CN110167498B

CN110167498B - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN110167498B
Application number: CN201780081051.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 工藤淳; 谷口健太; 前谷望
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2016-12-28
Filing date: 2017-11-14
Publication date: 2022-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-14
Also published as: JP2018102827A; TW201827025A; KR102522817B1; JP6346262B1; KR20190101423A; WO2018123305A1; CN110167498A

Abstract

[ problem ] to provide an absorbent article that can be fitted better to the excretory opening of the wearer. [ solution ] an absorbent article (1) having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other. The absorbent article has: an absorbent body (10) comprising liquid-absorbent fibers; and a non-skin side sheet (30) disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body (10) in the thickness direction. The longitudinal recess (15) is formed on the non-skin side in the widthwise central region of the absorbent body (10). The recess (15) has one side wall portion (15L) on one lateral side and the other side wall portion (15R) on the other lateral side. The recess (15) is formed such that: when the widthwise central region of the absorber (10) is curved so that the non-skin-side surface of the absorbent article (1) forms an angle of 50 degrees, one side wall portion and the other side wall portion do not apply pressing force to each other.

Description

Absorbent article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Background

Sanitary napkins are known as absorbent articles that absorb excreted fluid such as menstrual blood. As an example of such a sanitary napkin, patent document 1 discloses a sanitary napkin 10 including a shaping line 20 having a central longitudinal line provided in the absorbent core 12 and bending upward along the shaping line 20 when the absorbent core 12 is affected by lateral compression, thereby improving fit with the wearer's body.

List of documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2002-

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

However, when the sanitary napkin 1 in patent document 1 is worn and the absorbent core 12 is affected by compression in the transverse direction, the lower surface side (non-skin surface side) thereof substantially forms an angle of 50 degrees. At this time, if the lower surface sides (non-skin surface sides) of the absorbent core 12 come into contact with each other, upward bending of the absorbent core 12 is hindered, and there is a risk that the fit with the wearer's body is deteriorated during use.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the conventional problems such as the above-described problem, and an aspect of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article capable of achieving a more favorable fit with respect to the excretion source of the wearer.

Problem solving scheme

A principal aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-described aspect is an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other, the absorbent article including: an absorbent body having liquid-absorbent fibers; and a non-skin side sheet disposed on a non-skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction, the absorbent body having a recess in a widthwise central region of the absorbent body, the recess being formed on the non-skin side and extending in the longitudinal direction, the recess having one side wall portion on one side in the width direction and the other side wall portion on the other side in the width direction, the recess being configured such that: when the widthwise central region of the absorber is bent such that a portion of the absorbent article other than the skin-side surface forms an angle of 50 degrees, the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion do not apply pressing force to each other.

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

Advantageous effects of the invention

According to the invention, the recess is configured such that: when the absorbent article is normally put on in a state where the lateral center region is bent so that the portion of the absorbent article other than the skin-side surface forms an angle of substantially 50 degrees, the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion are prevented from applying pressing force to each other. Such a recess makes it possible to suppress the risk of causing an obstruction to deformation of the absorbent body for projecting toward the skin side at the recess, and allows the absorbent body to be more favorably fitted with respect to the excretion source of the wearer.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 as seen from the skin side in the thickness direction.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sanitary napkin 1 as seen from the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view as seen along the arrow a-a in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the absorbent body 10 of the sanitary napkin 1 as seen from the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

Fig. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion indicated by an arrow B-B in fig. 1, in which an absorber dotted compressed portion ED10 has been formed in the uncompressed absorbent body 10. Fig. 5B is a schematic sectional view in which the concave portions 15 have been formed in the absorbent body 10 in fig. 5A. Fig. 5C is a schematic sectional view in which the top sheet 20 has been overlaid on the absorbent body 10 in fig. 5B. Fig. 5D is a schematic cross-sectional view in which body point compressions ED20 have been formed in the sanitary napkin 1 in fig. 5C.

Fig. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of the pair of roller portions 50.

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a use aspect of the sanitary napkin 1.

Fig. 8A and 8B show schematic cross-sectional views of the recess 15 in fig. 5D. Fig. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the recess 15 in fig. 5D. Fig. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion Z in fig. 8A.

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the concave portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 1 before use.

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating the state in which the concave portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 1 extends along the outer shape of the jig 70.

Fig. 11 shows a modification of the pair of roller portions 50.

Detailed Description

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

An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other,

the absorbent article includes:

an absorbent body having liquid-absorbent fibers; and

a non-skin side sheet disposed on a non-skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction,

the absorbent body has a concave portion in a widthwise central region of the absorbent body,

the recess is formed on the non-skin side and extends in the longitudinal direction,

the recess has one side wall portion on one side in the width direction and the other side wall portion on the other side in the width direction,

the recess is configured such that: when the widthwise central region of the absorber is bent such that a portion of the absorbent article other than the skin-side surface forms an angle of 50 degrees, the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion do not apply pressing force to each other.

With this absorbent article, the recess is configured such that: when the absorbent article is normally put on in a state where the lateral center region is bent so that the portion of the absorbent article other than the skin-side surface forms an angle of substantially 50 degrees, the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion are prevented from applying pressing force to each other. Such a recess makes it possible to suppress the risk of causing an obstruction to deformation of the absorbent body for projecting toward the skin side at the recess, and allows the absorbent body to be more favorably fitted with respect to the excretion source of the wearer.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

with respect to a deepest portion deepest in the concave portion, and an outer portion adjacent to the concave portion on an outer side in the width direction,

the center in the thickness direction at a position of the absorbent body overlapping with the deepest portion in the width direction is located on a skin side with respect to the center in the thickness direction at a position of the absorbent body overlapping with the outer portion in the width direction.

According to this absorbent article, the absorbent body is more likely to bend during use so as to bulge to the skin side, a good fit with respect to the excretion source is more likely to be achieved, and the excretion is likely to be absorbed more quickly.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

a deepest portion deepest in the recess extends in the width direction, and

the lateral length of the deepest portion is greater than the depth of the deepest portion.

According to this absorbent article, when the absorbent article is bent such that the non-skin-side surface portion forms an angle of 50 degrees, it is likely to be easier to prevent the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion from applying the pressing force to each other, as compared with the case of the absorbent article in which the lateral length of the deepest portion is smaller than the depth of the deepest portion.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

a deepest portion deepest in the recess extends in the width direction, and

when the widthwise central region of the absorber is bent such that the portion of the non-skin-side surface forms an angle of 50 degrees,

the laterally shortest distance between the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion is smaller than the lateral length of the deepest portion.

