JP7470604B2 - Pants-type absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article that is in the shape of pants.

A pants-type absorbent article is typically configured to have a pants-like shape and to include an exterior body forming the outer surface of the absorbent article, and an absorbent body that is arranged in a position of the exterior body corresponding to the wearer's crotch and includes an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids. In addition, in pants-type absorbent articles, in order to improve the fit to the wearer's skin, it is common to impart stretchability to the waist area arranged around the wearer's waist and the leg areas arranged around the wearer's legs by arranging elastic members such as rubber threads. Patent documents 1 to 3 describe pants-type disposable diapers in which the part that constitutes the waist area of the exterior body stretches in the horizontal direction and the part that constitutes the leg areas of the exterior body stretches in the vertical direction. The vertical direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the horizontal direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

JP 2019-118554 A JP 2016-67511 A International Publication No. 2013/077360

Conventional pants-type absorbent articles have room for improvement in terms of fit to the wearer's skin, particularly in terms of the fit of the absorbent body. In recent years, pants-type absorbent articles intended for adult wear, such as sanitary shorts and pants-type disposable diapers for adults, are required to have an appearance like underwear in addition to the basic performance of absorbent articles, such as fit. Specifically, for example, they are required to have a texture like cloth fabric and to look compact when laid flat. A pants-type absorbent article with excellent fit and an appearance like underwear has not yet been provided.

Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a pants-type absorbent article that has excellent fit and appearance.

The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen through the crotch portion to the back side and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and divided into a crotch portion located in the crotch portion, a abdominal portion located closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch portion, and a back portion located closer to the wearer's back than the crotch portion, the article comprising an absorbent body including an absorbent that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, and an outer body located on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and both side edges of the outer body along the vertical direction in each of the abdominal portion and the back portion are joined to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
In one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention, the outer body has a ventral outer body that constitutes the ventral portion, a rear outer body that constitutes the rear portion, and a crotch outer body that constitutes the crotch portion.
In one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention, the ventral outer body and the rear outer body each include a laterally stretchable sheet member that is stretchable in the lateral direction, and have a laterally stretchable portion that stretches in the lateral direction.
In one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention, the crotch outer body includes a longitudinally stretchable sheet member having stretchability in the longitudinal direction, and has a longitudinally stretchable portion that stretches in the longitudinal direction.
In one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention, the absorbent body overlaps with the crotch outer body, and when the pants-type absorbent article is in an unfolded and extended state, the vertical length of the vertically stretchable sheet member constituting the crotch outer body is the same as or longer than the vertical length of the absorbent body.
Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below.

The present invention provides a pants-type absorbent article with excellent fit and appearance.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper which is one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a developed plan view showing a schematic view of the skin-facing surface (the side on which the absorbent body is disposed) of the diaper shown in FIG. 1 in a developed and stretched state. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line II in FIG. 2 in the thickness direction, and is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of the crotch portion of the diaper shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the diaper shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a sheet material that can be used as the laterally stretchable sheet member and/or laterally stretchable portion according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of sanitary shorts which is another embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described based on preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are essentially schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from the actual ones.

1 to 4 show a pants-type disposable diaper 1, which is one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer, i.e., the direction extending from the ventral side through the crotch part to the dorsal side, and a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The diaper 1 is divided into three parts: a crotch part B arranged in the crotch part of the wearer, a ventral part A arranged closer to the ventral side (front side) of the wearer than the crotch part B, and a dorsal part C arranged closer to the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer than the crotch part B. The diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 2 including an absorbent body 23 that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, and an exterior body 4 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 2, and both side edges of the exterior body 4 along the longitudinal direction X in each of the ventral part A and the dorsal part C are joined to form a waist opening WH and a pair of leg openings LH, LH.

As shown in Fig. 2, the diaper 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side with respect to the horizontal centerline CLy. The abdominal side portion A is a part of the front body F of the diaper 1, and the back side portion C is a part of the rear body R of the diaper 1. The crotch portion B straddles the vertical centerline CLx in the vertical direction X and exists from the front body F to the rear body R. The horizontal centerline CLy is an imaginary straight line extending in the vertical direction X, bisecting the diaper 1 in the horizontal direction Y in the unfolded and stretched state as shown in Fig. 2. The vertical centerline CLx is an imaginary straight line extending in the horizontal direction Y, bisecting the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state in the vertical direction X.
The "unfolded and stretched state" refers to a state in which the diaper 1 is separated at the side joints S to be unfolded, and the elastic members of the diaper 1 in the unfolded state are stretched to the designed dimensions (the dimensions when the diaper 1 is spread out flat without any influence of the elastic members).

The abdominal side portion A and the back side portion C each have a waist portion arranged around the waist of the wearer, and the waist portion has a first region D1 including a longitudinal end 1E of the diaper 1 and its vicinity, and a second region D2 consisting of a portion other than the first region D1 (a portion of the waist portion closer to the crotch portion B). The longitudinal end 1E of the diaper 1 is the longitudinal end of the outer casing 4 and also the periphery of the opening of the waist opening WH. The waist portion is typically a region located at the same position as the side joint S in the longitudinal direction X, i.e., a region extending from the longitudinal end 1E of the diaper 1 to the lower end Sb of the side joint S, and in this embodiment has a rectangular shape in a plan view as shown in FIG. 2. The first region D1 is a so-called waist end portion including the opening peripheral portion of the waist opening WH, and typically extends from the longitudinal end 1E of the diaper 1 inward in the longitudinal direction X (toward the longitudinal centerline CLx) over 3 to 7% of the total length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state as shown in FIG.
The crotch portion B includes an excretory portion-facing portion (not shown) that faces the wearer's excretory portion such as the penis, and typically includes a portion of the diaper 1 that has the shortest length (width) in the lateral direction Y (narrowest portion).
In the present invention, the abdominal region A, the crotch region B and the back region C may be each of the regions obtained by dividing the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X.

