JP2022013304A - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article capable of improving touch while suppressing leakage of body fluid from ends in a width direction, that is, lateral leakage even when the amount of the body fluid is large.SOLUTION: In an absorbent article 1, the length of an auxiliary sheet 5 located between a surface sheet 2 and an absorber 4 is larger than the length of the surface sheet in a width direction, and each of two ends of the auxiliary sheet extends to the outside of each of two end edges of the surface sheet. The surface sheet includes a central area CA located in a central part in the width direction, and a pair of end areas EA located at both ends in the width direction and adjacent to both outer sides of the central area in the width direction. The length of each of the pair of end areas in a thickness direction is larger than the length of the central area in the thickness direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Absorbent articles that make it difficult for excreted body fluids (eg, menstrual blood) to leak are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article capable of enhancing the retention of body fluid. This absorbent article is provided with a liquid permeable upper layer sheet on the skin contact surface side of the surface sheet. The upper sheet is arranged along the longitudinal direction in the central portion in the width direction, and has a central region including an excretion opening contact region. The absorbent article has an upper layer pressing portion in which the surface sheet and the upper layer sheet are compressed in the thickness direction, and an absorbent body pressing portion in which the surface sheet and the absorber are compressed in the thickness direction. The absorber squeezing portion has a longitudinal squeezing portion formed along the longitudinal direction on the lateral side in the width direction from the upper layer sheet.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-239712

In the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, both ends in the width direction of the upper layer sheet are not joined to the surface sheet, and the thickness of both ends in the width direction of the upper layer sheet is equal to or greater than the thickness of the central portion thereof. thin. Therefore, the widthwise ends of the upper layer sheet have a smaller amount of body fluid that can be retained in the voids between the constituent fibers of the upper layer sheet than the central portion thereof. As a result, when the amount of body fluid is large when the absorbent article is used, the body fluid diffused from the center to the end of the upper layer sheet overflows from the end without accumulating in the upper layer sheet in the width direction. There is a risk. In other words, the widthwise length of the upper sheet is smaller than the longitudinal length, so that the bodily fluid diffuses to the widthwise ends of the bodily fluid before it is sufficiently diffused to both sides in the longitudinal direction. There is a risk that the body fluid will proceed and leak outward from the end in the width direction. Further, since the upper layer sheet having high water retention is located closer to the skin than the surface sheet, if the upper layer sheet holding the body fluid comes into contact with the excretion port, the touch may not be good.

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article capable of suppressing leakage from the widthwise end portion of body fluid, that is, lateral leakage, and improving the feel even when the amount of body fluid is large.

The absorbent articles of the present invention are as follows. (1) An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, comprising a surface sheet, an absorber, and an auxiliary sheet located between the surface sheet and the absorber. In the width direction, the length of the auxiliary sheet is larger than the length of the surface sheet, and each of both ends of the auxiliary sheet extends to the outside of each of the both end edges of the surface sheet, and the surface thereof. The sheet comprises a central region located in the central portion of the width direction and a pair of end regions located at both ends of the width direction and adjacent to both outer sides of the central region in the width direction. An absorbent article in which the thickness-wise length of each of the pair of end regions is greater than the thickness-wise length of the central region.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article capable of suppressing leakage from the widthwise end portion of the body fluid, that is, lateral leakage, and improving the touch even when the amount of the body fluid is large.

It is a top view which shows the structural example of the absorbent article which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the other structural example of the absorbent article which concerns on embodiment.

The present embodiment relates to the following aspects.
[Aspect 1]
An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, comprising a surface sheet, an absorber, and an auxiliary sheet located between the surface sheet and the absorber, wherein the absorbent article includes the width direction. In, the length of the auxiliary sheet is larger than the length of the surface sheet, and each of both ends of the auxiliary sheet extends to the outside of each of the both end edges of the surface sheet, and the surface sheet is a surface sheet. The pair of ends, including a central region located in the central portion of the width direction and a pair of end regions located at both ends of the width direction and adjacent to both outer sides of the central region in the width direction. An absorbent article in which the length in the thickness direction in each of the partial regions is larger than the length in the thickness direction in the central region.

In this absorbent article, the surface sheet is formed such that in the width direction, the thickness at each of the pair of end regions is greater than the thickness at the central region. That is, in the surface sheet, the thickness of both ends in the width direction is larger than the thickness of the central portion. Therefore, both ends of the surface sheet in the width direction have a larger amount of body fluid that can be held in the voids between the constituent fibers of the surface sheet than the central portion thereof, and like a bank protruding toward the skin side. Can function. As a result, even when the amount of body fluid (eg, menstrual blood) is large when the absorbent article is used, the body fluid diffused from the center to the end of the surface sheet through the inside or the surface of the surface sheet is spread on the surface. It can be easily accumulated at the edge of the sheet and can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the edge. Further, since both ends of the surface sheet in the width direction are thick and the central portion is thin, the contact with the excretory opening in the central portion can be weakened, and the touch can be improved. As described above, in this absorbent article, even when the amount of body fluid is large, lateral leakage of body fluid can be suppressed and the touch can be improved.

[Aspect 2]
The absorbent article according to embodiment 1, wherein the fiber density in each of the pair of end regions is lower than the fiber density in the central region.
In this absorbent article, the surface sheet is formed such that the fiber density in each of the pair of end regions is lower than the fiber density in the central region. That is, in the surface sheet, the fiber densities at both ends in the width direction are lower than the fiber densities at the center. Therefore, even if a large amount of body fluid flows through the inside of the surface sheet in the width direction by a capillary phenomenon, the fiber density at the end portion is relatively low, so that the body fluid can be difficult to spread to the end portion. Further, since the fiber densities at both ends of the surface sheet in the width direction are relatively low, a soft feel can be imparted. As described above, in the present absorbent article, even when the amount of the body fluid is large, the lateral leakage of the body fluid can be further suppressed and the touch can be further improved.

[Aspect 3]
The absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the fiber density on the skin side in each of the pair of end regions is higher than the fiber density on the non-skin side.
In the present absorbent article, the surface sheet is formed so that the fiber density on the skin side in each of the pair of end regions is higher than the fiber density on the non-skin side. That is, in the surface sheet, the fiber density on the skin side at both ends in the width direction is higher than the fiber density on the non-skin side. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the body fluid diffused from the center to the end of the surface sheet to move to the non-skin surface side of the end, and to the surface of the auxiliary sheet located on the lower side in the thickness direction of the end. It can be difficult to migrate. As a result, the body fluid that has reached the end can stay at the end and is difficult to move in the width direction, so that other body fluid can easily move from the center to the lower part in the thickness direction, that is, to the absorber. As described above, in this absorbent article, even when the amount of body fluid is large, the movement of the body fluid in the width direction can be restricted, and lateral leakage can be further suppressed.

