AU2017349535A1

AU2017349535A1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: AU2017349535A1
Application number: AU2017349535A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Takuya Miyama; Satoru Sakaguchi; Masashi Uda
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2016-10-24
Filing date: 2017-10-13
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-13
Also published as: KR20190073449A; JP6668217B2; WO2018079302A1; JP2018068382A; AU2017349535B2; CN109862859B; CN109862859A; KR102537750B1

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article in which the draw-in properties of a region where feces are discharged can be recognized easily, and that is capable of offering a sense of security during use. This absorbent article comprises: an absorbent body (40); and a top sheet (50) that is located more toward the skin-opposing surface side than the absorbent body, and that comes into contact with a wearer. The top sheet includes: sheet projections (51) that project toward the skin-opposing surface side; and openings (54) provided between the sheet projections. The top sheet includes: a first region (R1) arranged at least in a rear hip region; and a second region (R2) arranged at least in a crotch region. The shape of the sheet projection in the first region is different from the shape of the sheet projection in the second region. The openings are provided at least in the first region.

Description

Title of Invention: ABSORBENT ARTICLE [TECHNICAL FIELD] [0001]

The present invention relates to an absorbent article that absorbs urine and feces.

[BACKGROUND ART] [0002]

In conventional absorbent articles absorbing urine and feces of a wearer, an absorbent article in which an opening (liquid guiding recess) for drawing excrement is provided in a topsheet has been provided (for example, see Patent Literature l). A plurality of projections protruding to a skin contact surface side and openings provided between the projections and penetrating the topsheet in a thickness direction of the topsheet are formed in the topsheet of Patent Literature 1.

[CITATION LIST] [PATENT LITERATURE] [0003]

Patent Literature P JP 2009-89965 A [SUMMARY OF INVENTION] [0004]

The projections and openings of the topsheet of Patent Literature 1 are regularly disposed in the same arrangement over the entire topsheet at certain intervals in a front-back direction and a width direction. Therefore, a wearing assistant such as a mother recognizes the projections and the openings as a pattern and may not recognize presence of the openings for drawing excrement in some cases. The wearing assistant may not detect a liquid drawing property of the topsheet and may not use the absorbent article at ease in some cases. As a result of various investigations by the applicant, it has been found that the wearing assistant easily obtains a sense of security during use by being able to detect a drawing property of a region in which feces are discharged. [0005]

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide an absorbent article that allows the wearing assistant to easily recognize a drawing property of a region in which feces are discharged and obtain a sense of security during use.

[0006]

An outline is that an absorbent article (disposable diaper 10) according to the present disclosure includes a front waistline region (front waistline region 20), a rear waistline region (rear waistline region 30), and a crotch region (crotch region 25) located between the front waistline region and the rear waistline region, a front-back direction (front-back direction L) directed from the front waistline region to the rear waistline region and a width direction (width direction W) orthogonal to the front-back direction, an absorber (absorber 40) that straddles the crotch region and extends to at least one of the front waistline region and the rear waistline region, and a topsheet (topsheet 50) located at a skin contact surface side of the absorber and in contact with a wearer, the topsheet having sheet projections (sheet projections 51) protruding to the skin contact surface side and an aperture (aperture 54) provided between the sheet projections. The topsheet has a first region (first region Rl) disposed at least in the rear waistline region and a second region (second region R2) disposed at least in the crotch region, a shape of each of the sheet projections in the first region is different from a shape of each of the sheet projections in the second region, and the aperture is provided at least in the first region.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS] [0007]

Fig. 1 is a development plan view of a disposable diaper according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A line illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a part of a topsheet of the disposable diaper illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B line illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along CO line illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a partially broken perspective view schematically illustrating a first region of the topsheet.

Fig. 7 is a partially broken perspective view schematically illustrating a second region of the topsheet.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a topsheet and an absorber according to Modification 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a topsheet according to Modification 2.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a topsheet according to Modification 3.

[DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS] [0008]

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

[0009]

An absorbent article including, a front waistline region, a rear waistline region, and a crotch region located between the front waistline region and the rear waistline region, a front-back direction directed from the front waistline region to the rear waistline region and a width direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, an absorber that straddles the crotch region and extends to at least one of the front waistline region and the rear waistline region, and a topsheet located at a skin contact surface side of the absorber and in contact with a wearer, the topsheet having an aperture provided between sheet projections protruding to the skin contact surface side, in which the topsheet has a first region disposed at least in the rear waistline region and a second region disposed at least in the crotch region, a shape of each of the sheet projections in the first region is different from a shape of each of the sheet projections in the second region, and the aperture is provided at least in the first region.

[0010]

According to such an absorbent article, the first region is disposed at least in the rear waistline region and includes a region in which feces are discharged. The second region is disposed at least in the crotch region and includes a region in which urine is discharged. Since the shape of each of the sheet projections in the first region is different from the shape of each of the sheet projections in the second region, a wearing assistant easily recognizes the first region. In addition, since the shape of each of the sheet projections in the first region is different from the shape of each of the sheet projections in the second region, the wearing assistant can detect a difference between performance of the topsheet disposed in the crotch region and performance of the topsheet disposed in the rear waistline region, and can obtain a sense of security that urine and feces are properly absorbed.

[0011]

When feces are discharged onto the first region, the feces are accommodated in a space between the sheet projections and transfers to the non-skin contact surface side through the aperture between the sheet projections. In addition, since feces are sandwiched by walls of the sheet projections, when feces accommodated between the sheet projections touch the skin, feces are inhibited from coming out from between the sheet projections to adhere to the wearer again.

[0012]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the absorbent article further includes a pair of uprising gathers disposed on both outer sides of a widthwise center of the absorbent article in the width direction, each of the uprising gathers has a contraction region that contracts in the front-back direction by an elastic member, a flexural rigidity of the first region is higher than a flexural rigidity of the second region, and the first region is disposed to straddle a rear end edge of the contraction region in the front-back direction.

[0013]

Since the first region straddles the rear end edge of the contraction region in the front-back direction, the rigidity around the rear end edge of the contraction region serving as a base point of rising of the uprising gather is high. When the rigidity of the base point of rising of the uprising gather is high, the height of the uprising gather is easily ensured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent lateral leakage of feces in the rear waistline region. In addition, by ensuring the height of the uprising gather, it is possible to prevent the topsheet from being covered by the uprising gathers, and to continue to exhibit a function of guiding discharged feces to between the sheet projections in the first region.

[0014]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the absorber has a folding guide portion that extends in the width direction and guides folding of the absorbent article, and the folding guide portion is provided in a front side of the first region in a range in which the contraction region is disposed in the front-back direction.

[0015]

The range in which the contraction region is disposed in the front-back direction easily contracts in the front-back direction by contraction of the contraction region. When a contracting force acts by the contraction region, the absorbent article is deformed using the folding guide portion as a base point. By deformation using the folding guide portion located in a front side of the first region as the base point, a contraction force of the contraction region is absorbed, the first region is held in a flat state, and it is possible to continue to exhibit a function of drawing feces.

[0016]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that a height of the sheet projection in the first region is higher than a height of the sheet projection in the second region.

[0017]

Since the height of the sheet projection in the first region is higher than the height of the sheet projection in the second region, walls of the sheet projections sandwiching feces therebetween can be formed to be relatively high. Since the walls of the sheet projections sandwiching feces therebetween are high, feces accommodated between the sheet projections are sandwiched by the walls, and the feces are easily held. As a result, when the skin of the wearer touches a surface of the accommodated feces, it is possible to continue to hold the feces and prevent the feces from coming out to adhere to the wearer again.

