GB2597193A - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

This absorbent article: comprises an absorbent body (1A) that includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet (2), an absorber (4), and a leakage prevention sheet (3); has a longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to a front-back direction of a wearer, and a width direction (Y) that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; and comprises, along the longitudinal direction (X), a ventral region (F), an inseam region (M), and a dorsal region (R). The absorber (4) is arranged so as to extend across the dorsal region (R) from the ventral region (F). An exterior sheet (5) is disposed on a non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body (1A). The exterior sheet (5) has a longitudinal ridge-groove shape (5A) in which a longitudinal ridge section (51) and a longitudinal groove section (52), which extend in the longitudinal direction (X), are alternately arranged. The longitudinal ridge-groove shape (5A) is formed in a region of the inseam region M which overlaps the absorber (4) in a thickness direction (Z).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention: ABSORBENT ARTICLE

Technical Field [0001]

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Background Art

[0002] An absorbent article such as a disposable diaper typically includes an absorbent member containing an absorbent material such as hydrophilic fiber and water-absorbent polymer, a topsheet placed on a side closer to the skin of a wearer than the absorbent member, and a leak-proof sheet formed of a resin film or the like placed on a side farther from the skin of the wearer than the absorbent member, and an outer sheet may be placed on an outside of the leak-proof sheet as necessary. In the absorbent article like this, various improvements for improving an appearance and wearability have been studied.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 describes printing a pattern on an outer surface of a target tape formed of a nonwoven fabric, and forming a bonding line formed by bonding constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric into a wavy shape extending in the width direction of the diaper, for the purpose of improving visibility of patterns placed on an outer side of the diaper.

[0004] Further, Patent Literature 2 discloses a diaper in which an elastic film is disposed at a rear side from the absorbent member, between the topsheet and the backsheet, for the purpose of improving wearability at the rear side of the wearer when changing diapers. Patent Literature 2 also indicates that in the elastic film, at least one elastic layer is sandwiched between two non-elastic layers, and in a natural state of the diaper, a plurality of creases extending in a product longitudinal direction are formed on the back sheet so as to reach the end edge of the rear side.

Citation List Patent Literature [0005] Patent Literature 1 JP2012-526642A Patent Literature 2 JP2015-202251A

Summary of Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to an absorbent article including an absorbent assembly including a liquid-permeable topsheet, an absorbent member and a leak-proof sheet, including a longitudinal direction corresponding to a front-rear direction of a wearer and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and including a front region, a crotch region and a rear region along the longitudinal direction, the absorbent member being placed from the front region to the rear region An outer sheet is placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent assembly.

In the outer sheet, a longitudinal ridge groove shape alternately including longitudinal ridges and longitudinal grooves that extend in the longitudinal direction is formed.

The longitudinal ridge groove shape is formed in a region that overlaps the absorbent member in the crotch region, in a thickness direction.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0007] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a developed plan view schematically showing a skin-facing surface side (inner surface side) in its flat-out, uncontracted state, in one embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line I-I of the absorbent article shown in Fig. 1. [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a developed plan view schematically showing a non-skin-facing surface side (outer surface side) in its flat-out, uncontracted state, in the absorbent article shown in Fig. I. [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line of the absorbent article shown in Fig. 1.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a developed plan view schematically showing a non-skin-facing surface side (outer surface side) in its flat-out, uncontracted state, in another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a developed plan view schematically showing a non-skin-facing surface side (outer surface side) in its flat-out, uncontracted state, in still another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a developed plan view schematically showing a non-skin-facing surface side (outer surface side) in its flat-out, uncontracted state, in still another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a developed plan view schematically showing a non-skin-facing surface side (outer surface side) in its flat-out, uncontracted state, in still another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a developed plan view schematically showing a non-skin-facing surface side (outer surface side) in its flat-out, uncontracted state, in still another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a worn state of the absorbent article shown in Fig. 9.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 (a) is an enlarged view of a main part in a section of the absorbent article shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 11(b) is an enlarged view of a main part on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent article shown in Fig. 5.

Description of Embodiments

[0008] Incidentally, in absorbent articles such as diapers, humidity inside the diaper may increase due to sweat of a wearer in a worn state and water vapor generated from absorbed and retained liquid wastes. An increase in humidity may cause an unpleasant wearing feeling and cause skin irritation, so that for the purpose of preventing these, a sparingly liquid permeable and moisture-permeable resin film is generally used for a leak-proof sheet. In this case, depending on an ambient environment, water vapor released to outside through the leak-proof sheet may condense on a non-skin-facing surface of a diaper or the like [0009] Moisture produced by dew condensation does not seep out of the inside of the absorbent article, but may moisten clothing located in a front part and leg parts, induce urinary incontinence in the wearer due to the perception of moisture in the clothing, and causes various discomforts such as increasing anxiety about urine incontinence. In addition, moisture generated by dew condensation may give the user a misconception that a leak occurs from the absorbent article. Suppression of such dew condensation has not been investigated in the techniques described in the aforementioned respective Patent Literatures.

[0010] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that suppresses discomforts and misidentification of a leak due to water vapor released to outside of the absorbent article, and is improved in comfortability at a worn time.

Hereinafter, an absorbent article of the present invention will be described based on preferable embodiments. Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 show an open type disposable diaper (Hereinafter, this is also simply referred to as a "diaper") that is a preferable embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a constitution seen from a skin-facing surface side of a diaper 1. The diaper] shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to a front-rear direction of a wearer, and has a longitudinal direction X extending from a front side of the wearer to a rear side via a crotch portion, and a width direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, in its flat-out, uncontracted state. The diaper 1 has a front region F placed on a front side of the wearer at a worn time and a rear region R placed on a rear side, and a crotch region NI located between the front region F and the rear region R. The respective regions are regions obtained by dividing an entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 into three equal parts, and continuously extend in the front-rear direction of the wearer. The crotch region M has an excretory-part-facing portion (not illustrated) that is placed facing an excretory part of the wearer at a worn time of the diaper [0012] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the diaper 1 includes a liquid permeable topsheet 2 forming a skin-facing surface, and a sparingly liquid permeable (also including water repellent) leak-proof sheet 3 forming a non-skin-facing surface. An absorbent member 4 is placed between the topsheet 2 and the leak-proof sheet 3, and these members constitute an absorbent assembly IA. The topsheet 2 and the leak-proof sheet 3 respectively have larger dimensions than the absorbent member 4, and extend outward from an outer peripheral edge of the absorbent member 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the topsheet 2 and the leak-proof sheet 3 extend outward in the width direction Y from both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent member 4. Both end edges in the longitudinal direction of the topsheet 2 and the leak-proof sheet 3 in the present embodiment substantially correspond to both end edges in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the diaper 1 includes the liquid-retentive absorbent member 4. The absorbent member 4 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is almost rectangular, and is placed so that a longitudinal direction thereof and the longitudinal direction X of the diaper correspond to each other, The absorbent member 4 is placed from the front region F to the rear region R As shown in Fig. 2, in the absorbent member 4, an absorbent core 41 having absorption performance is formed by being covered with a liquid permeable core-wrap sheet 42. The absorbent member 4 in the present embodiment has a part constricted in the width direction Y, in the crotch region Ni.Both end edges in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent member 4 are located inward from both the end edges in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1.

