AU2015293461B2

AU2015293461B2 - Absorptive article

Info

Publication number: AU2015293461B2
Application number: AU2015293461A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tomomi Isogai; Maki MIYAKE
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2014-07-25
Filing date: 2015-04-07
Publication date: 2019-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-07
Also published as: AU2015293461A1; WO2016013258A1; MY172936A; BR112017000728B1; KR20170039206A; PH12017500091B1; CN106572930B; CN106572930A; KR102225481B1; JP2016029975A; JP6393545B2; BR112017000728A2; PH12017500091A1

Abstract

Provided is an absorptive article (1) configured so that: the absorptive article (1) has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a thickness direction, which are perpendicular to each other; the absorptive article (1) also has a first waist section (1a), a crotch section (1m), and a second waist section (1b), which are arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction; and a fastening tape (11) affixed to each of the opposite ends of the second waist section (1b) in the transverse direction is engaged with the first waist section (1a) to form a single waist opening (1HB) and a pair of leg openings (1HL), thereby enabling the absorptive article (1) to be used as a tape type disposable diaper. In an expanded state of the absorptive article (1), cutting lines (1c) along which protrusions of at least the fastening tapes (11) are cut off are formed, the protrusions protruding further toward the outside in the transverse direction than the second waist section (1b). Cutting off the protrusions along the cutting lines (1c) enables the absorptive article (1) to be used as an absorptive pad not having the protrusions.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE [Technical Field] [0001]

The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

[Background Art] [0001a]

The following discussion of the background to the invention is L0 intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any aspect of the discussion was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. [0001b]

L5 Throughout the description and claims of the specification, the word comprise and variations of the word, such as comprising and comprises, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0002]

Conventionally, tape-type disposable diapers have been known as an example of absorbent articles. The aforementioned diapers each include a lengthwise direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another. Further, the aforementioned diapers each include a first waist part, a crotch part and a second waist part, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction. By fastening fastening tapes which are each provided on respective end portions of the second waist part in the lateral direction, to a target region of the first waist part, a waist opening and a pair of leg-surrounding openings are formed, and the diaper is worn by a target wearer.

la

2015293461 31 Jan 2017 [0003]

Further, absorbent pads have been known as another example of absorbent articles (PTL 1) . Broadly speaking, such absorbent pads each have a constitution that the fastening tapes of at least the second waist part are not provided in the above-mentioned tape-type disposable diapers. Since the fastening tapes are not provided, the absorbent pads are often used in combination with diapers. However, the single use of the absorbent pads may be applicable in some cases. [0004]

However, even if the usage pattern may be either the combination use with the diaper or the single use, the fastening tapes do not protrude outward from the second waist part in the lateral direction according to the concerned pads, and thus insertion properties to a narrow space or the like are excellent. Accordingly, the concerned pads can be promptly arranged to an intended arrangement target position such as an inner side of the disposable diaper.

[Citation List] [Patent Literature] [0005] [PTL 1]

Japanese Patent No. 4827704 [Summary of Invention] [Technical Problem] [0006]

Meanwhile, there are low weight infants whose birthweight is 3000 grams or less. Some of such low weight infants, after birth, stay for most of their time in a fetus-like bending posture, the posture being taken by infants in their mother's womb. This fetus-like bending posture is also referred to as a positioned posture. In this posture, while an infant's back bends in C shape as seen from side as shown in FIG. 1A, the infant's legs spread in M shape with the infant' s knees being bent almost up to his/her stomach as shown in FIG. IB. A suitable safety action such as laying an infant on a round cushion (not shown) is taken, and then the infant is placed in a prone position. The infant spends most of his/her time in the prone position.

[0007]

In some cases, in terms of not providing extra stress, a concept of minimum handling that it is preferable not to touch a patient's body may be applied depending on low weight infants 101. For such low weight infants 101, tape-type disposable diapers 1' are used. However, in terms of the minimum handling, the single use of absorbent pads lp' (FIG. 1C) may be applicable.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, pads can be changed only by putting in or pulling out the absorbent pad lp' with respect to low weight infants 101. Thus, when compared with the disposable diaper 1' that requires a fastening operation of the fastening tapes 11', the pads are effective in term of the minimum handling. Consequently, the absorbent pads lp' are singly used in an acute phase that particularly requires the minimum handling.

[0008]

However, in terms of leakage prevention properties, the disposable

2015293461 31 Jan 2017 diaper 1' is more effective, and thus the use of the absorbent pad lp' is limited to a very short period such as a few days at an acute phase. As a result, the fact is that the amount of the pad lp' used is smaller than the amount of the disposable diaper 1' used.

[0009]

Meanwhile, in medical institutions such as NICU (neonatal intensive-care unit), the disposable diaper 1' and the absorbent pad lp' are purchased and stored by discriminating them for each low weight infant 101 in terms of hygiene control and the like. In other words,

L0 a plurality of, such as ten diapers 1' and pads lp' included in one package are not usually shared with a plurality of low weight infants 101, and for example, all of the pads lp' in one package are prepared for one low weight infant 101.

[0010]

L5 However, as stated above, since the amount of the absorbent pad lp' used is smaller than that of the disposable diaper 1' , if the pads lp' for one package are prepared for each low weight infant 101, the pads lp' are not used up and the remaining pads lp' are to be discarded. This may become a cause of an increase of medical expenses.

[0011]

Here, in this regard, if an absorbent article, which can be used as both the disposable diaper 1' and the absorbent pad lp', exists, the aforementioned problems can be solved. For this reason, the provision of such an absorbent article has been eagerly desired at least in NICU.

[0012]

It is therefore desirable to provide an absorbent article that can be used as both a tape-type disposable diaper and an absorbent pad. [0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided an absorbent article that includes a lengthwise direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, the absorbent article comprising a first waist part, a crotch part and a second waist part, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction;

and fastening tapes that are respectively fixed to each of end portions

2015293461 11 Jan 2019 of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as a tape-type disposable diaper by fastening the fastening tapes respectively to the first waist part to form a waist opening and a pair of leg-surrounding openings, cut-off lines being formed in an unfolded state of the absorbent article, the cut-off lines each being used for cutting off at least a protruded portion of each of the fastening tapes, the protruded portion protruding outward of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as an absorbent pad without the protruded

LO portion by cutting off the protruded portion at each of the cut-off lines, the cut-off lines each including a straight portion and a curved portion that has a curved shape, the straight portion extending straight along the lengthwise direction from a part to be the waist opening, the curved portion being located inward of the straight

L5 portion in the lengthwise direction and being displaced outwardly in the lateral direction as the curved portion approaches inwardly in the lengthwise direction.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an absorbent article that includes a lengthwise direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, the absorbent article comprising a first waist part, a crotch part and a second waist part, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction; and fastening tapes that are respectively fixed to each of end portions of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as a tape-type disposable diaper by fastening the fastening tapes respectively to the first waist part to form a waist opening and a pair of leg-surrounding openings, cut-off lines being formed in an unfolded state of the absorbent article, the cut-off lines each being used for cutting off at least a protruded portion of each of the fastening tapes, the protruded portion protruding outward of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as an absorbent pad without the protruded portion by cutting off the protruded portion at each of the cut-off lines, another cut-off line being included for cutting off an end portion of the first waist part

4a

2015293461 31 Jan 2017 in the lateral direction.

Features of the present invention other than the above will become clear by reading the description of the present specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention] [0014]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can be used as both a tape-type disposable diaper and an absorbent pad.

L0 [Brief Description of Drawings] [0015] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of a low weight infant 101 in the positioned posture, FIG. IB is a view along arrows B-B in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a schematic side view showing a state of changing

L5 an absorbent pad lp'.

[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment, which is in an unfolded state.

[FIG. 3] FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views of FIG. 2 respectively taken along line A-A, line B-B and line C-C.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a disposable diaper in a worn state.

[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 in a state in which cut-off lines lc, lc are cut to remove fastening tapes 11, 11.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of main parts for explaining the cut-off lines lc.

[FIG. 7] FIG. 7A is a schematic side view showing a state in which the absorbent article 1 is used as an absorbent pad IP, and FIG. 7B is a view along arrows B-B in FIG 7A.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8A is a schematic side view in a state in which the absorbent article 1 is worn as a tape-type disposable diaper 1 by the low weight infant 101 placed in a prone position, and FIG. 8B is a schematic side view showing a state in which the diaper 1 used as the article 1 is removed from the infant 101 placed in the prone position. [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of main parts for explaining the cut-off lines lc.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of main parts for explaining cut-off lines lc' in a first modified example.

[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of main parts for explaining cut-off lines lc'' in a second modified example.

[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of main parts for explaining cut-off lines lc''' in a third modified example.

[FIG. 13] FIG 13 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article 1' ' ' ' in which cut-off lines lea are formed in a first waist part la. [FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a fastening state with the fastening tapes overlapped.

[FIG. 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of an example in which cut-off lines lclla are formed on tape base materials 11a of the fastening tapes 11.

[Description of Embodiments] [0016]

At least the following matters will become clear with the description of this specification and the attached drawings.

