CN112512471B

CN112512471B - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN112512471B
Application number: CN201980051299.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 铃木裕哉
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2018-08-06
Filing date: 2019-08-06
Publication date: 2022-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-06
Also published as: CN112512471A; WO2020032069A1

Abstract

An absorbent article (1) is provided with: an absorbent core (20) comprising an absorbent material; a top sheet (30) which is arranged at a position closer to the skin surface side (T1) than the absorbent core (20) and has an Absorption Region (AR) overlapping the absorbent core (20) in the thickness direction (T); and an inspection means (60) for inspecting the health status of the wearer. The inspection member (60) has a contact portion (62) that comes into contact with the excreta of the wearer and a display portion (64) that displays the health status of the wearer. The display section (64) contains an indicator that develops color in accordance with a detection target contained in the excrement that comes into contact with the contact section (62). At least part of the contact portion (62) is disposed in a range where the excrement excreted into the Absorption Region (AR) reaches. At least a part of the display section (64) does not overlap the absorbent core (20) in the thickness direction (T).

Description

Absorbent article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Background

Fig. 1 of patent document 1 discloses an absorbent article provided with an inspection member for inspecting the health condition of a wearer. The inspection member has a display portion that displays the health state of the wearer. The display unit includes an indicator (indicating unit) that develops color according to a detection target contained in the excrement. Therefore, in the case where the analyte is contained in the excrement, the color of the display portion changes due to the color reaction of the indicator. The wearer can confirm the health condition by visually recognizing the display unit.

Since the absorbent article includes the inspection member, the wearer can easily inspect the health condition.

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese Kokai publication Hei-2003-517584

Disclosure of Invention

In the absorbent article disclosed in patent document 1, an inspection member is disposed at the center in the front-rear direction and the width direction. This may facilitate excretion of the wearer toward the inspection member, and at least a part of the inspection member may be covered with the excretion of the wearer. When the display portion is shielded by the excrement covering the inspection member, the wearer cannot visually recognize the display portion and cannot confirm the health condition. Further, even if the wearer can visually recognize the display portion through the excrement, the color of the display portion may be mistaken for the color of the excrement. Thus, the wearer may not be able to grasp an accurate health state by the excrement.

Therefore, an absorbent article that includes an inspection member for inspecting the health state of a wearer and in which the wearer can easily grasp an accurate health state is desired.

An absorbent article of the present disclosure includes a front-back direction, a width direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, a thickness direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the width direction, an absorbent core containing an absorbent material, a top sheet disposed at a position closer to a skin surface side than the absorbent core and having an absorbent region overlapping the absorbent core in the thickness direction, and an inspection member for inspecting a health state of a wearer. The inspection member has a contact portion that comes into contact with excrement of the wearer and a display portion that displays a health state of the wearer. The display unit includes an indicator that develops a color according to a detection target contained in the excrement in contact with the contact unit. At least a part of the contact portion is disposed in a range where the excrement excreted into the absorption region reaches. At least a part of the display portion does not overlap with the absorbent core in the thickness direction.

An absorbent article of the present disclosure includes a front-back direction, a width direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, a thickness direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the width direction, a horizontal direction parallel to the front-back direction and the width direction, an absorbent core including an absorbent material, a back sheet disposed at a position closer to a non-skin surface side than the absorbent core, and an inspection member for inspecting a health state of a wearer. The inspection member is disposed closer to the skin surface side than the base sheet in the thickness direction. The examination member has a display portion containing an indicator that develops color in accordance with a detection target contained in the excrement. The display portion is visually recognizable from the side of the base sheet. A hydrophobic portion having hydrophobicity is disposed in an extended region extending from the display portion in the thickness direction and the horizontal direction at a position closer to the skin surface side than the base sheet.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent article of embodiment 1 as viewed from the skin surface side.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the absorbent article of embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a view for explaining the absorbent article according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 1 to modification 3) of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 4 to modification 5) of embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 6) of embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 7 to modification 10) of embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 11 to modification 12) of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the absorbent article according to embodiment 2, viewed from the skin surface side.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the absorbent article according to embodiment 2, viewed from the non-skin surface side.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the absorbent article of embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 1 to modification 4) of embodiment 2.

Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 5 to modification 6) of embodiment 2.

Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 7 to modification 8) of embodiment 2.

Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining a modification (modification example 9) of embodiment 2.

Detailed Description

(1) Brief description of the embodiments

At least the following matters will be made clear from the description of the present specification and the attached drawings.

An absorbent article according to one aspect includes a front-back direction, a width direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, a thickness direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the width direction, an absorbent core including an absorbent material, a top sheet arranged at a position closer to a skin surface side than the absorbent core and having an absorbent region overlapping with the absorbent core in the thickness direction, and an inspection member for inspecting a health state of a wearer. The inspection member has a contact portion that comes into contact with excreta of the wearer and a display portion that displays the health state of the wearer. The display unit includes an indicator that develops a color according to a detection target contained in the excrement in contact with the contact unit. At least a part of the contact portion is disposed in a range where the excrement excreted into the absorption region reaches. At least a part of the display portion does not overlap with the absorbent core in the thickness direction.

According to the present invention, at least part of the contact portion is disposed in a range where the excrement reaches, and therefore the excrement can be brought into contact with the contact portion. Thereby, the indicator contained in the display portion can be colored, and the display portion can display the health state. Further, by making at least a part of the display portion not overlap with the absorbent core, at least a part of the display portion is not blocked by the absorbent core, and the display portion is easily visible to the wearer. Further, since most of the excrement is absorbed by the absorbent core, at least part of the display portion does not overlap with the absorbent core, so that at least part of the display portion is less likely to come into contact with the excrement. Thus, at least a part of the display portion is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion without being affected by the excrement. According to the above, since the display portion is easily visible to the wearer, the wearer can easily grasp an accurate health state.

According to a preferred aspect, at least part of the contact portion is in contact with the absorbent core. Since the excrement is excreted into the absorbent core, at least part of the contact portion comes into contact with the absorbent core, and therefore more excrement can be brought into contact with the contact portion. Thereby, the indicator can be developed from a large number of detection objects, and the inspection accuracy can be improved.

According to a preferred aspect, at least a part of the contact portion overlaps with the absorbent core in the thickness direction. Since the excrement is discharged to the absorbent core, more excrement can be brought into contact with the contact portion by overlapping at least a part of the contact portion with the absorbent core. Thereby, the indicator can develop color according to a large number of detection objects, and the inspection accuracy can be improved.

According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article includes a guide portion for guiding the excrement to at least a part of the contact portion. The excrement is guided by the guide portion to at least a part of the contact portion, and therefore more excrement can be brought into contact with the contact portion. Thereby, the indicator can be developed from a large number of detection objects, and the inspection accuracy can be improved.

According to a preferred aspect, the absorbent article has: a main body portion having the absorbent core; and a pair of main wings which extend outward in the width direction from the main body and are fixed to a non-skin surface side of a wearing article in a state of being attached to the wearing article. At least a part of the display portion is disposed on one of the pair of main wings in the thickness direction. Since the main flaps are fixed to the non-skin surface side of the wearing article (for example, underwear) in a state of being attached to the wearing article, the excrement discharged from the skin surface side is less likely to adhere to the main flaps. Thus, at least a part of the display portion is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion without being affected by the excrement. Further, since the main wing is fixed to the non-skin surface side of the wearing article, the wearing article is present between at least a part of the display portion and the skin of the wearer in the thickness direction when the absorbent article is worn by the wearer. Therefore, at least a part of the display portion is less likely to come into contact with the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn. Even if the indicator contained in the display portion may damage the skin, the safety of the wearer can be improved.

According to a preferable mode, at least a part of the display portion protrudes from the outer end edge in the front-rear direction of the absorbent core when viewed from above in the thickness direction. Since the excrement is easily excreted to the center side as compared with the end portions in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article, the excrement is less likely to spread beyond the outer end edges in the front-rear direction of the absorbent core. Since at least a part of the display portion protrudes from the outer edge of the absorbent core in the front-rear direction, the display portion is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion without being affected by the excrement.

According to a preferred aspect, the absorbent article includes an absorbent article main body including a member other than the inspection member. At least a part of the display portion protrudes from an outer end edge of the absorbent article main body when viewed in plan in the thickness direction. Since at least part of the display portion extends from the outer edge of the absorbent article main body, at least part of the display portion is disposed at a position to which excrement cannot spread. This can prevent at least part of the display portion from being covered with excrement. Further, since at least a part of the display portion protrudes from the outer end edge of the absorbent article main body, the wearer can directly view the display portion. Therefore, the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health state.

According to a preferred aspect, the absorbent article has a plurality of inspection members whose detection objects are different from each other. The display portions of the plurality of inspection members are arranged at positions different from each other in the thickness direction. Since the inspection device includes a plurality of inspection members whose detection objects are different from each other, a plurality of items indicating health states can be checked using one absorbent article. Since the display portions of the plurality of inspection members are arranged at positions different from each other in the thickness direction, the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portions, and thus, the wearer can be prevented from overlooking a part of the display portions.

According to a preferred embodiment, the inspection member is disposed on a non-skin surface side of the top sheet. Since the inspection member is disposed on the non-skin surface side of the top sheet, direct contact between the inspection member and the skin of the wearer can be suppressed. This can suppress the uncomfortable feeling of the wearer caused by the direct contact of the inspection member with the skin of the wearer. Further, even if the indicator may irritate the skin, the indicator is less likely to come into contact with the skin of the wearer, and the safety of the wearer can be improved.