[Aspect 4]
It further comprises a pair of squeezed portions formed by squeezing the surface sheet, the auxiliary sheet and the absorber, extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, the pair of end regions. The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the outer edge in the width direction in each of the above is located outside in the width direction in each of the pair of compression portions.
In this absorbent article, the widthwise outer edges of each of the pair of end regions are located outside of each of the pair of compression sections. As a result, when the absorbent article is used, the portion outside the pair of compressed portions in the absorbent article is deformed toward the skin from the pair of compressed portions as a starting point, and accordingly, the portion outside the pair of compressed portions in the surface sheet. The portion of the pair of end regions of is also deformed to the skin side. That is, both ends of the surface sheet in the width direction are deformed toward the skin. Therefore, both ends of the surface sheet in the width direction can function as a bank protruding toward the skin side, whereby the body fluid diffused from the center to the end of the surface sheet is discharged to the end of the surface sheet. It can be easily accumulated in the water and can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the end.

[Aspect 5]
The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein each of the pair of end regions is non-bonded to the auxiliary sheet.
In this absorbent article, the surface sheet is formed such that each of the pair of end regions is non-bonded to the auxiliary sheet. That is, in the surface sheet, both ends in the width direction are not joined to the auxiliary sheet. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the body fluid diffused from the central portion to the end portion of the surface sheet to be transferred to the auxiliary sheet located outside the end portion in the width direction. Further, since both ends of the surface sheet in the width direction are not joined to other materials and have a high degree of freedom, it is possible to improve the followability to the skin surface at both ends. As described above, in the present absorbent article, even when the amount of the body fluid is large, the lateral leakage of the body fluid can be further suppressed and the touch can be further improved.

[Aspect 6]
The widthwise length of the absorber is smaller than the widthwise length of the surface sheet, and in plan view, each of the pair of end regions is on both outer sides of the absorber in the width direction. The absorbent article according to aspect 5, which is located.
In the absorbent article, the length of the absorber is smaller than the length of the surface sheet in the width direction, and the pair of end regions are located on both outer sides of the absorber in a plan view. Therefore, when the absorbent article is used, when the absorbent article is sandwiched between both thighs and an inward force in the width direction is applied to the absorber, a pair of non-bonded ends located on the outer portion of the absorber. The part area tends to rise toward the skin side. That is, both ends of the surface sheet in the width direction can be relatively erected on the skin side. Thereby, the amount of body fluid toward the end in the width direction of the surface sheet can be reduced. Therefore, in this absorbent article, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

[Aspect 7]
Aspect 5 further comprises a pair of end squeezed portions formed to squeeze the surface sheet, the auxiliary sheet and the absorber so as to straddle the outer edge in the width direction in the pair of end regions. Or the absorbent article according to 6.
The absorbent article comprises a pair of end squeezing portions formed to straddle the lateral outer edges of each of the pair of end regions. That is, the end squeezing portion is formed so as to straddle the outer edge in the width direction of the surface sheet. Therefore, when the body fluid diffused from the central part of the surface sheet reaches the end portion when the absorbent article is used, a part of the body fluid is absorbed below the surface sheet and the auxiliary sheet through the end pressing portion. You can pull it into your body. As a result, it is possible to prevent the body fluid at the end in the width direction of the surface sheet and the body fluid that is migrating from the end to the outside from migrating to the outside. Therefore, in this absorbent article, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

[Aspect 8]
The aspect according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, further comprising a pair of auxiliary squeezing portions formed by squeezing only the auxiliary sheet on the outside of the pair of end regions in the width direction in a plan view. Absorbent article.
The absorbent article further comprises a pair of auxiliary squeezing portions that squeeze only the auxiliary sheet outside the pair of end regions in the width direction. That is, in the width direction, the auxiliary pressing portion is formed on the auxiliary sheet outside the outer edge of the surface sheet. Therefore, even if the body fluid diffused from the central portion of the surface sheet leaks outward from the end portion when the absorbent article is used, the body fluid is drawn into the absorbent body below the auxiliary sheet through the auxiliary pressing portion. be able to. Therefore, in this absorbent article, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

[Aspect 9]
The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the mass density of the surface sheet is lower than the mass density of the auxiliary sheet.
In this absorbent article, the mass density of the surface sheet is lower than the mass density of the auxiliary sheet. Therefore, when the absorbent article is used, even if the amount of the body fluid is large, the body fluid can be easily transferred in the thickness direction from the surface sheet having a low mass density to the auxiliary sheet having a high mass density. Thereby, the amount of body fluid migrating toward the widthwise end of the surface sheet can be reduced. Therefore, in this absorbent article, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

[Aspect 10]
In a plan view, it is easier to confirm the color of the absorber when viewed through the portion outside the edge of the surface sheet in the width direction than when viewed through the central portion of the surface sheet. The absorbent article according to any one of 1 to 9.
In this absorbent article, the color of the absorber (the absorber when the body fluid is absorbed) is viewed through the outer portion of the edge of the surface sheet in a plan view than through the central portion of the surface sheet. (Including the color of) is easy to check. That is, the color of the absorber viewed through the outer portion of the surface sheet (auxiliary sheet) is more of the actual absorber color than the color of the absorber viewed through the central portion of the surface sheet (surface sheet and auxiliary sheet). Close to color. Here, in a plan view, the position of the end portion in the width direction of the absorber is substantially the same as the position of the portion outside the surface sheet. Therefore, by confirming the color of the absorber that is visually recognized in the portion outside the surface sheet, it is possible to confirm whether or not the body fluid has been absorbed up to the end portion in the width direction of the absorber. As a result, the body fluid was absorbed up to the widthwise end of the absorber, and even though it was time to replace the absorbent article, it was not noticed, so the body fluid could not be completely absorbed by the absorber and leaked sideways. You can avoid the situation that you have done it.

[Aspect 11]
A pair of side sheets joined to both ends of the auxiliary sheet in the width direction and extending along the longitudinal direction are further provided, and between the center portion in the width direction and both ends in the width direction in a plan view. The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, further comprising a pair of low-rigidity portions having low rigidity.
This absorbent article has low rigidity between the central portion in the width direction (surface sheet, auxiliary sheet and absorber) and both ends in the width direction (side sheet, auxiliary sheet and absorber) in a plan view. It has a pair of low-rigidity portions (auxiliary sheet and absorber). Therefore, when the absorbent article is used, the absorbent article can be easily deformed into a substantially W shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction, starting from the pair of low-rigidity portions. That is, both ends in the width direction of the absorbent article can be relatively upright on the skin side. Thereby, the amount of body fluid toward the end in the width direction of the surface sheet can be reduced. Therefore, in this absorbent article, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the absorbent article of the present invention will be described.