[0018]

In addition, since the height of the sheet projection in the first region is relatively high, a gap between the skin and the absorber increases in the first region. Air permeability becomes high, air in the absorbent article easily flows out to the outside, and stuffiness is suppressed. In addition, before feces are accommodated between the sheet projections in the first region, a thickness of the topsheet changes in a state in which a body pressure is applied to the first region and the sheet projection is crushed and a state in which the sheet projection stands without the body pressure applied to the first region. When the height of the sheet projection in the first region is relatively high, a change amount of the thickness of the topsheet due to presence or absence of the body pressure increases, air flows more easily, and it is easy to obtain stuffiness suppressing effect. On the other hand, since the height of the sheet projection in the second region is relatively low, an accommodating space between the sheet projections decreases, and it is possible to inhibit feces accommodated in the first region from flowing to the second region. Additionally, a large amount of feces can be accommodated between the sheet projections in the first region, feces easily pass through the apertures due to a self-weight, and it is possible to increase the amount of feces guided to the absorber through the apertures.

[0019]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that a pitch of the sheet projections in the first region is longer than a pitch of the sheet projections in the second region.

[0020]

Since the pitch of the sheet projections in the first region is longer than the pitch of the sheet projections in the second region, a space between the sheet projections in the first region becomes wide, and an accommodating space for feces can be widened. Therefore, feces discharged onto the topsheet are accommodated between the sheet projections and rarely left on the sheet projections. It is possible to inhibit feces from continuing to touch the skin of the wearer, and improve a feeling of wearing. In addition, a lot of feces can be held between the sheet projections in the first region, and a self-weight of feces increases. In the topsheet having fibers, the self-weight of feces increases, so that moisture contained in feces easily passes through the absorber through a gap between fibers. Therefore, it is possible to promptly transfer moisture in feces to the absorber, and to inhibit loose feces containing a large amount of moisture from continuing to adhere to the skin.

[0021]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that a welded portion in which fibers included in the topsheet are welded is formed at an edge of the aperture.

[0022]

When the welded portion is formed at the edge of the aperture, the strength of the aperture increases, and an aperture shape is easily maintained. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a drawing property for excrement.

[0023]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the absorber has absorption projections protruding to the skin contact surface side and absorption recesses provided between the absorption projections, and the aperture in the first region is disposed in a region overlapping the absorption projections.

[0024]

In a region in which the absorption projection and the aperture overlap each other, a distance between the aperture and the absorber is short, and body fluid drawn through the aperture can be promptly absorbed by the absorber. Therefore, it is possible to improve the drawing property for excrement.

[0025]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the absorber has absorption projections protruding to the skin contact surface side and absorption recesses provided between the absorption projections, and the aperture in the first region is disposed in a region overlapping the absorption recesses.

[0026]

In a region in which the absorption recess and the aperture overlap each other, it is possible to form a space accommodating feces at the non-skin contact surface side of the aperture, and to draw excrement drawn through the apertures into the space. Therefore, it is possible to improve the drawing property for excrement.

[0027]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the each of the sheet projections has a convex wall portion extending to the skin contact surface side, and a rising angle of the convex wall portion in the first region is larger than a rising angle of the convex wall portion in the second region.

[0028]

The rising angle of the convex wall portion in the first region is larger than the rising angle of the convex wall portion in the second region, and the convex wall portion in the first region has a relatively steep inclination. For this reason, the feces are held by sandwiching excrement accommodated between the sheet projections in the first region, and it is possible to inhibit accommodated excrement from coming out from between the sheet projections. The rising angle of the convex wall portion in the second region is smaller than the rising angle of the convex wall portion in the first region, and the convex wall portion in the second region has a relatively gentle inclination. The second region is disposed at least in the crotch region. The crotch region is in close contact with the skin of the wearer when compared to the rear waistline region. Since the convex wall portion in the second region has the relatively gentle inclination, even when the second region is in close contact with the skin, it is possible to mitigate hitting on the skin by the sheet projection.

[0029]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the topsheet has fibers, a space is formed between the sheet projections and the absorber, and fibers in the convex wall portion have more fibers oriented along a thickness direction of the topsheet than fibers oriented in the front-back direction and the width direction. [0030]

The sheet projections are rarely crushed, a space on the non-skin contact surface side of the sheet projection is maintained, contact with the skin becomes soft, and the wearer can obtain a fluffy touch. In addition, since fibers by the convex wall portion contain a lot of fibers oriented in the thickness direction, body fluid is easily guided in the thickness direction by the convex wall portion. Therefore, even when the height of the sheet projection is configured to be high, the bodily fluid in the convex wall portion can be promptly guided to the absorber side.

[0031]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that a bottom portion extending in the front-back direction and the width direction and an intermediate portion protruding to the skin contact surface side of the bottom portion are provided between the sheet projections in the first region, and a top portion of the intermediate portion is located at a non-skin contact surface side of a top portion of the sheet projection in the first region.

[0032]

When the intermediate portion is provided between the sheet projections in the first region, excrement in the space between the sheet projections rarely diffuses in a plane direction including the front-back direction and the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to promptly guide feces to the absorber side, and to suppress an increase in the area in which feces adhere to the skin.

[0033]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the absorbent article further includes a waistline holding portion that extends along the width direction and holds the absorbent article on a body of the wearer in the front waistline region and the rear waistline region, and a rear end edge of the first region is located in a front side of the waistline holding portion.

[0034]

The waistline holding portion is a region that holds the absorbent article on the body and is easily in close contact with the body. Since the first region and the waistline holding portion are separated from each other, it is easy to maintain a state in which feces accommodated between the sheet projections in the first region are separated from the skin of the wearer. In addition, in a configuration in which the sheet projection in the first region is higher than the sheet projection in the second region, the sheet projections in the second region are rarely in close contact with the skin, and it is possible to suppress a sense of discomfort of the crotch region by the sheet projections in the second region.

[0035]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that a groove wall portion extending to the non-skin contact surface side is included between the sheet projections, and the aperture is provided in the groove wall portion.

[0036]

When the aperture is formed in the groove wall portion extending in the non-skin contact surface side, it is easy to form a space between the aperture and the absorber disposed on the non-skin contact surface side of the topsheet. By forming the space between the aperture and the absorber, it is possible to temporarily hold excrement passing through the topsheet, and improve the drawing property.

[0037]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the sheet projections in the first region are disposed in a zigzag shape.

[0038]

Since the space between the sheet projections is not continuous in the front-back direction and is not continuous in the width direction, it is possible to suppress diffusion of feces in the plane direction.

[0039]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the sheet projections in the first region extend along the front-back direction, and a dividing portion that divides a space extending in the front-back direction between the sheet projections is provided between the sheet projections in the first region.

[0040]

Since the dividing portion that divides the space extending in the front-back direction is provided, it is possible to inhibit feces accommodated in the sheet recesses from diffusing in the front-back direction.

[0041]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that a height of the sheet projection is 0.3 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, and a pitch of the sheet projections is 0.3 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less.

[0042]

According to the sheet projection configured as described above, an unnatural appearance due to excessive conspicuousness of the sheet projection is suppressed, and the wearing assistant easily obtains a sense of security. Further, since the sheet projection can be visually recognized, the wearing assistant easily obtains a sense of security with respect to absorption performance of the sheet projection.

[0043]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that an outer edge of the topsheet is located on an inside of an outer edge of the absorber in the width direction, an auxiliary sheet located at the skin contact surface side of the absorber is provided on an outside of the outer edge of the absorber in the width direction, the auxiliary sheet and the topsheet include nonwoven fabrics, and an inter-fiber distance of the auxiliary sheet is longer than an inter-fiber distance of the topsheet.

[0044]

Since the inter-fiber distance of the auxiliary sheet is relatively long, body fluid is easily drawn by the auxiliary sheet. Since the auxiliary sheet having a higher drawing property is disposed on the outside of the outer edge of the topsheet in the width direction, it is possible to draw excrement diffusing to the outside in the width direction beyond the topsheet to the absorber by the auxiliary sheet, and to further suppress leakage of excrement.