According to this absorbent article, the laterally shortest distance between one side wall portion and the other side wall portion is smaller than the lateral length of the deepest portion in the absorbent article. In this case, even when the absorbent article is bent such that the portion of the absorbent article other than the skin-side surface forms an angle of 50 degrees, it is likely to suppress the risk of the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion applying a pressing force to each other.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

the laterally shortest distance is a distance between a closest point on one side of the one side wall portion and a closest point on the other side of the other side wall portion, and

either one of a distance from the deepest portion to the one-side closest point in the thickness direction and a distance from the deepest portion to the other-side closest point in the thickness direction is smaller than the lateral length of the deepest portion.

According to this absorbent article, it is possible to further suppress the risk of the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion applying the pressing force to each other, as compared with the case where the distance from the deepest portion to the one side closest point in the thickness direction or the distance from the deepest portion to the other side closest point in the thickness direction is smaller than the lateral length of the deepest portion.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

a deepest portion deepest in the recess extends in the width direction, and

the deepest portion has a lateral length larger than a thickness of the absorbent body in an outer portion that is adjacent to the concave portion on an outer side in the width direction.

According to this absorbent article, it is likely that the risk of one side wall portion and the other side wall portion applying pressing force to each other is further suppressed, as compared with the case where the lateral length of the deepest portion is smaller than the thickness of the absorbent body in the outer portion.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

the deepest portion has a lateral length less than twice a thickness of the absorbent body in the outer portion.

According to this absorbent article, the greater the lateral length of the deepest portion is, the easier it is to suppress the risk of one side wall portion and the other side wall portion applying pressing force to each other. However, the greater the transverse length of the deepest part, the higher the risk that the recess will have a reduced ability to absorb and store faeces compared to the outer part. In view of this, the lateral length of the deepest portion is set to be less than twice the thickness of the absorbent body in the outer portion, thereby maintaining the amount of excreta that can be absorbed while also suppressing the risk of one side wall portion and the other side wall portion applying pressing force to each other.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

with regard to the skin-side portion adjacent to the recess portion on the skin side in the thickness direction,

a fiber density of the liquid-absorbent fibers at a lateral position where the deepest portion of the depression is disposed

Above

A fiber density of a portion included in the skin-side portion and adjacent to the lateral position at which the deepest portion is disposed.

According to this absorbent article, when the skin-side portion on the deepest portion comes into contact with the wearer's skin, not only the portion corresponding to the deepest portion having the higher fiber density but also the adjacent portion having the lower fiber density can come into contact with the wearer's skin. This makes it possible to improve the surface texture for the wearer.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

a pair of skin-side concave portions extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on a skin surface side of the absorber,

the pair of skin-side concave portions are respectively provided outside a deepest portion, which is deepest among the concave portions, in the width direction

The deepest portion is deeper than the skin-side recess.

According to this absorbent article, due to the recesses formed in the non-skin-contact side surface, when the absorbent body is deformed so as to rise toward the skin side, the region between the skin-side recesses is likely to come into contact with the skin of the wearer. At this time, the region that comes into contact with the skin of the wearer may be flatter than in the case where the pair of skin-side concave portions are not provided. This makes it possible to improve the surface texture.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

the absorbent article further includes a skin-side sheet disposed on the skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction,

the absorbent and the skin-side sheet are bonded to each other with an adhesive, and

the deepest portion of the skin-side concave portion and the skin-side sheet are not bonded to each other.

According to this absorbent article, the pair of skin-side concave portions is provided, so that it is possible to suppress the risk that the skin-side sheet obstructs deformation for forming the deepest portion extending in the width direction. This makes it easier to form the deepest portion extending in the width direction, and makes it possible to improve the texture.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

the absorbent body and the non-skin side sheet are bonded by use of an adhesive,

the adhesive is not applied to the deepest portion deepest in the recess,

the non-skin side sheet is bonded to the lateral ends of the recess, and

the adhesive is applied to a portion of the non-skin-side sheet that is located inside the end portion of the recess in the width direction.

According to this absorbent article, the non-skin side sheet is not adhered to the deepest portion, so that it is possible to suppress the risk that the swelling of the skin-side surface is hindered by the non-skin side sheet. Further, before the absorbent article is used, the portion of the concave portion located inside the lateral end portion is not bonded to the non-skin side sheet. However, when the absorbent article is used, the absorbent main body rises toward the skin side along the concave portion, and the non-skin side sheet similarly rises toward the skin side. This increases the size of the area of the recess that comes into contact with the non-skin-side sheet. Due to the adhesive applied to the non-skin-side sheet, the portion of the non-skin-side sheet located inside the lateral end portion of the concave portion becomes newly adhered to the concave portion, thus making it easier to maintain the absorbent article in a shape bulging to the skin side.

In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that:

the non-skin side sheet is bonded to a portion of the recess that is located inward of the lateral end portion, and

the non-skin side sheet is not adhered to the deepest portion.

According to this absorbent article, in a state in which the widthwise central region of the absorber is bent so that the portion of the non-skin side surface of the absorbent article forms an angle of 50 degrees, the portion of the non-skin side surface located inside the widthwise end portion of the concave portion becomes newly adhered to the concave portion by the adhesive applied to the non-skin side sheet, thus making it easier to maintain the absorbent article in a shape bulging to the skin side.

In the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the specific example

< basic Structure of sanitary napkin 1 >

A sanitary napkin 1 (hereinafter referred to as "sanitary napkin 1") is described below as an example of the absorbent article according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that although the sanitary napkin is described as an example of the absorbent article in the following description, the absorbent article of the present embodiment also covers a so-called panty liner or the like, and is not limited to the sanitary napkin.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 as seen from the skin side in the thickness direction. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sanitary napkin 1 as seen from the non-skin side in the thickness direction. Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view as seen along the arrow a-a in fig. 1. Also, in the following description, the "longitudinal direction" is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1 in the product state, the "width direction" is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and extending along the transverse direction of the sanitary napkin 1 in the product state, and the "thickness direction" is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the width direction. The longitudinal direction has a "front side" and a "rear side" on the abdominal side of the wearer and the back side of the wearer, respectively, when the sanitary napkin 1 is used. The thickness direction has a "skin side" (also referred to as "upper side") on the side that comes into contact with the skin of the wearer (upper side in fig. 3) when the sanitary napkin 1 is used, and a "non-skin side" (also referred to as "lower side") on the opposite side (lower side in fig. 3). Further, the X-X line in the drawing is a center line in the width direction.