In this embodiment, the absorbent main body 2 is disposed at least in the crotch portion B in the center of the diaper 1 (outer body 4) in the lateral direction Y, as shown in Fig. 2. The absorbent main body 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 2 coincides with the vertical direction X of the diaper 1.
3, the absorbent body 2 is configured to include a liquid-permeable top sheet 21 arranged relatively close to the wearer's skin, a leak-proof (liquid-impermeable, poorly liquid-permeable or water-repellent) back sheet 22 arranged relatively far from the wearer's skin, and an absorbent body 23 interposed between the two sheets 21, 22. The outline of the absorbent body 2 in a plan view substantially coincides with the outline of the absorbent body 23.
The absorbent body 23 is configured to include an absorbent core 24 capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, and a core wrap sheet 25 that covers the outer surfaces, including the skin-facing surface and non-skin-facing surface, of the absorbent core 24. These members that constitute the absorbent main body 2 are integrated together by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The absorbent body 23 may be configured from the absorbent core 24 without including the core wrap sheet 25.
The above-mentioned components constituting the absorbent body 2 may be any components normally used in this type of absorbent article, without any particular restrictions. For example, the top sheet 21 may be made of various nonwoven fabrics or perforated films, and the back sheet 22 may be made of resin films or laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics. The absorbent core 24 typically comprises a water-absorbent material as the main component, and contains one or more absorbent materials selected from fibrous materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbent polymers. The core wrap sheet 25 is liquid-permeable, and typically comprises paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like.

In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article or its constituent member (e.g., absorbent body) that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side relatively close to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article or its constituent member that faces the opposite side from the skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side relatively far from the wearer's skin. Note that "when worn" here refers to the normal, proper wearing position, i.e., the state in which the absorbent article is maintained in the correct wearing position.

A pair of leak-proof cuffs 3, 3 are provided on both sides of the absorbent body 2 along the vertical direction X, which stand up against the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn. Each leak-proof cuff 3 includes a liquid-resistant or water-repellent and breathable leak-proof sheet 30, one end of which in the horizontal direction Y is fixed to other members (the absorbent body 2 and the exterior body 4 in the illustrated embodiment) as a fixed end, and the other end in the horizontal direction Y is a free end not fixed to other members. At the free end of the leak-proof sheet 30, a leak-proof cuff-forming elastic member 31 is fixed in a stretched state in the vertical direction X, and is arranged so as to be stretchable in the same direction. When the diaper 1 is worn, the contraction force of the elastic member 31 causes the free end side of the leak-proof sheet 30 to stand up against the wearer's side with the fixed end as the standing base end, at least in the crotch portion B, so that the pair of leak-proof cuffs 3, 3 stand up, thereby preventing the outflow of excrement such as urine in the horizontal direction Y.

The exterior body 4 has a ventral side exterior body 4A constituting the ventral side portion A, a rear side exterior body 4C constituting the rear side portion C, and a crotch exterior body 4B constituting the crotch portion B.
In this embodiment, the multiple exterior bodies 4A to 4C are connected together in the vertical direction X to form an exterior body 4 having a single continuous shape. The exterior body 4 has a larger area than the absorbent main body 2 and extends outward from the periphery of the absorbent main body 2. In a plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as shown in Fig. 2, the central portion of the exterior body 4 in the vertical direction X including the crotch exterior body 4B is narrowed, and the exterior body 4 as a whole has an hourglass shape. Both end portions of the exterior body 4 in the vertical direction X including the ventral side exterior body 4A and the dorsal side exterior body 4C have a rectangular shape in a plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state.

In this embodiment, a pair of side joints S, which are joints between both side edges 4S along the vertical direction X of the ventral exterior body 4A and the rear exterior body 4C, are formed on both sides of the diaper 1 in the horizontal direction Y. The means for joining the exterior bodies 4 at the side joints S is not particularly limited and may be, for example, fusion, adhesive, sewing, etc., and may be selected as desired depending on the application of the pant-type absorbent article, the material of the exterior body 4, etc. Typically, the means for joining the exterior bodies 4 at the side joints S of pant-type disposable diapers is fusion and/or adhesive, and the means for joining the exterior bodies 4 at the side joints S of pant-type sanitary shorts is sewing. The side joints S of this embodiment are so-called side seal parts in which both side edges 4S of the ventral exterior body 4A and the rear exterior body 4C are joined by fusion, and as shown in FIG. 1, they protrude outward from the periphery.

Each of the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C includes a laterally stretchable sheet member 5 having stretchability in the lateral direction Y, and has a laterally stretchable portion 6 that stretches in the lateral direction Y.
In this embodiment, the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C have the same configuration. In this specification, a description of one of the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C also applies to the other, unless otherwise specified.
The crotch outer body 4B includes a longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 having stretchability in the longitudinal direction X, and has a longitudinally stretchable portion 8 which stretches in the longitudinal direction X.

In this specification, the term "elasticity" refers to the property of being stretchable in a given direction and shrinking when the stretch is released.
The laterally stretchable sheet member 5 is stretchable in the horizontal direction Y and contracts when the stretch is released. The laterally stretchable sheet member 5 does not have stretchability in the vertical direction X, or even if it has stretchability in the vertical direction X, the stretchability in the vertical direction X is lower than the stretchability in the horizontal direction Y.
The longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X and contracts when the stretch is released. The longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 does not have stretchability in the lateral direction Y, or even if it has stretchability in the lateral direction Y, the stretchability in the lateral direction Y is lower than the stretchability in the longitudinal direction X.

The breaking elongation of a sheet measured by the following tensile test can be used as an indicator of the elasticity of the sheet. The breaking elongation is the elongation rate when the sheet is stretched to a length that cannot be stretched any further in one direction (the length just before the material breaks), and is also called the maximum elongation. When the breaking elongation exceeds 10%, the sheet can be evaluated as having elasticity in the tensile direction (e.g., the longitudinal direction X or the transverse direction Y). When the breaking elongation is 10% or less, the sheet can be evaluated as not having elasticity in the tensile direction and being inelastic.
The laterally stretchable sheet member 5 has a breaking elongation in the transverse direction Y of more than 10%, preferably 30% or more, more preferably 50% or more. There is no particular upper limit to the breaking elongation in the transverse direction Y of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5, but it is preferably 250% or less, more preferably 200% or less.
The longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 has a breaking elongation in the longitudinal direction X of more than 10%, preferably 30% or more, more preferably 50% or more. The upper limit of the breaking elongation in the longitudinal direction X of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 150% or less, more preferably 100% or less.