An absorbent article that includes a lengthwise direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, the absorbent article including:

a first waist part, a crotch part and a second waist part, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction; and fastening tapes that are respectively fixed to each of end portions of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as a tape-type disposable diaper by fastening the fastening tapes respectively to the first waist part to form a waist opening and a pair of leg-surrounding openings, cut-off lines being formed in an unfolded state of the absorbent article, the cut-off lines each being used for cutting off at least a protruded portion of each of the fastening tapes, the protruded portion protruding outward of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as an absorbent pad without the protruded portion by cutting off the protruded portion at each of the cut-off lines.

[0017]

According to such an absorbent article, if the absorbent article is used as it is, it can be used as a tape-type disposable diaper. Further, when at least the above-mentioned protruded portion of the fastening tape is cut off along the cut-off line, the absorbent article can be used as an absorbent pad without the protruded portion. [0018]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that the cut-off lines are respectively formed at each position on both sides in the lateral direction by corresponding to each of the fastening tapes, and the cut-off lines are each formed so as to cut off a part to which each of the fastening tapes is fixed in the second waist part. [0019]

According to such an absorbent article, when the absorbent article is used as a tape-type disposable diaper, the absorbent article can be removed from the target wearer while maintaining the prone position without changing the target wearer placed in a prone position to a supine position. Details are as follows. First, in a general wearing form in a case where the article is used as the tape-type disposable diaper, the article is worn by the target wearer so that the above-mentioned second waist part to which the fastening tapes are fixed are located on the back side of the target wearer. Accordingly, in the prone position, the second waist part is generally located upward in the vertical direction, and here, the above-mentioned cut-off lines are formed in the second waist part. For this reason, the part to which the fastening tape is fixed can be cut off promptly. Thus, the fastening tape can be removed from the central part in the lateral direction in the second waist part while the prone position is maintained, so that the absorbent article can be unfolded while the prone position is maintained. Consequently, the absorbent article can be quickly removed from the target wearer placed in the prone position. Incidentally, removing the absorbent article while the prone position is maintained in this way is adequate for a notion of minimum handling. [0020]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that a maximum value of a space between the cut-off lines in the lateral direction is smaller than a maximum value of a dimension of the first waist part in the lateral direction.

[0021]

According to such an absorbent article, the maximum value of the dimension of the remaining part in the lateral direction, which remains in the second waist part after being cut off at the cut-off line, can be made smaller than the maximum value of the dimension of the first waist part in the lateral direction. Consequently, the maximum value of the dimension of the remaining part of the second waist part in the lateral direction after being cut off at the above-mentioned cut-off line can be made smaller than the maximum values of the dimensions of both the first waist part and the second waist part in the lateral direction in a configuration in which the fastening tapes are merely removed from the absorbent article . Thereby, the insertion properties when the absorbent article is inserted with the second waist part side taking the forefront can be improved more than a case having a configuration in which the fastening tapes are merely removed from the absorbent article. Accordingly, the absorbent article can be further favorably used as an absorbent pad.

Moreover, when the user sees the absorbent pad having a magnitude relation as stated above, the user also promptly recognizes that the forefront side when inserting the pad is the second waist part. [0022]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that each of the cut-off lines is formed by a route that extends from a part to be the waist opening, to a part to be the leg-surrounding opening through an inner position of the part to which each of the fastening tapes is fixed in the second waist part in the lateral direction.

[0023]

According to such an absorbent article, the user can cut the portion to which the fastening tape is fixed in the second waist part, starting from the portion to be a waist opening or the portion to be a leg-surrounding opening. Thus, the portion to which the above-mentioned fastening tape is fixed can be quickly cut off from the absorbent article worn by the target wearer as the tape-type disposable diaper while the prone position is maintained. In this way, while the prone position is maintained, the fastening tape can be removed from the central part of the second waist part in the lateral direction, thereby enabling the absorbent article to be unfolded while the prone position is maintained. Consequently, the absorbent article can be quickly removed from the target wearer placed in the prone position.

Further, each of the cut-off lines passes the inner position in the lateral direction of the part to which the fastening tape is fixed in the second waist part. Thus, when the part is cut off, it is not necessary to cut the fastening tape. This can reduce the force required to cut the cut-off line, thereby decreasing an external load that may be exerted to the target wearer at the time of cutting the cut-off line.

2015293461 31 Jan 2017 [0024]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that the cut-off lines each include a straight portion and a curved portion having a curved shape, the straight portion extending straight along the lengthwise direction from a part to be the waist opening, the curved portion being located inward of the straight portion in the lengthwise direction and being displaced outwardly in the lateral direction as the curved portion approaches inwardly in the lengthwise direction.

[0025]

According to such an absorbent article, the remaining part that remains in the second waist part after being cut off at the cut-off line includes a narrow width part having a small dimension in the lateral direction at an outer position in the lengthwise direction and includes a wide width part having a lager dimension in the lateral direction than that of the narrow width part on the inner side of the above-mentioned narrow width part in the lengthwise direction. Thus, when the absorbent pad is inserted with the second waist part side taking the forefront, the absorbent pad is inserted with the aforementioned narrow width part that has a small dimension in the lateral direction, as the forefront, and thus the pad can exhibit favorable insertion properties.

[0026]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that the cut-off lines each include a plurality of through holes that extends through in the thickness direction, and the plurality of through holes is arranged along a direction in which each of the cut-off lines should extend.

[0027]

According to such an absorbent article, the cut-off lines each include a plurality of through holes, and thus the cut-off lines can be easily and certainly cut in a direction in which the cut-off lines extend.

[0028]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that the cut-off

2015293461 31 Jan 2017 lines each include:

a first cut-off line portion that is formed by extending inwardly in the lengthwise direction from a part to be the waist opening; and a second cut-off line portion that is located inward of the first cut-off line portion in the lengthwise direction and is located at the same position as each of the fastening tapes in the lengthwise direction, and when ratios of lengths of the through holes occupying per unit length in a direction in which the cut-off lines each extend are

LO compared, the ratio of the second cut-off line portion is smaller than the ratio of the first cut-off line portion.

[0029]

According to such an absorbent article, the first cut-off line portion is more easily cut than the second cut-off line portion.

L5 Accordingly, when each of the fastening tapes is pulled outwardly in the lateral direction to allow the absorbent article to be worn by the target wearer as the tape-type disposable diaper, it is possible to effectively prevent the second cut-off line portion from being unexpectedly cut, and also, when the cut-off lines are cut to use the absorbent article as the absorbent pad, the cutting can be easily started from the part to be the waist opening based on the first cut-off line portion.

[0030]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that the cut-off lines each include a curved portion having, at an inner position of the second cut-off line portion in the lengthwise direction, a curved shape and being displaced outward in the lateral direction as the curved portion approaches inwardly in the lengthwise direction, when ratios of lengths of the through holes occupying per unit length in a direction in which the cut-off lines each extend are compared, the ratio of the second cut-off line portion is smaller than the ratio of the curved portion.

[0031]

According to such an absorbent article, the curved portion is cut more easily than the second cut-off line portion. Thus, this can effectively prevent the second cut-off line portion from being unexpectedly cut when each of the fastening tapes is pulled outwardly in the lateral direction to allow the absorbent article to be worn by the target wearer as the tape-type disposable diaper. In addition, this allows the curved portion to be accurately cut along the curved target shape when the cut-off lines are cut in order to use the absorbent article as the absorbent pad.

[0032]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that elastic members that contract at least the second waist part and the crotch part in the lengthwise direction are provided along the lengthwise direction, the elastic members are each arranged next to each of the cut-off lines in the lateral direction over a predetermined range in the second waist part in the lengthwise direction, and at least in a part of the predetermined range, the elastic members are located inward of the cut-off lines in the lateral direction. [0033]

According to such an absorbent article, even when the absorbent article is used as the absorbent pad, the above-mentioned elastic members remain at least at the above-mentioned part in the predetermined range in the above-mentioned remaining part of the second waist part. Thus, the remaining part of the second waist part can rise on the skin side in the thickness direction by a contracting force of the elastic members. Accordingly, when the absorbent pad is arranged so that the remaining part of the second waist part is located on the abdomen side of the target wearer placed in the prone position and the first waist part is located on the back side thereof, the remaining part of the second waist part, which rises on the skin side, can come into contact with the abdomen side of the target wearer. Thereby, excrements can be certainly caught by the remaining part of the second waist part while the space between the abdomen part of the target wearer and the remaining part of the second waist part is reduced. Consequently, the absorbent pad can exhibit high leakage prevention properties .

[0034]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that the elastic members are leg-surrounding elastic members for contracting, in the lengthwise direction, parts to be the leg-surrounding openings that are respectively located on both sides in the lateral direction.

[0035]

According to such an absorbent article, each of the elastic members is provided at each position on both sides in the lateral direction. This allows the remaining part of the second waist part to stably rise so that rising amounts of the remaining part on both sides in the lateral direction are substantially matched.

