RU2659945C1 - Absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: manufacturing technology.

SUBSTANCE: absorbent article (1) comprises upper sheet (12) formed from a composite sheet, lower sheet (13) and absorbent member (14) disposed between upper sheet (12) and lower sheet (13). Composite sheet (10) has first direction (X) extending along the longitudinal direction of the article and second direction (Y) extending along the transverse direction of the article. First sheet (1) and second sheet (2), which are laminated, partially join one another and form a plurality of connected regions. First sheet (1) in its parts excluding the connected regions protrudes so that it is at a distance from second sheet (2) and forms convexities protruding toward the user's skin. Composite sheet (10) has middle region (M) and a pair of side regions (S). Pattern of the convexity in middle region (M) differs from the pattern of the convexity in side regions (S). Percentage of the area of the connected regions in side regions (S) is greater than the percentage of the area of the connected regions in middle region (M). Convexities having the maximum height in middle region, (M) and such convexities in side regions (S) have the same height.

EFFECT: disclosed is absorbing product.

10 cl, 39 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention provides an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin or incontinence pad.

State of the art

[0002]

In the past, a sheet that is located on the skin side, on a surface facing the user's skin, which is irregularly shaped by embossing or the like, was known as the top sheet of an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin or incontinence pad. In addition, a technique is also known for making the surface of the upper sheet irregularly located on the skin side in order to improve the effect of preventing leakage of loose stools, urine, etc. (patent documents 1 and 2).

[0003]

However, if the stiffness of the absorbent element decreases due to the fact that the absorbent element becomes thinner or through holes are formed in the absorbent element in order to improve the fit when the user wears the absorbent product, wrinkles generally occur on the top sheet in the crotch portion. Accordingly, the leakage prevention effect, which creates an uneven shape of the upper sheet, is reduced, and thus, the likelihood that loose stools and urine leak along the folds and flow outward is increased.

[0004]

In addition, there is also known a technology for suppressing the flow of loose stools and urine from the crotch portion, in which the side regions of the upper sheet, which are located on both sides of the absorbent element, contain bulges and recesses in which the height difference is more than this difference in the middle region, such such that a transverse flow is suppressed, which is a flow in which loose stool or urine moves towards the sides of the absorbent article (see Patent Document 3).

List of references

Patent Literature

[0005]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2004-174234A

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2009-136349A

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2009-148445A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]

The present invention provides an absorbent article comprising an upper sheet formed from a composite sheet, a lower sheet and an absorbent element located between the upper sheet and the lower sheet. The composite sheet has a first direction extending along the longitudinal direction of the product, and a second direction extending along the transverse direction of the product, the first sheet and the second sheet, which are laminated, partially join each other to form a plurality of connected regions, and the first sheet, in its parts , excluding connected areas, acts in such a way that it is at a distance from the second sheet and forms bulges protruding towards the skin of the user. The composite sheet has a middle region and a pair of side regions located on both sides of the middle region, the pattern of the location of the bulges in the middle region differs from the pattern of the location of the bulges in the side regions. The percentage of the area of the connected areas in the side areas is more than the percentage of the area of the connected areas in the middle area. Bulges having a maximum height in the middle region, and such bulges in the lateral regions have the same height.

Beneficial effects of the invention

[0007]

the absorbent article according to the present invention readily bends along the boundaries between the middle region and the side regions of the top sheet, the absorbent article is prone to deformation into a boat-like shape when the wearer is wearing the diaper, and thus excellent leakage prevention characteristics are obtained. In addition, excellent leak prevention characteristics are realized by creating patterns of bulges in the middle region and lateral regions that are different from each other, while bulges having a maximum height in the middle region and such bulges in the lateral regions have the same height, and, thus, even when the absorbent article is stored in a compressed state in the packaging bag, leakage prevention characteristics do not tend to deteriorate. It should be noted that a boat-like shape means a state in which the absorbent article is bent so that the diaper cross-section in the longitudinal direction has an arcuate shape in which the surface facing the skin is on the inside and the side regions of the top sheet are bent along the parts , respectively, near the boundaries between the lateral regions and the middle region and rise towards the skin of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a horizontal view illustrating the basic structure of a disposable diaper, which is an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. one.

[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a horizontal projection illustrating a top sheet of a disposable diaper according to the first embodiment, and is a horizontal projection with an increase in part thereof.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the middle region of a composite sheet used according to the first embodiment.

[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a side region of a composite sheet used according to the first embodiment.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal view of a portion of the middle region of a composite sheet used according to the first embodiment.

[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged horizontal view of a portion of the middle region of a composite sheet used according to the first embodiment.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged horizontal projection with an additional enlargement of a portion of the middle region illustrated in FIG. 6 and 7.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIa-VIa in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIb-VIb in FIG. 8.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged horizontal view of a portion of a side region of a composite sheet used according to the first embodiment.

[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 10.

[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 10.

[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are horizontal projections with an increase in part of the side region of the composite sheet illustrated in FIG. 3.