[0014] In the present description, "its flat-out, uncontracted state" of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the diaper 1 is brought into a flat-out state, and the diaper 1 in its flat-out state is unfolded until the diaper 1 has design dimensions (same as dimensions when the diaper is unfolded in a plane with effects of the elastic members completely excluded) by extending the elastic members of respective parts. Furthermore, a "skin-facing surface" is a surface that is faced to skin of a wearer at a worn time of the diaper, and a "non-skinfacing surface" is a surface that is faced to an opposite side to the skin of the wearer at the worn time of the diaper, when focusing on the diaper or constituent members of the diaper (for example, an absorbent member). In other words, the skin-facing surface is a surface on a side relatively close to the skin of the wearer, whereas the non-skin-facing surface is a surface on a side relatively far from the skin of the wearer. The "worn time" and "worn state" refers to a state where the diaper is worn with a proper wear position of the diaper maintained [0015] Fig. 3 shows a constitution seen from a non-skin-facing surface side of the diaper 1. Fig. 3 does not show a leak-proof cuff 6 and respective elastic members 62 and 85, and the like that will be described later, which is only for convenience of explanation, and in reality, the diaper 1 in Fig. 3 has a same constitution as the diaper I shown in Fig. I. [0016] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, an outer sheet 5 is placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent assembly IA. The outer sheet 5 is a member that forms an outer surface of the diaper 1 that is visually recognizable from outside in the worn state of the diaper 1. The outer sheet 5 shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is placed on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent assembly IA in the longitudinal direction X from the front region F to the rear region R. Furthermore, the outer sheet 5 forms an outer shape of the diaper 1 in its flat-out, uncontracted state, and a peripheral edge of the outer sheet 5 forms respective contour lines of the front region F, the crotch region M and the rear region R. [0017] In the outer sheet 5, a ridge groove shape 5A alternately having a plurality of ridges 51 that protrude to the non-skin-facing surface side and extend in one direction, and grooves 52 each located between the ridges 51, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The outer sheets is joined to the leak-proof sheet 3 via an adhesive 53 in parts where the grooves 52 are formed.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the adhesive 53 forms joined regions that extend in the longitudinal direction X, and are intermittently placed in the width direction Y. In other words, the outer sheet 5 and the leak-proof sheet 3 are intermittently joined in the width direction Yin a plurality of] oined regions extending in the longitudinal direction X. Furthermore, the ridge 51 shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is formed to protrude away from the leak-proof sheet 3, and a region defined by the outer sheet 5 and the leak-proof sheet 3 in the ridge 51 is hollow. On the other hand, the leak-proof sheet 3 is substantially flat. The ridge groove shape 5A having the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 is formed at least in a region overlapping the absorbent member 4 in a thickness direction Z, in the crotch region M. [0018] The outer sheet 5 may be formed in a single layer as shown in Fig. 2, or instead of this, the outer sheet 5 in which a plurality of sheets are laminated may be used. In detail, the outer sheet 5 may be a sheet formed of two nonwoven fabrics that are joined at a plurality of spots intermittently in the width direction Y of the diaper 1, in which one nonwoven fabric of the two nonwoven fabrics protrudes in a direction away from the other nonwoven fabric to form the ridges 51 in portions where the one nonwoven fabric is not joined to the other nonwoven fabric. In the ridge 51 in that case, a region defined by the one nonwoven fabric and the other nonwoven fabric is preferably hollow. Further, the two nonwoven fabrics may respectively have either a single layer structure or a laminated structure of two or more layers independently. The ridge 51 may have a low density portion with a lower fiber density than a surface portion of the ridge inside the ridge, instead of the ridge where a hollow portion is formed between the outer sheet 5 and the leak-proof sheet 3 or between the two nonwoven fabrics constituting the outer sheet 5 that is described above.

[0019] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, pluralities of both the ridges 51 and grooves 52 that are formed in the outer sheet 5 are formed linearly to extend in the longitudinal direction X, and arranged alternately in the width direction Y. The ridges 5 1 and the grooves 52 are respectively formed to be parallel to each other. The ridge groove shape 5A having the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 are formed from the front region F to the rear region R to include the region overlapping the absorbent member 4 in the crotch region M in the thickness direction Z, and is formed to reach both end edges in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. Furthermore, the ridge groove shape 5A is also formed outward in the width direction Y of both side edges respectively along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent member 4, in addition to the region overlapping the absorbent member 4 in the thickness direction Z. In the following explanation, the ridge 51 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 will also be referred to as the "longitudinal ridge 51", the groove 52 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 will also be referred to as the "longitudinal groove 52", and the ridge groove shape SA formed to extend in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 will also be referred to as the "longitudinal ridge groove shape SA". Both of the longitudinal ridge 51 and the longitudinal groove 52 are preferably not formed by densification processing such as embossing. A method for forming the longitudinal ridges 51 and the longitudinal grooves 52 in the outer sheet 5 will be described later.

[0020] As shown in Fig 1 and Fig 2, a pair of leak-proof cuffs 6 and 6 may be provided on both sides along the longitudinal direction X in the skin-facing surface of the diaper 1 The leak-proof cuff 6 is formed of a leak-proof cuff forming sheet 61 that is water repellant and air permeable. In a vicinity of a free end portion of each of the leak-proof cuffs 6, one or more threadlike leak-proof cuff forming elastic members 62 are placed in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X. The leak-proof cuff 6 is raised in at least the crotch region M by the elastic member 62 that is placed in the stretched state contracting at the worn time of the diaper 1, and thereby inhibits excrement such as urine from flowing outward in the width direction Y. [0021] As shown in Fig. I to Fig. 4, the outer sheet 5 extends outward in the width direction Y from both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent assembly 1A, and forms a side flap S with the leak-proof cuff forming sheets 61 forming the leak-proof cuffs 6. The side flap S has a pair of front side flaps Sf and Sf that are formed in the front region F, and a pair of rear side flaps Sr and Sr that are formed in the back region R. The absorbent assembly IA is a region having a width of a minimum width portion of the crotch region NI, and ranging an entire area in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1, and the front side flaps Sf and the rear side flaps Sr are portions that are located outward in the width direction Y from both the side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent assembly IA, in the respective front region F and rear region R. Fig. I shows boundary lines between the absorbent assembly IA and the front side flaps Sf or the rear side flaps Sr in the diaper 1 by alternate long and short dash lines. The side flap S is not limited to the side flap S formed of the outer sheet 5 and the leak-proof cuff forming sheet 61. For example, the side flap S may be constituted by further including members that extend outward in the width direction Y from both the side edges of the absorbent member 4 such as the topsheet 2 and the leak-proof sheet 3. The members forming the side flap S are preferably joined to one another by known joining means such as an adhesive, a heat seal, and an ultrasonic seal in extension portions from both the side edges of the absorbent member 4.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, in the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, a pair of fastening tapes 7 and 7 are provided at the pair of rear side flaps Sr and Sr that are formed in the rear region R. The respective fastening tapes 7 are placed to extend from both side edges in the width direction Y in the respective rear side flaps. On end of each of the fastening tapes 7 is fixed to between the outer sheet 5 and the leak-proof cuff forming sheet 61 as shown in Ficz, 4.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, in each of the side flaps S on the front side and the rear side, an air permeable portion IT that is a part having fewer constituent members of the side flap S than other parts of the side flap S is preferably formed. In the present embodiment, the air permeable portion 1T in the rear side flap Sr is a part located outward in the width direction Y of the absorbent assembly lA and inward in the width direction Y of the fastening tape 7, and the air permeable portion IT in the front side flap Sf is formed in a substantially entire area of the front side flap Sf. The air permeable portion IT in the present embodiment is a part constituted of the outer sheet 5 and the leak-proof cuff forming sheet 61 in the side flap S as shown in Fig. 4, and these sheets are not joined by an adhesive or the like.

