfer zone, the liquid transfer characteristic of the embossed pattern, and the synergistic effect of each of these patterns. Due to the effect, the absorbent article can be made relatively thin, and the risk of side leakage can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure according to an embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention, with some cutouts.

FIG. 2 is a plan view in which the top sheet side of the conveyor belt of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 faces an observer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Absorbent article (sanitary napkin) 2 Top sheet 3 Back sheet 4 Absorbent core 10 Liquid transfer zone 13 Screen pattern 15 Emboss pattern

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An absorbent article, which is arranged between a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and the topsheet and the backsheet to absorb liquid discharge from a human body. An absorbent article having an absorbent pad having a longitudinal edge portion and a liquid transfer belt disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent pad, wherein the liquid transfer belt has a nonwoven fabric, An absorbent article with a rapid liquid carrying band characterized in that the non-woven fabric has a screen pattern with a high fiber density portion that is predominantly oriented towards the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad. 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the screen pattern comprises a continuous pattern. 3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the screen pattern comprises a lattice pattern having a rhombus, each of the rhombuses having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being the absorbent pad. Absorbent article characterized in that it is tended towards said longitudinal edges of the. 4. An absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the screen pattern comprises a plurality of parallel lines, each of the parallel lines being a repetition of long and short line elements. . 5. An absorbent article having a longitudinal end portion and a lateral end portion, which is arranged between a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and the topsheet and the backsheet. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having a longitudinal edge portion for absorbing liquid discharge from a human body, and a liquid carrier band arranged between the top sheet and the absorbent pad, wherein the liquid The carrier zone comprises a non-woven fabric, the non-woven fabric suppressing the transport of liquid from the body to the lateral edge, predominantly high fiber tending towards the longitudinal edge of the absorbent pad. An absorbent article with a rapid liquid carrying zone, characterized in that it has an embossed pattern which is compressed and comprises embossed parts. 6. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the embossed portion has a discontinuity line mainly oriented to a longitudinal edge portion of the absorber pad to convey the liquid toward the longitudinal edge portion. Absorbent article characterized by tending. 7. An absorbent article having a longitudinal end portion and a lateral end portion, which is arranged between a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and the topsheet and the backsheet. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having a longitudinal edge portion for absorbing liquid discharge from a human body, and a liquid carrier band arranged between the top sheet and the absorbent pad, wherein the liquid The carrier zone comprises a non-woven fabric, the non-woven fabric having a screen pattern with predominantly high fiber density portions at the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad, and from the body to the lateral edge. Suppresses the liquid transfer of
An absorbent article, characterized in that the fibers that are predominantly tended to the longitudinal edges are highly compressed and have an embossed pattern with embossed portions. 8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the screen pattern comprises a lattice pattern having a rhombus, each of the rhombuses having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being the absorber. An absorbent article, characterized in that it is tended towards said longitudinal edges of the pad. 9. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the embossed portion includes a discontinuity line directed to a longitudinal edge portion of the absorber pad. 10. The absorbent article according to claim 8, further comprising an embossed pattern composed of a discontinuity line, wherein the embossed pattern is arranged inside a rhombus of the lattice pattern in the screen pattern. A characteristic absorbent article.