<Method of measuring breaking elongation>
A rectangular shape in plan view with a longitudinal length of 15 cm and a transverse length of 5 cm is cut out from the sheet to be evaluated to obtain a measurement sample. The longitudinal direction of the measurement sample is the direction in which the presence or absence of elasticity is evaluated. For example, when evaluating whether the sample has elasticity in the transverse direction Y, the transverse direction Y is the longitudinal direction of the measurement sample. The measurement sample is set between a pair of chucks of a Tensilon tensile tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, product name "Shimadzu Precision Universal Tester Autograph AG-X") so that the longitudinal direction of the measurement sample coincides with the tensile direction. The measurement sample is then elongated by increasing the chuck distance at a constant speed (5 mm/sec), the chuck distance when the measurement sample breaks is measured, and the breaking elongation of the measurement sample is calculated by the following formula (1).
Breaking elongation (%) = {(C1 - C0) / C0} x 100 ... (1)
In the above formula (1), "C1" refers to the chuck distance when the measured sample breaks, and "C0" refers to the chuck distance before the measurement sample starts to be elongated (initial chuck distance).

In this embodiment, the only stretchable sheet member in the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C is the laterally stretchable sheet member 5, and each of the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C is mainly composed of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5. Moreover, the only stretchable sheet member in the crotch exterior body 4B is the vertically stretchable sheet member 7, and each of the crotch exterior body 4B is mainly composed of the vertically stretchable sheet member 7.
In this embodiment, the ventral outer body 4A and the dorsal outer body 4C include a leg cover sheet member 12 (see Figure 2) made of nonwoven fabric that covers the elastic member 11 described later as a sheet member other than the laterally stretchable sheet member 5, but the leg cover sheet member 12 is non-stretchable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the laterally stretchable sheet members 5 of the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C and the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 of the crotch exterior body 4B partially overlap at their ends in the vertical direction X, and are joined to each other at the overlapping portions 9 by known joining means such as adhesives or fusion.
In this embodiment, the overlapping portion 9 extends in the vertical direction X from the lower end Sb of the side joint S toward the inner side in the vertical direction X (the vertical center line CLx) and does not overlap with the side joint S in the vertical direction X.
In this embodiment, the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 is disposed on the non-skin facing side of the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 in the overlapping portion 9. That is, in the overlapping portion 9, the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 constituting the crotch outer body 4B is closer to the absorbent main body 2 or the skin of the wearer of the diaper 1 than the laterally stretchable sheet members 5 constituting the ventral outer body 4A and the dorsal outer body 4C. Note that in the present invention, the form of the overlapping portion 9 is not particularly limited, and the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 may be disposed on the non-skin facing side of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5, contrary to this embodiment.

2, the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C each have a portion (first region D1 and second region D2 in this embodiment) that includes only the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 as a stretchable sheet member, and a portion (overlapping portion 9) that includes both the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 as stretchable sheet members. The former is naturally the laterally stretchable portion 6, but the latter, i.e., the overlapping portion 9, is also the laterally stretchable portion 6, and therefore the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C stretch in the lateral direction Y over their entire areas, except for at least the portion that overlaps with the absorbent body 23 in a plan view.
Since the overlapping portion 9 can exhibit the elasticity of all of the sheet members 5, 7 constituting the overlapping portion 9, it is capable of stretching in both the vertical direction X and the horizontal direction Y, and is therefore both a horizontally stretchable portion 6 and a vertically stretchable portion 8.
In addition, in this embodiment, the crotch outer body 4B includes only the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 as a stretchable sheet member, so that the entire area of the outer body 4B is the vertically stretchable portion 8 and stretches in the vertical direction X over the entire area.
In addition, since the "area overlapping with the absorbent body 23 in plan view" is usually a stretchable sheet member (outer body 4) joined to the relatively rigid absorbent body 23 (absorbent main body 2), the stretchability of the sheet member may not be fully expressed due to being hindered by the absorbent body 23. However, as described below, by devising a joining form between the two, it is possible to join the absorbent body 23 (absorbent main body 2) to the sheet member without impairing the stretchability of the sheet member, and in that case, the area overlapping with the absorbent body 23 in plan view can express the stretchability of the sheet member arranged in that area, specifically the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and/or the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7.

In the present invention, the position of the overlapping portion 9 is not particularly limited, and the overlapping portion 9 may be located in one or more of the abdominal portion A, the crotch portion B, and the back portion C. In the present invention, the abdominal outer body 4A may constitute a part of the crotch portion B in addition to the abdominal portion A, the crotch outer body 4B may constitute a part of each of the abdominal portion A and/or the back portion C in addition to the crotch portion B, and the back outer body 4C may constitute the crotch portion B in addition to the back portion C. Therefore, the overlapping portion 9, which is a portion where two of these three outer bodies 4A, 4B, and 4C adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X overlap each other, may be set at any position in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 except for the end portion in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 (the longitudinal end 1E and its vicinity).
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the overlapping portion 9 is located in the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C, but is not located in the crotch portion B. In the present invention, other than the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, for example, 1) a configuration in which the overlapping portion 9 is located only in the ventral portion A, 2) a configuration in which the overlapping portion 9 is located only in the crotch portion B, or 3) a configuration in which the overlapping portion 9 is located only in the dorsal portion C may be used.
For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment 3), the ventral exterior body 4A constituting the ventral portion A and the crotch exterior body 4B constituting the crotch portion B are not separate members as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but are integrated, and the crotch exterior body 4B in the integrated body of the ventral exterior body 4A and the crotch exterior body 4B and the back exterior body 4C constituting the back portion C, which is a separate member from the integrated body, may be connected via an overlapping portion 9 located in the back portion C.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 has an outer end side in the longitudinal direction X (the side relatively far from the longitudinal center line CLx) folded back in the longitudinal direction X at a fold line (not shown) extending in the transverse direction Y with the skin-facing surface (the surface on which the absorbent body 2 is arranged) facing inward, and has a folded-back portion 50. The fold line is at the same position as the longitudinal end 1E of the diaper 1, and the folded-back portion 50 extends a predetermined distance from the longitudinal end 1E of the diaper 1 toward the inner side in the longitudinal direction X in the transversely stretchable portion 6 of each of the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C. The folded-back portion 50 is joined to the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 facing it by a joining means such as adhesive or fusion. The folded-back portion 50 may be omitted.

