CN109069324B

CN109069324B - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN109069324B
Application number: CN201680045270.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林由佳; 广濑祐一
Original assignee: Kao Corp
Current assignee: Kao Corp
Priority date: 2016-12-26
Filing date: 2016-12-26
Publication date: 2020-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-26
Also published as: JPWO2018122899A1; SG11201900462XA; TWI758380B; WO2018122899A1; MY186592A; TW201828901A; CN109069324A; JP6321897B1

Abstract

The absorbent article (1) includes an absorbent core (41). The absorbent core (41) has a protruding section (42) protruding toward the non-skin side sheet (3) in the excretion-corresponding region (B). The thickness of the protruding section (42) is greater than the thickness of the first region (41F) and the second region (41R) of the absorbent core (41). The protruding section (42) has a maximum width section having a maximum length in a transverse direction (Y) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (X) of the absorbent core (41) in a plan view, and the length in the transverse direction (Y) of the maximum width section is the same as the length in the transverse direction (Y) of the absorbent core (41).

Description

Absorbent article

Technical Field

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

Background

Conventionally, in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and disposable diapers, when a large amount of body fluid is excreted, fluid leakage may occur during daily life activities. Therefore, the following scheme is proposed: in an absorbent core of an absorbent article, a middle-high portion having a large grammage is provided in a central portion, and thereby body fluid is absorbed in a wide range (for example, patent documents 1 to 2).

Patent document 1 describes an absorbent article including: in the absorbent core of the absorbent article, a central portion having a higher height and a higher density than other portions is provided in a central region, and the central portion is arranged to be equal to the lateral width (width) of the absorbent core.

Patent document 2 describes an absorbent article including: the absorbent body of the absorbent article includes an upper absorbent portion and a lower absorbent portion in a stacked state, and the width of the upper absorbent portion and the width of the lower absorbent portion are the same size.

As another technique different from these techniques, the present applicant has previously proposed the following absorbent articles from the viewpoint of improving the following ability to the body shape: an absorbent core is provided in which a widthwise central region of the absorbent core in the excretion portion-facing portion protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet (patent document 3).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 61-602

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2012-81246

Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-86872

Disclosure of Invention

Summary of The Invention

The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising: an absorbent body including an absorbent core of a shape long in a longitudinal direction corresponding to a front-rear direction of a wearer; a skin side sheet covering the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body; and a non-skin-facing surface that covers the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body, and the absorbent article has a front region and a rear region. The absorbent core has an intermediate region between a first region located on the front region side and a second region located on the rear region side, the intermediate region including a protruding portion having a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the first region and the second region. The protruding portion protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet, and the skin-facing surface is formed flat. The protruding portion has a maximum width portion having a maximum length in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core when the absorbent core is viewed in plan, and the length in the transverse direction of the maximum width portion is the same as the length in the transverse direction of the absorbent core.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a skin-facing surface side (skin-side sheet side) of a sanitary napkin which is a preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core of the sanitary napkin shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing the iii-iii section of fig. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a section IV-IV of FIG. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view schematically showing the v-v section of fig. 1.

Fig. 6(a) and 6(b) are explanatory views illustrating a manufacturing process of the absorbent core included in the sanitary napkin shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a skin-facing surface side (skin-side sheet side) of a sanitary napkin which is another preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing a skin-facing surface side (skin-side sheet side) of a sanitary napkin which is another preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Patent documents 1 to 2 disclose techniques for increasing the absorption amount by using a high-weight mid-portion disposed in the central portion of the absorbent core, but nothing is described about projecting the high-weight mid-portion to the non-skin side sheet, and in the absorbent article described in patent documents 1 to 2, a gap is generated between the step of the mid-portion and the topsheet, and there is a fear that leakage due to the fact that the discharged liquid cannot be rapidly diffused in the absorbent body occurs, or a wearer feels discomfort due to the step of the mid-portion occurs. Patent document 3 discloses an absorbent article in which a central protruding portion protrudes toward a non-skin side sheet in a discharge portion facing portion of an absorbent core. The absorbent article described in patent document 3 has an improved fit feeling when worn, but the central protrusion is not formed over the entire width of the absorbent core, and there is a concern that liquid leakage may occur when the central protrusion and the excretion portion are positionally displaced when worn or used.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which can eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Hereinafter, an absorbent article of the present invention will be described based on a sanitary napkin 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "sanitary napkin 1") which is a preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 according to the present embodiment, viewed from the skin-side sheet 2 side. As shown in fig. 1, the sanitary napkin 1 includes: an absorbent body 4 including an absorbent core 41 having a shape elongated in the longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer; a skin side sheet 2 covering the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4; and a non-skin side sheet 3 covering the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4, the sanitary napkin 1 having a front region A and a rear region C. As shown in fig. 1, the sanitary napkin 1 is divided into a discharge facing region B disposed to face a liquid discharge portion of a wearer, and a front region a and a rear region C disposed in front of and behind the discharge facing region B in the longitudinal direction X.

In the present specification, the longitudinal direction X corresponds to the front-back direction of the wearer and coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article (sanitary napkin 1), and the transverse direction Y coincides with the width direction (direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction) of the absorbent article (sanitary napkin 1). Therefore, unless otherwise specified, in the present specification, the length in the longitudinal direction X means the "length" as a distance measured in the longitudinal direction X, and the length in the lateral direction Y means the "width" as a distance measured in the lateral direction Y. The sanitary napkin 1 is formed to be bilaterally symmetric about a center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X is a direction parallel to the center line CL. In the present specification, the skin-facing surface is a surface of the absorbent article (sanitary napkin 1) or a component thereof which faces the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article (sanitary napkin 1) is worn, and the non-skin-facing surface is a surface of the absorbent article (sanitary napkin 1) or a component thereof which faces the side opposite to the skin (the clothing side) when the absorbent article (sanitary napkin 1) is worn.

The sanitary napkin 1 has a discharge facing region B disposed to face a liquid discharge portion (vaginal opening or the like) of a wearer when worn, a front region a disposed on the abdominal side (front side) of the wearer relative to the discharge facing region B, and a rear region C disposed on the back side (rear side) of the wearer relative to the discharge facing region B. That is, the sanitary napkin 1 is divided into a front region a, a discharge facing region B, and a rear region C in this order in the longitudinal direction X.

In the absorbent article of the present invention, when the wing portions 1W are provided as in the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment, the excretion relative region B refers to a region having the wing portions 1W in the longitudinal direction X (a region sandwiched between the root portion of one wing portion 1W in the longitudinal direction X and the root portion of the other wing portion 1W in the longitudinal direction X). In the case of an absorbent article without the flap portion 1W, the excretion counter region B refers to a region surrounded by a first fold line and a second fold line from the front end of the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction X, among two fold lines (not shown) crossing the absorbent article in the transverse direction Y, which are generated when the absorbent article is folded in a three-folded single package form.

As shown in fig. 1, a sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment includes a liquid-permeable skin side sheet 2 forming a skin-facing surface, a non-skin side sheet 3 forming a non-skin-facing surface, and an absorbent body 4 interposed between these two

sheets

2, 3. The absorbent body 4 is composed of an absorbent core 41 and a core sheet (not shown) wrapping the absorbent core 41.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1, the skin-side sheet 2 covers the entire skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4 and extends outward in the transverse direction Y from both side edges of the absorbent body 4 in the longitudinal direction X. On the other hand, the non-skin side sheet 3 covers the entire non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4, extends outward in the lateral direction Y from both side edges of the skin side sheet 2 in the longitudinal direction X, and forms a wing portion 1S together with the side sheet 5 described below. The non-skin side sheet 3 and the side sheet 5 are joined to each other by a known joining method such as adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like in the extending portions from both side edges of the absorbent body 4 in the longitudinal direction X. The skin side sheet 2 and the non-skin side sheet 3 may be bonded to the absorbent body 4 with an adhesive.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1, the side sheet 5 is disposed on both side portions in the longitudinal direction X of the skin-facing surface of the skin side sheet 2. The side sheet 5 is preferably disposed over the entire length of the skin side sheet 2 in the longitudinal direction X so as to overlap both the left and right side portions of the skin side sheet 2 in the longitudinal direction X in plan view.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1, the pair of

side sheets

5, 5 are each joined to the skin side sheet 2 at a joining portion 6. The wavy joint portions 6 in which the concave and convex portions in the transverse direction Y formed by the curved line are alternately and continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction X are arranged in a pair symmetrically in the transverse direction Y about the center line CL in a plan view. In this way, when the side sheet 5 is joined and fixed to the skin side sheet 2 at the wavy joining portions 6, a space defined by the side sheet 5 and the skin side sheet 2 is formed at a position on the inner side in the transverse direction Y than the joining portion group of the joining portions 6 arranged in a wavy shape. Since the space portion opens toward the center line CL, body fluid such as menstrual blood flowing outward from the center in the lateral direction Y is contained in the space portion, and as a result, leakage of body fluid can be effectively prevented.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1, the side flap portions 1S largely project outward in the lateral direction Y in the excretion portion-to-portion region B, and thus a pair of

