AU2017289784A1

AU2017289784A1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: AU2017289784A1
Application number: AU2017289784A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nobuyuki Kato; Yi Shi
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2016-06-28
Filing date: 2017-06-26
Publication date: 2019-01-03
Also published as: MY189611A; CN109414352A; CN109414352B; PH12018502711A1; KR20190022630A; WO2018003743A1; RU2708263C1; KR102472625B1

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article whereby a user can feel a sense of security as to absorbency while compact portability of the absorbent article is realized. An absorbent article (1) has an absorbent body (30), a top sheet (10) disposed on a skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body, and a back sheet (20) disposed on a non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body, a first fold line (FL1) and a second fold line (FL2) for folding the absorbent article being formed along a longitudinal direction. The top sheet has flap parts (11) folded back by fold-back lines (12) on both sides in a width direction. The fold-back lines are positioned further outside in the width direction than outside edges of the absorbent body. Distal ends (11E) of the flat parts are positioned further inside in the width direction than the outside edges of the absorbent body. The first fold line and the second fold line are positioned further outside in the width direction than the fold-back lines.

Description

Title of Invention: ABSORBENT ARTICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001]

The present invention relates to an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin.

BACKGROUND ART [0002]

Patent Literature 1 discloses an absorbent article in which a first folding line and a second folding line for folding the absorbent article are formed along a longitudinal direction. In a state in which the absorbent article is folded by the first folding line and the second folding line along the longitudinal direction, a length in a width direction is shorter than that of an unfolded state which is not folded, so that compact portability can be realized. The first folding line and the second folding line of Patent Literature 1 are formed on a side part of an absorber.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE [0003]

Patent Literature 1: JP 9-266928 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0004]

When a user unfolds the folded absorbent article, the user confirms a surface of the absorbent article and obtains comfortable feeling for absorbency. At that time, the user confirms, in particular, a size or a shape of the absorber directly related to the absorbency.

[0005]

In the absorbent article of Patent Literature 1, the side part of the absorber is provided with the first folding line and the second folding line. The user is hard to visually recognize the side part of the absorber by user’s folding habit caused by the first folding line and the second folding line, and recognizes that the length of the absorber in the width direction is shorter than the actual length. Therefore, the user often has trouble in obtaining the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0006]

It is desirable to provide an absorbent article that enables a user to obtain comfortable feeling for absorbency while realizing compact portability.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM [0007]

According to an aspect of the invention, an absorbent article (absorbent article 1) includes: a longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction L), a width direction (width direction W), and a thickness direction (thickness direction); an absorber (absorber 30); a topsheet (topsheet 10) disposed on a skin facing surface side of the absorber; and a backsheet (backsheet 20) disposed on a non-skin facing surface side of the absorber, in which a first folding line (first folding line FL1) and a second folding line (second folding line FL2) for folding the absorbent article are formed along the longitudinal direction, the topsheet has a folded part (folded portion 11) folded along a folding-back line (folding-back line 12) on both sides of the topsheet in the width direction, the folding-back line is located outside an outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction, a tip (tip HE) of the folded portion is located inside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction, and the first folding line and the second folding line are located outside the folding-back line in the width direction.

[0008]

According to another aspect of the invention, an absorbent article (absorbent article 1) includes: a longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction L), a width direction (width direction W), and a thickness direction (thickness direction T); an absorber (absorber 30); a topsheet (topsheet 10) disposed on a skin facing surface side of the absorber; and a backsheet (backsheet 20) disposed on a non-skin facing surface side of the absorber; and a wing provided in a crotch region in the longitudinal direction, in which a first folding line (first folding line FL1) and a second folding line (second folding line FL2) for folding the absorbent article are formed along the longitudinal direction so that skin facing surfaces of the absorbent article face each other, the topsheet has a folded portion (folded portion 11) folded along a folding-back line (folding-back line 12), on both sides in the width direction, the first folding line and the second folding line are located inside the folding-back line in the width direction, in the crotch region, the absorbent article has a bonded portion (first bonded portion 61) where the folded portion and the backsheet are bonded to each other, and the bonded portion is located inside the folding-back line in the width direction, in the crotch region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0009]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view for describing a folding mode of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent article according to a modified example.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an unfolded state of the absorbent article taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an attached state of the absorbent article taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0010]

At least following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to an aspect of the invention, an absorbent article includes a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction;

an absorber; a topsheet disposed on a skin facing surface side of the absorber; and a backsheet disposed on a non-skin facing surface side of the absorber, in which a first folding line and a second folding line for folding the absorbent article are formed along the longitudinal direction, the topsheet has a folded portion folded along a folding-back line, on both sides of the topsheet in the width direction, the folding-back line is located outside an outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction, a tip of the folded portion is located inside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction, and the first folding line and the second folding line are located outside the folding-back line in the width direction.

[0011]

In the state in which the absorbent article is folded along the first folding line and the second folding line in the longitudinal direction, a length in a width direction is shorter than that of an unfolded state which is not folded along the first folding line and the second folding line, so that compact portability can be realized. In addition, since a length of the topsheet in the width direction is longer than the length of the absorber in the width direction, a user can recognize that a width of the topsheet into which a body fluid is absorbed is wide and can obtain comfortable feeling for absorbency. Therefore, it is possible for a user to obtain comfortable feeling for absorbency while realizing compact portability.