In this embodiment, a plurality of elastic members 10 extending in the lateral direction Y are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X in the first region D1 of each of the abdominal portion A and the dorsal portion C. The plurality of elastic members 10 are fixed in a stretched state between the folded-back portion 50 and the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 opposing it. When the diaper 1 is in its natural state or when it is worn, contraction of the elastic members 10 forms a plurality of pleats (gathers) in the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 constituting the first region D1, the pleats extending in a direction intersecting the contraction direction of the elastic members 10, thereby forming waist gathers in the first region D1 in which the pleats are substantially continuous all around the periphery of the diaper 1.
In addition, in the second region D2 of each of the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C, a plurality of elastic members extending in the horizontal direction Y may be intermittently arranged in the vertical direction X, similar to the first region D1.

In this embodiment, a plurality of elastic members 11 are arranged at the opening edge of each of the pair of leg openings LH, LH. The plurality of elastic members 11 are fixed in a stretched state between the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 constituting the overlapping portion 9, and between the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and the non-stretchable leg cover sheet member 12 arranged on its skin-facing side. The leg cover sheet member 12 has a rectangular shape in a plan view as shown in FIG. 2, and extends along the folded portion 50 over the entire length of the lateral direction Y of the abdominal portion A or the dorsal portion C (laterally stretchable portion 6). When the diaper 1 is in its natural state or worn state, the contraction of the elastic members 11 forms a plurality of folds (gathers) in the sheet members 5, 7, 12 constituting the opening edge of the leg opening LH, extending in a direction intersecting with the contraction direction of the elastic members 11, thereby forming leg gathers in which the folds are substantially continuous over the entire circumference of the opening edge of the leg opening LH.

The diaper 1 is characterized in that the absorbent 23 overlaps with the crotch outer body 4B, and in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal length 7L of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 constituting the crotch outer body 4B is equal to or longer than the longitudinal length 23L of the absorbent 23. That is, one of the main features of the diaper 1 is that the longitudinal length 7L of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 ≧ the longitudinal length 23L of the absorbent 23 is satisfied. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal length 7L of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 > the longitudinal length 23L of the absorbent 23 is satisfied. The longitudinal length 7L is the longitudinal length of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 including the overlapping portion 9.

In conventional pants-type absorbent articles, the absorbent body is always sandwiched between the wearer's thighs when worn, so it is easily compressed in the lateral direction by the thighs and can shrink in the lateral direction, but since no measures are taken to shrink the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent body essentially shrinks only in the lateral direction Y. In contrast, in the diaper 1 having the above-mentioned characteristics, the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X overlaps with the absorbent body 23 and exists over the entire length of the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 23, so that when the diaper 1 is worn, the absorbent body 23 (absorbent body 2) can shrink not only in the lateral direction Y but also in the longitudinal direction X, and can shrink uniformly in both directions X and Y. Therefore, according to the diaper 1, the absorbent body 23 (absorbent body 2) can fit to parts of the wearer's body where it was difficult for the absorbent body to fit in conventional pants-type absorbent articles, such as the buttocks and groin areas where the skin stretches and shrinks relatively much, so that a good fit can be obtained and leakage of excrement can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is in its natural state (unworn state), the absorbent 23 (absorbent body 2) can be contracted relatively compactly due to the action of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7, so that the diaper 1 tends to look compact when laid flat, for example. The diaper 1 with such a compact appearance can give the viewer the impression that the diaper 1 is just like underwear.

In order to ensure the above-mentioned effects, it is preferable that the dimensions of each part of the diaper 1 be set as follows.
When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the ratio of the longitudinal length 7L (see FIG. 2) of the longitudinally-elastic sheet member 7 to the longitudinal length 23L (see FIG. 2) of the absorbent body 23, assuming 7L≧23L, is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1.2 or more, and is preferably 3.5 or less, more preferably 3 or less, as expressed by 7L/23L.
The longitudinal length 7L of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1 is preferably 250 mm or more, more preferably 300 mm or more, and is preferably 650 mm or less, more preferably 600 mm or less, provided that this is greater than or equal to the longitudinal length 23L of the absorbent body 23 in the same state.
The longitudinal length 7L of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 is the same as the length in the longitudinal direction X of the longitudinally stretchable portion 8.
The longitudinal length 23L of the absorbent body 23 in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1 is preferably 200 mm or more, more preferably 250 mm or more, and preferably 600 mm or less, more preferably 550 mm or less, provided that this is less than the longitudinal length 7L of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 in the same state.

When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the proportion of the longitudinal length 7L of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 to the total length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 40% or more, and is preferably 90% or less, more preferably 80% or less.
When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the proportion of the longitudinal length 23L of the absorbent body 23 to the total length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more, and preferably 90% or less, more preferably 80% or less.

The longitudinal length 5L (see FIG. 2) of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 of the ventral exterior body 4A or the rear exterior body 4C in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1 is preferably 200 mm or more, more preferably 250 mm or more, and preferably 400 mm or less, more preferably 350 mm or less. The longitudinal length 5L is the longitudinal length of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 including the overlapping portion 9.
When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the proportion of the longitudinal length 5L of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 of the ventral outer body 4A or the dorsal outer body 4C to the total length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 40% or more, and preferably 80% or less, more preferably 70% or less.
The length 5L in the vertical direction of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 is the same as the length in the vertical direction X of the laterally stretchable portion 6 .
The longitudinal length 9L (see FIG. 2) of the overlapping portion 9 in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1 is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and is preferably 110 mm or less, more preferably 100 mm or less.
When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the proportion of the longitudinal length 9L of one overlapping portion 9 to the total length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 10% or more, and preferably 30% or less, more preferably 20% or less.