The absorbent article according to the embodiment will be described by taking a sanitary napkin as an example. However, the types and uses of the absorbent articles of the present invention are not limited to the examples thereof, and can be applied to other absorbent articles as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the subject matter of the present invention. Other absorbent articles include, for example, panty liners, light incontinence pads, disposable diapers.

1 to 2 are views showing a configuration example of the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which the absorbent article 1 is unfolded, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. The absorbent article 1 has a longitudinal direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T orthogonal to each other. In the absorbent article 1 drawn in FIG. 1, the upper side and the lower side of the figure are the front side and the rear side in the longitudinal direction L, respectively, and the left side and the right side are the left side and the right side in the width direction W, respectively, and the front side with respect to the paper surface. And the back side are the upper side and the lower side in the thickness direction T, respectively. The absorbent article 1 has a longitudinal center line C _L (virtual line) that passes through the center of the width direction W and extends in the longitudinal direction L, and a width direction center line C _W (virtual line) that passes through the center of the longitudinal direction L and extends in the width direction W. Line) and. The direction and side toward the center line C _L in the longitudinal direction are the inward direction and the inside of the width direction W, respectively, and the direction and the side away from each other are the outward direction and the outside of the width direction W, respectively. On the other hand, the direction and the side toward the center line C _W in the width direction are the inward and the inside of the longitudinal direction L, respectively, and the direction and the side away from it are the outward and the outside of the longitudinal direction L, respectively. The view of the absorbent article 1 placed on the plane including the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W from the upper side in the thickness direction T is referred to as a plan view, and the shape grasped in the plan view is referred to as a planar shape. Any direction in the plane including the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W is referred to as a plane direction. When the wearer wears the absorbent article 1, the sides relatively close to and far from the skin surface of the wearer in the thickness direction T are referred to as the skin side and the non-skin side, respectively. These definitions are also commonly used for each material of the absorbent article 1.

In the present embodiment, the absorbent article 1 (excluding the wing portion) has a substantially rectangular shape long in the longitudinal direction L and short in the width direction W in a plan view, and both ends of the longitudinal direction L have a substantially semicircular shape. Has. The shape of the absorbent article 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is long in the longitudinal direction L and short in the width direction W, and examples thereof include a rounded rectangle, an ellipse, a gourd shape, and an hourglass shape. The absorbent article 1 includes a pair of wing portions 9 extending from a portion having a substantially rectangular shape to both outer sides in the width direction W. The wing portion 9 has a substantially trapezoidal shape. However, the shape may be, for example, a semicircular shape or a semi-elliptical shape.

The absorbent article 1 includes a front surface sheet 2, an auxiliary sheet 5, and an absorber 4, and in the present embodiment, further includes a back surface sheet 3 and a clothing fixing portion 7. The surface sheet 2 is a liquid-permeable sheet, and in the present embodiment, constitutes the surface of the absorbent article 1 on the skin side. The auxiliary sheet 5 is a liquid permeable sheet, and in this embodiment, it is laminated on the non-skin side of the surface sheet 2. The absorber 4 is a liquid-absorbing and liquid-retaining material, and is located between the front surface sheet 2 (and the auxiliary sheet 5) and the back surface sheet 3. The back surface sheet 3 is a liquid-impermeable sheet, and in the present embodiment, constitutes the surface of the absorbent article 1 on the non-skin side. The clothing fixing portion 7 is an adhesive that adheres the absorbent article 1 to the skin side surface of the underwear, and is located on the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 3 in the present embodiment. Therefore, in the absorbent article 1, the front surface sheet 2, the auxiliary sheet 5, the absorber 4, the back surface sheet 3, and the clothing fixing portion 7 are laminated in this order in the thickness direction T. The absorbent article 1 may further include an exterior sheet on the non-skin side of the back sheet 3.

In the present embodiment, the absorbent article 1 further includes a pair of side seats 6 and a pair of clothing fixing portions 8. The pair of side sheets 6 are hydrophilic or water-repellent sheets, and are located on both sides of the auxiliary sheet 5 in the width direction W in the present embodiment. The pair of side seats 6 includes a pair of leak-proof walls 16 extending along the longitudinal direction L inside the width direction W. Each of the pair of leak-proof walls 16 (FA) has a fixed end 16E1 at the outer end in the width direction W and is joined to the auxiliary sheet 5, and an inner end is a free end 16E2 and is not joined to the member. do not do. The leak-proof wall 16 may have an elastic member extending along the longitudinal direction L at the free end 16E2. In the width direction W, the edge 2E of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W is separated from the fixed end 16E1 and the free end 16E2 of the leak-proof wall 16 facing the width direction W, and therefore, in a plan view, the surface sheet. The auxiliary sheet 5 is exposed between the 2 and the pair of leak-proof walls 16. The pair of clothing fixing portions 8 is an adhesive that adheres the pair of wing portions 9 to the non-skin side surface of the underwear, and is located on the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 3 in the pair of wing portions 9 in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the surface sheet 2 has a substantially rectangular shape long in the longitudinal direction L and short in the width direction W, and both ends of the longitudinal direction L have a substantially semicircular shape. The surface sheet 2 includes a first fiber layer 2a containing water-retaining fibers and a second fiber layer 2b containing water-retaining fibers and hydrophobic fibers. The skin-side surface of the first fiber layer 2a constitutes the skin-side surface of the surface sheet 2, and the non-skin-side surface is in contact with the skin-side surface of the second fiber layer 2b. The non-skin side surface of the second fiber layer 2b constitutes the non-skin side surface of the surface sheet 2. The surface sheet 2 may be any one of the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b, or may be a three layer further including another fiber layer. Further, the types of constituent fibers of the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b are not limited to the above examples as long as the surface sheet 2 becomes a liquid permeable sheet.

The auxiliary sheet 5 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction L and short in the width direction W, and has a substantially semicircular shape at both ends of the longitudinal direction L. The auxiliary sheet 5 has a shape slightly larger in the width direction W than the surface sheet 2. Therefore, the length (width) of the auxiliary sheet 5 in the width direction W is larger than the length (width) of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. Then, in a plan view, each of both ends of the auxiliary sheet 5 in the width direction W extends to the outside of each of both end edges 2E of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. Therefore, each of the both end edges 5E of the auxiliary sheet 5 in the width direction W is located outside the end edges 2E of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. In the present embodiment, the length (width) of the auxiliary sheet 5 in the width direction W is substantially the same as the length (width) of the absorber 4 in the width direction W.

