JP2020044252A - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which prevents leakage of body fluid from a rear area and reduces discomfort while it is worn.SOLUTION: An absorbent article has a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet and an absorber provided between both sheets, and prescribed length in the back and forth direction and prescribed width in the direction orthogonal to the back and forth direction. The absorber has a crotch corresponding area corresponding to the crotch of a wearer while it is worn and a rear area positioned at the back. The absorber has a belt-like thick part extending in the width area in the rear area. The thick part is formed in the way that thickness increases gradually or stepwise from the center in the width direction to a side part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

  Known absorbent articles include disposable diapers in the form of pad type, tape type, pants type and the like, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads and the like. Such an absorbent article generally has a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorber provided between the two sheets.

  In an absorbent article, it is important to ensure that body fluids are absorbed by the absorber and not to the outside. In particular, in the case of an absorbent article often used on the back, since leakage of body fluid is likely to occur in the rear area, it is required to more reliably prevent leakage of body fluid from the rear area. .

  As a configuration that takes into consideration the prevention of body fluid leakage in the rear region, for example, in Patent Document 1, a thick portion is provided in a central region in the lateral direction on the rear surface portion, and the thick portion enters a crack in the buttocks. Is described. This makes it difficult for leakage from the rear to occur.

JP 2000-342626 A

  However, when the absorbent article described in Patent Literature 1 is used in a state where the wearer is lying on his back, the thick part at the center in the lateral direction is likely to hit the body, which may cause discomfort. Was.

  In view of the above, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that prevents leakage of bodily fluids from a rear region and reduces discomfort when worn.

  A first aspect of the present invention includes a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorber provided between the two sheets, and has a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and An absorbent article having a predetermined width in a direction perpendicular to the direction, wherein the absorber has a crotch corresponding region corresponding to a crotch of a wearer at the time of wearing, and a rear region located behind the crotch corresponding region, The absorber has a band-shaped thick portion extending in the width direction in the rear region, and the thick portion gradually or stepwise increases in thickness from the center in the width direction toward the side portions. Is formed.

  According to the first aspect, the body fluid that has moved backward can be blocked and absorbed by the band-shaped thick portion extending in the width direction in the rear region. Thereby, leakage from the rear area can be prevented.

  Further, in this aspect, the thick portion is formed so as to gradually or stepwise increase in thickness from the center in the width direction to the side portion. That is, the thickness at the center in the width direction where the force is most likely to be applied when lying on the back is small. Therefore, even if the wearer continues to lie on his back, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity caused by the thick portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the thick portion is formed so as to gradually or stepwise increase in thickness toward the rear.

  According to the second aspect, the sense of incongruity due to the thick portion can be further reduced.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, the thick portion has a high rigidity portion having higher rigidity than other portions of the thick portion, and the high rigidity portion is provided at the center in the width direction of the thick portion. Including a central rigid portion provided.

  According to the third aspect, the center portion in the width direction of the thick portion is less likely to be crushed by the central high-rigidity portion. Therefore, for example, even when the wearer is lying on his back for a long time, and a force is continuously applied to the thick part, the thickness of the thick part at the center in the width direction can be maintained to some extent, The above-described effect of the part blocking the body fluid can be maintained.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the high rigidity portion includes an edge high rigidity portion provided on at least one of the edges in the width direction.

  According to the fourth aspect, the edge portion of the thick portion is less likely to be crushed by the edge high rigidity portion. Therefore, for example, even when the wearer is lying down sideways for a long time, the thickness of the thick portion can be maintained to some extent even at the edge, and the effect of the thick portion blocking the body fluid can be maintained. Can be.

  In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the thick portion is formed along a rear end of the absorber.

  According to the fifth aspect, the effect of blocking the body fluid by the thick portion is exerted near the rear end of the absorber, so that the thick portion is located forward of the rear end of the absorber. Since the amount of the absorber until reaching the thick part is larger than that of the absorber, the absorber can be used effectively.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the thick portion protrudes toward the top sheet.

  According to the sixth aspect, since the thick portion protrudes to the top sheet side, that is, the side facing the wearer's skin, the bodily fluid transmitted on the top sheet side surface of the absorber is also effectively. Can be blocked.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that prevents leakage of bodily fluids from the rear region and reduces discomfort when worn.