[0024] On the non-skin-facing surface in the front region F of the diaper 1, an attachment region 7A to which an attachment portion 71 included by the fastening tape 7 is detachably attachable is provided. The attachment region 7A of a suitable material is selected according to a material of the attachment portion 71 included by the fastening tape 7. For example, when the attachment portion 71 is a male material of a mechanical fastener, it is possible to use a fiber sheet engageable with the male material, for example, a knitted fabric, and a nonwoven fabric as a female material of the mechanical fastener, as the attachment region 7A. Further, when the attachment portion 71 is an adhesive, it is possible to use a smooth film made of a synthetic resin, for example, as the attachment region 7A. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the outer sheet 5 forming the non-skin-facing surface in the front region F of the diaper 1 is the attachment region 7A [0025] As shown in Fig. 1, at each of both sides along the longitudinal direction X of the diaper I, a plurality of leg elastic members 85 for forming a leg gather are placed in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction X, so that the leg gather can be formed by contraction of the leg elastic members 85. In the present embodiment, the elastic member does not exist in the respective longitudinal end portion areas in the front region F and the rear region R of the diaper 1, but, for example, elastic members may be further placed in the stretch state in the width direction Y, so that a waist gather can be formed by contraction of the elastic members, as long as the effect of the present invention is exhibited.

[0026] As the topsheet 2, the leak-proof sheet 3 and the absorbent member 4, the topsheets, the leak-proof sheets and the absorbent members that are conventionally used for the absorbent articles can be used without particular limitation. As the topsheet 2, for example, a liquid permeable nonwoven fabric, a perforated film and the like can be used. As the leak-proof sheet 3, a sparingly liquid permeable resin film, a laminate of a resin film, and a nonwoven fabric or the like, and the like can be used. For the absorbent member 4, it is possible to use wood pulp, an aggregate of hydrophilic fibers such as hydrophilized synthetic fibers, or the aggregate in which an absorbent polymer is retained as an absorbent core 41. Furthermore, as the core-wrap sheet 42, a same sheet as the topsheet 2 can be used. Furthermore, as the leak-proof cuff forming sheet 61, a water repellent nonwoven fabric can be used [0027] Furthermore, as the outer sheet 5, a non-stretch sheet having no elasticity is preferably used. For the outer sheet 5, nonwoven fabrics by various manufacturing methods can be used, for example, and a spun bond nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, a spun lace nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a melt blown nonwoven fabric, or a laminated nonwoven fabric of these nonwoven fabrics or the like can be used. The outer sheet 5 may be constituted of one sheet as shown in Fig. 2, or may be constituted of a laminate of a plurality of sheets, instead of this.

[0028] Of the above nonwoven fabrics, use of an air-through nonwoven fabric is preferable as the outer sheets, and use of a nonwoven fabric in a single layer is also preferable, from viewpoints of enhancing air permeability of the diaper and enhancing comfortability of the wearer, and a viewpoint of enhancing efficiency of forming the ridge groove shape SA.

[0029] The ridge groove shape 5A haying the aforementioned form can be formed by coating an adhesive continuously in a plurality of lines to one surface of one sheet to which a tension is applied, thereafter laminating the other sheet to which a higher tension than the tension to the one sheet is given, on the adhesive-coated surface of the one sheet to form a bonded sheet, and thereafter, making a tension given to the bonded sheet lower than the tension given to the other sheet [0030] Explaining in detail with the leak-proof sheet 3 and the outer sheet 5 constituting the diaper 1 taken as examples, the adhesive is coated continuously in a plurality of lines to one surface of the long continuous leak-proof sheet 3 first to extend in a transport direction of the leak-proof sheet 3, preferably, to extend in a direction along the transport direction of the leak-proof sheet 3. In other words, in the leak-proof sheet 3, coated portions (joined regions) with the adhesive, and noncoated portions without the adhesive are alternately formed in a direction that intersects the transport direction of the leak-proof sheet 3, preferably a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the leak-proof sheet j3.

[0031] Next, in a state where a tension is given in a same direction as the transport direction of the leak-proof sheet 3, the leak-proof sheet 3 coated with the adhesive, and the long continuous outer sheet 5 are bonded to each other. At this time, the tension given to the outer sheet 5 is in the same direction as the transport direction of the leak-proof sheet 3, and is in a higher state than the tension in the transport time of the leak-proof sheet 3 (Hereinafter, the state is also referred to as a "high tension state".). The outer sheet 5 in the high tension state is stretched in the transport direction as compared with the outer sheet 5 to which the tension is not given, and therefore is bonded to the leak-proof sheet 3 in a state where the width of the outer sheet 5 is reduced.

[0032] Thereafter, a tension that is given to the bonded sheet is made the tension at the transport time of the leak-proof sheet 3, the bonded sheet is transported to a downstream step. A tension that is given to the outer sheet 5 after the sheets are bonded becomes lower than the tension given to the outer sheet 5 before the sheets are bonded, so that the high tension state of the outer sheet 5 is released. Thereby, the width of the outer sheet 5 is restored to expand in the width direction Y, and the outer sheet 5 located in the noncoated portion protrudes away from the leak-proof sheet 3 to become the ridge 51 that extends along the coating direction of the adhesive. Furthermore, the outer sheet 5 located in the coated portion is fixed without being separated from the leak-proof sheet 3, so that the outer sheet.5 located in the coated portion becomes the groove 52 extending along the coating direction of the adhesive. In this way, the ridge groove shape SA extending in one direction is formed in the outer sheet 5. When the diaper 1 in which the ridge groove shape SA is disposed to extend in the longitudinal direction is produced, the bonded sheet including the outer sheet 5 can be cut to form the diaper so that the longitudinal direction of the target diaper 1 and the extending direction of the ridge 51 and the groove 52 correspond to each other.