[0012]

The folding-back line of the folded portion is located outside an outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction, and a tip of the folded portion is located inside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction. Therefore, at least a two-layer topsheet is disposed outside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction. It is possible to recognize that the width of the topsheet into which the body fluid is absorbed is wide and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency. The outside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction is provided with a region bulged by the two-layer topsheet, and the user has feeling that the body fluid is appropriately absorbed into the bulged region and can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency. [0013]

In addition, the first folding line and the second folding line are located outside the folding-back line in the width direction. A folding habit caused by the first folding line and the second folding line is not formed in the region bulged by the two-layer topsheet. Therefore, it is difficult for a side edge of the topsheet to rise due to the folding habit, and it is possible to suppress a side part of the absorber from being covered with the topsheet. The user can visually recognize the entire area including the side part of the absorber and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency. In addition, the folding habit caused by the first folding line and the second folding line is not formed on the side part of the absorber. Therefore, when the absorbent article is unfolded, the user can visually recognize the side part of the absorber, grasp an actual length of the absorber in the width direction, and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0014]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that the region in which the topsheets overlap each other in the thickness direction and the topsheets are not bonded to each other is provided between the folding-back line and the outer side edge of the absorber.

[0015]

According to such an absorbent article, it is possible to provide a region, in which the topsheets are separated from each other, between the folding-back line and the outer side edge of the absorber. In this region, the folded portion of the topsheet tends to be in the bulged state, and the thickness of the topsheet in the region in which the folded portion is disposed is likely to be substantially the same as or thicker than the thickness of the absorber. The thickness substantially the same as that of the absorber having the absorbency continues toward an outside in the width direction, so that the user can recognize that an absorption area is wide and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0016]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent article comprises a region in which the folded portion of the topsheet is not bonded to the backsheet.

[0017]

In the region in which the folded portion of the topsheet is not bonded to the backsheet, the topsheet and the backsheet are likely to be separated from each other in the thickness direction, and the folded portion of the topsheet is likely to be in the bulged state. The thickness of the topsheet of the region in which the folded portion is disposed tends to be substantially the same as or thicker than that of the absorber. The thickness substantially the same as that of the absorber having the absorbency continues toward an outside in the width direction, so that the user can recognize that an absorption area is wide and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0018]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that only the topsheet located on the skin facing surface side of the topsheets disposed between the folding-back line and the outer side edge of the absorber is provided with a skin surface pressing portion.

[0019]

According to the absorbent article, the user can recognize that the absorption property of the body fluid is high by the skin surface pressing portion, and can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency. In addition, since the skin surface pressing portion is formed only on the topsheet located on the skin facing surface side, the topsheets overlapping each other in the thickness direction at the folded portion are not bonded by the skin surface pressing portion. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the bulge of the region in which the folded portion is disposed, and the user can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0020]

The absorbent article, includes an absorber pressing portion formed on the absorber and the topsheet, and it is preferable that a depth of the skin surface pressing portion in the thickness direction is shallower than that of the absorber pressing portion in the thickness direction.

[0021]

According to the absorbent article, since the depth of the skin surface pressing portion in the thickness direction is shallower than that of the absorber pressing portion in the thickness direction, it is possible to maintain the bulge of the region in which the folded portion is disposed and the user can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0022]

The absorbent article, includes a second sheet provided between the absorber and the topsheet, it is preferable that the second sheet extends outward in the width direction than the outer side edge of the absorber.

[0023]

According to the absorbent article, the at least two-layer topsheet and the second sheet are disposed outside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction. A region bulged by a three-layer sheet can be provided outside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction. The user has the feeling that the body fluid is appropriately absorbed into the bulged region and can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0024]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that the second sheet has the folded portion folded along the folding-back line.

[0025]

According to the absorbent article, a region in which the at least two-layer topsheet and at least two second sheets are stacked is provided outside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction. A region bulged by a four-layer sheet can be provided outside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction. The user has the feeling that the body fluid is appropriately absorbed into the bulged region and can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0026]

According to another aspect of the invention, an absorbent article includes; a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction;

an absorber;

a topsheet disposed on a skin facing surface side of the absorber;

a backsheet disposed on a non-skin facing surface side of the absorber; and a wing provided in a crotch region in the longitudinal direction, wherein a first folding line and a second folding line for folding the absorbent article are formed along the longitudinal direction so that skin facing surfaces of the absorbent article face each other, the topsheet has a folded portion folded along a folding-back line, on both sides in the width direction, the first folding line and the second folding line are located inside the folding-back line in the width direction, in the crotch region, the absorbent article has a bonded portion where the folded portion and the backsheet are bonded, and the bonded portion is located inside the folding-back line in the width direction, in the crotch region.

