PH12016500591B1

PH12016500591B1 - Pant-type wearing article

Info

Publication number: PH12016500591B1
Application number: PH12016500591A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Shunsuke Takino; Hideaki Maki
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2013-11-09
Filing date: 2016-04-01
Publication date: 2016-05-30
Also published as: CN105705125A; JP5996511B2; KR20160085805A; JP2015092947A; CN105705125B; AU2014345089B2; MY173122A; WO2015068484A1; KR102272443B1; PH12016500591A1; AU2014345089A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a disposable pant-type wearing article making it easy to notice a folded state of a leg-elastic region along an inner side edge thereof. A wearing article (10) includes front and rear waist panels (18), (19) and a crotch panel (13). The crotch panel includes a pair of side flaps (43) which have, in turn, leg-elastic regions (42) extending along peripheral edges of the respective leg-openings (23). Each of the side flaps has a graphic display zone (61) extending from a front waist region (14) to a rear waist region (15). The graphic display zone is formed at least on the inner side of an inner side edge (42a) of the leg-elastic region. At least in one of the waist-regions, the side flap is joined to the waist panel defining the at least waist region in an area between a central axis and the inner side edge.

Description

thereof narrowed, a degree of deformation in the absorbent core 58 may be alleviated by arranging the waist-elastic members 31c, 32¢c with respect to the absorbent core 58 as described above. In this regard, it is possible within a scope of the present invention to arrange the waist-elastic members 31¢, 32c so that the absorbent core 58 may be deformed by contraction of these waist- elastic members.

In the rear waist region 15, both the fineness and the stretch ratio of the waist-elastic members 32c are smaller than those of the waist-elastic members 32a, 32b and the extensional stress of the lower elastic region 35c is lower than those of the other elastic regions 35a, 35b. With respect to the illustrated example, test pieces each having a length in the lateral direction X ranging 3 to 5 mm are cut out from sub-regions not overlapping with the absorbent core 58 of the respective elastic regions. A pair of gauge lines being 2 cm spaced from each other in the lateral direction X is marked on each of the test pieces in relaxed state.

The respective test pieces are stretched and extensional stresses at the moment the spacing dimension between the gauge lines reaches the length corresponding to the stretch ratio of 1.7 of the initial spacing dimension are measured for comparison. In the preferred diaper 10, the extensional stress measured on the test piece of the upper elastic region 35a is ranging about 0.7 to about 1.7N, the extensional stress measured on the test piece of the intermediate elastic region 35b is ranging about 0.7 to about 1.4N and the extensional stress measured on the test piece of the lower elastic region 35c is ranging about 0.2 to about 1.2N, i.e., a mutual relation of the extensional stresses in the respective elastic regions may be represented by the upper elastic region 35a > the intermediate elastic region 35b > the lower elastic region 35c. A preferred mutual relation of the respective elastic regions in the front waist region 14 is represented by the intermediate elastic sub-region 34b > the upper elastic sub-region 34a > the lower elastic sub-region 34c. In this regard, when the dimensions in the vertical direction

YY, i.e, the width dimensions of the respective test pieces are not uniform, the extensional stresses measured on the respective test pieces may be converted to the values when the respective test pieces have a uniform width dimension of 30 mm for comparison. As a tensile tester to measure the extensional stress, for example, INSTRON Model 5564 or the equivalent thereto may be used at a rate of pulling set to 100 mm/min.

The above-mentioned mutual relation of the extensional stresses may be satisfied, for example, by forming the respective waist-elastic members 31, 32 of the same material, arranging these elastic members at equally-spaced intervals in the vertical direction Y and but differentiating the fineness (dtex) of the waist-elastic members 31a, 32a, the waist-elastic members 31b, 32b and the waist-elastic members 31c, 32c one from another. It is also possible to satisfy the same mutual relation by using the waist-elastic members 31, 32 formed of the same material and having a uniform fineness but differentiating the intervals at which the elastic members are arranged in the respective elastic regions one from another. In this regard, the material, the fineness and the spaced intervals for the respective waist-elastic members 31, 32 may be appropriately selected as long as the above-mentioned mutual relation is satisfied. <crotch panel >

The crotch panel 13 has front and rear end portions 46, 47 overlapping with the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 and an intermediate portion 48 located between the front and rear end portions 46, 47 defining the crotch region 16. The crotch panel 13 further includes a backsheet 65 formed of air-permeable nonwoven fabrics, the liquid-absorbent structure 11 and the paired side flaps 43.

Materials for the backsheet 65 are not limited to the nonwoven fabrics and it is possible to use a nonwoven and plastic film laminate as the materials for the backsheet 65. The liquid-absorbent structure 11 is located on the side of the skin-facing surface and the paired side flaps 43 are located on the outer sides of the liquid-absorbent structure 11 in the lateral direction.

Referring to Fig. 4, the front and rear end portions 46, 47 of the crotch panel 13 are fixed to the skin-facing surface of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 along the lower end edges 18a, 19b by suitable adhesives, for example, hot melt adhesives (not shown) distributed to the side of the non-skin-facing surface of the front and rear end portions 46, 47. Joint regions 41 for this purpose may be formed of joint means of known art other than the adhesives. The joint regions 41 to be coated with the adhesives has a plurality of first joint sub-regions 41a in the form of ribbon lines each having a given width extending in parallel in the lateral direction X and a plurality of second joint sub-regions 41b extending in the vertical direction Y in spirals. Each of the first joint sub-regions 41a has a width dimension set to be larger than a width dimension of the spiral lines in each of the second joint sub-regions 41b. The respective directions in which the first and second joint sub-regions 41a, 41b extend are not limited to the vertical direction Y and the lateral direction X as long as these joint sub-regions 41a, 41b extend in the directions different from each other. It is also possible to form the first joint-sub-regions 41a in spirals and to form the second joint sub-regions 41b in linear fashion. The joint regions 41 formed of the first and second joint sub-regions 41a, 41b extending in different two directions, particularly in the vertical direction Y and in the lateral directions X makes it possible to improve a wearability against an external force acting in the vertical direction Y and in the lateral direction X between the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 and the crotch panel 13 and to prevent the side flaps 43 from collapsing inward in the lateral direction X. <liquid-absorbent structure>

The liquid-absorbent structure 11 (see Fig. 3) has a vertically long shape, front and rear end portions 54, 55 and an intermediate portion 56 and includes the absorbent core 58 extending in the vertical direction Y at least across the crotch region 16 toward the front and rear waist panels 18, 19, a liquid-permeable topsheet 59 covering an absorbing surface side of the absorbent core 58 and a liguid-impermeable or air-permeable but liquid-impermeable backsheet 60 located on the bottom of the absorbent core 58. The front and rear end portions 54, 55 are respectively fixed to the skin-facing surfaces of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 by suitable adhesives, for example, hot melt adhesives (not shown) and the intermediate portion 56 is fixed to the skin-facing surface of the side sheets 44 forming the side flaps 43 by suitable adhesives, for example, hot melt adhesives (not shown). The front end portion 54 of the liquid-absorbent structure 11 is fixed to the skin-facing surface of the waist interior layer 24 of the front waist panel 18 and the rear end portion 55 is fixed to the skin-facing surface of the waist interior layer 25 of the rear waist panel 19.