[0036]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that sheet-like barrier cuff forming portions that are respectively provided along the lengthwise direction are provided at each position on both sides in the lateral direction, the barrier cuff forming portions each include a base end part that is unable to stand in the thickness direction, and a standing portion that is able to stand on a skin side in the thickness direction with the base end part as a supporting point, the base end part and the standing portion are arranged in the lateral direction, the standing portion stands on the skin side in the thickness direction by contracting in the lengthwise direction based on a contracting force exerted on the standing portion in the lengthwise direction, and the cut-off lines are each formed at a position outside of the base end part and the standing portion in the lateral direction.

[0037]

According to such an absorbent article, the cut-off lines are each formed at an outer position of the base end part and the standing portion of the barrier cuff forming portion in the lateral direction. Thus, even in the absorbent pad that is the absorbent article after being cut at each of the cut-off lines, the above-mentioned base end part and standing portion are maintained in a fine condition, that is, the base end part and the standing portion can appropriately dam excrements to be held inside in the lateral direction. Accordingly, even when the absorbent article is used the absorbent pad, the above-mentioned base end part and standing portion can exhibit leakage prevention properties that are substantially equal to those in a case where the absorbent article is used as the tape-type disposable diaper. [0038]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that in each of end portions of the standing portion in the lengthwise direction, fixing parts are respectively formed to fix the end portions in such a manner that the end portions are facing down on a sheet located on a non-skin side in the thickness direction, and the cut-off lines are each formed at a position outside of the fixing part in the lateral direction.

[0039]

According to such an absorbent article, the above-mentioned fixing part can remain in the absorbent pad that is the absorbent article after being cut off along the cut-off lines. Accordingly, when the contracting force exerted to the standing portion is input to the above-mentioned fixing part, the absorbent pad can curve so as to allow the non-skin side to become an inner peripheral side in the thickness direction, thereby enabling the pad to be in close contact with the body of the target wearer promptly along the curved body of the target wearer. This contributes to the improvement of leakage prevention properties of the absorbent pad.

[0040]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that a corresponding relationship between an abdomen side and a back side of a target wearer; and the first waist part and the second waist part, is opposite to each other between the tape-type disposable diaper and the absorbent pad.

[0041]

According to such an absorbent article, the above-mentioned corresponding relationship is opposite to each other between the tape-type disposable diaper and the absorbent pad. This allows the worker who makes the target wearer wear the article, to perform a wearing operation while being conscious of one side and the other side in the lengthwise direction, thereby avoiding occurrence of a wearing mistake with respect to the lengthwise direction.

[0042]

In the above absorbent article, it is preferable that another cut-off line is included for cutting off an end portion of the first waist part in the lateral direction. [0043]

According to such an absorbent article, the dimension of the remaining part in the lateral direction, which remains at the center of the first waist part in the lateral direction after being cut off at the cut-off lines, is smaller than the dimension of the first waist part in the lateral direction before being cut off. Thus, insertion properties can be improved even when the absorbent article is inserted with the remaining part of the first waist part after being cut off as the forefront.

[0044] === Present Embodiment ===

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment, which is in an unfolded state. Further, FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views of FIG. 2 respectively taken along line A-A, line B-B and line C-C. Moreover, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the absorbent article 1 in a worn state as a tape-type disposable diaper 1.

[0045]

This absorbent article lisa so-called tape-type disposable diaper 1 which is worn by a target wearer 101 using fastening tapes 11, and in particular, is suitably applied to a low-weight infant 101 of 3000 grams or less. It is to be noted that the following description is made by considering that the low-weight infant 101 is the target wearer. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Infants or young children may be a target wearer, and adults may also be a target wearer. [0046]

In the unfolded state in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 1 has a lengthwise direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction as three directions orthogonal to one another. Here, the absorbent article 1 includes a first waist part la, a crotch part lm and a second waist part lb, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction. Generally, when the article 1 is used as an tape-type disposable diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 4, the first waist part la covers the abdomen side of the low weight infant 101, the crotch part lm covers a groin of the infant 101, and the second waist part lb covers the back side of the infant 101. In some cases, the absorbent article 1 is, however, worn by the low weight infant 101 while being reversed in the lengthwise direction against the foregoing case. In other words, the absorbent article 1 may be worn such that the first waist part la covers the back side of the low weight infant 101, and the second waist part lb covers the abdomen side thereof.

[0047]

Further, in the unfolded state of FIG. 2, the first waist part la and the second waist part lb respectively protrude on both sides in the lateral direction more than the crotch part lm. Accordingly, the outer shape of the absorbent article 1 when seen from the thickness direction is a substantially sandglass shape when viewed from above. In other words, the absorbent article 1 includes an absorbent body 3 that absorbs excreted fluids, and a flexible and thin sheet-like portion that protrudes outward of the absorbent body 3 in the lateral direction and the lengthwise direction, and the outer shape of this sheet-like portion is a substantially sandglass shape when viewed from above .

[0048]

In the following description, each of portions lsf of this sheet-like portion, which protrudes on both sides in the lateral direction more than the absorbent body 3, is referred to as a side flap lsf. Further, such a side flap lsf extends over the three portions i.e., the first waist part la, the crotch part lm and the second waist part lb. In the following description, each of side flaps lasf located in the first waist part la is also referred to as a first side flap lasf, each of side flaps lmsf located in the crotch part lm is also referred to as a crotch part side flap lmsf, and each of side flaps lbsf located in the second waist part lb is also referred to as a second side flap lbsf. Note that, each of the second side flaps lbsf, lbsf corresponds to each of end portions in the lateral direction according to claims. Further, one side in the thickness direction is hereinafter referred to as the skin side and the other side thereof is referred to as the non-skin side. The schematic plan view of FIG. 2 shows the absorbent article 1 in the unfolded state as seen from the skin side.

[0049]

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 2, fastening tapes 11 are each provided so as to protrude in the lateral direction on each of outer end portions lbsef2 of each of the second side flaps lbsf in the lateral direction. Then, by fastening each of the fastening tapes 11 to a target region lat (FIG. 2) provided on the non-skin side face of the first waist part la, a waist opening 1HB and a pair of leg-surrounding openings 1HL, 1HL are formed as illustrated in FIG. 4, thereby allowing the absorbent article 1 to be worn by the low weight infant 101.

[0050]

Such an absorbent article 1 includes: an absorbent body 3 that has a substantially longitudinally elongated shape and absorbs excreted fluid such as urine; a liquid-permeable top sheet 2 which covers the absorbent body 3 from the skin side; a liquid-impermeable leak-proof sheet 4 which covers the absorbent body 3 from the non-skin side; a substantially sandglass shaped exterior sheet 5 that covers the leak-proof sheet 4 from the non-skin side to be the outer shape of the absorbent article 1; and a pair of barrier cuff sheets 6, 6 that is arranged in the lateral direction on the top sheet 2 and respectively forms barrier cuffs 6g, 6g as leaf-proof walls on each of end portions of the absorbent body 3 in the lateral direction.

[0051]

As illustrated in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, the absorbent body 3 includes an absorbent core 3c and a core-wrapping sheet 3rs which wraps almost the entire outer surface of the absorbent core 3c. The absorbent core 3c is a member formed by shaping a certain liquid absorbent material into a substantially sandglass shape when seen from above (FIG. 2), the substantially sandglass shape being an example of a predetermined shape. Such a liquid absorbent material is exemplified by liquid-absorbent fiber (e.g., pulp fiber) and liquid-absorbent particulate matter such as super absorbent polymer (hereinafter also referred to as SAP). As for the core-wrapping sheet 3rs, a liquid-permeable sheet such as a sheet of tissue paper or nonwoven fabric is employed. It should be noted that the shape of the absorbent core 3c is not limited to the substantially sandglass shape when seen from above. The shape may be, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when seen from above.

[0052]

The top sheet 2 is made of nonwoven fabric such as air-through nonwoven fabric, and has planar dimensions in which the top sheet 2 extends beyond the both sides in the lengthwise direction and the both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent body 3 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3C. The leak-proof sheet 4 is made of resin film such as polyethylene film, and similarly has planar dimensions in which the leak-proof sheet 4 extends beyond the both sides in the lengthwise direction and the both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent body 3. These sheets 2 and 4 are joined together, by means of such as adhesion or welding, on parts which extend beyond the absorbent body 3 in the lengthwise direction and in the lateral direction. The absorbent body 3 is thereby held between these sheets 2 and 4. [0053]

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the exterior sheet 5 is formed by such as an appropriate nonwoven fabric and is an outer shape of the absorbent article 1. On the skin side face of this exterior sheet 5, the aforementioned both sheets 2, 4 and the absorbent body 3 that is held between the both sheets 2, 4 are overlapped and integrated by means of such as adhesion or welding while respective central positions thereof in the lateral direction are matched with one another (FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C) . Note that, in such an integrated state, the absorbent body 3 extends over the first waist part la, the crotch part lm and the second waist part lb (FIG. 2).