It is preferable that the laterally stretchable sheet members 5 constituting the ventral exterior body 4A and the rear exterior body 4C and the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 constituting the crotch exterior body 4B are of the same type. If both sheet members 5, 7 are of the same type, the uniformity of the appearance of the diaper 1 is improved, and an appearance closer to that of underwear can be achieved.
Here, "the same type" means that a) the manufacturing process of the sheet member, b) the type, fiber diameter, and fiber length of the constituent fibers of the sheet member, and c) the thickness and basis weight of the sheet member are all the same. If at least one of the above a) to c) is different, the sheet members are "different types." For example, even if the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 have different stretch characteristics (stretch direction, stretch rate, stretch stress, etc.), color, presence or absence of pattern, presence or absence of elastic member arrangement, arrangement pattern of elastic member, etc., as long as all of the above a) to c) are the same, both sheet members 5 and 7 are the same type.

Similarly, from the viewpoint of improving the uniformity of the appearance of the diaper 1, when there are multiple overlapping portions 9 between the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the joining patterns of both sheet members 5, 7 are the same for the multiple overlapping portions 9. Here, "the same joining pattern" means that the planar shapes and arrangements of the joining portions of both sheet members 5, 7 are all the same. The "joint portion" is, for example, an adhesive application portion when the joining means of both sheet members 5, 7 is an adhesive, and is a fused portion when the joining means is fusion by heat fusion processing, ultrasonic fusion processing, or the like.

The above-mentioned "joints having the same shape in plan view" includes not only the case where the contrasting joints have the same dimensions in plan view, but also the case where they are similar to each other. Therefore, for example, if the joint of one overlapping portion 9 is an adhesive-applied portion that is spiral-shaped in plan view and the joint of the other overlapping portion 9 is an adhesive-applied portion that is spiral-shaped in plan view but has a different diameter, the joints of the one overlapping portion 9 and the other overlapping portion 9 have "the same shape in plan view."
In addition, the above-mentioned "the arrangement of the joints is the same" means that, for example, when a plurality of joints are arranged in a staggered pattern, the order in which the joints are arranged is the same. Therefore, for example, if the order of the joints of both sheet members 5, 7 is the same in one overlapping portion 9 and the other overlapping portion 9, even if the intervals (pitch) between the joints are different, the one overlapping portion 9 and the other overlapping portion 9 have "the same arrangement of the joints."

In the diaper 1, it is preferable that the magnitude relationship of "tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region D1 > tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the second region D2 > tensile stress in the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8)" holds.
It is particularly preferable that in each of the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C, the magnitude relationship of "tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region D1 > tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the second region D2" is satisfied, and that the magnitude relationship of "tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the second region D2 of each of the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C > tensile stress in the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8)" is satisfied.
The tensile stress in the lateral direction Y correlates with the degree of tightness (fit) of the diaper 1 on the wearer, and the greater the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y, the tighter the tightness. When the above-mentioned magnitude relationship is established and the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region D1, which is the so-called waist end, is set to a relatively large value, the inconvenience of the diaper 1 slipping down while being worn can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, the crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8) is the location of the absorbent 23 which absorbs and retains bodily waste, and in order to ensure the absorption performance of the absorbent 23 and obtain a specified leak-proofing performance, it is important that the absorbent 23 fits the wearer's crotch without being excessively tight. Furthermore, since the tensile stress in the longitudinal direction X is a more appropriate indicator of the function of such crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8) than the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y, as shown in the above-mentioned magnitude relationship, it is preferable that the tensile stress in the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8) is smaller than the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region D1 and the second region D2 (lateral stretchable portion 6). Moreover, since the second region D2 includes a portion that is disposed on the lower abdomen of the wearer, and the lower abdomen is a more delicate portion than the waist area of the wearer where the first region D1 is disposed, it is preferable that the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the second region D2 is such that the second region D2 can flexibly fit the lower abdomen, and more specifically, as shown in the above-mentioned magnitude relationship, it is preferable that the tensile stress is intermediate between the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region D1 and the tensile stress in the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8). The tensile stress is measured by the following method.
The elongation stress can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the type of sheet material constituting the relevant area (first region D1, second region D2, crotch portion B) and the type, thickness, number, pitch, etc. of the elastic material arranged in the relevant area.

<Method of measuring tensile stress>
The case where the pants-type absorbent article to be measured is the above-mentioned diaper 1 will be described as an example. First, the outer bodies 4 joined at the side joints S are peeled away from each other, the diaper 1 is unfolded and spread out flat, and the measurement target area for the tensile stress (first area D1, second area D2, crotch area B) is cut out over the entire area to be used as a measurement sample. When cutting out from the diaper 1, all of the components of the diaper 1 present in the cut-out area are included. Therefore, for example, when the cut-out area includes the absorbent body 2 in addition to the outer body 4, the cut-out area includes the outer body 4 and the absorbent body 2. Both ends of the measurement sample in the stretch direction (the horizontal direction Y when the measurement sample is the first area D1 or the second area D2, and the vertical direction X when the measurement sample is the crotch area B) are clamped between a pair of chucks of a Tensilon tensile tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, product name "Shimadzu Precision Universal Tester Autograph AG-X"). The distance between the chucks is 10 mm. Next, the chuck distance is increased at a constant speed (5 mm/sec) to elongate the measurement sample, and the tensile load when the measurement sample is elongated to a predetermined length is measured. Specifically, when the measurement sample is elongated to the design dimension, the length of the measurement sample in the stretch direction is 100 (e.g., 350 mm), the measurement sample is elongated from the natural state (unstretched state) to a length equivalent to 80 (e.g., 280 mm), and then contracted to a length equivalent to 71 (e.g., 250 mm), the tensile load (cN/10 mm) is measured. The elongation and contraction of the measurement sample performed when measuring the tensile load are determined in consideration of the typical usage mode when wearing this type of pants-type absorbent article. Such a measurement is repeated three times, and the average of these is taken as the elongation stress (cN/10 mm) of the measurement target part corresponding to the measurement sample.