It is a figure showing an absorptive article by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an absorber in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an absorber in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an absorber in a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an absorber in a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the modification of the absorber in a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an absorber of an absorptive article in a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the modification of the absorber in a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing method of the absorber shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing method of the absorber shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted unless otherwise specified. In some cases, priority is given to simplicity, and some dimensions are shown larger or smaller.

  First, the basic structure of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A shows a top view of the absorbent article 1, and FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. In this embodiment, a pad-type disposable diaper (urine absorbing pad) will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 22, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 21, and an absorber 30 provided between the two sheets 21 and 22. ing. When the absorbent article 1 is mounted, the top sheet 22 side is the skin side, and the back sheet 21 side is fixed to an outer (outer diaper), underwear, or the like.

  In this embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has an elongated shape as a whole in plan view. That is, the absorbent article 1 has a predetermined length in a first direction (front-back direction or longitudinal direction) D1, and a predetermined length smaller than the length in a second direction (width direction) D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. Has a width of The front and back of the absorbent article 1 correspond to the abdomen and the back, respectively, when worn.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the planar shape of the absorbent article 1 is line-symmetric with respect to the center line CL in the front-rear direction, but is not necessarily line-symmetric. Further, as described above, the planar shape of the absorbent article 1 has a constant width in the front-rear direction D1 even if the absorbent article 1 does not have a portion (a constricted portion) whose width is smaller than the front and rear regions. Other shapes, such as a rectangular shape, can also be used.

  The configuration of the absorbent article 1 other than the shape (material, arrangement, etc. of each component) is also line-symmetric with respect to the front-back direction center line CL, but is not necessarily line-symmetric.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 has a crotch-corresponding region C1 near the center when viewed in the front-rear direction D1. In the present specification, the “groin-corresponding region” refers to a portion corresponding to the crotch (inseam) of the wearer at the time of wearing. The crotch corresponding region C1 may be, for example, a range from the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article or a vicinity thereof to a predetermined position in front of the absorbent article, or may be a predetermined range in the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. In the illustrated embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has a narrowed portion formed with a reduced width, and a part of the region where the narrowed portion is formed is a crotch-corresponding region C1. . Further, an area adjacent to the front of the crotch corresponding area C1 and extending to the front end of the absorbent article 1 is a front area F1, and an area adjacent to the rear of the crotch corresponding area C1 and extending to the rear end of the absorbent article 1. Is the rear area B1. In the present specification, the rear region B1 is a portion corresponding to the buttocks of the wearer at the time of wearing, and is also referred to as a “buttock corresponding region”.

  The overall length (length in the front-back direction D1) of the absorbent article 1 can be about 350 to 700 mm, and the overall width (length in the width direction D2) can be about 130 to 400 mm. The length of the crotch corresponding region C1 in the front-rear direction D1 is about 10 to 150 mm, the length of the front region F1 in the front-rear direction D1 is about 50 to 350 mm, and the length of the rear region B1 in the front-back direction D1 is about 50 to 350 mm. It can be. When the absorbent article 1 has a constricted portion, the minimum width is preferably about 50 to 90% of the entire width of the absorbent article 1 (the length in the width direction D2 in a portion other than the constricted portion).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the size of the back sheet 21 may be larger than the absorber 30. And the absorber 30 can be arrange | positioned so that it may fit in the range of the backsheet 21. As the liquid-impermeable back sheet 21, in addition to a polyethylene film or the like, a sheet having moisture permeability without impairing water blocking from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness can be used. This water-impervious / moisture permeable sheet is, for example, a microporous sheet obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching in a uniaxial or biaxial direction. Can be used. Note that the outer surface of the back sheet 21 can be covered with an exterior sheet such as a nonwoven fabric.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the top sheet 22 does not partially cover the end of the absorber 30 in the width direction D2, but may cover the entire absorber 30. As the top sheet 22, a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a perforated plastic sheet, or the like can be used. As the material fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric, synthetic fibers such as olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters and amides, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton can be used.

  In addition, an intermediate sheet may be interposed between the top sheet 22 and the absorber 30. By providing the intermediate sheet, the body fluid absorbed by the absorber 30 can be prevented from returning. Therefore, it is preferable to use a material having low water retention and high liquid permeability, such as various nonwoven fabrics and mesh films, as the intermediate sheet.

