CN109152671B

CN109152671B - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN109152671B
Application number: CN201780031855.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 藤本和也; 中嶋海阳; 衛藤友美
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2016-05-23
Filing date: 2017-05-02
Publication date: 2020-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-02
Also published as: JP6201030B1; CN109152671A; KR20180133932A; KR101959902B1; WO2017203955A1; JP2017209479A

Abstract

The absorbent article (1) of the present invention has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction intersecting each other. The article has an absorbent body (10) with its longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction. A hydrophobic sheet (50) that covers the skin side of the absorber (10) is fixed to at least one end (10eLb) of the ends (10eLf) and (10eLb) of the absorber (10) in the longitudinal direction. A non-fixed portion (50eWN) that is not fixed to the skin side is disposed at an end (50eW) of the hydrophobic sheet (50) in the lateral direction; and the non-fixed portion (50eWN) can stand up from the skin side.

Description

Absorbent article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Background

Conventionally, as an absorbent article, a disposable diaper having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction orthogonal to each other when worn is known. Patent document 1 discloses the following diaper as an example thereof. That is, the diaper includes an absorbent main body having a substantially hourglass shape in a plan view, and the lengthwise direction of the absorbent main body is arranged in the longitudinal direction. At one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body, a pair of fastening belts for fastening the absorbent main body to a wearer are provided in the lateral direction. Further, the low friction sheet is fixed to the other end portion of the absorbent main body and covers the skin-side surface of the absorbent main body.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese Kokai publication No. 2007-515218

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Here, each end portion of the absorbent main body faces the buttocks or abdomen of the wearer. When the rigidity of the end portion is low, wrinkles along the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) are easily formed on the end portion. As a result, excretory fluid such as urine may leak to the outside of the end portions of the absorbent main body through the gathers.

Further, when the skin side of the end portion is wetted with the excretory fluid, the wearer may feel uncomfortable.

In this respect, if the above-described low friction sheet is provided, the rigidity of the above-described one end portion is improved, so that the formation of wrinkles at the end portion can be suppressed.

However, being a low friction sheet, the sheet does not have the function of providing a smooth dry feel to the wearer's skin in contact with the sheet. For example, the sheet cannot prevent the excretory fluid once absorbed by the absorbent main body from returning and exuding to the skin side.

Although the sheet is fixed to the skin-side surface of the absorbent main body at the four corner portions of the sheet, in the case of such a fixing structure, the end portions of the sheet in the lateral direction cannot rise from the skin-side surface of the absorbent main body. Therefore, when the excretory fluid which is temporarily unable to be absorbed by the absorbent main body flows through the laterally outer side of the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction to reach the end in the longitudinal direction and then flows from the laterally outer side around the skin side of the low friction sheet (for example, refer to the thick line arrow in fig. 4), such inflow cannot be prevented. As a result, the skin side of the low friction plate may be wetted by the excretory fluid.

Thus, for the foregoing reasons, the low friction sheet cannot alleviate the discomfort that the wearer may feel at the above-mentioned end portions of the absorbent main body.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent leakage of excretory fluid from the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body of an absorbent article, and to alleviate discomfort that a wearer may feel at the end portions.

Means for solving the problems

A main invention to achieve the above object is an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction intersecting each other, the absorbent article including an absorbent main body having a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction, a hydrophobic sheet being fixed to at least one of ends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body so as to cover a skin side surface of the absorbent main body, each end in the transverse direction of the hydrophobic sheet including an unfixed portion unfixed to the skin side surface, the unfixed portion being configured to be able to stand up from the skin side surface.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, leakage of excretory fluid from the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body of the absorbent article can be prevented, and discomfort that the wearer may feel at the end portions can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an underpants type disposable diaper 1 as an example of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the diaper 1 in a sheet state as viewed from the belt portion 32 side; fig. 2B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 2A.

Fig. 3A is a schematic plan view showing a state where the front side joining portions jf and the rear side joining portions jb and jb of the diaper 1 in a sheet state of fig. 2A are disengaged and the

belt portions

32 and 32 are opened laterally outward; fig. 3B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3A.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing features according to an embodiment of the present invention and is also a schematic plan view in the same manner as in fig. 3A.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 4 and a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of a disposable diaper 1a of a first modification, and is a view corresponding to a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 4 and a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of a disposable diaper 1b of a second modification and is a schematic plan view shown in the same manner as in fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 7 and a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 7.

Fig. 9A and 9B are sectional views taken along line IX-IX of fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the dimensions of each part of the diaper 1.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing a state in which the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer when viewed from the front (ventral side).

Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing a state in which the wearer wears the diaper 1 and also wears underwear over the diaper 1 when viewed from the front (ventral side).

Detailed Description

At least the following matters will become clear from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction intersecting each other, the absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body having a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction, a hydrophobic sheet being fixed to at least one of ends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body so as to cover a skin side surface of the absorbent main body, each end in the transverse direction of the hydrophobic sheet including an unfixed portion unfixed to the skin side surface, the unfixed portion being configured to be able to stand up from the skin side surface.

According to this absorbent article, in a state where the non-fixed portion of the lateral end portion of the hydrophobic sheet is standing up, the excreta liquid which flows from the lateral outer side to the lateral inner side of the absorbent main body to the skin side surface of the hydrophobic sheet and is not absorbed by the absorbent main body is blocked at the lateral outer side. In this way, the excretory fluid can be prevented from flowing to the skin side of the hydrophobic sheet, so that the skin side of the sheet is easily maintained from being wetted with the excretory fluid. Therefore, the wearer can feel dry and smooth (hereinafter, also referred to as dry touch) at a portion of the body facing the above-described end portion, thereby alleviating such discomfort that the wearer may feel when the end portion is wet.

In addition, the hydrophobic sheet can prevent rewetting of the skin side. In other words, the excretory fluid once absorbed by the absorbent main body is prevented from returning and exuding to the skin side by virtue of the hydrophobic property of the sheet. This also contributes effectively to the effect of a dry touch.

Further, since the hydrophobic sheet can supplement rigidity to the end portions of the absorbent main body, the end portions can be maintained flat, so that the end portions can be fitted to body parts of the wearer such as buttocks and abdomen. As a result, formation of wrinkles in the end portions in the longitudinal direction is suppressed, which prevents the excretory fluid in the absorbent main body from flowing through the wrinkles and leaking out from the end portions.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent main body includes: an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid; a liquid-permeable skin side sheet disposed on the skin side with respect to the absorbent body; and a liquid-impermeable and non-skin side sheet that is arranged on a non-skin side with respect to the absorbent body, and that protrudes outward in the transverse direction with respect to the hydrophobic sheet at the one end of the absorbent main body.

According to such an absorbent article, the skin side sheet protrudes outward in the lateral direction from the hydrophobic sheet. Then, by standing up the non-fixed portion of the hydrophobic sheet, the excretory fluid blocked laterally outward is absorbed by the liquid-permeable property of the skin side sheet, and the excretory fluid can be quickly guided to the absorbent body. Thus, the excretory fluid blocked outside the non-fixed portion can be prevented from flowing laterally inward through the non-fixed portion and laterally to the skin side of the hydrophobic sheet. In this way, it is possible to reliably prevent the excretory fluid from wetting the skin side surface of the sheet. This enables the wearer to feel the above-described dry touch with certainty.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent body protrudes outward in the lateral direction with respect to the hydrophobic sheet at the one end portion of the absorbent main body.

According to such an absorbent article, the absorbent body protrudes outward from the hydrophobic sheet in the lateral direction. Therefore, by raising the non-fixed portion of the hydrophobic sheet, the excretory fluid blocked laterally outward is quickly absorbed by the absorbent body and the skin side sheet. Therefore, the excretory fluid blocked outside the non-fixed portion can be effectively prevented from flowing laterally inward through the non-fixed portion and laterally to the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet. In this way, the skin side of the sheet can be reliably prevented from being wetted with the excretory fluid.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent main body includes: an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid; a liquid-permeable skin side sheet disposed on the skin side with respect to the absorbent body; and a liquid-impermeable non-skin side sheet that is arranged on a non-skin side with respect to the absorbent body, and the hydrophobic sheet includes a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body when viewed from the skin side.

According to such an absorbent article, the hydrophobic sheet has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body when viewed from the skin side. Therefore, the hydrophobic sheet can effectively suppress rewetting by excretory fluid, which is likely to occur due to the presence of the absorbent body.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the hydrophobic sheet is provided up to the proximal end in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body.