The ratio of the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region D1 to the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the second region D2, first region D1/second region D2, assuming that first region D1 > second region D2, is preferably 2.0 or more, more preferably 2.5 or more, and preferably 4.5 or less, more preferably 4.0 or less.
The ratio of the tensile stress in the horizontal direction Y of the second region D2 to the tensile stress in the vertical direction X of the crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8), assuming that second region D2 > crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8), is preferably 1.1 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and preferably 3.0 or less, more preferably 2.5 or less, as second region D2/crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8).

The tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region D1 is preferably 10 cN/10 mm or more, more preferably 15 cN/10 mm or more, and preferably 30 cN/10 mm or less, more preferably 25 cN/10 mm or less, assuming that the above-mentioned magnitude relationship is satisfied.
The tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the second region D2 is preferably 5 cN/10 mm or more, more preferably 5.5 cN/10 mm or more, and preferably 10 cN/10 mm or less, more preferably 9 cN/10 mm or less, assuming that the above-mentioned magnitude relationship is established.
The elongation stress in the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion B (longitudinal stretchable portion 8) is, assuming that the above-mentioned magnitude relationship is satisfied, preferably 2 cN/10 mm or more, more preferably 2.5 cN/10 mm or more, and preferably 5 cN/10 mm or less, more preferably 4.5 cN/10 mm or less.

In this embodiment, the absorbent body 2 and the exterior body 4 (more specifically, the vertically stretchable sheet member 7) are joined by known joining means such as adhesives and fusion, and it is preferable that both members 2, 4 are joined intermittently in the vertical direction X. This configuration can prevent the inconvenience that the stretchability of the portion of the exterior body 4 that overlaps with the absorbent body 2 in a planar view is inhibited by the absorbent body 23 contained in the absorbent body 2. One example of a joining form between the absorbent body 2 and the exterior body 4 is a form in which the joints of both members 2, 4 are intermittently arranged in the vertical direction X. Specifically, for example, the absorbent body 2 is joined to the exterior body 4 (vertically stretchable sheet member 7) at both ends in the vertical direction X, and is not joined to the exterior body 4 in the portion sandwiched between the both ends.

The diaper 1 has a buttocks-corresponding portion to be placed on the buttocks of a wearer, and it is preferable that the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and the vertically stretchable sheet member 7 overlap at the buttocks-corresponding portion, i.e., there is an overlapping portion 9 at least at the buttocks-corresponding portion. This configuration further improves the fit of the diaper 1 to the area from the buttocks to the back of the wearer's body, and also, when the diaper 1 is worn over outer clothing such as trousers, it becomes difficult to see the diaper 1 through the outer clothing, thereby further improving the appearance when worn.
The "buttocks corresponding portion" is typically a region sandwiched between a lower end Sb of the side joint portion S on the ventral portion A side and a lower end Sb of the side joint portion S on the dorsal portion C side, and in this embodiment, an overlapping portion 9 exists in this region (buttocks corresponding portion) as shown in Fig. 2. The buttocks corresponding portion and the dorsal portion C partially overlap in a plan view as shown in Fig. 2.

Regarding the laterally stretchable sheet member 5 and the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7, the stretchable sheet members 5 and 7 may be made of a stretchable sheet material, or may be made of a non-stretchable sheet material to which a stretchable material such as an elastic member is bonded, thereby exhibiting overall stretchability. The sheet material constituting the stretchable sheet members 5 and 7 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fiber sheets such as nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and knitted fabric; resin films, etc., and can be appropriately selected according to the required quality of the diaper 1, etc. Examples of nonwoven fabric include air-through nonwoven fabric, heat-rolled nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, and meltblown nonwoven fabric. The stretchable sheet members 5 and 7 may have a single layer structure or a laminated structure of two or more layers. The laminated structure may be a laminated structure of the same type of sheet material or a laminated structure of different types of sheet materials, and an example of the latter laminated structure is a laminated structure of nonwoven fabric and a resin film.

As described above, in this embodiment, the laterally stretchable sheet members 5 of the ventral exterior body 4A and the rear exterior body 4C and the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 of the crotch exterior body 4B partially overlap and are joined to each other at the overlapping portions 9, and when the laterally stretchable sheet members 5 and the longitudinally stretchable sheet members 7 each have a laminated structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated in the thickness direction and joined to each other, from the viewpoint of improving the uniformity of the appearance of the diaper 1, it is preferable that 1) the bonding pattern between both sheet members 5, 7 at the overlapping portions 9, 2) the bonding pattern between the plurality of layers in the laminated structure of the laterally stretchable sheet member 5, and 3) the bonding pattern between the plurality of layers in the laminated structure of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 are the same. In other words, it is preferable that the bonding patterns of 1) to 3) are the same.
Here, "the same joint pattern" is basically the same as explained above, that is, it means that "the planar shapes and arrangements of the joints are all the same." With regard to 2) and 3) above, the "joint" refers to the adhesive application portion when the means for joining multiple layers in the laminated structure of both sheet members 5, 7 is adhesive, and refers to the fused portion when the joining means is fusion by heat fusion processing, ultrasonic fusion processing, or the like. The explanations above apply appropriately to the "planar shapes of the joints are the same" and "arrangements of the joints are the same."

Examples of the elastic sheet material that constitutes the elastic sheet members 5, 7 include (1) an elastic nonwoven fabric having a stretchable fiber layer integrated on both sides or one side of an elastic fiber layer, (2) an elastic nonwoven fabric having a stretchable fiber layer integrated on both sides or one side of a net-like elastic sheet, (3) an elastic nonwoven fabric having a stretchable fiber layer integrated on both sides or one side of an elastic sheet made of an elastic film, (4) an elastic nonwoven fabric in which a large number of elastic filaments arranged to extend in one direction without crossing each other are integrated into an extensible fiber layer, and (5) a composite elastic member in which an elastic member extending in one direction is fixed in a non-stretched or stretched state between two sheet materials made of nonwoven fabric or the like with an uneven surface.
The "stretchable fiber layer" referred to here includes not only a fiber layer that is stretchable before being integrated with an elastic material, but also a fiber layer that is made stretchable by mechanical processing or the like after being integrated with an elastic material.
Methods for integrating the elastic fiber layer and the extensible fiber layer include, for example, a method of laminating them and entangling the fibers by water flow entangling or air through, or a method of bonding them by heat embossing, adhesives, ultrasound, etc.
As the composite elastic member (5) above, for example, the one described in International Publication No. 2018/189781 can be used.