  At both ends of the absorber 30 in the front-back direction D1, the back sheet 21 and the top sheet 22 are adhered. Further, on both sides of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction D2, the back sheet 21 and the gather sheets 24, 24 provided on both sides of the absorbent article 1 along the front-rear direction D1 are bonded. I have.

  As the gather sheet 24, a plastic sheet, a melt-blown non-woven fabric, or the like can be used, but from the viewpoint of good feel to the skin, a non-woven fabric subjected to a water-repellent treatment with silicone or the like is preferably used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gather sheets 24, 24 are each overlaid on the top sheet 22. Then, an elastic member fixed in an extended state along the front-rear direction may be provided at an inner end in the width direction D2 of each cage sheet 24. The elastic member may be made of a styrene-based rubber, an olefin-based rubber, a urethane-based rubber, an ester-based rubber, or the like, which is formed in a thread shape, a string shape, a band shape, or the like.

  Further, the gather sheet 24 may be bonded to the top sheet 22, the packaging sheet 26, or the back sheet 21 disposed immediately below at the front and rear ends and side edges. Then, as described above, if an elastic member is provided at the inner end of the gather sheet 24 in the width direction D2, a portion of the gather sheet 24 to which the gather sheet 24 is not bonded (that is, the area inside the gather sheet 24 in the width direction D2). In this case, the region excluding both end portions) can be gathers standing on the front side (top sheet side) of the absorbent article 1. The gathers can prevent body fluid from leaking laterally. In addition, the gather sheets 24, 24 and the components under the gather sheets 24, 24 can be bonded by, for example, a hot melt adhesive, a heat seal, or an ultrasonic seal.

  The absorber 30 has a crotch corresponding region C2 near the center when viewed in the front-rear direction D1, and the crotch corresponding region C2 corresponds to the crotch corresponding region C1 of the absorbent article 1 described above. A region adjacent to the front of the crotch corresponding region C2 and extending to the front end of the absorber 30 is a front region F2, and a region adjacent to the rear of the crotch corresponding region C2 and extending to a rear end of the absorber 30 is a rear region B2. It is.

  The planar shape of the absorber 30 has a constricted portion similarly to the planar shape of the entire absorbent article 1, but has a constant width in the front-rear direction D1 regardless of the planar shape of the absorbent article 1. And a rectangular shape without a constricted portion. In the case where the absorber 30 has a constricted portion as in the illustrated embodiment, the minimum width of the constricted portion can be about 50 to 75% of the length in the width direction D2 before and after the constricted portion. In the case where the absorber 30 has a constricted portion, the crotch corresponding region C2 including at least a part of the constricted portion may be arranged in a front half region of the absorber 30 as illustrated, Depending on the configuration of the entire article, it may be arranged at the center of the absorber 30 in the front-back direction D1.

  The material contained in the absorber 30 may be a pile of pulp fibers, an aggregate of filaments such as cellulose acetate, a non-woven fabric, or the like. If necessary, a highly absorbent polymer such as a particle may be mixed and fixed. The following can be used. Further, it may contain superabsorbent polymer fibers, polymer particles other than superabsorbent polymer particles, inorganic particles, and the like.

The basis weight of the fiber and the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorber 30 can be appropriately determined. Except for the thick part described below, the fiber weight of the absorber 30 is preferably about 100 to 700 g / m ^{2 on} average, and the absorbent polymer weight is about 50 to 550 g / m ^{2 on} average. preferable.

  It is preferable that the absorber 30 be entirely or partially wrapped with a packaging sheet 26 (FIG. 1) such as a nonwoven fabric or crepe paper. The use of the wrapping sheet 26 is particularly preferable when the absorber 30 includes a particulate material such as polymer particles, which can include spillage of the material. The packaging sheet may be uncolored (that is, white) or may be colored. The color can be a color that can make the color of the discharged body fluid inconspicuous, for example, a color close to the color of the body fluid, or a color complementary to or close to the color of the body fluid. When the absorber 30 is composed of a plurality of layers, each absorber layer may be wrapped by a wrapping sheet, or the wrapping sheet may be sandwiched between layers.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the absorber 30 may be provided with slits 50, 50 extending in the front-rear direction D1. The presence of the slits 50 allows the discharged bodily fluid to be quickly guided backward, so that lateral leakage around the portion corresponding to the bodily fluid outlet can be prevented. In the illustrated embodiment, the slits 50, 50 penetrate the absorber 30 in the thickness direction, but instead of the slits 50, 50, grooves are formed that are recessed from the top sheet 22 side to the back sheet 21 side. You can also.