According to such an absorbent article, since the hydrophobic sheet is provided up to the end of the absorbent main body, the hydrophobic sheet can effectively supplement rigidity to the absorbent main body up to the end. Therefore, the formation of wrinkles at the end portions of the absorbent main body can be further suppressed. As a result, leakage of the discharged liquid from the end portion to the outside due to such a wrinkle is reliably prevented.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the hydrophobic sheet includes a second non-fixed portion that is not fixed to the skin side surface of the absorbent main body, the second non-fixed portion being configured to be able to stand up from the skin side surface.

According to this absorbent article, the excretory fluid which flows along the longitudinal direction toward the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet at the end portion and is not absorbed by the absorbent main body can be blocked by the second non-fixed portion standing on the inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the hydrophobic sheet. Thus, the drainage can be prevented from flowing to the skin side of the hydrophobic sheet. As a result, the skin side of the sheet can be prevented from being wetted with excretory fluid.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent main body includes: an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid; a liquid-permeable skin side sheet disposed on the skin side with respect to the absorbent body; and a liquid-impermeable non-skin side sheet arranged on a non-skin side with respect to the absorbent body, the absorbent body being fixed to the non-skin side sheet, and each of the widthwise end portions of the absorbent body including a non-fixed portion that is not fixed to a sheet on the non-skin side thereof, the non-fixed portion being configured to be able to stand up from the sheet.

According to such an absorbent article, the non-fixed portions each located at the end portion in the lateral direction of the absorbent body can stand up. Therefore, the non-fixed portion can have a function of a blocking portion for blocking the excreted liquid in the lateral outside, which reliably prevents the excreted liquid from flowing from the lateral outside to the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent article further includes belt portions which are respectively disposed on both sides in the transverse direction and connect respective end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body, wherein the hydrophobic sheet is fixed to the skin side of the absorbent main body with an adhesive, the respective end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body respectively include joint portions for joining the belt portions by welding, and the hydrophobic sheet is also fixed to the skin side of the absorbent main body at the joint portions by welding.

According to such an absorbent article, the hydrophobic sheet is fixed not only to the skin side of the absorbent main body with an adhesive but also to the skin side at the joint portion by welding. Therefore, the hydrophobic sheet can be firmly fixed to the absorbent main body, and the hydrophobic sheet can reliably exert the above-described function.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent main body includes: an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid; a liquid-permeable skin side sheet disposed on the skin side with respect to the absorbent body; and a liquid-impermeable skin-side sheet disposed on the skin-side with respect to the absorbent body, the skin-side sheet being a nonwoven fabric, the hydrophobic sheet being a nonwoven fabric, and the density of the hydrophobic sheet being greater than that of the skin-side sheet, the unit of the density of the hydrophobic sheet and the unit of the density of the skin-side sheet both being g/cm³。

According to such an absorbent article, the return and exudation of discharged liquid, which cannot be prevented even by the skin side sheet, from the absorbent body to the skin side can be reliably blocked by the hydrophobic sheet by virtue of its high-density constituent fibers, so that the exudation of discharged liquid to the skin side of the hydrophobic sheet can be effectively prevented. This contributes effectively to preventing rewetting of the skin side as described above.

With this absorbent article, the absorbent article further includes belt portions respectively disposed on both sides in the transverse direction and connecting each end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body, wherein the absorbent main body includes an absorber that absorbs excreta liquid, a distance between one side end and the other side end of the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body is equal to or greater than 250mm and equal to or less than 350mm in a state where the absorbent main body is elongated in the longitudinal direction and doubled at a center in the longitudinal direction, a distance between one side end and the other side end of the absorbent main body in the transverse direction of the absorbent main body is equal to or greater than 50mm and equal to or less than 120mm in a state where the absorbent main body is elongated in the transverse direction, and a minimum value of the distance between one side end and the other side end of the belt portions in the longitudinal direction of the belt portions is equal to or greater than 50mm and equal to or less than 120mm Equal to or less than 100 mm.

According to such an absorbent article, when a diaper (absorbent article) is worn and underwear is worn over the diaper, the diaper hardly protrudes outside the underwear at each portion or becomes conspicuous. In addition, good fit around the absorbent body and the belt portion is easily achieved when the diaper is worn. In this way, the wearer can live a daily life without discomfort while wearing such a diaper.

With this absorbent article, it is preferable that the respective end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body include a joining portion for joining the belt portion, respectively, and a distance between one side end and the other side end of the joining portion in the longitudinal direction of the joining portion is equal to or greater than 90mm and equal to or less than 130 mm.

According to such an absorbent article, the fit around the leg opening portions when the diaper is worn can be improved. In addition, the band portion can be prevented from protruding from the underwear.

With regard to the absorbent article, it is preferable that the absorbent article further includes: a waistline opening portion that is formed by a part of the belt portion and a part of the absorbent main body, and a length of a peripheral edge of the waistline opening portion is equal to or greater than 300mm and equal to or less than 800 mm.

According to such an absorbent article, good fit around the waist when the diaper is worn is easily obtained. In addition, since the positions of the leg opening portions can be easily observed when the waistline opening portion is opened, the legs are hardly caught around the waistline opening portion when the diaper is put on, thereby improving the ease of putting on the diaper.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings

The diaper 1 is already in the form of a pant like in figure 1 before it is worn. In this pant-type state, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a front-rear direction which are orthogonal to each other. Note that the longitudinal direction is generally oriented in the up-down direction when the diaper 1 is worn. Therefore, hereinafter, the longitudinal direction is also referred to as "up-down direction". In the vertical direction, the upper side corresponds to the waist of the wearer, and the lower side corresponds to the crotch of the wearer. On the other hand, in the front-rear direction, the front side corresponds to the ventral side of the wearer and the rear side corresponds to the dorsal side of the wearer.

Further, the diaper 1 comprises, in the pant-type state: a belt-shaped absorbent main body 10 that is folded in two at a substantially central position CLL10 (fig. 2A) in the longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped absorbent main body 10 in a state where the longitudinal direction is aligned with the up-down direction;

belt portions

32 and 32 which are respectively disposed on both sides in the lateral direction and connect end portions 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10; leg gather

portions

37 and 37 respectively located on both sides in the transverse direction of the absorbent main body 10 to respectively form leg opening portions LH.

In other words, one end 10eLf of the ends 10eLf and 10eLb of the absorbent main body 10 is located above the front side, while the other end 10eLb is located above the rear side. Further, on the front side of the diaper 1, a pair of front side engaging portions jf and jf (corresponding to engaging portions) inclined laterally outward from the top portion to the bottom portion are arranged side by side in the lateral direction. Also, on the rear side of the diaper 1, a pair of rear side joins jb and jb (corresponding to the joins) inclined laterally outward from the top to the bottom are arranged side by side in the lateral direction. With the former pair of front side joint portions jf and jf, the front side end portion 10eLf of the absorbent main body 10 is joined to the transverse end portions 32eLf and 32eLf of the

belt portions

32 and 32, and the front side end portions 37eLf and 37eLf of the leg gather

portions

37 and 37 are joined to the transverse end portions 32eLf and 32eLf of the

belt portions

32 and 32, respectively. Likewise, with the latter pair of back-side joint portions jb and jb, the end portion 10eLb on the back side of the absorbent main body 10 is joined to the end portions 32eLb and 32eLb in the transverse direction of the

belt portions

32 and 32, and the end portions 37eLb and 37eLb on the front side of the leg gather

portions

37 and 37 are joined to the end portions 32eLb and 32eLb in the transverse direction of the

belt portions

32 and 32, respectively.

Therefore, in the pant-type state, the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb of the absorbent main body 10 and the upper end portions of the

belt portions

32 and 32 are joined, and the waistline opening portion BH is formed in the upper portion of the diaper 1. Further, the outer side ends in the transverse direction of the leg gather portions 37 and the lower end portions of the

belt portions

32 and 32 are united, and leg opening portions LH and LH are formed on both sides in the transverse direction, respectively.

In addition, a plurality of

elastic threads

33, 33 extending in the lateral direction are arranged in the vertical direction in each belt portion 32, thereby giving stretchability in the lateral direction to the belt portion 32. On the other hand, a plurality of

elastic threads

38 and 38 extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 are arranged in the transverse direction around each leg gather portion 37, thereby imparting stretchability in the up-down direction to the leg gather portion 37. Then, the waist opening portion BH and the leg opening portion LH of the diaper 1 are fitted around the waist and the legs of the wearer, respectively, by utilizing such stretchability.