The sanitary napkin 1 is a sheet-like member having a vertically elongated shape in plan view. The sanitary napkin 1 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet (skin-side sheet) 20, a liquid-absorbable absorbent body 10, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet (non-skin-side sheet) 30, which are covered with each other in this order from the skin side to the non-skin side in the thickness direction (see fig. 3). These

members

20, 10, and 30 are each joined to the member adjacent thereto in the thickness direction by using an adhesive HMA, which is a hot melt adhesive or the like. It should be noted that the adhesive HMA is coated over the entire areas of the skin surface side and the non-skin surface side of the absorbent body 10 in a desired coating pattern, and the coating pattern may be selected from coating patterns such as an Ω pattern, a spiral pattern, and a stripe pattern.

The top sheet 20 and the back sheet 30 have the same planar shape and have a planar size larger than that of the absorbent body 10. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the outer

peripheral edge portions

20e and 30e of the two

sheets

20 and 30 are joined to each other by bonding or welding, and thus the absorbent body 10 is held between the two

sheets

20 and 30. Also, substantially longitudinal central portions of the top sheet 20 and the back sheet 30 extend outward in the width direction, thereby forming

wing portions

20w and 30w of a fixing portion used when the sanitary napkin 1 is to be placed on and fixed to underwear (not shown).

The absorbent body 10 has an absorbent core 11, an upper sheet 12, and a lower sheet 13. The absorbent core 11 is a member that absorbs and retains liquid (excreted fluid) such as menstrual blood. The absorbent core 11 has cellulose-based absorbent fibers as liquid absorbent fibers and thermoplastic resin fibers. These fibers are mixed with each other and form a vertically elongated shape in a plan view, as shown by the dotted lines in fig. 1. For example, pulp fiber or the like is used as the liquid absorbent fiber, and the thermoplastic resin fiber is a composite fiber having a so-called sheath-core structure including a Polyethylene (PE) sheath and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) core. It should be noted that rayon fibers may be used as the liquid absorbent fibers, and polypropylene (PP) individual fibers or PE individual fibers may be used as the thermoplastic resin fibers. Also, liquid-absorbent particles, such as superabsorbent polymers (so-called SAP), may be added to the liquid-absorbent fibres.

The upper sheet 12 is a sheet member having substantially the same shape as the planar shape of the absorbent core 11, and is joined thereto by using an adhesive HMA so as to cover the skin-side surface of the absorbent core 11 (see fig. 3). The upper sheet 12 is a soft sheet having excellent liquid permeability properties and is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric (e.g., a breathable nonwoven fabric) or tissue paper. The lower sheet 13 is a sheet member having substantially the same shape as the planar shape of the absorbent core 11, and is joined thereto by using an adhesive HMA so as to cover the non-skin-side surface of the absorbent core 11 (see fig. 3). The lower sheet 13 is a soft sheet made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric (e.g., SMS (spunbond/meltblown/spunbond) nonwoven fabric) or tissue paper.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the absorbent body 10 of the sanitary napkin 1 as seen from the non-skin side in the thickness direction. In fig. 4, the outer shape of the sanitary napkin 1 is shown using a dotted line for convenience. The absorbent body 10 is provided with a plurality of absorbent body point-like compressed portions ED10 in order to increase the rigidity of the absorbent body 10 and improve liquid absorption and dispersion. The absorber dot-like compressed portions ED10 have a substantially circular planar shape and are arranged in a staggered arrangement pattern, but there is no limitation thereto in any way. Further, the thickness of the absorbent body 10 is 3mm or less, and desirably 2mm or less, and the fiber density of the absorbent body 10 is 1.0X 10⁵To 4.0X 10⁵(g/m³) And is substantially uniform. However, the mass per unit area of the absorbent body 10 differs in the longitudinal direction between the front portion, the central portion, and the rear portion. In the present embodiment, the mass per unit area (weight) of the liquid-absorbent fibers in the front portion was 175 (g/m)²) And 250 (g/m) in the central portion²) And 175 (g/m) in the rear part²) That is, liquid suction in the central portionThe mass of the absorbent fiber was the highest, and the thickness (t10) of the absorbent body 10 in the central portion was higher than the thickness (tb10) (t10) of the absorbent body 10 in the front and rear portions>tb10)。

The thickness, the fiber mass per unit area, and the density (also referred to as "fiber density") of the liquid absorbent fibers in the front portion, the central portion, and the rear portion of the absorbent body 10 can be measured using known methods. For example, in terms of thickness, it is likely that the area of the contactor is set to 20cm using a dial thickness gauge ID-C1012C from Sanfeng corporation or its equivalent²And the contact pressure was set to 3gf/cm²The target portion is pressed and measured, and then visually compared or compared using an image of a cross section of the napkin 1 taken along the longitudinal direction. Also, in terms of the fiber mass per unit area, it is likely that, for example, a target portion is cut out from the sanitary napkin 1 as a target sample, the mass of the target sample is measured using a direct-reading balance (for example, an electronic balance HF-300 from research and development industries, ltd.), the area of the target sample is measured, and then the mass per unit area is calculated. In terms of fiber density, it is likely that, for example, a target portion is cut out from the sanitary napkin 1 as a target sample, and the mass per unit area (g/m) of the target sample is measured using the above-described measurement method²) The thickness (m) of the target sample was measured using the above-described measurement method, and then the mass per unit area of the target sample was divided by the thickness of the target sample to calculate the fiber density (g/m)³)。

Further, linear recesses 15 extending in the longitudinal direction are formed in the widthwise central region of the non-skin-side surface of the absorbent body 10. The concave portion 15 is shaped substantially linearly and is provided over the entire longitudinal length of the absorber 10, including at least a crotch portion located in the crotch portion when the sanitary napkin is used. It should be noted that the "crotch portion" refers to an area located at the crotch when the sanitary napkin 1 is used by the wearer, and specifically refers to an area where the wing part bond 40w is formed in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1. The concave portion 15 induces the sanitary napkin to protrude and bend to the skin side in the thickness direction during use. Details of the recess 15 will be described later.

The top sheet 20 is a member that comes into contact with the skin of the wearer when the sanitary napkin 1 is used, and is used to allow liquid such as menstrual blood to permeate from the skin side to the non-skin side in the thickness direction and move to the absorbent body 10. The top sheet 20 is a liquid-permeable, flexible sheet made of a suitable type of nonwoven fabric, such as a breathable nonwoven fabric.