  Although two slits are formed in the illustrated embodiment, the number of slits may be one, or three or more, depending on the purpose of use of the absorbent article 1.

  Next, the configuration of the absorber in the absorbent article described above will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 2 shows an absorber 30 of the absorbent article 1 (FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a top view of the absorber 30, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 of FIG. 2A, and FIGS. 2C and 2D. Respectively show a sectional view taken along line Y1-Y1 and a sectional view taken along line Y1'-Y1 'in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the absorber 30 has a band-shaped thick portion 35 extending in the width direction D2 in the rear region B2. The thick portion 35 indicates a portion or a region having a thickness larger than the thickness of another adjacent portion of the absorber 30.

  In particular, since absorbent articles such as diapers are often used while the wearer is lying on their back, the discharged bodily fluid tends to migrate to the rear (back side) of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, when a large amount of body fluid is discharged at one time, the body fluid may leak from the back side of the absorbent article 1 (so-called back leak). In the present specification, the back leakage refers to leakage of body fluid from the rear region to the outside, not only leakage of body fluid from the rear end to the rear direction, but also leakage from the rear region to the oblique rear direction and lateral direction. Includes leaks to

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by providing the thick portion 35, the body fluid (urine, liquid stool, menstrual blood, etc.) that has moved backward is blocked and leaked behind and / or diagonally behind the thick portion 30. Can not be. More specifically, it is possible to stop the flow of the bodily fluid that has moved backward along the top sheet side surface of the absorber. In addition, since the body fluid that has permeated into the absorber 30 and diffused rearward also reaches a thick portion, that is, a portion having a large absorption amount, the diffusion speed of the body fluid backward and / or obliquely rearward may be reduced. it can.

  When the absorbent article 1 is worn and lying on the back, the weight of the wearer is more likely to be applied to the center in the width direction D2 than to the end in the width direction D2 in the rear region B1. Therefore, when the wearer's body rests on the band-shaped thick portion 35 formed in the rear region B1 (B2), the reaction force received from the thick portion 35 is more centrally located than the end in the width direction D2. Since the portion is large, the user is particularly likely to feel discomfort from the central portion.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the thick portion 35 is formed so as to increase in thickness from the center in the width direction D2 to the side. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the thick portion 35 gradually increases from the center in the width direction D2 toward the side. In other words, the thick portion 35 is recessed in the thickness direction at the center of the width direction D2.

  As described above, the thick portion 35 has a shape in which the thickness is relatively small at the center in the width direction D2 and the thickness is relatively large at the end portion in the width direction D2. The uncomfortable feeling received from the central portion in the width direction D2 can be reduced. Thereby, the uncomfortable feeling which can be received from the thick portion 35 can be reduced while maintaining the effect of the thick portion 35 of blocking the body fluid.

  Further, since the thickness of the thick portion 35 is gradually changed, the thickness can be along the roundness of the body (back) of the wearer, and the above-mentioned discomfort can be further reduced. Also, when stacking in the manufacture of the absorbent body 30, the mold corresponding to the thick portion 35 can have a smooth surface instead of a step-like shape, so that the fiber is caught on the angular portion of the mold. The possibility can be reduced, and a highly reliable absorber can be manufactured.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the rear region B2 where the thick portion 35 is provided includes a rear first region B2a adjacent to the central region C2 and a rear first region B2a located further behind the rear first region B2a. And two regions B2b. The first rear region B2a is a region roughly corresponding to the lower part of the buttocks of the wearer, and the second rear region B2b is a region approximately corresponding to the upper part of the buttocks. Here, the lower part of the buttocks refers to the position of the buttocks, where the buttocks that continue from the crotch begin to be shallow or end, and the upper parts of the buttocks refer to the upper part (from the position of the sacrum) where the buttocks begin to become shallow or end. From the bottom to the top). It is preferable that the thick part 35 is provided in the rear second region B2b so as to be able to adhere to the upper part of the buttocks of the wearer.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A, the thick portion 35 is preferably provided along the rear end of the absorber 30 (the rear end of the rear second region B2b). Since the thick portion 35 is at the rear end, the effect of blocking the bodily fluid is exerted at the most rear side of the absorber 30, so that the absorber ahead of the rear end can be effectively used.