The absorbent core 58 has a mass per unit area ranging about 300 to about 900 g/m? and includes a core material formed of a mixture of wood fluff pulp, superabsorbent polymer particles (SAP) and, as an option, thermally fusible staple fibers and liquid-permeable fibrous nonwoven fabrics to wrap the core material. As materials for the topsheet 59, various known types of fibrous nonwoven fabrics such as liquid-permeable spunbond fibrous nonwoven fabrics or SMS fibrous nonwoven fabrics each having a mass per unit area ranging about 10 to about 30 g/m? may be used. As materials for the backsheet 60, liquid-impermeable but vapor-permeable plastic films, hardly-liquid-permeable or liquid-impermeable fibrous nonwoven fabrics or laminate sheets of fibrous nonwoven fabrics/vapor-permeable plastic films may be used. <respective dimensions in the diaper>

In the diaper 10 exemplarily illustrated in Fig. 2, preferably, a dimension L1 in the vertical direction Y ranges about 350 to about 600 mm, a dimension W1 in the lateral direction X of the diaper 10 ranges about 300 to about 430 mm, a dimension L2 in the vertical direction Y of the crotch region 16 ranges about 180 to about 300 mm and a dimension L 3 in the vertical direction Y of the side edge 18d of the front waist region 14 (equal to the dimension in the vertical direction Y of the side edge 19d of the rear waist region 15) ranges about 160 to about 180 mm. <side flaps >

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the paired side flaps 43 extend outward in the lateral direction X beyond both the side edges of the liquid-absorbent structure 11.

While only one of the paired side edges 43 is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, it is obvious that the other side edge 43 also is arranged in the same manner as . illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the side flap 43 has a front end portion 91, a rear end portion 92 and an intermediate portion 93 defined between the front and rear end portions 91, 92 and includes a side sheet 44, a : plurality of, for example, thread-, string- or strand-like leg-elastic members 45 and a vapor-permeable plastic film 60 having a graphic display zones 61 printed with graphics (not shown). The front and rear end portions 91, 92 are fixed to the skin-facing surface of the leg-openings’ edge portions 18e, 19e defined along the lower end edges 18a, 19b of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 in the joint region 41. The side sheet 44 defining an external form of the side flap 43 has a vertically long rectangular shape extending from the crotch region 16 toward the front and rear waist regions 14, 15 and is folded back along a fold line 44a defined on the outer side in the lateral direction X. As apparent from Fig. 5, the fold line 44a defines the outer side edge of the side flap 43. The leg-elastic members 45 and the film 60 are interlaid between the folded back layers of the respective side flaps 44 and the graphic display zones 61 extends from the crotch region 16 into the front and rear waist regions 14, 15 (see Fig. 2). In the side flap 43, a region in which the leg-elastic members 45 are arranged defines the leg-elastic region 42.

When viewed the side flap 43 from the lateral direction X, a leg-elastic member 45 located nearest to the center line P (see Fig. 2) defines the innermost leg-elastic member 45a and a leg-elastic member 45 located farthermost from the center line

P defines the outermost leg-elastic member 45b. <leg-elastic members>

In the leg-elastic region 42, the leg-elastic members 45 are contractibly secured under tension to the side sheet 44 extending in parallel to the outer side edge 44a of the side flap 43. According to the present embodiment, elastic threads having a fineness ranging 250 to 500 dtex as the leg-elastic members 45 are secured under extension at a stretch ratio ranging 1.8 to 3. While the elastic materials having a fineness 470 dtex or more, for example, the elastic materials having a fineness of 620 dtex or 780 dtex are conventionally often used as the leg-elastic members, the elastic material having a fineness smaller than those of the conventionally used elastic materials may be used at the similar stretch ratio to obtain a peculiar condition such that the leg-elastic region 42 of the side flap 43 located in the lowermost portion 16a in the vertical direction Y of the crotch region 16 curved in U-shape as seen in Fig. 1 horizontally or nearly horizontally extends in the lateral direction X (see Fig. 6). Though it is preferred to use a single or a plurality of, for example, thread- or string-like elastic member(s) as the leg-elastic members 45, it is possible to use a ribbon-like elastic member. It is also possible to use a combination of the ribbon-like elastic member and the string-like elastic member. When a single ribbon-like elastic member is used as the leg-elastic member 45, the innermost side edge and the outermost side edge of this ribbon-like leg-elastic member 45 respectively define an inner side edge 42a and an outer side edge 42b of the leg-elastic region 42.

Preferred mutual relation of extensional stresses among the leg-elastic region 42, the upper elastic sub-regions 34a, 35a and the intermediate elastic : regions 34b, 35b of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 is represented by the upper elastic sub-regions 34a, 35a > the leg-elastic region 42, and the intermediate elastic region 34b, 35b > the leg-elastic region 42. When such mutual relation is satisfied, it is facilitated to make the diaper 10 put on the wearer's body reliably fit the wearer's waist and buttocks so that the diaper 10 may not be displaced downward and it is also facilitated to spread the side flaps 43 outward of the diaper 10 along the wearer's legs inserted through the leg-openings. In other words, it is possible to avoid the side flaps from being folded inwardly of the diaper 10.

For comparative measurement of extensional stresses of the respective elastic regions 34a, 34b, 34c, 35a, 35b, 35c, 42, a procedure similar to the procedure having followed to measure the extensional stresses of the upper elastic sub-regions 34a, 35b, the intermediate elastic regions 34b, 35b and the lower elastic regions 34c, 35c¢ in the front and rear waist regions 14, 15 may be followed. Concerning the side flaps 43, test pieces each including all the elastic members 45 as viewed in the width direction thereof and having a dimension in the length direction ranging 3 to 5 cm are cut out from the side flaps 43. On these test pieces, the tensile test, for example, similar to the tensile test conducted on the upper elastic region 35b may be conducted. Specifically, extensional stresses of the respective elastic regions at the moment that the initial spacing dimension of 2 cm between the paired gauge lines reached the length corresponding to the stretch ratio of 1.7 of the initial spacing dimension may be comparatively measured.