[0045]

In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the absorbent article further includes the pair of uprising gathers disposed on both outer sides of the widthwise center of the absorbent article in the width direction, and the outer edge of the topsheet is located on an outside of inner edges of the uprising gathers in the width direction in a state in which the absorbent article is stretched. [0046]

Since the outer edge of the topsheet is located on the outside of the inner edge of the uprising gather in the width direction in the state in which the absorbent article is stretched, the topsheet is disposed over the entire region between inner edges of the uprising gathers in a state before use of the absorbent article. The wearing assistant obtains a sense of security with respect to an absorption performance by visually recognizing the sheet projections and the apertures of the topsheet, feels that an arrangement region of the topsheet is wide, and can further obtain the sense of security. [0047] === With regard to disposable diaper according to present embodiment ===

Next, an embodiment of a disposable diaper 10 as an absorbent article according to the invention will be described with reference to drawings. The absorbent article according to the invention is not limited to the disposable diaper and includes an absorbent pad attached to underwear or a diaper. In addition, in description of the drawings below, the same or similar reference symbols are attached to the same or similar parts. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of respective dimensions, etc. are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions, etc. should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0048] (l) Entire schematic configuration of disposable diaper

Fig. 1 is a development plan view of the disposable diaper 10 according to the present embodiment. The development plan view illustrated in Fig. 1 is a diagram of a stretched state in which stretchable parts such as an uprising gather and a waist stretchable portion are stretched until wrinkles of a topsheet 50, side sheets 70, etc. included in the disposable diaper are not formed. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along ΑΆ line illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0049]

The disposable diaper 10 has a front waistline region 20, a crotch region 25, and a rear waistline region 30. The front waistline region 20 is a portion coming into contact with a front waistline portion (ventral portion) of the wearer. In addition, the rear waistline region 30 is a portion coming into contact with a rear waistline portion (dorsal portion) of the wearer. The crotch region 25 is located between the front waistline region 20 and the rear waistline region 30. In the present embodiment, a direction from the front waistline region 20 to the rear waistline region 30 is referred to as a front-back direction F, a direction orthogonal to the front-back direction F is referred to as a width direction W, and a direction extending to a skin contact surface side T1 and a non-skin contact surface side T2 of the wearer is referred to as a thickness direction T.

[0050]

The disposable diaper 10 has an absorber 40. The absorber 40 straddles the crotch region 25 and extends over at least one of the front waistline region 20 and the rear waistline region 30. The absorber 40 of the present embodiment is disposed to straddle the front waistline region 20, the crotch region 25, and the rear waistline region 30. The absorber 40 has an absorbent core 40a and a core wrap 40b.

[0051]

A first low basis weight portion 41 extending inward in the width direction W from an outer edge (an outer end in the width direction) of the absorbent core 40a is formed in the crotch region 25 of the absorber 40. The first low basis weight portion 41 is disposed at each of both outer edges of the absorbent core 40a and is disposed at an interval in the front-back direction L. A second low basis weight portion 42 extending forward from a rear end edge of the absorbent core 40a is formed in the rear waistline region 30 of the absorbent core 40a. A length of the second low basis weight portion 42 in the width direction is formed to decrease toward a front side. The first low basis weight portion 41 and the second low basis weight portion 42 are portions in which a basis weight of an absorbing material is lower than that of the surrounding absorbent core. The first low basis weight portion 41 and the second low basis weight portion 42 of the present embodiment correspond to notches. The first low basis weight portion 41 and the second low basis weight portion 42 may not be provided.

[0052]

A liquid-permeable topsheet 50 is provided at the skin contact surface side Tl of the absorber 40. The topsheet 50 is included in a skin contact surface of the disposable diaper 10 and comes into contact with the wearer. The topsheet 50 is disposed to straddle the front waistline region 20, the crotch region 25, and the rear waistline region 30. The topsheet 50 has fibers. Specifically, the topsheet 50 may contain a nonwoven fabric. An outer edge of the topsheet 50 is located on an inside of an outer edge of the absorber 40 in the width direction. The topsheet 50 will be described in detail below.

[0053]

An auxiliary sheet 45 is provided between the topsheet 50 and the absorber 40 (see Fig. 2). An outer edge of the auxiliary sheet 45 is located on an outside of the outer edge of the topsheet 50 in the width direction W. The auxiliary sheet covers the skin contact surface side of the absorber 40 in a region on an outside of the topsheet 50 in the width direction. The auxiliary sheet 45 contains a nonwoven fabric. An inter-fiber distance of the auxiliary sheet 45 is longer than an inter-fiber distance of the topsheet 50. Since the inter-fiber distance of the auxiliary sheet is relatively long, body fluid is easily drawn by the auxiliary sheet. Since the auxiliary sheet having a higher drawing property is disposed on the outside of the outer edge of the topsheet in the width direction, it is possible to draw feces, which have diffused to the outside in the width direction beyond the topsheet, to the absorber side by the auxiliary sheet, and to suppress leakage of feces. The auxiliary sheet may not be provided. In a mode not having the auxiliary sheet, the topsheet is provided to cover the outer edge of the absorber.

[0054]

The inter-fiber distance can be measured using a mercury porosimeter (manufactured by SHIMADZU CORPORATION), etc. according to the mercury press-in method (JIS R

1655). In this mercury press-in method, by measuring a pressure applied to mercury when mercury is pressed into constituent fibers of a fiber structure (the topsheet and the auxiliary sheet) corresponding to an object to be measured, and a volume of mercury pushed into a space between the constituent fibers of the fiber structure, it is possible to obtain information related to a structure of the fiber structure.

[0055]

Specifically, the inter-fiber distance of the fiber structure can be measured according to the following procedure using a mercury porosimeter.

[0056]

1) A fiber structure corresponding to an object to be measured is cut into 24 mm x 15 mm to prepare a measurement sample. Three measurement samples are prepared. [0057]

2) After the three measurement samples are set in a sample cell of the mercury porosimeter (manufactured by SHIMADZU CORPORATION) so as not to overlap with each other, a volume (that is, a pore volume) of mercury pushed into the space (that is, a pore) between the constituent fibers of the fiber structure is measured while gradually changing the pressure applied to mercury. Measurement is carried out in an environment of 22°C and 65%RH.

[0058]

3) A pore size D (pm) of the pore (that is, the inter-fiber distance (pm) of the fiber structure) is calculated according to Equation (l) below, and a relationship between the pore size D and the pore volume is obtained as a distribution curve (differential/integral curve) of the pore size D. Various measurement conditions in Equation (l) below correspond to a surface tension of mercury of 0.483 N/m, a contact angle of 130°, and a mercury pressure of 0 to 414 MPa (absolute pressure).

[0059]

Equation (l) D = -4ycosO/P (In the equation, D denotes the pore size (inter-fiber distance), γ denotes the surface tension of mercury, θ denotes the contact angle, and P denotes the pressure.)

A liquid-impermeable backsheet 60a is provided at the non-skin contact surface side T2 of the absorber 40. An exterior sheet 60 is provided at the non-skin contact surface side of the backsheet.

[0060]

A pair of uprising gathers 80 is disposed on both outer sides of a widthwise center of the disposable diaper 10 in the width direction. The uprising gathers 80 are upright gathers that can stand to the wearer side. Each of the uprising gathers 80 includes a side sheet 70 and a side elastic member 71 as an elastic member.