According to a preferred embodiment, the contact portion is disposed on a non-skin surface side of the absorbent core. The absorbent core has an opening that penetrates the absorbent core in the thickness direction. The contact portion does not overlap with the opening in the thickness direction. The excrement passes through the openings and thus easily reaches the non-skin surface side of the absorbent core where the contact portion is disposed, as compared with the excrement passing through the gaps of the fibers of the absorbent member constituting the absorbent core. Therefore, the time required for reaching the contact portion can be shortened, and a large amount of excrement can be caused to reach the contact portion. This can improve the inspection accuracy. In addition, when the contact portion contains the indicator, the indicator may be dissolved in excrement that reaches the contact portion. However, since the contact portion does not overlap the opening in the thickness direction, the excrement is less likely to pass through the opening and reach the non-skin surface side of the absorbent core. Therefore, even if the indicator may irritate the skin, the excrement containing the indicator is less likely to reach the non-skin surface side of the top sheet, and the safety of the wearer can be improved.

An absorbent article according to one aspect includes a front-back direction, a width direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, a thickness direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the width direction, a horizontal direction parallel to the front-back direction and the width direction, an absorbent core containing an absorbent material, a back sheet disposed at a position on a non-skin surface side of the absorbent core, and an inspection member for inspecting a health state of a wearer. The inspection member is disposed closer to the skin surface side than the base sheet in the thickness direction. The examination member has a display portion containing an indicator that develops color according to a detection target contained in the excrement. The display portion is visually recognizable from the side of the base sheet. A hydrophobic portion having hydrophobicity is disposed in an extended region extending from the display portion in the thickness direction and the horizontal direction at a position closer to the skin surface side than the base sheet.

Here, japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2002-539890 discloses an absorbent article provided with an inspection member for inspecting the health condition of a wearer. The inspection member has a display portion that displays the health state of the wearer. The display unit includes an indicator (indicating unit) that develops color according to a detection target contained in the excrement. When the excrement of the wearer reaches the inspection member and the detection target is contained in the excrement, the color of the display portion changes due to the color reaction of the indicator.

The inspection member is disposed in contact with an inner surface of the liquid impermeable film. The display portion can be viewed from a transparent region forming the observation window on the film. The wearer can confirm the health condition by visually recognizing the display unit.

However, in the absorbent article disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2002-539890, since the wearer's excrement reaches the inspection member, the wearer's excrement may cover at least a part of the inspection member or overlap with the inspection member. When the display portion is shielded by the excrement covering the inspection member, the wearer cannot visually recognize the display portion and cannot confirm the health condition. In addition, even if the wearer can visually recognize the display portion through the excrement overlapped with the display portion, there is a possibility that the color of the display portion is mistaken by the color of the excrement. Thus, the wearer may not be able to grasp the exact health status from the excreta.

Therefore, an absorbent article which includes an inspection member for inspecting the health state of a wearer and in which the wearer can easily grasp an accurate health state is desired.

In the absorbent article according to the present invention, when the water-repellent section is disposed in the extended region extending in the thickness direction from the display section, the water-repellent section is present on a diffusion path through which excrement excreted to the skin surface side of the absorbent article diffuses toward the display section in the thickness direction. Since the hydrophobic portion has hydrophobicity, diffusion of water-soluble excrement to the display portion side is easily suppressed. In addition, when the water-repellent portion is disposed in an extended region extending in the horizontal direction from the display portion, the water-repellent portion is present on a diffusion path along which the excrement diffused into the absorbent article diffuses toward the display portion side in the horizontal direction. The water-repellent portion easily suppresses diffusion of water-soluble excrement toward the display portion side. In addition, even when the display portion is not disposed in a range where the excrement reaches during wearing of the absorbent article, the excrement may reach the display portion by an unexpected motion of the wearer. Even in such a case, it is easy to suppress the excrement from reaching the display portion by the water-repellent portion disposed in the extension area. According to the above, it is easy to suppress the excrement from covering or overlapping the display portion, and to ensure the visibility of the display portion. Thus, when the wearer visually recognizes the display unit from the back sheet side, the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health condition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article includes a top sheet that is disposed on the skin surface side of the absorbent core and has an absorption region overlapping the absorbent core in the thickness direction. The water-repellent section disposed in the extension region is disposed in a range where excrement excreted into the absorption region reaches. This can prevent the excrement reaching the water-repellent section from spreading toward the display section. Therefore, visibility of the display portion is easily ensured. Thus, when the wearer visually recognizes the display unit from the side of the base sheet, the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health condition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic portion is in contact with the display portion. This can prevent excrement from reaching the display unit. This ensures visibility of the display unit, and facilitates the wearer to grasp an accurate health condition.

According to the present invention, the water-repellent section is in contact with the surface of the display section on the skin surface side. This can prevent the excrement spreading from the skin surface side to the non-skin surface side from reaching the display unit. This ensures visibility of the display unit, and facilitates the wearer to grasp an accurate health condition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the water-repellent section is in contact with a surface of the display section other than the skin surface side. This can prevent the excrement from reaching the surface of the display section visually recognized from the side of the backsheet. This ensures visibility of the display unit, and makes it easy for the wearer to grasp an accurate health state.

According to a preferred aspect, the inspection member is disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet in the thickness direction. A sheet-like sheet member is disposed between the absorbent core and the display section in the thickness direction as the water-repellent section. Since the sheet member is disposed between the absorbent core and the display unit, the bodily waste spreading from the skin surface side to the non-skin surface side can be suppressed from reaching the display unit. This ensures visibility of the display unit, and makes it easy for the wearer to grasp an accurate health state.

According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has an excretory opening abutment portion that abuts the excretory opening of the wearer. The water-repellent portion is closer to the center of the excretory opening abutment portion than the display portion is to the center of the excretory opening abutment portion when viewed from above in the thickness direction. Since the water-repellent portion is closer to the center of the excretory opening abutment portion than the display portion, the water-repellent portion exists on a diffusion path along which excretory substance excreted into the excretory opening abutment portion diffuses toward the display portion. The water-repellent section can prevent the bodily waste that has spread from the excretion portion abutting section to the display section side from reaching the display section. This ensures visibility of the display unit, and facilitates the wearer to grasp an accurate health condition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article 1 includes a skin surface side member disposed on the skin surface side of the display unit. The skin-side member has a background region that does not overlap with the display section in the thickness direction and is visible from the back sheet side. The color of the display unit is a color having a hue difference with respect to the color of the background region of 120 degrees or more at an angle of a hue circle. Thus, the display portion is emphasized by the color of the background region and is visually recognized. This makes it easy for the wearer to visually recognize the display unit, and thus to grasp an accurate health condition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the color of the display unit is a color having a hue difference from the color of the excrement of 120 degrees or more in terms of an angle of a hue ring. Thus, the display portion is highlighted by the color of the excrement and is visually recognized. This makes it easy for the wearer to visually recognize the display unit, and thus to grasp an accurate health condition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article 1 includes a skin surface side member disposed on the skin surface side of the display unit. The skin-side member has a background region which does not overlap with the display section in the thickness direction and which is visible from the back sheet side. The color of the background region is a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the excrement is 45 degrees or less in terms of the angle of a hue circle. Even if excrement permeates into the skin surface side member, the color of the background area is a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the excrement is 45 degrees or less in terms of the angle of the hue circle, and therefore, the excrement becomes inconspicuous. Thus, the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion without being disturbed by the color of the excrement, and can easily grasp the accurate health state.

(2) Schematic structure of absorbent article

The outline of the absorbent article of embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. The absorbent article may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad, fecal pad, or the like. The absorbent article may be used by being attached to the inside of a wearing article such as underwear. The absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment is a sanitary napkin.

In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the ratio of each dimension or the like may be different from the actual ratio. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios from each other.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent article of embodiment 1 as viewed from the skin surface side. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the absorbent article of embodiment 1. Specifically, fig. 2A is a sectional view taken along the line a-a shown in fig. 1. Fig. 2B is a sectional view of the absorbent article in a state attached to the wearing article (underwear). Fig. 3 is a view for explaining the absorbent article according to embodiment 1. Specifically, fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing an example (example 1) of removing the absorbent article from the wearing article. Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing an example (example 2) of removing the absorbent article from the wearing article.

The "skin surface side" corresponds to a side facing the skin of the wearer during wearing (during use). The "non-skin-side" corresponds to a side facing away from the skin of the wearer during wearing (during use).

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 1 has a front-back direction L and a width direction W. The front-back direction L is a direction extending from the front side (ventral side) to the back side (dorsal side) of the wearer or a direction extending from the back side to the front side of the wearer. The width direction W is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction L. The absorbent article has a thickness direction T extending toward the skin-facing side T1 and the non-skin-facing side T2. Further, the absorbent article may have a horizontal direction parallel to the front-rear direction L and the width direction W.

In this specification, the outer edge is an outer end in the width direction, and the inner edge is an inner end in the width direction.

The absorbent article 1 has a central region S3, a front region S1, and a back region S2. The central region S3 is a region having an excretory opening abutment portion that abuts against an excretory opening (e.g., vaginal opening) of the wearer. When the absorbent article is attached to a wearing article (e.g., underwear), the central region S3 is located in the crotch portion of the wearing article. That is, the central region is a region disposed in the crotch of the wearer, i.e., between the legs of the wearer. In the embodiment of fig. 1, the central region S3 is a region where the main flaps 14 for fixing the absorbent article 1 to a wearing article are provided. The front region S1 is located more forward than the center region S3. The rear region S2 is located more rearward than the central region S3.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 1 may include an inspection member 60 and an absorbent article main body 10 configured by a member other than the inspection member 60. The absorbent article main body 10 may correspond to a general absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin not provided with the inspection member 60. That is, the absorbent article body 10 may correspond to the absorbent article 1 without the inspection member 60.

The absorbent article main body 10 may include a main body portion 12 and a pair of main wings 14. The main body 12 has an absorbent core 20. The main body 12 is a portion located inward in the width direction W from the main wing 14. The pair of main flaps 14 extend outward in the width direction W from the main body 12, and are fixed to the non-skin surface side T2 of the wearing article in a state of being attached to the wearing article. The boundary between the main body 12 and the main wing 14 is a fold FL extending in the front-rear direction L.