[0054]

The pair of barrier cuff sheets 6, 6 (corresponding to barrier cuff forming portions) is formed by corresponding to the lateral end portions 2e, 2e of the top sheet 2 so as to respectively cover the end portions 2e, 2e from the skin side as shown in FIG. 2. The sheets 6 and 6 respectively form, along the lengthwise direction, the barrier cuffs 6g, 6g that stand from the skin-side surface of the top sheet 2. That is, the barrier cuff sheets 6 each include a strip-like base portion 6k and a standing portion 6s, which are arranged in the lateral direction: the base portion 6k is fixed along the lengthwise direction to the top sheet 2 with hot-melt adhesive, etc. and cannot stand; and the standing portion 6s can stand on the skin side in the thickness direction from the point of support, which is the base end part 6k. On the lateral edge portion of the standing portion 6s, rubber threads 6r, which serves as a barrier-cuff elastic member 6r arranged along the lengthwise direction, stretch in the lengthwise direction and are fixed with hot-melt adhesive or the like. Thus, contracting force in the lengthwise direction is applied to the standing portion 6s, and the standing portion 6s contracts in the lengthwise direction due to such contracting force. Accordingly, the standing portion 6s stands on the skin side in the thickness direction while forming a plurality of pleats. Thereby, the standing portion 6s functions as a barrier cuff 6g (FIG. 2, FIG. 3B).

[0055]

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C, on each of end portions 6sea, 6seb of the standing portion 6s in the lengthwise direction, fixing parts 6j , 6j are eacg formed into a strip-like shape along the lengthwise direction, and the fixing parts 6j, 6j respectively fix each of the end portions 6sea, 6seb in such a manner that the end portions 6sea, 6seb are facing down on the top sheet 2. That is, hot-melt adhesive is provided in a strip-like state along the lengthwise direction as the fixing parts 6j, 6j between parts corresponding to the fixing parts 6j, 6j and the top sheet 2 in each of the end portions 6sea, 6seb. With such adhesive, the aforementioned end portions 6seLa, 6seLb are respectively fixed in such a manner that they are facing down on the top sheet 2.

As a preferable material for such barrier cuff sheets 6, appropriate nonwoven fabric can be exemplified, and here, SMS nonwoven fabric (spunbond/meltblown/spunbond nonwoven fabric) is utilized. However, the invention is not limited thereto as long as the material has flexibility.

[0056]

Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, each of the barrier cuff sheets 6 extends substantially to the same position as the outer end edges of the exterior sheet 5 toward the outside in the lateral direction. The barrier cuff sheets 6 and the exterior sheet 5 are integrated by means of adhesion or welding at such end edges or at positions near the end edges. Accordingly, the barrier cuff sheets 6 and the exterior sheet 5 cooperate with each other, thereby forming the aforementioned the first side flaps last, last and the second side flaps lbsf, lbsf in the first waist part la and the second waist part lb, respectively. Meanwhile, also in the crotch part lm, the barrier cuff sheets 6 and the exterior sheet 5 are integrated by means of adhesion or welding at the aforementioned end edges or at positions near the end edges, thereby forming the aforementioned crotch part side flaps lmsf, lmsf over predetermined regions inside of the end edges in the lateral direction.

[0057]

Crotch part side flaps lmsf, lmsf are portions to be leg-surrounding openings 1HL in a worn state by respectively cooperating with a part of the aforementioned first side flap lasf and a part of the aforementioned second side flap lbsf, that is, they constitute portions covering the leg surroundings of the low weight infant 101. Then, in order to form leg gathers by contracting each of the crotch part side flaps lmsf in the lengthwise direction, elastic strings 21 aligned along the lengthwise direction as leg-surrounding elastic members 21 are respectively fixed to each of the crotch part side flaps lmsf in the lengthwise direction in an extended state by means of such as adhesion. Thus, when the extended state of the concerned leg-surrounding elastic members 21 is loosened, the crotch part side flaps lmsf contract in the lengthwise direction and form a plurality of walls so that the concerned walls become leg gathers.

Note that, such leg-surrounding elastic members 21 are provided over at least the crotch part lm and the second waist part lb as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, in this example, the leg-surrounding elastic members 21 are interposed between the exterior sheet 5 and the barrier cuff sheets 6 as illustrated in FIG. 3B. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the leg-surrounding elastic members 21 may be bonded on the non-skin side face of the exterior sheet 5 or may be bonded on the skin side of the barrier cuff sheets 6. Further, in this example, the elastic strings 21 are utilized as those leg-surrounding elastic members 21. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Flat rubbers may be used, or stretchable nonwoven fabric or stretchable films, which each has stretchability based on its own elasticity, may be used.

[0058]

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the fastening tapes 11, 11 is provided at outer end parts lbsfe2, lbsfe2 of a pair of second side flaps lbsf, lbsf in the lateral direction. In each of the fastening tapes 11, a strip-like sheet having a laterally long shape and made of nonwoven fabric is referred to as a tape base material 11a, one end portion of this tape base material 11a in the lateral direction is fixed to a part lbk of the outer end part lbsfe 2 of the second side flap lbsf, and the other end portion thereof protrudes outside of the outer end part lbsfe2 of the second side flap lbsf in the lateral direction.

Then, a male member 11m of a hook-and-loop fastener is fixed on the skin side face of this protruded portion, and also multiple fastening hooks (not shown) are provided on the skin side face of the male member 11m. Thus, the fastening hooks of the male member 11m are caught with the target region lat provided on the non-skin side face of the first waist part la, and the fastening tape 11 is thereby fastened to the first waist part la. A well-known hook-and-loop fastener is applicable for the male member 11m; for example, fishhook-shaped or T-shaped fastening hooks may be appropriately employed.

[0059]

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A, the target region lat is on the non-skin side face of the exterior sheet 5 that is the non-skin side face of the first waist part la. In other words, in this example, since the exterior sheet 5 is made of nonwoven fabric and the sheet 5 can ensure a sufficient fastening force between the above-mentioned male member 11m and the sheet 5, the non-skin side face itself of the exterior sheet 5 is a target for fastening the male member 11m. However, the invention is not limited thereto. A dedicated target tape for forming a target region lat may be separately used.

[0060]

Then, when such an absorbent article 1 is worn by the low weight infant 101, the pair of fastening tapes 11, 11 is respectively fastened to the target region lat of the first waist part la (FIG. 4) while the second waist part lb is pulled to both sides in the lateral direction by the pair of fastening tapes 11, 11 of the second waist part lb. In this example of FIG. 2, the tape base materials 11a further protrude more outwardly than the male members 11m in the lateral direction. Those protruded portion llap function as tab parts llap to be pinched when the fastening tapes 11 are pulled to the both sides.

[0061]

The basic configuration of the absorbent article 1 has been described above. Also, in the present embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is used not only as a tape-type disposable diaper 1 as stated above, but also can be used as an absorbent pad lp. In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, cut-off lines lc, lc are respectively formed in each of the second side flaps lbsf, lbsf of the second waist part lb in an unfolded state of the absorbent article 1 as shown in FIG. 2, and the fastening tapes 11, 11 can be removed by these cut-off lines lc, lc. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the tapes 11, 11 are removed, the absorbent article 1 can be used as the absorbent pad lp . [0062]

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of main parts for explaining the cut-off lines lc. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cut-off lines lc are formed by perforations so that it is possible to cut off parts lbk (parts lbk shown by hatching in FIG. 6, and also hereinafter referred to as fastening tape fixing parts lbk) to which the tape base materials 11a of the fastening tapes 11 are fixed in the second waist part lb. Specifically, such cut-off lines lc are formed in the second side flaps lbsf respectively by corresponding to each of the fastening tapes 11. Then, each of the cut-off lines lc is formed by a route that extends from a part lbHB to be a waist opening 1HB in the second waist part lb, to a part lbHL to be a leg-surrounding opening 1HL in the second waist part lb through an inner position of the fastening tape fixing part lbk in the lateral direction.

Thus, the fastening tape fixing parts lbk are cut off from the second waist part lb by cutting each of the cut-off lines lc, thereby removing all of the fastening tapes 11 protruding in the lateral direction from the second waist part lb (FIG. 5) . Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a remaining part lbc that has remained at the center of the second waist part lb can be made in a state without members protruding in the lateral direction. Consequently, the absorbent article lp after the cut-off lines lc are cut can be used without any problem as the absorbent pad lp in which insertion properties are required.

For example, in a case in which the absorbent article lp is inserted under the body of the low weight infant 101 placed in the prone position as shown in FIG. 7A, if the absorbent article lp is inserted from the leg side to the head side of the infant 101 in the horizontal direction with the second waist part lbc, in which the fastening tapes 11 are removed, taking the forefront, the article lp can be quickly laid under the infant 101. Thus, the article lp can be used as the absorbent pad lp. Note that, in the state of laid state of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the second waist part lbc is located on the abdomen side of the infant 101. While maintaining this state, the pad lp is folded upward at the crotch part lm as shown by allows of FIG. 7A, and accordingly, when the buttocks and back of the infant 101 are covered from above by the first waist part la, the absorbent pad lp is completely worn by the infant 101.

