JPH0467865B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a disposable diaper used for absorbing and retaining bodily excreta, and more particularly, to This invention relates to a disposable diaper having a three-dimensional side flap structure that can be erected toward the body by force.

As long as it is included in the concept of this type of diaper, it can be suitably used regardless of whether it is used for infants, the sick, the incontinent, or the like.

[Prior Art] Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-40269 discloses a disposable diaper in which elastic bands forming gears are attached to the side flaps in the longitudinal direction in order to ensure the tightness of the flaps to the leg surroundings.

Also, in U.S. Patent No. 4,579,556,
Disclosed is a disposable diaper in which elastic bands forming gears are attached to the side flaps in the longitudinal direction in order to improve the adhesion of the flaps to the leg surroundings, and the side flaps are erected toward the wearer's body by the contraction force of the elastic bands. ing.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the diaper disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-40269, the side flaps simply extend outward from the outer edge of the core, and there are legs near the outer edge. An elastic band is attached for enclosing it. Therefore, the contractile force of the elastic band around the legs is strongly transmitted to almost the entire area of the side flaps, and as a result, many wrinkles are generated in the entire area of the side flaps, resulting in an unsightly appearance when wearing the diaper. In order to suppress the generation of side flap wrinkles between the inner edge of the elastic band for the leg circumference and the outer edge of the core, the distance between them can be increased, but of course there is a limit to this distance. Yes, and if it is the largest within the limit,
The side flaps separate from the body, creating an unsightly bulge that hinders walking.

In addition, since the side flap portion where the elastic band for the leg area is located presses against the wearer's body, it can be said that excrement is generally prevented from flowing outward from the side flap portion. This is not perfect, and excretory fluid often leaks out of the side flaps, staining underwear and the like. These shortcomings are
This problem is particularly likely to occur when the upper surface (inner surface) of the thigh flap that contacts the body is formed from an outwardly extending portion of a top sheet that does not have liquid barrier properties, as in the diaper disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 40269.

In the diaper disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,556, the core is formed into a rectangular shape, and side flaps are attached to the outer edges of the diaper. It is made to do. The reason why it stands up in this way is because the rigidity of the core is stronger than that of the side flaps, so the contractile force of the elastic band around the legs that is transmitted to the side flaps is blocked by the outer edge of the core. However, according to this idea, the core is limited to a shape with a straight outer edge, generally a rectangle, and its width is also limited, which limits the fit and tightness of the diaper to the body. It becomes difficult to form other shapes to achieve this.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a second side flap that has liquid barrier properties in addition to the conventional side flap, and to provide a three-dimensional structure to the side flap by attaching an elastic band for surrounding the legs to this. The object of the present invention is to provide a disposable diaper that can eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks all at once.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water-permeable top sheet, a water-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent core interposed between the two sheets, and a lateral opposite side of the core. The present invention is based on a disposable diaper which has a diaper main body consisting of side flaps located at the bottom and whose lower surfaces are water-impermeable, and to which elastic bands for leg circumferences forming elastic gears are attached in the longitudinal direction of the side flaps.

The side flaps include a first flap extending outwardly from the outer edge of the core, and a second flap branching from the upper surface of the first flap.

The outer part of the first flap is formed by the part of the first flap located outside the core, and the outer part of a waterproof sheet having breathability joined to the upper surface of the part, and The outer portion of the first flap extends an appropriate width outward from the branch edge of the second flap on the upper surface of the first flap.

The second flap is formed on an inner side of the waterproof sheet that is not joined to the outer side of the first flap, and the elastic band is attached to a bag-like free end formed on an inner edge of the inner side. ing.

With the second flap lying face down on the upper surface of the diaper main body, the vertically opposing ends of the second flap are fixed to the upper surface, and the central region of the second flap between the vertically opposing ends of the second flap is fixed to the upper surface of the diaper main body. The contracting force of the elastic band causes the second flap to rise from the branched edge toward the wearer's body.