The absorbent article 1 comprises an absorbent core 20, a topsheet 30 and an inspection member 60. In addition, the absorbent article 1 may include a chassis 40, side sheets 50, and adhesive portions 70.

The absorbent core 20 comprises a liquid-absorbent material. The absorbent material can be formed, for example, from hydrophilic fibers, pulp, and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The absorbent core 20 may be covered by a core wrap (not shown). The core wrap layer may cover the absorbent core 20 at least at a position closer to the skin-facing surface side than the absorbent core 20. As a specific example, the core wrap may include a sheet disposed on the skin surface side of the absorbent core 20 and a sheet disposed on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent core 20. The absorbent core 20 may also be uncovered by a core wrap.

The absorbent core 20 is disposed at least in the central region S3. The absorbent core may also extend from the central region S3 to the front side region S1. The absorbent core may also extend from the central region S3 to the rear region S2.

The top sheet 30 is disposed on the skin surface side of the absorbent core 20. The topsheet 30 has an absorbent region AR overlapping the absorbent core in the thickness direction T.

The top sheet 30 has liquid permeability. The top sheet 30 may be made of any sheet-like material having a liquid-permeable structure, such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a perforated plastic sheet, or a mesh sheet. As a material of the woven fabric or the nonwoven fabric, any of natural fibers and chemical fibers can be used.

The backsheet 40 is liquid impervious. The back sheet 40 may be made of a material such as a polyethylene sheet, a laminated nonwoven fabric mainly composed of polypropylene or the like, an air-permeable resin film, or a sheet in which an air-permeable resin film is joined to a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric, a spun-laced nonwoven fabric or the like.

The side panels 50 may cover the outer edges of the topsheet 30. The side sheet 50 may cover the outer edge of the top sheet 30 in the width direction W, and may extend further outward in the width direction W than the top sheet 30. Further, the absorbent article 1 may not have the side sheet 50.

The side panel 50 may be formed of the same material as the topsheet 30. However, the side sheet 50 may have water repellency or water repellency in order to prevent body fluid adhering to the top sheet 30 from passing over the side sheet 50 and leaking out to the outside in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1. The side sheet 50 may be disposed at the outer edge of the absorbent core 20 in the width direction W, the main wing 14 described later, and the flap 80 described later.

The inspection member 60 is a member for inspecting the health state of the wearer. The inspection member 60 displays the health state of the wearer (color indicating the health state of the wearer) using the indicator. In the present embodiment, for the purpose of checking the health state, for example, immunochromatography or a strip method can be used.

Immunochromatography is performed by dropping excrement (e.g., blood) onto a member (e.g., a cellulose membrane) covered with labeled particles containing an antibody. In the case where a detection target (specifically, a target component (for example, an antigen) to be detected) is contained in excrement, the detection target and the antibody react with each other to form a complex. The formed complex moves on the membrane due to capillary phenomenon. Other kinds of antibodies (indicators) are linearly arranged at the moving destination of the complex. The complex is bound to other antibodies and develops color. The health state of the wearer is indicated by the presence or absence of coloration (color change). The wearer can confirm the health condition by visually judging the presence or absence of color development.

In the test strip method, the indicator contained in the test member 60 develops color by reacting with the detection target contained in the excrement. The health state of the wearer is indicated by the presence or absence of color development (color change of the indicator). The wearer can confirm the health condition by visually checking the color development of the indicator (color change of the indicator).

Examples of the excrement include blood, urine, stool, sweat, leucorrhea, and the like. Examples of the items indicating the health state include physical condition-related (pH, iron deficiency anemia, renal function, myocardial infarction, inflammation/infection, nutritional state evaluation, and the like), pregnancy-related (physiological cycle prediction, ovulation prediction, and the like), mental-related (depression tendency, drugs, and the like). Examples of the target to be detected include metabolites in urine (specific gravity of urine), white blood cells, hydrogen ions (pH), proteins, glucose, ketone bodies, urobilinogen, bilirubin, occult blood, nitrite, steroids, peptides, aromatic compounds, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), BUN (Urea nitrogen), AlB (Albumin), LPS (lipopolysaccharide), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), LH (luteinizing hormone), U-ALB, CRP (C-reactive protein), myoglobin, CK-MB, troponin I, troponin T, hemoglobin, Streptococcus A, HBs antibodies, HIV antibodies, TP antibodies, rotavirus, influenza virus, adenovirus, DNA, O-157, cocaine, marijuana, morphine and the like.

The inspection member 60 has a contact portion 62 and a display portion 64. The contact portion 62 is a portion that contacts excrement. The display unit 64 is a part that displays the health state of the wearer (color indicating the health state of the wearer). The display portion 64 contains an indicator that develops color according to a detection target contained in the excrement that contacts the contact portion 62. The indicator is a chemical substance (inorganic substance or organic substance) that develops color by reacting with a detection target or with a component (e.g., complex) derived from the detection target.

For example, in immunochromatography, the contact portion 62 is a portion for guiding excrement (test object) to a region where labeled particles containing an antibody are arranged. The contact portion 62 may include a region where the marker particles are disposed. When the excrement comes into contact with the contact portion 62, the detection target (antigen) contained in the excrement and the antibody react with each other to form a complex. The display unit 64 includes a region (detection line) in which an indicator (other type of antibody) that is bound to the complex and develops color is disposed. Therefore, when immunochromatography is used, the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 are disposed at different positions. Therefore, in this case, the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 are different members.

The inspection unit 60 may include a control line which is a region that develops color regardless of the presence or absence of the target antigen to be detected when the inspection is appropriate. The control lines are arranged farther from the contact portion 62 than the detection lines (display portion 64).

On the other hand, in the strip method, the contact portion 62 includes at least a region where the indicator is disposed. Since the indicator contained in the contact portion 62 reacts with the detection target to develop color, the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 are disposed at the same position. Therefore, in this case, the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 are the same member.

As described above, in the case of using immunochromatography, the contact portion 62 contains the marker particles, and the display portion 64 contains the indicator for displaying the health state of the wearer. In the case of the strip method, the display portion 64 serving as the contact portion 62 includes an indicator for indicating the health condition of the wearer.

In the case where the contact portion 62 is provided only for guiding excrement (detection target) to the display portion 64, the contact portion 62 may not contain an indicator.

The inspection member 60 may be any member capable of holding or containing an indicator. The inspection member 60 may be made of any material such as paper, nonwoven fabric, or woven fabric. The rigidity of the inspection member 60 may be lower than the rigidity of the member used for the absorbent article 1. Thus, even if the absorbent article 1 includes the inspection member 60, deterioration in the feel of the wearer's skin can be easily suppressed. As shown in fig. 1 and the like, the inspection member 60 may be, for example, a linear plate.

As shown in fig. 2A, at least a part of the contact portion 62 is disposed in an arrival range which is a range where the excrement excreted into the absorption region AR arrives. This enables excrement excreted from the wearer to contact the contact portion 62. Therefore, the indicator contained in the display portion 64 can develop a color, and the display portion 64 can display the health state.

At least part of the contact portion 62 may be in contact with the absorbent core. Since excrement is excreted to the absorbent core 20, more excrement can be brought into contact with the contact portion 62. Thereby, the indicator can be developed from a large number of detection objects, and the inspection accuracy can be improved. In fig. 2A, a part of the contact portion 62 is in contact with the absorbent core 20.

In addition, at least part of the contact portion 62 may overlap with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T. Since excrement is excreted to the absorbent core 20, more excrement can be brought into contact with the contact portion. Thereby, the indicator can develop color according to a large number of detection objects, and the inspection accuracy can be improved. In fig. 2A, a part of the contact portion 62 overlaps with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T. The remaining portion of the contact portion 62 does not overlap with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction.

In the case where the excrement is liquid, the reaching range may be a diffusion range of the excrement. In the case where the excrement is solid/semisolid, the reaching range may be a range in which the excrement expands during wearing. In a horizontal direction (i.e., a plan view in the thickness direction T) along the front-back direction L and the width direction W, in a case of normal use, the maximum range of the reaching range is a region overlapping with at least any one of the liquid-permeable sheets directly or indirectly in contact with the top sheet 30 to which excreta excreted into the absorption region AR can diffuse. The liquid-permeable sheet "indirectly" in contact with the top sheet 30 means that the liquid-permeable sheet is in contact with the top sheet 30 via another liquid-permeable sheet. The excrement excreted into the top sheet 30 can be diffused into the liquid-permeable sheet through the other liquid-permeable sheet. On the other hand, the maximum range of the range in the thickness direction T (i.e., the cross section of the absorbent article 1) is from the surface of the top sheet 30 on the skin surface side T1 to the surface of the back sheet 40 on the skin surface side T1.

At least a part of the contact portion 62 may be disposed within the maximum range of the reaching range. In order to facilitate the bodily waste to reach the contact portion 62, at least a part of the contact portion 62 may be disposed at a position overlapping with the topsheet 30, a position overlapping with the absorbent core 20, a central region S3, or a range of the excretory opening contact portion contacting with the excretory opening of the wearer in the thickness direction T. This enables the excrement excreted from the wearer to contact the contact portion 62. Therefore, the indicator contained in the display portion 64 can develop a color, and the display portion 64 can display the health state.

At least a part of the display portion 64 does not overlap with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T. Thus, at least a part of the display portion 64 is not shielded by the absorbent core 20, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion 64. Further, since most of the excrement is absorbed by the absorbent core 20, at least part of the indication part 64 does not overlap with the absorbent core 20, and thus at least part of the indication part 64 is less likely to contact with the excrement. Thus, at least a part of the display portion 64 is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion 64 without being affected by excrement. As described above, the wearer can easily recognize the display unit 64, and thus the wearer can easily grasp an accurate health state. In fig. 2A, the entire display portion 64 does not overlap with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T.