  Further, the range in the width direction D2 where the thick portion 35 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it is configured so as to block the body fluid so as not to leak backward. However, the length of the thick portion 35 in the width direction D2 is preferably, for example, 50 to 400 mm. Further, if the thick portion 35 extends from one end to the other end in the width direction D2 of the absorber 30 as in the illustrated embodiment, leakage of body fluid not only rearward but also obliquely rearward. This is preferable since the effect of preventing the above can be improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the absorber 30 of the present embodiment includes an absorber main body 31 having the same contour as the absorber 30 in a top view, and meat arranged on the absorber main body 31. And a thick portion forming body 35a. The portion (region) where the thick portion forming body 35 a is provided is the thick portion 35. In other words, the thick portion 35 in the present embodiment can be obtained by arranging a separate thick portion forming body 35a formed so as to increase in thickness from the center in the width direction D2 toward the side portion. it can.

  The configuration of the thick portion 35 is not limited to the illustrated one. For example, the absorber main body 31 and the thick portion forming body 35a may be formed integrally. That is, the absorber 30 may be manufactured by stacking and processing one absorber including each part of the illustrated absorber main body 31 and the thick part forming body 35a. Moreover, the top view shape of the absorber main body is formed so as to have a shape excluding the region occupied by the thick portion 35, while the thick portion forming body over the entire thickness direction of the absorber 30 is formed, Both may be joined in the plane direction.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the thick portion forming body 35a is provided on the front surface side (the top sheet 22 side) of the absorber main body 31. Accordingly, the thick portion 35 projects to the wearer's skin side, so that the bodily fluid transmitted on the top sheet 22 can be effectively blocked.

More thick portion 35 is preferably as having a minimum thickness T _min keep the width direction D2 center, as shown in FIG. 3, as having a minimum thickness T _min at the location of the longitudinal center line CL preferable. In addition, it is preferable that both ends in the width direction D2 have the maximum thickness T _max .

The maximum thickness T _max of the thick portion 35 is preferably about 15 to 25 mm, and the minimum thickness T _min is preferably about 5 to 15 mm. The difference between the minimum thickness T _min of the thick portion 35 and the thickness of the absorber main body 31 is preferably 0 to 10 mm, and by setting each value within the above range, the thick portion 35 that blocks body fluids is provided. It is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort when the thick portion 35 hits the wearer's body while maintaining the function and effect.

The maximum thickness _{T max} of the thick portion 35, the minimum thickness _{T min} the ratio of the values for _(T max _{/ T min)} may be about 3.0 to 5.0, preferably 3.5 to 4. It can be about 5. By setting the thickness in the above range, the contour of the thick portion 35 can be formed into a shape more suitable for the roundness of the body.

  The thick portion 35 or the thick portion forming body 35a can be formed of the same material as the absorber main body 31 or can be formed of a different material. When the thick part molded body 35a and the absorber main body 31 are formed of different materials, the polymer weight of the thick part formed body 35a is made higher than the polymer basis weight of the absorber main body 31, so that the thick part 35 Body fluid is retained and reversal can be prevented. Further, the original shape of the thick portion 35 can be maintained even after the body fluid is absorbed. Furthermore, in the thick part forming body 35a (or the whole thick part 35), the polymer basis weight can be made larger than the fiber basis weight. This can further improve the above-described effects of preventing backflow of body fluid and maintaining the shape of the thick portion 35 after absorbing body fluid.

  FIG. 3 shows an absorber 230 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 3A is a top view of the absorber 230, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2 of FIG. 3A, and FIGS. 3C and 3D. Respectively show a sectional view taken along line Y2-Y2 and a sectional view taken along line Y2′-Y2 ′ in FIG.