In a plan view of the front and rear waist regions 14, 15, respectively, the leg-elastic members 45 intersect with at least respective one waist elastic member 31c, 32c of the respective plurality of waist-elastic members 31c, 32¢ in an overlapping area of the crotch panel 18 and the front and rear waist regions 14, 15.

The leg-elastic regions 42 defined by the leg-elastic members 45 and the lower elastic regions 34c, 35c defined by the waist-elastic members 31c, 32¢ are arranged so that the respective extensional stress of the lower elastic regions 34c, 35¢c may be higher than the extensional stress of the leg-elastic region 42 when the respective elastic regions are stretched to the same stretch ratio. In the preferred diaper 10, an extensional stress of the respective lowermost waist panel-elastic members 31c, 32¢ in the respective lower elastic regions 34c, 35¢ of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19, which intersect with the innermost leg ee —————————————— elastic members 45a defining the inner side edges 42a of the leg-elastic regions 42, is higher than the extensional stress of the leg-elastic members 45a.

Extensional stresses of these elastic members 31c, 32c, 45a may be comparatively measured by cutting out these elastic members 31c, 32c, 45a together with the nonwoven fabrics sandwiching them to prepare test pieces and following the similar procedure followed to measure the extensional stress of the leg-elastic regions 42.

The side flaps 43 having such elastic behavior and overlapping with the front and rear waist regions 14, 15 facilitate the lowermost portion 16a of the diaper 10 in relaxed state as illustrated in Fig. 1 to be maintained in a nearly horizontal state. For this reason, it is also possible to prevent the side flaps 43 from being folded inwardly of the diaper 10 in putting the diaper 10 on the wearer's body. <film>

The film 60 is formed of vapor-permeable plastic materials and has the graphic display zones 61 printed with graphics on the side of the non-skin-facing surface. According to the present embodiment, the non-skin-facing surface of the film 860 is entirely printed with graphics to form the graphic display zones 61. The term “graphics” used herein includes visual elements displayed on the film 60 and the nonwoven fabrics 44 forming the side flaps 43. The graphics may be achromatic or chromatic. There is no restriction in luminosity, saturation and color phase used for the graphics. In the graphic display zones 61, the graphics may be formed continuously or continually. For example, the graphics may be a coilective entity of many dots as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this regard, it is preferable that the graphic display zones 61 extend from the front waist panel 18 to the rear waist panel 19. In addition, it is also preferable that the graphic display zones 61 are formed at least inside the inner side edge 42a of the leg-elastic region 42 and visually recognizable through the non-skin-facing surface of the side flaps 43. In other words, the graphic display zones 61 may be defined, in the lateral direction

X, inside the inner side edge 42a of the leg-elastic region 42 or defined so as to stride across the inner side edge 42 or so as to extend to the fold line 44a corresponding to the outer side edge of the side flap 43. The graphic display zone 61 has an inner side edge 61a and an outer side edge 61b (see Fig. 5). The outer side edge 61b is formed so as to extend in parallel with the inner side edge 42a of the leg-elastic region 42. While the inner side edge 61a of the graphic display zone 61 is located between the liquid-absorbent structure 11 and the inner side edge 42a of the leg-elastic region 42 according to the present embodiment, it is also possible to locate the inner side edge 61a so as to overlap with the liquid-absorbent structure 11. When the graphics are formed continually in the vertical direction Y, the outer side edge 61b is defined by successively connecting the edge portions of the graphics located in the outermost side of the graphic display zone 61 in the vertical direction Y. The graphic display zones 61 may be printed on the side sheets 44 instead of the film 60 and, in this instance, it is possible to leave off the film from the side flaps 43.

In the side flap 43, a second display zone 63 which is distinguishable from the graphic display zone 61 may be formed on the outer side of the graphic display zone 61 in the lateral direction X. The second display zone 63 may be formed between the fold line 44a of the side sheet 44 to the outer side edge 61b of the graphic display zone 61 to bring the graphic display zone 61 into clear view.

According to the present embodiment, the second display zone 63 is defined by white, the ground color of the side sheet 44. In the second display zone 63, pictorial figures or letters which are different from the graphics in the graphic display zone 61 may be displayed. Alternatively, the width of the film 60 in Fig. 5 may be enlarged so that the graphic display zone 61 and the second display zone 63 may be formed in the width-enlarged film 60. In this regard, the second display zone 63 may not be formed in the side flap 43 and the graphic display zone 61 may extend to the fold line 44a.

Referring to (a) and (b) of Fig. 7, in the diaper 10 worn on the wearer's body, the side flaps 43 fit the thighs of the wearer and thereby function as gasket-cuffs for prevention of leaking sideways. Though it is difficult for a mother or a caretaker to take note of regions corresponding to the inner side edges 42a of the leg-elastic regions 42 of the diaper 10 since the graphic display zones 61 are formed on the side flaps 43 so as to stride across the inner side edges 42a of the leg-elastic regions 42, it is easy to take note of the regions nearly corresponding to the inner side edges 42a. In this way, if the leg-elastic regions 42 are in unusual states, for example, a state in which the leg-elastic regions 42 are rolled inwardly of the diaper 10 or a state in which the leg-elastic regions 42 are in meandering states, such unusual states may be easily noticed. In addition, regions distinguishable from the graphic display zones 61 are formed in leg-openings’ peripheral edges 18e, 19e of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 so that it may be easy for the user to recognize the presence of the graphic display zones 61 by contrasting them with the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 and thereby to notice the unusual states of the side flaps 43. An example of the regions distinguishable is the region having a color different from one or more colors of the graphic display zones 61. According to the present embodiment, the second display zones 63 having none of graphics are formed in the leg-openings’ peripheral edges 18e, 19e so that the presence of the leg-openings’ peripheral edges 18e, 19e may be easily recognized. Further, as illustrated in Fig. 6, a region defined between the inner side edge 42a of the leg-elastic region 42 and the side edge of the absorbent core 58 in each of the side flaps 43 is fixed to the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 by the joint sub-region 41a (See Fig. 4) thereby reliably held extending in the lateral direction X so that the inner side edge 42a of the leg-elastic region 42 may be prevented from being folded inwardly of the diaper 10 in putting the diaper 10 on the wearer's body. When the joint sub-region 41a extends to the outer side edge 24b of the leg-elastic region 42, it is possible to : 20 prevent the entire area in the width direction (i.e., lateral direction X) of the leg-elastic region 42 from being folded inwardly.