[0027]

The folding habit caused by the first folding line and the second folding line extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the folded portion of the topsheet. The first folding line and the second folding line are lines for folding so that the skin facing surfaces of the absorbent article face each other, and in the unfolded state in which the absorbent article is unfolded, the folding habit caused by the first folding line and the second folding line becomes a valley folding habit against a wearer. In the region between the folding-back line and the bonded portion, the folded portion and the backsheet are not bonded to each other, and the folded portion rises to a wearer side due to the folding habit caused by the first folding line and the second folding line. The folded portion rises, and as a result, it is possible to suppress side leakage of the body fluid.

[0028]

In addition, when the absorbent article thus configured is attached to underwear, in a state in which a center of the absorbent article in the width direction is fixed to the skin facing surface of the underwear, the wing is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side of the underwear, and the wing is fixed to a non-skin facing surface of the underwear. If the wing is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side of the underwear, the folded portion of the topsheet is also pulled through the bonded portion. At this time, in the region between the folding-back line and the bonded portion, when the wing is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side without being bonded to the backsheet, the wing is not pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side along with the backsheet, thereby maintaining uprightness. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the uprightness of the folded portion of the topsheet and to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0029]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that the bonded portion is located inside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction, in the crotch region.

[0030]

According to the absorbent article, in the region outside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction, the topsheet is configured to be upright from the backsheet. It is possible to maintain the uprightness of the topsheet with the first folding line and the second folding line as base points and to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0031]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that the first folding line and the second folding line are located inside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction.

[0032]

According to the absorbent article, since the first folding line and the second folding line are formed on the absorber, the folding habit caused by the first folding line and the second folding line are strengthened, and the folded portion of the topsheet tends to rise. In addition, the rigidity of the portion where the first folding line and the second folding line are formed is increased. The folded portion of the topsheet rises with the first folding line and the second folding line as deformation base points. Since the rigidity of the rising deformation base point is increased, it is easier to maintain the uprightness of the folded portion of the topsheet, and it is possible to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0033]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorber has a first layer and a second layer overlapping the first layer in the thickness direction and having a basis weight lower than that of the first layer, and the first folding line and the second folding line are formed only on the second layer among the first layer and the second layer.

[0034]

According to the absorbent article, the folding habit is formed only on the second layer, and the folding habit is not formed on the first layer having a high basis weight. Compared to the configuration in which the folding habit is formed on both the first layer and the second layer, the absorber tends to rise due to the folding habit, and the uprightness of the outer side edge of the topsheet can be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect of suppressing the side leakage due to the folded portion of the topsheet.

[0035]

In the absorbent article, it is preferable that the bonded portion is located outside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction, in a front side area located at a front side of the crotch region and a rear side area located at a rear side of the crotch region.

[0036]

According to such an absorbent article, when the wing is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side of the underwear, the region outside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction tends to be deformed with the first folding line and the second folding line as the base points and to be pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side through the backsheet. In the crotch region, the bonded portion is located inside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction. For this reason, the folded portions located outside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction are spaced apart from the backsheet, and the upright state tends to be maintained without the folded portions being pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side when being attached. On the other hand, in the front side area and the rear side area, the bonded portion is located outside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction W, and the bonded portion which is located outside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side when being attached and is deformed to be in a tilted state without maintaining the upright state. Therefore, the length of the topsheet in the width direction in the front side area and the rear side area in a plan view of the attached state becomes longer than that of the topsheet in the width direction in the crotch region. The body fluid can be absorbed in a wide region by the topsheet in the front side area and the rear side area, and it is possible to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0037] === Regarding Absorbent Article of the Present Embodiment ===

Hereinafter, an absorbent article according to embodiments will be described with reference to the accompany drawings. In the following embodiments, a disposable sanitary napkin will be described as an example of an absorbent article.

[0038]

In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar portions are denoted by the same or similar reference symbols. However, it is to be noted that the drawings are schematically shown, ratios of each dimension, and the like may differ from reality. Therefore, concrete dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships or ratios.

[0039]

First, an absorbent article according to a first embodiment will be described.

(1) Overall schematic configuration of absorbent article

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 1. [0040]

The absorbent article 1 has a longitudinal direction E and a width direction W which are orthogonal to each other and has a thickness direction T extending from a skin facing surface side TI to a non-skin facing surface side T2 of a wearer. The skin facing surface side TI corresponds to a side facing a wearer’s skin in use. The non-skin facing surface side T2 corresponds to a side opposite to the skin facing surface side TI, that is, a side toward the side opposite to the wearer’s skin in use.

[0041]

The absorbent article 1 has a crotch region SI, a front side area S2, and a rear side area S3. The crotch region SI is a region facing an excretion opening of the wearer, for example, the vaginal opening. When the absorbent article 1 is attached to underwear, the crotch region S1 is a region which is disposed in a crotch portion of the underwear and disposed between both legs of the wearer. The front side area S2 is located at a front side of the crotch region SI. A front end edge of the front side area S2 defines a front end edge of the absorbent article 1. The rear side area S3 is located on a rear side of the crotch region SI. A rear end edge of the rear side area S3 defines a rear end edge of the absorbent article 1.