In addition, when the absorbent article 1 includes the inspection member 60 using the test paper method, a part of the region including the indicator in the inspection member 60 is disposed in the reaching range. The display portion 64, which is the remaining region containing the indicator, does not overlap with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T. The excrement permeates through the region disposed in the reaching area, and the display portion 64 can develop color. Further, since the region disposed in the reaching range is the display portion 64 as well as the contact portion 62, color can be developed. Therefore, in this case, a part of the display portion 64 overlaps with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction.

On the other hand, when the absorbent article 1 includes the inspection member 60 using immunochromatography, a portion (at least a part of the contact portion 62) where the excrement (the inspection target) is guided to the region where the labeled particles containing the antibody are arranged is arranged in the reaching range. The detection line (display portion 64) in which the region where the other type of antibody (indicator) that develops color by binding to the complex derived from the detection target is disposed does not overlap the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T.

As shown in fig. 2A, the inspection member 60 may also be inserted into the exposure opening 52 formed in the side sheet 50. Thereby, at least a part of the display portion 64 can be exposed. Specifically, the display unit 64 may include a non-exposed portion 642 positioned on the non-skin surface side T2 with respect to the side sheet 50, and an exposed portion 644 positioned on the skin surface side T1 with respect to the side sheet 50. The unexposed portion 642 may be indirectly visible through the side sheet 50. The exposed portion 644 can be directly viewed.

In the inspection member 60 using immunochromatography, the exposure portion 644 may have a detection line as at least a part of the display portion 64. This allows the wearer to directly see the display unit 64, thereby allowing the wearer to easily confirm the health condition. In addition, the exposed portion 644 may include not a sensing line but a control line. Thus, the wearer can easily confirm that the inspection is properly performed by visually recognizing the exposed part 644.

In the case where the top sheet 30 is disposed on the main wing 14, the "side sheet 50" may be replaced with the "top sheet 30".

At least a part of the display portion 64 may be disposed on one of the pair of main wings 14 in the thickness direction T. As shown in fig. 2B, since the main flap 14 is fixed to the non-skin surface side T2 of the wearing article 100 in a state of being attached to the wearing article 100 (for example, underwear), the excrement discharged from the skin surface side T1 is less likely to adhere to the main flap 14. Thus, at least a part of the display portion 64 is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion 64 without being affected by excrement.

Further, since the main flaps 14 are fixed to the non-skin surface side T2 of the wearing article 100, when the absorbent article 1 is worn by a wearer, the wearing article 100 is present between at least a part of the display portion 64 and the skin of the wearer in the thickness direction T. Therefore, at least a part of the display portion 64 is less likely to come into contact with the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article 1 is worn. Even if the indicator contained in the display portion 64 may damage the skin, the safety of the wearer can be improved.

The inspection member 60 may be fixed (joined) to at least any one of the absorbent core 20, the topsheet 30, the backsheet 40, and the side sheet 50. The inspection member 60 may be fixed by an adhesive (e.g., a Hot Melt Adhesive (HMA)) for joining the materials of the absorbent article 1. In the inspection member 60, at least one of the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 may be fixed. In the inspection member 60, at least a part of the contact portion 62 may be fixed, and at least a part of the display portion 64 may be fixed. In the inspection member 60, portions other than the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 may be fixed. For example, the inspection member 60 may have a fixing portion that is constituted by at least a part of a portion other than the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64. The fixing may be performed by an adhesive applied to the fixing portion. By fixing the inspection member 60, the contact portion 62 can be suppressed from moving outside the reach range.

The adhesive part 70 is a region provided with an adhesive for fixing the absorbent article 1 to the wearing article 100. The adhesive section 70 is disposed on the non-skin surface side T2 of the backsheet 40, and is used to fix the absorbent article 1 to a wearing article (for example, underwear) 100.

The bonding portion 70 may have a central bonding portion 72 and lateral bonding portions 74. As shown in fig. 2A, the central adhesive portion 72 is disposed on the non-skin surface side T2 of the back sheet 40 of the main body 12. The central adhesive portion 72 includes an adhesive for fixing the main body portion 12 to the wearing article 100. The side adhesive sections 74 are disposed on the non-skin surface side T2 of the back sheet 40 of the main flap 14. The side adhesive portions 74 include an adhesive for fixing the main flap 14 to the wearing article 100.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the wearer may detach the main flaps 14 from the wearing article 100, thereby making it possible to visually recognize the display portions 64 while the wearing article 100 is hung on the legs. This enables the wearer to easily confirm the health condition.

The bonding strength of the side bonding portions 74 may be smaller than the bonding strength of the adhesive that fixes the inspection member 60. Thus, the wearer can remove the backsheet 40 from the wearing article 100 by gripping the exposed portion 644 of the display portion 64 and pulling the exposed portion 644 as shown in fig. 3A. The wearer can easily remove the main flap 14 from the wearing article 100.

The side adhesive portions 74 may have an adhesive strength greater than the bonding strength of the adhesive securing the side sheet 50. Thus, the wearer can remove the top sheet 30 and the inspection member 60 from the bottom sheet 40 by gripping the exposed portion 644 of the display portion 64 and pulling the exposed portion 644 as shown in fig. 3B. This allows the wearer to visually recognize not only the exposed portion 644 but also the unexposed portion 642, thereby allowing the wearer to easily confirm the health status.

(3) Modification example

Next, various modifications of the absorbent article 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 8. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining modifications of embodiment 1. Specifically, fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification (modification 1) of embodiment 1. Fig. 4B is a diagram for explaining a modification (modification 2) of embodiment 1. Fig. 4C is a diagram for explaining a modification (modification 3) of embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining modifications of embodiment 1. Specifically, fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification (modification 4) of embodiment 1. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification (modification 5) of embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a modification of embodiment 1. Specifically, fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modification (modification 6) of embodiment 1. Fig. 6B is an enlarged sectional view taken along line B-B shown in fig. 6A. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining modifications of embodiment 1. Specifically, fig. 7A is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the modification (modification 7) of embodiment 1, as viewed from the skin surface side. Fig. 7B is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the modification (modification 8) of embodiment 1, as viewed from the skin surface side. Fig. 7C is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the modification (modification 9) of embodiment 1, as viewed from the skin surface side. Fig. 7D is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the modification (modification 10) of embodiment 1, as viewed from the skin surface side. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining modifications of embodiment 1. Specifically, fig. 8A is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 of the modification (modification example 11) of the embodiment as viewed from the skin surface side. Fig. 8B is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the modification (modification 12) of embodiment 1, as viewed from the skin surface side. Note that the same portions as those in embodiment 1 above are not described.

As shown in fig. 4A, the contact portion 62 may be disposed on the skin surface side T1 with respect to the absorbent core 20. Therefore, the contact portion 62 can be in contact with the surface of the skin surface side T1 of the absorbent core 20. The contact portion 62 may be disposed between the absorbent core 20 and the topsheet 30. Thus, the excrement is not blocked by the absorbent core 20, and easily contacts the contact portion 62.

As shown in fig. 4B, the contact portion 62 may be disposed in the middle of the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T. The contact portion 62 may be disposed in the middle of the absorbent core 20 by being inserted from a side surface in the width direction W of the absorbent core 20. The absorbent core 20 may be provided with an opening for inserting the contact portion 62 (the inspection member 60) at the side of the absorbent core 20. Alternatively, the contact portion 62 may be disposed in the middle of the absorbent core 20 by being sandwiched between two absorbent cores 20 that overlap in the thickness direction T. The excrement absorbed by the absorbent core 20 spreads within the absorbent core 20, thereby making it easy for the excrement to come into contact with the contact portion 62.

As shown in fig. 4C, the contact portion 62 may also be in contact with the side of the absorbent core 20. As for the contact portion 62, the contact portion 62 may also be in contact with excrement spreading to the side face in the width direction W of the absorbent core 20. This facilitates contact of excrement with the contact portion 62. As shown in fig. 4C, if the contact portion 62 is disposed in the range of the bodily waste, the contact portion 62 may not overlap the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T.

As shown in fig. 5A, the absorbent article 1 may have a guide portion 22 that guides excrement to at least a part of the contact portion 62. The guide portion 22 may be a region into which liquid (excrement) is easily introduced compared to the surroundings. Since the excrement is guided by the guide portion 22 to at least a part of the contact portion 62, more excrement can be brought into contact with the contact portion 62. Thereby, the indicator can develop color according to a large number of detection objects, and the inspection accuracy can be improved.

Specifically, the absorbent core 20 may have the low basis weight portion 221 as the guide portion 22. The absorbent material of the low basis weight portion 221 has a basis weight lower than that of the surrounding absorbent material. Therefore, in the low basis weight portion 221, the excrement is more likely to spread than the surroundings. The low basis weight portion 221 may extend from the skin surface to the non-skin surface side of the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction. The weight per unit area of the low weight unit 221 may be a value greater than 0. Alternatively, the weight per unit area of the low weight unit 221 may be 0. That is, the low basis weight portion 221 may be an opening penetrating the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T. The absorbent core 20 may have openings through the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction.

As shown in fig. 5A, at least a part of the contact portion 62 disposed on the non-skin-surface side T2 with respect to the absorbent core 20 may overlap the low basis weight portion 221 (e.g., an aperture) in the thickness direction T. This makes it easier for excrement to reach the contact portion 62 through the opening. The indicator can develop color according to a plurality of detection objects, and thus inspection accuracy can be improved.

As shown in fig. 5B, the contact portion 62 disposed on the non-skin-surface side T2 with respect to the absorbent core 20 may not overlap the low basis weight portion 221 (e.g., the opening) in the thickness direction T. Therefore, the contact portion 62 can be disposed at a position separated from the opening when viewed in a plan view in the thickness direction T. The excrement passes through the openings and thus easily reaches the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent core 20 where the contact portion 62 is arranged, compared with when the excrement passes through the gaps of the fibers of the absorbent member constituting the absorbent core 20. The excrement reaching the non-skin surface side T2 can reach the contact portion 62 by diffusion. Therefore, the time required for reaching the contact portion 62 can be shortened, and a large amount of excrement can be caused to reach the contact portion 62. This can improve the inspection accuracy. In addition, when the contact portion 62 contains the indicator, the indicator may be dissolved in the excrement reaching the contact portion 62. However, since the contact portion 62 does not overlap the opening in the thickness direction T, the excrement is less likely to pass through the opening and reach the non-skin surface side T2 of the absorbent core 20. Therefore, even if the indicator may irritate the skin, the excrement containing the indicator is less likely to reach the non-skin surface side T2 of the top sheet 30, and the safety of the wearer can be improved.

As shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the top sheet 30 may have a plurality of protrusions 32 arranged in parallel and a bottom portion(s) 34 arranged between adjacent protrusions, and the plurality of protrusions 32 may be formed by being bent in a wave-like shape in cross section. The bottom portion 34 may extend from a region overlapping with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T to a region overlapping with the contact portion 62 in the thickness direction T. Even when the excrement E discharged into the absorption region AR is discharged into the projecting portion 32, the excrement E flows down toward the bottom portion 34. Therefore, the excrement E gathers in the bottom portion 34, and easily reaches a position overlapping with the contact portion 62 in the thickness direction T with the bottom portion 34 as a path. Even when the contact portion 62 does not contact the absorbent core 20, the contact portion 62 is guided to the bottom portion 34 serving as the guide portion 22, whereby at least a part of the contact portion 62 can be arranged in the reach of the excrement E. Therefore, the contact portion 62 may be disposed separately from the absorbent core 20 as shown in fig. 6B.

As shown in fig. 7A, at least a part of the display portion 64 may protrude from the outer end edge in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent core 20 when viewed in a plan view in the thickness direction T. Therefore, at least a part of the display portion 64 can be disposed on the flap portion 80. The flap portion 80 is a portion from the outer end edge of the absorbent core 20 to the outer side edge of the absorbent article 1. The flap portion 80 may have a front flap portion 81 as a flap portion in the front region S1 and a rear flap portion 82 as a flap portion in the rear region S2.

Since the excrement is easily excreted to the center side than to the end portions in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1, the excrement is less likely to spread beyond the outer end edges in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent core 20. Since at least a part of the display portion 64 protrudes from the outer edge of the absorbent core 20 in the front-rear direction L, it is not easily covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion 64 without being affected by the excrement.

As shown in fig. 7A, at least a part of the display portion 64 may protrude from the outer end edge in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent core 20 in the front side region S1. Therefore, at least a part of the display portion 64 can be disposed on the front flap portion 81. In a state where the absorbent article 1 is detached to the vicinity of the knees, the front flap 81 is in a position where it is easy to visually recognize. Therefore, the display portion 64 can be easily seen by the wearer without completely separating the absorbent article 1 from the body.

Further, since urine can easily reach the front region S1 as compared with the rear region S2, as shown in fig. 7A, the inspection member 60 to be detected by the target component contained in urine can be disposed at least in the front region S1, and at least a part of the contact portion 62 can be disposed in the front region S1. This enables more excrement to come into contact with the contact portion 62. The indicator can develop color according to a plurality of detection objects, and thus inspection accuracy can be improved.

Since the stool easily reaches the rear region S2 as shown in fig. 7B as compared with the front region S1, the inspection member 60 to be detected with the target component contained in the stool can be disposed at least in the rear region S2 and at least part of the contact portion 62 can be disposed in the rear region S2 as shown in fig. 7B. This enables more excrement to come into contact with the contact portion 62. The indicator can develop color according to a plurality of detection objects, and thus inspection accuracy can be improved.

As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the inspection member 60 may be disposed on the non-skin surface side T2 with respect to the top sheet 30. The inspection member 60 can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the skin of the wearer. This can suppress the uncomfortable feeling of the wearer caused by the direct contact of the inspection member 60 with the skin of the wearer. Further, even if the indicator may cause irritation to the skin, the indicator is less likely to come into contact with the skin of the wearer, and the safety of the wearer can be improved.

Further, the topsheet 30 may have transparency. Thereby, the wearer can visually recognize the color development of the inspection member 60 through the top sheet 30. As described above, the wearer may be able to visually recognize the color development of the inspection member 60 by peeling the top sheet 30 (and/or the side sheet 50) from the back sheet 40.

The transparency of the topsheet 30 may be determined by the Opacity (OP). The topsheet 30 is completely transparent with 0% opacity. On the other hand, the topsheet 30 is not transparent with 100% opacity, i.e., the topsheet 30 is opaque. Thus, the opacity of the topsheet 30 is less than 100%. In order to more accurately visually recognize the color of the display portion 64, the opacity of the top sheet 30 may be 50% or less. In order to further accurately recognize the color of the display portion 64, the opacity of the top sheet 30 may be 8.5% or less.

Further, in order to determine the opacity, a spectrocolorimeter (dispersion colorimeter) may be used. For example, a spectrocolorimeter (dispersion colorimeter) can be obtained from BYK-Gardner GmbH (germany, gretsried) under the trade name "BYK-Gardner Color-Guide" 45/0 "(catalog number 6800). The measurement can be performed using light source "a" at a viewing angle of 2 ° (degrees). The spectrocolorimeter (dispersion colorimeter) includes a light source for a luminous body a (i.e., a light source close to an incandescent lamp having a correlated color temperature of about 3000K), a flat table, a white standard plate, a black standard plate, a photodetector having a multi-cell photodetector diode array, and a computer. White and black standard boards can be obtained from the same company under catalog numbers 6811 and 6810, respectively.

In the measurement, the white standard plate was placed on a flat table. The sample material was placed on a white standard plate in a flat state. The sample material was illuminated using a light source with an incident angle of 45 °. The reflected light reflected from the sample material is received with a photodetector at a acceptance angle of 0 °. The reflectance (Yw) of the reflected light is detected by a photodetector. Similarly, after the black standard plate was placed on a flat table, the sample material was placed on the black standard plate in a flat state. The sample material was illuminated using a light source with an incident angle of 45 °. The reflected light reflected from the sample material was received with a photodetector at a light acceptance angle of 0 °. The reflectance (Yb) of the reflected light is detected with a photodetector.

The Opacity (OP) can be obtained by the following equation.

OP(％)＝(Yb/Yw)×100

This procedure was repeated at least 5 times for one sample sheet material, and the average of the measured Opacities (OPs) was calculated and recorded with a colorimeter. The average of the measured opacities is referred to as the opacity of the sheet material.

Further, the top sheet 30 may be subjected to a heat compression treatment of compressing the top sheet 30 in the thickness direction T while heating it over a predetermined region of a part of the surface of a nonwoven fabric (for example, SMS (spunbond/meltblown/spunbond)). This makes it possible to form a high-density portion in the top sheet 30. The compression treatment for forming the high-density portion is performed by subjecting the top sheet 30 (nonwoven fabric) to a known press treatment such as a rolling treatment or an embossing treatment. In the high-density portion, the fibers on the surface of the nonwoven fabric are compacted, and thus the fine irregularities on the surface are reduced and the nonwoven fabric is in a smooth state as compared with the region where the high-density portion is not formed. The topsheet 30 may also have transparency by such a heat-compression treatment.

Further, although the top sheet 30 is described as an example, when the display section 64 and the side sheet 50 overlap in the thickness direction T, the side sheet 50 may have transparency, as in the case of the top sheet 30.

As shown in fig. 7C, at least a part of the display portion 64 may protrude from the outer end edge 10e of the absorbent article main body 10 when viewed in a plan view in the thickness direction T. In this case, the portion extending from the outer end edge 10e of the absorbent article main body 10 corresponds to the exposed portion 644. Since at least part of the display portion 64 extends from the outer edge 10e of the absorbent article main body 10, at least part of the display portion 64 is disposed at a position to which excrement cannot spread. This can prevent at least part of the display portion 64 from being covered with excrement. Further, since at least a part of the display portion 64 protrudes from the outer end edge 10e of the absorbent article main body 10, the wearer can directly view the display portion 64. Therefore, the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health state.

As shown in fig. 7C, in the front side region S1, at least part of the display portion 64 may protrude from the outer end edge 10e of the absorbent article main body 10. The display portion 64 (exposed portion 644) can be visually recognized by the wearer in a state where the absorbent article 1 is detached to the vicinity of the knee. The wearer can easily confirm the presence or absence of color development. In addition, since at least a part of the display portion 64 is not disposed in the absorbent article main body 10, it is not easily contacted with excrement. Thus, at least a part of the display portion is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily view the display portion without being affected by the excrement.

As shown in fig. 7D, in the central region S3, at least a part of the display portion 64 may protrude from the outer end edge 10e of the absorbent article main body 10. At least a portion of the display portion 64 may extend from the outer edge of the main wing 14. Since the main flap 14 is fixed to the non-skin surface side T2 of the wearing article 100, excrement discharged from the skin surface side is less likely to adhere to the main flap 14. Thus, at least a part of the display portion 64 is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily view the display portion without being affected by excrement. Further, since the main flap 14 is fixed to the non-skin surface side T2 of the wearing article 100, even if the exposed portion 644 is present, the exposed portion 644 is less likely to come into contact with the skin of the wearer. Even if the indicator contained in the exposed portion 644 may damage the skin, the safety of the wearer can be improved.

Further, not only in the front side region S1 or the central region S3, but also in the rear side region S2, at least a part of the display portion 64 may protrude from the outer end edge 10e of the absorbent article main body 10.

As shown in fig. 8A, the absorbent article 1 may have a plurality of inspection members 60 whose detection objects are different from each other. The display portions 64 of the plurality of inspection members 60 may be disposed at different positions in the thickness direction T. Since the plurality of inspection members 60 whose detection objects are different from each other are provided, a plurality of items indicating the health state can be checked using one absorbent article 1. Since the display portions 64 of the plurality of inspection members 60 are arranged at different positions in the thickness direction T, the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portions 64, and can suppress the omission of a part of the display portions 64.