In the present embodiment, the surface sheet 2 and the auxiliary sheet 5 are bonded to each other with an adhesive (not shown, eg, hot melt adhesive). The adhesive extends along the longitudinal direction L and is applied to the surface sheet 2 or the auxiliary sheet 5 in a plurality of predetermined patterns arranged in the width direction W (not shown). Examples of the predetermined pattern include a stripe shape, an omega repeating shape, a wave repeating shape, and the like. The adhesive is applied to a region that is substantially axisymmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline C _L.

The surface sheet 2 has a central region CA located at the center of the width direction W, and a pair of end regions EA located at both ends of the width direction W and adjacent to both outer sides of the center region CA in the width direction W. Contains (partitioned). The range of the pair of end regions EA in the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W is the remainder excluding the central region CA. In the present embodiment, each of the central region CA and the pair of end regions EA is separated by each of a pair of virtual boundary lines 17 extending along the longitudinal direction L.

In the present embodiment, the central region CA is a region to which the adhesive is applied in the above-mentioned predetermined pattern, and the pair of end regions EA is coated with the adhesive adjacent to both outer sides of the central region CA in the width direction W. It is an area that has not been done. That is, the central region CA is a region joined to the auxiliary sheet 5, and the pair of end regions EA is a region not joined to the auxiliary sheet 5. Therefore, each of the pair of boundary lines 17 indicates the outer edge of the region where the adhesive is present in the width direction W. At this time, each of the pair of end region EA is formed as a fixed end by connecting the inner edge in the width direction W to the edge of the central region CA, and the outer edge in the width direction W (longitudinal direction L). (Except for both ends) is a free end that is not joined to any member. That is, each of the pair of end regions EA has a configuration in which a gap V can be generated between the free end and the auxiliary sheet 5 because the free end easily moves with respect to the auxiliary sheet 5 in the thickness direction T. It is a configuration that can stand up from the sheet 5. The end region EA may be partially joined to the auxiliary sheet 5 or the side sheet 6.

Further, the central region CA is the region where the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b are joined to each other, and the pair of end regions EA is the region where the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b are not joined to each other. Area may be. In that case, each of the pair of end regions EA has a configuration in which the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b are relatively easy to move with each other and can stand up more from the auxiliary sheet 5. In each of the pair of end regions EA, the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b may be joined to each other.

In this embodiment, both the central region CA and the pair of end regions EA are _axisymmetric with respect to the longitudinal center line CL. In the width direction W, the range of the central region CA in the surface sheet 2 may be, for example, a range of 80 to 96% of the length of the surface sheet 2. If it is less than 80%, the length of the end region EA in the width direction W becomes long, and there is a possibility that the end region EA will be rolled up. In that case, the wearer tends to feel a sense of discomfort in the rolled-up part. Further, a gap is formed between the surface sheet 2 in the vicinity of the rolled-up portion and the wearer's skin surface, and the body fluid easily leaks along the wearer's skin surface. If it exceeds 96%, the end region EA tends to be in close contact with the auxiliary sheet 5 at the joint between the central region CA and the auxiliary sheet 5, and it becomes difficult to move and stand up from the auxiliary sheet 5.

The length (thickness) d2 in the thickness direction T in each of the pair of end regions EA is larger than the length (thickness) d1 in the thickness direction T of the central region CA. Therefore, each of the pair of end region EA has a larger amount of body fluid that can be held in the voids between the constituent fibers of the surface sheet 2 than the central region CA, and in the thickness direction T toward the skin side. It can function like a protruding bank.

In the present embodiment, the central region CA is pressed and joined to the auxiliary sheet 5 in a state where the adhesive is applied and diffused in the thickness direction T. Therefore, the thickness of the central region CA is relatively thin as compared with that before joining. On the other hand, each of the pair of end regions EA is arranged on the auxiliary sheet 5 in a state where the adhesive is not applied. Therefore, the thickness of the end region EA is almost the same as that before joining. Thereby, the length (thickness) d2 of the end region EA in the thickness direction T can be made larger than the length (thickness) d1 of the central region CA in the thickness direction T. In another embodiment, the central region CA is formed by one layer of the sheet member of the surface sheet 2, and in each of the pair of end regions EA, the sheet member of the surface sheet 2 has a thickness toward the inside of the width direction W. It is formed by folding back to the skin side or the non-skin side in the direction T. As a result, the length (thickness) d1 of the central region CA in the thickness direction T becomes the thickness of one layer of the sheet member of the surface sheet 2, and the length of each of the pair of end regions EA in the thickness direction T (thickness). Thickness) d2 is the thickness of two layers of the sheet member of the surface sheet 2, and d1 <d2.

Similarly, in the central region CA, when the adhesive is applied between the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b and bonded to each other, the thickness of the central region CA is compared with that before joining. And it is relatively thin. On the other hand, in each of the pair of end region EA, when the adhesive is not applied between the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b and they are laminated, the thickness of the end region EA is , Almost the same as before joining. Therefore, in these cases, the length (thickness) d2 of the end region EA in the thickness direction T can be made larger than the length (thickness) d1 of the central region CA in the thickness direction T.

The method of making the length d2 of the end region EA in the thickness direction T larger than the length d1 of the central region CA in the thickness direction T is not limited to the above example. As the method, for example, another non-woven fabric sheet is arranged between each of the pair of end region EA and the auxiliary sheet 5, or the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer in the pair of end region EA. Examples thereof include a method of arranging another non-woven fabric sheet between the 2b and the 2b.

In the present absorbent article 1, the surface sheet 2 is formed so that the thickness in each of the pair of end region EA is larger than the thickness in the central region CA in the width direction W. That is, in the surface sheet 2, the thickness of both ends (end region EA) in the width direction W is larger than the thickness of the central portion (central region CA). Therefore, at both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W, the amount of body fluid that can be held in the voids between the constituent fibers of the surface sheet 2 is larger than that at the center thereof, and the embankment that protrudes toward the skin side. Can function like. As a result, even when the amount of body fluid (eg, menstrual blood) is large when the absorbent article 1 is used, the body fluid diffused from the center to the end of the surface sheet 2 through the inside or the surface of the surface sheet 2. Can be easily accumulated at the end portion of the surface sheet 2, and can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the end portion. Further, since both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W are thick and the central portion is thin, the contact with the excretory opening in the central portion can be weakened, and the touch can be improved. As described above, in the present absorbent article 1, even when the amount of the body fluid is large, the lateral leakage of the body fluid can be suppressed and the touch can be improved.