Figure 5 shows a stretchable sheet material 15, which is one embodiment of a sheet material that can be used as the stretchable sheet members 5, 7. The stretchable sheet material 15 corresponds to the stretchable nonwoven fabric described in (4) above. The stretchable sheet material 15 has two opposing fiber layers 16, 17 and a plurality of elastic filaments 18 that are disposed between the two fiber layers 16, 17 and extend in one direction (the direction indicated by the symbol P in Figure 5) without crossing each other. The plurality of elastic filaments 18 are joined to the stretchable fiber layers 16, 17 over their entire length in a substantially unstretched state. The plurality of elastic filaments 18 are intermittently disposed in a direction Q perpendicular to the direction P in which they extend.

The fiber layers 16, 17 that make up the stretchable sheet material 15 are stretchable in the same direction as the direction P in which the elastic filaments 18 extend. Here, "stretchable" includes (1) the case where the constituent fibers of the fiber layers 16, 17 themselves stretch, and (2) the case where the constituent fibers themselves do not stretch, but the fiber layers 16, 17 as a whole stretch because fibers that were bonded at intersections become separated, the three-dimensional structure formed by multiple fibers due to bonding between fibers, etc., structurally changes, or the constituent fibers break.

The elastic filaments 18 are formed by stretching the elastic resin in a molten or softened state. The elastic filaments 18 are arranged continuously over the entire length of the stretch sheet material 15 in the direction P. The elastic filaments 18 are arranged so as to extend in one direction (direction P) without crossing each other. The elastic filaments 18 are joined between the fiber layers 16 and 17 in a substantially unstretched state. The elastic filaments 18 and the fiber layers 16 and 17 are joined by fusing the constituent fibers (non-elastic fibers) of both fiber layers 16 and 17 to the elastic filaments 18 in a state where they are embedded in the elastic filaments 18, and are not joined using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. Therefore, no adhesive exists between the fiber layers 16 and 17 (stretchable fiber layers mainly composed of non-elastic fibers) and the elastic filaments 18 joined thereto.

The stretchable sheet material 15 can stretch in the same direction as the direction P in which the elastic filaments 18 extend. The stretchability of the stretchable sheet material 15 is manifested by the elasticity of the elastic filaments 18. When the stretchable sheet material 15 is stretched in the same direction as the direction P in which the elastic filaments 18 extend, the elastic filaments 18 and the fiber layers 16, 17 are stretched. When the stretchable sheet material 15 is released from the stretching, the elastic filaments 18 contract, and the fiber layers 16, 17 return to their pre-stretch state. In addition, in the stretchable sheet material 15, the fiber layers 16, 17 are stretched in the direction in which the elastic filaments 18 extend during the manufacturing process, so that the fiber bonds between the fiber layers 16, 17 are partially destroyed, and the fiber layers 16, 17 are provided with an extension margin. Therefore, when the stretchable sheet material 15 is stretched in the direction in which the elastic filaments 18 extend (direction P), the stretchable sheet material 15 can be stretched without shrinking in direction Q, i.e., without almost any width shrinkage.

The fiber layers 16 and 17 constituting the stretch sheet material 15 may each be a short fiber nonwoven fabric. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include air-through nonwoven fabric, heat-rolled nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, spunbonded nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, etc. The fiber layers 16 and 17 may be the same type or different types.
The elastic filaments 18 constituting the stretch sheet material 15 are made of, for example, thermoplastic elastomers or rubber. In particular, when a thermoplastic elastomer is used as a raw material, it is possible to melt-spin using an extruder in the same way as with ordinary thermoplastic resins, and the elastic filaments obtained in this way are easy to heat-seal, making it suitable for the stretch sheet material 15. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include styrene-based elastomers such as SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene), SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene), SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene), and SEPS (styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), olefin-based elastomers (ethylene-based α-olefin elastomers, propylene-based elastomers copolymerized with ethylene, butene, octene, etc.), polyester-based elastomers, and polyurethane-based elastomers, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In addition, core-sheath or side-by-side composite fibers made of these resins can also be used.

The stretchable sheet material 15 can be manufactured, for example, according to the method described in JP 2009-61743 A. Specifically, for example, a plurality of molten elastic filaments 18 spun out from a spinning nozzle are drawn at a predetermined speed and stretched, while the elastic filaments 18 are fused to the fiber layers 16, 17 before solidification so that the elastic filaments 18 are arranged in one direction without crossing each other, to obtain a stretchable sheet material precursor. Specifically, for example, the molten elastic filaments 18 are supplied between the two fiber layers 16, 17, and the two fiber layers 16, 17 are laminated under pressure to obtain the stretchable sheet material precursor. The stretchable sheet material precursor is then stretched along the direction in which the elastic filaments 18 extend, thereby producing the stretchable sheet material 15. The stretching process of this stretchable sheet material precursor is carried out, for example, by introducing the stretchable sheet material precursor between a pair of grooved rolls in which teeth and tooth bottoms are alternately formed in the circumferential direction. In this stretching process, the meshing of one tooth of the two grooved rolls with the bottom of the other tooth partially breaks the bonds between the fibers in the fiber layers 16, 17, providing an extension to the fiber layers 16, 17. In this way, the elastic sheet material precursor is stretched in the direction in which the elastic filaments 18 extend, forming the elastic sheet material 15.