Referring to Fig. 8, in the crotch region 16 of the diaper 10 put on the wearer's body, particularly in the vicinity of the wearer's groin, the movement of the side flaps 43 are not constrained by the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 and the side flaps 43 are apt to be folded inwardly of the diaper 10. In this instance, the portions of the graphic display zones 61 located in the wearer’s groin are folded back inwardly of the diaper 10 and partially overlap with the remaining portions of the graphic display zones 61 located in the vicinity of the front and rear waist regions 14, 15. In a consequence, the graphic display zones 61 partially disappear from sight and such partial disappearance facilitates the folded state of the side : flaps 43 to be noticed. When the side flaps 43 are folded in the vicinity of the inner side edges 42a of the respective leg-elastic regions 42 and collapse inwardly of the diaper 10, gaps are left between the side flaps 43 and the wearer’s body. If the diaper 10 in such state is unaware used, the body exudates may leak sideways.

However, the present invention facilitates the awareness of the side flaps folded in the vicinity of the inner side edges 42a inwardly of the diaper 10, thereby to resolve such troublesome situation and to prevent the leakage sideways. The outer side edges 61b of the respective graphic display zones 61 are arranged to be parallel to the respective inner side edges 42a of the leg-elastic regions 42 and the folded state of the side flaps 43 is easily noticed when it is impossible to recognize the presence of the graphics in parallel to the inner side edges 42a.

Further, the second display zones 63 formed on the outer side the respective graphic display zones 61 make it easy to notice the folded state of the side flaps in regions on the outer side the inner side edges 42a and, in this way, make it easy to notice the folded state occurring in any portions of the side flaps.

In the instance of the infants wearing the diaper 10, the wearers often show movements peculiar to the infants, for example, floats their waist to put their toe in mouth and/or crosses their legs in side lying position. Such movements may cause some problems, for example, the lower elastic region 35c of the rear waist region 15 may be pulled under contraction of the leg-elastic region 42 thereby the rear waist region 15 as a whole may be displaced forward and the dorsal region of the infant may be exposed. In such situation, if the extensional stress of the leg-elastic region 42 is higher than those of the respective regions in the rear waist region 15, the rear waist region 15 may be more easily moved forward. However, according to the present embodiment, the extensional stress of the leg-elastic region 42 is set to be lower than those of both the upper elastic region 35a and the intermediate elastic region 35b thereby to prevent the lower elastic region 35c from being remarkably displaced and also to prevent the rear waist region 15 as a whole from being displaced forward even when the lower elastic region 35c is subjected to a force pulling this region 35c forward under contraction of the : leg-elastic region 42. In addition, the respective extensional stresses of the intermediate elastic region 35b and the upper elastic region 35a located so as to extend from protruding portion of the buttocks to the waist line of the wearer in side-by-side relation in the vertical direction Y are set relatively high so that the upper portion of the rear waist region 15 defined by the intermediate elastic region 35b and the upper elastic region 35a of the rear waist region 15 may fit the wearer's body and be reliably caught by an upper ends of the buttocks even when the lower elastic region 35c¢ is subjected to the force of the leg-elastic region 42 acting to pull the lower elastic region 35¢ forward.

Particularly when the mutual relation of the extensional stresses in the respective elastic regions of the rear waist region 15 is represented by the upper elastic region 35a > the intermediate elastic region 35b > the lower elastic region 35c¢, the upper elastic region 35a in the waist panel of the diaper 10 may be used to fit the diaper 10 tightly to the dorsal portion of the wearer thereby to improve the fitness of the diaper 10.

Second Embodiment

In the flatly developed diaper 10 in Fig. 10, the crotch panel 13 includes the exterior sheet 65 on which the liquid-absorbent structure 11 is located and a pair of the side flaps 43 wherein the exterior sheet 65 (See Fig. 3) and the side flaps 43 are joined to the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 by the joint region 41 (See Fig. 4). The side flaps 43 include cover sheets 80 fixed to both the side portions of the exterior sheet 65, a plurality of , for example, thread-, string- or strand-like leg-elastic members 45 and the films 60 (See Fig. 5) covered with the respective cover sheets 80. The graphic display zones 61 having the graphics are formed on the respective films 60. The graphic display zones 61 are formed so as to stride across the inner side edges 42a of the respective leg-elastic regions 42 and the second display zones 63 are formed on the outer side in the lateral direction X of the graphic display zones 61. In the diaper 10 according to the second embodiment, the joint regions 41 make it possible, in a similar manner in the first embodiment, to prevent the inner side edges 42a of the leg-elastic regions 42 from being folded inwardly of the leg-openings 23 in the front and rear waist regions 14, 15. In the second embodiment also, the graphic display zones 61 and the second display zones 63 help notice of the folded state of the side flaps 43.

The cover sheet 80 of the side flap 43 is formed of a single fibrous nonwoven fabrics or plastic films and fixed, in a doubled-up state, to the exterior sheet 65 by suitable adhesives, for example, hot melt adhesives. The leg-elastic members 45 are attached under tension and in contractible manner to the inner side of the doubled-up portion 44a by hot melt adhesives (not shown) distributed to peripheral surfaces of the leg-elastic members 45. The side flap 43, as a whole, is fixed under contraction in the vertical direction Y to the skin-facing surface of the

EE ———EEEEE EE exterior sheet 65 so that many gathers 81 may be formed so as to line up in the vertical direction Y. The gathers 81 extend in the lateral direction X and line up in the vertical direction Y not only in the region in which the leg-elastic members 45 are arranged but also in a joint region 82 in which the side flap 43 is fixed to a base sheet 87.