flap portions

1W, 1W are provided extending on both the left and right sides of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X. The wing section 1W is folded back to the non-skin-facing surface side of the crotch of the clothing such as shorts. As shown in fig. 1, the skin-side sheet 2 and the non-skin-side sheet 3 extend outward in the longitudinal direction X from the front end and the rear end of the absorbent body 4 in the longitudinal direction X, respectively, and are joined to each other at these extending portions by a known joining method such as adhesive, heat sealing, or ultrasonic sealing to form end-sealed portions.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1, a linear compressed groove 7 formed by integrally recessing the skin side sheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 toward the non-skin side sheet 3 side is formed on the skin-facing surface of the skin side sheet 2. The "linear shape" of the linear compressed groove 7 is not limited to a linear shape in a plan view of the groove (recessed portion), and includes a curved line. Here, each line may be a continuous line or a discontinuous line such as a broken line. In the sanitary napkin 1, the linear compressed grooves 7 are formed by rows of discontinuous multiple embossings. In the linear compressed groove 7, the density of each fiber constituting the skin side sheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 is higher than the density of the peripheral portion of the linear compressed groove 7. The linear compressed groove 7 has first transverse compressed grooves 71 extending in the transverse direction Y in the front region a and the rear region C of the absorbent body 4, respectively, and longitudinal compressed grooves 73 extending in the longitudinal direction X in both side portions of the excretion region B of the absorbent body 4 along the longitudinal direction X. In the sanitary napkin 1, the first transverse compressed groove 71 is a curve that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction X, and the longitudinal compressed groove 73 is a curve that protrudes outward in the transverse direction Y in the excretion relative region B. The first lateral compressed groove 71 is inside the pair of longitudinal compressed grooves 73, and extends in the lateral direction Y across the pair of longitudinal compressed grooves 73. In the sanitary napkin 1, the first lateral compressed groove 71 in the front region a, the first longitudinal compressed groove 73 on one side, the first lateral compressed groove 71 in the rear region C, and the longitudinal compressed groove 73 on the other side are connected to form an annular whole peripheral groove. The linear compressed grooves 7 thus formed can suppress the diffusion of body fluid in the planar direction of the absorbent body 4, and can effectively prevent the leakage of fluid from the periphery of the sanitary napkin 1.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, the absorbent core 41 constituting the absorbent body 4 has an intermediate region 41M between a first region 41F located on the front region a side and a second region 41R located on the rear region C side in the longitudinal direction X. The intermediate region 41M includes a projection 42 having a thickness thicker than the thicknesses of the first region 41F and the second region 41R. In the sanitary napkin 1, the intermediate region 41M is disposed in the region of the excretion portion B. The intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41 may or may not coincide with the excretion-corresponding region B of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction. In the sanitary napkin 1, the intermediate region 41M having the protruding portion 42 extends not only in the excretion relative region B but also from the excretion relative region B to a part of the front region a and a part of the rear region C in the longitudinal direction. In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2 in a plan view, the first region 41F of the absorbent core 41 is disposed in the region of the front region a of the sanitary napkin 1, and the second region 41R of the absorbent core 41 is disposed in the region of the rear region C of the sanitary napkin 1.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1, the absorbent core 41 has a shape that is long in the same direction as the longitudinal direction X of the sanitary napkin 1. Thus, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 41 is the same direction as the longitudinal direction X of the sanitary napkin 1, and the transverse direction of the absorbent core 41 is the same direction as the transverse direction Y of the sanitary napkin 1.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, the protruding portion 42 having the intermediate region 41M protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet 3, and the skin-facing surface of the sanitary napkin 1 is formed flat. As shown in fig. 4, the thickness of the protruding portion 42 is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the first region 41F located forward of the intermediate region 41M and the thickness of the second region 41R located rearward of the intermediate region 41M. It is preferable that in the sanitary napkin 1, the protruding section 42 is formed to be thicker than the first region 41F in the absorbent core 41 and to be formed to have a higher grammage than the first region 41F in the absorbent core 41. Further, in the sanitary napkin 1, the protruding section 42 is formed to be thicker than the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41 and to be higher in grammage than the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41. The thickness and the grammage of each of the first region 41F and the second region 41R, which are compared with the thickness and the grammage of the protrusion 42, refer to the thickness and the grammage of a portion where the groove portion 45 described below is not present in the first region 41F and the second region 41R when the groove portion 45 described below is formed in the first region 41F and the second region 41R. Since the absorbent core 41 of the sanitary napkin 1 is provided with a difference in thickness by providing a difference in grammage between the core materials, the absorbent core 41 is soft as a whole, unlike the case where a difference in thickness is provided by compressing a part of the absorbent core having a uniform grammage.

As described above, the skin-facing surface of the protruding portion 42 is formed flat. Here, the "skin-facing surface flat" means not only a state in which the skin-facing surface on the side of the skin side sheet 2 in the protruding portion 42 of the absorbent core 41 is flat, but also a state in which irregularities having a width of about 5mm and a depth of about 2mm are formed in a part of the skin-facing surface due to variations in the amount of fibers stacked due to the position of the fibers at the time of stacking, deformation at the time of pressing, other manufacturing steps, and the like. Thus, in the sanitary napkin 1, the protrusions 42 are formed so as not to have recesses with a grammage lower than the grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41 on the skin-facing surface side. Here, when the first region 41F and the second region 41R have the groove portions 45, the grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41R refers to the grammage of the portion of the absorbent core that does not have the groove portions 45 in the thickness direction. When the concave portion having a low grammage is present on the skin-facing surface side of the protruding portion 42, not only is rapid diffusion of the excreted liquid in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction in the horizontal direction inhibited, but also liquid return and the like due to a decrease in the amount of liquid absorbed or a decrease in the absorption rate are likely to occur, and unexpected wrinkles or breaks are more likely to occur in the sanitary napkin 1. If a low grammage concave portion is present on the skin-facing surface of the protruding portion 42 as a longitudinal groove portion that penetrates the protruding portion 42 longitudinally in the longitudinal direction X, it is conceivable that not only the protruding portion 42 is easily cut by the longitudinal groove in the lateral direction Y, and that wrinkles in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1 are more likely to occur from the longitudinal groove portion as a starting point during wearing, but also the absorbent core may be cut by the action of the wearer of the sanitary napkin 1 from the longitudinal groove portion as a starting point. When the absorbent core is cut in this way, a gap is likely to occur between the sanitary napkin 1 and the body, and the absorption capacity is significantly reduced, which causes so-called liquid leakage. Further, the absorbent core 41 having a flat skin-facing surface integrally recesses the skin side sheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 toward the non-skin side sheet 3 to form the linear compressed grooves 7 in the subsequent step, thereby making it less likely to cause liquid leakage.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 4, the absorbent core 41 has a continuous layer RS of uniform thickness on the skin-facing surface from the first region 41F to the second region 41R through the intermediate region 41M. The continuous layer RS is formed on the front surface of the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 41 in the sanitary napkin 1. The thickness of the continuous layer RS is the same as the thickness of the absorbent core 41 at the protruding boundary groove portions 43 described below or the thickness of the absorbent core 41 at the protruding boundary groove portions 43.

From the viewpoint of ensuring the liquid absorption amount of the absorbent core 41 by projecting the projecting portion 42 toward the non-skin side sheet 3 on the non-skin side of the wearer, the thickness of the projecting portion 42 is preferably 120% (i.e., 1.2 times) or more, more preferably 140% or more, and further preferably 700% or less, and more preferably 500% or less, of the thickness of the first region 41F and the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41, and is preferably 120% or more and 700% or less, and more preferably 140% or more and 500% or less, from the viewpoint of the following ability to the body and the suppression of the uncomfortable feeling when worn. The protrusion height represented by the difference in thickness between the thickness of the protrusion 42 and the thickness of the first region 41F or the second region 41R (the former-the latter) is preferably 1.0mm or more, more preferably 2.0mm or more, and is preferably 8.0mm or less, more preferably 6.0mm or less, and is preferably 1.0mm or more and 8.0mm or less, more preferably 2.0mm or more and 6.0mm or less. The above-described structure is particularly effective when the protruding portion 42 is provided in the excretion portion-corresponding region B like the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment.

The thickness of the protruding portion 42 is preferably 2.0mm or more, more preferably 3.0mm or more, and preferably 10.0mm or less, more preferably 7.0mm or less, and preferably 2.0mm or more and 10.0mm or less, and more preferably 3.0mm or more and 7.0mm or less. The above-described relationship of the thickness is preferably established over the entire range of the protruding portion 42, but when an increase or decrease in the thickness is provided in the thickness direction of the protruding portion 42, the relationship may be established at the thickest portion.

The above-described relationship of the thickness is preferably established over the entire range of the protruding portion 42, but in the case where a gradual increase or decrease in the thickness is provided in the lateral direction Y, the longitudinal direction X, or both in the thickness direction of the protruding portion 42, the relationship may be established at the thickest portion.