[0042]

The absorbent article 1 has a wing 3 and a hip flap 4. The wing 3 and the hip flap 4 extend outward in the width direction W than an outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the crotch region SI. The wing 3 is provided in the crotch region SI. The front end edge of the wing 3 is defined by a base of the wing 3, and corresponds to a portion located on the front side among two portions recessed most inward in the width direction W. The front end edge of the wing 3 defines a boundary between the crotch region SI and the front side area S2. The rear end edge of the wing 3 is defined by a base of the wing 3, and corresponds to a portion located at the rear side among two portions recessed most inward in the width direction W. The rear end edge of the wing 3 defines a boundary between the crotch region SI and the rear side area S3. The hip flap 4 is provided in the rear side area S3.

[0043]

The absorbent article 1 includes a topsheet 10, a second sheet 15, a backsheet 20, and the absorber 30. The topsheet 10 is provided on the skin facing surface side TI of the absorber 30. The backsheet 20 is provided on the non-skin facing surface side T2 of the absorber 30. The absorber 30 is provided between the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 20.

[0044]

The absorber 30 is disposed at least in the crotch region SI and the rear side area S3. The absorber 30 has an absorbent core (not shown) made of an absorbent material that absorbs liquids and a core wrap (not shown) that wraps around the absorbent core. The absorber 30 and the topsheet 10 are provided with an absorber pressing portion 33. The absorber pressing portion 33 is formed by pressing at least the topsheet 10 and the absorber 30 in the thickness direction T. The absorption of a body fluid is improved by the absorber pressing portion 33 in which the topsheet 10 and the absorber 30 are integrated, such that the leakage of body fluid can be prevented.

[0045]

The topsheet 10 is a liquid-permeable sheet that permeates liquids such as the body fluid. The topsheet 10 covers the skin facing surface side T1 of the absorber 30. The topsheet 10 has a folded portion 11 folded along a folding-back line 12 on both sides in a width direction. A configuration of the folded portion 11 will be described in detail later.

[0046]

The second sheet 15 is provided between the topsheet 10 and the absorber 30. The second sheet 15 covers at least a part of the skin facing surface side T1 of the absorber

30. The length of the second sheet 15 in the width direction W according to the present embodiment is shorter than that of the absorber 30 in the width direction W. [0047]

The backsheet 20 includes a main sheet 21 and a side sheet 22. The main sheet 21 is disposed in the entire area of the absorbent article and is provided on the most non-skin facing surface side in the thickness direction. The side sheet 22 is provided in a certain region inward in the width direction from the outer side edge of the absorbent article. The side sheet 22 is disposed between the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 and the main sheet 21 in the thickness direction T. The main sheet 21 and the side sheet 22 are bonded to each other by a bonding means (not shown). FIG. 2 shows that the backsheet 20 and the absorber 30 are separated from each other in the thickness direction, but the backsheet 20 and the absorber 30 of the present embodiment are bonded to each other by the bonding means (not shown).

[0048] (2) Detailed configuration of folded portion of topsheet

Next, the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 will be described in detail. The folded portion 11 is formed by folding the topsheet 10 toward the non-skin facing surface side along the folding-back line 12. The topsheet 10 is stacked with a portion, which extends (is not folded) in the width direction between the folded portion 11 and the folding-back line 12, in the thickness direction T. The topsheet 10 is stacked in two layers in a region in which the folded portion 11 is provided. The topsheet 10 is folded back along the folding-back line 12 and is not covered by the side sheet 22 or the like. In addition, the length of the topsheet 10 in the width direction is longer than that of the absorber 30 in the width direction. The user can recognize that the width of the topsheet 10 into which the body fluid is absorbed is wide and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0049]

The folded portion 11 is a portion from the folding-back line 12 to a tip HE of the folded portion 11. The folding-back line 12 is located outside an outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction W. The tip HE of the folded portion 11 is located inside the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction. The tip HE of the folded portion 11 is located between the absorber 30 and the backsheet 20 in the thickness direction T. At least the two-layer topsheet 10 is disposed outside the outer side edge of the absorber 30 in the width direction W and inside the folding-back line 12 in the width direction W. The region bulged by the two-layer topsheet is formed outside the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction W. The user has the feeling that the body fluid is appropriately absorbed into the bulged region and can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0050]

The regions in which the topsheets 10 overlap each other in the thickness direction and the topsheets 10 are not bonded to each other are provided between the folding-back line 12 in the width direction and the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30. In the topsheet 10 of the present embodiment, the topsheets 10 overlap each other over the entire area between the folding-back line 12 and the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30, and the topsheets 10 are not bonded to each other. In this region, the topsheets 10 are separated from each other, and the region in which the folded portion 11 is disposed can be kept bulged. The thickness of the region in which the folded portion 11 is disposed tends to be substantially the same as or thicker than that of the absorber 30. The thickness substantially the same as that of the absorber 30 having the absorbency continues toward an outside in the width direction, so that the user can recognize that an absorption area is wide and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency. In the present embodiment, the state in which the two members overlap each other includes not only a state in which the two members are in contact with each other, but also the state in which another member is disposed between the two members and the two members overlap each other indirectly.