[0063]

Note that, as understood from the above description, in this example, when the absorbent article 1 is used as the absorbent pad lp, an arrangement relationship in the lengthwise direction is opposite to a case in which it is used as the tape-type disposable diaper 1. In other words, a corresponding relationship between the abdomen side and back side of the low weight infant 101; and the first waist part la and the second waist part lb, is opposite to each other between the tape-type disposable diaper 1 and the absorbent pad lp. This allows the worker such as a nurse who makes the low weight infant 101 wear the article 1, lp to perform a wearing operation while being conscious of one side and the other side in the lengthwise direction, thereby avoiding occurrence of a wearing mistake with respect to the lengthwise direction.

[0064]

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the perforations of the cut-off lines lc are a set of a plurality of straight slits (corresponding to through holes, and is schematically shown over all of the drawings in which the perforations are illustrated, including FIG. 6). That is, a plurality of straight slits (not shown) which extends through the second side flaps lbsf in the thickness direction are placed along a direction in which the cut-off line lc should extend. The length and the pitch of the slits are designed to take into account appropriate cutting performance and the like. Specifically speaking, the length of the slit is exemplified by 1 mm to 3 mm, and the space between adj acent slits (in other words, the length of a portion having no slit, which is located between slits) is exemplified by 0.5 mm to 2 mm. It can be said that the foregoing pitch of the slits is the sum of the length of the slit and the above-mentioned space.

[0065]

The cut-off lines lc will be described further in detail below.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cut-off line lc formed in one second side flap lbsf and the cut-off line lc formed in another second side flap lbsf are formed to be line-symmetric with respect to the center line Cl of the absorbent article 1 in the lateral direction with each other. Each of cut-off lines lc has a substantially J-shape including a straight portion lcL along the lengthwise direction and a curved portion lcB having a curved shape.

[0066]

The straight portion lcL travels inwardly in the lengthwise direction along a straight line parallel to the lengthwise direction, starting from a part lbHB to be the waist opening 1HB in the second waist part lb, that is, an outer edge lbel of the second waist part lb in the lengthwise direction. Then, the straight portion lcL reaches to the same position as the fastening tape 11 with respect to the lengthwise direction, or to a position slightly inwardly beyond this position. Then, the straight portion lcL is connected to the curved portion lcB at this position, and the curved portion lcB further extends inwardly therefrom in the lengthwise direction. Specifically, the curved portion lcB is displaced outwardly in the lateral direction with a specified radius of curvature as the curved portion lcB approaches inwardly in the lengthwise direct and finally, reaches a part lbHL to be a leg-surrounding opening 1HL in the second waist part lb, that is, an outer edge lbe2 of the second waist part lb in the lateral direction.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the route of the cut-off lines lc, lc is set so that the maximum value Lie of a space between the pair of cut-off lines lc, lc becomes smaller than the maximum value Lla of the dimension of the first waist part la in the lateral direction. [0067]

Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the maximum value Llbc of the dimension of the remaining part lbc in the second waist part lb in the lateral direction, which remains at the center in the lateral direction after each of fastening tape fixing parts lbk, lbk are cut off from each of the second side flaps lbsf, lbsf in the second waist part lb at each of the cut-off lines lc, lc, is smaller than the maximum value Lla of the dimension of the first waist part la in the lateral direction. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, when the absorbent pad lp is inserted under the body of the low weight infant 101 placed in a prone position as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B with the central remaining part lbc of the second waist part lb taking the forefront, this insertion can be smoothly performed. Thereby, the pad lp is preferably used as one having excellent insertion properties. [0068]

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the remaining part lbc that remains in the second waist part lb after the cut is performed at the cut-off lines lc, lc includes a narrow width part lbcl having a small dimension in the lateral direction at an outer position in the lengthwise direction, and includes a wide width part lbc2 having a larger dimension in the lateral direction than the narrow width part lbcl on the inner side in the lengthwise direction than the above-mentioned narrow width part lbcl. Thus, when the absorbent pad lp is inserted with the second waist part lb taking the forefront, the absorbent pad lp is inserted with the aforementioned narrow width part lbcl, which has a small dimension in the lateral direction, taking the forefront, and thus favorable insertion properties can be obtained by the pad lp. [0069]

Further, according to such a route of the cut-off line lc, when the article 1 is used as the tape-type disposable diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the article 1 can be removed from the target wearer 101 while maintaining the prone position without changing the target wearer 101 placed in a prone position to a supine position. This is adequate for a notion of minimum handling. Details are as follows. First, in a general wearing form in a case where the article 1 is used as the tape-type disposable diaper 1, the article 1 is worn by the target wearer 101 so that the above-mentioned second waist part lb to which the fastening tapes 11 have been fixed is located on the back side of the target wearer 101 as illustrated in FIG. 8A. Accordingly, in the prone position, the second waist part lb is generally located upward in the vertical direction, and here, the above-mentioned cut-off lines lc are formed in the second waist part lb. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the part lbk to which the fastening tape 11 is fixed in the second waist part lb can be cut off at the cut-off line lc. For this reason, the fastening tape 11 can be removed from the central part lbc (FIG. 6) in the lateral direction in the second waist part lb while the prone position is maintained, so that the absorbent article 1 can be unfolded while the prone position is maintained (FIG. 8B) . Consequently, the absorbent article 1 used as the diaper 1 can be quickly removed from the target wearer 101 placed in the prone position.

[0070]

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the cut-off lines lc each pass the inner position with respect to the fastening tape fixing parts lbk in the lateral direction in the second waist part lb according to the above-mentioned route. Thus, when the fixing parts lbk are cut off, it is not necessary to cut the fastening tapes 11 at all, thereby enabling the force required for cutting the cut-off lines lc to be reduced. Consequently, when the cut-off lines lc are cut to remove the diaper 1 from the low weight infant 101 placed in the prone position, an external load that may be imparted to the infant 101 can be reduced. This is also adequate for the notion of minimum handling.

[0071]

Further, if the above-mentioned curved portion lcB is included, the cut-off line lc is allowed to reach the outer edge lbe2 of the second waist part lb in the lateral direction with a relatively short route. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the route of the cut-off line lc can be terminated without being largely extended inward in the lengthwise direction. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent such a defect that may occur when the route of the cut-off line lc is largely extended inward in the lengthwise direction, for example, such a defect that, when the route reaches the first side flap lasf (FIG. 2), a part of the cut-off line lc is sandwiched by the abdomen portion of the low weight infant 101 placed in the positioned posture and legs that have spread in M shape, so that the cut-off line becomes less likely to be cut.

[0072]

In this example of FIG. 6, although each of the cut-off lines lc is completely within the second side flap lbsf, the invention is not limited thereto. That is, a part of the cut-off line lc may project toward the crotch part side flap lmsf in some cases. However, when the projection amount becomes excessively large, such a defect may be caused that the above-mentioned cut-off line lc is less likely to be cut because the cut-off line lc is easily sandwiched by the abdomen portion and the M-shaped legs of the low weight infant 101, the cutting length becomes long, or the like.

[0073]

Further, in the example of the FIG. 6, a plurality of sheets 4, and 6 exists at a position where each of the straight portions lcL is formed. Specifically, three sheets, i.e., the barrier cuff sheet 6, the leak-proof sheet 4 and the exterior sheet 5 exist from the skin side in the thickness direction, and thus the number of layers of the sheet is three. Accordingly, in the straight portion lcL, the perforations are formed by extending through these three layered sheets 4, 5 and 6.

Meanwhile, as stated above, the position where the curved portion lcB is formed is displaced outwardly in the lateral direction as it approaches inwardly in the lengthwise direction. Thus, the number of layers of the sheet changes in the course of approaching from one end to the other end of the curved portion lcB. That is, as illustrated in the left half part of FIG. 6, in a portion lcBl in a predetermined range of the curved portion lcB, which continuously extends from the straight portion lcL, the number of layers of the sheet is three as similar to the above-mentioned straight portion lcL, whereas a portion lcB2 inwardly adjacent to the portion lcBl in the above-mentioned predetermined range of the curved portion lcB in the lengthwise direction is constituted by two sheets, i.e., the barrier cuff sheets and the exterior sheet 5 because the leak-proof sheet 4 does not exist. Accordingly, the perforations are formed by extending through the three sheets 4, 5 and 6 in the former portion lcBl, whereas the perforations are formed by extending through the two sheets 5 and 6 in the latter portion lcB2.

In this way, when the number of layers of the sheet is reduced even in a part of the portion lcB2 of the curved portion lcB, the part of the portion lcB2 is relatively easily cut. Thus, the cutting of curved lines, which is generally recognized as being more difficult than the cutting of straight lines, can be facilitated, so that the curved portion lcB can be accurately cut along the curved target shape.

[0074]

Further, in this example, the cut-off line lc is formed in the second side flaps lbsf as stated above with reference to FIG. 6, and thus the cut-off line lc is formed outward with respect to the absorbent body 3 in the lateral direction. Further, as understood with reference to FIG. 6, the cut-off line lc is formed outward with respect to the base end part 6k and the standing portion 6s of the barrier cuff sheet 6 in the lateral direction.