At the final stage of the manufacturing process, this diaper 1 is in a sheet state as shown in fig. 2A and 2B. Note that fig. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the diaper 1 in a sheet state when viewed from the belt portion 32 side, and fig. 2B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 2A. Further, fig. 3A is a schematic plan view showing a state in which: the front side joint portions jf and the rear side joint portions jb and jb of the diaper 1 in a sheet state of fig. 2A are disengaged and the

belt portions

32 and 32 are opened laterally outward so that the skin side of the absorbent main body 10 can be observed. Fig. 3B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3A. The wavy lines shown in fig. 2B and 3B schematically show the adhesive, and the portions indicated by the hatching patterns of the left-inclined lines schematically show the welded portions. This can be similarly applied to fig. 5, 6, and 8 which will be described later.

The sheet state of the diaper 1 in fig. 2A corresponds to the following state: in the diaper 1 in the pants-type state in fig. 1, the absorbent main body 10 in the double-folded state is pulled to both sides in the front-rear direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 so as to extend in such a manner that the double-folded state is released. In this sheet state, as shown in fig. 2B, the

belt portions

32 and 32 overlap the skin side of the absorbent main body 10 and the leg gathers 37 and 37.

In other words, in the case where the laterally inner end portions 32eW1 and 32eW1 of the pair of

belt portions

32 and 32 of the diaper 1 in a sheet state are pulled laterally outwardly, when the absorbent main body 10 is folded twice at the substantially central position CLL10 in the longitudinal direction, the diaper 1 becomes an underpants type state as shown in fig. 1.

In the sheet state, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other. The longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the diaper in the pants-type state. Further, since one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction correspond to a front side which is a ventral side of the wearer and a rear side which is a dorsal side of the wearer, respectively, hereinafter, the one side and the other side are also referred to as a "front side" and a "rear side", respectively. In the sheet state, the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 is aligned with the longitudinal directions of the absorbent main body 10, the belt portion 32, and the leg gather portion 37. Therefore, hereinafter, these longitudinal directions are simply referred to as "longitudinal directions" without distinction from each other. On the other hand, the lateral direction is the same as the lateral direction of the pants-type state, and is hereinafter simply referred to as "lateral direction". With respect to the thickness direction, the side that contacts the wearer's body is also referred to as the "skin side" and the opposite side is also referred to as the "non-skin side".

Further, the diaper 1 is elongated in the longitudinal direction in a thin sheet state, wherein the "elongated state" refers to a state in which the diaper 1 is elongated in the longitudinal direction against the contractive force of elastic members (e.g., the elastic threads 33 of the belt portion 32, the elastic threads 38 of the leg gather portion 37, etc.) arranged in the diaper 1 to such an extent that wrinkles and gathers are substantially indistinguishable in portions where the elastic members are arranged. Therefore, the shape of the diaper 1 in the longitudinally extended state is the same as the shape of the diaper 1 which is extended flat in a state where the contraction force of the elastic member is not applied.

The construction of the diaper 1 will be explained below with appropriate reference to the diaper 1 in a sheet state.

In the sheet state of fig. 2A and 2B, the leg gather

portions

37 and 37 are respectively located on both sides in the transverse direction of the absorbent main body 10, and the pair of

belt portions

32 and 32 are arranged side by side in the transverse direction so as to overlap the skin side of the absorbent main body 10 and the skin side of the leg gather

portions

37 and 37.

Such a belt portion 32 and leg gather portion 37 are formed using the same sheet member 30. More specifically, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the

sheet members

30 and 30 are respectively disposed on both sides (one side is disposed one member) in the lateral direction of the absorbent main body 10, and the lateral inside end portions 30eW, 30eW of the

sheet members

30 and 30 are respectively engaged with the lateral end portions 10eW and 10eW of the absorbent main body 10. Specifically, the inner end 30eW is sandwiched between a front sheet 12 and a back sheet 14 or an exterior sheet 16 constituting the absorbent main body 10 described later, and the inner end 30eW is joined to the

sheets

12, 14, and 16 with an adhesive or by welding. As shown in fig. 3B, in each sheet member 30, a fold line FL in the longitudinal direction is set between a portion to be the belt portion 32 and a portion to be the leg gather portion 37. Further, in each sheet member 30, a leg opening portion LH penetrating each sheet member 30 in the thickness direction is formed so as to cross the fold line FL in the lateral direction. Therefore, the above-described belt portion 32 and leg gather portion 37 are formed by folding back the sheet member 30 laterally inward at the fold line FL. Then, the absorbent main body 10, the leg gather

portions

37 and 37, and the

belt portions

32 and 32 are joined and fixed in the folded state described above by the front side joining portions jf and the rear side joining portions jb and jb shown in fig. 2A, thereby forming the diaper 1 in a sheet state.

Note that the front-side joining portion jf and the rear-side joining portion jb may be formed by a welding process such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like, or by an adhesion process using an adhesive. In this example, the joint is formed by a welding process.

Further, as shown in fig. 3B, such a sheet member 30 is formed by laminating two

flexible sheets

30a and 30a such as nonwoven fabric or the like in the thickness direction, and between the two

sheets

30a and 30a, the above-described elastic threads 33 and 38 (specifically, the

elastic threads

33 and 33 of the belt portion 32 and the

elastic threads

38 and 38 of the leg gather portion 37) are fixed in an elongated state in the longitudinal direction.

Further, in the present example, as shown in fig. 2B, a portion constituting the waistline opening BH has an end trimming structure in the belt portion 32 to relieve stress to the skin. In other words, the lateral inner end portions 32eW1 and 32eW1 of the belt portion 32 of the diaper 1 in a thin plate state constitute the waistline opening BH, and these end portions 32eW1 and 32eW1 are folded back laterally a plurality of times and fixed in such a folded-back state by an adhesive or the like, thereby reducing the load on the skin of the wearer. However, the end portions 32eW1 and 32eW1 are not limited to this structure. Specifically, the end 32eW1 may not fold back without an end trim structure.

As shown in fig. 3A, the absorbent main body 10 is a sheet member in which each end portion 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction is tapered in such a manner as to form a substantially V-shape in plan view. In other words, the absorbent main body 10 has a shape corresponding to the above-described pair of front side joint portions jf and the pair of rear side joint portions jb and jb, respectively, at the end portion 10eLf and the end portion 10eLb in the longitudinal direction. Further, as shown in fig. 3B, the absorbent main body 10 includes: an absorbent body 11 that absorbs excreta liquid such as urine; a liquid-permeable front sheet 12 (corresponding to a skin side sheet) arranged on the skin side with respect to the absorbent body 11; a liquid-impermeable back sheet 14 (corresponding to the non-skin side sheet) arranged on the non-skin side with respect to the absorbent body 11; and an exterior sheet 16 arranged on the non-skin side with respect to the back sheet 14.

These

sheet members

11, 12, 14, and 16 are each joined to another member adjacent to each other in the thickness direction with a hot-melt adhesive by welding or the like. Note that examples of the adhesive coating pattern include an Ω pattern, a spiral pattern, and a stripe pattern, and such examples can be applied not only to other adhesives to be described below but also to the above adhesives as well. Further, the product length as a dimension in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 is preferably in the range of 450mm to 750 mm. Specifically, when the length is less than 450mm, the diaper may not cover the buttocks, which causes an insecure feeling, and when the length exceeds 750mm, the diaper extends over the waistline, which causes an uncomfortable feeling when the diaper is worn. However, when the product length is within the range, these problems can be avoided.

The absorbent body 11 includes a liquid-absorbent core (not shown) and a core wrap sheet (not shown) covering the outer peripheral surface of the core. The absorbent core is formed by molding a predetermined liquid absorbent material into a predetermined shape, and in the example of fig. 3A, the absorbent core is a molded body having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, the molded body having arc-shaped portions at front and rear ends. However, the absorber 11 is not limited to this structure. Further, examples of the liquid absorbent material include liquid absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers and liquid absorbent particles such as super absorbent polymers (i.e., SAP). However, the liquid absorbent material is not limited to these examples. A liquid-permeable sheet such as tissue paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used for the core wrap sheet, but the core wrap sheet may be omitted in some cases. Note that the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 11 is preferably 35% to 85% of the product length described above. This is because, when the size is less than 35%, the absorbent body 11 may not cover the crotch portion to cause leakage, while when the size exceeds 85%, discomfort is caused when the diaper 1 is worn.