[0051]

The folded portion 11 is disposed to face the backsheet 20 in the thickness direction T. The absorbent article 1 has a region in which the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 is not bonded to the backsheet 20. The folded portion 11 is not bonded to the backsheet 20 over the entire area between the folding-back line 12 and the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30. In the region in which the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 is not bonded to the backsheet 20, the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 20 are likely to be separated from each other in the thickness direction T, and the bulge of the region in which the folded portion 11 is disposed can be kept. The thickness of the region in which the folded portion 11 is disposed tends to be substantially the same as or thicker than that of the absorber 30. The thickness substantially the same as that of the absorber 30 having the absorbency continues toward at an outside in the width direction, so that the user can recognize that an absorption area is wide and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0052]

The skin surface pressing portion 14 is formed on the topsheet 10 located on the skin facing surface side of the topsheet 10 disposed between the folding-back line 12 and the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30. The skin surface pressing portion 14 is a pressing portion formed on the topsheet 10 and is formed by pressing the topsheet 10 in the thickness direction. In the present embodiment, the topsheet 10 located on the skin facing surface side is the topsheet 10 that is not folded back. Since the skin surface pressing portion 14 is formed on the topsheet 10 located on the skin facing surface side Tl, the user can recognize that the absorption performance of the body fluid is high by the skin surface pressing portion 14, and can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency. In addition, since the skin surface pressing portion 14 is formed only on the topsheet 10 located on the skin facing surface side Tl, the topsheets 10 overlapping each other in the thickness direction T are not bonded to each other by the skin surface pressing portion 14. Therefore, the bulge of the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 can be kept, and the user can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0053]

The depth of the skin surface pressing portion 14 in the thickness direction T is shallower than that of the absorber pressing portion 33 in the thickness direction T.

Since the depth of the skin surface pressing portion 14 in the thickness direction is shallower than that of the absorber pressing portion 33 in the thickness direction, roughness due to the skin surface pressing portion is shallow, and the bulge of the region in which the folded portion 11 is disposed can be kept. The user can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0054]

The depth of the pressing portion in the thickness direction is the depth of the recess of the portion where the pressing portion is formed with respect to the portion where the pressing portion is not formed, which can be measured by the following method, for example. As a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine, a high-precision shape measurement system (including high-precision stage: KS-1100) manufactured by Keyence Corporation and a high-speed and high-precision CCD laser displacement meter (including controller: LK-G 3000V set, sensor head: LK-G30) are used. The absorbent article to be measured is disposed on a horizontal plane, and an undulated state of a surface in a cross section in the thickness direction at that time is recorded as a contour. The depth is calculated from a difference between a peak and a bottom , with both end portions in the width direction of the portion where the recessed shape is formed by the pressing portion being set as the peak and a bottom surface of the recessed shape (bottom surface of the pressing portion) being set as the bottom.

[0055] (3) Folding mode of absorbent article

The absorbent article 1 is configured to be individually wrapped by a packaging sheet 70. FIG. 3 is a view for describing a folding mode of the absorbent article 1. The absorbent article 1 is disposed on the packaging sheet 70 so that the non-skin facing surface of the absorbent article 1 and the packaging sheet 70 face each other when being folded. One outer side edge of the absorbent article 1 and one outer side edge of the packaging sheet 70 are folded inward with the first folding line FL1 along the longitudinal direction L as the base point in the state in which the absorbent article 1 is disposed on the packaging sheet 70 (see FIG. 3(a)). In regions (regions on both sides of the first folding line FL1) disposed having the first folding line FL1 interposed therebetween in the unfolded state in which the absorbent article is unfolded (a state before being folded), the skin facing surfaces face each other in the folded state. The state in which the skin facing surfaces are facing each other is a state in which one skin facing surface faces the other skin facing surface, and also includes the state in which another member is disposed between one skin facing surface and the other skin facing surface.

[0056]

Next, the other outer side edge of the absorbent article 1 and the other outer side edge of the packaging sheet 70 are folded back inward with the second folding line FL2 along the longitudinal direction L as the base point (see FIG. 3 (b)). In regions (regions on both sides of the second folding line FL2) disposed having the second folding line FL2 interposed therebetween in the unfolded state in which the absorbent article 1 is unfolded (the state before being folded), the skin facing surfaces face each other in the folded state.

[0057]

Subsequently, in the state folded by the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2, the rear end edge of the absorbent article 1 and the rear end edge of the packaging sheet 70 are folded inward with a third folding line FL3 along the width direction W as the base point. Next, the front end edge of the absorbent article 1 and the front end edge of the packaging sheet 70 are folded back inward with a fourth folding line FL4 along the width direction W as the base point (see FIG. 3 (c)). By the folding as described above, the length of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction and the length in the longitudinal direction are shortened, and the absorbent article 1 is downsized. Therefore, the compact portability can be realized.

[0058]

In the unfolded state in which the folded absorbent article 1 is unfolded, the folding habit caused by the first folding line FL1, the second folding line FL2, the third folding line FL3, and the fourth folding line FL4 is formed in the absorbent article 1. The folding habit caused by the first folding line FL1 and the folding habit caused by the second folding line FL2 become the folding habit that are away from the wearer. The first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are valley folding lines. Therefore, the region outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction in the unfolded state is upright with the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 as the base points.