As shown in fig. 1, a plurality of compressed portions (linear compressed portions EL and main body point-like compressed portions ED20) are formed in the skin-side surface of the top sheet 20 from the skin side, and by this means, the top sheet 20 and the absorbent body 10 are compressed in the thickness direction so as to be joined and integrated with each other. The linear compressed portion EL is continuous and extends along the outer peripheral edge portion of the absorbent body 10, and the entire linear compressed portion EL forms a loop elongated substantially in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the main body dot-shaped compressed portions ED20 are substantially circular and discretely formed in a substantially closed area delimited on the top sheet 20 by the linear compressed portions EL.

The back sheet 30 suppresses the following: the liquid that has penetrated through the top sheet 20 and is absorbed by the absorbent body 10 during use of the sanitary napkin 1 leaks out toward underwear such as underwear (leaks toward the non-skin side). The back sheet 30 is a liquid-impermeable flexible sheet made of a suitable type of resin film made of Polyethylene (PE) or the like.

As shown in fig. 2, adhesive portions (a wing adhesive portion 40w and a main body adhesive portion 40c) for attaching the sanitary napkin 1 to underwear or the like during use of the sanitary napkin 1 are provided on the non-skin surface side of the back sheet 30. The wing portion adhesive portions 40w are a pair of substantially rectangular adhesive portions formed on the non-skin surface side of the wing portion 30 w. The body bonding portion 40c is formed by: a suitable adhesive HMA is applied in a plurality of strip-shaped regions extending in the longitudinal direction in the portion where the back sheet 30 and the absorbent body 10 overlap in the portion between the pair of wing part bonding parts 40w in the width direction. When the sanitary napkin 1 is used, the sanitary napkin 1 is attached to the wearer's undergarment by attaching the main body adhesive portion 30c to the inside of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment, thus preventing the position of the absorbent body 10 from becoming displaced relative to the wearer's body. Similarly, the wing part bonding part 40w is formed by: a suitable adhesive HMA is applied in the generally rectangular region in the wing portion 30 w. When the sanitary napkin 1 is used, the wing portions 30w (20w) are folded to the non-skin side, and the wing adhesive portions 40w are attached to the outside of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment, thus fixing the sanitary napkin 1 during use and suppressing positional displacement and the like.

< formation of dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 and ED20 and concave portion 15 >

Next, the formation of the dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 and ED20 and the recess 15 will be described. The absorber dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 and the main body dot-shaped compressed portions ED20 are provided by performing compression from the skin side or the non-skin side in the thickness direction so that at least the skin side and the non-skin side become concave. The concave portion 15 is a linear compressed portion extending in the longitudinal direction, is provided in a central region including the transverse center line X-X of the absorbent body 10 (sanitary napkin 1), and has a substantially rectangular shape having a predetermined area. Also, the concave portion 15 is a linear concave portion into which the non-skin side surface is depressed, and is provided by performing compression from the non-skin surface side of the absorbent body 10 in the thickness direction.

Fig. 5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating the formation of the dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 and ED20 and the recess 15. Fig. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion indicated by an arrow B-B in fig. 1, in which an absorber dotted compressed portion ED10 has been formed in the uncompressed absorbent body 10. Fig. 5B is a schematic sectional view in which the concave portions 15 have been formed in the absorbent body 10 in fig. 5A. Fig. 5C is a schematic sectional view in which the top sheet 20 has been overlaid on the absorbent body 10 in fig. 5B. Fig. 5D is a schematic cross-sectional view in which body point compressions ED20 have been formed in the sanitary napkin 1 in fig. 5C. Note that fig. 5A shows the absorbent body 10 in the portion indicated by the arrow B-B in fig. 1, and shows an aspect in which the absorbent body dotted compressed portions ED10 have been formed in the uncompressed absorbent body 10 in a state before the dotted compressed portions ED10 and ED20 and the concave portions 15 were formed. Fig. 5B illustrates a state during a process for forming the concave portions 15 in the absorber 10 in fig. 5A. Fig. 5D shows the treated absorbent body 10 in a state after dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 and ED20 and concave portions 15 are formed in the absorbent body 10. Further, a line Y-Y in fig. 5A, 5B and 5C is a center line of the absorbent body 10 in the thickness direction, and a line Y-Y in fig. 5D is a center line of the sanitary napkin 1 in the thickness direction. It should be noted that the centerline Y-Y is a centerline in the thickness direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and is also a centerline in the thickness direction of the outer portion L described later of the absorbent body 10.

First, the absorber dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 are formed. The uncompressed absorbent body 10 has a thickness t10 over its entire area, has a skin-side surface 10t as the skin-side surface of the absorbent body 10, and has a non-skin-side surface 10b as the non-skin-side surface. The uncompressed absorbent body 10 passes through a nip between a projecting roll (not shown) having a projecting portion and an anvil roll (not shown) having a smooth surface, and the absorbent body 10 is compressed from the non-skin side, thus forming absorbent body dot-shaped compressed portions ED 10.

As shown in fig. 5A, the portion in which the absorber dotted compressed portions ED10 are formed is a depression from both the skin side and the non-skin side, and is located approximately in the central portion in the thickness direction of the absorber 10. Also, due to this compression, the thickness of the absorbent body 10 in the absorbent body dot-shaped compressed portion ED10 is smaller than the thickness t10, and the fibers are crushed so that the fiber density is higher than in the portion having the thickness t 10.

Next, the concave portion 15 is formed. The concave portion 15 is formed by performing compression processing on the widthwise central region of the absorbent body 10 (fig. 5B). Specifically, the forming is performed using a pair of roller portions 50 including an upper roller 51u and a lower roller 51d that are driven to rotate in the transport direction.

Fig. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of the pair of roller portions 50. The absorbent body 10 is transported in a state where its longitudinal direction extends in the transport direction. The label "CD direction" is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the width direction of the absorbent body 10 substantially coincides with the CD direction.

The upper roller 51u is provided with a rib 51r that extends continuously in a ring shape over the entire circumference in the rotational direction. The cross-sectional shape of the rib 51r in a cross section orthogonal to the rotational direction is substantially an isosceles trapezoid in which the rib width decreases while extending outward along the rotational radius direction of the upper roller 51u, and the leading end thereof has a top surface 51rt parallel to the CD direction. In the formed concave portion 15, at least a part of a portion that has come into contact with the top surface 51rt becomes a deepest portion 15m described later. The length in the CD direction (width direction) of the top surface 51rt is preferably 0.5mm to 3.0mm, and 1.0mm in the present embodiment. Also, a groove portion 51m into which the rib 51rt is inserted is provided in the lower roller 51d at a position facing the rib 51r in the outer circumferential surface. The groove portion 51m is shaped as a ring continuously extending over the entire circumference in the rotational direction. The groove portion 51m has a cross-sectional shape in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation direction of a substantially isosceles trapezoid in which the groove width decreases while extending inward along the rotation radius direction of the lower roller 51d, and the bottom end thereof has a bottom surface 51mb parallel to the CD direction.