The thickness of the first region 41F or the second region 41R is preferably 0.5mm or more, more preferably 1.0mm or more, and further preferably 7.0mm or less, more preferably 3.5mm or less, and further preferably 0.5mm or more and 7.0mm or less, more preferably 1.0mm or more and 3.5mm or less.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the thickness of the first region 41F or the second region 41R is preferably formed substantially uniformly in the portions where the groove portions 45 described below are not present, but when a gradual increase or decrease in thickness is provided in the lateral direction Y or the longitudinal direction X of the first region 41F or the second region 41R, the above relationship may be established in the thickest portion.

The thickness of each part of the absorbent core 41, such as the protruding portion 42, the first region 41F or the second region 41R, and the protruding abutting portion 44 described below, is measured by the following method.

< method of measuring thickness of each part of absorbent core 41 >

The absorbent core is left at a horizontal position without wrinkles or folds, and the projections 42, the first regions 41F, the second regions 41R, and the like, which are objects to be measured, are cut out from the absorbent core 41. Then, the cut-out object to be measured was measured at 5cN/cm²Thickness under load. Specifically, in the measurement of the thickness, for example, a thickness meter, peraccok DIALUPRIGHT gauge, GAUGES R5-C (OZAKI mfg. co. At this time, the thickness gauge was disposed between the distal end portion and the cut-out object to be measured so that the load became 5cN/cm²The thickness was measured by viewing the plate (acrylic plate having a thickness of about 5 mm) as a circular or square plate in a plane with the size adjusted. In measuring the thickness of the first region 41F, the second region 41R, or the like in the absorbent core 41, the measurement is performed in a state where the groove portions 45 described below are not included.

In the case of the sanitary napkin 1, the sanitary napkin,from the viewpoint of ensuring the liquid absorption amount of the absorbent core 41 by projecting the projecting portion 42 toward the non-skin side sheet 3 on the non-skin side of the wearer, the grammage of the projecting portion 42 in the absorbent core 41 is preferably 100g/m²Above, more preferably 200g/m²Above, and preferably 1500g/m²Hereinafter, 1200g/m is more preferable²Hereinafter, more specifically, it is preferably 100g/m²Above and 1500g/m²Hereinafter, more preferably 200g/m²Above and 1200g/m²The following. Further, the grammage of the first region 41F or the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41 is preferably 50g/m²Above, more preferably 100g/m²Above, and, preferably, 1000g/m²Hereinafter, it is more preferably 900g/m²Hereinafter, more specifically, it is preferably 50g/m²Above and 1000g/m²Hereinafter, more preferably 100g/m²Above and 900g/m²The following. The grammage of the first region 41F or the second region 41R is determined by: the mass of the sample of the cut-out protruding portion 42, the first region 41F, or the second region 41R described in the above-described measurement method for measuring the thickness of each portion of the absorbent core 41 is divided by the area of the surface on the skin-facing surface side of the sample. In measuring the grammage of the first region 41F or the second region 41R or the like in the absorbent core 41, the measurement is performed in a state where the groove portions 45 described below are not included.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the protruding section 42 has a maximum width section having the maximum length in the transverse direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent core 41 in a plan view of the absorbent core 41, and the length in the transverse direction Y of the maximum width section is the same as the length in the transverse direction Y of the absorbent core 41. Preferably, the protruding portion 42 includes a protruding central portion 421 in which the maximum width portion of the protruding portion 42 extends a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction X along both side edges in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent core 41 when the absorbent core 41 is viewed in plan as shown in fig. 2. In other words, the protruding central portion 421 extends in a band-like shape between both

side edges

41s, 41s of the absorbent core 41 in the longitudinal direction X, and has the maximum width portion of the protruding portion 42 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the band-like protruding central portion 421. The length in the lateral direction Y of the maximum width portion of the protruding central portion 421 is the same as the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the intermediate region 41M. Further, the width of the absorbent core 41 herein refers to the width of the absorbent core 41 including the protruding portions 42. That is, when the protruding portion 42 is viewed in the cross section in the lateral direction Y, if the width (non-skin-side width) of the protruding portion 42 located closer to the non-skin-facing surface side than the height position of the surface on the non-skin-facing surface side of the adjacent first region 41F and second region 41R is the same as the width (skin-side width) of the protruding portion 42 located on the skin-facing surface side or the non-skin-side width is larger, the maximum width of the protruding portion 42 is the same as the width of the absorbent core 41. However, the maximum width portion of the protruding portion 42 is preferably substantially the same as the skin-side width and the non-skin-side width, and is particularly preferably substantially uniform in the thickness direction.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, in order to ensure a sufficient absorption amount even when the absorbent article is worn in a slightly offset state, the absorbent core 41 is preferably arranged such that the projected central portion 421 is disposed in the excretion counter region B and the area thereof is as wide as possible in the region of the excretion counter region B. From this viewpoint, the projected central portion 421 is preferably formed in a straight line in the maximum width portion with a constant interval between both

side edges

41s, 41s of the absorbent core 41 along the longitudinal direction X, and more preferably with both

side edges

41s, 41s parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction X. However, during manufacturing, the width of the protruding section 42 and the width of the absorbent core 41 are slightly different to some extent due to positional deviation in the lateral direction Y of the protruding section 42 in the absorbent core 41, chipping of the protruding section 42, inclination of mold release due to a production method, rounding or chamfering of end portions, and the like, and for example, a range of difference of about 5% of the width of the maximum width section is regarded as the same width. The maximum width refers to the distance of the longest position in the transverse direction Y. Further, in the sanitary napkin 1, the length in the transverse direction Y of the maximum width portion of the protruding portion 42 in the transverse direction Y is the same as the maximum length in the transverse direction Y of the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41 and the maximum length in the transverse direction Y of the absorbent core 41. Thus, even if the sanitary napkin 1 is worn in a slightly displaced state, a sufficient absorption amount can be secured, and leakage is less likely to occur.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the projecting central portion 421 of the projecting portion 42 is formed so that its thickness becomes smaller from the central portion in the transverse direction Y toward both side edge portions in the longitudinal direction X when viewed in cross section as shown in fig. 3. That is, the central portion disposed on the center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X in the protruding central portion 421 is formed to have the largest thickness. When the protruding central portion 421 is thus formed, the amount of liquid absorbed in the excretion portion B can be sufficiently ensured.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the projecting central portion 421 of the projecting portion 42 is formed so that the grammage thereof becomes smaller from the central portion in the transverse direction Y toward both side edge portions in the longitudinal direction X when viewed in cross section as shown in fig. 3. That is, the central portion disposed on the center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X in the projected central portion 421 is formed to have the largest grammage. When the protruding central portion 421 is formed in this way, the liquid absorbency and the like in the excretion area B can be improved.

In the projected central portion 421 of the sanitary napkin 1, when viewed in cross section as shown in fig. 3, the ratio (T1/T2) of the thickness (T1) of the central portion disposed on the center line CL to the thickness (T2) of the side edge 41s having the smallest thickness is preferably 1.1 or more, particularly preferably 1.3 or more, from the viewpoint that the projected portion can be brought into close contact with the excretory part with as little clearance as possible, and is preferably 4 or less, particularly preferably 3 or less, specifically preferably 1.1 to 4, particularly preferably 1.3 to 3, from the viewpoint that the wearer feels uncomfortable when not likely to wear the napkin.

The protrusion 42 includes a front protrusion 422 or a rear protrusion 423, and the front protrusion 422 or the rear protrusion 423 protrudes from the protrusion center 421 toward the front region a or the rear region C so that the length in the lateral direction Y is smaller than the maximum width portion of the protrusion 42. In other words, as shown in fig. 2, when the absorbent core 41 is viewed in plan, the projecting portion 42 has at least one of a front side projecting portion 422 projecting from the front end portion in the longitudinal direction X of the projecting central portion 421 toward the first region 41F and a rear side projecting portion 423 projecting from the rear end portion in the longitudinal direction X of the projecting central portion 421 toward the second region 41R, and in the sanitary napkin 1, the projecting portion 42 has the front side projecting portion 422 and the rear side projecting portion 423. That is, in the sanitary napkin 1, the protrusion 42 is divided into a front protrusion 422, a protruding center 421, and a rear protrusion 423.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, one front side protrusion 422 is disposed at the front end of the protruding central portion 421 and one rear side protrusion 423 is disposed at the rear end of the protruding central portion 421 in the absorbent core 41. In the front side protrusion 422, a top 422t of the front side protrusion 422 is disposed on a center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X, and both

side edges

422s, 422s forming the front side protrusion 422 extend in a straight line shape from the top 422t to a side edge 41s of the absorbent core 41 along the longitudinal direction X. Similarly to the front side projections 422, the rear side projections 423 are arranged such that the top portions 423t of the rear side projections 423 are disposed on the center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X, and the side edges 423s, 423s forming the rear side projections 423 extend from the top portions 423t to the side edges 41s of the absorbent core 41 along the longitudinal direction X.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, the front side projections 422 and the rear side projections 423 in the absorbent core 41 are formed so that the width d decreases from both side portions along the longitudinal direction X to the top portions 422t and 423t located at the center portion in the transverse direction Y, respectively. Preferably, in the front side protrusion 422 of the absorbent core 41 of the sanitary napkin 1, the interval (width d) between the two

side edges

422s, 422s decreases from the two

side edges

41s, 41s of the absorbent core 41 along the longitudinal direction X to the top portion 422 t. Similarly, in the rear side protrusion 423 of the absorbent core 41 of the sanitary napkin 1, the interval (width d) between the both

side edges

423s, 423s decreases from the both

side edges

41s, 41s of the absorbent core 41 along the longitudinal direction X toward the top portion 423 t. Here, the decreasing width d means that the width d is continuously gradually decreased toward the top portions 422t and 423 t.