While the dimension in the vertical direction Y of the crotch region 16, i.e., the spacing dimension L2 in the vertical direction Y between the lower end edge 18a of the front waist region 14 to the lower end edge 19a of the rear waist region as viewed in Fig. 10 is in a range of 180 to 300 mm, an available elongated dimension L4 in the vertical direction of the fold line 44a and in the vicinity thereof at a moment of the maximum elongation of the side flap 43 is preferably ranging about 210 to about 420 mm. The term “available elongated dimension L4” used herein means the maximum length of the fold line 44a of the side flap 43 defined 15 between the lower end edge 18a of the front waist region 14 and the lower end edge 19a of the rear waist region 15 except the front and rear end portions 46, 47 fixed to the front and rear waist regions 14, 15 and being substantially nonstretchable. The fold line 44a is elastically stretchable until the gathers 81 substantially disappear and the dimension L4 at this moment is larger than the dimension L2. The preferred side flap 43 is formed so as to be elastically stretchable at a stretch ratio of at least 1.05, preferably ranging from 1.05 to 1.5 and more preferably ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 relative to the dimension L2 in the vertical direction Y of the crotch region 16. In the diaper 10 according to the present embodiment put on the wearer's body, the side flaps 43 stably fit the wearer's thighs over entire width of the leg-elastic region 42 as viewed in the lateral direction X.

To know the maximum elongated dimension of the respective side flaps 43 in the diaper 10 obtained from the state illustrated in Fig. 10, test pieces may be cut out from the side flaps 43 together with portions of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19, then the respective test pieces may be pulled in the vertical direction Y until the gathers 81 substantially disappear and a length corresponding to the dimension L2, i.e., the dimension L4 may be measured in a continuous length. In this regard, a really elongated length of the fold lines 44a in the respective side flaps when the side flaps 43 are in a state illustrated in Fig. 1 may be affected by the non-stretchable liquid-absorbent structure 11 and sometimes may be shorter than the length measured on the test pieces.

Third Embodiment

According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 11, the crotch panel 13 includes the exterior sheet 65 on which the liquid-absorbent structure 11 and the exterior sheet 65 is bonded to the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 by the joint region 41 (See Fig. 4). The exterior sheet 65 includes protruding portions extending in the lateral direction X beyond both the side edges 11a, 11b of the liquid-absorbent structure 11 and these protruding portions are folded back onto the exterior sheet 65 to define lateral portions 67 which form the side flaps 43. The side flaps 43 include, in the respective lateral portions 67, a plurality of, for example, thread-, string- or strand-like leg-elastic members 45 covered with the exterior sheet 65 and the film 60 covered with the exterior sheet 65. On the film 60, the graphic display zone 61 is formed. The graphic display zone 61 is formed so as to stride across the inner side edge 42a or inside the inner side edge 42a and the second display zone 63 is formed on the outer side the graphic display zone 61 as viewed in the lateral direction X. The film 60 may extend from the one side flap 43 to another side flap 43 and, in this instance, the film 60 is interlaid between the exterior sheet 65 and the liquid-absorbent structure 11. Graphic display zones 61 may be printed on the exterior sheets 65 instead of the film 60, in this instance, it is possible to leave off the film from the side flaps 43. In the diaper 10 according to the third embodiment, the joint region 41 makes it possible, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, to prevent the respective inner side edges 42a of the leg-elastic regions from being folded inwardly of the diaper 10. In addition, the graphic display zones 61 and the second display zones 63 make it easy to notice the folded state of the side flaps 43. : According to the present embodiment, the rear waist panel 19 is shaped nearly in a trapezoid and has a buttocks-covering portions 35d extending into the crotch region 16. To the buttocks-covering portions 35d, a plurality of, for example, thread-, string- or strand-like buttocks-elastic members 32d are attached under tension in the lateral direction X. In the front and rear waist panels 18, 19, regions which are visually distinguishable from the graphic display zones 61 are formed in the leg-openings’ peripheral edges 18e, 19e partially defining the leg-openings’

peripheral regions so as to extend along the lower end edges 18a, 19a. In planar view, the graphic display zones 61 are preferably bonded to the buttocks-covering portions 35d in sub-regions of the graphic display zones 61 overlapping with the buttocks-elastic members 32d. When the side flaps 43 are folded back inwardly of the diaper 10, it is possible to notice the folded side flaps 43 through the buttocks-covering portions 35d. The terms “front and rear waist regions 14, 15 used herein means respective regions extending between both the seams 20 in the front waist panel 18 and extending between both the seams 20 in the rear waist panel 19. In other words, portions defined below the seams 20, i.e., the buttocks-covering portions 35d located between the seams 20 and the lower end edge 19a and elasticized by the buttocks-elastic members 32d are not included in the above-mentioned terms. The shape of the buttocks-covering portions 35 exemplarily illustrated may be optionally changed to a rectangular shape. In the diaper 10, both lateral portions of the front waist panel 18 may be provided with drooping portions similar to the buttocks-covering portions 35. Such drooping portions also are preferably bonded to regions of the side flaps 43, in which the graphic display zones 61 are present.

The constituent members of the disposable diaper 10 are not limited to those described in the specification but the other various types of material widely used in the relevant technical field may be used without limitation unless otherwise stated. Terms "first", "second" and “third” used in the specification and claims of this invention are used merely to distinguish the similar elements, similar positions or the other similar items.

The disclosure relating to the present invention described above may be arranged at least as follows:

A pant-type wearing article having a vertical direction, a lateral direction being orthogonal to the former, skin-facing surface and non-skin-facing surface and including a front waist panel defining a front waist region, a rear waist panel defining a rear waist region and a crotch panel defining a crotch region, the crotch panel including a liquid-absorbent structure consisting of an absorbent core and a liquid-permeable topsheet covering the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core and a pair of side flaps located on both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent core and extending to the front and rear waist regions, and respective both side portions of the front and rear waist regions are joined to each other and front and rear end portions of the crotch panel are joined to the skin-facing surface of the front and rear waist panels, respectively, whereby a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings are defined, wherein: each of the side flaps partially defining a peripheral edge of the leg-opening has a leg-elastic region extending along the peripheral edge and a graphic display region extending from the front waist region to the rear waist region; each of the leg-elastic region defined by leg-elastic members included therein has an inner side edge and an outer side edge facing each other in the lateral direction; each of the graphic display zones is located at least inside the inner side edge in the lateral direction and extends along the inner side edge; and, in at least one of the front and rear waist regions, the side flap is joined to the waist panel defining this at least one of the front and rear waist region in an area between a center in the lateral direction of the crotch panel and the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region.