The recesses 15 are formed by a compression process in which the rib portions 51r are pressed into the groove portions 51m so that the thickness of the absorbent body 10 in the portion in contact with the top surface 51rt becomes thinnest. Specifically, with the non-skin-side surface 10b of the absorbent body 10 being the side corresponding to the upper roller 51u and the skin-side surface 10t of the absorbent body 10 being the side corresponding to the lower roller 51d, when the absorbent body 10 is moved in the transport direction between the upper roller 51u and the lower roller 51d, as shown in fig. 6, the rib portions 51r are pressed into the groove portions 51m to a portion on the skin side of the skin-side surface 10t of the uncompressed absorbent body 10. Further, a skin-side concave portion P described later is formed at a portion P of the absorbent body 10 which comes into contact with a boundary portion between the outer circumferential surface of the lower roller 51d and the groove portion 51m₀In (1).

At this time, the fiber density increases in the portion of the concave portion 15 that has come into contact with the top face 51rt and has the smallest thickness in the absorbent body 10. Unlike the dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 and ED20 formed using an anvil roll, the concave portions 15 are formed by the rib portions 51r pressed into the groove portions 51m, and are thus compacted to a greater degree than the dot-shaped compressed portions ED10 and ED 20.

Next, as shown in fig. 5C, a top sheet 20 (to which an adhesive HMA may be applied in advance) is overlaid on and adhered to the skin side of the absorbent body 10.

The main body dot-like compressed portions ED20 are formed after the top sheet 20 has been laid over the absorbent body 10. The top sheet 20 and the absorbent body 10 are compressed together in the thickness direction from above the top sheet 20, thus forming main body point-like compressed portions ED 20. Like the absorber dot-shaped compressed portions ED10, the main body dot-shaped compressed portions ED20 are formed by: the top sheet 20 is placed on the absorbent body 10 and a compression process is performed from the skin side by passing the absorbent body 10 through a nip between a projecting roller (not shown) having a projecting portion and an anvil roller (not shown) having a smooth surface (fig. 5D).

After the main point-like compressed portions ED20 have been formed, the linear compressed portions EL are formed next. The linear compression portion EL is formed by: the compression treatment is performed from the skin side by passing the absorbent body 10 through a nip between a projecting roller (not shown) having projecting portions in an arrangement pattern corresponding to the linear compressed portions EL and an anvil roller (not shown) having a smooth surface.

Then, the back sheet 30 is covered on and attached to the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10. At this time, the adhesive HMA is coated on substantially the entire surface of the back sheet 30 in advance in a predetermined coating pattern, and then the back sheet 30 is covered on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent body 10 while applying a certain pressure.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the formation of the absorber dot-shaped compressed portions ED10, the formation of the concave portions 15, the arrangement of the top sheet 20, the formation of the main body dot-shaped compressed portions ED20, and the formation of the linear compressed portions EL are performed in this order, but there is no limitation thereto. The following configurations are possible: the concave portions 15 are formed before the formation of the absorber dot-shaped compressed portions ED 10. Also, the following configurations are possible: the top sheet 20 is laid on the absorbent body 10 before the formation of the depressions 15.

< use of sanitary napkin 1 >

The sanitary napkin 1 is described below during use. Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a use aspect of the sanitary napkin 1. When the wearer is to use the sanitary napkin 1, first, the sanitary napkin 1 is placed in a flat state and fixed to the crotch portion of underwear, as shown in state a in fig. 7. At this time, the transverse length of the absorbent body 10 is 70mm, and when the wing portions 30w (20w) are folded to the non-skin side and the wing portion adhesive portions 40w are attached to the outside of the crotch portion of underwear to fix the sanitary napkin 1, the transverse length of the sanitary napkin 1 becomes substantially the same as the transverse length of the absorbent body 10. Generally, the crotch gap of the wearer is approximately 30mm, and therefore the sanitary napkin 1 (absorbent body 10) in this state a has a longer transverse length than the crotch gap. Normally, the longer the transverse length of the absorbent body 10, the greater the amount of excrement that can be absorbed, but if the transverse length of the absorbent body 10 is too long, it will become larger than the crotch gap of the wearer, and there is a risk of discomfort to the wearer and leakage of excrement due to bending in unexpected portions. For this reason, a length of approximately 70mm is suitable for the absorbent body 10, as will be described later, in view of allowing deformation along the wearer's body.

Next, the wearer performs an operation of pulling up his underwear toward his groin 201K. At this time, as shown in state B in fig. 7, the sanitary napkin 1 is curved so as to protrude on the skin side along the concave portions 15 of the absorbent body 10. When the sanitary napkin 1 is arranged at the wearer's groin 201K, as shown in state C in fig. 7, a portion (skin-side portion H in fig. 8A, etc.) protruding on the skin side due to being induced by the recessed portion 15 is likely to enter a gap including the drainage source 201He such as the vaginal opening. In state C in fig. 7, the laterally central region of the sanitary napkin 1 is normally curved so that the non-skin-side surface portion forms an angle of approximately 50 degrees, thus achieving a more favorable fit with the wearer's body. Thus, the wearer is likely to feel a good fit, and excreted fluid, such as menstrual blood, may be more likely to be absorbed by the absorbent body 10 rather than leaking. Moreover, due to deformation along the shape of the wearer's body, the size of the absorber 10 (sanitary napkin 1), which is wider than the crotch gap of the wearer, is reduced to a size fitting the wearer's body, and the sanitary napkin 1 is likely to fit the wearer's body while also ensuring sufficient absorption of excrement.

< Structure and Effect of recess 15 >

Fig. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the recess 15 in fig. 5D. Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the concave portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 1 before use. Fig. 10 is a view illustrating the state in which the concave portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 1 extends along the outer shape of the jig 70. In the following description, the lengths and depths of the various portions may be measured using known methods. For example, the measurement may be performed using a captured image of a cross section of the napkin 1 taken along the width direction.

The jig 70 includes an upper surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. The upper surface and the lower surface are parallel to each other, and the side surface extends from the upper surface to the bottom surface with an inclination of 25 degrees outward in the width direction. And, a virtual straight line extending along the side surface at one side and a virtual straight line extending along the side surface at the other side form an angle θ 70 of 50 degrees. The jig 70 is made of a material such as metal or plastic, and is configured such that the upper surface of the jig 70 is located below the skin-side portion H when the sanitary napkin 1 is bent along the side surface of the jig 70.