When the absorbent core 41 in the sanitary napkin 1 is described by taking the front side protrusion 422 of the front side protrusion 422 and the front side protrusion 422 of the rear side protrusion 423 as an example, each of the two

side edges

422s and 422s extends straight without being bent as shown in fig. 2. From the viewpoint of improving the fit to the body shape and the following ability during movement, the angle α formed by the side edge 422s on one side and the center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 20 ° or more, more preferably 30 ° or more, and is preferably 75 ° or less, more preferably 60 ° or less, specifically, preferably 20 ° or more and 75 ° or less, more preferably 30 ° or more and 60 ° or less. The rear side projection 423 is also similar to the front side projection 422.

From the viewpoint of ensuring both the absorption amount of bodily fluids and the fit when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, as shown in fig. 2, the total length L2 in the longitudinal direction X of the protruding section 42 is preferably 25% or more, more preferably 30% or more, further preferably 80% or less, more preferably 75% or less, further preferably 25% or more and 80% or less, more preferably 30% or more and 75% or less of the total length L1 in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent core 41.

Further, the total length L1 indicates the distance of the longest position of the absorbent core 41 in the longitudinal direction X, and the total length L2 indicates the distance of the longest position of the protrusion 42 in the longitudinal direction X.

From the viewpoint of sufficiently ensuring the absorption amount of bodily fluids, as shown in fig. 2, the total length L3 in the longitudinal direction X of the projected central portion 421 constituting the projected portion 42 is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more, further preferably 80% or less, more preferably 70% or less, further preferably 20% or more and 80% or less, more preferably 30% or more and 70% or less of the total length L2 of the projected portion 42.

As shown in fig. 2, the entire length L4 in the longitudinal direction X of the front side projection 422 of the projection 42 is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 10% or more, and further preferably 50% or less, more preferably 30% or less, and further preferably 5% or more and 50% or less, and further preferably 10% or more and 30% or less of the entire length L2 of the projection 42. The entire length X in the longitudinal direction of the rear protrusion 423 constituting the protrusion 42 is the same as the entire length L4 in the longitudinal direction X of the front protrusion 422.

The overall length L4 is the distance between the longest positions of the front protrusions 422 in the longitudinal direction X.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, 4 and 5, the absorbent core 41 has a protruding boundary groove portion 43 in the intermediate region 41M that defines the boundary between the protruding portion 42 and a portion other than the protruding portion 42. The protruding boundary groove portion 43 is formed to be recessed from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side in the absorbent core 41. The protruding boundary groove portion 43 is formed to protrude and recess from the non-skin facing surface on the non-skin side sheet 3 side in the absorbent core 41 toward the skin side sheet 2 side, and a top portion as a top of a cavity of the groove is formed on the skin side sheet 2 side. Therefore, when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the absorbent body 4 is easily folded from the protruding boundary groove portions 43 as starting points against the force acting from the leg portions inward in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent core 41, and the sanitary napkin 1 is more easily attached three-dimensionally along the body shape.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, the protruding boundary groove portion 43 has: a front protruding boundary groove portion 43a extending along the two

side edges

422s, 422s forming the front side protrusion 422 constituting the protrusion 42; and a rear protruding boundary groove portion 43c extending along the two

side edges

423s, 423 forming the rear side protrusion 423. The front protruding boundary groove portion 43a and the rear protruding boundary groove portion 43c are formed over the entire length (the entire width) of the absorbent core 41 in the lateral direction Y. Therefore, the force acting from the leg portions toward the inside of the absorbent core 41 in the transverse direction Y is less likely to cause longitudinal wrinkles in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the sanitary napkin 1 is more likely to fit three-dimensionally along the body shape. Thus, the absorbent core 41 is defined by the front protruding boundary groove portion 43a and the rear protruding boundary groove portion 43c with respect to the protruding portion 42.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the groove width of the protruding boundary groove portions 43 in the absorbent core 41 is preferably 0.1mm or more, more preferably 0.5mm or more, and further preferably 5.0mm or less, more preferably 3.0mm or less, and further preferably 0.1mm or more and 5.0mm or less, and more preferably 0.5mm or more and 3.0mm or less, from the viewpoint of improving the liquid absorbency in the excretion-responsive zone B. Further, the groove width and the following thickness of the protruding boundary groove portion 43 are measured in the following manner: the projected boundary groove portion 43 is cut in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction thereof, and measured from a photograph of the cross section.

In the sanitary napkin 1, from the viewpoint of improving the liquid absorbency in the excretion region B, the thickness of the absorbent core 41 in the protrusion boundary groove portions 43 (the thickness of the absorbent core 41 at the top portions of the grooves) is preferably 0.08mm or more, more preferably 0.15mm or more, and further preferably 7.0mm or less, more preferably 3.5mm or less, and further preferably 0.08mm or more and 7.0mm or less, and more preferably 0.15mm or more and 3.5mm or less.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the absorbent core has a portion protruding in the thickness direction beyond the boundary groove portions 43The weight is lower than the grammage of the protruding portion 42, and the grammage is lower than the grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41. Here, when the groove portions 45 described below are provided, the grammage of the first region 41F and the grammage of the second region 41R refer to the grammage of the portion of the absorbent core that does not have the groove portions 45 in the thickness direction. The grammage of the portion of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portions 43 in the thickness direction is preferably 10g/m²Above, more preferably 20g/m²Above, and, preferably 350g/m²Hereinafter, it is more preferably 250g/m²Hereinafter, more specifically, it is preferably 10g/m²Above and 350g/m²Hereinafter, more preferably 20g/m²Above and 250g/m²The following. Further, the grammage of the portion of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portions 43 in the thickness direction is determined as follows: the mass of the sample of the portion of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portions 43 in the thickness direction, which was cut out as described in the method of measuring the thickness of each portion of the absorbent core 41, was divided by the area of the surface on the skin-facing surface side of the sample.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, the absorbent core 41 has a protruding abutting section 44 in a region other than the protruding section 42 and other than the protruding boundary groove section 43 in the middle region 41M thereof. In the sanitary napkin 1, the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41 includes the protruding portion 42, the protruding boundary groove portion 43, and the protruding abutting portion 44. In the intermediate region 41M, the protruding abutting portion 44 has: a front protruding abutting part 44a, the front protruding abutting part 44a being disposed on the first region 41F side adjacent to the front side protrusion 422 constituting the protrusion 42; and a rear protruding abutting part 44c, the rear protruding abutting part 44c being disposed on the second region 41R side adjacent to the rear side protrusion 423 constituting the protrusion 42. The front protruding abutting portion 44a is formed to be bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X. In a portion of the front protruding abutting portion 44a closer to a half of the side edge 41s side of the absorbent core 41 on one side along the longitudinal direction X than the center line CL, the length in the longitudinal direction X is formed to decrease from the side edge 41s on the one side toward the center line CL. The rear projecting abutting portion 44c is also formed to be bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a center line CL extending in the longitudinal direction X, similarly to the front projecting abutting portion 44 a. In a portion of the rear protruding abutting portion 44c closer to a half of the side edge 41s side of the absorbent core 41 on one side along the longitudinal direction X than the center line CL, the length in the longitudinal direction X is formed to decrease from the side edge 41s on the one side toward the center line CL.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the projecting abutting portion 44 projects toward the non-skin side sheet 3 beyond the top of the cavity in the projecting boundary groove portion 43, in other words, beyond the top of the projecting boundary groove portion 43 on the skin side sheet 2 side. In addition, the skin-facing surface of the protruding abutting portion 44 is formed flat. The projecting abutting section 44 is formed to have a thickness larger than that of the projecting boundary groove section 43 and smaller than that of the projecting section 42 in the absorbent core 41. Further, from the viewpoint of the following ability to the physical activity, the thickness of the protruding abutting portion 44 is preferably the same as or smaller than the thickness of the first region 41F and the thickness of the second region 41R. In addition, from the viewpoint of the strength of the absorbent core 41 when repeatedly deformed in response to body movements, the thickness of the protruding abutting portion 44 may be larger than the thickness of the first region 41F and the thickness of the second region 41R.