[0033] When the ridge groove shape 5A is formed to the outer sheet 5 constituted of a plurality of sheets, for example, an adhesive is continuously coated in a plurality of lines onto an inner layer sheet constituting the skin-facing surface side of the diaper 1 in the outer sheet 5, and subsequently the inner layer sheet and the other sheet brought into a high tension state are bonded. Thereafter, the high tension state of the other sheet is released, and the ridge groove shape SA can be formed in the other sheet. In the outer sheet.5 in the present embodiment, an air-through nonwoven fabric is preferably used for at least the other sheet.

[0034] According to the absorbent article of the present invention having the above constitution, the longitudinal ridge groove shape constituted of the ridges and the grooves that extend in the longitudinal direction is formed in the crotch region, and therefore, as compared with an absorbent article in which the ridge groove shape is not formed, it is possible to move water vapor generated from liquid wastes such as urine absorbed and retained by the absorbent member toward the front region and the rear region from the crotch region. As a result, it is possible to suppress discomforts and misconception of leak due to the water vapor released to outside of the absorbent article [0035] In detail, since the liquid wastes such as urine are absorbed in the excretory part-facing portion and a vicinity thereof in the crotch region, the water vapor generated from the liquid wastes is easily generated in the crotch region, and a large amount of the water vapor is generally in a state of being released from the crotch region to outside of the absorbent article. In this regard, according to the present invention, the longitudinal ridge groove shape is formed in the crotch region, and thereby the ridges and the grooves serve as flow paths for the water vapor, so that the water vapor generated from liquid wastes moves toward the front region and the rear region from the crotch region, and easily diffuses in the front-rear direction of the wearer to be released. As a result, in the absorbent article of the present invention, the water vapor generated from liquid wastes is hard to condense at the worn time of the article. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce dampness of clothes caused by moisture generated by dew condensation, the accompanying induction of urine leakage by the wearer, anxiety about urine leakage, and misidentification of leakage around the legs, waist and the like. Furthermore, release of the water vapor in the diaper can be promoted, and therefore it is possible to reduce moisture at the worn time. In other words, according to the absorbent article of the present invention, it is possible to improve comfortability at the worn time.

[0036] From the viewpoint of making the aforementioned effect even more pronounced, as shown in Fig. 3, in the diaper 1, the longitudinal ridge groove shape 5A having the longitudinal ridges 51 and the longitudinal grooves 52 is preferably formed from the front region F to the rear region R to include a region overlapping the absorbent member 4 in the crotch region M in the thickness direction Z, and is more preferably formed to reach both the end edges in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. Furthermore, the longitudinal ridge groove shape SA even more preferably includes regions overlapping the absorbent member 4 located in the respective regions of the front region F and the rear region R in the thickness direction Z. [0037] As another embodiment different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, an embodiment in a non-skin-facing surface of a diaper 1 shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 is preferably adopted. Concerning the embodiment described below, a point different from the aforementioned embodiment is mainly described, and to the points that are not specially described, the explanation about the aforementioned embodiment is properly applied. The same points as in the aforementioned embodiment are assigned with the same reference signs and explanation is omitted.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, on a non-skin-facing surface side of an outer sheet 5 in a front region F, a width ridge groove shape 5B alternately having a plurality of width ridges 56 and width grooves 57 that extend in a width direction Y of the diaper is formed. The width ridge groove shape 5B may be formed in a wavy shape in plan view of the diaper 1 as shown in Fig. 5B, or may be formed in a straight line extending in the width direction. The width ridge groove shape B is placed to extend throughout a center area and both side areas in the width direction Y of an absorbent article 1, and preferably overlaps a region where a longitudinal ridge groove shape 5A is formed in a thickness direction Z. A formation region of the width ridge groove shape 5B, and the aforementioned attachment region 7A may overlap each other, or may not overlap each other. By having the constitution like this, a flow path for water vapor extending in the width direction Y of the diaper 1 is further formed, so that water vapor moving from the crotch region M to the front region F, and water vapor generated from the front region F and a vicinity of the front region F can be diffused and released in respective directions of a front direction, and a direction around a waist. As a result, it is possible to reduce misidentification of leakage in the front portion in particular.

[0039] Furthermore, in an embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a width ridge groove shape 5B having width ridges 56 and width grooves 57 alternately is formed on an non-skin-facing surface side of an outer sheet 5 in the front region F and the rear region R respectively. The respective width ridge groove shapes 5B shown in Fig. 6 are each formed into a wavy shape in plan view of a diaper 1 as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 described above.

[0040] The width ridge groove shapes 5B are placed to extend throughout a center area and both side areas in a width direction Y of the absorbent article 1, and preferably overlap region where a longitudinal ridge groove shape 5A is formed in a thickness direction Z respectively. As shown in Fig. 6, when the width ridge groove shape 5B formed in the rear region R is seen along the width direction Y, a formation region of the width ridge groove shape 5B and a placement position of a fastening tape 7 overlap each other. Instead of this, the width ridge groove shape 5B formed in the rear region R may be formed inward in a longitudinal direction from the placement position of the fastening tape 7 in plan view of the diaper 1 By having the constitution like this, flow paths for water vapor extending in the width direction Y of the diaper 1 are formed on both the front side and the rear side, and therefore, it is possible to diffuse and release water vapor moving from the crotch region M to the front region F and the rear region R, and water vapor generated from the front region F, the rear region R and vicinities of them to respective directions of a front-rear direction and a circumferential direction of a waist of a wearer. As a result, it is possible to reduce misidentification of leakage in both the front portion and the rear portion in particular. In addition, in the rear region R, sweat of the wearer and water vapor caused by the sweat are easily generated, and therefore it is possible to further reduce dampness at the worn time by enhancing transpiration efficiency of sweat As a result, it is possible to further enhance comfortability at the worn time.

[0041] In an embodiment shown in Fig. 7, a second outer member different from an outer sheet is placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of an outer sheet 5, and a width ridge groove shape 5B is formed in the second outer member. The second outer member shown in Fig. 7 is a landing tape 7B constituting an attachment region 7A of a fastening tape 7. The landing tape 7B is placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of a front region F as a different sheet from the outer sheet 5. In the present embodiment, a formation region of the width ridge groove shape 5B and the aforementioned attachment region 7A overlap each other.