Normally, when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn by the wearer (state C in fig. 7), the laterally central region is bent so that the portion of the non-skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1 forms an angle of approximately 50 degrees. Therefore, a state in which the lateral central region is bent so that the portion of the sanitary napkin 1 on the non-skin-side surface forms an angle of 50 degrees will be described below. Specifically, it is a state in which the sanitary napkin 1 is bent until the non-skin-side portion comes into contact with the side surface of the jig 70, while the lateral center of the sanitary napkin 1 before use shown in fig. 9 is aligned with the lateral center of the jig 70 (fig. 10). It should be noted that in fig. 10, the center line X-X is the transverse center of the sanitary napkin 1, and is also the transverse center of the jig 70.

The recess 15 is a groove formed by compression and is in the sanitary napkin 1 before use. The concave portion 15 is a portion of the non-skin side surface 10b of the absorbent body 10 from the starting point of the curvature with respect to the skin side on one side to the ending point of the curvature with respect to the skin side on the other side in the width direction. The length 15w in the width direction of the recess 15 is preferably 1.5mm to 3.5mm, and the length 15w is approximately 2.4mm in the present embodiment. The longer the length 15w, the more easily the absorbent body 10 is bent. This makes it possible to suppress the risk that the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R described later of the absorber 10 will apply pressing force to each other. However, in view of the fact that the recess 15 is formed by compression, there is a risk that the fibers become stiff when crushed, and the longer the length 15w, the smaller the volume of liquid such as excrement that can be held. For this reason, in view of being easily bent so as to be bent to protrude to the skin side, and also in view of ensuring a liquid absorbing region of the absorbent body 10 for absorbing excrement, it is preferable that the length 15w in the width direction of the concave portion 15 is 2.0mm to 3.0 mm.

The recess 15 has one side wall portion 15L on one side (left side in fig. 9 and the like) and the other side wall portion 15R on the other side (right side in fig. 9 and the like) in the width direction. Specifically, the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R are portions of the non-skin-side surface 10b of the recess 15 located outside the deepest portion 15m in the width direction.

A portion of the absorber 10 adjacent to the concave portion 15 on the skin side in the thickness direction will be referred to as a skin-side portion H, and this is a region overlapping with the concave portion 15 in the width direction (dense spot region in fig. 8A). Also, a portion adjacent to the skin-side portion H on the outer side in the width direction will be referred to as an outer portion L, which is a region in which the dot-like compressed portions ED10 and ED20 and the concave portion 15 are not formed, and whose thickness is the thickness t10 of the absorber 10. The skin-side surface 10t and the non-skin-side surface 10b in the outer portion L are located at substantially the same positions as the skin-side surface 10t and the non-skin-side surface 10b in the untreated absorbent body 10. In the present embodiment, the thickness t10 is approximately 1.3 mm.

At this time, the fiber density in the skin side portion H is higher than that in the outer portion L, and it is generally known that the higher the fiber density, the faster the liquid is absorbed by capillary action. For this reason, when the lateral central region is bent so that the portion of the sanitary napkin 1 other than the skin-side surface forms an angle of approximately 50 degrees, increasing the fiber density in the skin-side portion H coming into contact with the excretion source makes it likely to absorb the excretion faster. The "high-density region DH" refers to a region of the skin-side portion H that is adjacent to the deepest portion 15m having the deepest depth in the recess 15 on the skin side and overlaps with the deepest portion 15m in the width direction. The deepest portion 15m has a predetermined length (W in fig. 8A) in the width direction (for example, approximately 0.8mm), and the high-density region DH has flat regions extending in the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

Further, the center Hc in the thickness direction of the high density region DH is located on the skin side with respect to the center Lc in the thickness direction at a position overlapping the outer portion L in the width direction of the absorbent body 10. In the present embodiment, the center Lc is located at substantially the same position as the center y-y in the thickness direction of the untreated absorbent body 10. Therefore, during use, even if a force acting in the width direction is applied by the thighs (legs) of the wearer, folding so as to protrude to the skin side may be induced via deformation so as to protrude to the non-skin side. This makes it possible to absorb excrement at a position closer to the excretion source of the wearer.

The depth of the deepest portion 15m (that is, the length L2 from the non-skin-side surface 10b of one outer side portion L (untreated absorbent body 10) to the deepest portion 15m in the thickness direction) is longer than the length L1 from the deepest portion 15m to the skin-side surface 10t of the skin-side portion H (high-density region DH) in the thickness direction (L2> L1). In the present embodiment, the length L2 of the deepest portion 15m is substantially 0.8mm, the length L1 from the deepest portion 15m to the skin-side surface 10t in the skin-side portion H in the thickness direction is substantially 0.5mm, and the fiber density in the high-density region DH is raised by the compression treatment.

As shown in fig. 10, when the central region of the sanitary napkin 1 is bent such that the non-skin-side surface portion of the sanitary napkin 1 forms an angle of 50 degrees, the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R of the absorber 10 are in a state where no pressing force is applied to each other. Here, the "state in which pressing forces are applied to each other" refers to the following state: a state in which the bending angle of the sanitary napkin 1 tries to rise more than 50 degrees due to the contact between the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R; or a state in which the back sheet 30 is present between the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R and the bending angle of the widthwise central region of the sanitary napkin 1 cannot be set to 50 degrees due to contact between the non-skin-side surface of the back sheet 30 in the region adhered to the one side wall portion 15L and the non-skin-side surface of the back sheet 30 in the region adhered to the other side wall portion 15R; or a state in which the back sheet 30 is present between the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R and the bending angle of the sanitary napkin 1 tries to rise more than 50 degrees.

One side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R of the sanitary napkin 1 do not contact each other, and the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 30 in the region adhered to the one side wall portion 15L does not contact the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 30 in the region adhered to the other side wall portion 15R. Therefore, the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R are not in a state of applying pressing force to each other. For this reason, in the worn state (state C in fig. 7), even if the widthwise central region of the absorbent body 10 is bent so that the non-skin-side surface portion of the sanitary napkin 1 forms an angle of substantially 50 degrees, it is possible to suppress the risk that the bending of the absorbent body 10 is hindered by the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R, the sanitary napkin 1 can be more easily deformed so that the non-skin-side surface portion thereof forms an angle of substantially 50 degrees, and the absorbent body 10 can be favorably fitted with respect to the excretion source of the wearer.