The front sheet 12 is formed of a liquid-permeable sheet such as a nonwoven fabric, and in the present example, a breathable nonwoven fabric is used. The topsheet 12 has a planar dimension protruding from both sides in the longitudinal direction and both sides in the transverse direction of the absorbent body 11 as shown in fig. 3A. As shown in fig. 3B, the portions 12eW and 12eW projecting in the lateral direction are folded toward the non-skin side and the lateral inner side, and thus the projecting portions 12eW and 12eW also cover the lateral end portion 11eW of the absorbent body 11 from the non-skin side. Therefore, the lateral end portions 12eW and 12eW of the front sheet 12 do not rub against the skin, reducing the uncomfortable feeling when the diaper is worn.

The back sheet 14 is formed of a liquid-impermeable sheet such as a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film, or the like. As shown in fig. 3A, the back sheet 14 is also a sheet having a planar size protruding from both sides in the longitudinal direction and both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent body 11. The lengthwise end portions 14eLf and 14eLb of the back sheet 14 constitute parts of the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb of the absorbent main body 10, respectively. Therefore, the back sheet 14 has a shape corresponding to the pair of front joining portions jf and the pair of rear joining portions jb and jb described above. In other words, the end portions 14eLf and 14eLb form the generally V-shaped tapered shape described above, wherein the lateral dimension decreases as one progresses in the length direction toward the front or rear side.

The exterior sheet 16 is formed of a flexible sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. The exterior sheet 16 has a planar dimension protruding from both sides in the longitudinal direction and both sides in the lateral direction of the back sheet 14. The end portions 16eLf and 16eLb in the longitudinal direction constitute end portions 10eLf and 10eLb, respectively, of the absorbent main body 10. Therefore, the end portions 16eLf and 16eLb have shapes corresponding to the pair of front side joint portions jf and the pair of rear side joint portions jb and jb described above, respectively. In other words, the end portions 16eLf and 16eLb form the generally V-tapered shape described above, with the dimension decreasing as one progresses in the length direction toward the front or rear side.

Note that in the following description, there will be an expression of "the skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10", but the sheet forming the skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10 varies depending on the planar position of the absorbent main body 10. Specifically, the skin side of the topsheet 12 constitutes the skin side of the absorbent main body 10 at the position where the topsheet 12 is present. However, the skin-side surface of the back sheet 14 constitutes the skin-side surface of the absorbent main body 10 at a position where the front sheet 12 is not present and the back sheet 14 is present, and the skin-side surface of the exterior sheet 16 constitutes the skin-side surface of the absorbent main body 10 at a position where neither the front sheet 12 nor the back sheet 14 is present.

As described above, the front sheet 12, the back sheet 14, and the exterior sheet 16 include the portions 10eLfN and 10eLbN protruding outward from the absorbent body 11 in the longitudinal direction. That is, as shown in fig. 3A, the absorbent main body 10 includes the portions 10 etlfn and 10 erlbn at the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction without providing the absorber 11. Since the rigidity of the portions 10 etln and 10 erlbn is low, wrinkles are liable to be formed in the longitudinal direction at the portions 10 etln and 10 erlbn when the diaper 1 is worn, and, as a result, excretory fluid may leak from the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb of the absorbent main body 10 to the outside through the wrinkles.

Further, the end portions 10eLf, 10eLb may face the abdomen or buttocks of the wearer, and the wearer may feel uncomfortable when the skin side of the end portions 10eLf, 10eLb is wetted with excreta liquid.

Thus, in the embodiment of the present invention, predetermined features are added to the end portions 10eLf, 10eLb in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10. This feature will be explained below.

Fig. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams of this feature. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view in the same manner as fig. 3A, and fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 4 and a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 4.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as the above-described feature, the hydrophobic sheets 50 and 50 (refer to the dot pattern portion in fig. 4) are fixed to the end portions 10eLf, 10eLb in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 so as to cover the skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10. More specifically, the hydrophobic sheet 50 is provided so as to cover at least the portions 10eLfN and 10eLbN of the absorbent main body 10 where the absorber 11 is not provided.

With this configuration, the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 can provide rigidity corresponding to the sheet 50, so that the rigidity of the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb of the absorbent main body 10 can be supplemented. In particular, the rigidity of the above-described low rigidity portions 10eLfN and 10eLbN can be effectively improved.

Therefore, the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb of the absorbent main body 10 including the above-described low rigidity portions 10eLfN and 10eLbN can be maintained substantially flat. In this manner, the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb as a whole can fit the abdomen and buttocks of the wearer. As a result, wrinkles can be suppressed from being formed in the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction, which can prevent the leakage of the excreted liquid caused by such wrinkles from the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb to the outside.

Furthermore, rewetting of the skin side is also prevented by the hydrophobic nature of the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50. Specifically, the hydrophobic property of the

sheets

50 and 50 also prevents the excretory fluid that has been absorbed by the absorbent main body 10 from returning and exuding to the skin side.

Therefore, the wearer can be made to feel a dry touch around the abdomen and buttocks of the body facing the above-described end portions 10eLf and 10eLb, so that discomfort when the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb are wet can be reduced.

Further, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the non-fixed portions 50eWN and 50eWN, which are not fixed to the skin-side surface of the absorbent main body 10, are present in a belt shape along the length direction at the lateral end portions 50eW and 50eW of the hydrophobic sheet 50. The non-fixed portions 50eWN and 50eWN can stand up from the side of the skin.

Therefore, even if there is an excretory fluid that is temporarily not absorbed by the absorbent main body 10, the skin side surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50 can be kept from being wetted with the excretory fluid. The details are as follows. First, as shown in fig. 4, the excretory fluid which is temporarily not absorbed by the absorbent main body 10 is prevented from leaking to the outside through the leg gather portions 37 located on the lateral outside of the absorbent main body 10. Such excreted liquid can be held at the positions of the leg gather portion 37, so that excreted liquid in these positions flows toward the front side or the rear side in the longitudinal direction, as shown by the thick line arrows of fig. 4. Then, the excretory fluid that has reached the front end 10eLf or the rear end 10eLb may flow laterally inward around and then toward the skin side of the hydrophobic sheet 50. In this regard, however, as shown in fig. 5, the non-fixed portion 50eWN of the lateral end portion 50eW of the hydrophobic sheet 50 can stand up (refer to the state shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 5). Thus, in the case where the non-fixed portion 50eWN stands up, the excretory fluid that will flow from the laterally outer side to the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50 can be blocked off laterally outwardly. In this way, the excretory fluid can be prevented from flowing to the skin side of the hydrophobic sheet 50, so that the skin side of the sheet 50 is easily maintained from being wetted with the excretory fluid. This also contributes effectively to the aforementioned dry feel.

Note that, as shown in fig. 4, the hydrophobic sheet 50 provided at the front end portion 10eLf of the absorbent main body 10 and the hydrophobic sheet 50 provided at the rear end portion 10eLb are substantially the same, and the peripheral conditions of these sheets are also substantially the same. Therefore, hereinafter, the two

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 will be explained simultaneously.

Such a hydrophobic sheet 50 may be made of a flexible material sheet such as a nonwoven fabric, and in the present example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric is used as the material sheet. However, the hydrophobic sheet 50 is not limited thereto. For example, other types of nonwovens, such as Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond (SMS) nonwovens, woven fabrics, films, and the like may also be used.

Although the hydrophobic sheet 50 has a hydrophobic property, the term "the hydrophobic sheet 50 has a hydrophobic property" herein means that the hydrophobic property of the sheet 50 is better than the hydrophobic property of the skin side of the absorbent main body 10. For example, in a narrow sense, it means that the water repellency is better than that of any of the front sheet 12, the back sheet 14, and the exterior sheet 16 constituting the skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10, or in a broad sense, the water repellency is better than that of any of the front sheet 12, the back sheet 14, and the exterior sheet 16. Note that the magnitude of the hydrophobic property can be compared, for example, using "wet tensile strength" measured according to JIS K6768. Further, the hydrophobic property of the hydrophobic sheet 50 can be relatively improved by applying a hydrophilic treatment using an oil to all or at least any one of the

sheets

12, 14, and 16 constituting the skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10 or applying an appropriate hydrophobic treatment to the aforementioned material sheet of the hydrophobic sheet 50.

The dimensions of the hydrophobic sheet 50 in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction are, for example, 50mm to 200mm and 40mm to 190mm, respectively. With such a size, the above-described effects can be provided more reliably.

The transverse dimension of the non-immobilized portion 50eWN of the hydrophobic sheet 50 may be, for example, a value of 3% to 25% of the maximum value of the transverse dimension of the hydrophobic sheet 50. Thus, with such a size, the effect of laterally blocking the excreted liquid can be provided more reliably.