The wearing article according to the present invention disclosed in the paragraph {0044} may include embodiments at least as described below and these embodiments may be taken in isolation or in combination. (1) The front and rear waist panels partially define the peripheral edges of the leg-openings and display zones being distinguishable from the graphic display zones are formed along the peripheral edges. (2) A plurality of waist-elastic members extending in the lateral direction are attached under tension to at least one of the waist panels; a plurality of leg-elastic members extending along the peripheral edges of the leg-openings are attached under tension to the side flap; and the leg-elastic member of a plurality of leg-elastic members defining the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region and at least one of the waist-elastic members intersect with each other in a region in which this at least one waist panel and the side flap overlap with each other. (3) The waist-elastic members defining part of the waist-elastic members in the at least one of the waist panels and extending from both side portions of this waist panel to both side edges of the absorbent core are arranged in a fashion so as not to cross the absorbent core or in a fashion so as to cross the absorbent core but so as to be in a relaxed state along segments of the elastic members crossing the absorbent core so that none of gathers is formed on the absorbent core by contraction of the waist elastic members arranged in any one of the fashions.

(4) The graphic display region has an outer side edge extending in parallel to the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region and the display zone is formed on the outer side in the lateral direction of the outer side edge.

(5) An extensional stress of the waist-elastic members intersecting with the leg-elastic member defining the inner side edge is larger than that of the leg-elastic members.

(6) Aregion of the side flap located between a center in the lateral direction and the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region in the rear waist region is joined to the rear waist panel; and an upper elastic region, a lower elastic region and an intermediate elastic region in the rear waist panel being respectively elastic in the lateral direction defined by trisecting a dimension of the rear waist panel in the vertical direction have respective extensional stresses in a mutual relation such that respective extensional stresses of the upper/intermediate elastic regions are larger than an extensional stress in the vertical direction of the leg-elastic region and than an extensional stress of the lower elastic region.

(7) The crotch panel is joined to the front and rear waist panels by joint regions extending in the vertical direction and the lateral direction. (8) The side flap in the crotch panel is formed separately from the liquid-absorbent structure and joined in a state in which many gathers are arranged in the vertical direction, to the liquid-absorbent structure; and the maximum dimension of the side flap when the outermost portion in the lateral direction of the side flap is stretched in the vertical direction is larger than a dimension in the vertical direction of the liquid-absorbent structure in a region thereof joined to the side flap.35 Reference Signs List

10 wearing article (diaper) 13 crotch panel 14 front waist region 156 rear waist region 18 front waist panel 19 rear waist panel 22 waist-opening 23 leg-openings 31,32 waist-elastic members 34a, 35a upper elastic sub-regions 34b, 35b intermediate elastic sub-regions 34c, 35¢ lower side elastic sub-regions 41 joint region 42 leg-elastic regions 42a inner side edges 43 side flaps 45 leg-elastic members 54, 55 end portions 58 absorbent core 59 topsheet 61 graphic display zones 61a inner side edges 61b outer side edges 63 display zones

P center line

X lateral direction

Y vertical direction

— ee ———————————————————————— TT ————— , ' a &

PANT-TYPE WEARING ARTICLE Z. = _- Lo ¢ [I [: 93

Description Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to pant-type disposable wearing articles, more specifically, to disposable pant-type wearing articles wherein elastic regions are formed along respective peripheral edges of leg-openings so as to be suitable for use in the form of, for example, pant-type disposable diaper, disposable toilet-training pant and disposable incontinence pant.

Background

Conventionally, disposable pant-type wearing articles wherein leg-elastic regions are formed along the peripheral edges of respective leg-openings is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a pant-type wearing article having an absorbent member extending across a crotch region into front and rear regions and a pair of side flaps located on the outer sides of both side edges of the absorbent member wherein the respective side flaps have leg-elastic regions formed along peripheral edges of the respective leg-openings.

Citation List

Patent Literature

PTL 1: WO 2006-017718

Summary Technical Problem

In the wearing article disclosed by PTL 1, the leg-elastic regions are formed in the respective side flaps so that the peripheral edges of the respective leg-openings may fit the wearer's thighs to prevent body exudates from leaking sideways.

In such wearing articles, when the waist-opening of the wearing article is outspreaded to put the article on the wearer's body, the elastic regions of the respective side flaps in the lowermost portion of the crotch region rise up upwardly

‘ « . of the leg-openings. If the wearer's legs are inserted into the leg-openings in such situation, the wearing article may be put on the wearer's body with the peripheral edges of the leg-openings folded inwardly of the wearing article. In particular, when the side flaps are folded along the inner side edges of the leg-elastic regions, the leg-elastic regions are not be capable of properly functioning and, if the wearing article in such folded state remains worn unawarely, sideways leakage may occur.

An object of the present invention is to improve the prior art and to provide a disposable pant-type wearing article making it possible to prevent the side flaps from being folded along the inner side edges of the respective leg-elastic regions and further making it easily possible to notice the side flaps being in the folded state.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is directed to an improvement of a pant-type wearing article having a vertical direction, a lateral direction being orthogonal to the former, a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-facing surface and including a front waist panel defining a front waist region, a rear waist panel defining a rear waist region and a crotch panel defining a crotch region, the crotch panel including a liquid-absorbent structure having an absorbent core and a liquid-permeable topsheet covering an absorbing surface of the absorbent core, and a pair of side flaps located on both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent core and extending to the front and rear waist regions, and respective both side portions of the front and rear waist regions being joined to each other and front and rear end portions of the crotch panel being joined to the skin-facing surface of the front and rear waist panels to define a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings.

The present invention is featured in the wearing article that each of the side flaps partially defining a peripheral edge of the leg-opening has a leg-elastic region extending along the peripheral edge and a graphic display region extending from the front waist region to the rear waist region; each of the leg-elastic region defined by leg-elastic members disposed therein has an inner side edge and an outer side edge opposite to each other in the lateral direction; each of the graphic display zones is located at least inside the inner side edge in the lateral direction ee ———— TT ‘ ‘ ’ and extends along the inner side edge; and, in at least one of the front and rear waist regions, the side flap is joined to the waist panel defining this at least one of the front and rear waist region in an area between a center of the crotch panel in the lateral direction and the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention relating to pant-type wearing articles disclosed herein, in at least one of the front and rear waist regions, the side flap is joined to the waist panel defining this at least one of the front and rear waist regions in an area between a center of the crotch panel in the lateral direction and the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region, and whereby it is possible to prevent the side flap from being folded inwardly of the wearing article along the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region. In addition, the side flap has the graphic display region formed extending from the front waist region to the rear waist region along the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region. Consequently, when the side flap is in a state folded inwardly of the wearing article along the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region, it is easily possible for a mother or wearer to notice the folded state of the side flap by checking whether the graphic display : region extends in a normal manner. This means that they can adjust the state of the side flap at once.