  The absorber 230 in the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the absorber 30 in the first embodiment, unless otherwise noted. For example, the absorber 230 includes a thick portion 235 in the rear region B2, more preferably, in the rear second region B2b (FIG. 3A). The thick portion 235 has an absorber main body 231 and a thick portion forming body 235a (FIGS. 3A to 3D), and the thickness gradually increases from the center in the width direction D2 to the side. It is formed to be large (FIG. 3B).

  The absorber 230 differs from the absorber 30 in the first embodiment in that the absorber main body 231 has a two-layer structure, as shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D. Absorber 130 includes a back-side absorber layer 231B having the same top-view contour as absorber 230 as a whole, a front-side absorber layer 231A and a thick part forming body 235a arranged on back-side absorber layer 231B. It is a laminated body of. The front-side absorber layer 231A is smaller in length and width than the back-side absorber layer 231B, and is arranged at a position including the front-rear direction center line CL.

  In this embodiment, since the absorber 230 has a two-layer structure, the functions of the absorber 230 on the front side and the back side can be different. In addition, as shown in the drawing, by changing the shape of the absorber in a plan view on the front surface side and the back surface side, the function of the absorber is made different depending on the region, or the degree of the same function is made different. Becomes possible. Therefore, the materials used for the front-side absorber layer 231A and the rear-side absorber layer 231B may be the same or different.

  In the present embodiment, the absorber 230 has a two-layer structure, but the absorber 230 may have three or more layers.

  The absorber 230 is provided with two slits 250 extending in the front-rear direction D1 in the crotch corresponding region C2. The slit 250 may penetrate the front-side absorber layer 231A and the back-side absorber layer 231B, or may penetrate only the front-side absorber layer 231A.

  FIG. 4 shows an absorber 330 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a top view of the absorber 330, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X3-X3 of FIG. 4A, and FIGS. 4C and 4D. Respectively shows a sectional view taken along line Y3-Y3 and a sectional view taken along line Y3′-Y3 ′ in FIG.

  The absorber 330 in the third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the absorber 30 in the first embodiment. The absorber 330 also has a thick portion 335 in the rear region B2, preferably in the rear second region B2b (FIG. 4A), and the thick portion 335 forms a thick portion with the absorber main body 331. Body 335a (FIGS. 4A to 4D).

  As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the absorber 330 has a thick portion 335 that is formed such that its thickness increases stepwise from the center in the width direction D2 toward the side portions. It is different from the absorber 30 in the form.

  Since the thickness of the thick part 335 changes stepwise, when the region of the absorbent article where the thick part 335 is formed is applied to the wearer's skin, the absorbent article moves in the width direction D2. This makes it difficult to maintain a stable mounting state.

  FIG. 5 shows an absorber 330 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 5A is a top view of the absorber 430, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross-sectional views taken along line X4-X4 and X4-X4 'of FIG. 5A, respectively. Show. 5D and 4E show a cross-sectional view taken along line Y4-Y4 and a cross-sectional view taken along line Y4′-Y4 ′ of FIG. 5A, respectively.

  Similarly to the absorber 30 in the first embodiment, the absorber 430 in the fourth embodiment also has a thick portion 435 in the rear region B2, preferably in the rear second region B2b (FIG. 5A). The thick part 435 has an absorber main body 431 and a thick part forming body 435a (FIGS. 5A to 5E).

  The thick part 435 of the absorber 430 is different from the absorber 30 in the first embodiment in that the thickness is different not only in the width direction D2 but also in the front-back direction D1. As shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E, the thick portion 435 has a gradually increasing thickness toward the rear. Specifically, the thick portion 435 has a cross-sectional shape whose surface is inclined, for example, a triangular shape, when viewed in a cross section cut along the front-rear direction D1. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5B, 5D, and 5E, the minimum thickness of the thick portion can be the same as the thickness of the absorber main body 431.

  As in the present embodiment, the thicker portion 435 is thicker toward the rear, so that the feeling of discomfort when the thicker portion 435 hits the skin at the time of mounting can be further reduced.

  In this case, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the surface in the cross section (FIG. 5D) cut at the position of the front-rear center line CL is 20 to 45 °. By setting θ in the above range, it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort at the time of wearing while maintaining the original function and effect of the thick portion 435 that blocks body fluid.

  Note that the thickness of the thick portion 435 may not be gradually increased rearward, but may be gradually increased toward the rear.