[0042] The landing tape 7B has a rectangular shape in plan view, and is placed so that a longitudinal direction of the landing tape 7B, a width direction Y of a diaper 1, and an extending direction of the width ridge groove shape 5B are aligned with one another. The landing tape 7B is joined to at least a center area in the width direction Y of the non-skinfacing surface in the front region F by known joining means such as an adhesive, a heat seal, and an ultrasonic seal. For example, the width ridge groove shape 5B is formed in the landing tape 7B in the present embodiment, and thereafter, the landing tape 7B can be joined to the outer sheet 5. By having the constitution like this, it is possible to diffuse and release water vapor generated from liquid wastes and sweat to a circumferential direction of a waist, prevent the water vapor released to outside of the diaper from flowing into the diaper again, and as a result, it is possible to enhance comfortability of the wearer. From the viewpoint of making the effect pronounced, the landing tape 7B is preferably placed to overlap a longitudinal ridge groove shape 5A formed in the front region F in a thickness direction Z. [0043] In an embodiment shown in Fig. 8, a second outer member (landing tape 7B) in which a width ridge groove shape 5B is formed is placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of an outer sheet 5 in a front region F. In addition to this, the width ridge groove shape 5B is further placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of the outer sheet 5 in a rear region R. The width ridge groove shape 5B formed in the rear region R is formed in a part where the second outer member is not placed, of the outer sheet 5. In the present embodiment, the width ridge groove shape 5B formed in the rear region R is directly formed in the outer sheet 5. By having the constitution like this, it is possible to diffuse and release water vapor generated from liquid wastes absorbed in the crotch region NI to many directions, and it is possible to prevent the water vapor released to outside of the diaper from flowing into the diaper again by the second outer member. In addition to this, in the rear region R, the width ridge groove shape 5B is formed in the part where the second outer member is not placed, and therefore it is possible to reduce dampness at the worn time by enhancing the transpiration efficiency of sweat. As a result, it is possible to further enhance comfortability at the worn time. From the viewpoint of making the effect more pronounced, the width ridge groove shapes 5B formed in the front region F and the rear region R are preferably formed to overlap a longitudinal ridge groove shape 5A extending in the front region F and the rear region R, in the thickness direction Z respectively.

[0044] In an embodiment shown in Fig 9, a plurality of flap elastic members 87 extending in a width direction Y are placed in each of rear side flaps Sr and Sr. The flap elastic member 87 is placed from an air permeable portion IT in the rear side flap Sr to a leakproof sheet 3 in an absorbent assembly 1A, and the respective flap elastic members 87 extend substantially parallel with one another. Note that the present embodiment is explained with a mode in which a second outer member (landing tape 7B) where a width ridge groove shape 5B is formed is placed in a front region F, and the width ridge groove shape 5B is not formed in a rear region R, for convenience of explanation, but instead of this, the present embodiment may be in a mode in which the aforementioned embodiments are properly combined For example, in a diaper 1, the width ridge groove shapes 5B may be formed in both the front region F and the rear region R. [0045] Fig. 10 schematically shows a worn state of the diaper 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9. In the worn state of the diaper 1, the front side flap Sf and the rear side flap Sr are placed to overlap each other. In detail, in a state where the front side flap Sf is placed on a skin-facing surface side, and the rear side flap Sr is placed to cover a non-skin-facing surface side of the front side flap Sf, the fastening tapes 7 are attached to the landing tape 7B as the attachment region 7A, and the worn state is maintained. As placement seen from a body surface of a wearer to outside, the front side flap Sf and the rear side flap Sr overlap each other in this order.

[0046] In this state, a highly air permeable region 1V having high air permeability preferably exists in a region where the front side flap Sf and the rear side flap Sr overlap each other. Further, the highly air permeable region 1V is also preferably formed to be located in an extending direction of the width ridge groove shape 5B. The highly air permeable region 1V refers to a region where at least the leak-proof sheet 3 is not placed in the worn state of the diaper 1. By having the constitution like this, water vapor diffusing in a direction along a waist via the width ridge groove shape 5B is easily released from the highly air permeable region 1V, and therefore it is possible to further reduce dampness in the diaper.

[0047] Further, the flap elastic members 87 extending in the width direction Y are preferably placed to overlap the highly air permeable regions 1V that are formed by overlap of the front and rear side flaps Sf and Sr. By having the constitution like this, the highly air permeable region IV easily becomes elastic following a change in a posture of the wearer together with the elastic member 87, and therefore, water vapor diffusing in the direction around the waist via the width ridge groove shape 5B is more easily released from the highly air permeable region IV, so that it is possible to further reduce dampness in the diaper.

[0048] From the viewpoint of further enhancing the aforementioned effect, the highly air permeable region 1V is preferably such that the number of members constituted by overlap of the front and rear side flaps Sf and Sr is made smaller than the number of constituent members of the other parts constituting the side flap S, and in particular, is more preferably formed by the air permeable portions IT in the front and rear side flaps Sf and Sr overlapping each other.

[0049] When the width ridge groove shape 5B is formed in the diaper 1, from the viewpoint of enhancing comfortability at the worn time by causing the water vapor moving from the crotch region M to the front region F to be efficiently released in the width direction Y, a lateral cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction X of the width groove 57 is preferably larger than a lateral cross-sectional area along the width direction Y of the longitudinal groove 52. In detail, the lateral cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction X of the width groove 57 is preferably 0.5 mm2 or more and more preferably 0.8 mm2 or more, and is preferably 10 mm2 or less and more preferably 5 mm2 or less. Likewise, a lateral cross-sectional area along the width direction Y of the longitudinal groove 52 is preferably 0.1 mm2 or more and more preferably 0.3 mm2 or more, and is preferably 5 mm2 or less and more preferably 2 mm2 or less.

[0050] The lateral cross-sectional areas of the respective grooves 52 and 57 can be measured respectively by the following method, for example. In the part where the longitudinal groove 52 or the width groove 57 are formed in the outer sheet 5, the outer sheet 5 is cut with a sharp razor along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the groove to be a measurement target, and a cut surface is obtained. The cut surface is observed at a magnification of 10 to 100 times with no load, so that a part where two adjacent ridges and the groove placed between the ridges exist is included in a field of view by using a microscope (digital microscope VHX-1000 made by KEYENCE CORPORATION, for example). Next, from the obtained observation image, contour lines of the ridges and the groove on the non-skin-facing surface and tops of the ridges in the cut surface are respectively identified, and an area of a region enclosed by an imaginary straight line connecting the respective tops of the ridges and the contour lines of the ridges and grooves on the non-skin-facing surface is measured. The measurement is performed for five or more grooves as targets, and an arithmetic mean value of the areas is determined as a lateral cross-sectional area of the groove of the measurement target. Furthermore, when an external force acts on the outer sheet of the measurement target for a long time, specifically, for example, when the outer sheet is incorporated in an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, and the absorbent article is kept in a state of being compressed and charged in a package, in order to exclude an effect of the external force, the outer sheet is taken out from the absorbent article, and the outer sheet that is left in an environment of normal temperature and pressure for 1 day or more is cut with a razor as described above.

[0051] When the second outer member in a sheet form is further placed, from the viewpoint of effectively preventing water vapor released to outside of the diaper from flowing into the diaper again, the second outer member preferably has a higher air permeation resistance than the constituent materials of the outer sheet 5.