[0061]

The side elastic member 71 that extends and contracts in the front-back direction L is disposed at an inner edge side of the side sheet 70. The pair of uprising gathers 80 is substantially axisymmetric with respect to the widthwise center of the disposable diaper as an axis of symmetry. Each of the uprising gathers 80 includes an upright portion 83 which has the side elastic member 71 extending and contracting in the front-back direction and can stand to the wearer side, first fixed portions 81 located on the outside of the upright portion 83 in the width direction to serve as base points of standing (rising) of the upright portion 83, and second fixed portions 82 located on both outer sides of the upright portion 83 in the front-back direction L to serve as base points of rising of the upright portion 83. A front end edge of the upright portion 83 coincides with a rear end edge of the second fixed portions 82 disposed in the front waistline region 20, and a rear end edge of the upright portion 83 coincides with a front end edge of the first fixed portions 81 disposed in the rear waistline region 30.

[0062]

The side sheet 70 covers the outer edge of the topsheet 50 and the outer edge of the auxiliary sheet 45. In a state in which the absorbent article is stretched, an inner edge of the uprising gather (an inner edge of the side sheet 70) is located on the inside of the outer edge of the topsheet in the width direction. Since the outer edge of the topsheet is located on the outside of the inner edge of the uprising gather in the width direction in the state in which the absorbent article is stretched, the topsheet is disposed over the entire region between inner edges of the uprising gathers in a state before use of the absorbent article. The wearing assistant obtains a sense of security with respect to an absorption performance by visually recognizing the topsheet, feels that an arrangement region of the topsheet is wide, and can further obtain the sense of security.

[0063]

The side sheet 70 is bonded to the topsheet 50 or the auxiliary sheet 45 in the first fixed portions 81 or the second fixed portions 82. The upright portion 83 is provided between the second fixed portions 82 in the front-back direction L and is not bonded to the topsheet 50, and thus can rise from the topsheet 50, etc. The upright portion 83 stands to the wearer side in a state in which the side elastic member contracts. The upright portion 83 stands to the wearer side in a state in which the disposable diaper is worn. The upright portion 83 has a contraction region 84 in which the side elastic member 71 is contractibly disposed. The contraction region 84 is a region bonded in a state in which the side elastic member 71 is stretched in a stretched state in which the disposable diaper is stretched. The contraction region 84 corresponds to a concept excluding a region in which the side elastic member 71 is not disposed in the upright portion 83, excluding a region in which the side elastic member 71 in a non-stretched state is bonded, and excluding a region in which the side elastic member 71 is not bonded to the side sheet 70. The uprising gathers 80 form walls rising to the skin contact surface side T1 at the outer edge of the absorber 40 to prevent lateral leakage of excrement.

[0064]

Leg surrounding apertures 13 disposed around legs of the wearer are formed at outer edges of the disposable diaper 10. A pair of leg stretchable portions 75 disposed on the inside of the leg surrounding apertures 13 in the width direction and stretchable in the front-back direction L is provided in the disposable diaper 10. The leg stretchable portions 75 are disposed on the inside of the right and left leg surrounding apertures 13 in the width direction, respectively.

[0065]

A pair of fastening tapes 90 is provided to extend to the outside of the side sheets 70 in the width direction W in the rear waistline region 30. The fastening tapes 90 are attached to the side sheets 70. The fastening tapes 90 have fastening portions 91 fastened to target portions 95 in the front waistline region 20. For example, the fastening portions 91 are portions provided with engagement hooks. The fastening tapes 90 hold the disposable diaper 10 on the body of the wearer by being fastened to the target portions 95 in the front waistline region 20. A region between the fastening portions 91 of the pair of fastening tapes is a region held on the body at the time of wearing and is included in a waistline holding portion.

[0066]

The target portions 95 are provided on a surface of the exterior sheet 60 on the non-skin contact surface side T2 in the front waistline region 20. The target portions 95 are configured such that the engagement hooks of the fastening tapes 90 are caught, and function as a loop in an engagement system of a hook and the loop. The disposable diaper may correspond to a pants-type diaper not having the fastening tapes 90 and the target portions 95. In the pants-type diaper, a region between side bonding portions that bond the front waistline region and the rear waistline region is included in the waistline holding portion.

[0067]

The disposable diaper 10 has a waist stretchable portion 85 stretchable in the width direction. The waist stretchable portion 85 is disposed in the rear waistline region 30.

The waist stretchable portion 85 is disposed between the pair of fastening tapes 90 in the width direction and contracts in the width direction between the fastening tapes 90. The waist stretchable portion 85 may not be provided.

[0068] (2) Configuration of topsheet

Next, a configuration of the topsheet 50 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the topsheet. The topsheet 50 has sheet projections 51 protruding to the skin contact surface side T1 and sheet recesses 52 provided between the sheet projections 51. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the sheet projections 51 and the sheet recesses 52 are not illustrated. The sheet projections 51 protrude to the skin contact surface side T1 of the disposable diaper 10, and the sheet recesses 52 correspond to spaces between the sheet projections 51. Each of the sheet projections 51 has a conical shape and is tapered toward the skin contact surface side Tl. A top portion of the sheet projection 51 is rounded. Sheet projections 51 are disposed at intervals in the front-back direction L and the width direction W and disposed in a zigzag shape in a plan view. The zigzag shape mentioned herein corresponds to a state of not being arranged side by side in the front-back direction L and the width direction W and being shifted in at least one of the front-back direction L and the width direction W. The sheet projection 51 has a convex wall portion 59 extending in the thickness direction T. The convex wall portion 59 extends from a top portion to a bottom portion 53 of the sheet projection 51.

[0069]

Each of the sheet recesses 52 corresponds to a space sandwiched by the sheet projections 51. More specifically, the sheet recess 52 corresponds to a space surrounded by the convex wall portion 59 and the bottom portion 53. A surface of the sheet recess 52 on the non-skin contact surface side T2 corresponds to the bottom portion 53, and a skin contact surface of the sheet recess 52 corresponds to a virtual surface connecting top portions of convex wall portions 59. In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, an area of the sheet recess 52 is indicated by diagonal lines.

[0070]

The bottom portion 53 extends in the front-back direction L and the width direction W. An aperture 54 is formed between the sheet projections 51. The aperture 54 penetrates the bottom portion 53 in the thickness direction. The sheet projections 51, the sheet recesses 52, bottom portions 53, and apertures 54 are formed over the entire surface of the topsheet 50. The sheet projections 51, the sheet recesses 52, the bottom portions 53, and the apertures 54 may be formed only in a part of the topsheet 50.

[0071]

The topsheet 50 has a first region Rl and a second region R2. In Fig. 1, the first region Rl and the second region R2 are indicated by different diagonal lines. The first region Rl is disposed at least in the rear waistline region 30. Therefore, feces are mainly discharged onto the first region Rl. When feces are discharged onto the first region Rl, feces are accommodated in the sheet recesses 52 between the sheet projections 51. The second region R2 is disposed in a front side of the first region Rl and at least in the crotch region 25. Therefore, urine is mainly discharged onto the second region R2. When urine is discharged onto the first region Rl, urine is guided to the absorber 40 while diffusing in the front-back direction F and the width direction W by the sheet recesses 52. It suffices that the second region R2 is disposed at least in a front side of the first region Rl. However, the second region R2 of the present embodiment is disposed in the entire region other than the first region Rl of the topsheet 50, and the first region Rl is surrounded by the second region R2 in a plan view.

[0072]

Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 are diagrams schematically illustrating the topsheet 50 in the first region Rl. Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 are diagrams schematically illustrating the topsheet 50 in the second region R2. The sheet projection 51 has a first projection 511 corresponding to the sheet projection 51 in the first region Rl and a second projection 512 corresponding to the sheet projection 51 in the second region R2. The sheet recess 52 has a first recess 521 corresponding to the sheet recess 52 in the first region Rl and a second recess 522 corresponding to the sheet recess 52 in the second region R2. The bottom portion 53 has a first bottom portion 531 corresponding to the bottom portion 53 in the first region Rl and a second bottom portion 532 corresponding to the bottom portion 53 in the second region R2. The aperture 54 has a first aperture 541 corresponding to the aperture 54 in the first region Rl and a second aperture 542 corresponding to the aperture 54 in the second region R2. It suffices that the aperture 54 is provided at least in the first region Rl.