[Function] According to the diaper of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the second flap rises toward the body side by the contractile force of the elastic band around the legs located at the free edge of the second flap, and presses relatively strongly against the body. and maintain watertightness between the free edge and the body.

The second flap stands up toward the body side using its branched edge as a support line and maintains that state due to the contractile force of the elastic band around the legs. At this time,
Since the branching edge of the second flap intersects with the first flap or is bent from the first flap, the contractile force of the elastic band is as strong as it is, moving from the branching edge in the mediolateral direction, that is, toward the core. Since there is no transmission to the outer edge and the outer edge of the first flap, in other words, the contractile force transmitted to the second flap is reduced or alleviated at the branched edge, so the first flap has no leg surroundings. Many wrinkles due to the contraction force of the elastic band for wear are less likely to occur.

[Examples] The present invention will be further described below based on illustrated examples.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the diaper body has a water-permeable top sheet 11, a water-impermeable back sheet 12, an absorbent core 13, and side flaps 14, and has a front region 18 and a back region. It consists of a side area 19 and a crotch area 20. The side flap 14 includes a first flap 16 and a second flap 17 extending outward from the outer edge of the core 13.

The second flap 17 is formed by an inner side 15b of the waterproof sheet 15 having air permeability, which has an outer side 15a joined to the top surface of the top sheet portion 11a extending outward from the outer edge of the core 13. , an elastic band 21 for encircling the legs is attached to the inside of the bag-shaped part 22 formed by folding back the inner edge of the second flap, and the second flap is folded outward as a whole to open its vertically opposing ends 17a. It is adhesively fixed to the anterior and dorsal areas 18, 19.

The first flap 16 includes extensions 11a and 12a of the top and back sheets that extend outward from the outer edge of the core 13 and join together, and the extensions 1
It is formed from the outer part 15a of the waterproof sheet 15 which is joined to the upper surface of the waterproof sheet 1a.

The second flap 17 has a branched edge 17b located on the upper surface of the first flap 16. Branch edge 1
7b is located between the outer edge of the core 13 and the inner edge of the first flap 16, and therefore
The outer side of the flap 16 extends outward from the branched edge 17b of the second flap 17 on the upper surface of the first flap with an appropriate width.

A recessed portion 2 is provided in the longitudinally central region of the outer side of the first flap 16 to fit the wearer's crotch.
3 is formed.

Such a diaper can be formed generally as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a rectangular top sheet 11 and a back sheet 1
The core 13 is positioned between the top sheet 1 and the top sheet 1.
A relatively narrow waterproof sheet 15 with an elastic band 21 for the leg surroundings attached in advance is placed on the horizontally opposite side of the sheet 1, and the double-dot chain hatched area 24 is bonded with hot melt adhesive (not shown) or welding means. and join the sheets 11 and 1 along the dashed line 25.
2 and 15 are cut out to form the recessed notch 23.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the front area 1
An elastic member 27 for the waist circumference is attached between the top sheet 11 and the back seat 12 in the waist circumference of the waist area 8 and the dorsal region 19.

On the side flaps 14 in the back area 19 there is a tape fastener 26 coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
When worn, the diaper is assembled by gluing the free end of the fastener to the front surface, as shown in FIG.

The top sheet 11 is made of a fibrous nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic film, etc., and the back sheet 12 is made of a plastic film, a laminate sheet of the film and a nonwoven fabric, or the like. In the case of the laminate sheet, the nonwoven fabric is used on the outer surface. The plastic film used as the back sheet 12 is preferably breathable and waterproof. The core 13 is a mat-like body in which flat pulp is mixed or not mixed with superabsorbent polymer particles, and at least the upper and lower surfaces thereof are covered with water-permeable sheets. It is rigid. Of course, the core 13 is relatively immovably joined to the top sheet 11 and back sheet 12 using a hot melt adhesive. The elastic band 21 is made of thread-like or tape-like rubber, tape-like plastic foam, plastic film that shows elasticity when heat treated, or the like. As the waterproof sheet 15, a nonwoven fabric treated to be water repellent and has breathable and waterproof properties is preferably used.