[0059]

The first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are located outside the folding-back line 12 of the topsheet 10 in the width direction W. The first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are formed in the region in which only the two layers of the main sheet 21 and the side sheet 22 are disposed. The folding habit caused by the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 is not formed in the region bulged by the two-layer topsheet 10. Therefore, it is difficult for the side part of the topsheet 10 to rise due to the folding habit and it is difficult to cover the side part of the absorber. The user can visually recognize the entire area including the side part of the absorber and obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency. In addition, the folding habit caused by the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 is not formed on the side part of the absorber 30. Therefore, when the absorbent article 1 is unfolded, the user can visually recognize the side part of the absorber, and easily grasp an actual length of the absorber in the width direction. Therefore, the user can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0060] (4) Modified Example

Next, an absorbent article IA according to a modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the description of the modified example, the same reference symbols are used for the same configurations as the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. A second sheet 15A of the absorbent article IA according to the modified example extends outward in the width direction W than the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30. In addition, the length of the second sheet 15A in the width direction W is longer than that of the absorber 30 in the width direction W. According to the absorbent article IA according to the modified example, at least two-layer topsheet and one-layer second sheet 15 are disposed outside the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction. A region bulged by a three-layer sheet can be provided outside the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction. The user has the feeling that the body fluid is appropriately absorbed into the bulged region and can obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0061]

The second sheet 15A of the absorbent article 1A according to the modified example has a folded portion 15B. The folded portion 15B is formed by folding the second sheet 15A toward the non-skin facing surface side along the folding-back line. The second sheet 15A is stacked with a portion, which extends (is not folded) in the width direction between the folded portion 15B and the folding-back line 12, in the thickness direction. The second sheet 15A is stacked in two layers in a region in which the folded portion 15B is provided.

[0062]

According to the absorbent article 1A according to the modified example, the region in which at least two-layer topsheet and at least two-layer second sheet are stacked are provided outside the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction. A region bulged by a four-layer sheet can be provided outside the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction. The user has the feeling that the body fluid is appropriately absorbed into the bulged region and can obtain comfortable feeling for absorbency. In addition, since the four-layer sheet is disposed outside the outer side edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction, the body fluid can be absorbed by the four-layer sheet. As the absorption performance improves, the user can obtain a more comfortable feeling for absorbency.

[0063]

Next, an absorbent article according to a second embodiment will be described.

JP 2001-70343 A discloses an absorbent article having a folded portion in which a topsheet is folded back on both sides in a width direction. The absorbent article has a gather flap that lifts an outer side edge of an absorber toward a wearer side. The outer side edge of the absorber and the folded portion of the topsheet are lifted toward the wearer side in use. Side leakage of a body fluid is suppressed by raising the outer side edge of the absorber and the folded portion of the topsheet toward the wearer side. [0064]

In an absorbent article having a wing like the absorbent article of JP 2001-70343 A, the wing is folded back toward a non-skin facing surface side of underwear in use. At this time, the outer side edge of the absorber and the folded portion of the topsheet are pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side together with the wing. The folded portion of the topsheet can not maintain the rising state to the wearer side by being pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side. Therefore, the side leakage of the body fluid may not be suppressed. It is preferable to provide the absorbent article capable of maintaining uprightness of the folded portion of the topsheet and suppressing the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0065] (5) Overall schematic configuration of absorbent article

Next, a configuration of a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same reference symbols are used for the same configurations as the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 5 is a plan view of an absorbent article IB according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article IB taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 5. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6 is a plan view in an unfolded state in which the absorbent article IB is unfolded after the absorbent article IB is folded along a first folding line FFI and a second folding line FE2 to be described later. Therefore, a folding habit caused by the first folding line FFI and the second folding line FE2 is formed in the absorbent article IB shown in FIG. 6.

[0066]

The absorber 30 has a first layer 31 and a second layer 32 overlapping the first layer 31 in a thickness direction T. The first layer 31 is disposed on a skin facing surface side T1 of the second layer 32. A basis weight of an absorbent material of the first layer 31 is higher than that of an absorbent material of the second layer 32. A length of the first layer 31 in a width direction W is shorter than that of the second layer 32 in the width direction W.

[0067]

FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the backsheet 20 and the absorber 30 are separated from each other in the thickness direction, but the backsheet 20 and the absorber 30 of the present embodiment are bonded to each other by the bonding means (not shown).

[0068]

As shown in FIG. 6, an adhesive portion 80 for bonding the absorbent article IB to the underwear is provided on the non-skin facing surface of the main sheet 21. An adhesive portion 80 includes a pair of main body adhesive portions 81 disposed in a region overlapping the absorber 30, a pair of wing adhesive portions 82 disposed in a wing 3, and a pair of flap bonded portions (not shown) disposed in a hip flap 4. In a state before use, the adhesive portion 80 is covered with a packaging sheet 70 for individually wrapping the absorbent article.