[0073]

A shape of the topsheet 50 in the first region Rl is different from a shape of the topsheet 50 in the second region R2. More specifically, at least a shape of the first projection 511 and a shape of the second projection 512 are different from each other. A configuration in which shapes of the sheet projections 51 are different from each other refers to a configuration in which at least some of lengths of the sheet projections 51 in the width direction, lengths of the sheet projections 51 in the front-back direction F, heights (lengths in the thickness direction) of the sheet projections 51, pitches of the sheet projections 51, and shapes of the sheet projections 51 in a plan view (circles, rectangle, etc.) are different from each other. In the topsheet 50 of the present embodiment, a height 511H of the first projection 511 and a height 512H of the second projection 512 are different from each other, and a pitch Pl of the first projection 511 and a pitch P2 of the second projection 512 are different from each other. Since the shape of the first projection 511 and the shape of the second projection 512 are different from each other, the wearing assistant easily recognizes the first region Rl. In addition, since the shape of the first projection 511 and the shape of the second projection 512 are different from each other, the wearing assistant can detect a difference between performance of the topsheet disposed in the crotch region and performance of the topsheet disposed in the rear waistline region, and can obtain a sense of security that urine and feces are properly absorbed.

[0074]

In addition, a shape of the first recess 521 and a shape of the second recess 522 may be different from each other. A configuration in which shapes of the sheet recesses 52 are different from each other refers to a configuration in which at least some of lengths of the sheet recesses 52 in the width direction W, lengths of the sheet recesses 52 in the front-back direction L, shapes of the apertures 54 formed in the sheet recesses 52, and positions of the apertures 54 are different from each other.

[0075]

The first projection 511, the first recess 521, an intermediate portion 58, the first bottom portion 531, and the first aperture 541 are formed on the topsheet 50 in the first region Rl. The intermediate portion 58 is provided between adjacent first projections 511. A height of the intermediate portion 58 is lower than a height of the first projection 511. The intermediate portion 58 protrudes to the skin contact surface side TI of the first bottom portion 531. A top portion of the intermediate portion 58 is located at the non-skin contact surface side T2 of a top portion of the first projection 511. The first bottom portion 531 is disposed around the intermediate portion 58. In a cross section at a position at which the intermediate portion 58 is provided (a cross section illustrated in Fig. 4), respective portions are provided adjacent to each other in an order of the first projection 511, the first recess 521, and the first projection 511 on the topsheet 50, and respective portions are provided adjacent to each other in an order of the first bottom portion 531, the first aperture 541, the first bottom portion 531, the intermediate portion 58, the first bottom portion 531, the first aperture 541, and the first bottom portion 531 in the first recess 521. The intermediate portion 58 may not be provided, and the first projection 511 may be provided instead of the intermediate portion 58.

[0076]

The second projection 512 and the second recess 522 are formed on the topsheet 50 in the second region R2. The intermediate portion is not formed on the topsheet 50 in the second region R2. Second projections 512 are disposed in a zigzag shape. In a cross section of the second region R2 (a cross section illustrated in Fig. 5), respective portions are provided adjacent to each other in an order of the second projection 512, the second recess 522, and second projection 512 on the topsheet 50, and respective portions are provided adjacent to each other in an order of the second bottom portion 532, the second aperture 542, and the second bottom portion 532 in the second recess 522.

[0077]

Since a plurality of sheet recesses 52 and sheet projections 51 are provided on the topsheet 50, a space is formed between the topsheet 50 and the absorber 40. When the space is formed between the topsheet 50 and the absorber 40, it is possible to draw body fluid drawn by the topsheet 50 to the space, to promptly absorb excrement by the absorber, and to inhibit body fluid from remaining on the topsheet.

[0078]

In the topsheet 50 configured as described above, when feces are discharged onto the first region Rl, feces are accommodated in the first recess 521 between the first projections 511. Feces are sandwiched by the first projections 511 and stay in the first recess 521. When feces are accommodated in the first recess 521, a contact area between the wearer and feces is reduced. Since feces are sandwiched by walls of the first projections 511, when feces accommodated between the first projections 511 touch the skin, feces are inhibited from coming out from between the first projections to adhere to the wearer again. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the area in which feces adhere to the skin. When the intermediate portion 58 is provided between the first projections 511, excrement in a space between the first projections 511 rarely diffuses in the front-back direction L and the width direction W. In addition, the first projections 511 are disposed in the zigzag shape, and the first recess 521 is cut in the front-back direction L and the width direction W. Therefore, feces accommodated in the first recess 521 rarely diffuse in the front-back direction L and the width direction W. Loose feces containing much moisture transfer to the absorber 40 through the first aperture 541 of the first recess 521.

[0079]

In the topsheet 50 configured as described above, when urine is discharged onto the second region R2, urine is inclined with respect to the front-back direction L through the second recess 522 between the second projections 512 and diffuses in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the width direction W. Urine has high fluidity and transfers to the absorber 40 through the second aperture 542 formed in the second bottom portion 532 while diffusing in a plane direction along the second bottom portion 532. In this way, by diffusing urine in the second region R2, promptly transferring urine to the absorber, and continuing to hold solid feces while transferring loose feces and body fluid to the absorber 40 in the first region Rl, it is possible to inhibit body fluid and loose feces from adhering to the skin of the wearer to improve a feeling of wearing. It is possible to appropriately absorb urine and feces having different natures by the first region Rl and the second region R2 of the topsheet.

[0080]

A height of the topsheet 50 in the first region Rl (which is a length from the first bottom portion 531 to the top portion of the first projection 511 and corresponds to the height 511H of the first projection 511) RIH is higher than a height of the topsheet 50 in the second region R2 (which is a length from the second bottom portion 532 to the top portion of the second projection 512 and corresponds to the height 512H of the second projection 512) R2H. When the height of the topsheet 50 in the first region Rl is relatively high, the skin of the wearer and the absorber 40 may be separated from each other in the first region Rl, body fluid absorbed by the absorber 40 rarely returns to the skin side, and the skin of the wearer is easily kept dry.

[0081]

A height of the first projection 511 (a length from the first bottom portion 531 to the top portion of the first projection 511) 511H is higher than a height of the second projection 512 (a length from the second bottom portion 532 to the top portion of the second projection 512) 512H. Feces discharged onto the first region Rl are accommodated in the first recess 521 between the first projections 511. In this instance, since the height 511H of the first projection 511 is higher than the height 512H of the second projection 512, walls of the first projections 511 can be formed to be relatively high. Since the walls sandwiching feces therebetween are high, feces accommodated in the first recess 521 are easily held by the first projections 511. As a result, when the skin of the wearer touches a surface of feces accommodated in the first recess 521, feces continue to be held in the first recess 521, and feces are prevented from coming out of the first recess 521 to adhere to the wearer again.

[0082]

In addition, since the height of the first projection 511 is relatively high, a gap between the skin and the absorber 40 increases in the first region Rl. Air permeability becomes high, air in the diaper flows out to the outside of the diaper, and stuffiness is suppressed.

In addition, before feces are accommodated between the first projections 511, a thickness of the topsheet 50 changes in a state in which a body pressure is applied to the first region Rl and the first projection 511 is crushed and a state in which the first projection 511 stands without the body pressure applied to the first region Rl. When the height of the first projection 511 is relatively high, a difference in the thickness of the topsheet 50 due to presence or absence of the body pressure increases, air flows more easily, and it is easy to obtain stuffiness suppressing effect. Additionally, a large amount of feces can be accommodated between the first projections 511, feces easily pass through the apertures 54 due to a self-weight, and it is possible to increase the amount of feces guided to the absorber 40 through the apertures 54.