[0052] In detail, the air permeation resistance of the second outer member is preferably 0.005 kPa.s/m or more and more preferably 0.01 kPa-s/m or more, and is preferably 0.2 kPa.s/m or less and more preferably 0.1 Oa. sim or less Furthermore, an air permeation resistance of the outer sheet 5 is preferably 0.001 kPa.s/m or more and more preferably 0.003 kPa-s/m or more, and is preferably 0.1 kPa-s/m or less and more preferably 0.05 kPa-s/m or less. The air permeation resistance can be measured by using AUTOMATIC AIR-PERMEABILITY TESTER KES-F8-AP1 (air permeability testing machine) made by KATO TECH CO., LTD., for example. A large value of the air permeation resistance obtained by the aforementioned measurement method means that it takes time for air to pass through, which means that the material of the measurement target has low air-permeability.

[0053] When the second outer member is used as the landing tape 7B, a material capable of being attached to the fastening tape 7 is preferably used for a constituent material of the landing tape 7B, and, for example, a fiber sheet of various nonwoven fabrics or the like similar to the outer sheet 5, a resin film and the like can be used. From the viewpoint of improving air permeability, a fiber sheet of various nonwoven fabrics or the like similar to the outer sheet 5 is preferably used.

[0054] The width groove 57 in the width ridge groove shape 5B is preferably formed by densification of the constituent material forming the width ridge groove shape 5B. Since portions with high density and portions with low density in the constituent material are formed at constant intervals by the width groove 57 being densified, it is possible to prevent water vapor released to outside of the diaper from flowing into the diaper again while maintaining releasing efficiency of the water vapor to outside of the diaper, as a result of which, it is possible to enhance comfortability of the wearer. When the width grooves 57 are formed by densification, each of the width ridges 56 located between the width grooves 57 is not densified, or has a lower degree of densification than the width grooves 57.

[0055] In order to form the width ridge groove shape 5B like this, the width ridge groove shape 5B like this can be formed by applying embossing, or applying machining of shaping a desired shape by pressing a member or a material to a mold, a member or the like that has a complementary shape, or the like to the constituent member or the constituent material of the formation target, for example Further, when a plurality of diapers 1 including the second outer members where the width ridge groove shapes 5B are formed in the front regions F are stored in a state of being adjacent to one another and compressed when the diapers are distributed to the market, the second outer member in one diaper 1 and the outer sheet of the other diaper 1 are in a state of abutting on and pressed to each other. Thereby, in a process of market distribution, a complementary shape to the width ridge groove shape 5B formed in the second outer member can be formed in the rear region R of the other diaper 1.

[0056] From the viewpoints of reducing discomforts and misidentification of leakage caused by the water vapor released to outside of the diaper, and improving texture of the diaper, respective numbers of ridges 51 and grooves 52 constituting the ridge groove shape 5A are each preferably 8/10 cm or more independently and more preferably 16/10 cm or more, and is preferably 100/10 cm or less and more preferably 80/10 cm or less. The respective numbers of the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 can be properly adjusted by changing the coating widths of the adhesive coated linearly on the outer sheet 5 and the intervals among the adhesive lines. The way of counting the respective numbers of the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 is as follows: when an imaginary straight line that extends in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 is drawn in an arbitrary position where the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 exist in sheet plan view, the number of ridges that intersect the imaginary straight line is determined as the number of ridges 51, whereas the number of grooves that intersect the imaginary straight line is determined as the number of the grooves 52, and respective numbers of the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 that exist per 10 cm of the imaginary straight line are obtained. When the respective numbers of the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 differ depending on the position where the imaginary straight line is drawn, a maximum number of these numbers is defined as the number of the ridges 51 existing per 10 cm, or the number of grooves 52 existing per 10 cm.

[0057] From the same viewpoint, a height H1 (see Fig. I I (a)) of the longitudinal ridge 51 is preferably 0.2 mm or more and more preferably 0.4 mm or more, and is preferably 3 mm or less and more preferably 2 mm or less. The height H1 of the ridge 51 is a distance between a surface forming the groove 52 in the outer sheet 5, and a top surface of the top of the ridge 51. It is possible to adjust the height 111 of the ridge Si properly by changing a coating width of the adhesive coated linearly on the outer sheet 5 and the intervals between the adhesive lines, changing the constituent material of the outer sheet 5, and changing the tension of the outer sheets that is given in the high tension state.

[0058] Furthermore, from the same viewpoint, an entire width W1 (see Fig. 11(a)) along the width direction Y of the longitudinal ridge 51 is preferably 0.2 mm or more and more preferably 0.4 mm or more, and is preferably 12 mm or less and more preferably 6 mm or less. An entire width W2 (see Fig. 11 (a)) along the width direction Y of the longitudinal groove 52 is preferably non-existent substantially (that is, the entire width W2 is zero), more preferably more than 0 mm and even more preferably 0.2 mm or more, and is more preferably 5 mm or less and more preferably 2 mm or less. It is possible to properly adjust the respective entire widths WI and W2 by changing the width of the adhesive that is coated on the outer sheet 5, and the intervals of the adhesive lines.

[0059] The height HI, the entire width WI and the entire width W2 described above can be measured by the following method, for example. In other words, a sample where the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 are formed is cut along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 by a sharp razor, a cut surface is observed by the aforementioned microscope, a shortest distance between the non-skin-facing surface forming the groove 52 and the top surface (non-skin-facing surface) of the top of the ridge 51 is measured, and an obtained value is determined as the height 111 of the ridge. In the cut surface, boundary points between the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 are determined from contour lines of the ridges 51 and the grooves 52 in the non-skin-facing surface, a shortest distance (see Fig. 11(a)) between the boundary points measured to sandwich the ridge 51 is determined as the entire width WI, and a shortest distance (see Fig. 11(a)) between boundary points measured to sandwich the groove 52 is determined as the entire width W2. The boundary point refers to a point of a boundary where a protruded shape observed in the cut surface changes to a straight line extending along the contour line of the groove, and a point of a boundary where the straight line changes to the protruded shape, and the boundary point can be identified by obtaining an inflection point from a tangent line that is drawn to the contour lines of the ridge 51 and the groove 52. When the boundary point cannot be identified, a shortest distance between boundary points that are measured with intersection points of the imaginary straight line connecting respective middle points in the heights Ht of the respective ridges 51 and the contour line of the ridge Si in the non-skinfacing surface as the boundary points is set as the entire width Wt, and the entire width W2 is set as zero. Furthermore, when an external force acts on the outer sheet of the measurement target for a long time, specifically, when the outer sheet is incorporated in an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, and the absorbent article is kept in a state of being compressed and charged into a package, for example, the outer sheet that is taken out from the absorbent article, and is left in an environment of normal temperature and normal pressure for 1 day or more is cut with a razor as described above, in order to exclude an effect of the external force.