Each of the stretchable sheet members 5, 7 may be made of only the stretchable sheet material 15, or may be made of a laminated structure of the stretchable sheet material 15 and another sheet material.
There are no particular limitations on the other sheet materials used in combination with the stretchable sheet material 15, and various sheet materials such as nonwoven fabrics, resin films, etc. In addition, there are no particular limitations on the means for joining the stretchable sheet material 15 to the other sheet materials, and examples of the joining include joining with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive, and joining by fusion using a heat fusion process or ultrasonic fusion process.
The laterally stretchable sheet member 5 including the stretchable sheet material 15 is disposed in the diaper 1 such that the stretch direction P of the stretchable sheet material 15 (the direction in which the elastic filaments 18 extend) coincides with the horizontal direction Y of the diaper 1. The longitudinally stretchable sheet member 7 including the stretchable sheet material 15 is disposed in the diaper 1 such that the stretch direction P of the stretchable sheet material 15 coincides with the vertical direction X of the diaper 1.

The basis weight of the stretch sheet members 5, 7 is preferably 20 g/ ^m2 or more, more preferably 30 g/ ^m2 or more, and preferably 60 g/ ^m2 or less, more preferably 50 g/ ^m2 or less.

The present invention can be applied to pants-type absorbent articles of various types. The term "absorbent article" as used here broadly includes articles used to absorb bodily fluids discharged from the human body (urine, loose stools, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.), and includes, in addition to the disposable diapers mentioned above, for example, sanitary napkins, sanitary shorts, etc.

Fig. 6 shows sanitary shorts 1A which are another embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention. In the other embodiment described below, components different from the above-mentioned embodiment (diaper 1) will be mainly described, and similar components will be given the same reference numerals and description will be omitted. For components not specifically described, the description of the above-mentioned embodiment will be applied as appropriate.
In the above-mentioned diaper 1, the side joints S are formed by joining the exterior bodies 4 (the ventral exterior body 4A and the rear exterior body 4C) together by fusion bonding, and protrude outward from the periphery as shown in Fig. 1, whereas in the sanitary shorts 1A, the side joints S are formed by joining the exterior bodies 4 (the ventral exterior body 4A and the rear exterior body 4C) together by sewing, and do not protrude outward from the periphery. Due to the difference in the configuration of the side joints S, the sanitary shorts 1A have a more underwear-like appearance than the diaper 1.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.
For example, in the diaper 1 of the above embodiment, the outer body 4 extends continuously from the ventral portion A to the dorsal portion C. Alternatively, the outer body 4 may have a member constituting the ventral portion A (front body F) and a member constituting the dorsal portion C (rear body R) that are separate from each other, and the absorbent body 2 may be fixed across both members.
All parts that are unique to one of the above-described embodiments can be used interchangeably as appropriate.

1. Pants-type disposable diapers (pants-type absorbent articles)
1A Pants-type sanitary shorts (pants-type absorbent articles)
X: Vertical direction Y: Horizontal direction F: Front body R: Back body A: Abdominal part B: Crotch part C: Back part D1: First region (torso)
D2 Second region (waist circumference)
S Side joint portion WH Waist opening portion LH Leg opening portion 2 Absorbent body 21 Top sheet 22 Back sheet 23 Absorbent body 3 Leak-proof cuffs 4 Outer body 4A Ventral side outer body 4B Crotch outer body 4C Dorsal side outer body 5 Lateral stretchable sheet member 6 Lateral stretchable portion 7 Vertical stretchable sheet member 8 Vertical stretchable portion 9 Overlap portion 10, 11 Elastic member 12 Leg cover sheet member 15 Stretchable sheet material 16, 17 Fiber layer 18 Elastic filament

Claims (5)

A pants-type absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body including an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, and an exterior body arranged on a non-skin-facing side of the absorbent main body, the exterior body having a vertical direction extending from a wearer's abdomen through a crotch portion to a dorsal side and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the absorbent main body being divided into a crotch portion arranged in the crotch portion, a abdominal portion arranged closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch portion, and a dorsal portion arranged closer to the wearer's dorsal side than the crotch portion, the absorbent main body including an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, and an exterior body arranged on a non-skin-facing side of the absorbent main body, and both side edges of the exterior body along the vertical direction in each of the abdominal portion and the dorsal portion are joined to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings,
The exterior body includes a ventral exterior body constituting the ventral portion, a dorsal exterior body constituting the dorsal portion, and a crotch exterior body constituting the crotch portion,
The ventral exterior body and the dorsal exterior body each include a laterally stretchable sheet member having stretchability in the lateral direction, and have a laterally stretchable portion that stretches in the lateral direction,
The crotch outer body includes a longitudinally stretchable sheet member having stretchability in the longitudinal direction, and has a longitudinally stretchable portion that stretches in the longitudinal direction,
the absorbent body overlaps with the crotch outer body, and when the pants-type absorbent article is in an expanded and extended state, the longitudinal length of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member constituting the crotch outer body is equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the absorbent body;
The abdominal side portion and the back side portion each have a waist portion disposed around the waist of a wearer, the waist portion having a first region including an opening periphery of the waist opening, and a second region consisting of a portion other than the first region,
A pants-type absorbent article , wherein a magnitude relationship of tensile stress in the lateral direction of the first region>tensile stress in the lateral direction of the second region>tensile stress in the longitudinal direction of the crotch portion is satisfied. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the laterally stretchable sheet member and the longitudinally stretchable sheet member are of the same type. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the absorbent body and the exterior body are joined intermittently in the vertical direction. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a buttocks-corresponding portion to be placed on the buttocks of a wearer, the laterally stretchable sheet member and the longitudinally stretchable sheet member overlapping each other in the buttocks-corresponding portion. The laterally stretchable sheet members of the ventral exterior body and the rear exterior body partially overlap with the vertically stretchable sheet member of the crotch exterior body, and are joined to each other at the overlapping portions,
The laterally stretchable sheet member and the longitudinally stretchable sheet member each have a laminated structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated in a thickness direction and bonded to each other,
The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 1) a joining pattern between the laterally stretchable sheet member and the longitudinally stretchable sheet member at the overlapping portion, 2) a joining pattern between the multiple layers in the laminated structure of the laterally stretchable sheet member, and 3 ) a joining pattern between the multiple layers in the laminated structure of the longitudinally stretchable sheet member are the same as each other.

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