[0083]

Meanwhile, since the height 512H of the second projection 512 is lower than the height 511H of the first projection 511, it is possible to improve touch in the second region R2. The crotch region 25 is in contact with an excretion opening of the wearer. The crotch region 25 is in close contact with the skin of the wearer when compared to the rear waistline region 30. Since the height 512H of the second projection 512 in the second region R2 in contact with the crotch region 25 is suppressed, even when the crotch region in which the second region R2 is located is in close contact with the skin, it is possible to mitigate hitting on the skin by the second projection 512. Touch is improved, and a feeling of wearing of the wearer is improved. From a viewpoint of improving such a feeling of wearing, an area of the second region R2 may be larger than an area of the first region Rl. When the area of the second region R2 suitable for touch is large, the feeling of wearing can be further improved. In addition, since the height of the second projection 512 is relatively low, an accommodating space of the second recess 522 is reduced, so that it is possible to inhibit feces accommodated in the first region Rl from flowing to the second region R2.

[0084]

The pitch Pl of the first projections 511 is longer than the pitch P2 of the second projections 512. A space between the first projections 511 becomes wide, and an accommodating space for feces can be widened. Therefore, feces discharged onto the topsheet 50 are accommodated between the first projections 511 and rarely left on the first projection 511. It is possible to inhibit feces from continuing to touch the skin of the wearer, and improve a feeling of wearing. In addition, a lot of feces can be held between the first projections 511, and a self-weight of feces increases. In the topsheet having fibers, the self-weight of feces increases, so that moisture contained in feces easily passes through the absorber through a gap between fibers. Therefore, it is possible to promptly transfer moisture in feces to the absorber, and to inhibit loose feces containing a large amount of moisture from continuing to adhere to the skin. In addition, the second region which mainly absorbs urine can be formed to have a smooth touch, and the first region which mainly absorbs feces can be formed to have a thick feeling to firmly perform absorption. When parts of different touches are provided in one topsheet of the disposable diaper, the wearer can perceive a gentle function to the skin and a function to firmly absorb feces.

[0085]

A pitch of the first projections is not constant, and a pitch of the first projections disposed to sandwich the intermediate portion therebetween is longer than a pitch between the first projections not disposed to sandwich the intermediate portion therebetween. It suffices that a longest pitch of the first projections is longer than a longest pitch of the second projections.

[0086]

A height of the sheet projection 511 is 0.3 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.4 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less, further preferably 0.5 mm or more, 4.5 mm or less. A pitch of the sheet projections 51 is 0.3 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less, further preferably 1.0 mm or more, 4.5 mm or less. According to the sheet projection 51 configured as described above, an unnatural appearance due to excessive conspicuousness of the sheet projection 51 is suppressed, and the wearing assistant easily obtains a sense of security. Further, since the sheet projection 51 can be visually recognized, the wearing assistant easily obtains a sense of security with respect to absorption performance of the sheet projection 51. [0087]

A size of the aperture is 1.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. As the aperture increases in size, permeability of feces becomes more excellent. However, there is a possibility that feces after absorption may return to the opening portion. Thus, it is preferable to set the size close to the interval and the width of the sheet projections (a difference is 2 mm or less) depending on the interval and the width of the sheet projections. By providing the aperture having the size close to the interval and the width of sheet projections, a visual image can be compatible with a function.

[0088]

The second recesses 522 are continuously disposed from a front end edge RIF of the first region RI to a front end edge of the topsheet 50. Since the second recesses 522 are continuous, it is possible to smoothly diffuse body fluid from the front end edge RIF of the first region Rl to the front end edge of the topsheet 50, and to promptly transfer urine to the absorber 40 in a wide area.

[0089]

At a boundary between the first region R1 and the second region R2, the first recesses 521 and the second recesses 522 are continuous in the front-back direction L. Since a space in the first recess 521 communicates with a space in the second recess 522, it is possible to smoothly diffuse excrement between the first region R1 and the second region R2. For example, even when a wearing position of the absorbent article is shifted, and feces are discharged to the second region R2, it is possible to guide the feces to the first region R1 and to accommodate and absorb the feces by the first region Rl. [0090]

In the first region Rl, a rising angle a of the first convex wall portion 591 (see Fig. 4) is larger than a rising angle β of the second convex wall portion 592 (see Fig. 5). The rising angle a of the first convex wall portion 591 is larger than the rising angle β of the second convex wall portion 592, and the first convex wall portion 591 has a relatively steep inclination. For this reason, it is easy to hold excrement accommodated in the first recesses 521 by the first projections 511, and it is possible to inhibit accommodated excrement from coming out of the first recesses 521.

[0091]

A rising angle a of the second convex wall portion 592 is smaller than a rising angle β of the first convex wall portion 591, and the second convex wall portion 592 has a relatively gentle inclination. The second region R2 is disposed at least in the crotch region 25. The crotch region 25 is in close contact with the skin of the wearer when compared to the rear waistline region 30. Since the convex wall portion in the second region R2 has a gentle inclination, even when the crotch region in which the second region R2 is located is in close contact with the skin, it is possible to moderate contact with the skin by the second projections 512.

[0092]

A rising angle of the convex wall portion 59 can be measured by the following method. Using a cold spray, etc., a sheet to be measured is taken out from the absorbent article, and a projection of a measurement part and a periphery thereof are cut parallel to the width direction. Cutting is performed using a sharp blade (for example, a replacement blade of a cutter) such that a convex does not collapse as much as possible. In a state in which the topsheet is placed on a horizontal plane such that the cut sheet does not pucker, a section is magnified by 20 times using a microscope, and the section is photographed. With regard to the section of photographing, a rising angle of a skin contact surface side surface (surface excluding fuzzy fibers) of the convex wall portion with respect to a horizontal surface is measured.

[0093]

Fibers in the first convex wall portion 591 and fibers in the second convex wall portion 592 have more fibers oriented along the thickness direction of the topsheet than fibers oriented in the front-back direction and the width direction. According to such an absorbent article, it is easy to maintain the space on the non-skin contact surface side of the sheet projection 51, contact of the sheet projection 51 with the skin becomes soft, and the wearer can obtain a fluffy touch. In addition, body fluid is easily guided in the thickness direction T by the fibers oriented in the thickness direction T. Therefore, even when the height of the sheet projection 51 is configured to be high, the bodily fluid in the convex wall portion 59 can be promptly guided to the absorber side.

[0094]

A statement that fiber orientation of a convex wall portion is oriented in the thickness direction means that fibers are oriented within a range from +45 degrees to -45 degrees with respect to the thickness direction (direction from a skin surface side to a non-skin surface side of the sheet) in a state in which the sheet projections and the sheet recesses are formed. In addition, fiber orientation was measured using a digital microscope VHX-100 manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION according to the following measuring method, (l) A sample is set on an observation table so that the surface of the convex wall portion can be observed, (2) a lens is focused on fibers closest to the sample excluding fibers irregularly jumping out to the front, and (3) a 3D image of the sample is created on a PC screen. Subsequently, (4) the 3D image is converted into a 2D image, and (5) a plurality of parallel lines timely equally dividing the thickness direction of the convex wall portion in a measurement range is drawn on the screen. (6) The number of fibers directed in respective directions is measured in each of cells segmented by drawing parallel lines, and then (7) measurement/calculation may be performed by computing a ratio of the number of fibers having fiber orientation directed in the thickness direction and a ratio of the number of fibers having fiber orientation directed in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction with respect to the total number of fibers in a set range.