Further, in order to facilitate prevention of the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R from applying pressing force to each other, the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is set to be larger than the depth (L2) of the deepest portion 15m of the recess 15 (W > L2). Therefore, when the sanitary napkin 1 is bent such that the non-skin-side surface portion forms an angle of 50 degrees, it is more likely to prevent the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R from applying a pressing force to each other, as compared with the case where the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is smaller than the depth (L2) of the deepest portion 15 m. The absorbent body 10 can be deformed more easily so as to favorably fit the wearer's body.

Further, the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is larger than the thickness t10 of the outer portion L (the thickness of the absorbent body 10) and smaller than twice the thickness of the absorbent body 10(t10< W < t10 × 2). In the case where the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is greater than the thickness t10 of the outer side portion L, when the sanitary napkin 1 is bent such that the non-skin-side surface portion forms an angle of 50 degrees, the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R may be spaced farther according to the longer lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m, as compared with the case where the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is smaller than the thickness t10(t10> W) of the absorbent body 10 in the outer side portion. For this reason, in the case where the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is larger than the thickness t10 of the outer side portion L in the sanitary napkin 1 (t10< W), it is more likely that the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R are further suppressed from applying the pressing force to each other, as compared with the case where the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is smaller than the thickness t10(t10> W) of the absorbent body 10 in the outer side portion.

Normally, the greater the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m, the easier it is to suppress the risk of the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R of the absorbent body 10 applying a pressing force to each other. However, the longer the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m, the larger the gap region formed in the lateral center region of the absorbent body 10. This makes the area for absorbing excrement smaller. Further, it is considered that the formation of the recesses 15 by the compression treatment increases the size of the high density region DH having a high fiber density, and there is a risk of deterioration in texture. For this reason, the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m is set to be smaller than twice the thickness of the absorbent body 10 (W < t10 × 2), so that it is likely to suppress the risk of one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R applying a pressing force to each other, to maintain the amount of excrement that the absorbent body 10 can absorb, and to suppress the risk of deterioration in texture caused by the excessively large high-density region DH having a high fiber density.

In addition, in the sanitary napkin 1, the laterally shortest distance L4 between the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R is smaller than the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m (L4< W). In fig. 10, the shortest distance L4 is a distance between the one-side closest point 15Lp of the one-side wall portion 15L and the other-side closest point 15Rp of the other-side wall portion 15R. The one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R shown in fig. 10 are prevented from applying a pressing force to each other, and therefore the shortest distance L4 is greater than 0(L4> 0). At this time, when the sanitary napkin 1 is bent such that the angle formed by the non-skin-side surface portion is 50 degrees, even if the shortest distance L4 is smaller than the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m (L4< W), it is highly likely that the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R are suppressed from applying the pressing force to each other. Note that the shortest distance L4 between the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R varies depending on the shape of the recess 15. In the sanitary napkin 1, the shortest distance L4 is located on the skin side with respect to the portion of the backsheet 30 located farthest from the skin side.

The distance from the deepest portion 15m to the one-side closest point 15Lp in the thickness direction and the distance from the deepest portion 15m to the other-side closest point 15Rp in the thickness direction are equal to each other and are the distance a. This distance a is shorter than the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m (a < W), and therefore it is likely that the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R are less likely to apply the pressing force to each other than the case where the distance a is greater than the lateral length W of the deepest portion 15m (a > W). In this way, even when the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R are closest to each other (the shortest distance L4), by selecting an appropriate configuration for the concave portion 15, it is likely to prevent the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R from applying a pressing force to each other, and to suppress the risk of hindering the deformation according to which the widthwise central region of the absorbent body 10 is projected toward the skin side.

Although the configuration of the recess 15 has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It is sufficient that: the recess 15 prevents the one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R from applying pressing force to each other. The components of the recess 15 include, for example: the lateral length W of the recess 15; depth L2 and lateral length W of the deepest portion 15 m; and a distance L1 from the deepest portion 15m to the skin-side surface 10t of the high-density region DH in the thickness direction. One or more of these constituent elements may be optimized so as to prevent one side wall portion 15L and the other side wall portion 15R of the recess 15 from applying pressing force to each other.

Also, in the width direction, skin-side portions H having a lower fiber density than the high-density region DH are provided inside the skin-side recesses P in portions adjacent to both outsides of the high-density region DH farthest from the skin side (fig. 10). For this reason, in the donned state, in addition to the high-density region DH, the skin-side portion H adjacent to the high-density region DH comes into contact with the skin of the wearer, thus making it possible to improve the texture.

Further, as shown in fig. 8A and the like, the deepest portion 15m and the back sheet 30 are separated from each other, and the deepest portion 15m and the back sheet 30 are not bonded to each other with the adhesive HMA. This makes it possible to reduce the following risks: the rigidity of the back sheet 30 will hinder the deformation of the absorbent body 10 when the absorbent body 10 is deformed such that, specifically, the deepest portion 15m of the recess 15 is raised and protruded to the skin side. Further, when the back sheet 30 is overlaid on the absorber 10, a pressing force is applied in the thickness direction. Therefore, as shown in fig. 8A and 9, the transverse end portion 15e of the concave portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 1 is bonded to the back sheet 30 before use. That is, a part of the back sheet 30 is pulled toward the concave portion 15, and therefore, the end portion 15e of the concave portion 15 is bonded to the back sheet 30, and the adhesive HMA exists inward in the width direction with respect to the end portion 15e, but the deepest portion 15m and the back sheet 30 are not bonded to each other. Also, when the sanitary napkin 1 is bent such that the non-skin-side surface portion forms an angle of 50 degrees, the concave portion 15 is bent so as to protrude toward the skin side (fig. 10). At this time, when the sanitary napkin 1 is bent, not only the absorbent body 10 but also a part of the back sheet 30 is raised toward the skin side. For this reason, there is a larger contact area between the back sheet 30 and the absorbent body 10, and the inside portion 15i inward from the end portion 15e (which was not previously bonded to the back sheet 30) becomes newly bonded, thus making it likely to maintain the curved shape more easily during use.