For example, the plurality of inspection members 60 may have a 1 st inspection member 60A and a 2 nd inspection member 60B. The display portion 64A of the 1 st inspection member 60A may be disposed on one main wing 14A, and the display portion 64B of the 2 nd inspection member 60B may be disposed on the other main wing 14B.

As shown in fig. 8B, the display portion 64A of the 1 st inspection member 60A may be disposed in the front region S1. Therefore, at least a part of the display portion 64A can be disposed on the front flap portion 81. In addition, the display portion 64B of the 2 nd inspection member 60B may be disposed in the rear region S2. Therefore, at least part of the display portion 64B can be disposed on the rear flap portion 82. The 1 st inspection member 60A may be an inspection member 60 to be detected with respect to a target component contained in urine. The 2 nd inspection member 60B may be an inspection member 60 to be detected as a target component contained in stool. In this way, by disposing the test member containing the indicator that develops color in accordance with the test object in the region where the excrement containing the test object is likely to be excreted, the wearer can easily grasp the health state even when a plurality of health states are displayed.

(4) Embodiment 2

Next, the absorbent article 1 according to embodiment 2 will be described. Note that the same portions as those in the above-described embodiment will not be described.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the absorbent article according to embodiment 2, viewed from the skin surface side. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the absorbent article according to embodiment 2, viewed from the non-skin surface side. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the absorbent article of embodiment 2. Specifically, fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line a-a shown in fig. 9.

The absorbent article 1 comprises an absorbent core 20, a backsheet 40 and an inspection member 60. In addition, the absorbent article 1 may include a topsheet 30, a side sheet 50, and an adhesive portion 70.

The backsheet 40 is disposed on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent core 20. The backsheet 40 may be liquid impervious. The backsheet 40 has transparency. Thus, even if the inspection member 60 is disposed on the skin surface side T1 with respect to the base sheet 40 in the thickness direction T as shown in fig. 11, the display portion 64 described later can be visually recognized as shown in fig. 10.

The term "visually recognizable" as used herein means that a test person who has good vision (1.0 or more) in both eyes can visually recognize an object at a distance of about 30cm to 50cm in a room (reference value: 500lx to 750 lx) brightly illuminated with a daylight color (color temperature reference value 4600 to 5400K (kelvin)).

The transparency of the backsheet 40 may be determined by the Opacity (OP). The backsheet 40 is completely transparent with 0% opacity. On the other hand, the backsheet 40 has no transparency at 100% opacity, i.e., the backsheet 40 is opaque. Thus, the backsheet 40 has an opacity of less than 100%. In order to more accurately visually recognize the inspection member 60 (display portion 64), the opacity of the backsheet 40 may be 50% or less. To further accurately visually recognize the color of the display portion 64, the opacity of the backsheet 40 may be 8.5% or less.

The backsheet 40 may be subjected to a heat compression treatment of compressing the backsheet 40 in the thickness direction T while being heated, over the entire area of the surface of the nonwoven fabric such as SMS (spunbond/meltblown/spunbond). This makes it possible to form a high-density portion in the base sheet 40. The thermal compression treatment for forming the high-density portion is performed by subjecting the base sheet 40 (nonwoven fabric) to a known press treatment such as a rolling treatment or an embossing treatment. In the high-density portion, the fibers on the surface of the nonwoven fabric are compacted, whereby the fine irregularities on the surface are reduced and the nonwoven fabric is in a smooth state as compared with the region where the high-density portion is not formed. The base sheet 40 may also have transparency by the thermal compression treatment. Further, by using the nonwoven fabric backsheet 40 subjected to this treatment, a tearing sound of sand (ジッピング sound) is less likely to occur when the absorbent article 1 is opened, and the absorbent article 1 is less likely to be perceived by others when used.

The adhesive part 70 may have transparency. In fig. 10, the central bonding portion 72 overlaps (a part of) the display portion 64 in the thickness direction T. Therefore, the central adhesive portion 72 may have transparency. The adhesive portion 70 may have transparency by being made of HMA, for example.

As shown in fig. 9 to 11, the absorbent article 1 includes a hydrophobic portion 90 having hydrophobicity. The water-repellent section 90 is disposed in an extended region ER extending in the thickness direction T and the horizontal direction from the display section 64 at a position closer to the skin surface side than the back sheet 40.

When the water-repellent portion 90 is disposed in the extension area ER extending from the display portion 64 in the thickness direction T, the water-repellent portion 90 is present on a diffusion path through which excrement excreted to the skin surface side T1 of the absorbent article 1 diffuses toward the display portion 64 in the thickness direction T. Since the hydrophobic portion 90 has hydrophobicity, diffusion of water-soluble excrement toward the display portion 64 side is easily suppressed. In addition, when the water-repellent section 90 is disposed in the extended region ER extending in the horizontal direction from the display section 64, the water-repellent section 90 is present on a diffusion path through which the excrement diffusing into the absorbent article 1 diffuses toward the display section 64 side in the horizontal direction. The water-repellent section 90 easily suppresses diffusion of water-soluble excrement toward the display section 64 side. As described above, the excrement can be easily prevented from covering the display portion 64 or overlapping the display portion 64, and the visibility of the display portion 64 can be easily ensured. Thus, the wearer can easily grasp the correct health condition when the display unit 64 is visually recognized from the side of the base sheet 40.

As in the present embodiment, the water-repellent section 90 disposed in the extension area ER can be disposed in the reach range where the excrement excreted into the absorption area AR reaches. This can suppress the excrement reaching the water-repellent section 90 from spreading toward the display section 64, and therefore, visibility of the display section 64 can be easily ensured. Thus, when the wearer visually recognizes the display unit 64 from the backsheet side, the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health condition.

As shown in fig. 11, the hydrophobic portion 90 may be in contact with the display portion 64. The excrement can be suppressed from reaching the display portion 64. This ensures visibility of the display unit 64, and makes it easy for the wearer to grasp an accurate health state.

The water-repellent section 90 disposed in the extension area ER may have a skin-side water-repellent section 92, a non-skin-side water-repellent section 94, and a side-surface-side water-repellent section 96, the skin-side water-repellent section 92 being disposed at a position closer to the skin surface side T1 than the display section 64, the non-skin-side water-repellent section 94 being disposed at a position closer to the non-skin surface side T2 than the display section 64, and the side-surface-side water-repellent section 96 being disposed at a position farther to the outside in the horizontal direction (in the width direction W in fig. 11) than the display section 64.

The skin-side water-repellent section 92 as the water-repellent section 90 may be in contact with the surface of the display section 64 on the skin surface side. This can prevent the excrement spreading from the skin surface side T1 to the non-skin surface side T2 from reaching the display unit 64. The visibility of the display unit 64 can be ensured, and the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health condition.

The non-skin-side water-repellent section 94 as the water-repellent section 90 can be in contact with the surface of the display section 64 on the skin surface side. This can prevent the excrement from reaching the surface of the display portion 64 which is visually recognized from the back sheet side. The visibility of the display unit 64 can be ensured, and the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health condition.

The side surface side water-repellent section 96 as the water-repellent section 90 may be in contact with the side surface of the display section 64. This can prevent the excrement spreading in the horizontal direction from reaching the display portion 64. The visibility of the display unit 64 can be ensured, and the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health condition.

As shown in fig. 11, the hydrophobic portion 90 may cover the periphery of the display portion 64. Therefore, the water repellent section 90 may be disposed in a region different from the extension region ER. The water-repellent section 90 may cover the entire surface of the display section 64. The water-repellent section 90 may cover a part of the display section 64. The hydrophobic portion 90 may cover a part of the contact portion 62. The water-repellent section 90 does not cover the entire surface of the contact section 62 in order to allow excrement to reach the contact section 62.

The hydrophobic portion 90 can be constituted by a layer or member having hydrophobicity. For example, a water repellent layer as the water repellent portion 90 can be provided by applying (coating) a water repellent agent to a part of the contact portion 62 by a water repellent spray, an application device, or the like. The member constituting the display portion 64 may be immersed in a water repellent agent. Portions to which the waterproofing agent is not desired to be attached, such as (parts of) the contact portions 62, may be covered with a masking tape or the like. The contact portion 62 can be exposed by peeling off a masking tape or the like after the contact portion 62 is covered with the water-repellent portion 90. The water repellent may be a silicon type water repellent or a fluorine type water repellent. The water repellent (hydrophobic portion 90) is preferably not easily discolored.

The hydrophobic portion 90 can also be constructed of the same material as the backsheet 40. The water repellent section 90 may include a bonding layer (e.g., a Hot Melt Adhesive (HMA)) for bonding the respective members constituting the absorbent article 1. Thereby, the inspection member 60 can be fixed, and the water drain portion 90 can be formed.

The hydrophobic portion 90 may have transparency. For example, the non-skin-side hydrophobic portion 94 may have transparency for easy visual recognition of color development. On the other hand, the skin-side water repellent section 92 may have no transparency or may have transparency because it is disposed at a position closer to the skin surface side T1 than the display section 64. The side surface-side water-repellent portion 96 may have no transparency or may have transparency.

(5) Modification examples

Next, various modifications of the absorbent article 1 according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 12 to 15. Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 1 to modification 4) of embodiment 2. Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the absorbent article 1 for explaining a modification (modification 1) of embodiment 2, fig. 12B is a sectional view of the absorbent article 1 for explaining a modification (modification 2) of embodiment 2, fig. 12C is a sectional view of the absorbent article 1 for explaining a modification (modification 3) of embodiment 2, and fig. 12D is a sectional view of the absorbent article 1 for explaining a modification (modification 4) of embodiment 2. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 5 to modification 6) of embodiment 2. Specifically, fig. 13A is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 viewed from the non-skin surface side for explaining a modification (modification 5) of embodiment 2, and fig. 13B is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 viewed from the non-skin surface side for explaining a modification (modification 6) of embodiment 2. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining modifications (modification 7 to modification 8) of embodiment 2. Specifically, fig. 14A is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 viewed from the non-skin surface side for explaining a modification (modification 7) of embodiment 2, and fig. 14B is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 viewed from the non-skin surface side for explaining a modification (modification 8) of embodiment 2. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of an absorbent article 1 for explaining a modification (modification 9) of embodiment 2. Note that the same portions as those in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 are not described.