[0095]

A flexural rigidity of the first region RI is higher than a flexural rigidity of the second region R2. The flexural rigidity is measured using KES FB-2 manufactured by KATO TECH CO., LTD. A test piece having dimensions of 50 mm x 100 mm is prepared, one end of the test piece in the longitudinal direction is sandwiched by one of a pair of chucks, and the other end of the test piece in the longitudinal direction is sandwiched by the other chuck. One of the chucks rotates around the other chuck, and the flexural rigidity of the test piece bent accordingly is measured using a torque detector. Five sets of test pieces are prepared, and an average value of measured values is set as a flexural rigidity.

[0096]

The front end edge RIF of the first region R1 is located behind a center of the disposable diaper 10 in the front-back direction L and located behind a folding guide portion of the absorber 40. The folding guide portion guides folding using a folding line along the width direction of the absorber 40 as a base point, examples thereof may include a notch of the absorber 40, an embossed line extending in the width direction W, and an embossing aggregate disposed along the width direction W, and the folding guide portion is a portion provided with a rigidity difference such that the absorber is bent using the portion as a base point. The folding guide portion of the present embodiment includes a pair of first low basis weight portions 41. The folding guide portion is disposed within a range in which the contraction region 84 of the uprising gather is disposed in the front-back direction. The range in which the contraction region 84 is disposed in the front-back direction L easily contracts in the front-back direction L by contraction of the contraction region 84. When a contracting force acts by the contraction region, the absorbent article is deformed using the folding guide portion as a base point. By deformation using the folding guide portion located in a front side of the first region R1 as the base point, a contraction force of the contraction region 84 is absorbed, the first region R1 is held in a flat state, and it is possible to continue to exhibit a function of drawing feces.

[0097]

The first region R1 is disposed between a pair of the first fixed portions 81 in the width direction W. An outer edge of the first region R1 is located on the inside of the first fixed portions 81 in the width direction. The rigidity of the topsheet 50 between the first fixed portions 81 in the rear waistline region 30 increases, so that a height of the upright portion 83 is easily ensured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent lateral leakage of feces in the rear waistline region 30. In addition, since the upright portion 83 easily rises, the topsheet 50 is rarely covered by the uprising gathers 80, and discharged feces are easily guided into the first recess 521.

[0098]

A rear end edge R1R of the first region R1 is located behind a rear end edge of the contraction region 84. The first region R1 is disposed to straddle the rear end edge of the contraction region 84 in the front-back direction L. A rigidity around the rear end edge of the contraction region serving as a rising base point of the uprising gather increases. When a rigidity of the rising base point of the uprising gather increases, the height of the uprising gather is easily ensured. More specifically, since the second fixed portion 82 side of the upright portion 83 is close to the rising base point, it is difficult to ensure a rising height when compared to a center of the upright portion 83 in the front-back direction. In addition, since a region behind the contraction region 84 is not contracted by the side elastic member 71, it is difficult to ensure the rising height of the upright portion 83. The first region Rl is disposed behind the contraction region 84, and a rigidity of the topsheet 50 on the second fixed portion 82 side in the rear waistline region 30 increases. When the rigidity of the topsheet 50 increases, the upright portion 83 easily rises, and the height of the upright portion 83 is easily ensured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent lateral leakage of feces in the rear waistline region. In addition, by ensuring the height of the uprising gather, it is possible to prevent the topsheet from being covered by the uprising gathers, and to continue to exhibit a function of guiding discharged feces into the first recess 521.

[0099]

The rear end edge R1R of the first region Rl is located in a front side of the waistline holding portion and separated from the waistline holding portion. The waistline holding portion is a region between a pair of the fastening portions 91. The waistline holding portion is a region brought into close contact with the body in a worn state in which the fastening portions 91 are fastened to the front waistline region 20. Since the region between the pair of fastening portions 91 is separated from the first region Rl, it is easy to realize a state in which feces accommodated in the first recess 521 are separated from the skin of the wearer.

[0100]

The rear end edge R1R of the first region Rl is located in a front side of the waist stretchable portion 85 and separated from a region in which the waist stretchable portion 85 is disposed. The region in which the waist stretchable portion 85 is disposed is a region brought into close contact with the body in the worn state. Since the first region Rl is separated from the region in which the waist stretchable portion 85 is disposed, it is easy to realize the state in which feces accommodated in the first recess 521 are separated from the skin of the wearer.

[0101] (3) Method of manufacturing topsheet

Next, a description will be given of an example of a method of manufacturing a nonwoven fabric included in the topsheet. In manufacture of the nonwoven fabric included in the topsheet, the sheet projections and the sheet recesses can be formed by a shaping process for stretching the nonwoven fabric. In the shaping process, a first shaping process and a second shaping process may be performed. In the first shaping process, the second projection 512, the second recess 522, the second bottom portion 532, and the second aperture 542 are formed in a region corresponding to the entire region of the topsheet 50 in the width direction.

[0102]

The second shaping process is performed after the first shaping process. In the second shaping process, the first projection 511 is formed in a region corresponding to the first region Rl, and the other regions are not processed. Specifically, in the region corresponding to the first region, some of the second projections 512 are further stretched, and the first projections 511 are formed. Among the second projections 512 formed by the first shaping process, the second projections 512 not subjected to the second shaping process are included in the intermediate portion 58. Among the second bottom portions 532 and the second apertures 542 formed by the first shaping process, the second bottom portions 532 and the second apertures 542 corresponding to the first region are included in the first bottom portions 531 and the first apertures 541. That is, the second bottom portions 532 and the second apertures 542 have the same configurations as those of the first bottom portions 531 and the first apertures 541. [0103]

In addition, when the shaping process is performed, a welded portion may be formed at an edge of the aperture. The welded portion is a portion in which the fibers included in the topsheet are welded. Since the welded portion is formed at the edge of the aperture, strength of the aperture increases, and an aperture shape is easily maintained. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a drawing property for excrement.

[0104] (4) Other embodiments

Next, a description will be given of absorbent articles according to modifications. In description of the modifications below, the same reference symbol will be used for the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a topsheet 50 and an absorber 400 of an absorbent article according to Modification 1. The absorber 400 according to the modification includes an absorption projection 401 protruding to the skin contact surface side T1 and an absorption recess 402 provided between absorption projections 401. It suffices that the absorption recess 402 is recessed when compared to the absorption projection 401. A basis weight of an absorbing material of the absorption recess 402 may be a basis weight lower than that of the absorption projection 401 and may be zero.

[0105]

The first aperture 541 is disposed in a region overlapping the absorption projection 401 and disposed in a region overlapping the absorption recess 402. When the absorption projection 401 overlaps the first aperture 541, a distance between the first aperture 541 and the absorber 40 is short, and body fluid drawn through the first aperture 541 may be promptly absorbed by the absorber 40. In addition, when the absorption recess 402 overlaps the first aperture 541, it is possible to form a space for accommodating feces at the non-skin contact surface side T2 of the first aperture 541, and to draw excrement drawn through the first aperture 541 into the space. The first aperture 541 may be disposed in a region not overlapping the absorption projection 401 and may be disposed in a region not overlapping the absorption recess 402. In addition, the second aperture 542 may be disposed in a region not overlapping the absorption projection 401 and the absorption recess 402.

[0106]

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a topsheet 500 in an absorbent article according to Modification 2. The topsheet 500 according to Modification 2 has a groove wall portion 55 extending from the bottom portion 53 to the non-skin contact surface side T2 and a groove bottom portion 56 located at the non-skin contact surface side T2 of the groove wall portion 55 and extending in the plane direction. An aperture 54 is formed in the groove wall portion 55. Since the aperture 54 is formed in the groove wall portion 55, a space is easily formed between the absorber 40 and the aperture 54. It is possible to temporarily hold excrement passing through the topsheet 50 by the space between the aperture 54 and the absorber 40, and to improve a drawing property.