[0069]

The absorbent article IB is folded like the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). The first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are folding lines for folding the absorbent article so that the skin facing surfaces of the absorbent article face each other. In the unfolded state in which the absorbent article IB is unfolded, the folding habit caused by the first folding line FL1, the second folding line FL2, a third folding line FL3, and a fourth folding line FL4 is formed in the absorbent article IB. The folding habit caused by the first folding line FL1 and the folding habit caused by the second folding line FL2 become the folding habit that are away from the wearer. The first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are valley folding lines. Therefore, the region outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction in the unfolded state is upright with the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 as base points (see FIG. 6).

[0070]

In addition, the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are located inside the outer side edge of the absorber 30 in the width direction. More specifically, the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are located inside the outer side edge of the second layer in the width direction and outside the outer side edge of the first layer in the width direction. The first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 are formed on the second layer 32 and are not formed on the first layer 31.

[0071] (6) Detailed configuration of folded portion of topsheet

The folded portion 11 is disposed to face the backsheet 20 in the thickness direction. The absorbent article IB has a bonded portion where the folded portion 11 and the backsheet 20 are bonded and a non-bonded portion 65 where the folded portion 11 and the backsheet 20 are not bonded. The bonded portion has a first bonded portion 61 at least disposed in a crotch region SI, a second bonded portion 62 located at a front side of the first bonded portion 61, and a third bonded portion 63 located at a rear side of the first bonded portion 61. The first bonded portion 61 is disposed over the entire region of the crotch region SI in the longitudinal direction L, a part of a front side area S2, and a part of a rear side area S3. The second bonded portion 62 is located in the front side area S2. The third bonded portion 63 is located in the rear side area S3. The non-bonded portion 65 is located between the bonded portion and the folding-back line in the width direction, and between the bonded portion in the width direction and the tip 1 IE of the folded portion 11.

[0072]

The first bonded portion 61 is located inside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W. That is, the bonded portion is located inside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction and not located outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W, in the crotch region SI. The region outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W is configured so that the topsheet 10 can be upright from the backsheet 20. The folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 located outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W rises with the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 as the base points, such that the side leakage of the body fluid can be suppressed.

[0073]

The first bonded portion 61 is located inside the second bonded portion 62 and the third bonded portion 63 in the width direction W. The first bonded portion 61 is located inside the folding-back line 12 in the width direction. The first bonded portion 61 is separated from the folding-back line inside the folding-back line 12 in the width direction. In the crotch region SI, the non-bonded portion 65 is located in a certain region extending inward in the width direction from the folding-back line 12. In the region between the folding-back line 12 and the bonded portion, the non-bonded portion is located, and the folded portion 11 and the backsheet 20 are not bonded to each other. Therefore, the region between the folding-back line 12 and the first bonded portion 61 rises toward the wearer side due to the folding habit caused by the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FE2. Since the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 is upright toward the wearer side, it is possible to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid discharged to the center of the topsheet 10 in the width direction. [0074]

In the configuration according to the modified example, the first bonded portion 61 may be located outside the first folding line FF1 and the second folding line FF2 in the width direction. In the modified example, it is preferable that the first bonded portion 61 is disposed outside an intermediate point between the first folding line FF1 and the folding-back line 12 in the width direction. This is because the folded portion 11 can be upright with respect to the backsheet in a certain region extending in the width direction from the folding-back line 12 and the side leakage can be suppressed.

[0075]

In addition, the first folding line FF1 and the second folding line FF2 are located inside the outer side edge of the absorber 30 in the width direction W, and are formed in the absorber 30. The folding habit becomes stronger and the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 tends to rise as compared with the configuration in which the folding habit is not formed in the absorber 30. In addition, the rigidity of the portion where the first folding line FF1 and the second folding line FF2 are formed is increased. The folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 rises with the first folding line FF1 and the second folding line FF2 as deformation base points. Since the rigidity of the rising base point is increased, it is easier to maintain the uprightness of the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10, and it is possible to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0076]

In addition, the first folding line FF1 and the second folding line FF2 are formed on the second layer 32 and are not formed on the first layer 31. Therefore, the outer side edge of the second layer 32 can be upright with the first folding line FF1 and the second folding line FF2 as the base points. The folding habit caused by the first folding line FF1 and the second folding line FF2 are formed on the second layer 32 and is not formed on the first layer 31 having the high basis weight. Compared to the configuration in which the folding habit are formed on both the first layer 31 and the second layer 32, the absorber tends to rise due to the folding habit, and the uprightness of the outer side edge of the topsheet 10 can be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect of suppressing the side leakage due to the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10.

[0077] (7) Attaching mode of absorbent article

Next, an attaching mode of the absorbent article IB configured as described above to the underwear will be described. When the absorbent article IB is attached to the underwear S, first, the main body adhesive portion 81 located at the center of the absorbent article IB in the width direction W is fixed to the underwear S. In the state in which the central region of the absorbent article in the width direction is fixed to the underwear through the main body adhesive portion 81, the wing 3 is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side T2 of the underwear, and thus the wing adhesive portion 82 is fixed to the non-skin facing surface of the underwear. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article attached to the underwear S.