Thus, even if the cut-off line lc is cut, the absorbent body 3, and the base end part 6ks and standing portion 6s of the barrier cuff sheet 6 are not affected at all and are maintained in a fine condition. This allows the absorbent body 3 and the standing portion 6s to exert a function for holding excrements without any problem even when the absorbent article is used as the absorbent pad lp. Consequently, the pad lp can exhibit high leakage prevention properties.

[0075]

Further, as state above, even though there are provided, in the second waist part lb, the fixing parts 6j that each fix the end portion 6seb of the standing portion 6s in the lengthwise direction in a state that the end portion 6seb is facing down, and the cut-off line lc is formed outwardly with respect to each of the fixing parts 6j in the lateral direction as illustrated in FIG. 6. Accordingly, the above-mentioned fixing parts 6j can remain in the absorbent pad lp that is the absorbent article lp after it is cut at the cut-off lines lc. Then, since a contracting force exerted to the standing portion 6s is input to the above-mentioned fixing parts 6j , the absorbent pad lp can promptly curve so as to allow the non-skin side in the thickness direction to become an inner peripheral side. Accordingly, the pad lp can be in close contact with the body of the low weight infant 101 promptly along its curved body. This also contributes to the improvement of leakage prevention properties of the absorbent pad lp . [0076]

Incidentally, as for the positional relationship between the top sheet 2 and the cut-off line lc, the cut-off line lc is formed outwardly with respect to the sheet 2 in the lateral direction, that is, the top sheet 2 does not exist at the position of the cut-off line lc.

Accordingly, the number of layers of the sheet can be reduced at the position of the cut-off line lc, and this contributes to the improvement of ease of cutting of the cut-off line lc.

[0077]

Here, in terms of further facilitating cutting of the cut-off line lc, the leak-proof sheet 4 is preferably arranged so that the stretching direction at time of manufacture of a resin film that is to be the sheet 4 in FIG. 6 is set along the lengthwise direction. That is, the resin film is generally likely to be cut along the stretching direction because of resin orientation aligned with the stretching direction. Thus, if the stretching direction is along the lengthwise direction, it becomes easier to cut the leak-proof sheet 4 along the lengthwise direction. As a result, the above-mentioned straight portion lcL in which the sheet 4 exists can be accurately cut along the lengthwise direction.

[0078]

Further, when the curved portion lcB is cut in succession to the straight portion lcL of the cut-off line lc as shown in FIG. 6, the extended line of the straight portion lcL or its nearby position is more likely to be cut directly in mistake due to momentum caused while cutting the straight portion lcL, that is, the cut-off line may be cut at the position shifted from the curved portion lcB in mistake. However, in this regard, this example is contrived as follows.

First, the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 is located near the cut-off line lc, and here, the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 and the curved portion lcB of the cut-off line lc are crossed at a predetermined crossing position Pic when seen from the thickness direction. Specifically, as shown in the right half part of FIG. 6, when the curved portion lcB is hypothetically divided into two portions, i.e., a portion lcBa on the waist opening 1HB side and a portion lcBb on the leg-surrounding opening 1HL side, the crossing position Pic of the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 and the cut-off line lc is included in the former portion lcBa on the waist opening 1HB side, and thus the crossing position Pic is located relatively near a boundary position PLB between the straight portion lcL and the curved portion lcB.

[0079]

Accordingly, in the process of cutting the curved portion lcB in succession to the straight portion lcL of the cut-off line lc, when its cutting position comes to the above-mentioned crossing position Pic near the above-mentioned boundary position PLB, momentum of the cutting in the lengthwise direction, which is caused by the straight portion lcL, is absorbed by elastic deformation of the leg-surrounding elastic member 21, thereby restraining the linear cutting operation along the lengthwise direction. This can promptly make a course correction toward the curved portion lcB, thereby enabling the cutting to be performed accurately along the curved portion lcB.

[0080]

Further, according to the crossing relation between the above-mentioned cut-off line lc and the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 (corresponding to the elastic member), the most part of the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 remains in the absorbent pad lp after the cut-off line lc is cut. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, with this crossing relation, the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 is arranged next to the cut-off line lc in the lateral direction over an predetermined range of the second waist part lb in the lengthwise direction, and the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 is located inward of the cut-off line lc in the lateral direction at least in a part A21 in a predetermined range. Thus, after the cut-off line lc is cut, the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 remains in the remaining part lbc of the second waist part lb of the absorbent pad lp at least in the above-mentioned part A21.

[0081]

Accordingly, the remaining part lbc of the second waist part lb of the pad lp can rise on the skin side in the thickness direction due to a contracting force of the leg-surrounding elastic member 21 as shown by arrows in FIG. 7A. Thus, when the absorbent pad IP is inserted and arranged so that the remaining part lbc of the second waist part lb is located on the abdomen side of the low weight infant

101 placed in a prone position and the first waist part la is located on the back side thereof, the remaining part lbc of the second waist part lb, which rises on the skin side, comes into contact with the abdomen part of the infant 101. Accordingly, the space between the abdomen part of the infant 101 and the remaining part lbc of the second waist part lb can be reduced, thereby enabling the absorbent pad lp to exhibit high leakage prevention properties.

[0082]

Further, in an example of FIG. 9, easy-to-cut properties of the cut-off line lc differ depending on the positions in the lengthwise direction due to a contrivance of the perforations. For example, when the cut-off line lc is hypothetically divided into three portions, i.e., lcl, lc2 and lc3 in the lengthwise direction, the easy-to-cut properties are respectively set depending on each of the portions lcl, lc2 and lc3. Specifically, a first portion lcl (corresponding to the first cut-off line portion) that is the portion lcl of the three portions lcl, lc2 and lc3 is located at a position including the part lbHB to be a waist opening 1HB in the second waist part lb, and this first portion lcl is formed so as to be the perforations that are easily cut. Further, the second portion lc2 (corresponding to the second cut-off line portion) that is another portion lc2 is located so as to include the same position as the fastening tape fixing part lbk with respect to the position in the lengthwise direction, and this second portion lc2 is formed so as to be the perforations that are more hardly cut than those of the first portion lcl. Further, the third portion lc3 that is the remaining one portion lc3 is the above-mentioned curved portion lcB, and this portion lc3 is formed so as to be the easy-to-cut perforations having the same property as the first portion lcl.

[0083]

This can effectively prevent the above-mentioned second portion lc2 from being unexpectedly cut based on the hard-to-cut perforations of the second portion lc2 when each of the fastening tapes 11, 11 is pulled outwardly in the lateral direction to allow the absorbent article 1 to be worn by the low weight infant 101 as the tape-type disposable diaper 1. Further, when the diaper 1 is removed from the low weight infant 101, or when the absorbent article 1 is used as the absorbent pad lp, the cutting can be easily started from the part lbHB that is to be the above-mentioned waist opening 1HB based on the easy-to-cut perforations in the first portion lcl. Also, in the curved portion lcB that is to be the third portion lc3, the portion lcB can be accurately cut along its curved target shape based on its easy-to-cut perforations .

[0084]

Incidentally, the setting of the above-mentioned easy-to-cut perforations and the hard-to-cut perforations can be achieved by changing the length of the slits provided to the perforations, and in this example, the setting is performed in that way. That is, in this example, the pitch of the slits are kept constant and the length of the slits are made different, thereby differentiating, between the above-mentioned portion lc2, and the above-mentioned portions lcl and lc3, respective ratios of the lengths of the slits occupying per unit length in a direction in which the cut-off line lc extends . Generally, if this ratio is larger, the portion is easily cut, and if this ratio is smaller, the portion is hardly cut. Accordingly, in this example, the ratio in the second portion lc2 is made smaller than ratios in the first portion lcl and the third portion lc3.

[0085]

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the cut-off line lc' in a first modified example. In the above-mentioned embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the number of layers of the sheet is changed from three to two in accordance with the position of the cut-off line lc, whereas in this first modified example, the number of layers of the sheet is kept constant over the entire length of the cut-off line lc' . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the position of the cut-off line lc' in the first modified example is shifted outwardly in the lateral direction with respect to the above-mentioned cut-off line lc in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and thus the cut-off line lc' is located outside of the leak-proof sheet 4 in the lateral direction over its entire length. At such a position, only two sheets, i.e., the barrier cuff sheet 6 and the exterior sheet 5 exist. Accordingly, the perforations of the cut-off line lc' are formed by extending through these two sheets 5 and 6 in the thickness direction, and so the cut-off line lc' can be cut with favorable cutting properties due to the reduced number of layers. Note that, since the configurations other than the above are generally the same as those in the above-stated embodiments, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numbers and the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0086]

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of cut-off lines lc' ' in a second modified example. In the above-mentioned embodiment and the first modified example, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, the cut-off lines lc, lc' each include the straight portion lcL and the curved portion lcB, whereas in this second modified example, the cut-off line lc'' does not include the curved portion lcB, but includes only the straight portion lcL. That is, in the second modified example, the cut-off line lc' ' is further shifted outside in the lateral direction in comparison with the first modified example, thereby enabling the fastening tape fixing part lbk to be cut off only by one straight portion lcL along the lengthwise direction. With such a cut-off line lc'', since it has only the straight portion lcL, cutting the cut-off line lc'' is easy. Consequently, it is possible to perform an accurate cutting without being largely displaced from the cut-off line lc' ' . Note that, only two sheet, that is, the barrier cuff sheet 6 and the exterior sheet 5 are present also at the position of the cut-off line lc'' . Thus, the perforations of the cut-off line lc'' are formed by extending through these two sheets 5, 6 in the thickness direction. [0087]