In this example, as described above, a spunbond nonwoven fabric is used for the hydrophobic sheet 50, while a breathable nonwoven fabric is used for the face sheet 12. Thus, the density (g/cm) of the hydrophobic sheet 50³) Greater than the density (g/cm) of the face sheet 12³)。

Therefore, the return and exudation of the excretory fluid, which cannot be prevented even by the topsheet 12 of fig. 5, from the absorbent body 11 to the skin side can be blocked by the front and rear

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 by virtue of their high-density constituent fibers, thereby effectively preventing the excretory fluid from exuding to the skin side of the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50. This then also contributes effectively to preventing rewetting of the above-mentioned skin side.

However, the front sheet 12 and the hydrophobic sheet 50 are not limited to these structures. In other words, when the above-described effect of preventing bleeding is acceptable to be slightly lowered, the density (g/cm) of the hydrophobic sheet 50³) May be less than the density (g/cm) of the face sheet 12³)。

Further, when viewed from the skin side in the thickness direction as shown in fig. 4, both the front and rear

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 include not only a portion 50P1 that does not overlap with the absorbent body 11 in the thickness direction at an outer side position in the longitudinal direction but also a portion 50P2 that overlaps with the absorbent body 11 in the thickness direction at an inner side position in the longitudinal direction.

Thus, in the overlapped portion 50P2, the hydrophobic sheet 50 can effectively suppress rewetting of excretory fluid that is likely to be caused by the presence of the absorbent body 11.

Note that the length-wise dimension of the overlapping portion 50P2 is preferably 1mm to 100 mm. In particular, when the size of the overlapping portion 50P2 is 1mm or more, the rewetting preventing effect can be provided more reliably at the above-described position of the absorbent body 11. The reason why the size is made 100mm or less is that when the size exceeds 100mm, the absorption of the front sheet 12 is excessively prevented and the liquid flows over the upper surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50, making the liquid easily leak along the sheet.

However, the hydrophobic sheet 50 is not limited to these structures. Specifically, when it is acceptable that the rewetting prevention effect at the above-described position of the absorbent body 11 slightly decreases, the hydrophobic sheet 50 may not include the portion 50P2 that overlaps with the absorbent body 11.

Further, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the front sheet 12 protrudes laterally outward of the hydrophobic sheet 50 at the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10. More specifically, the topsheet 12 projects laterally outward with respect to the non-fixed portion 50eWN not only in a state where the non-fixed portion 50eWN of the hydrophobic sheet 50 stands up from the topsheet 12 (a state indicated by a two-dot chain line in fig. 5) but also in a state where the non-fixed portion 50eWN is in contact with the topsheet 12 (a state indicated by a solid line in fig. 5).

Therefore, as shown in fig. 5, by raising the non-fixed portion 50eWN of the hydrophobic sheet 50, the excreta that has been blocked outside in the lateral direction is immediately absorbed due to the liquid-permeable property of the topsheet 12, and the excreta can be quickly guided to the absorbent body 11. Thus, the excretory fluid that has been blocked outside the non-fixed portion 50eWN can be prevented from flowing laterally inwardly through the non-fixed portion 50eWN and laterally to the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50. In this way, the skin side sheet of the hydrophobic sheet 50 can be reliably prevented from being wetted with the excretory fluid. This enables the wearer to feel the dry touch described above with certainty.

Note that the amount of laterally outward protrusion of the face sheet 12 is preferably 5mm to 20mm on each side. In particular, when the protruding amount is 5mm or more, the ability to guide the blocked excretory fluid to the absorbent body 11 can be further improved. Further, the reason why the protrusion amount is set to 20mm or less is to prevent the wet topsheet 12 from easily contacting the body and spoiling the dry touch feeling.

However, the front sheet 12 is not limited to this structure. Specifically, when it is acceptable that such aforementioned guiding ability is slightly decreased, the front sheet 12 may not protrude laterally outward with respect to the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 at the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent main body 10.

Further, in the present example, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, at the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10, the absorbent body 11 protrudes laterally outward with respect to the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50. More specifically, the absorbent body 11 projects laterally outward with respect to the non-fixed portion 50eWN not only in a state where the non-fixed portion 50eWN of the hydrophobic sheet 50 stands up from the topsheet 12 (a state indicated by a two-dot chain line in fig. 5) but also in a state where the non-fixed portion 50eWN is in contact with the topsheet 12 (a state indicated by a solid line in fig. 5).

Therefore, by raising the non-fixed portion 50eWN of the hydrophobic sheet 50, the excretory fluid that is blocked laterally outward is quickly absorbed not only by the topsheet 12 but also by the absorbent body 11. This can effectively prevent the excretory fluid that has been blocked outside the non-fixed portion 50eWN from flowing laterally inwardly through the non-fixed portion 50eWN and laterally to the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50. As a result, the skin side of the hydrophobic sheet 50 can be reliably prevented from being wetted with the excretory fluid.

Note that the laterally outward projecting amount of the absorbent body 11 is preferably 5mm to 20mm on each side. In particular, when the amount of projection is 5mm or more, the obstructed excretory fluid can be absorbed by the high immediate absorption capacity of the absorbent body 11.

However, the absorber 11 is not limited to this structure. Specifically, when the immediate absorption capacity of the acceptable absorbent body 11 is slightly decreased, the absorbent body 11 may not protrude laterally outward with respect to the hydrophobic sheet 50 at the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10.

Further, in the example of fig. 4, the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 are provided up to the respective proximal ends 10eLfe and 10eLbe in the length direction of the absorbent main body 10. In other words, the hydrophobic sheet 50 at the front end portion 10eLf extends up to the front end 10 etlfe of the absorbent main body 10, and the hydrophobic sheet 50 at the rear end portion 10eLb extends up to the rear end 10 eplbe of the absorbent main body 10.

Therefore, the effect of supplementing the rigidity of the absorbent main body 10 can be exerted to the ends 10eLfe and 10eLbe, so that the formation of wrinkles at the end portions 10eLf and 10eLb of the absorbent main body 10 can be further suppressed. As a result, leakage of the excretory fluid caused by the wrinkles from the above-described end portions 10eLf and 10eLb to the outside can be reliably prevented.

However, the hydrophobic sheet 50 is not limited to this structure. Specifically, when the above-described effect of acceptable prevention of leakage is slightly decreased, the hydrophobic sheet 50 may not be disposed up to the respective proximal ends 10eLfe and 10eLbe in the length direction of the absorbent main body 10.

Further, as described above, when the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 are disposed up to the respective ends 10eLfe and 10eLbe as shown in fig. 4, the hydrophobic sheet 50 located on the front side extends substantially up to the position of the front side joining portion jf, and likewise, the hydrophobic sheet 50 located on the rear side extends up to the position of the rear side joining portion jb. In this way, the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 are fixed not only to the skin-side surface of the absorbent main body 10 with the adhesive but also to the skin-side surfaces of the joining portions jf, jb by fusion bonding.

Therefore, the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 can be firmly fixed to the absorbent main body 10, and as a result, the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 can reliably exert the above-described functions.

However, the hydrophobic sheet 50 is not limited to this structure. Specifically, when sufficient fixing strength can be ensured only with the above adhesive, the

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 may not necessarily extend up to the positions of the above joining portions jf, jb.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of a diaper 1a of a first modification. Note that fig. 6 is a diagram corresponding to a section taken along line a-a of fig. 4 and a section taken along line B-B of fig. 4, in the same manner as the sectional diagram of fig. 5.

In the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the absorbent body 11 is substantially fixed to the skin side surface of the back sheet 14 with an adhesive. Specifically, most of the absorbent body 11 except for the lateral end portions 11eW and 11eW is fixed to the skin side of the back sheet 14 with an adhesive. However, the end portions 11eW and 11eW are covered by the front sheet 12(12eW and 12eW) from the non-skin side, and the non-skin side of the end portions 11eW and 11eW is adjacent to the above-described sheet member 30 instead of the back sheet 14. Thus, the end portions 11eW and 11eW are fixed to the sheet member 30 by the face sheet 12(12eW and 12eW) with an adhesive.

In contrast, the first modification of fig. 6 differs from the above-described embodiment shown in fig. 5 in that the portions 12eW of the topsheet 12 covering the end portions 11eW of the absorbent body 11 from the non-skin side include non-fixed portions 12eWN at laterally outer positions that are not fixed to the skin-side surface of the sheet member 30 with an adhesive. In particular, in this first modification, as shown in fig. 6, the non-fixed portion 12eWN takes the shape of a belt along the longitudinal direction (the direction penetrating the paper surface in fig. 6).