[0078]

When the wing is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side of the underwear when being attached, not only the wing but also the first bonded portion 61 located inside the wing 3 in the width direction is pulled, and the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 is also pulled through the first bonded portion 61. At this time, the region between the folding-back line 12 of the topsheet 10 and the first bonded portion 61 is not bonded to the backsheet 20. Therefore, when the wing 3 is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side T2, the vicinity of the folding-back line 12 is not pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side together with the wing 3, and the uprightness in the vicinity of the folding-back line 12 is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the uprightness of the folded portion 11 of the topsheet 10 and to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0079]

In addition, the second bonded portion 62 and the third bonded portion 63 are located outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W. In at least a part of the front side area S2 and at least a part of the rear side area S3, the bonded portion is provided outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction.

[0080]

When the wing 3 is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side of the underwear, the region outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction tends to be deformed with the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 as the base points, and tends to be pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side T2 through the backsheet 20 disposed in the wing. In the crotch region SI, the first bonded portion 61 is located inside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W. For this reason, the folded portion 11 located outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W is spaced apart from the backsheet 20, and maintain the upright state without being pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side when being attached. On the other hand, in the front side area S2 and the rear side area S3, the second bonded portion 62 and the third bonded portion 63 are located outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 in the width direction W, and the folded portion 11 located outside the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL 2 in the width direction W is pulled toward the non-skin facing surface side T2 when being attached and is deformed to the tilted state without maintaining the standing state. Therefore, in the plan view of the attached state, the length of the topsheet 10 in the width direction W of the front side area S2 and the rear side area S3 is longer than that of the topsheet 10 in the width direction W of the crotch region S1. The body fluid can be absorbed in a wide region by the topsheet 10 in the front side area S2 and the rear side area S3, and it is possible to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

[0081]

While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented as modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the scope of the claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for the purpose of illustration and does not have any restrictive meaning to the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0082]

According to the absorbent article according to an aspect, it is possible for the user to obtain the comfortable feeling for absorbency while realizing the compact portability. [0083]

According to the absorbent article according to another aspect, it is possible to maintain the uprightness of the folded portion of the topsheet and to suppress the side leakage of the body fluid.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST [0084]

1, 1A, IB Absorbent article

Topsheet

Folded portion

Folding-back line

Skin surface pressing portion

15, 15A Second sheet

Backsheet

Main sheet

Side sheet

Absorber

First layer

Second layer

Absorber pressing portion

First bonded portion

Second bonded portion

Third bonded portion

Main body adhesive portion

Wing adhesive portion

L Longitudinal direction

W Width direction

T Thickness direction

Crotch region

Front side region

Rear side region

Claims

CLAIMS [Claim 1]

An absorbent article comprising:

a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction;

an absorber;

a topsheet disposed on a skin facing surface side of the absorber; and a backsheet disposed on a non-skin facing surface side of the absorber, wherein a first folding line and a second folding line for folding the absorbent article are formed along the longitudinal direction, the topsheet has a folded portion folded along a folding-back line, on both sides of the topsheet in the width direction, the folding-back line is located outside an outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction, a tip of the folded portion is located inside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction, and the first folding line and the second folding line are located outside the folding-back line in the width direction.
[Claim 2]

The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a region in which the topsheets overlap each other in the thickness direction and the topsheets are not bonded to each other is provided between the folding-back line and the outer side edge of the absorber. [Claim 3]

The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a region in which the folded portion of the topsheet is not bonded to the backsheet.

[Claim 4]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein only the topsheet located on the skin facing surface side of the topsheets disposed between the folding-back line and the outer side edge of the absorber is provided with a skin surface pressing portion.

[Claim 5]

The absorbent article according to claim 4, comprising:

an absorber pressing portion formed on the absorber and the topsheet, wherein a depth of the skin surface pressing portion in the thickness direction is shallower than that of the absorber pressing portion in the thickness direction.

[Claim 6]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

a second sheet provided between the absorber and the topsheet, wherein the second sheet extends outward in the width direction than the outer side edge of the absorber.

[Claim 7]

The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the second sheet has the folded portion folded along the folding-back line.

[Claim 8]

An absorbent article, comprising:

a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction;

an absorber;

a topsheet disposed on a skin facing surface side of the absorber;

a backsheet disposed on a non-skin facing surface side of the absorber; and a wing provided in a crotch region in the longitudinal direction, wherein a first folding line and a second folding line for folding the absorbent article are formed along the longitudinal direction so that skin facing surfaces of the absorbent article face each other, the topsheet has a folded portion folded along a folding-back line, on both sides in the width direction, the first folding line and the second folding line are located inside the folding-back line in the width direction, in the crotch region, the absorbent article has a bonded portion where the folded portion and the backsheet are bonded, and the bonded portion is located inside the folding-back line in the width direction, in the crotch region.

[Claim 9]

The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the bonded portion is located inside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction, in the crotch region.

[Claim 10]

The absorbent article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first folding line and the second folding line are located inside the outer side edge of the absorber in the width direction.

[Claim 11]

The absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the absorber has a first layer and a second layer overlapping the first layer in the thickness direction and having a basis weight lower than that of the first layer, and the first folding line and the second folding line are formed only on the second layer among the first layer and the second layer.

[Claim 12]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the bonded 5 portion is located outside the first folding line and the second folding line in the width direction, in a front side area located at a front side of the crotch region and a rear side area located at a rear side of the crotch region.