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of cut-off lines lc' ' ' in a third modified example. All of the cut-off lines lc, lc' and lc'' in the above-mentioned embodiment (FIG. 6), the first modified example (FIG. 10) and the second modified example (FIG. 11) are formed into a sort of substantially J-shape or by extending in a straight line from the part lbHB to be the waist opening 1HB to the part lbHL to be the leg-surrounding opening 1HL in the second waist part lb, whereas each of the cut-off lines lc''' of the third modified example is mainly different in that it does not take such a route. In other words, as shown in FIG. 12, the cut-off line lc' ' ' is formed in a substantially U-shape so as to surround the fastening tape fixing part lbk from three sides. In such a cut-off line lc' '', its start end Ps is located at an outermost edge lbsfee in the lateral direction in the second side flaps lbsf of the second waist part lb, and from this position, the cut-off line lc' ' ' extends so that the fastening tape fixing part lbk is located in the inner peripheral side of the substantially U-shaped route. Finally, similarly to the above-mentioned start end Ps, the cut-off line lc' '' reaches the outermost edge lbsfee in the lateral direction in the second side flaps lbsf, and a position Pe that reaches the outermost edge lbsfee is referred to as a terminal end Pe of the cut-off line lc''' . Note that, since the configurations other than the above are generally the same as those in the above-stated embodiments, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numbers and the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0088]

Further, cut-off lines lea similar to the cut-off lines lc of the above-mentioned second waist part lb may be formed in the first waist part la in some cases. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article I'''' including the cut-off lines lea. In this example, substantially J-shaped cut-off lines lea, lea each having a shape similar to the cut-off lines lc, lc of the second waist part lb are formed also in the first side flaps lasf, lasf of the waist part la. Then, when each of the cut-off lines lea, lea is cut, the maximum value Llac of the dimension of the remaining part lac in the lateral direction, which remains at the center of the first waist part la in the lateral direction, becomes smaller than the maximum value Lla of the dimension of the first waist part la in the lateral direction before the cut-off. Accordingly, when the absorbent article Ύ’’ ’ ’ is inserted into an appropriate insertion target with the remaining part lac of the first waist part la after the cut-off taking the forefront, insertion properties thereof can be improved.

[0089]

Incidentally, this substantially J-shaped cut-off line lea also includes a straight portion IcaL along the lengthwise direction at an outer position in the lengthwise direction, and includes a curved portion IcaB at an inner position of this straight portion IcaL in the lengthwise direction. Here, the position of the straight portion IcaL in the lateral direction corresponds to the position of the straight portion lcL of the cut-off line lc in the above-mentioned second waist part lb. If those positions correspond to each other in that way, the remaining part lac of the first waist part la and the remaining part lbc of the second waist part lb in the absorbent article 1'' ' ' after each of the cut-off lines lc, lc, lea and lea are cut are identical in size with each other in the lateral direction, and accordingly, whichever is used as the forefront in the insertion direction, favorable insertion properties can be obtained.

[0090]

Incidentally, at the beginning of the Description, there is described that the diaper 1 of the present embodiment is suitable especially for a low-weight infant 101 of 3000 grams or less. In addition, when taking into account that the diaper 1 can effectively solve the foregoing problem associated with a positioned posture and minimum handling, it can be considered that the diaper 1 is more effective in a case in which the infant is more likely to take the positioned posture and minimum handling is more necessary. This is a case in which a patient's weight is smaller.

Thus, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment is preferably applied to low-birth-weight infants of 500 grams or more and less than 2500 grams, is more preferably applied to very-low-birth-weight infants of 1000 grams or more and less than 1500 grams, and is further more preferably applied to extremely-low-birth-weight infants less than 1000 grams.

[0091]

Further, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment specializes in low-weight infants 101 and thus is smaller than existing diapers 1 for newborn infants. For example, the product length of the diaper for newborn infants is 365 mm, and the circumference length L1HB of the waist opening 1HB in a worn state is 304 mm. On the other hand, in the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, the product length Ll (FIG.

2) is 210 mm to 330 mm, and the circumference length L1HB of the waist opening 1HB in a worn state is 160 to 295 mm.

[0092]

Note that, the product length Ll is measured by, for example, allowing the diaper 1 to be in the unfolded state. In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, in the unfolded state, the fastening of the fastening tapes 11, 11 to the target region lat is firstly released, and then the first waist part la, the crotch part lm and the second waist part lb are in a state of being arranged in the lengthwise direction. In addition, the diaper 1 is brought into an extended state in the lengthwise direction until the contraction of the barrier cuff sheets 6 due to the barrier-cuff elastic members 6r and the contraction of the crotch part side flaps lmsf, lmsf based on the leg-surrounding elastic members 21, 21 are just eliminated. Then, the maximum dimension Ll in the lengthwise direction in this extended state is measured, and its measured value will be the above-mentioned product length Ll.

[0093]

Meanwhile, the circumference length L1HB of the above-mentioned waist opening 1HB is measured in a state in which a pair of fastening tapes 11, 11 is brought into a fastening state with the fastening tapes overlapped. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram thereof. Note that, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the fastening tape 11 of the second side flap lbsf located on the left side in FIG. 14 is referred to as a left-side tape 11-1, and similarly the fastening tape 11 of the second side flap lbsf located on the right side in FIG. 14 is referred to as a right-side tape 11-2.

Firstly, as a preparation for measurement, two fastening tapes 11-1 and 11-2 are brought into the fastening state with the fastening tapes overlapped. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the male member 11m of the right-side tape 11-2 is fastened to the non-skin side face 11-ls of the left-side tape 11-1 after the male member 11m of the left-side tape 11-1 is fastened to the target region lat of the first waist part la. However, in that case, positioning is performed so that a tip ll-2e of the right-side tape 11-2 matches an end lime on the root side of the male member 11m of the left-side tape 11-1, while center positions Cll-1, Cll-2 of the these tapes 11-1, 11-2 in the lengthwise direction are aligned with each other. Accordingly, the fastening state with the fastening tapes overlapped is made.

[0094]

Then, the waist opening 1HB formed based on this fastening state is extended until the contraction due to the waist elastic members 21 is just eliminated. In such an extended state, the circumference length L1HB of the waist opening 1HB is measured, thereby obtaining the circumference length L1HB.

[0095]

Incidentally, as an example of the product length LI and the circumference length L1HB of the waist opening 1HB for the low-birth-weight infants, 310 mm and 273.5 mm can be given respectively. Further, as an example of the product length LI and the circumference length L1HB of the waist opening 1HB for the very-low-birth-weight infants, 270 mm and 220 mm can be given respectively. Further, as an example of the product length LI and the circumference length L1HB of the waist opening 1HB for the extremely-low-birth-weight infants, 230 mm and 219 mm can be given respectively.

[0096] === Other Embodiments ===

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to the embodiments. And it is needless to say that various modifications and improvements can be made to the present invention without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof fall within the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.

[0097]

In the foregoing embodiment, perforations are exemplified as examples of the cut-off lines lc, lc', lc'', lc''' and lea. However,

2015293461 31 Jan 2017 the invention is not limited thereto. That is, if the cut-off lines lc, lc' , lc' ' , lc' ' ' and lea are cut more easily than their surrounding portions, the cutting lines may be composed of anything other than perforations. For example, the slits may be arc-shaped or wave form slits instead of the straight slits that are placed along a direction in which the cut-off lines lc, lc' , lc' ' , lc' ' ' and lea should extend, or the planar shape of the through hole may be formed into such as a circular shape and an elliptical shape. Further, the invention is not limited to a form in which a plurality of through holes is placed.

L0 For example, the cut-off lines lc, lc', lc'', lc''' and lea may be formed by a plurality of recessions formed by squeezing or squeezing-and-welding in the thickness direction.

[0098]

In the foregoing embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 6, 10, 11 and 12,

L5 the cut-off lines lc, lc', lc'', lc''' are each formed in the second side flap lbsf of the second waist part lb, so that the part lbk to which the tape base material 11a of the fastening tape 11 is fixed is cut off together with the fastening tape 11 in the second waist part lb. However, the invention is not limited thereto. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the cut-off line may not formed in the second side flap lbsf, and a cut-off line lclla may be formed only on the fastening tape 11. Details are as follows. When the absorbent article 1 is used as the absorbent pad lp, the protruded portion lip of the fastening tape 11, which protrudes from the second waist part lb in the lateral direction, is firstly in the way of wearing operation. Thus, if at least this protruded portion lip is cut off from the second waist part lb, the absorbent article lp after the cut-off can be used as the absorbent pad lp without any problem. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the cut-off line lclla may be formed only for the tape base material 11a of the fastening tape 11.