With this configuration, the lateral outside portion 11eWe of the end portion 11eW of the absorbent body 11 can have the function of the non-fixing portion 11eWN, which non-fixing portion 11eWN is not fixed to the skin side of the sheet member 30 (corresponding to the sheet) in the same manner as the non-fixing portion 12eWN of the front sheet 12, and thus the lateral outside portion 11eWe can also rise from the skin side of the sheet member 30 as shown in the upper right drawing of fig. 6.

Therefore, the non-fixed portion 11eWN of the end portion 11eW of the absorbent body 11 can also effectively function as a blocking portion that blocks the discharged liquid laterally outward, thereby more reliably preventing the discharged liquid from flowing laterally outward to the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50.

Note that the lateral dimension of each of the above-described non-fixed portions 11eWN in the absorbent body 11 may be, for example, a value of 3% to 30% of the maximum value of the lateral dimension of the absorbent body 11. With this size, the effect of preventing the inflow of the excretory fluid from the lateral direction can be more effectively provided.

However, the non-fixed portion 11eWN is not limited to this structure. Specifically, when it is acceptable that the above-described effect of preventing such inflow is slightly lowered, the above-described non-fixing portion 11eWN may not be present at the lateral end portion 11eW of the absorbent body 11.

Fig. 7 and 8 are explanatory views of a diaper 1a of a second modification. Note that fig. 7 is a schematic plan view shown in the same manner as fig. 4, and fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 7 and a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 7.

In the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, each of the water-repellent sheets 50 is fixed to the skin-side surface of the topsheet 12 of the absorbent main body 10 with an adhesive up to the longitudinal inner end 50 eL.

In contrast, in this second modification, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, at the lengthwise-direction inside end 50eL of each hydrophobic sheet 50, the second non-fixed portion 50eLN, which is not fixed to the skin-side surface of the topsheet 12 of the absorbent main body 10, assumes a belt shape in the transverse direction, so that the second non-fixed portion 50eLN can stand up from the skin-side surface of the topsheet 12.

With this structure, when the second non-fixed portion 50eLN of the hydrophobic sheet 50 rises, the excretory fluid that will flow in the longitudinal direction toward the skin-side surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50 (see the thick-line arrow in fig. 7) at the end portion 10eLb and that will not be absorbed by the absorbent main body 10 can be blocked. Therefore, the excretory fluid can be prevented from flowing to the skin side surface of the hydrophobic sheet 50, and as a result, the skin side surface of the sheet 50 can be prevented from being wetted with the excretory fluid.

Note that the above-described longitudinal dimension of the second non-fixed portion 50eLN of each hydrophobic sheet 50 may be, for example, 3mm to 20 mm. This dimension can more reliably exhibit the effect of preventing the inflow of the excretory fluid in the longitudinal direction.

However, the second non-fixed portion 50eLN is not limited to this structure. Specifically, when the above-described effect of preventing such inflow is acceptable to be slightly lowered, the above-described second non-fixing portion 50eLN may not be present at the lengthwise-direction inside end 50eL of the hydrophobic sheet 50.

The characteristic of the diaper 1 when worn

With such a pants-type diaper, the wearer can preferably wear the diaper over a daily life without discomfort. In particular, it is common to wear an adult in place of underwear with a pants-type diaper, however, the diaper according to the embodiment of the present invention can be worn together with underwear. Specifically, the diaper 1 of the embodiment of the present invention enables the diaper 1 to be worn under an undergarment by limiting the dimensions (sizes) of the diaper 1 and various parts of the undergarment to predetermined ranges, so as to have a configuration in which the diaper 1 is hidden under the undergarment so as to become inconspicuous. In other words, in a use mode in which the diaper 1 is worn with underwear, which is different from the conventional use mode, the diaper has the following configuration: can satisfy the desire not to notice the wearer wearing the diaper 1 to anyone. The dimensions of the various parts of the diaper 1 will be explained below.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the dimensions of portions of the diaper 1. Fig. 10 represents a schematic plan view of a pants-type diaper 1 (corresponding to fig. 1) in a state of being elongated in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The "elongated state" is synonymous with the "elongated state" described above. Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing a state where the diaper 1 is worn by a wearer when viewed from the front side (ventral side). Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing a case where the wearer wears the diaper 1 and further wears underwear over the diaper 1 as viewed from the front side (ventral side). In fig. 12, the undergarment is shown by a solid line and the diaper 1 is shown by a broken line.

First, in the state of fig. 10, the length between the upper end (waist side end) and the lower end (crotch side end) in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 is defined as L10. In other words, L10 is the distance between one side end and the other side end of the absorbent main body 10 in the longitudinal direction in a state where the absorbent main body 10 is elongated in the longitudinal direction and doubled at the central position CLL10 in the longitudinal direction. The diaper 1 is defined such that the distance L10 is equal to or greater than 250mm and equal to or less than 350mm, preferably 290mm (350 mm. gtoreq.L 10. gtoreq.250 mm). Note that in the state where the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer as shown in fig. 11 and fig. 12, the diaper 1 is developed back and forth at the crotch portion 5, and thus the length of the absorbent main body 10 in the longitudinal direction when the diaper 1 is worn becomes about 200mm to 280mm (about 50mm to 70mm shorter than the distance L10).

As shown in fig. 11, the average distance from the upper end of the human (wearer) intestinal bone (pelvis) to the greater trochanter in the longitudinal direction was about 200mm, and the average distance from the navel to the greater trochanter was about 300 mm. As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the typical undergarment is sized such that a waistline opening portion (upper end portion of the undergarment) is disposed between the upper end of the intestinal bone and the navel. Thus, when the distance L10 is greater than 350mm, the upper end of the absorbent main body 10 is at a higher position when the diaper 1 is worn, and the diaper 1 may protrude from the upper end of the undergarment. In addition, when the upper end of the absorbent main body 10 is at a high position, the band portion 32 is also inevitably at a high position, and therefore, the band portion 32 protrudes from the upper end of the undergarment and the waistline (waistline portion) of the wearer is tightened by the band portion 32 located at the upper side with respect to the enteron, so that the fitting property when the diaper 1 is worn is greatly deteriorated. In contrast, when the distance L10 is 350mm or less, the absorbent main body 10 and the belt portion 32 are easily hidden at a position lower than the upper end portion of the undergarment. In addition, the band portion 32 is placed at a position adjacent to the enteron, and the wearer is tightened with the band portion 32 at the enteron portion, so that good fit is easily obtained (refer to fig. 11 and 12).

In contrast, when the distance L10 is less than 250mm, the absorbent main body 10 and the belt portion 32 tend to be at a position lower than the upper end of the intestinal bone (pelvis) when the diaper 1 is worn. When the band portion 32 does not cover the upper end portion of the intestinal bone, the band portion 32 easily slides down along the inclination of the pelvis due to the contraction force acting in the band portion 32, so that the fitting property deteriorates. On the other hand, when the distance L10 is 250mm or more, at least a part of the band portion 32 can cover the upper end portion of the intestinal bone when the diaper 1 is worn, so that the band portion 32 can be prevented from slipping off and deterioration of fit can be suppressed. Note that when the distance L10 is set to 290mm, the actual length in the longitudinal direction when the diaper 1 is worn is about 220mm to 240mm, which makes the diaper easily hidden in many types of underwear such as low-waist, medium-size underwear and the like while suppressing slipping off.

Next, the width of the absorbent body 11 in the lateral direction is defined as W11. In other words, W11 is the distance between one side end and the other side end of the absorbent main body 11 in the lateral direction in a state where the absorbent main body 11 is elongated in the lateral direction. The diaper 1 is defined by a distance W11 of equal to or greater than 50mm and equal to or less than 120mm, preferably 100mm (120 mm. gtoreq.W 11. gtoreq.50 mm).

The distance W11 is a size at which the diaper 1 is easily hidden under the crotch portion of underwear while the diaper 1 is worn, while ensuring sufficient space for absorbing excrement and suppressing the bite or fit relaxation. Since a usage pattern in which the diaper 1 is worn under underwear is assumed, the absorbent body 11 is placed at a position closer to the body than the underwear when the diaper 1 is worn and the absorbent body 11 fits the concave-convex shape of the body, so that the absorbent body 11 is deformed and the observed lateral width tends to become small. However, when the distance W11 is greater than 120mm, the lateral width is observed to exceed that of the undergarment, and thus the absorbent body 11 is not hidden in the range of 50mm to 80mm, which is the crotch width of ordinary undergarments, so that the absorbent body 11 may protrude from the undergarment. Further, when the absorbent body 11 is forced to hide under the crotch portion of underwear without protruding, the crotch portion becomes loose, which may cause discomfort to the wearer and/or side leakage of excrement. On the other hand, when the distance W11 is 120mm or less, the absorbent body 11 can be hidden in underwear in the crotch portion without loosing the fit.