  In the absorber 430, the length of the thick portion 435 in the front-rear direction D1 is different between the center in the width direction D2 and the end in the width direction D2. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the contour of the front end of the thick portion 435 is curved. This contour is preferably along a line that curves backward convexly, as shown in FIG. Since the thick portion 435 has a longer length at both ends in the width direction D2, it is possible to effectively prevent leakage of bodily fluids in the rear oblique direction.

  In the vicinity of the rear end of the absorber 430 in the fourth embodiment, the width is substantially constant (FIG. 5A). However, as shown in the first to third embodiments (FIGS. 1 to 4), the width at the rear end of the absorber 30 may be smaller than the average of the width of the rear region B2. That is, the absorber 30 may have a shape in which both corners at the rear end are cut out. The corners of the absorber may take longer to penetrate bodily fluids than other parts, so cut out the corners to reduce the amount of absorber material and save manufacturing costs Can be.

  FIG. 6 shows a modification of the absorber 430 in the above-described fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5D or 5E, in which the absorber 430 is cut along the front-rear direction D1. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the thick portion 435 'of this example is formed so as to increase in thickness toward the rear, but when viewed in a cross section cut in the front-rear direction D1, the thick portion 435' is formed. 5 is different from the embodiment of FIG. 5 (FIGS. 5D and 5E) in that the contour of the surface is rounded (curved).

  It can be said that the thick portion 435 ′ shown in FIG. 6 is a step. However, since the surface is curved, it is possible to maintain the effect of blocking the body fluid that has migrated rearward, while preventing discomfort due to the corner of the thick portion 430 hitting during mounting.

  FIG. 7 shows an absorber 530 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view in which a cross section of the thick portion 535 of the absorber 530 cut along the width direction D2 is viewed from the front to the rear, and corresponds to, for example, FIG. In FIG. 7, the illustration of the absorber main body of the absorber 530 is omitted, and only the thick part forming body 535a is shown.

  The basic configuration of the absorber 530 in the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the absorber 30 (FIG. 2) in the first embodiment, and the thick part forming body 535a has a shape with the largest thickness at both ends in the width direction. Have. The present embodiment differs from the absorber 30 in that the rigidity of the thick portion 535 differs in the width direction D2.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the thick portion forming body 535a has a high rigidity portion 536 in the center in the width direction D2, that is, near the region where the thickness is the smallest. Hereinafter, the high-rigidity portion 536 formed at the center in the width direction D2 is referred to as a central high-rigidity portion 536C.

  Since the central high-rigidity portion 536C is provided at the center of the width direction D2, the center of the thick portion 535 at the center of the width direction D2 is unlikely to be crushed. In the case where the wearer is in a state of lying on his back for a long time and a force is continuously applied to the thick portion, a force is particularly likely to be applied to the center in the width direction D2. The shape of the thick portion 535 in the vicinity of the center in the width direction D2 can be maintained. Thus, the above-described effect of the thick portion 536 blocking the body fluid can be maintained.

  The high-rigidity portion 536 can be formed, for example, by forming a high-density portion in the thick-walled portion forming body 535a, and the high-rigidity portion 536 changes the material of the absorber in the thick-walled portion forming body 535a. It can also be formed by the following. However, it is preferable that the high-rigidity portion 536 be a high-density portion, and that the high-density portion be formed by compressing the absorber. Thereby, since an absorber can be formed using a uniform pile of the same material, labor and cost in manufacturing can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 shows a modification of the absorber 530 (FIG. 7) in the fifth embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the central high-rigidity portion 536C, edge high-rigidity portions 536E and 356E are further formed at both ends in the width direction D2. By forming the edge high rigidity portion 536E, the end of the thick portion 535 in the width direction D2 is not easily collapsed. Therefore, for example, even when the wearer is lying down sideways for a long time, the thickness of the thick portion 535 can be maintained even at the end in the width direction D2, and the thick portion 535 blocks the body fluid. Can be maintained. The edge high rigidity portion 536E can be formed at either one end in the width direction D2.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the portion serving as the edge high rigidity portion 536E has a portion having a substantially uniform thickness, but the edge high rigidity portion 536E is provided at both ends in the width direction D2. May have the same cross-sectional shape as the thick portion forming portion 536a shown in FIG.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rigidity in the high-rigidity portion 536 (the central high-rigidity portion C and the edge high-rigidity portion E) may be uniform. The rigidity may change in the direction or the plane direction. The rigidity of the absorber in the thick part forming body 535a may change gradually or stepwise in the thickness direction or the plane direction.