Brief Description of Drawings

The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention including optional and preferred embodiments as well as essential features of the invention.

Fig. 1 Perspective view illustrating a pant-type disposable diaper as an example of a pant-type disposable wearing article according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 Plan view of the diaper extended in a vertical direction and in a lateral direction with front and rear panels are separated from each other until gathers formed under contraction of elastic members substantially disappear.

Fig. 3 Partially cutaway exploded view of the diaper in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 Plan view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating joint regions.

Fig. 5 Schematic sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 2.

ee . . .

Fig. 6 Schematic sectional view illustrating the lowermost portion of a crotch region in the diaper illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 (a) Front view of the diaper put on a wearer's body and (b) back view of the diaper put on the wearer’s body.

Fig. 8 (a) View similar to Fig. 7 (a), illustrating a folded state in both side flaps and (b) view similar to Fig. 7 (b), illustrating the folded state in both the side flaps.

Fig. 9 Sketches exemplarily showing movements of the infant wearing the diaper by (a) and (b). : 10 Fig. 10 Plan view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the diaper according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 11 Plan view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the diaper according to a third embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

The embodiments described below relate to a pant-type wearing article as illustrated in Figs. 1 through 11, including both optional and preferred features as well as those features which are essential of the invention.

First Embodiment

Fig. 1 illustrates a disposable pant-type diaper 10 as an example of the pant-type wearing article according to the present invention. Referring to Figs. 1 through 3, the diaper 10 has a vertical axis P, a lateral axis Q being orthogonal to the former, a vertical direction Y parallel to the vertical axis Y, a lateral direction X parallel to the lateral axis Q, and includes a skin-facing surface (a surface appearing in Fig. 2), a non-skin-facing surface opposite the former, an annular waist panel 12 (See Fig. 1) and a crotch panel 13 attached to the skin-facing surface of the waist-panel 12. The crotch panel 13 includes a liquid-absorbent structure 11 joined to the skin-facing surface of the waist panel 12 and having an absorbent core 58. The diaper 10 further has a front waist region 14, a rear waist region 15 and a crotch region 16 located between the front and rear regions 14, 15 and is symmetric about the vertical axis P. In other words, the vertical axis P is a center line bisecting a dimension in the lateral direction X of the diaper. The lateral ~~ axis Q is a center line bisecting a dimension in the vertical direction Y in Fig. 2.

ee <waist panel>

The waist panel 12 functions as an elastic belt to hold the liquid-absorbent structure 11 on the lower torso of the wearer and has a front waist panel 18 defining the front waist region 14 and a rear waist panel 19 defining the rear waist region 15. Referring to Fig. 2, the front waist panel 18 has a laterally long rectangular shape defined by a lower end edge 18a, an upper end edge 18b and both lateral edges 18c, 18d extending between both the end edges 18a, 18b. The rear waist panel 19 has a laterally long rectangular shape defined by a lower end edge 19a, an upper end edge 19b and both the lateral edges 19¢, 19d extending between the both end edges 19a, 19b. Referring to Fig. 2, the side edges 18c, 18d of the front waist panel 18 and the corresponding side edges 19¢, 19d of the rear waist panel 19 are joined to each other at seams arranged continually in the vertical direction Y by known welding means, for example, heat embossing/debossing or ultrasonic welding so that a waist-opening 22 and a pair of leg-openings 23 as illustrated in Fig. 1 may be formed. In the front and rear waist panels 18, 19, leg-openings’ edge portions 18e, 19e defined along the lower end edges 18a, 19a which partially define the leg-openings’ peripheral edges are arranged so as to be visually distinguished from graphic display zones 61 described later. According to the present embodiment, the graphic display zones 61 are defined on side flaps 43 in the crotch panel 13 but the same graphics as those in the graphic display zones 61 are not displayed in the leg-openings’ edge portions 18e, 19e so that these portions and zones may be distinguished from each other. According to the present embodiment, the lower end edges 18a, 19a are located at respective lower ends of respective joint portions defined by the seams 20.

Referring to Fig. 3, the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 respectively include waist interior layers 24, 25 located on the skin-facing surface and waist exterior layers 26, 27 located on the non-skin-facing surface. The waist exterior layers 26, 27 respectively have a width dimension in the vertical direction Y larger than those of the waist interior layers 24, 25 and are folded back along the waist-opening periphery. The waist interior layers 24, 25 are partially covered by the folded back portions of the respective waist exterior layers 26, 27. <waist interior layer and waist exterior layer >

—

As material for the waist interior layers 24, 25 and the waist exterior layers 26, 27, SMS (spunbond/meitblown/spunbond) nonwoven fabrics, spunbond fibrous nonwoven fabrics, airthrough fibrous nonwoven fabrics, vapor-permeable plastic films of laminate sheets formed of any one of the fibrous nonwoven fabrics and the vapor-permeable films each having a mass per unit area ranging about 15 to about 30 g/m? may be used. The waist interior layer 24 is bonded to the waist exterior layer 26 and the waist interior layer 25 is bonded to the waist exterior layer 27, respectively by suitable adhesives, for example, hot melt adhesives or known thermowelding techniques. In this regard, it is also possible to use elastic fibrous nonwoven fabrics as the material for the waist interior layers 24, 25. <graphic display film>

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, between the waist interior layer 24 and the waist exterior layer 26, and between the waist interior layer 25 and the waist exterior layer 27, vapor-permeable plastic films 28, 29 printed with graphics (not shown) or the like which are recognizable through the non-skin-facing surface are located in central portions of the front and rear waist regions 14, 15 in the lateral direction X.

The graphics may be obtained by arranging visual elements such as various shapes and patterns. The graphics may be of a regular shapes or of irregular shapes. Dots and stripes are examples of the regular shapes. For the graphics and their surrounding areas, achromatic colors and chromatic colors may be used.

In addition, luminosity, saturation and color phase may be also arbitrarily varied. <respective elastic regions>

The front and rear waist panels 18, 19 respectively include waist-elastic regions which are elastic in the lateral direction X. The respective waist- elastic regions include upper elastic sub-regions 34a, 35a, intermediate elastic sub-regions 34b, 35b and lower elastic sub-regions 34c, 35¢ to trisect a dimension in the vertical direction Y between the upper end edges 18b, 19b and the lower end edges 18a, 19a of the respective waist panels 18, 19. In these upper elastic sub-regions 34a, 35a, the intermediate elastic sub-regions 34b, 35b and the lower : elastic sub-regions 34c, 35c, first, second and third waist-elastic members 31a, 32a, 31b, 32b, 31c, 32c are respectively contractibly arranged under tension in the lateral direction X.