Here, when a position where such a cut-off line lclla is formed is described in detail, in the tape base material 11a of the fastening tape 11, the cut-off line lclla is formed along the lengthwise direction at the same position as the outermost edge lbsfee of the side flap lbsf of the second waist part lb in the lateral direction. Accordingly, if this cut-off line lclla is cut, a state in which there is no protruded portion lip of the fastening tape 11 can be achieved. That is, a state in which there is no protruded portion that partially protrudes from the second waist part lb in the lateral direction. This prevents the pad lp from being largely caught when the pad lp is inserted below the low weight infant 101 placed in the prone position with the second waist part lb taking the forefront, and the pad lp can be quickly inserted.

[Reference Signs List] [0099]

1: disposable diaper (absorbent article), 1' ''' : absorbent article,

1HB: waist opening, 1HL: leg-surrounding opening, la: first waist part, lac: remaining part, lasf: first side flap, lat: target region, lb: second waist part, lbc: remaining part (central part), lbcl: narrow width part, lbc2: wide width part, lbel: outer edge, lbe2: outer edge, lbsf: second side flap (end portion), lbsef2: outer end part, lbsfee: outermost edge, lbHB: a part to be a waist opening, lbHL: a part to be a leg-surrounding opening, lbk: fastening tape fixing part (a part at which the fastening tape is fixed), lc: cut-off line, lc':cut-off line, lc'Ycut-off line, lc'^,r : cut-off line, lcl: first portion (first cut-off line portion), lc2: second portion (second cut-off line portion), lc3: third portion (curved portion), lcL: straight portion, lcB: curved portion, lcBl: portion, lcB2: portion, lcBa: portion, lcBb: portion, lea:cut-off line, IcaL: straight portion, IcaB: curved portion, lclla: cut-off line, lm: crotch part, lmsf: crotch part side flap, lsf: side flap, lp: absorbent pad (absorbent article),

2: top sheet, 2e: end portion,

3: absorbent body, 3c: absorbent core, 3rs: core-wrapping sheet,

4: leak-proof sheet, 5: exterior sheet,

6: barrier cuff sheet (barrier cuff forming portion),

6g: barrier cuff, 6j: fixing part, 6k: base end part,

6r: barrier-cuff elastic member, 6s: standing portion,

6seLa: end portion, 6seLb: end portion,

6sea: end portion, 6seb: end portion,

11: fastening tape,

11a: tape base material, llap: protruded portion (tab part),

11m: male member, lime: end,

11-1: left-side tape, 11-ls: non-skin side face,

11-2: right-side tape, ll-2e: tip, lip: protruded portion,

21: leg-surrounding elastic member (elastic member),

101: low weight infant (target wearer),

Cl: center line,

Cll-1: center position, Cll-2: center position,

Pic: crossing position, PLB: boundary position,

Ps: start end, Pe: terminal end,

A21: a part

Claims

[THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:] [Claim 1]

An absorbent article that includes a lengthwise direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to

5 one another, the absorbent article comprising:

a first waist part, a crotch part and a second waist part, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction; and fastening tapes that are respectively fixed to each of end portions of the second waist part in the lateral direction,

LO the absorbent article being able to be used as a tape-type disposable diaper by fastening the fastening tapes respectively to the first waist part to form a waist opening and a pair of leg-surrounding openings, cut-off lines being formed in an unfolded state of the absorbent

L5 article, the cut-off lines each being used for cutting off at least a protruded portion of each of the fastening tapes, the protruded portion protruding outward of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as an absorbent pad

20 without the protruded portion by cutting off the protruded portion at each of the cut-off lines, the cut-off lines each including a straight portion and a curved portion that has a curved shape, the straight portion extending straight along the lengthwise direction from a part to be the waist

25 opening, the curved portion being located inward of the straight portion in the lengthwise direction and being displaced outwardly in the lateral direction as the curved portion approaches inwardly in the lengthwise direction.
[Claim 2]

30 The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the cut-off lines are respectively formed at each position on both sides in the lateral direction by corresponding to each of the fastening tapes, and the cut-off lines are each formed so as to cut off a part to which

35 each of the fastening tapes is fixed in the second waist part.

2015293461 11 Jan 2019 [Claim 3]

The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein, a maximum value of a space between the cut-off lines in the lateral direction is smaller than a maximum value of a dimension of the first

5 waist part in the lateral direction.

[Claim 4]

The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the cut-off lines is formed by a route that extends from a part to be the waist opening, to a part to be the leg-surrounding 10 opening through an inner position of the part to which each of the fastening tapes is fixed in the second waist part in the lateral direction .

[Claim 5]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 15 the cut-off lines each include a plurality of through holes that extends through in the thickness direction, and the plurality of through holes is arranged along a direction in which each of the cut-off lines should extend.

[Claim 6]

20 An absorbent article that includes a lengthwise direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, the absorbent article comprising:

a first waist part, a crotch part and a second waist part, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction; and

25 fastening tapes that are respectively fixed to each of end portions of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as a tape-type disposable diaper by fastening the fastening tapes respectively to the first waist part to form a waist opening and a pair of

30 leg-surrounding openings, cut-off lines being formed in an unfolded state of the absorbent article, the cut-off lines each being used for cutting off at least a protruded portion of each of the fastening tapes, the protruded portion protruding outward of the second waist part in the lateral

35 direction,

2015293461 11 Jan 2019 the absorbent article being able to be used as an absorbent pad without the protruded portion by cutting off the protruded portion at each of the cut-off lines, the cut-off lines each including a plurality of through holes that

5 extends through in the thickness direction, the plurality of through holes being arranged along a direction in which each of the cut-off lines should extend, the cut-off lines each including:

a first cut-off line portion that is formed by extending inwardly LO in the lengthwise direction from a part to be the waist opening; and a second cut-off line portion that is located inward of the first cut-off line portion in the lengthwise direction and is located at the same position as each of the fastening tapes in the lengthwise direction,

L5 when ratios of lengths of the through holes occupying per unit length in a direction in which the cut-off lines each extend are compared, the ratio of the second cut-off line portion being smaller than the ratio of the first cut-off line portion.

[Claim 7]

20 The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein, the cut-off lines each include a curved portion having, at an inner position of the second cut-off line portion in the lengthwise direction, a curved shape and being displaced outward in the lateral direction as the curved portion approaches inwardly in the lengthwise direction,

25 when ratios of lengths of the through holes occupying per unit length in a direction in which the cut-off lines each extend are compared, the ratio of the second cut-off line portion is smaller than the ratio of the curved portion.

[Claim 8]

30 The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein elastic members that contract at least the second waist part and the crotch part in the lengthwise direction are provided along the lengthwise direction, the elastic members are each arranged next to each of the cut-off lines in the lateral direction over a predetermined

35 range in the second waist part in the lengthwise direction, and

2015293461 11 Jan 2019 at least in a part of the predetermined range, the elastic members are located inward of the cut-off lines in the lateral direction.

[Claim 9]

The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein,

5 the elastic members are leg-surrounding elastic members for contracting, in the lengthwise direction, parts to be the leg-surrounding openings that are respectively located on both sides in the lateral direction.

[Claim 10]

LO The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein sheet-like barrier cuff forming portions that are respectively provided along the lengthwise direction are provided at each position on both sides in the lateral direction, the barrier cuff forming portions each include a base end part that

L5 is unable to stand in the thickness direction, and a standing portion that is able to stand on a skin side in the thickness direction with the base end part as a supporting point, the base end part and the standing portion are arranged in the lateral direction, the standing portion stands on the skin side in the thickness direction by

20 contracting in the lengthwise direction based on a contracting force exerted on the standing portion in the lengthwise direction, and the cut-off lines are each formed at a position outside of the base end part and the standing portion in the lateral direction.

[Claim 11]

25 The absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein in each of end portions of the standing portion in the lengthwise direction, fixing parts are respectively formed to fix the end portions in such a manner that the end portions are facing down on a sheet located on a non-skin side in the thickness direction, and

30 the cut-off lines are each formed at a position outside of the fixing part in the lateral direction.

[Claim 12]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a corresponding relationship between an abdomen side and a back

35 side of a target wearer; and the first waist part and the second waist

2015293461 11 Jan 2019 part, is opposite to each other between the tape-type disposable diaper and the absorbent pad.

[Claim 13]

An absorbent article that includes a lengthwise direction, a

5 lateral direction and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, the absorbent article comprising:

a first waist part, a crotch part and a second waist part, which are arranged in this order in the lengthwise direction; and fastening tapes that are respectively fixed to each of end portions

LO of the second waist part in the lateral direction, the absorbent article being able to be used as a tape-type disposable diaper by fastening the fastening tapes respectively to the first waist part to form a waist opening and a pair of leg-surrounding openings,

L5 cut-off lines being formed in an unfolded state of the absorbent article, the cut-off lines each being used for cutting off at least a protruded portion of each of the fastening tapes, the protruded portion protruding outward of the second waist part in the lateral direction,

20 the absorbent article being able to be used as an absorbent pad without the protruded portion by cutting off the protruded portion at each of the cut-off lines, another cut-off line being included for cutting off an end portion of the first waist part in the lateral direction.