  The configuration (FIGS. 7 and 8) in which the thick portion includes the high-rigidity portion shown as the fifth embodiment as described above can be applied to any of the above-described first to fourth embodiments. .

  Next, a method for manufacturing the absorber 530 in the fifth embodiment will be described. First, a method of manufacturing the absorber 530 (FIG. 7) in which the central high-rigidity portion C is formed will be described with reference to FIG. 9. 9A to 9C are cross-sectional views similar to the cross-sectional view of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, a pile 535a ′ serving as the thick part forming body 535a is prepared. In this example, the thickness of the prepared pile body 535a 'may be uniform in the width direction D2. Then, the press die P1 is approached in a direction orthogonal to the surface direction of the piled body 535a ', and the piled body 535a' is further compressed (FIG. 9B). As a result, it is possible to obtain a thick portion forming body 535a in which a central high-rigidity portion 536C having a rigidity or hardness equal to or more than a predetermined value is formed at the center in the width direction D2 (FIG. 9C).

  In addition, with reference to FIG. 10, a method of manufacturing the absorber 530 (FIG. 8) in which the center high rigidity portion C and the edge high rigidity portion E are formed will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, a stacked fiber body 535a ′ having irregularities, which becomes the thick part forming body 535a, is prepared. As shown in the figure, as the piled body 535a 'of this example, one having a large thickness at the center and both ends in the width direction D2 is used. The thickness of the center and / or both ends in the width direction D2 can be appropriately determined according to the required degree of compression at that position, and hence the required rigidity. Then, the press die P2 is moved closer to the direction orthogonal to the surface direction of the piled body 535a ', and the piled body 535a' is compressed (FIG. 10B). The press die P2 has a contour of a curve whose center in the width direction is convex, but has a shape having flat portions at both ends in the width direction. A thick portion in which a central high-rigidity portion 536C and edge high-rigidity portions 536E and 536E having a rigidity or hardness equal to or more than a predetermined value are formed at the center and both ends in the width direction D2 by compression by the press mold P2. A formed body 535a can be obtained (FIG. 10C).

  In the above-described example (FIGS. 9 and 10), the mode in which only the thick part forming body 535a is compressed has been described. May be performed on the entire pile.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Absorbent article 21 Back sheet 22 Top sheet 24 Gather sheet 26 Packaging sheets 30, 230, 330 Absorbers 31, 231, 331, 431 Absorber main body 231A Front side absorber layer 232B Back side absorber layers 35, 235, 335 , 435, 535 Thick portions 35a, 235a, 335a, 435a, 535a Thick portion forming body 536 High rigidity portion 536C Central high rigidity portion 536E Edge high rigidity portion 50, 250 Slit F1 Front region F2 (of absorbent article) Front area C1 (of the absorbent article) Crotch area C2 (of the absorbent article) Crotch area B1 (of the absorbent article) Back area or hip area B2 (of the absorbent article) Back area or hip area (of the absorbent article) Region B2a Rear first region (of absorber) B2b Rear second region CL (of absorber) Front-rear center line (along the first direction D1) The center line)
D1 Front-back direction (first direction)
D2 width direction (second direction)
P1, P2 Press machine mold

Claims (6)

It has a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorber provided between the two sheets, and has a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and a predetermined width in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. An absorbent article having
The absorber has a crotch corresponding region corresponding to the wearer's crotch when worn, and a rear region located behind the crotch corresponding region,
The absorber has a band-shaped thick portion extending in the width direction in the rear region,
The said thick part is an absorbent article formed so that it may become thick gradually or stepwise from the center in the width direction to the side part.   The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the thick portion is formed so as to gradually or stepwise increase in thickness toward the rear. The thick portion has a high rigidity portion having higher rigidity than other portions of the thick portion,
The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the high-rigidity portion includes a central high-rigidity portion provided at a center in a width direction of the thick portion.   The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the high-rigidity portion includes an edge high-rigidity portion provided on at least one of the edges in the width direction.   The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the thick portion is formed along a rear end of the absorber.   The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thick part protrudes toward the top sheet.

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