Further, when the distance W11 is less than 50mm, the area capable of absorbing excrement becomes smaller and the absorbent body 11 cannot exert sufficient absorption capacity. Further, since the width of the absorbent body 11 is narrow, both ends (end portions) in the lateral direction of the absorbent body 11 may bite into the groin portions of the wearer, the buttocks of the wearer may be greatly exposed, and the like when the diaper 1 is worn, which deteriorates the fit. On the other hand, when the distance W11 is 50mm or more, the absorbent body 11 can secure sufficient absorption capacity while suppressing the engagement or the like when the diaper 1 is worn, thereby achieving good fit. Note that, when the distance W11 is 100mm, the width of the absorbent body 11 becomes close to the crotch width of ordinary underwear, so that the absorbent body 11 can be smoothly hidden in the underwear at the crotch while ensuring the absorption capacity and suppressing the bite or the looseness of fit.

Next, the minimum value of the width of the belt portion 32 in the longitudinal direction is defined as h 32. In other words, h32 is the minimum value of the distance between one side end and the other side end of the belt portion 32 in the longitudinal direction. The diaper 1 is specified with a distance h32 of equal to or greater than 50mm and equal to or less than 100mm, preferably 70mm (100 mm. gtoreq.h 32. gtoreq.50 mm).

When the distance h32 is greater than 100mm, the strap portion 32 cannot be hidden at the sides of the undergarment and easily protrudes from the top and/or bottom of the undergarment. Further, since the width in the vertical direction becomes large, the belt portion 32 widely covers a region lower than the upper end of the intestinal bone (pelvis) of the wearer's body when the diaper 1 is worn. In this case, the contraction force of the elastic thread 33 provided to the band portion 32 is applied to the lower region of the intestinal bone, so that the band portion 32 is easily pulled down along the inclination of the intestinal bone (pelvis). In other words, the belt portion 32 easily slips down so that the diaper may protrude down from the side of the undergarment and/or the fit may deteriorate. In contrast, when the distance h32 is 100mm or less, the diaper can be easily hidden at the side of the undergarment, so that problems such as the diaper slipping down along the inclination of the pelvis, etc. can be suppressed.

Further, when the distance h32 is less than 50mm, the contact area contacting the skin of the wearer is small, and thus the frictional force is small, so that the band portion 32 easily slides up or down along the inclination of the intestinal bone (pelvis). In this case, the band portion 32 is rolled to be thin and thus may easily bite the skin of the wearer or become slippery, so that the fit is deteriorated. In contrast, when the distance h32 is 50mm or more, the belt portion 32 hardly slips, so that deterioration of the fit is easily suppressed. Note that, when the distance h32 is 70mm, the contraction force of the band portion 32 tends to be applied evenly to the upper and lower regions centering on the apex of the intestinal bone, so that the oblique sliding of the band portion 32 along the intestinal bone (pelvis) is easily suppressed. Further, the length between the index finger and the thumb when the adult opens the article is about 100mm, and thus, with this size, the adult can easily grip the belt portion 32 with one hand, so that the adult can stably pull the belt portion 32 while wearing the diaper 1. Further, after the diaper 1 is worn, the belt portion 32 becomes easily hidden in the side portion of the underwear.

When the upper end (one end) of the front-side engaging portion jf is defined as jft and the lower end (the other end) is defined as jfb, a distance hjf between the upper end jft and the lower end jfb in the longitudinal direction is defined to be equal to or greater than 90mm and equal to or less than 130mm, preferably 100 mm. Note that, although the same case can be equally applied to the rear side joint portion jb, the front side joint portion jf will be described below.

In the diaper 1, the front side joint portion jf is a portion where the absorbent main body 10 and each belt portion 32 are joined, and the size of the leg opening portion LH is determined by the length (distance hjf in the longitudinal direction) of the front side joint portion jf. Thus, the larger the distance hjf, the smaller the leg opening portion LH and the peripheral length. In particular, when the distance hjf is greater than 130mm, the wearer's legs are easily caught by the peripheral edge portion of the leg opening portion LH while wearing the diaper 1, so that the wearing action is easily hindered. Further, when the wearer pulls up the diaper 1 by grasping the belt portion 32 while wearing the diaper 1, the smaller the distance hjf, the more easily the belt portion 32 is inclined obliquely upward with the front side joint portion jf as a base point. In other words, the left and right belt portions 32 are easily deformed into a V-shape with respect to the absorbent main body 10. In particular, when the distance hjf is less than 90mm, the band portion 32 is largely deformed obliquely upward, and when the diaper 1 is pulled up, the pulled-up band portion 32 easily protrudes upward from the upper end of the undergarment. In contrast, when the distance hjf is equal to or greater than 90mm and equal to or less than 130mm, the fit around the leg opening portion LH can be improved and the belt portion 32 can be inhibited from protruding from the undergarment. Note that, when the distance hjf is 100mm, it is possible to suppress the band portion 32 from being excessively bent in the inclining direction, so that a T-shape that looks more like underwear is formed, thereby becoming inconspicuous even when the diaper 1 is worn under underwear.

Further, when the circumferential length of the waistline opening portion BH of the diaper 1 in the natural state is defined as RBH, the length of RBH is equal to or more than 300mm and equal to or less than 800mm, preferably 540 mm. Note that "natural state" is defined as follows. First, the belt portions 32 of the diaper 1 are pulled outward to both sides in the lateral direction, and are stretched to the following degrees: the transverse dimensions of the belt portion 32 and the absorbent main body 10 match or more closely match those of their own portions. After maintaining this extended state for 15 seconds, the diaper 1 is released from the pulled state and is placed flat on a table or the like. Then, the diaper 1 is left in such a flat state as the natural state of the diaper 1 for 5 minutes. For convenience, fig. 10 shows the peripheral length RBH of the opening BH of the diaper 1 in an extended state.

When the RBH is more than 800mm, the contraction force (stress) applied along the waistline opening portion BH is reduced, which may deteriorate the fit around the waistline when the diaper 1 is worn. In other words, the tightening around the waistline (waistline portion) is relaxed, so that the diaper 1 is easily slipped off. However, when the RBH is less than 300mm, the opening of the waistline opening portion BH is narrow when the diaper 1 is put on so that the opening BH is opened, which makes it difficult to recognize the position of the leg opening portion LH. Thus, the following problems may be caused: when the wearer inserts his/her leg into the leg opening LH, the wearer's toes are easily caught at the periphery of the leg opening LH, and for example, the wearer's toes of the leg may be easily caught at the periphery of the leg opening LH. In contrast, by setting the RBH to 300mm or more and 800mm or less, it is possible to maintain good fit while improving ease of wearing. Note that when the RBH is 540mm, the diaper 1 is easily and smoothly hidden in underwear, with 540mm being in the range of 520mm to 560mm as a typical waistline size of medium size underwear in the natural state.

As shown in fig. 3, the belt portion 32 has a portion (lateral outer end of the belt portion 32 in fig. 3) where the hip opening BH is formed extending straight, and a portion (lateral inner end of the belt portion 32 in fig. 3) where each leg opening LH is formed is curved so as to protrude toward the hip opening BH (R-shaped). Therefore, in a state where the diaper 1 is formed in an underpants type, the leg opening portions LH are likely to follow the curves of the leg periphery of the underwear, and the diaper 1 hardly protrudes from the underwear even when the diaper 1 is worn under the underwear. In addition, in the operation of wearing the diaper 1, since the curve of the leg opening LH is convex upward in the longitudinal direction along the shape of the wearer's thighs and leg holes, the diaper 1 can be smoothly pulled up without being caught in the crotch portion while conforming to the shape of the leg holes.

In other embodiments, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described

The above embodiments of the present invention are only for easy understanding of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention in any way. The present invention may be variously changed and modified and includes equivalents thereof without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following variations are possible.

Although in the above-described embodiment, as shown in fig. 3A, the hydrophobic sheet 50 is provided at each end portion 10eLf and 10eLb in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10, respectively, the hydrophobic sheet 50 is not limited thereto. Specifically, the hydrophobic sheet 50 may be provided only at any one end 10eLf (10eLb) of the two ends 10eLf and 10 eLb.