[0060] Furthermore, from viewpoints of reducing discomforts and misidentification of leakage caused by the water vapor released to outside of the diaper, and improving texture of the diaper, respective numbers of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 constituting the width ridge groove shape 5B are each preferably independently 5/10 cm or more, and more preferably 10/10 cm or more, and are each preferably 50/10 cm or less and more preferably 30/10 cm or less. The respective numbers of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 can be adjusted by properly changing machining dimensions in a formed shape of the width ridge groove shape, for example. The way of counting the respective numbers of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 is as follows: when an imaginary straight line that extends in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 is drawn, in sheet plan view, the number of ridges that intersect the imaginary straight line is determined as the number of the width ridges 56, whereas the number of the grooves that intersect the imaginary straight line is determined as the number of the width grooves 57, and respective numbers of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 that exist per 10 cm of the imaginary straight line are obtained. When the respective numbers of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 differ depending on the position where the imaginary straight line is drawn, a maximum number of these numbers is defined as the number of the width ridges 56 existing per 10 cm, or the number of the width grooves 57 existing per 10 cm.

[0061] From the same viewpoints, an entire width W3 (see Fig 11(b)) along the longitudinal direction X of the width ridge 56 is preferably 1 mm or more and more preferably 2 mm or more, and is preferably 10 mm or less and more preferably 5 mm or less. An entire width W4 (see Fig. 11 (b)) along the longitudinal direction X of the width groove 57 is preferably non-existent virtually (that is, the entire width W4 is zero), more preferably more than 0 mm, and even more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and is preferably 3 mm or less and more preferably 1.5 mm or less. The entire widths W3 and W4 can be adjusted by properly changing the machining dimensions in the formed shape of the width ridge groove shape The entire widths W3 and W4 are minimum lengths at the time of measurement.

[0062] The entire width W3 and the entire width W4 described above can be measured by the following method, for example. In other words, an outer sheet is cut along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 by a sharp razor, and a cut surface is observed with the aforementioned microscope. A shortest distance between the non-skin-facing surface forming the width groove 57 and the top surface (non-skin-facing surface) of the top of the width ridge 56 is measured, and an obtained value is determined as a height (not illustrated) of the width ridge 56. Furthermore, in the cut surface, from the contour lines of the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 in the non-skin-facing surface, boundary points between the width ridges 56 and the width grooves 57 are identified, a shortest distance (see Fig. 11(b)) between the boundary points measured to sandwich the width ridge 56 is determined as the entire width W3, and a shortest distance (see Fig. 11(b)) between the boundary points measured to sandwich the width groove 57 is determined as the entire width W4. The boundary points can be identified as in the aforementioned method. When the boundary points are unclear, a shortest distance between boundary points that is measured with intersection points of the imaginary straight line connecting respective middle points in the heights of the respective width ridges 56 and the contour lines of the width grooves 57 in the non-skin-facing surface as the boundary points is set as the entire width W3, and the entire width W4 is set as zero. Furthermore, when an external force acts on the outer sheet of the measurement target for a long time, specifically, when the outer sheet is incorporated in an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, and the absorbent article is kept in a state of being compressed and charged into a package, for example, the outer sheet that is taken out from the absorbent article and is left in an environment of normal temperature and normal pressure for 1 day or more is cut with a razor as described above, in order to exclude an effect of the external force [0063] As above, the present invention is described based on the preferable embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the longitudinal ridge groove shape SA in each of the embodiments is described as linear, but can be changed as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited, and may be in a shape such as a wavy shape, for example. Likewise, the width ridge groove shape 5B in each of the embodiments is described as being in a wavy shape, but can be changed as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited, and may be in a shape such as a linear shape, for example.

[0064] Concerning the embodiments of the present invention described above, the following absorbent article is further disclosed. <1>

An absorbent article comprising an absorbent assembly including a liquid-permeable topsheet, an absorbent member and a leak-proof sheet, including a longitudinal direction corresponding to a front-rear direction of a wearer and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and comprising a front region, a crotch region and a rear region along the longitudinal direction, the absorbent member being placed from the front region to the rear region, wherein an outer sheet is placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent assembly, in the outer sheet, a longitudinal ridge groove shape alternately including longitudinal ridges and longitudinal grooves that extend in the longitudinal direction is formed, and the longitudinal ridge groove shape is formed in a region that overlaps the absorbent member in the crotch region, in a thickness direction.

[0065] <2> The absorbent article as set forth in clause <I>, wherein the outer sheet and the leak-proof sheet are intermittently joined in the width direction in a joined region extending in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal ridges are formed to protrude away from the leak-proof sheet. <3>

The absorbent article as set forth in clause <2>, wherein in each of the longitudinal ridges, a region defined by the outer sheet and the leak-proof sheet is hollow. <4>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <3>, wherein the outer sheet is an air-through nonwoven fabric. <5>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <4>, wherein the longitudinal ridge groove shape is formed from the front region to the rear region.

[0066] <6> The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <5>, wherein on a non-skin-facing surface side of the outer sheet in the front region, a width ridge groove shape alternately including width ridges and width grooves that extend in the width direction is formed. <7>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <6>, wherein on a non-skin-facing surface side of the outer sheet in each of the front region and the rear region, a width ridge groove shape alternately including width ridges and width grooves that extend in the width direction is included. <8>

The absorbent article as set forth in clause <6> or <7>, wherein a second outer member is placed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the outer sheet, and the width ridge groove shape is formed in the second outer member. <9>

The absorbent article as set forth in clause <8>, wherein the width ridge groove shape in the front region is formed in the second outer member placed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the outer sheet, and the width ridge groove shape in the rear region is formed in the outer sheet where the second outer member is not placed.

[0067] <10> The absorbent article as set forth in clause <8> or <9>, wherein the second outer member has higher air resistance than a material constituting the outer sheet. <11>

The absorbent article as set forth in clause <10>, wherein the air resistance of the second outer member is 0.005 kPa.s/m or more and 0.2 kPa.s/m or less, and is preferably 0.01 kPa.s/m or more and 0.1 kPa.s/m orless. <12>

The absorbent article as set forth in clause <10> or <11>, wherein air resistance of the outer sheet is 0.001 1cPa.s/m or more and 0.1 1cPa.s/m or less, and is preferably 0.003 kPais/m or more and 0.05 kPa.s/m or less.