As shown in fig. 12A, the water-repellent section 90 may be disposed in contact with the surface of the skin surface side T1 of the display section 64, or may not be disposed at the position of the non-skin surface side T2 with respect to the display section 64. The water repellent section 90 may not be arranged to be in contact with the surface of the outer side of the display section 64 in the horizontal direction.

As shown in fig. 12B, water-repellent section 90 may be disposed in contact with the surface of non-skin surface side T2 of display section 64, or may not be disposed at a position closer to skin surface side T1 than display section 64. The water repellent section 90 may not be arranged to be in contact with the surface of the outer side of the display section 64 in the horizontal direction.

As shown in fig. 12C, an inspection member 60 may be disposed between the absorbent core 20 and the backsheet 40. In the absorbent article 1, a sheet-like sheet member may be disposed as the water-repellent section 90 between the absorbent core 20 and the display section 64. Since the sheet member is disposed between the absorbent core 20 and the display unit 64, the bodily waste spreading from the skin surface side T1 to the non-skin surface side T2 can be suppressed from reaching the display unit 64. This ensures visibility of the display unit 64, and the wearer can easily grasp an accurate health state.

As shown in fig. 12D, the hydrophobic portion 90 may be a core wrap 25 that wraps the absorbent core 20. The core clad 25 may include a hydrophobic portion 90 and a hydrophilic portion 222 having hydrophilicity. The hydrophilic portion 222 may be located closer to the skin surface side T1 than the water-repellent portion 90. The water-repellent portion 90 located on the non-skin surface side T2 with respect to the absorbent core 20 may partially overlap with the absorbent core 20 when viewed from above in the thickness direction T. The portion that does not overlap with the absorbent core 20 in the thickness direction T may be a hydrophilic portion. When the water-repellent section 90 located at the non-skin-surface side T2 with respect to the absorbent core 20 overlaps the entire area of the absorbent core 20 when viewed in a plan view in the thickness direction T, the water-repellent section 90 may be formed with an opening so that excrement reaches the contact section 62.

As shown in fig. 13A, the absorbent article 1 may have an excretory opening abutment portion 35 that abuts the excretory opening of the wearer. The topsheet 30 may have an excretory opening abutment 35. The water drain portion 90 may be closer to the center 35C of the excretory opening contact portion 35 than the display portion 64 is to the center when viewed from above in the thickness direction T. Since the water-repellent portion 90 is closer to the center 35C of the excretory opening abutment portion 35 than the display portion 64, the water-repellent portion 90 exists on a diffusion path along which the excretory substance excreted into the excretory opening abutment portion 35 diffuses toward the display portion 64 side. The water drain portion 90 can suppress the excrement spreading from the excretory opening contact portion 35 toward the display portion 64 from reaching the display portion 64. This ensures visibility of the display unit 64, and the wearer can easily grasp an accurate health state.

The water-repellent section 90 may be disposed so as to contact the inner surface of the display section 64 in the front-rear direction L, or may not be disposed at a position outside the display section 64 in the front-rear direction L.

As shown in fig. 13B, the water-repellent section 90 may be configured not to contact the display section 64. The water-repellent section 90 is disposed apart from the display section 64, and thus can suppress the diffusion of excrement to the vicinity of the display section 64. This makes it difficult for the excrement to reach the vicinity of the display portion 64, and the wearer can be prevented from being disturbed by the color of the excrement.

As shown in fig. 14A and 14B, the absorbent article 1 may have a skin surface side member disposed on the skin surface side T1 with respect to the display portion 64. The skin-side member may have a background region BR which does not overlap with the display portion 64 in the thickness direction T and which is visible from the side of the base sheet 40. In fig. 14A, the skin-side member is the absorbent core 20, and in fig. 14B, the skin-side member is the top sheet 30. The color of the display portion 64 may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the background region BR is 120 degrees or more in terms of the angle of the hue circle. Thus, the display unit 64 is highlighted by the color of the background region BR and visually recognized. Therefore, the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion 64, and can easily grasp the accurate health condition.

In order to make the display portion 64 more emphasized and visually recognized, the color of the display portion 64 may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the background region BR is 165 degrees or more at the angle of the hue circle. The color of the display portion 64 may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the background region BR is 180 degrees in terms of hue circle, that is, may be a complementary color of the background region BR.

The color of the display portion 64 may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of excrement is 120 degrees or more in terms of the angle of the hue circle. Thus, the display portion is highlighted by the color of the excrement, and the excrement is visually recognized. This makes it easy for the wearer to visually recognize the display unit, and thus to grasp an accurate health condition. In order to make the display portion 64 more emphasized and visually recognized, the color of the display portion 64 may be 165 degrees or more in terms of the angle of the hue ring with respect to the hue difference of the color of the excrement, or may be 180 degrees.

Further, the color of the display portion 64 may be a color before the indicator is developed. This allows the wearer to easily visually recognize the display portion 64 when the indicator is not colored. The display portion 64 may be at least partially colored by the indicator after it has been developed. This allows the wearer to easily visually recognize (at least part of) the display portion 64 when the indicator is colored.

In addition, in the case where the color of the display portion 64 and the color around the display portion 64 are not the same color and similar colors (for example, colors having a hue difference of 45 degrees or more in terms of the hue circle), at least the color around the display portion 64 of the inspection member may be a color having a hue difference of 45 degrees or less in terms of the hue circle with respect to the color of the background region BR. This makes it possible to easily visually recognize the color of the display portion 64, and thus to easily visually recognize the display portion 64. The color of the inspection member 60 itself other than the display portion 64 may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the background region BR is 45 degrees or less in terms of the angle of the hue circle.

In addition, the color of the background region BR may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of excrement is 45 degrees or less in terms of the angle of the hue circle. Even if excrement permeates into the skin surface side member, the color of the background region is a color having a hue difference of 3 or less with respect to the color of the excrement, and therefore the excrement becomes inconspicuous. This makes it easy for the wearer to visually recognize the display portion 64 without being disturbed by the color of the excrement, and thus, the wearer can easily grasp the accurate health condition. In order to make it easier to visually recognize the display portion 64, the color of the background region BR may be a color having a hue difference of 1 or less with respect to the color of excrement, and the color of the background region BR may be the same color as the color of excrement. In order to make the excrement less conspicuous, the color of the background region BR may be 30 degrees or less in the angle of the hue circle with respect to the hue difference of the color of the excrement, or may be 15 degrees or less. The color of the background region BR may be the same color as that of the excrement (i.e., the angle of the tone ring is 0 degree).

In addition, at least the color around the display portion 64 in the inspection member may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the background region BR is 120 degrees or more in terms of the angle of the hue ring. This makes it possible to easily visually recognize the color around the display portion 64, and thus to easily visually recognize the display portion 64. At least the color around the display portion 64 in the inspection member may be 165 degrees or more in the angle of the hue ring with respect to the hue difference of the color of the background region BR, or may be 180 degrees. The color of the inspection member 60 itself may be 120 degrees or more, 165 degrees or more, or 180 degrees with respect to the hue difference of the color of the background region BR, as measured by the angle of the hue circle.

The color of at least the periphery of the display portion 64 in the inspection member may be a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the excrement is 120 degrees or more in terms of the angle of the hue circle. Thus, even if the body waste penetrates into the skin surface side member, the color around the display portion 64 can be easily visually recognized, and the display portion 64 can be easily visually recognized. At least the color around the display portion 64 in the inspection member may be 165 degrees or more in the angle of the hue ring with respect to the hue difference of the color of the background region BR, or may be 180 degrees. The color of the inspection member 60 itself may be 120 degrees or more, 165 degrees or more, or 180 degrees in terms of the hue difference with respect to the color of the excrement, at the angle of the hue circle.

The color of the periphery of the display portion 64 (or the color of the inspection member 60 itself other than the display portion 64) may be white, the color of the display portion 64 (the color before or after development) may be red, and the color of the background region BR may be black. Since the luminance of white is high and the luminance of black is low, white around the display portion 64 appears well against the background of black, and the red of the display portion 64 can be seen clearly. In order to make the difference in luminance more noticeable, for example, the difference in luminance between a portion desired to be visually recognized (the display unit 64, the periphery of the display unit 64, or the like) and a region other than the portion (the background region BR, the excrement, or the like) may be 125 or more. The luminance (difference) can be calculated using "((value of R × 299) + (value of G × 587) + (value of B × 114))/1000"). Further, the hue difference can be measured by a usual measurement method. For example, by using a tone ring such as "munsell tone ring" or "PCCS tone ring", the tone difference can be measured. For example, in the PCCS tone ring, a color having a tone difference of 8 or more from the color of the display portion 64 has an angle of 120 degrees or more from the color of the display portion 64. The angle of a color having a hue difference of 11 or more from the color of the display portion 64 is 165 degrees or more, and the angle of a color having a hue difference of 12 from the color of the display portion 64 is 180 degrees (i.e., complementary color).

As shown in fig. 15, at least a part of the display portion 64 may be disposed on one of the pair of main wings 14 in the thickness direction T. Since the main flaps 14 are fixed to the non-skin surface side T2 of the wearing article 100 in a state of being attached to the wearing article 100 (for example, underwear), the excrement discharged from the skin surface side T1 is less likely to adhere to the main flaps 14. Thus, at least a part of the display portion 64 is less likely to be covered with excrement, and the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion 64 without being affected by excrement.

In fig. 15, water-repellent section 90 is disposed on the surface of skin surface side T1 of display section 64. Since at least a part of the display section 64 is disposed on the main blade 14, the display section 64 and the water drain section 90 may not be disposed in the reach range. Even when the display portion 64 and the water-repellent portion 90 are not disposed in the range where the excrement reaches in normal use, the excrement may reach the display portion 64 by an accidental movement of the wearer. Even in such a case, it is easy to suppress the arrival of excrement at the display portion 64 by the water-repellent portion 90 disposed in the extension area.