The first waist-elastic members 31a, 32a are respectively attached between folded back portions 26a, 27a of the waist exterior layers 26, 27 and the portions of these waist exterior layers 26, 27 facing the respective folded back portions 26a, 27a thereof by suitable adhesive agents, for example, by hot melt adhesives. In the same manner, the waist-elastic members 31b, 32b, 31c, 32c are attached between the waist interior layers 24, 25 and the waist exterior layers 26, 27 by suitable adhesive agents, for example, hot melt adhesives. The waist-elastic members 31a, 32a, 31b, 32b, 31c, 31d may be formed of, for example, thread-, string- or strand-like elastic materials.

As the waist-elastic members 31a, 32a, the elastic members having a fineness ranging about 310 to about 780 dtex and having been stretched to the length corresponding to the stretch ratio ranging about 1.8 to about 2.8 of the length thereof in contracted state may be used. As the waist-elastic members 31b, 32b, the elastic members having a fineness ranging about 470 to about 940 dtex stretched to the length corresponding to the stretch ratio ranging about 1.6 to about 3.8 of the length thereof in contracted state may be used. As the elastic members 31c¢, 32c, the elastic members having a fineness ranging about 310 to about 620 dtex and stretched to the length corresponding to the stretch ratio ranging about 1.1 to about 3.8 of the length thereof in contracted state may be used.

The waist-elastic members 31¢, 32c may be arranged, if necessary, in a manner that contraction thereof causes no deformation of the absorbent core 58.

For example, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, these elastic members 31c, 32¢ are arranged so as to extend from the respective both the side edges 18c, 18d; 19c, 19d of the front and rear waist panels 18, 19 to both the side edges of the absorbent core 58 without extending across the absorbent core 58. When the waist-elastic members 31c, 32c extend across the absorbent core 58, these waist-elastic members may be used in a manner that a stretch ratio of the elastic member segments overlapping the absorbent core 58 is restrained, for example, to 1.4 or less, and in a range from both the side edges 18c, 18d; 19¢, 19d to both the side edges of the absorbent core 58, the stretch ratio is kept high, for example, at 1.4 or more. While the absorbent core 58 in the diaper 10 put on the wearer's body is tucked between the thighs and deformed so as to have a lateral width

Claims

Cel Claims: Coot =l Bg 35

1. A pant-type wearing article having a vertical direction, a lateral direction being orthogonal to the former, a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-facing surface and including a front waist panel defining a front waist region, a rear waist panel defining a rear waist region and a crotch panel defining a crotch region, the crotch panel including a liquid-absorbent structure having an absorbent core and a liquid-permeable topsheet covering an absorbing surface of the absorbent core, and a pair of side flaps located on both sides of the absorbent core and extending to the front and rear waist regions, and both side portions of the front and rear waist regions being joined to each other and front and rear end portions of the crotch panel being joined to the skin-facing surface of the front and rear waist panels to define a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings, wherein: each of the side flaps partially defining a peripheral edge of the leg-opening has a leg-elastic region extending along the peripheral edge and a graphic display region extending from the front waist region to the rear waist region; each of the leg-elastic regions defined by leg-elastic members disposed therein has an inner side edge and an outer side edge opposite to each other in the lateral direction; the graphic display zone is located at least inboard of the inner side edge in the lateral direction and extends along the inner side edge; and, in at least one of the front and rear waist regions, the side flap is joined to the waist panel defining the at least one of the front and rear waist region in an area between a center of the crotch panel in the lateral direction and the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region.

2. The wearing article according to Claim 1 wherein the front and rear waist panels partially define the peripheral edges of the leg-openings and display zones being distinguishable from the graphic display zones are formed along the peripheral edges.

3. The wearing article according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein a plurality of waist-elastic members extending in the lateral direction are attached under tension to the at least one of the waist panels;

a plurality of leg-elastic members extending along the peripheral edges of the leg-openings are attached under tension to the side flap; and the leg-elastic member of a plurality of leg-elastic members defining the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region and at least one of the waist-elastic members intersect with each other in a region in which the at least one waist panel and the side flap overlap with each other.

4. The wearing article according to Claim 3 wherein the waist-elastic members defining part of the waist-elastic members in this at least one of the waist panels and extending from both side portions of this waist panel to both side edges of the absorbent core are arranged in a fashion so as not to cross the absorbent core or in a fashion so as to cross the absorbent core but so as to be in a relaxed state along segments of the elastic members crossing the absorbent core so that none of gathers is formed on the absorbent core by contraction of the waist elastic members arranged in any one of the fashions.

5. The wearing article according to Claim 1 wherein the graphic display region has an outer side edge extending in parallel to the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region and the display zone is formed on the outer side in the lateral direction of the outer side edge.

6. The wearing article according to Claim 1 wherein an extensional stress of the waist-elastic members intersecting with the leg-elastic member defining the inner side edge is larger than that of the leg-elastic members.

7. The wearing article according to Claim 1 wherein: a region of the side flap located between a center in the lateral direction and the inner side edge of the leg-elastic region in the rear waist region is joined to the rear waist panel; and an upper elastic region, a lower elastic region and an intermediate elastic region in the rear waist panel being respectively elastic in the lateral direction defined by trisecting a dimension of the rear waist panel in the vertical direction have respective extensional stresses in a mutual relation such that respective extensional stresses of the upper/intermediate elastic regions are larger than an 356 extensional stress in the vertical direction of the leg-elastic region as well as than an extensional stress of the lower elastic region.

8. The wearing article according to Claim 1 wherein the crotch panel is joined to the front and rear waist panels by joint regions extending in the vertical direction and the lateral direction.

9. The wearing article according to Claim 1 wherein: the side flap in the crotch panel is formed separately from the liquid-absorbent structure and joined in a state in which many gathers are arranged in the vertical direction, to the liquid-absorbent structure; and the maximum dimension of the side flap when the outermost portion in the lateral direction of the side flap is stretched in the vertical direction is larger than a dimension in the vertical direction of the liquid-absorbent structure in a region thereof joined to the side flap.