The thickness of the protruding abutting portion 44 is preferably 0.5mm or more, more preferably 1.0mm or more, and further preferably 10.0mm or less, more preferably 7.0mm or less, and further preferably 0.5mm or more and 10.0mm or less, and more preferably 1.0mm or more and 7.0mm or less.

The thickness of the protruding abutting section 44 is measured based on the above-described measurement method of the thickness of each portion of the absorbent core 41.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the grammage (mass per unit area) of the protruding abutting portion 44 is formed to be smaller than the grammage of the protruding portion 42 of the absorbent core 41 and to be larger than the grammage of the portion of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portion 43 in the thickness direction. Further, from the viewpoint of the following ability to physical activity, the grammage of the protruding abutting portion 44 is preferably equal to or less than the grammage of the first region 41F and the grammage of the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41. In addition, from the viewpoint of the strength of the absorbent core 41 when repeatedly deformed against the movement of the body, the grammage of the protruding abutting portion 44 may be larger than the grammage of the first region 41F and the grammage of the second region 41R. Here, when the groove portion 45 is provided, the grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41RThe grammage of (b) means the grammage of the portion of the absorbent core having no groove portions 45 in the thickness direction. The grammage of the protruding abutting portion 44 is preferably 20g/m²Above, more preferably 50g/m²Above, and preferably 800g/m²Hereinafter, more preferably 700g/m²Hereinafter, more specifically, it is preferably 20g/m²Above and 800g/m²Hereinafter, more preferably 50g/m²Above and 700g/m²The following. The grammage of the projecting abutting portion 44 is determined as follows: the mass of the sample at the protruding abutting portion 44 cut out as described in the method of measuring the thickness of each portion of the absorbent core 41 is divided by the area of the surface on the skin-facing surface side of the sample.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, the first region 41F and the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41 have a groove portion 45 with a relatively small grammage and a small absorbent portion 46 with a relatively large grammage, respectively. It is preferable that the groove portion 45 includes a longitudinal groove 45X extending in the longitudinal direction X and a lateral groove 45Y extending in the lateral direction Y. Thus, in the first region 41F and the second region 41R, groove portions (lateral grooves 45Y) extending in the lateral direction Y and groove portions (vertical grooves 45X) extending in the vertical direction X are arranged. The vertical grooves 45X extending in the vertical direction X are arranged at a constant interval in the lateral direction Y, and the horizontal grooves 45Y extending in the lateral direction Y are arranged at a constant interval in the vertical direction X. The small absorbing portions 46 are disposed at the positions of the holes of the grid defined by the vertical grooves 45Y and the horizontal grooves 45X. The thickness and grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41R described above refer to the thickness and grammage of the small absorbent portion 46. The grammage of the portion of the absorbent core having the groove portions 45 including the longitudinal grooves 45X and the lateral grooves 45Y in the thickness direction is formed so that the grammage of the material forming the absorbent core is lower than the small absorbent portions 46 as the portions of the first region 41F and the second region 41R that do not have groove portions in the thickness direction.

In the sanitary napkin 1, the absorbent core 41 having the groove portions 45 and the small absorbent portions 46 in the first region 41F and the second region 41R and the protruding portion 42, the protruding boundary groove portions 43, and the protruding abutment portions 44 in the middle region 41M is integrally formed. The term "integrally molded" means that the members manufactured in different steps are integrally formed in one step using the same material, rather than bonding the members to each other by a bonding method such as an adhesive or compression.

The absorbent core 41 of the sanitary napkin 1 can be manufactured, for example, as shown in fig. 6(a), by using a fiber stacking device including a fiber stacking cylinder 54, the fiber stacking cylinder 54 having stacking depressions 55 on the outer peripheral surface and rotating in one direction R; and a duct (not shown) for supplying the core material to the outer peripheral surface of the fiber accumulating tube 54 in a scattered state.

A plurality of stacking recesses 55 are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the fiber stacking tube 54. The bottom surface 56 of the stacking recess 55 has a plurality of pores, which are formed of a mesh plate or the like and function as suction holes.

As shown in fig. 6(a), one depression 56b for forming the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41 is formed in a part of the bottom surface 56 of one stacking depression 55. In addition, in the recess 56b, a first air-impermeable member 57 for forming a projecting boundary groove portion 43 for defining the projecting portion 42 and the projecting abutting portion 44 is disposed on the bottom surface thereof. The first air-impermeable member 57 is disposed at a position corresponding to the protruding boundary groove portion 43, and is fixed so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the recess portion 56 b. Further, a second air-impermeable member 58 for forming the groove 45 is disposed on the bottom surface 56 of the upstream side region and the downstream side region in the rotation direction R adjacent to the recess 56 b. The second air-impermeable member 58 is disposed at a position corresponding to the vertical groove 44Y and the horizontal groove 44X, and is fixed so as to protrude from the bottom surface 56 of the stacking recess 55. The first and second difficult-to-ventilate

members

57 and 58 may be non-breathable members including, for example, metal, plastic, ceramic, etc.

Similarly to a known fiber stacking device including a fiber stacking tube, a core material in which a water-absorbent polymer and pulp fibers are mixed is supplied into a duct while being sucked from the bottom surface of the stacking recess 55, whereby the core material is stacked in a predetermined shape in the stacking recess 55 as shown in fig. 6 (b). The deposit 40 is released from the stacking recess 55 to obtain a precursor of the absorbent core 41. The precursor of the absorbent core 41 is coated with a core-spun sheet (not shown), cut with a rotary cutter or the like, and conveyed in the conveying direction by a conveying mechanism such as a conveyor belt. Thereby, the absorbent core 41 can be obtained. The absorbent core 41 covered with the core sheet (not shown) thus obtained is compressed moderately by pressing the whole or part thereof one or more times between a pair of rollers. Thus, the portion deposited in the recess 56b is formed as the protrusion 42 having a relatively large grammage and thickness. Similarly, portions composed of the core material accumulated in the upstream side region and the downstream side region adjacent to the recessed portion 56b are formed as the first region 41F and the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41 having a relatively small grammage. Further, the portion made of the core material deposited on the first gas-impermeable member 57 of the recess 56b is formed as the top of the protruding boundary groove portion 43 which is relatively smaller than the grammage of the first region 41F and the grammage of the second region 41R. The portion made of the core material deposited on the second gas impermeable member 58 in the upstream area and the downstream area adjacent to the concave portion 56b is formed as the top of the groove portion 45 which is relatively smaller than the grammage of the small absorbent portion 46. The portion composed of the core material deposited on the first air-impermeable member 57 and the second air-impermeable member 58, which includes the top of the protruding boundary groove portion 43 and the top of the groove portion 45, is formed as a continuous layer RS having a uniform thickness from the upstream region adjacent to the recessed portion 56b to the downstream region.

The materials for forming the components of the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

The skin-facing sheet 2 is made of a material having liquid permeability and containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin, and for example, a fibrous nonwoven fabric such as a through-air fibrous nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or a point-bond nonwoven fabric can be preferably used. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include: olefin polymers such as ethylene and propylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, but are not limited to the above examples. The skin side sheet 2 preferably has a grammage of, for example, 10 to 100g/m²The thickness is 0.5 to 5.0 mm. The skin side sheet 2 may be made of the same material as that conventionally used in the art without any particular limitation, or may be made of a perforated film or the like.

The non-skin side sheet 3 is made of a material having liquid impermeability or impermeability and containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin, for example, a synthetic treeThe water repellent nonwoven fabric having high water repellency against water pressure, such as a lipid film, a laminate of a synthetic resin film and a nonwoven fabric, or a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond laminated fiber nonwoven fabric, a through air fiber nonwoven fabric, a point-bond fiber nonwoven fabric, or a spunbond fiber nonwoven fabric, is not limited thereto, and the same material as that conventionally used in the art can be used without particular limitation. The non-skin side sheet 3 preferably has a grammage of, for example, 10 to 50g/m²The thickness is 8 to 200 μm.

The core material of the absorbent core 41 includes a fiber aggregate having a fiber material such as pulp fiber. As the fiber material, various materials conventionally used in absorbers of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, disposable diapers, and the like can be used without particular limitation, and for example, short fibers of cellulose fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, and cotton fibers, short fibers of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, and the like can be used. These fibers can be used alone in 1 kind or in combination of 2 or more kinds. The fiber material is preferably entirely or partially pulp fibers, and the proportion of pulp fibers in the fiber material is preferably 50 to 100 mass%, more preferably 80 to 100 mass%, and still more preferably 100 mass%.

The absorbent core 41 may contain a water-absorbent polymer. Examples of the water-absorbent polymer include sodium polyacrylate, an acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol copolymer, a crosslinked sodium polyacrylate, a starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, an isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymer and a saponified product thereof, and polyaspartic acid. The inclusion of the water-absorbent polymer enables a large amount of excreta liquid such as blood to be absorbed and retained more stably and rapidly.