[0068] <13> The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <6> to <12>, wherein respective numbers of the width ridges and the width grooves that constitute the width ridge groove shape are preferably 5/10 cm or more and more preferably 10/10 cm or more, and is preferably 50/10 cm or less and more preferably 30/10 cm or less respectively independently. <14>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <6> to <13>, wherein an entire width along the longitudinal direction of each of the width ridges is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, an is preferably 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. <15>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <6> to <14>, wherein an entire width along the longitudinal direction of each of the width grooves is virtually nonexistent, or is preferably more than 0 and 3 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

[0069] <16> The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <6> to <I 5>, wherein a lateral cross-sectional area of each of the width grooves is larger than a lateral cross-sectional area of each of the longitudinal grooves <17> The absorbent article as set forth in clause <16>, wherein a lateral cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction of each of the width grooves is 0.5 mm2 or more and 10 mm2 or less, and preferably 0.8 mm2 or more and 5 mm2 or less. <18>

The absorbent article as set forth in clause <16> or <17>, wherein a lateral cross-sectional area along the width direction of each of the longitudinal grooves is 0.1 mm2 or more and 5 mm2 or less, and preferably 0.3 mm2 or more and 2 mm2 or less. <19>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <6> to <18>, wherein the width grooves are formed by densification of a material of which the width grooves are formed [0070] <20> The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <I> to <19>, including a pair of front side flaps that are respectively extended outward in a width direction of the absorbent assembly, in the front region, and a pair of rear side flaps that are respectively extended outward in the width direction of the absorbent assembly, in the rear region, wherein at each of the rear side flaps, a fastening tape is placed, in the front region, a landing tape that attaches to the fastening tape is placed, the front side flaps and the rear side flaps are formed to overlap each other in a worn state of the absorbent article, and highly air permeable regions exist in regions where the front side flaps and the rear side flaps overlap each other. <21>

The absorbent article as set forth in clause <20>, wherein elastic members are respectively placed at each of the rear side flaps, and in the worn state of the absorbent article, the elastic members and the highly air permeable regions overlap each other.

[0071] <22> The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <21>, wherein a number of the longitudinal ridges is 8/10 cm or more and 100/10 cm or less, and is preferably 16/10 cm or more and 80/10 cm or less. <23>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <22>, wherein a number of the longitudinal grooves is 8/10 cm or more and 100/10 cm or less, and is preferably 16/10 cm or more and 80/10 cm or less. <24>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of claims <1> to <23>, wherein a height of each of the longitudinal ridges is 0.2 mm or more and 3 mm or less, and is preferably 0.4 mm or more and 2 mm or less. <25>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <24>, wherein an entire width along the width direction of each of the longitudinal ridges is 0.2 mm or more and 12 mm or less, and is preferably 0.4 mm or more and 6 mm or less. <26>

The absorbent article as set forth in any one of clauses <1> to <25>, wherein an entire width along the width direction of each of the longitudinal grooves is virtually nonexistent, or is preferably more than 0 and 5 mm or less, and is more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

Industrial Applicability

[0072] According to the present Invention, the absorbent article that suppresses discomforts and misidentification of leakage caused by the water vapor released to outside of the absorbent article, and is improved in comfortability at the worn time is provided

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS[Claim I] An absorbent article comprising an absorbent assembly including a liquid-permeable topsheet, an absorbent member and a leak-proof sheet, including a longitudinal direction corresponding to a front-rear direction of a wearer and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and comprising a front region, a crotch region and a rear region along the longitudinal direction, the absorbent member being placed from the front region to the rear region, wherein an outer sheet is placed on a non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent assembly, in the outer sheet, a longitudinal ridge groove shape alternately including longitudinal ridges and longitudinal grooves that extend in the longitudinal direction is formed, and the longitudinal ridge groove shape is formed in a region that overlaps the absorbent member in the crotch region, in a thickness direction.[Claim 2] The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the outer sheet and the leak-proof sheet are intermittently joined in the width direction in a joined region extending in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal ridges are formed to protrude away from the leak-proof sheet.[Claim 3] The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein in each of the longitudinal ridges, a region defined by the outer sheet and the leak-proof sheet is hollow.[Claim 4] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer sheet is an air-through nonwoven fabric [Claim 5] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the longitudinal ridge groove shape is formed from the front region to the rear region.[Claim 6] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein on a non-skinfacing surface side of the outer sheet in the front region, a width ridge groove shape alternately including width ridges and width grooves that extend in the width direction is formed [Claim 7] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein on a non-skinfacing surface side of the outer sheet in each of the front region and the rear region, a width ridge groove shape alternately including width ridges and width grooves that extend in the width direction is included.[Claim 8] The absorbent article according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a second outer member is placed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the outer sheet, and the width ridge groove shape is formed in the second outer member.[Claim 9] The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the width ridge groove shape in the front region is formed in the second outer member placed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the outer sheet, and the width ridge groove shape in the rear region is formed in the outer sheet where the second outer member is not placed.[Claim 10] The absorbent article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second outer member has higher air resistance than a material constituting the outer sheet.[Claim 11] The absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the air resistance of the second outer member is 0.005 kPa.s/m or more and 0.2 kPa.s/m or less.[Claim 12] The absorbent article according to claim 10 or 11, wherein air resistance of the outer sheet is 0.001 kPa.s/m or more and 0.1 1cPa.s/m or less.[Claim 13] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein respective numbers of the width ridges and the width grooves that constitute the width ridge groove shape are respectively 5/10 cm or more and 50/10 cm or less independently.[Claim 14] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein an entire width along the longitudinal direction of each of the width ridges is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.[Claim 15] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein an entire width along the longitudinal direction of each of the width grooves is virtually non-existent, or is more than 0 and 3 mm or less.[Claim 16] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 15, wherein a lateral cross-sectional area of each of the width grooves is larger than a lateral cross-sectional area of each of the longitudinal grooves.[Claim 17] The absorbent article according to claim 16, wherein a lateral cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction of each of the width grooves is 0.5 min2 or more and 10 mni2 or less.[Claim 18] The absorbent article according to claim 16 or 17, wherein a lateral cross-sectional area along the width direction of each of the longitudinal grooves is 0.1 min2 or more and 5 mm2 or less.[Claim 19] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 18, wherein the width grooves are formed by densification of a material of which the width grooves are formed [Claim 20] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising: a pair of front side flaps that are respectively extended outward in a width direction of the absorbent assembly, in the front region; and a pair of rear side flaps that are respectively extended outward in the width direction of the absorbent assembly, in the rear region, wherein at each of the rear side flaps, a fastening tape is placed, in the front region, a landing tape that attaches to the fastening tape is placed, the front side flaps and the rear side flaps are formed to overlap each other in a worn state of the absorbent article, and highly air permeable regions exist in regions where the front side flaps and the rear side flaps overlap each other.[Claim 21] The absorbent article according to claim 20, wherein elastic members are respectively placed at each of the rear side flaps, and in the worn state of the absorbent article, the elastic members and the highly air permeable regions overlap each other.[Claim 22] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein a number of the longitudinal ridges is 8/10 cm or more and 100/10 cm or less [Claim 23] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein a number of the longitudinal grooves is 16/10 cm or more and 80/10 cm or less [Claim 24] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein a height of each of the longitudinal ridges is 0.2 mm or more and 3 mm or less.[Claim 25] The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein an entire width along the width direction of each of the longitudinal ridges is 0.2 mm or more and 12 mm or less.[Claim 26] The absorbent article according to any one of claims Ito 25, wherein an entire width along the width direction of each of the longitudinal grooves is virtually non-existent, or more than 0 and 5 mm or less.