In the present absorbent article 1, the surface sheet 2 is formed so that each of the pair of end regions EA is non-bonded to the auxiliary sheet 5. That is, in the surface sheet 2, both ends (end region EA) in the width direction W are not joined to the auxiliary sheet 5. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the body fluid diffused from the central portion (central region CA) of the surface sheet 2 to the end portion to be transferred to the auxiliary sheet 5 located outside the width direction W from the end portion. Further, the amount of body fluid that can be held in the voids between the constituent fibers can be relatively increased at both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. Further, since both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W are not joined to other materials and have a high degree of freedom, it is possible to improve the followability to the skin surface at both ends. As described above, in the present absorbent article 1, even when the amount of the body fluid is large, the lateral leakage of the body fluid can be further suppressed and the touch can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the fiber density in each of the pair of end region EA is lower than the fiber density in the central region CA. Therefore, the body fluid diffused in the width direction W from the central region CA to the end region EA can be made difficult to diffuse before the end region EA. In the present embodiment, the end region EA and the central region CA are the same end and center of the surface sheet 2, and the length (thickness) d2 of the end region EA is the length of the central region CA ( Thickness) larger than d1. Therefore, the fiber density of the end region EA can be lower than the fiber density of the central region CA.

As described above, in the absorbent article 1, in the surface sheet 2, the fiber density at both ends (end region EA) in the width direction W is lower than the fiber density at the central portion (central region CA). Therefore, even if a large amount of body fluid flows in the width direction W inside the surface sheet 2 by a capillary phenomenon, the fiber density at the end portion is relatively low, so that the body fluid can be difficult to spread to the end portion. Further, since the fiber densities at both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W are relatively low, the both ends can be made elastic, and thus a soft feel can be imparted. As described above, in the present absorbent article 1, even when the amount of the body fluid is large, the lateral leakage of the body fluid can be further suppressed and the touch can be further improved.

In the present embodiment, the fiber density on the skin side in each of the pair of end region EA is higher than the fiber density on the non-skin side. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the body fluid diffused from the central region CA to the end region EA to move to the non-skin surface side of the end region EA. In the present embodiment, the fiber density of the first fiber layer 2a on the skin side of the first fiber layer 2a and the second fiber layer 2b constituting the surface sheet 2 is set to the fiber density of the second fiber layer 2b on the non-skin side. Is higher than. Therefore, the fiber density on the skin side of the edge region EA can be made higher than the fiber density on the non-skin side. When the surface sheet 2 is a single layer, the fiber density on the side in contact with the net becomes higher than the fiber density on the side not in contact with the net when the fiber is deposited on the strip-shaped net to manufacture the surface sheet 2. By utilizing this, the surface of the surface sheet 2 on the skin side can be made into a surface in contact with the net.

As described above, in the absorbent article 1, in the surface sheet 2, the fiber density on the skin side of both ends (end region EA) in the width direction W is higher than the fiber density on the non-skin side. Therefore, in the width direction W, it is possible to make it difficult for the body fluid diffused from the central portion (central region CA) of the surface sheet 2 to the end portion to move to the non-skin surface side of the end portion, and the thickness direction of the end portion. It is possible to make it difficult to move to the surface of the auxiliary sheet 5 located below the T. As a result, the body fluid that has reached the end stays at the end and is difficult to move in the width direction W, so that other body fluids can easily move from the center to the lower side in the thickness direction T, that is, to the absorber 4. can. As described above, in the present absorbent article 1, even when the amount of the body fluid is large, the transfer of the body fluid in the width direction W can be restricted, and the lateral leakage can be further suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the mass density of the surface sheet 2 is lower than the mass density of the auxiliary sheet 5. Therefore, when using the absorbent article, most of the body fluid excreted in the central region CA is transferred from the low mass density surface sheet 2 to the high mass density auxiliary sheet before being transferred to the end region EA in the width direction W. It is possible to easily shift to the thickness direction T toward 5. As a result, the amount of body fluid that migrates toward the end portion (end region region EA) in the width direction W of the surface sheet 2 can be reduced. Therefore, in the present absorbent article 1, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

In the present embodiment, the absorber 4 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction L in a plan view, and has a substantially semicircular shape at both ends of the longitudinal direction L. The absorber 4 includes an absorbent core 4a and a core wrap 4b covering it. The length (width) of the absorber 4 in the width direction W is larger than the length (width) of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. Therefore, in a plan view, each of the pair of end regions EA is located inside the both end edges of the absorber 4 in the width direction W. As a result, even if the body fluid leaks laterally from each of the pair of end region EA in the width direction W, it can be absorbed by the absorber 4, so that the final lateral leakage can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the portion of the auxiliary sheet 5 and the pair of side sheets 6 facing the absorber 4 on the non-skin side and the surface of the absorber 4 on the skin side have a predetermined pattern of an adhesive (example: hot melt adhesive). ). The portion of the auxiliary sheet 5, the pair of side sheets 6 and the absorber 4 facing the back surface sheet 3 on the non-skin side is bonded to the back surface sheet 3 with an adhesive of a predetermined pattern (example: hot melt adhesive) or a heat seal. Will be done.

In the absorbent article 1, the excretion opening contact area XA is set in the center of the longitudinal direction L and slightly forward and in the center of the width direction W in a plan view. The excretion port contact area XA is an area that faces or contacts the user's excretion port when the absorbent article 1 is used. The excretion port contact area XA is appropriately set according to the type and use of the absorbent article. The excretion port contact area XA is, for example, slightly forward in the center of the absorber 4 in the longitudinal direction L, about 1/10 to 1/2 of the total length of the absorber 4, and is absorbed in the width direction W. It is set in the substantially center of the body 4 with a width of about 1/3 to 1/2 of the total width of the absorber 4.

In this embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has a longitudinal anterior region A _F , a longitudinal central region A _C , and a longitudinal posterior region A _B in the longitudinal direction L. The longitudinal central region _AC includes the excretion opening contact region XA. The longitudinal anterior region A _F is adjacent to the anterior portion of the longitudinal central region A _C in the longitudinal direction L and includes the anterior end of the excretory opening contact area XA in the longitudinal direction L. The longitudinal posterior region A _B is adjacent to the posterior portion of the longitudinal central region A _C in the longitudinal direction L and includes the posterior end of the excretory opening contact region XA in the longitudinal direction L.

In the present embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has a plurality of holes in at least the excretion opening contact area XA of the central region CA. Examples of the plurality of holes include a plurality of dot-shaped (circular) squeezed portions 15 formed by squeezing the surface sheet 2, the auxiliary sheet 5, and the absorber 4 in the thickness direction T. However, the hole portion is not limited to this example, and is intentionally formed when another configuration, for example, a hole (through hole) penetrating from the surface sheet 2 to the absorber 4, or the surface sheet 2 is formed by entanglement of fibers. Holes (void holes) due to fiber unevenness generated in the above can be mentioned. In the present embodiment, the shape of the squeezed portion 15 in a plan view is a circle, but other shapes such as a polygon, an ellipse, a star, and a line may be used.