In addition, a deodorant, an antibacterial agent, or the like may be blended in the absorbent core 41 as necessary.

As a core sheet (not shown) for covering the absorbent core 41, tissue paper, water permeable nonwoven fabric, and the like can be mentioned. The absorbent body 4 is formed such that the upper and lower surfaces of the absorbent core 41 are covered with core sheets (not shown). The purpose of using the core sheet (not shown) is to prevent the material forming the absorbent core 41 from leaking and to improve the shape retention of the absorbent core 41. It is preferable that the adhesive agent applied in a pattern such as a dot, a spiral, or a stripe is bonded to each other between the skin-side sheet 2 and the core sheet (not shown) covering the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent core 41 and between the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent core 41 and the non-skin-side sheet 3.

Various materials conventionally used in the art can be used as the side sheet 5 without particular limitation, and for example, a resin film having liquid impermeability or water repellency, a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used. Examples of the other materials include water repellent (hydrophobic) nonwoven fabrics such as spunbond nonwoven fabrics, sheets obtained by combining spunbond nonwoven fabrics (S) and meltblown nonwoven fabrics (M) (for example, SM, SMs, SMMS, and the like), hot roll nonwoven fabrics, and through-air nonwoven fabrics.

The joint portion 6 joining the side sheet 5 and the skin side sheet 2 can be formed by a heat-sealing process according to a usual method.

The linear compressed grooves 7 (the first lateral compressed grooves 71, the second lateral compressed grooves 72, and the vertical compressed grooves 73) are formed by compression (rolling) with or without heat (so-called embossing) or embossing such as ultrasonic embossing according to a usual method.

The operation and effect of the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in fig. 1 to 2, the sanitary napkin 1 has a protruding portion 42 protruding toward the non-skin side sheet 3 side in the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41, and as shown in fig. 2, the protruding portion 42 has a maximum width portion having the greatest length in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent core 41 when the absorbent core 41 is viewed in plan, and the length in the lateral direction Y of the maximum width portion is the same as the length in the lateral direction Y of the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41. Therefore, a sufficient absorption amount can be secured even when the sanitary napkin 1 as an absorbent article is worn in a slightly displaced state. Further, since the skin-facing surface of the protruding portion 42 is formed flat, the skin-facing surface of the protruding portion 42 of the absorbent core 41 is easily brought into close contact with a core sheet (not shown) covering the absorbent core 41. The absorbent body 4 is also easily attached to the skin-side sheet 2 at the portion corresponding to the skin-facing surface of the protruding portion 42. As a result, the excretory fluid that has reached the absorbent core 41 quickly diffuses in the horizontal direction on the skin-facing surface, and the amount of absorption is further increased, the absorption rate is further increased, and liquid return and the like are less likely to occur. Further, since a step difference is less likely to occur between the skin of the wearer and the sanitary napkin 1, the fit to the body shape is excellent, and thus discomfort is less likely to be given to the wearer. In particular, in the sanitary napkin 1, since the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 41 has the continuous layer RS having a uniform thickness from the first region 41F to the second region 41R through the intermediate region 41M, a step is less likely to occur between the skin of the wearer and the sanitary napkin 1, and the fit to the body shape is improved. Further, since the protruding portion 42 provided in the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41 has a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the first region 41F and the second region 41R of the absorbent core 41, a space K is likely to exist between the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 41 and the non-skin side sheet 3 or the core sheet (not shown) in the front and rear regions in the longitudinal direction X of the protruding portion 42 when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, and the sanitary napkin 1 is likely to be deformed into a shape having excellent cushioning properties in the longitudinal direction X by the space K, thereby improving the fit.

In particular, the sanitary napkin 1 has a projected central portion 421 in which the maximum width portion extends in the longitudinal direction X by a predetermined length along both side edges of the absorbent core 41 in the longitudinal direction X. Therefore, while the absorption amount of the excretory fluid is increased, sufficient absorption performance can be exhibited even when the sanitary napkin 1 as an absorbent article is worn in a slightly displaced state, or when the wearer moves his or her body, or when the wearer is sleeping. Further, by preventing a step difference from occurring between the skin side sheet 2 and the absorbent core 41, the excretory fluid is quickly absorbed by the absorbent core 41, and lateral leakage through the gap between the skin side sheet 2 and the absorbent core 41 is less likely to occur. As shown in fig. 2, the projecting portion 42 has a projecting center portion 421, and at least one of a front-side projecting portion 422 projecting from a front end portion in the longitudinal direction X of the projecting center portion 421 toward the first region 41F and a rear-side projecting portion 423 projecting from a rear end portion in the longitudinal direction X of the projecting center portion 421 toward the second region 41R. Therefore, even if the sanitary napkin 1 is worn in a slightly offset state, if the protrusion 42 has either the front side protrusion 422 or the rear side protrusion 423, the protrusion 42 has excellent conformability to the body shape by the deformation of the front side protrusion 422 and the rear side protrusion 423 with respect to the force from both thighs to the inside in the lateral direction Y of the sanitary napkin 1, and is less likely to give a sense of discomfort to the wearer. In the sanitary napkin 1, the protrusions 42 in particular have both the front side protrusions 422 and the rear side protrusions 423, and therefore the above-described effects can be further obtained.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 2, the front side projections 422 and the rear side projections 423 in the absorbent core 41 are formed such that the width d decreases from the side portions along the longitudinal direction X to the top portions 422t and 423t located at the center portion in the transverse direction Y. Therefore, even if the sanitary napkin 1 is worn in a slightly displaced state, the sanitary napkin is more excellent in conformability to the body shape and less likely to give a feeling of discomfort to the wearer.

As shown in fig. 2, the sanitary napkin 1 has a protrusion boundary groove portion 43 that divides the protrusion 42 and a portion other than the protrusion 42 in the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the protruding boundary groove portions 43 are formed to be recessed from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side in the absorbent core 41. Therefore, the folding is facilitated with the protruding boundary groove portions 43 as starting points, and the wearer is less likely to feel uncomfortable. In particular, in the sanitary napkin 1, the portions of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portions 43 in the thickness direction are formed to have a lower grammage than the grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41. Therefore, the folding is facilitated with the protruding boundary groove portions 43 as starting points, and the wearer is less likely to feel uncomfortable. Further, since the protruding boundary groove portions 43 are formed over the entire length of the absorbent core 41 in the lateral direction Y, the side edge portions of the absorbent core 41 in the lateral direction Y are also easily bent in accordance with the shape and movement of the wearer, and the fit is further improved.

As shown in fig. 2, the sanitary napkin 1 has, in the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41: a front protruding abutting part 44a arranged on the first region 41F side adjacent to the front protruding part 422 constituting the protruding part 42; and a rear protruding abutting part 44c disposed on the second region 41R side adjacent to the rear side protrusion 423 constituting the protrusion 42. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the protruding abutting portion 44 protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet 3 from the top of the cavity in the protruding boundary groove portion 43, and the skin-facing surface is formed flat in the same manner as the skin-facing surface of the protruding portion 42. Therefore, even in the portions corresponding to the protruding boundary groove portions 43, a step difference is less likely to occur between the skin of the wearer and the sanitary napkin 1, and the fit to the body shape is excellent, so that the wearer is less likely to feel a sense of discomfort. In addition, in the sanitary napkin 1, the grammage of the projecting abutting portion 44 is formed to be smaller than the grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41R in the absorbent core 41 and to be larger than the grammage of the portion of the absorbent core having the projecting boundary groove portion 43 in the thickness direction, and therefore, even if the sanitary napkin 1 is worn in a slightly offset state, sufficient absorption performance can be exhibited.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, since the sanitary napkin has small absorbent portions 46 having a relatively large grammage and groove portions 45 having a relatively small grammage in the first region 41F and the second region 41R of the absorbent core 41, the sanitary napkin is easily folded from the groove portions 45 as starting points, and is less likely to give a wearer a feeling of discomfort. In the sanitary napkin 1, the absorbent core 41 having the groove portions 45 and the small absorbent portions 46 in the first region 41F and the second region 41R and the protruding portions 42, the protruding boundary groove portions 43, and the protruding abutment portions 44 in the middle region 41M is integrally molded, and therefore, the sanitary napkin is excellent in fit to the body shape and is less likely to give a wearer a feeling of discomfort.

The above description has been made based on the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment and can be appropriately modified.

For example, in the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41 is disposed within the region of the excretion portion-corresponding region B of the sanitary napkin 1, and the intermediate region 41M of the absorbent core 41 does not coincide with the excretion portion-corresponding region B of the sanitary napkin 1, but may coincide. That is, when the sanitary napkin 1 includes a pair of wing portions 1W on both outer sides in the lateral direction Y as in the sanitary napkin 1, the intermediate region 41M may be present between the root portions of the wing portions 1W arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X in each wing portion 1W. More specifically, the intermediate region 41M of the sanitary napkin 1 may be present at the root of the wing portions 1W arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X in each wing portion 1W. When the front region a of the sanitary napkin 1 has a size substantially equal to the size of the first region 41F of the absorbent core 41 and the rear region C of the sanitary napkin 1 has a size substantially equal to the size of the second region 41R of the absorbent core 41, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the intermediate region 41M of the sanitary napkin 1 is equal to the length between the base portions of the wing portions 1W arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X in the wing portions 1W. This arrangement also provides the same effects as those of the sanitary napkin 1.