Although in the above-described embodiment, the disposable diaper 1 in the pants-type state as shown in fig. 1 is exemplified as an absorbent article, the diaper 1 is not limited thereto. For example, the above-described

hydrophobic sheets

50 and 50 may be provided on a tape-type disposable diaper. Note that the tape-type disposable diaper has, for example, the following structure. First, the diaper includes an absorbent main body having a substantially hourglass shape in a plan view. Then, a pair of fastening tapes is provided in the lateral direction at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body, and a target tape to be engaged with the pair of fastening tapes is provided at the other end portion. Further, the absorbent article may be, for example, a urine absorbent pad without being limited to the diaper described above. Note that the "urine absorbent pad" herein is used by being placed on the skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10 of a belt-type or pants-type disposable diaper. Examples of the urine absorbent pad include a urine absorbent pad which does not have the above-described sheet members 30 and is obtained by shaping the appearance shape of the absorbent main body 10 in a plan view into a substantially rectangular shape.

Although in the above-described embodiment, so-called three-dimensional gathers for preventing side leakage are not provided at the positions of both the respective sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent main body 10 in the expanded state of fig. 3A, the three-dimensional gathers may be provided as appropriate. However, it is preferable that no three-dimensional gather is provided, as in the above embodiment. The details are as follows.

First, three-dimensional gathers are provided, and paired three-dimensional gather sheets in which elastic members such as elastic threads along the longitudinal direction are fixed in a state of being elongated in the longitudinal direction are fixed to both sides in the transverse direction of the absorbent main body 10, respectively. Further, in the three-dimensional gather sheet, as for a portion located laterally inward of a portion fixed to the absorbent main body 10, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of such laterally inward portion are also fixed to the absorbent main body 10. Therefore, the central portion of the laterally inner portion in the longitudinal direction, which is not fixed to the absorbent main body 10, stands up by the action of the contraction force of the aforementioned elastic member, and thus has a function of a three-dimensional gather. However, since the two fixed end portions stand up on the skin side, the end portions easily rub against the buttocks and the like of the wearer, which deteriorates wearing feeling. In addition, the appearance may be reminiscent of a diaper. Therefore, it is preferable not to provide the three-dimensional gathers.

The sectional shape of the front joining portion jf and its vicinity is not described in the foregoing embodiment, and thus will be described below with reference to fig. 9A. Fig. 9A is a schematic sectional view taken along line IX-IX in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 9A, the hydrophobic sheet 50 of the absorbent main body 10 is present at the front joining portion jf. Therefore, the front-side engaging portion jf is inclined laterally outward by virtue of the rigidity of the sheet 50 as follows: an angle θ 1 at a boundary between the absorbent main body 10 and the front-side joining portion jf is made obtuse, and an angle θ 2 at a boundary between the belt portion 32 and the front-side joining portion jf is made acute. This can avoid the following that occurs when the hydrophobic sheet 50 is not present as shown in fig. 9B: the angles θ 1 and θ 2 become about 90 ° and the front side joint portion jf stands and protrudes forward. As a result, the front side joint jf becomes inconspicuous, so that the diaper looks like underwear. Further, since the front joining portion jf is inclined laterally outward, the formation of wrinkles on the hydrophobic sheet 50 positioned on the absorbent main body 10 can also be suppressed. Note that the same can apply to the rear-side joining portion jb.

Description of the reference numerals

1 Disposable diaper (absorbent article)

1a Disposable diaper (absorbent article)

1b Disposable diaper (absorbent article)

10 absorbent body

10eLb end part

10eLbN moiety

10eLbe back end (end)

10eLf end part

10eLfN moiety

10eLfe front end (end)

10eW end

11 absorbent body

11eW end

11eWe part

11eWN non-fixed part

12 front panel (skin side panel)

12eW part

12eWN non-fixed part

14 back sheet (non-skin side sheet)

14eLf end

16 outer sheet

16eLf end

30 pieces of component (sheet)

30a sheet

30eW end

32 band part

32eLb end

32eLf end

32eW1 end

33 elastic thread

37 leg gather portion

37eLb end

37eLf end

38 elastic thread

50 hydrophobic sheet

50P1 part

50P2 part

50eW end

50eWN non-fixed part

50eL end

50eLN second non-fixed part

BH waist opening

LH leg opening part

FL foldback line

jb rear joint part (joint part)

jf front side joint (joint)

CLL10 substantially at the center

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction intersecting each other, the absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body having a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal direction,

a hydrophobic sheet is fixed to at least one of the ends of the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction so as to cover the skin side of the absorbent main body,

each end portion in the lateral direction of the hydrophobic sheet includes a first non-fixed portion that is not fixed to the skin side, the first non-fixed portion being configured to be able to stand from the skin side,

an inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the hydrophobic sheet includes a second non-fixed portion that is not fixed to the skin side surface of the absorbent main body, the second non-fixed portion being configured to be able to stand up from the skin side surface.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1,

the absorbent main body includes:

an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid;

a liquid-permeable skin side sheet disposed on the skin side with respect to the absorbent body; and

a liquid-impermeable non-skin side sheet disposed on the non-skin side with respect to the absorbent body and having

At the one end of the absorbent main body, the skin side sheet protrudes outward in the transverse direction with respect to the hydrophobic sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2,

at the one end portion of the absorbent main body, the absorbent body protrudes outward in the lateral direction with respect to the hydrophobic sheet.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1,

the absorbent main body includes:

an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid;

a liquid-impermeable non-skin side sheet that is arranged on a non-skin side with respect to the absorbent body, and the hydrophobic sheet includes a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body when viewed from the skin side.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hydrophobic sheet includes a portion overlapping the absorbent body when viewed from the skin side.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the hydrophobic sheet at the front side end of the absorbent main body extends up to the front end of the absorbent main body, and the hydrophobic sheet at the rear side end of the absorbent main body extends up to the rear end of the absorbent main body.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1,

the absorbent main body includes:

an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid;

a liquid-impermeable non-skin side sheet disposed on the non-skin side with respect to the absorbent body,

the absorbent body is fixed to the liquid-impermeable and skin-impermeable side sheet and

both end portions of the absorbent body in the lateral direction each include a third non-fixed portion that is not fixed to a sheet member on a non-skin side of the end portion, the third non-fixed portion being configured to be able to stand up from the sheet member, the sheet members being disposed on both sides of the absorbent main body in the lateral direction and a lateral inner end portion of the sheet member being joined to a lateral end portion of the absorbent main body.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3,

9. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction intersecting each other, the absorbent article comprising:

an absorbent main body having a length direction along the longitudinal direction; and

belt portions which are respectively disposed on both sides in the transverse direction and connect respective end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body, wherein

each end portion in the lateral direction of the hydrophobic sheet includes a non-fixed portion that is not fixed to the skin side, the non-fixed portion being configured to be able to stand from the skin side,

fixing the hydrophobic sheet to the skin side of the absorbent main body with an adhesive,

the respective end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body each include a joining portion for joining the belt portions by welding, and

at the joint portion, the hydrophobic sheet is also fixed to the skin side of the absorbent main body by welding.

10. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction intersecting each other, the absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body having a length direction along the longitudinal direction, wherein

the absorbent main body includes:

an absorber that absorbs excretory fluid;

the skin side sheet is a non-woven fabric,

the hydrophobic sheet is a nonwoven fabric, and

the density of the hydrophobic sheet is greater than that of the skin side sheet, and the unit of the density of the hydrophobic sheet and the unit of the density of the skin side sheet are both g/cm³。

11. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction intersecting each other, the absorbent article comprising:

the absorbent main body includes an absorbent body that absorbs excretory fluid,

a distance between one side end and the other side end of the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body is equal to or greater than 250mm and equal to or less than 350mm in a state where the absorbent main body is elongated in the longitudinal direction and doubled at a center in the longitudinal direction,

a distance between one side end and the other side end of the absorbent main body in the lateral direction of the absorbent body is equal to or more than 50mm and equal to or less than 120mm in a state where the absorbent body is elongated in the lateral direction, and

a minimum value of a distance between one side end and the other side end of the band portion in the longitudinal direction of the band portion is equal to or greater than 50mm and equal to or less than 100 mm.

12. The absorbent article of claim 11,

the respective end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body each include a joining portion for joining the belt portion, and

a distance between one side end and the other side end of the engaging portion in the longitudinal direction of the engaging portion is equal to or greater than 90mm and equal to or less than 130 mm.

13. The absorbent article of claim 11 or 12, further comprising:

a waistline opening portion formed by a part of the belt portion and a part of the absorbent main body, and formed by a part of the belt portion and a part of the absorbent main body

The length of the periphery of the waist opening part is equal to or more than 300mm and equal to or less than 800 mm.