In the present embodiment, the absorbent article 1 further includes a pair of squeezing portions (squeezing grooves) 12, a pair of squeezing portions (squeezing grooves) 13, and squeezing portions (squeezing grooves) 11 and 14. The pair of squeezed portions 12 are arranged at intervals on both outer portions of the excretion opening contact area XA in the width direction W in a plan view, and extend continuously or intermittently along the longitudinal direction L. The pair of squeezed portions 13 are arranged in a plan view at the rear portion of the pair of squeezed portions 12 in the longitudinal direction L at intervals in the width direction W, and extend continuously or intermittently along the longitudinal direction L. There is. The squeezed portions 11 and 14 are located in front of and behind the excretion opening contact area XA in the longitudinal direction L, respectively, in a plan view. The squeezed portions 11 to 14 are formed by compressing the surface sheet 2, the auxiliary sheet 5, and the absorber 4 (the core wrap 4b on the skin side and the absorbent core 4a) in the thickness direction T. The bottom of the squeezed portions 11-14 in the thickness direction T is located within the absorbent core 4a, but may reach the core wrap 4b on the non-skin side. In the present embodiment, the shape of the squeezed portions 11 to 14 in a plan view is linear, but other shapes such as polygons, circles, ellipses, stars, characters, or character strings may be used. Further, at least one of the pressing portions 11 to 14 may be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the outer edge in the width direction W (that is, both outer edge 2Es of the surface sheet 2) in each of the pair of end regions EA is each of the pair of squeezed portions 12 or a pair of squeezed portions. It is located outside the width direction W in each of the portions 13. However, the compressed portion 12a located at the end of the compressed portion 12 in the longitudinal direction L and the compressed portion 13a located at the end of the compressed portion 13 in the longitudinal direction L are excluded. As a result, when the absorbent article 1 is used, the portion outside the width direction W of the pair of squeezed portions 12 (excluding the compressed portion 12a) in the absorbent article 1 is on the skin side with the pair of squeezed portions 12 as the starting point. Along with the deformation, the portion of the pair of end regions EA outside the pair of squeezed portions 12 in the width direction W of the surface sheet 2 can also be deformed toward the skin side. The same applies to the portion outside the pair of squeezed portions 13 (excluding the compressed portion 13a) in the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W.

As described above, in the absorbent article 1, the portion of the pair of end regions EA outside the pair of squeezed portions 12 (, 13) in the width direction W of the surface sheet 2 can be deformed so as to stand up toward the skin side. .. Therefore, both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W can function like a bank protruding toward the skin side. Thereby, in the width direction W, the body fluid diffused from the central portion (central region CA) of the surface sheet 2 to the end portion can be easily collected at the end portion of the surface sheet 2, and leaks to the outside of the end portion. It can be suppressed from being put out.

In the present embodiment, the compressed portion 12a located at the end of the compressed portion 12 and the compressed portion 13a located at the end of the compressed portion 13 are the outer edge of the width direction W in the end region EA. (That is, it is formed so as to straddle the outer edge 2E of the surface sheet 2). Therefore, it can be said that the pair of compressed portions 12a of the pair of squeezed portions 12 and the pair of compressed portions 13a of the pair of squeezed portions 13 are a pair of end squeezed portions. When the body fluid diffused from the central region CA reaches the end region EA when the absorbent article 1 is used, the compressed portion 12a and the compressed portion 13a quickly draw a part of the body fluid into the lower absorber 4. Can be done. However, the compressed portion 12a and the compressed portion 13a are not limited to the end portions of the squeezed portion 12 and the squeezed portion 13, and may be located in the middle of the squeezed portion 12 and the squeezed portion 13, from the squeezed portion 12 and the squeezed portion 13. It may be separated. The length of the compressed portion 12a and the compressed portion 13a in the extending direction is preferably 1 to 20% of the length of the compressed portion 12 or the compressed portion 13 in the extending direction, and is preferably 2 to 10%. If the length of the compressed portion 12a or the compressed portion 13a is short, the following effects are unlikely to occur, and if the length is long, the original effect of the end region EA is unlikely to occur.

As described above, in the absorbent article 1, when the absorbent article 1 is used, a part of the body fluid that has reached the end portion (end region region EA) of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W is compressed into the compressed portion 12a and the compressed portion 13a. Can be pulled into the lower absorber 4 via. Thereby, in the width direction W, the body fluid at the end portion of the surface sheet 2 and the body fluid migrating from the end portion to the outside can be suppressed from migrating to the outside from the end portion. Therefore, in the present absorbent article 1, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

In the present embodiment, the color of the absorber 4 is viewed through the outer portion of the edge 2E of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W in the plan view than through the central portion of the surface sheet 2. It is easy to check (including the color of the absorber when it absorbs body fluid). Thereby, by confirming the color of the absorber 4 visually recognized in the portion outside the surface sheet 2, it is possible to confirm whether or not the body fluid has been absorbed up to the end portion of the absorber 4 in the width direction W. In the present embodiment, the portion outside the surface sheet 2 has only the auxiliary sheet 5 in the thickness direction T. On the other hand, in the central portion (central region CA) of the surface sheet 2, the surface sheet 2 and the auxiliary sheet 5 are present in the thickness direction T. Therefore, since the thickness of the portion outside the edge 2E of the surface sheet 2 can be made relatively thin, the color of the absorber 4 can be easily confirmed via the portion outside the edge 2E of the surface sheet 2.

As described above, in the absorbent article 1, the color of the absorber 4 seen through the portion outside the surface sheet 2 (auxiliary sheet 5) in a plan view is the central portion of the surface sheet 2 (the surface sheet 2 and the auxiliary sheet 5). It is closer to the actual color of the absorber 4 than the color of the absorber seen through 5). Therefore, by confirming the color of the absorber 4 visually recognized in the portion outside the surface sheet 2, it is possible to confirm whether or not the body fluid has been absorbed up to the end portion of the absorber 4 in the width direction W. As a result, the body fluid is absorbed up to the end of the absorbent body 4 in the width direction W, and even though the timing of replacement of the absorbent article 1 has come, the body fluid is absorbed by the absorbent body 4 because it is not noticed. It is possible to avoid the situation where the side leaks without being cut.