In addition, from the viewpoint of ensuring a sufficient absorption amount, the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment is preferably a so-called overnight sanitary napkin having an overall length in the longitudinal direction X of 30cm or more.

As shown in fig. 2, in the front side portion 422 of the absorbent core 41 of the sanitary napkin 1, the both

side edges

422s and 422s extend straight and linearly from the side edge 41s of the absorbent core 41 along the longitudinal direction X toward the top portion 422t without bending, and the width d of the front side portion 422 continuously decreases from the side edge 41s of the absorbent core 41 along the longitudinal direction X toward the top portion 422t, but the width d of the front side portion 422 may decrease only gradually or may decrease stepwise. From the viewpoint of improving the fit to the body and the releasability when the absorbent core is separated from the stacking recess 55 in the fiber stacking apparatus, the front side projections 422 preferably extend straight and linearly, and the width d of the front side projections 422 preferably decreases continuously from both

side edges

41s, 41s of the absorbent core 41 in the longitudinal direction X toward the top portion 422 t. The same applies to the rear side projection 423.

The first region 41F and the second region 41R of the sanitary napkin 1 have the same thickness, but may have different thicknesses as long as they are smaller than the thickness of the protrusion 42. The grammage of the first region 41F and the second region 41R of the sanitary napkin 1 is the same, but may be different from each other as long as the grammage is smaller than that of the protruding portion 42. The first region 41F and the second region 41R of the sanitary napkin 1 have the groove portions 45 and the small absorbent portions 46, but they may not be present, and the groove portions 45 and the small absorbent portions 46 may have different shapes.

The absorbent core 41 of the sanitary napkin 1 is integrally formed, but may not be integrally formed. For example, the absorbent core 41 may be formed of a core material having the same height from the first region 41F to the second region 41R, and then a member formed of another core material may be disposed to form the protruding portion 42.

As shown in fig. 1, the sanitary napkin 1 has the side sheets 5 disposed on both side portions in the longitudinal direction X of the skin-facing surface of the skin-side sheet 2, but from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of bodily fluids, an elastic member that is in an extended state in the longitudinal direction X may be disposed on the free end portion of the side sheet 5, and a leak-proof cuff that can rise toward the wearer side may be formed.

As shown in fig. 1, the sanitary napkin 1 has a pair of

flaps

1W, 1W on both left and right sides of the excretion portion-to-portion region B along the longitudinal direction X, but the pair of

flaps

1W, 1W may not be provided. In addition to the pair of wing portions 1W, a pair of rear wing portions may be provided on both left and right sides of the rear region C along the longitudinal direction X.

In the sanitary napkin 1 shown in fig. 1, the skin side sheet 2 and the absorbent core 41 are compressed and integrated into a linear groove, and the pair of longitudinal compressed grooves 73 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent core 41 are provided, and from the viewpoint of further preventing leakage, the compressed grooves 73 are formed so as to penetrate the protruding portion 42, the protruding boundary groove portion 43, and the protruding abutment portion 44 of the absorbent core 41 in the longitudinal direction X. Further, as shown in fig. 7, the sanitary napkin 1 may have second transverse compressed grooves 72 extending in the transverse direction Y at the front and rear end portions in the longitudinal direction X in the excretion-corresponding region B of the absorbent body 4, at positions inward of the pair of longitudinal compressed grooves 73 and the pair of first transverse compressed grooves 71. By providing the second transverse compressed groove 72 on the inner side of the sanitary napkin 1 in this manner, the sanitary napkin 1 can be deformed starting from the second transverse compressed groove 72, and the fit to the skin can be further improved.

Further, as shown in fig. 8, in the sanitary napkin 1, a pair of second longitudinal

compressed grooves

73A and 73A may be provided on the pair of longitudinal

compressed grooves

73 and 73 in the longitudinal direction X in the excretion opposed region B on the outer side in the transverse direction Y. By providing the second vertical compressed grooves 73A, the distortion of the excretory part can be further prevented while maintaining the absorbency and flexibility of the first region 41F and the second region 41R. From the viewpoint of preventing twisting and conformability, the second longitudinal

compressed grooves

73A, 73A are more preferably disposed at the position of the intermediate region 41M in the longitudinal direction X.

In the absorbent core 41 of the sanitary napkin 1, the grooves 45 may be formed on the skin-facing surface side. This improves liquid diffusibility and liquid retainability.

In the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in fig. 1, the size of the front region a of the sanitary napkin 1 substantially matches the size of the first region 41F of the absorbent core 41, but may not match. The size of the rear region C of the sanitary napkin 1 is substantially equal to the size of the second region 41R of the absorbent core 41, but may not be equal.

The absorbent article of the present invention may be a panty liner (vaginal discharge pad), an incontinence pad, or the like, in addition to a sanitary napkin.

The following absorbent article is further disclosed with respect to the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

＜1＞

An absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent body including an absorbent core of a shape long in a longitudinal direction corresponding to a front-rear direction of a wearer; a skin side sheet covering the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body; and a non-skin side sheet covering the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body, the absorbent article having a front region and a rear region,

the absorbent core has an intermediate region between a first region on the front region side and a second region on the rear region side, the intermediate region including a protruding portion having a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the first region and the second region,

the protruding portion protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet,

the protruding portion has a maximum width portion having a maximum length in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core in a plan view of the absorbent core, and the maximum width portion has a length in the lateral direction that is the same as the length in the lateral direction of the absorbent core.

＜2＞

The absorbent article as set forth in < 1 > wherein the protruding section includes a protruding central section formed by extending the maximum width section in the longitudinal direction along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction by a prescribed length.

＜3＞

In the absorbent article according to < 2 >, the protrusion includes a front protrusion or a rear protrusion that protrudes from the protrusion central portion so that a lateral length of the protrusion central portion toward the front side or the rear side is narrower than the maximum width portion.

＜4＞

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims < 1 > -3 >, wherein the absorbent core has a protruding boundary groove portion that defines a boundary between the protruding portion and a portion other than the protruding portion in the intermediate region,

the protruding boundary groove portion is formed over the entire length of the absorbent core in the lateral direction.

＜5＞

In the absorbent article as set forth in < 4 >, the protruding boundary groove portion is formed to be recessed from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side of the absorbent core.

＜6＞

The absorbent article as described in < 4 > or < 5 >, the portion of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portions in the thickness direction is formed to have a lower grammage than the grammage of the first region and the second region in the absorbent core.

＜7＞

The absorbent article as claimed in any one of < 1 > - < 6 >, wherein the absorbent core has a protruding boundary groove portion that defines a boundary between the protruding portion and a portion other than the protruding portion in the intermediate region, and a protruding abutting portion in a region other than the protruding portion and the protruding boundary groove portion in the intermediate region,

the grammage of the protruding abutting section is smaller than the grammage of the protruding section and is equal to or less than the grammage of the first region and the second region in the absorbent core.

＜8＞

The absorbent article as set forth in item < 7 >, wherein the protruding abutting portion protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet than a top portion of the void in the protruding boundary groove portion, and the skin-facing surface is formed flat.

＜9＞

The absorbent article according to any one of claims < 1 > < 8 >, wherein the protrusion has no recess on the skin-facing surface side, the recess having a lower grammage than the grammage of the first region and the second region of the absorbent core.

＜10＞

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims < 1 > < 9 >, wherein the absorbent core has a continuous layer having a uniform thickness from the first region to the second region through the intermediate region on the skin-facing surface.

＜11＞

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims < 1 > < 10 >, wherein the entire absorbent core is formed by integral molding.

＜12＞

The absorbent article as claimed in any one of < 1 > < 11 >, the protrusion portion comprising: a projected central portion formed by extending a prescribed length in the longitudinal direction along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction; and a front side convex part and a rear side convex part which are projected from the projecting central part in a manner that the transverse length of the projecting central part is narrower than the maximum width part towards the front side and the rear side,

one of the front protrusions is disposed at a longitudinal front end of the projected central portion, and one of the rear protrusions is disposed at a longitudinal rear end of the projected central portion,

the front protrusion and the rear protrusion are formed such that their lateral lengths decrease from both side portions in the longitudinal direction to a top portion located at a central portion in the lateral direction.

＜13＞

The absorbent article as claimed in any one of < 1 > - < 12 >, the protruding section including a protruding central section formed such that the maximum width section extends in the longitudinal direction along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction by a prescribed length,

the protruding central portion is formed such that the thickness thereof decreases from the transverse central portion to both side portions in the longitudinal direction when viewed in cross section.