(6) Other embodiments

The present invention has been described in detail using the above embodiments, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the present specification. The present invention can be embodied in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in the present specification is for the purpose of illustration and description, and the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

In the above embodiment 1, the backsheet 40 may have transparency. The backsheet 40 may have the same transparency as the topsheet 30 described above. Thus, the wearer can visually recognize the color development of the inspection member 60 from the side of the backsheet 40 through the backsheet 40.

In embodiment 1 described above, the display portion 64 is exposed, and the contact portion 62 is not exposed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The contact portion 62 may also be exposed. In the case where the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 are separate members (for example, the inspection member 60 using immunochromatography), at least a part of the contact portion 62 may be disposed on the skin surface side T1 with respect to the top sheet 30 in the absorption region AR. In the inspection member 60 using immunochromatography, the contact portion 62 does not contain an indicator. Therefore, even if the contact portion 62 comes into contact with the skin of the wearer, the skin of the wearer is not damaged. Further, since the excrement E can be brought into direct contact with the contact portion 62, the indicator can be colored according to a large number of detection targets, and the inspection accuracy can be improved. At least a part of the display unit 64 may be disposed on the non-skin surface side T2 with respect to the top sheet 30 (and/or the side sheet 50). This can prevent the indicator contained in the display unit 64 from coming into direct contact with the skin, and therefore can improve the safety of the wearer.

On the other hand, in the case where the contact portion 62 and the display portion 64 are the same member (for example, the inspection member 60 using the test paper method), the inspection member 60 may be disposed on the non-skin surface side T2 with respect to the top sheet 30 as described above. Thus, even if the indicator may irritate the skin, the indicator is less likely to come into contact with the skin of the wearer, and the safety of the wearer can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment 2, an example in which the entire surface of the base sheet 40 has transparency is described, but the invention is not limited thereto. The region of the base sheet 40 overlapping the display portion 64 in the thickness direction T may have transparency. Other portions of the backsheet 40 may not be transparent. The above-described embossing treatment may be applied to a partial region of the nonwoven fabric serving as the back sheet 40, so that only a part of the back sheet 40 has transparency. This makes it possible to provide a user (wearer) with a feeling of safety by the unique soft touch of the skin of the nonwoven fabric.

In the above, the hydrophobic portion 90 is in contact with the surface of the display portion 64 in the thickness direction T, but is not limited thereto. For example, the water-repellent section 90 may be disposed at a position separated from the display section 64 in the thickness direction T.

In the above, the absorbent article 1 may have a guide portion in which excrement is easily introduced so that the excrement does not easily reach the display portion 64. The excrement is introduced through the guide portion, so that the excrement is less likely to reach the display portion 64. The guide portion may be disposed in the vicinity of the contact portion 62, or may be disposed in contact with the contact portion 62.

In the above-described

embodiments

1 and 2, the inspection member 60 has a linear plate shape. In the present embodiment, the inspection member 60 may have, for example, one or more folds. Therefore, the inspection member 60 may be, for example, folded in half or in a three-folded shape. The inspection member 60 may be constituted by a member folded in a Z-shape. This enables the inspection member 60 to be disposed inside the absorbent article 1 in a compact state. Since the area of the inspection member 60 is reduced, deterioration in the feel of the skin of the wearer due to the inspection member 60 can be easily suppressed.

The inspection member 60 may be arranged in a state where at least a part of the contact portion 62 is folded to abut against another member other than the inspection member 60 (that is, at least a part of the contact portion 62 faces the other member). Thus, even if the inspection member 60 is folded, the excrement can easily reach the contact portion 62.

The inspection member 60 may be arranged in a state where at least a part of the display portion 64 is brought into contact with another member other than the inspection member 60 (that is, at least a part of the display portion 64 faces the other member). Thus, even if the inspection member 60 is folded, the wearer can easily visually recognize the display portion 64.

The wearer may acquire the inspection information by transmitting color development information (image information and/or video information) indicating the color development of the display unit 64 to a network (management server). For example, the wearer can acquire the color information by capturing an image of the exposed display portion 64 with a camera built in a communication device owned by the wearer (user), for example. The wearer can transmit the color development information to the management server via the communication device. The wearer may also send user information indicating the information of the wearer together with the color information. The user information is, for example, at least one of an identifier of the user, an identifier of the communication device, information indicating the type of excrement, information indicating the type of the absorbent article 1 (the inspection member 60), information identifying the detection target, and the like.

Further, the wearer can store the absorbent article 1 including the inspection member 60 or the inspection member 60 itself in a storage device capable of detecting the color reaction of the indicator. The housing device may irradiate the display portion 64 with visible light to detect a color reaction. The storage device may irradiate the display portion 64 with light having a special wavelength for the inspection member 60, which can confirm the color development of the indicator by irradiating the inspection member with special light having a special wavelength different from the wavelength of the visible light (for example, ultraviolet light having a wavelength shorter than the wavelength of the visible light). The storage device may be configured to acquire color information by imaging while irradiating visible light or special light into the storage device. In this way, by photographing the display unit 64 while irradiating light into the housing device, the color development can be accurately confirmed without being affected by the surrounding environment.

The storage device may transmit the color information acquired by the imaging display unit 64 to a network (management server). In this case, the storage apparatus may include an identifier of the storage apparatus as the user information. The storage device may transmit the acquired color information to a communication device owned by the wearer. The wearer can also determine the presence or absence of color development by displaying the display unit 64 on the communication device. This enables the wearer to confirm the health condition more accurately. In the same manner as described above, the wearer may transmit the color information acquired from the storage device to the network via the communication device.

The management server can determine the health state of the wearer (user) based on the color development information (and the user information). The management server may transmit information indicating the determination result to the communication device that is the transmission source of the color information. The management server may transmit advice information indicating advice based on the determination result and determination information indicating the determination result to the communication device together. Even when the management server receives the color development information from the storage device, the management server can transmit the determination information (and the advice information) to the associated communication device (i.e., the communication device owned by the user) based on the identifier of the communication device (the identifier of the user) associated with the identifier of the storage device.

The communication apparatus may display the determination result based on the determination information received by the communication apparatus. This enables the wearer to grasp the health state from the displayed determination result. The wearer can obtain an objective determination result, not by the determination of the wearer himself/herself. In addition, the communication device may display the advice in a case where the advice information is received. This enables the wearer to grasp the advice.

The communication device has a program for executing the various processes described above. The communication device has a memory storing a program and a processor executing the program stored in the memory. The program may be capable of being acquired from a network (e.g., a management server).

In the above-described embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is a sanitary napkin, but is not limited thereto. The absorbent article 1 may be, for example, a belt-type or pants-type disposable diaper.

In each of the above embodiments, the central region S3 may be a region provided with leg hole openings arranged around the legs of the wearer. The leg hole opening portions are portions recessed inward in the width direction from the outer edge of the absorbent article as they go inward in the width direction. Alternatively, in the case where the absorbent article 1 includes an absorbent core, the central region S3 may be a region provided with a portion that is recessed inward in the width direction from the outer edge of the absorbent core as it goes inward in the width direction. Alternatively, the central region S3 may be a region where a central protrusion portion, which is a region thicker than the surrounding absorbent core, is arranged. Alternatively, the absorbent article 1 may have, for example, the front side region S1, the rear side region S2, and the central region S3 so as to divide the absorbent article 1 into three equal parts in the front-rear direction L.

It is needless to say that the embodiments and the modifications described above can be appropriately combined.

Further, the entire contents of Japanese patent application No. 2018-148035 (application was filed on 8/6.2018) and Japanese patent application No. 2018-148036 (application was filed on 8/6.2018) are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An absorbent article in which, in the case of a disposable absorbent article,

the absorbent article includes:

a front-back direction, a width direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, a thickness direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the width direction, and a horizontal direction parallel to the front-back direction and the width direction;

an absorbent core comprising an absorbent material;

a back sheet disposed on a non-skin surface side of the absorbent core; and

an inspection means for inspecting the health status of the wearer,

the inspection member is disposed closer to the skin surface side than the base sheet in the thickness direction,

the examination member has a display portion containing an indicator that develops color according to a detection target contained in the excrement,

the display portion is visually recognizable from the side of the base sheet,

a hydrophobic portion having hydrophobicity is arranged in an extended region extending from the display portion in the thickness direction and the horizontal direction on a skin surface side with respect to the base sheet,

the absorbent article has a skin surface side member disposed on a skin surface side of the display unit,

the skin-side member has a background region which does not overlap with the display section in the thickness direction and which is visible from the back sheet side,

the color of the background region is a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the excrement is 45 degrees or less in terms of the angle of a hue circle.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1,

the absorbent article has a top sheet disposed closer to the skin surface side than the absorbent core and having an absorption region overlapping the absorbent core in the thickness direction,

the water-repellent section disposed in the extension region is disposed in a range where excrement excreted into the absorption region reaches.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the hydrophobic portion is in contact with the display portion.

4. The absorbent article of claim 3,

the water-repellent section is in contact with the surface of the display section on the skin surface side.

5. The absorbent article of claim 3,

the water-repellent section is in contact with a surface of the display section other than the skin surface side.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the inspection member is disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet in the thickness direction,

a sheet-like sheet member is disposed as the hydrophobic portion between the absorbent core and the display portion in the thickness direction.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the absorbent article has an excretory opening abutment portion that abuts the excretory opening of the wearer,

the water-repellent portion is closer to the center of the excretion portion contact portion than the display portion is to the center of the excretion portion contact portion when viewed from above in the thickness direction.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the absorbent article has a skin surface side member disposed on the skin surface side of the display unit,

the color of the display unit is a color whose hue difference with respect to the color of the background region is 120 degrees or more at an angle of a hue circle.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the color of the display unit is a color having a hue difference of 120 degrees or more from the color of the excrement at an angle of a hue circle.