[0107]

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a topsheet 501 in an absorbent article according to Modification 3. In the topsheet 501 according to Modification 3, the first projection 511, the intermediate portion 58, and the first recess 521 extend in the front-back direction. A dividing portion 57 is provided between the first projections 511 in the width direction W. The dividing portion 57 is configured to divide a space of the first recess 521 extending in the front-back direction. Atop portion of the dividing portion 57 is located at the non-skin contact surface side T2 of the top portion of the first projection 511 and is located at the skin contact surface side Tl of the top portion of the intermediate portion 58. More specifically, a region of the space of the first recess 521 extending in the front-back direction L on the skin contact surface side Tl (a region at the skin contact surface side Tl of the dividing portion 57) is not divided in the front-back direction L and is continuous in the front-back direction L. On the other hand, a region of the space of the first recess 521 extending in the front-back direction L on the non-skin contact surface side T2 (a region in which the dividing portion 57 is disposed) is divided in the front-back direction L and is discontinuous in the front-back direction L. Dividing portions 57 are provided at intervals in the front-back direction L. Therefore, the first recess 521 is discontinuous in the front-back direction L at least in a part. When feces are discharged onto the first region RI, the feces are accommodated in the first recess 521 between the first projections 511. It is possible to inhibit feces accommodated in the first recess 521 from diffusing in the front-back direction L by the part in which the first recess 521 is discontinuous in the front-back direction L. In addition, since the top portion of the first projection 511 is located at the skin contact surface side Tl of the top portion of the dividing portion 57, excrements in the first recess 521 easily diffuse along the front-back direction L and rarely diffuse along the width direction W. Therefore, it is possible to prevent lateral leakage of feces.

[0108]

In the present embodiment, a statement that extend in the front-back direction may correspond to a configuration having a certain range at least in the front-back direction and includes a configuration extending in the width direction while being inclined with respect to the front-back direction such that an angle with respect to the front-back direction is less than 45 degrees. In addition, a statement that extend in the width direction may correspond to a configuration having a certain range at least in the width direction and includes a configuration extending in the front-back direction while being inclined with respect to the width direction such that an angle with respect to the width direction is less than 45 degrees.

[0109]

Even though contents of the invention have been disclosed through the embodiments of the invention as described above, it should not be understood that the description and drawings included in a part of this disclosure limit the invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the technical scope of the invention is determined only by the invention specifying matters pertaining to the claims proper from the above description.

[0110]

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-208164 filed on October 24,

2016 are incorporated in this specification by reference.

[INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY] [0111]

A wearing assistant recognizes a region in which feces are discharged from other regions, and it is possible to provide an absorbent article capable of obtaining a sense of security during use.

[REFERENCE SIGNS LIST] [0112]

DISPOSABLE DIAPER

FRONT WAISTLINE REGION

CROTCH REGION

REAR WAISTLINE REGION

40,400 ABSORBER

401 ABSORPTION PROJECTION

402 ABSORPTION RECESS

AUXILIARY SHEET

50, 500, 501 TOPSHEET

SHEET PROJECTION

511 FIRST PROJECTION

512 SECOND PROJECTION

SHEET RECESS

521 FIRST RECESS

522 SECOND RECESS

BOTTOM PORTION

APERTURE

541 FIRST APERTURE

542 SECOND APERTURE

GROOVE WALL PORTION

GROOVE BOTTOM PORTION

DIVIDING PORTION

INTERMEDIATE PORTION

CONVEX WALL PORTION

UPRISING GATHER

CONTRACTION REGION

L FRONT-BACK DIRECTION

R1 FIRST REGION

R2 SECOND REGION

T1 SKIN CONTACT SURFACE SIDE

T2 NON-SKIN CONTACT SURFACE SIDE

W WIDTH DIRECTION

Claims

[CLAIMS] [Claim l]

An absorbent article comprising:

a front waistline region, a rear waistline region, and a crotch region located between the front waistline region and the rear waistline region;

a front-back direction directed from the front waistline region to the rear waistline region and a width direction orthogonal to the front-back direction; an absorber that straddles the crotch region and extends to at least one of the front waistline region and the rear waistline region; and a topsheet located at a skin contact surface side of the absorber and in contact with a wearer, the topsheet having an aperture provided between sheet projections protruding to the skin contact surface side, wherein the topsheet has a first region disposed at least in the rear waistline region and a second region disposed at least in the crotch region, a shape of each of the sheet projections in the first region is different from a shape of each of the sheet projections in the second region, and the aperture is provided at least in the first region.
[Claim 2]

The absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of uprising gathers disposed on both outer sides of a widthwise center of the absorbent article in the width direction, wherein each of the uprising gathers has a contraction region that contracts in the front-back direction by an elastic member, a flexural rigidity of the first region is higher than a flexural rigidity of the second region, and the first region is disposed to straddle a rear end edge of the contraction region in the front-back direction.
[Claim 3]

The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the absorber has a folding guide portion that extends in the width direction and guides folding of the absorbent article, and the folding guide portion is provided in a front side of the first region in a range in which the contraction region is disposed in the front-back direction.
[Claim 4]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a height of the sheet projection in the first region is higher than a height of the sheet projection in the second region.
[Claim 5]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pitch of the sheet projections in the first region is longer than a pitch of the sheet projections in the second region.
[Claim 6]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a welded portion in which fibers included in the topsheet are welded is formed at an edge of the aperture. [Claim 7]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the absorber has absorption projections protruding to the skin contact surface side and absorption recesses provided between the absorption projections, and the aperture in the first region is disposed in a region overlapping the absorption projections.

[Claim 8]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the absorber has absorption projections protruding to the skin contact surface side and absorption recesses provided between the absorption projections, and the aperture in the first region is disposed in a region overlapping the absorption recesses.

[Claim 9]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the sheet projections has a convex wall portion extending to the skin contact surface side, and a rising angle of the convex wall portion in the first region is larger than a rising angle of the convex wall portion in the second region.

[Claim 10]

The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the topsheet has fibers, a space is formed between the sheet projections and the absorber, and fibers in the convex wall portion have more fibers oriented along a thickness direction of the topsheet than fibers oriented in the front-back direction and the width direction. [Claim ll]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a bottom portion extending in the front-back direction and the width direction and an intermediate portion protruding to the skin contact surface side of the bottom portion are provided between the sheet projections in the first region, and a top portion of the intermediate portion is located at a non-skin contact surface side of a top portion of the sheet projection in the first region.

[Claim 12]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a waistline holding portion that extends along the width direction and holds the absorbent article on a body of the wearer in the front waistline region and the rear waistline region, wherein a rear end edge of the first region is located in a front side of the waistline holding portion.

[Claim 13]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a groove wall portion extending to the non-skin contact surface side is included between the sheet projections, and the aperture is provided in the groove wall portion.

[Claim 14]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the sheet projections in the first region are disposed in a zigzag shape.

[Claim 15]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sheet projections in the first region extend along the front-back direction, and a dividing portion that divides a space extending in the front-back direction between the sheet projections is provided between the sheet projections in the first region.

[Claim 16]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a height of the sheet projection is 0.3 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, and a pitch of the sheet projections is 0.3 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less.

[Claim 17]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein an outer edge of the topsheet is located on an inside of an outer edge of the absorber in the width direction, an auxiliary sheet located at the skin contact surface side of the absorber is provided on an outside of the outer edge of the absorber in the width direction, the auxiliary sheet and the topsheet include nonwoven fabrics, and an inter-fiber distance of the auxiliary sheet is longer than an inter-fiber distance of the topsheet.

[Claim 18]

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising the pair of uprising gathers disposed on both outer sides of the widthwise center of the absorbent article in the width direction, wherein the outer edge of the topsheet is located on an outside of inner edges of the uprising gathers in the width direction in a state in which the absorbent article is stretched.