＜14＞

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims < 1 > - < 13 >, the protruding section including a protruding central section formed by extending the maximum width section in the longitudinal direction for a prescribed length along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction,

the protruding central portion is formed such that the grammage thereof decreases from the transverse central portion toward both side portions in the longitudinal direction when viewed in cross section.

＜15＞

The absorbent article as claimed in any one of < 1 > - < 14 >, wherein the absorbent core has a protruding boundary groove portion that defines a boundary between the protruding portion and a portion other than the protruding portion in the intermediate region, and a protruding abutting portion in a region other than the protruding portion and the protruding boundary groove portion in the intermediate region,

the protrusion abutting portion has a grammage smaller than that of the protrusion portion and is heavier than that of a portion of the absorbent core having the protrusion boundary groove portion in the thickness direction.

＜16＞

The absorbent article as stated in < 15 >, a thickness of said protruding abutting section is the same as or smaller than a thickness of said first region and said second region in said absorbent core.

＜17＞

The absorbent article as defined in any one of < 1 > - < 16 >, wherein an entire length of the protruding portion in a longitudinal direction is 25% or more and 80% or less of an entire length of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction.

＜18＞

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims < 1 > - < 17 >, the protruding section including a protruding central section formed such that the maximum width section extends in the longitudinal direction for a prescribed length along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction,

the entire length of the protrusion central portion in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion is 20% or more and 80% or less of the entire length of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction.

＜19＞

The absorbent article as claimed in any one of < 1 > - < 18 >, wherein the absorbent core has a protruding boundary groove portion that defines a boundary between the protruding portion and a portion other than the protruding portion, and a protruding abutting portion is provided in a region other than the protruding portion and the protruding boundary groove portion in the intermediate region,

the absorbent article has a pair of longitudinal compressed grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core as linear grooves formed by compression-integrating the skin side sheet and the absorbent core,

the longitudinal compressed groove is formed longitudinally through the protruding portion, the protruding boundary groove portion, and the protruding abutting portion in the longitudinal direction.

＜20＞

The absorbent article described in < 19 > having, as linear grooves formed by compression-integrating the skin side sheet and the absorbent core, lateral compression grooves extending in the lateral direction inside the pair of longitudinal compression grooves.

＜21＞

The absorbent article as < 19 > or < 20 > having a pair of second longitudinal compressed grooves on the outer sides of the intermediate region in the transverse direction of the pair of longitudinal compressed grooves in the longitudinal direction.

＜22＞

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims < 1 > - < 21 >, wherein groove portions extending in the lateral direction are arranged in the first region and the second region of the absorbent core, and the grammage of a portion of the absorbent core having the groove portions in the thickness direction is lower than the grammage of a portion of the first region and the second region not having the groove portions in the thickness direction.

＜23＞

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims < 1 > - < 22 >, wherein groove portions extending in the longitudinal direction are disposed in the first region and the second region of the absorbent core, and the grammage of a portion of the absorbent core having the groove portions in the thickness direction is lower than the grammage of a portion of the first region and the second region not having the groove portions in the thickness direction.

＜24＞

The absorbent article according to any one of claims < 1 > < 23 >, wherein the absorbent article includes a pair of wing portions on both lateral outer sides thereof, and the intermediate region is present between root portions of the wing portions arranged at a spacing in the longitudinal direction.

＜25＞

An absorbent article such as < 24 > wherein said intermediate region of said absorbent core extends between the roots of said wings.

＜26＞

The absorbent article as described in < 24 > or < 25 >, the longitudinal length of said intermediate region of said absorbent core being the same as the length between the roots of said wings.

＜27＞

The absorbent article according to any one of claims < 1 > < 26 >, wherein the absorbent article includes leakage preventing cuffs that are capable of standing toward the wearer side on both left and right sides in the front-rear direction.

＜28＞

The absorbent article according to any one of < 1 > - < 27 >, which is a sanitary napkin having a total length of 30cm or more.

Industrial applicability of the invention

According to the present invention, even when the absorbent article is worn in a slightly offset state, the absorbent article is excellent in fit to the body shape while ensuring a sufficient absorption amount, and therefore, the wearer is less likely to feel uncomfortable.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent body including an absorbent core of a shape long in a longitudinal direction corresponding to a front-rear direction of a wearer; a skin side sheet covering the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body; and a non-skin side sheet covering the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body, and the absorbent article has a front region and a rear region, the absorbent article being characterized in that:

the absorbent core has an intermediate region between a first region on the front region side and a second region on the rear region side, the intermediate region including a protrusion having a thickness greater than that of the first region and the second region,

the protruding portion protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet,

the protruding section has a maximum width section having a maximum length in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core, the maximum width section having a length in the transverse direction that is the same as the length in the transverse direction of the absorbent core, in a plan view of the absorbent core,

the absorbent core has a protruding boundary groove portion in the intermediate region that demarcates the protruding portion and a portion other than the protruding portion, and a protruding abutting portion in a region other than the protruding portion and the protruding boundary groove portion in the intermediate region,

the grammage of the protruding abutting portion is larger than that of a portion of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portion in the thickness direction,

further, the grammage of the protruding abutting portion is smaller than the grammage of the protruding portion, and is equal to or less than the grammage of the first region and the second region in the absorbent core.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding portion includes a protruding central portion formed by extending the maximum width portion in the longitudinal direction by a prescribed length along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction.

3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein:

the protrusion includes a front protrusion or a rear protrusion protruding from the protrusion center portion so that a lateral length thereof is narrower than the maximum width portion toward a front side or a rear side.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

5. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein:

the protruding boundary groove portion is recessed from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side of the absorbent core.

6. The absorbent article of claim 4 or 5, wherein:

the portion of the absorbent core having the protruding boundary groove portions in the thickness direction is formed to have a grammage lower than that of the first region and the second region in the absorbent core.

7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding abutting portion protrudes toward the non-skin side sheet from a top portion on the skin side sheet side of the protruding boundary groove portion, and a skin-facing surface of the protruding abutting portion is formed flat.

8. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding section does not have a recessed section having a grammage lower than the grammage of the first region and the second region in the absorbent core on the skin-facing surface side.

9. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the absorbent core has a continuous layer of uniform thickness on the skin-facing surface from the first region through the intermediate region to the second region.

10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the whole of the absorbent core is formed by integral molding.

11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding portion includes: a projected central portion formed by extending a prescribed length in the longitudinal direction along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction; and a front side convex part and a rear side convex part which are projected from the projecting central part to the front side and the rear side in a manner that the transverse length of the projecting central part is narrower than the maximum width part,

12. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding section includes a protruding central section in which the maximum width section is formed extending a prescribed length in the longitudinal direction along both side edges of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction,

the protruding central portion is formed such that the thickness thereof decreases from the transverse central portion toward both side portions in the longitudinal direction when viewed in cross section.

13. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding central portion is formed such that the grammage thereof decreases from the central portion in the lateral direction toward both side portions in the longitudinal direction when viewed in cross section.

14. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding abutment has a thickness that is the same as or less than the thickness of the first and second regions in the absorbent core.

15. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the longitudinal length of the protruding section is 25% to 80% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent core.

16. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

17. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the absorbent article has a pair of first longitudinal compression grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core, the first longitudinal compression grooves being linear grooves formed by compression-integrating the skin side sheet and the absorbent core,

the first longitudinal compressed groove is formed to longitudinally penetrate the protruding portion, the protruding boundary groove portion, and the protruding abutting portion in the longitudinal direction.

18. The absorbent article of claim 17, wherein:

the absorbent article has a lateral compression groove extending in the lateral direction inside the pair of first longitudinal compression grooves, and the lateral compression groove is a linear groove formed by compression-integrating the skin side sheet and the absorbent core.

19. The absorbent article of claim 17 or 18, wherein:

the absorbent article has a pair of second longitudinal compressed grooves in the intermediate region on the outer sides in the lateral direction of the pair of first longitudinal compressed grooves.

20. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

in the first region and the second region of the absorbent core, groove portions extending in the lateral direction are arranged, and the grammage of a portion of the absorbent core having the groove portions in the thickness direction is lower than the grammage of a portion of the first region and the second region not having the groove portions in the thickness direction.

21. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

in the first region and the second region of the absorbent core, groove portions extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged, and the grammage of a portion of the absorbent core having the groove portions in the thickness direction is lower than the grammage of a portion of the first region and the second region not having the groove portions in the thickness direction.

22. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the absorbent article includes a pair of wing portions on both lateral outer sides thereof, and the intermediate region is present between the root portions of the wing portions arranged at a longitudinally spaced interval.

23. The absorbent article of claim 22, wherein:

the intermediate region of the absorbent core is present throughout between the roots of the wings.

24. The absorbent article of claim 22 or 23, wherein:

the length of the intermediate region of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction is the same as the length between the roots of the wings.

25. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the absorbent article includes leakage-preventing cuffs that can stand up toward the wearer side on both the left and right sides in the front-rear direction.

26. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin having a total length of 30cm or more.