In the assembled state of the diaper of the present invention provided with the above structure, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the second flap 17 absorbs the contractile force of the elastic band 21 located at its free edge. With this, the branch edge 17b is used as a support line to stand up toward the body (upward). At this time, the first flap 16 and the second flap 17 intersect in an inverted T-shape at the branch edge 17b, or the second flap 17 intersects with the first flap 16.
Since the elastic band 21 is bent to form the branched edge 17b, the contractile force of the elastic band 21 is transferred from the branched edge 17b to the first flap 1 with the same strong force.
In other words, the contractile force transmitted to the second flap 17 at the branched edge 17b is reduced or relaxed. In addition,
Even when another elastic member is attached to the first flap 16 inside the branch edge 17b, the branch part 17b
Since the contractile force of the elastic member is reduced or relaxed even slightly, the contractile force is transmitted to the outer side of the first flap 16 and causes wrinkles in the outer side, compared to the case where the branched edge 17b does not exist. There's not much to do.

Vertically opposite end 1 bent laterally of second flap 17
7b is fixed, the second flap 17 is
Only the central region stands up as described above using the branch edge 17b as a support line, and maintains that state.

As is clear from FIG. 1, the second flap 17
is contracted to form gears, and the outer part of the first flap 16 extends from the branched edge 17b of the second flap, so that when the diaper is viewed from the front and rear sides, the outer part of the first flap touches the second flap. It will be covered. When the diaper is worn, the outer part of the first flap 16 collapses and completely covers the second flap 17, and when the diaper is viewed from both sides, the second flap 17
is almost invisible. In order to achieve this state, it is preferable that the width of the outer portion of the first flap 16 extending from the branched edge 17b is approximately equal to the width 17 of the second flap, or is appropriately larger than the latter width. However, when the second flap 17 is retracted,
Since the width is reduced, the width in the uncontracted state may be slightly larger than the extended width of the first flap 16.

Since the free edge of the second flap 17 is bag-shaped and the elastic band 21 is located on this free edge, fine gears are formed on the free edge, which press against the body relatively strongly, so that the flap has a good appearance, and A good close state is maintained between the free edge and the body,
Leakage of excrement from between them is prevented.

Incidentally, as is generally seen in conventional diapers, an elastic band 21 is interposed between the top and back sheets 11 and 12 at a portion spaced inward from the outer edge.
It is actually difficult to interpose the elastic band between the outer edges, and if the elastic band is interposed in this way, the elastic band 21 and its bonding agent are exposed from between the outer edges, and the elastic band 21 is exposed between the outer edges. This is to avoid problems such as leakage of excretory fluid from between the outer edges. In this way, the elastic band 21 is placed between the top and back seats 11 and 12 at a portion spaced inwardly from their outer edges.
When the elastic band 21 is positioned, a large number of irregular wrinkles are generated on the outer edge, and the contractile force of the elastic band 21 and the resulting pressing force against the body are also reduced, causing leakage of excrement.

In order to avoid such problems, for example, it is conceivable to form a bag-like part like the bag-like part 22 at the outer edges of the top and back sheets 11, 12, and to position the elastic band 21 inside the bag-like part. However, in this case, in a diaper in which a concave notch 23 is formed in the side flap 14 to improve wearability, the elastic band 21 is attached along the shape of the concave notch, and the bag-like part 22 is formed. However, this is not suitable for disposable diapers, which should be mass-produced by machines at high speed and at low cost.

However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the second flap 17 is formed separately from the first flap 16,
An elastic band 21 is attached to the inner edge of the second flap 7, and a bag-shaped portion 22 is attached to the inner edge.
By forming this, the bag-shaped portion, that is, the stretchable portion formed by the elastic band becomes unrelated to the outer edge of the first flap 16 where the recessed notch 23 is to be formed.
The above problem can be solved.

Further, the outer part 15a of the waterproof sheet 15 forming the second flap 17 is joined to the upper surface of the outer part of the first flap 16, and the width of the narrowest joint part is at least as large as the width of the second flap 17. Since they are almost the same, they have the required bonding strength and there is no risk of them peeling off even if the second flap 17 is pulled relatively strongly.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the diaper of the present invention having the above configuration,
It has the following effects.