In particular, the core wrap 4b may be colored. As a result, the position of the edge of the absorber 4 can be clarified more, and the body fluid is absorbed by the absorber 4 because the absorption article 1 is not noticed even though the timing of replacement has come. It is possible to avoid the situation where the side leakage is not complete. In addition, if it is colored, the color difference between the surface sheet 2 and the core wrap 4b becomes easier to see, so that it can be used as a guide for the alignment of the width direction W and the longitudinal direction L at the time of mounting. Specifically, the difference in color difference between the surface sheet 2 and the core wrap 4b (viewed through the auxiliary sheet 5) may be 3 or more in ΔE.

However, the above color difference is measured as follows.
(1) Prepare an X-Rite eXact Standard (measurement diameter: 1.5 mm) manufactured by X-Rite.
(2) The CIE L * a * b * coordinates of the part to be measured of the sample are measured at 10 or more points by changing the position, and the average value ([L1 ^* , a1 ^* , b1 ^* ]) of them is calculated.
(3) Measure the L ^* a ^* b ^* coordinates of the parts to be compared in the sample at 10 or more points by changing the positions, and calculate the average value ([L2 *, a2 ^* , b2 ^* ]) of them.
(4) The color difference ΔE is calculated by the following equation:
ΔE = {(L1 ^* -L2 ^* ) ² + (a1 ^* -a2 ^* ) ² + (b1 ^* -b2 ^* ) ² } ^0.5
Calculated by

In the present embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has a pair of low-rigidity portions having low rigidity between the central portion in the width direction W and both end portions in the width direction W in a plan view. Here, the central portion in the width direction W includes the surface sheet 2, the auxiliary sheet 5, and the absorber 4 laminated in the thickness direction T. On the other hand, both ends in the width direction include a side sheet 6, an auxiliary sheet 5, and an absorber 4 laminated in the thickness direction T. The portion between the central portion and both end portions in the width direction W includes the auxiliary sheet 5 and the absorber 4 laminated in the thickness direction T. Therefore, it can be said that the portion between the central portion and both end portions in the width direction W has few layers laminated in the thickness direction T and has low rigidity, that is, a pair of low rigidity portions. Therefore, when the absorbent article is used, the absorbent article can be easily deformed into a substantially W shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction, starting from the pair of low-rigidity portions.

As described above, in the absorbent article 1, the pair of low-rigidity portions is easily deformed into a substantially W shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction. That is, both ends (end region EA) of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W can be relatively upright on the skin side. Thereby, the amount of body fluid toward the end portion of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W can be reduced. Therefore, in the present absorbent article 1, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

The configuration of the absorbent article 1 is not limited to the above example. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment. This figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. In this configuration example, the pair of side seats 6 is not used, and instead of the pair of side seats 6, the auxiliary seats 5 are further extended to both outer sides in the width direction W. Also in this case, the above-mentioned effects can be achieved.

However, the absorber 4 is not limited to the above example. For example, as another embodiment, in the absorbent article 1, as another absorber, the length (width) of the absorber in the width direction W is smaller than the length (width) of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. You may. In this case, in plan view, each of the pair of end regions EA will be located on both outer sides of the absorber in the width direction W. As a result, when the absorbent article 1 is used, the absorbent article 1 is sandwiched between both thighs, and when a force toward the inside of the width direction W is applied to the absorber, the non-bonded article 1 is located on the outer portion of the absorber. The pair of end regions EA tends to rise toward the skin side. That is, the absorbent article 1 provided with such an absorber can make it easier for both ends (end region EA) of the width direction W of the surface sheet 2 to stand relatively on the skin side. Thereby, the amount of body fluid toward the end portion of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W can be reduced. Therefore, even in such a case, lateral leakage of the body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of the body fluid is large.

However, the squeezed portion (squeezed groove) is not limited to the above example. For example, in another embodiment, the absorbent article 1 squeezes only the auxiliary sheet 5 as another squeezing portion (squeezing groove) on the outside of the pair of end regions EA in the width direction W in a plan view. A pair of auxiliary squeezing portions (not shown) may be further provided. That is, in a plan view, the auxiliary pressing portion may be formed on the auxiliary sheet 5 outside the outer edge 2E of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. In that case, each of the pair of auxiliary squeezing portions allows the bodily fluid diffused from the central region CA to leak outward from the end region EA when the absorbent article 1 is used. Can be pulled in quickly. Therefore, in the present absorbent article 1, lateral leakage of body fluid can be further suppressed even when the amount of body fluid is large.

In the present embodiment, the first fiber layer 2a contains water-retaining fibers, whereby the surface sheet 2 can be made to feel good to the touch. The water-retaining fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is a fiber having a property of absorbing and retaining water (water-retaining). Examples of the water-retaining fiber include cellulosic fibers. In this embodiment, the water-retaining fiber is cotton. The second fiber layer 2b contains hydrophobic fibers and water-retaining fibers. The hydrophobic fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is a fiber having hydrophobicity. Examples of the hydrophobic fiber include thermoplastic resin fiber. In the present embodiment, the hydrophobic fiber is a PET / PE core-sheath type composite fiber. The water-retaining fibers are the same as the water-retaining fibers of the first fiber layer 2a.

In the present embodiment, the auxiliary sheet 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is liquid permeable, and examples thereof include liquid permeable non-woven fabrics, for example, hydrophobic fiber non-woven fabrics, and thermoplastic resin fiber non-woven fabrics are particularly preferable. Used for. Further, when the surface sheet 2 contains water-retaining fibers such as cotton, the auxiliary sheet 5 may accordingly contain water-retaining fibers such as cotton. In the absorbent article 1 having such a structure, water-retaining fibers having high liquid diffusivity and the like communicate with each other from the first fiber layer 2a of the surface sheet 2 to the auxiliary sheet 5 via the second fiber layer 2b. Therefore, by utilizing the liquid diffusion of the body fluid by these fibers, the body fluid can be more stably transferred from the surface sheet 2 to the absorber 4 via the auxiliary sheet 5, while improving the feel of the surface sheet 2. , Absorption performance can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the absorbent core 4a of the absorber 4 is not particularly limited as long as it has liquid absorbency and liquid retention, but for example, a liquid-retaining substance containing water-absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers. Water absorbing materials such as highly absorbent polymers (SAPs) can be mentioned. The core wrap 4b is not particularly limited as long as it can retain the form of the absorbent core 4a, and examples thereof include a liquid permeable sheet containing a hydrophilic non-woven fabric such as tissue.

The side sheet 6 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a water-repellent treated nonwoven fabric and a breathable synthetic resin film. The back surface sheet 3 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a liquid-impermeable non-woven fabric, a synthetic resin film, and a composite sheet thereof. In the present embodiment, the wing portion 9 is formed of a side sheet 6 and a back surface sheet 3.