Further, the pair of skin-side concave portions P are provided outside the high-density region DH in the width direction in the longitudinal central portion of the absorbent body 10. The skin-side concave portion P extends in the longitudinal direction on the skin-side surface of the absorbent body 10. Fig. 8B shows the following state: wherein the absorbent body 10 is in contact with a virtual straight line V at two points, which becomes close to the cross section of the sanitary napkin 1 (absorbent body 10) in the width direction. The skin-side concave portion P is a groove formed by compression. In the sanitary napkin 1 in the pre-use state, one of two contact points of the virtual straight line with the absorbent body 10 at the skin-side surface 10t of the absorbent body 10 is a pocket starting point, and the other contact point is a pocket ending point. The lateral length Wp of each skin-side concave portion P is smaller than the lateral length 15w of the concave portion 15. Specifically, the length Wp is preferably 0.3mm to 1.2mm, and the length Wp is approximately 0.8mm in the present embodiment. Therefore, the absorber 10 is induced to bend toward the skin side due to the recesses 15 that are longer in the width direction. Also, the absorbent body 10 can be induced to bend to the non-skin side due to the skin-side concave portion P that is shorter in the width direction.

The depth of the skin-side concave portion P is a length L3 (fig. 8B) between the virtual straight line V and the skin-side deepest portion Pm. As shown in fig. 8A and the like, the skin-side deepest portion Pm of each skin-side recess P is separated from the top sheet 20, and the skin-side deepest portion Pm and the top sheet 20 are not adhered to each other with the adhesive HMA. This can reduce the risk of the skin-side concave portion P becoming fixed due to the more rigid top sheet 20, thus making it possible to maintain the skin-side concave portion P as a portion that is easily deformed. Moreover, the absorbent body 10 can be easily folded toward the non-skin side at the skin-side concave portions P, and the deepest portion 15m (high-density region DH) between the skin-side concave portions P can easily maintain a flat shape, thus making it possible to improve the surface texture for the wearer.

Other embodiments are also possible

While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the above embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way. The present disclosure may be subject to various changes or modifications without departing from the spirit thereof and covers equivalents thereof. For example, modifications to be described below are possible.

Although the concave portions 15 are formed over the entire longitudinal length of the absorbent body 10 in the above-described embodiment, there is no limitation in the comparison. If the recess 15 is provided in at least the crotch portion corresponding to the crotch of the wearer during use, the crotch portion in the laterally central region of the sanitary napkin 1 is more likely to protrude toward the skin side, thus making it likely that the absorbent body 10 (sanitary napkin 1) fits favorably with respect to the wearer's excretion source. It should be noted that if the concave portion 15 is formed over the entire length of the absorbent body 10 as in the sanitary napkin 1, the absorbent body 10 can be more easily protruded toward the skin side.

Moreover, the skin-side concave portion P need not be provided over the entire longitudinal length of the absorbent body 10. If the skin-side debossment P is disposed in at least the crotch portion corresponding to the crotch of the wearer during use, the area between the pair of skin-side debossments P can be maintained even closer to a flat state. This makes it possible to improve the fit with respect to the drainage source while still improving the surface texture. It should be noted that, on the rear side of the sanitary napkin 1, when a wearing state in which the shape of the absorbent body 10 is gradually changed in accordance with the shape of the buttocks region of the wearer is desired, the region in which the depressions 15 and the skin-side depressions P are provided may be appropriately changed in accordance with such a wearing state.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the thinnest portion of the absorbent body 10 is formed by the rib 51r of the upper roller 51u being pressed into the groove portion 51m of the lower roller 51d so that the top surface 51rt comes into contact with the absorbent body 10, but there is no limitation thereto. Fig. 11 shows a modification of the pair of roller portions 50. As shown in fig. 11, a configuration is possible in which the gap between the rib 51r of the upper roller 51u and the groove portion 51m of the lower roller 51d is changed so that the thinnest portion of the absorbent body 10 is a region sandwiched between the inclined surfaces of the rib 51r and the groove portion 51m, rather than a portion that comes into contact with the top surface 51 rt. This therefore makes it possible to reduce the risk of the portion that comes into contact with the wearer's skin being compressed and stiffened excessively firmly during use, thus making it possible to improve the texture.

Further, the adhesive HMA is not applied to the deepest portion 15m of the concave portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 1, and the deepest portion 15m and the back sheet 30 are not adhered to each other, but there is no limitation thereto. The adhesive HMA may be applied to the deepest portion 15m, and the deepest portion 15m and the back sheet 30 may be bonded to each other. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of excessive protrusion to the skin side and to adjust the texture of the portion that comes into contact with the excretion source of the wearer.

Similarly, the adhesive HMA is not applied to the deepest portion Pm of the skin-side concave portion P of the sanitary napkin 1, and the deepest portion Pm and the top sheet 30 are not adhered to each other, but there is no limitation thereto. The adhesive HMA may be applied to the deepest portion Pm, and the deepest portion Pm and the top sheet 20 may be adhered to each other.

List of reference numerals

1 sanitary napkin (sanitary napkin), 10 absorbent, 10t skin side surface, 10b non-skin side surface, 11 absorbent core, 12 upper sheet, 13 lower sheet, 15 concave portion, 15m deepest portion, 15e end portion, 15i inside portion, 15L side wall portion, 15Lp side nearest point, 15R other side wall portion, 15Rp other side nearest point, 20 top sheet (skin side sheet), 20e outer peripheral edge portion, 20w wing portion, 30 back sheet (non-skin side sheet), 30e outer peripheral edge portion, 30w wing portion, 40c main body adhesive portion, 40w wing portion adhesive portion, 50 pair of roller portions, 51u upper roller, 51d lower roller, 51R rib portion, 51m groove portion, 51rt top surface, 51mb bottom surface, 70 jig, 201K crotch portion, 201He source, DH high density region, ED10 absorbent dot-like compressed portion, ED20 main body dot-like compressed portion, EL linear compressed portion, H skin side portion, L outer portion, HMA adhesive, P skin side concavity, Pm skin side deepest portion.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other,

the absorbent article includes:

an absorbent body having liquid-absorbent fibers; and

the recess is configured such that: when the widthwise central region of the absorber is bent such that a portion of the absorbent article other than the skin-side surface forms an angle of 50 degrees, the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion do not apply pressing force to each other,

a fiber density of the liquid-absorbent fibers at a lateral position of a deepest portion disposed deepest in the recess

Above

A fiber density of a portion included in the skin-side portion and adjacent to the lateral position where the deepest portion is disposed,

extends in the width direction at the deepest part of the recess, and

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

3. The absorbent article of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

a deepest portion deepest in the recess extends in the width direction, and

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

a deepest portion deepest in the recess extends in the width direction, and

6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein:

The deepest portion is deeper than the skin-side recess.

8. The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein:

9. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other,

the absorbent article includes:

an absorbent body having liquid-absorbent fibers; and

the adhesive is not applied to the deepest portion deepest in the recess,

the non-skin side sheet is bonded to the lateral ends of the recess, and

10. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein:

the non-skin side sheet is not adhered to the deepest portion.