The second flap stands up toward the body due to the contractile force of the elastic band around the legs located at its free edge, and the contractile force of the elastic band around the legs acts strongly on the free edge, causing the second flap to stand up toward the body. Although the edge presses against the body relatively strongly, the contractile force exerted on the first flap of the elastic band for the leg circumference is reduced or relieved at the branching edge of the second flap on its upper surface, and is applied to the outer edge of the first flap. Since the transmission is not very strong, an elastic band for the leg circumference is attached near the outer edge of the first flap, and it seems that the elastic band for the leg circumference is under the direct influence of the contractile force. A large number of wrinkles are generated on the outer side of the first flap, and the appearance of the diaper when worn does not become too bad.

The bag-shaped free edge of the second flap that stands up comes into relatively strong pressure contact with the body, and fine gears are formed on the free edge, so that the space between the free edge and the body is kept close, and excrement from between them is kept. leakage is prevented.

Since the outer side of the first flap extends outward from the branching edge of the second flap and the upper surface of the outer side is covered with a waterproof sheet forming the second flap, the second flap The first flap is covered by one flap, and the outer part of the first flap is completely constricted, but the outer part does not have many wrinkles as seen when an elastic member is attached to the outer part. As mentioned above, the wrinkles do not become channels for the flow of excrement. Therefore, even if for some reason a small amount of excretory liquid crosses the second flap in the outward direction and reaches the outer side of the first flap, it is unlikely that the underwear will be soiled with the excretory liquid. The advantage of the outside portion of the first flap is more effectively exhibited when the wearer wears pants that press the diaper against the body over the diaper.

Since the second flap is made from a part of a waterproof sheet with breathability that is separate from the top and back sheets, the top and back sheets are made of sheets with excellent breathability that cannot be expected. It is possible to suppress stuffiness inside the diaper.

The erected state of the second flap toward the body side due to the contractile force of the elastic band around the legs is maintained by the branched edge of the second flap on the upper surface of the first flap and the fixation of its longitudinally opposite end, and the core Since it is independent of the outer edge, it is possible to provide a diaper with an appropriately shaped core that fits snugly against the body.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the diaper of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an assembled view, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, and FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are lines 3-3 and 4- 6 is a perspective view of the essential parts of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the construction process of the diaper of the present invention. 11: Top sheet, 12: Back sheet, 1
3: core, 14: side flap, 15: waterproof sheet, 15a: outer part of waterproof sheet, 15
b: Inside part of waterproof sheet, 16: First flap, 17: Second flap, 17a: Vertical opposite end, 1
7b: Branched edge, 21: Elastic band, 2
2: Pouch-like part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A water-permeable top sheet, a water-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the two sheets,
A disposable diaper having a main body consisting of a side flap located on the side opposite to the core and having a water-impermeable lower surface, and an elastic band for encircling the legs that forms an elastic gear is attached in the vertical direction of the side flap. In the diaper, the side flap includes a first flap extending outward from an outer edge of the core, and a second flap branching from an upper surface of the first flap, and an outer side portion of the first flap is The flap is formed of a portion of the first flap located outside the core and an outer portion of a breathable waterproof sheet bonded to the upper surface of the portion, and the outer portion of the first flap is located on the outer side of the first flap. The second flap extends outward by an appropriate width from the branched edge of the second flap on the upper surface of the first flap, and the second flap is formed of the inner side of the waterproof sheet that is not joined to the outer side of the first flap. The elastic band is attached to a bag-like free end formed on the inner edge of the inner part, and with the second flap lying face down on the upper surface of the diaper main body, the vertically opposing end of the second flap is attached to the upper surface. fixed, and the central region of the second flap between the longitudinally opposing ends of the second flap rises from the branched edge of the second flap toward the wearer's body side by the contraction force of the elastic band. The diaper. 2. The diaper of claim 1, wherein the width of the outer portion of the first flap is at least approximately the same as the width of the second flap.