The thickness of the seat member is measured by the following method. The sheet member is cut into a size of 10 mm × 10 mm and used as a sample. Next, a magnified image of the cut surface parallel to the thickness direction T of the sample is taken from a direction perpendicular to the cut surface of the sheet member using a digital microscope (manufactured by KEYENCE Co., Ltd .: VHX-100). do. The enlarged image is an image enlarged to a magnification such that the entire thickness direction T of the sheet member can be photographed, and the magnification is, for example, 20 to 50 times. In the 2D image converted from the obtained 3D image, the thickness of the sheet member is measured. The thickness of one sheet member is measured at three separate cut surfaces, and the average value of the thicknesses measured from a total of 10 sheet members is taken as the sheet member thickness.

In particular, when the sheet member is a material continuous in the longitudinal direction L (example: surface sheet 2), the position of the cut surface on which the image is taken is as follows.
(1) Width direction W
-For the non-joined portion of the end region (example: end region EA) (exemplified: the portion placed on the auxiliary sheet 5 without applying the adhesive), the non-joined portion is set to 3 mag in the width direction W. When divided into 3 divisions, the position is the boundary between the 1st division and the 2nd division counting from the outside in the width direction W.
-For the central region (example: central region CA), the position is set to the central portion in the width direction W.
(2) Longitudinal direction L
-The clothes fixing portion 7 is set at three positions, the front end, the center, and the rear end in the longitudinal direction L.
In the case of a product without a clothing fixing portion 7, the positions are set at three positions at the base of the wing portion 9 (two locations at both ends of the longitudinal direction L) and the center of the wing portion 9 in the longitudinal direction L. In the case of a product having neither a clothing fixing portion 7 nor a wing portion 9, the product is divided into three parts in the longitudinal direction L, and the position is set at the center of the longitudinal direction L in each of the first region, the second region, and the third region.
For those in which the seat members are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction L, each seat member is divided into three in the longitudinal direction L and is set at the center position of each longitudinal direction L (three places in each seat member). ..
However, in each of the above positions, where the material is compressed, such as embossing, a hinge, or a squeezed portion, an intermediate position between the embossing or the like, that is, a place where the material is not compressed. Put it in the middle position. The position of the cut surface can be applied to the following measurement of fiber density.

The fiber density of the sheet member is measured as follows. The sheet member is cut into a size of 10 mm × 10 mm and used as a sample. Next, the cut surface parallel to the thickness direction T of the sample is magnified and observed using a scanning electron microscope (manufactured by JEOL Ltd .: JCM-5100). The enlarged image is an image magnified to a magnification such that a cross section of 30 to 60 fibers can be photographed, and the magnification is, for example, 150 to 500 times. In the 2D image converted from the obtained 3D image, the number of cross sections of the fibers is measured. That is, the number of cross sections of the cut fiber is counted on the cut surface of a predetermined area. The number of cross sections of the obtained fibers is converted into the number of cross sections of the fibers per 1 mm ² , and this is used as the fiber density (lines / mm ² ). The measurement is performed at three places, and the average value of the measured values is taken as the fiber density of the sample. That is, the density of the number of fibers is used as the fiber density. In other words, the number of fibers per unit area in the cross section parallel to the thickness direction T is used as the fiber density. The number of fibers per unit volume may be used as the fiber density. The number of fibers per unit volume can be obtained by, for example, analysis by X-ray CT. Although the numerical values differ between the fiber density per unit area and the fiber density per unit volume, they are the same in the relative comparison of the fiber densities between the fiber layers (example: comparison of large and small).

The mass density of the sheet member is measured as follows. First, regarding the basis weight of the sheet, the sheet is cut into a size of 5 cm × 5 cm and used as a sample, and the mass is measured after the drying treatment in an atmosphere of 100 ° C. or higher. Divide the measured mass by the area of the sample to calculate the basis weight of the sample. The value obtained by averaging the basis weights of 10 samples is defined as the basis weight of the sheet. Next, regarding the thickness of the sheet, a thickness gauge equipped with a 15 cm ² stylus (model FS-60DS manufactured by Daiei Kagaku Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) was used under the condition of a measured load of 3 g / cm ² . Measure the thickness of each sample. The thickness of three places is measured with one sample, and the average value of the thicknesses of the three places is taken as the thickness of each sample. Then, the mass density of the sheet is calculated by dividing the weighing of each sample of the sheet obtained by the above method by the thickness of each sample of the sheet obtained by the above method.

The absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately combined or modified as long as it does not deviate from the object and purpose of the present invention.

1 Absorbent article 2 Surface sheet 4 Absorber 5 Auxiliary sheet CA Central area EA Edge area

Claims (11)

An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction and a thickness direction, comprising a surface sheet, an absorber, and an auxiliary sheet located between the surface sheet and the absorber.
In the width direction, the length of the auxiliary sheet is larger than the length of the surface sheet, and each of both ends of the auxiliary sheet extends to the outside of each of the both end edges of the surface sheet.
The surface sheet is
The central region located in the central portion in the width direction and
A pair of end regions located at both ends in the width direction and adjacent to both outer sides of the central region in the width direction.
Including
The thickness-wise length of each of the pair of end regions is greater than the thickness-wise length of the central region.
Absorbent article. The fiber density in each of the pair of end regions is lower than the fiber density in the central region.
The absorbent article according to claim 1. The fiber density on the skin side in each of the pair of end regions is higher than the fiber density on the non-skin side.
The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2. Further comprising a pair of squeezed portions formed by squeezing the surface sheet, the auxiliary sheet and the absorber, extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction.
The outer edge in the width direction in each of the pair of end regions is located outside the width direction in each of the pair of compression portions.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Each of the pair of end regions is non-bonded to the auxiliary sheet.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The length of the absorber in the width direction is smaller than the length of the surface sheet in the width direction.
In plan view, each of the pair of end regions is located on both outer sides of the absorber in the width direction.
The absorbent article according to claim 5. The surface sheet, the auxiliary sheet and the absorber are squeezed to further include a pair of end squeezed portions formed to straddle the outer edge in the width direction in the pair of end regions.
The absorbent article according to claim 5 or 6. A pair of auxiliary squeezing portions formed by squeezing only the auxiliary sheet is further provided outside the pair of end regions in the width direction in a plan view.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The mass density of the surface sheet is lower than the mass density of the auxiliary sheet.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8. In a plan view, it is easier to confirm the color of the absorber when viewed through the portion outside the edge of the surface sheet in the width direction than when viewed through the central portion of the surface sheet.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A pair of side sheets joined to both ends of the auxiliary sheet in the width direction and extending along the longitudinal direction are further provided.
In a plan view, a pair of low-rigidity portions having low rigidity are provided between the central portion in the width direction and both ends in the width direction.
The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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