[FIG. 14] FIG. 14 (a) and 14 (b) are horizontal projections with an increase in part of the side region of the composite sheet illustrated in FIG. 3.

[FIG. 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus that is suitably used to make the composite sheet illustrated in FIG. 3.

[FIG. 16] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a middle region forming part of a first roller of the device illustrated in FIG. fifteen.

[FIG. 17] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a side region forming portion of a first roller of the device illustrated in FIG. fifteen.

[FIG. 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a peripheral surface that is in a flat expanded state forming the middle region of a portion of the first roller of the device illustrated in FIG. fifteen.

[FIG. 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a peripheral surface that is in a flat expanded state forming a side region of a portion of a second roller of the device illustrated in FIG. fifteen.

[FIG. 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the protuberances of the second roller illustrated in FIG. 19 are engaged with the peripheral surface in the middle region forming part of the first roller illustrated in FIG. 18, which is a flat expanded state.

[FIG. 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a peripheral surface that is in a flat expanded state forming a side region of a portion of the first roller of the device illustrated in FIG. fifteen.

[FIG. 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a peripheral surface that, in a flat expanded state, forms a side region forming part of a second roller of the device illustrated in FIG. fifteen.

[FIG. 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the protuberances of the second roller illustrated in FIG. 22 engage with a peripheral surface forming a side region of a portion of the first roller illustrated in FIG. 21, which is a flat expanded state.

[FIG. 24] FIG. 24 is a horizontal view illustrating a top sheet of a disposable diaper according to a second embodiment.

[FIG. 25] FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a side region of a composite sheet used according to the second embodiment.

[FIG. 26] FIG. 26 is a horizontal projection enlarging a portion of a side region of a composite sheet used according to the second embodiment.

[FIG. 27] FIG. 27 is a horizontal projection with a further enlargement of a portion of the side region illustrated in FIG. 26.

[FIG. 28] FIG. 28 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIa-VIa in FIG. 27, and FIG. 28 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIb-VIb in FIG. 27.

[FIG. 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 23, a side region forming part of the first roller and the second roller used to make the composite sheet used according to the second embodiment.

[FIG. 30] FIG. 30 is a horizontal view illustrating a top sheet of a disposable diaper according to a third embodiment.

[FIG. 31] FIG. 31 is a horizontal projection with an enlargement of a portion of the middle region of the composite sheet used according to the third embodiment.

[FIG. 32] FIG. 32 is an enlarged horizontal view of a portion of a side region of a composite sheet used according to the third embodiment.

[FIG. 33] FIG. 33 is a horizontal view illustrating a top sheet of a disposable diaper according to a fourth embodiment.

[FIG. 34] FIG. 34 is a horizontal projection with an enlargement of a portion near the boundary between the middle region and the side region of the composite sheet used according to the fourth embodiment.

[FIG. 35] FIG. 35 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Va-Va in FIG. 34, FIG. 35 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Vb-Vb in FIG. 34, and FIG. 35 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Vc-Vc in FIG. 34.

[FIG. 36] FIG. 36 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Vd-Vd in FIG. 34, and FIG. 36 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the Ve-Ve line of FIG. 34.

[FIG. 37] FIG. 37 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 20 and 23, the first roller and the second roller used to make the composite sheet used according to the fourth embodiment.

[FIG. 38] FIG. 38 is a horizontal view illustrating the back of a disposable diaper having a more preferred structure, in addition to the main structure illustrated in FIG. one.

[FIG. 39] FIG. 39 is a schematic horizontal view illustrating a preferred arrangement of continuous bulges and elastic elements in the region of the elastic elements formed at the back of the disposable diaper illustrated in FIG. 38.

Description of Embodiments

[0009]

If the side regions of the top sheet, which are located on both sides of the absorbent element, contain bulges and recesses, the difference of which in height is more than in the region located between them, as in the technology described in patent document 3, when the absorbent product is compressed in a packaging bag in during the packaging process, the pressure is concentrated on high bulges located in the lateral regions, and thus, it is difficult to maintain the height of the bulges. Accordingly, when the compression level increases, or when the storage period is long, the effect of preventing leakage by the bulges and recesses can be reduced.

In addition, if the top sheet contains lateral regions having bulges located continuously or sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is compressed in the longitudinal direction due to cuffs, cuffs on the legs, etc., wrinkles may occur in the side regions , and thus, the effect of preventing leakage by means of bulges and recesses may not be sufficiently obtained.

[0010]

The present invention provides an absorbent article that can solve the above problems in the relevant field of technology.

[0011]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings based on its preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 and 2 illustrate the basic structure of a disposable diaper 100 (hereinafter referred to simply as the term “diaper 100”), which is an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, the diaper 100 includes a liquid-permeable topsheet 12, a liquid-impervious bottomsheet 13, and an absorbent element 14 that is located between the topsheets 12 and the bottomsheets 13. With respect to the bottomsheets 13, liquid impermeability is a concept including also reduced permeability with respect to liquids, and also corresponds to the case in which the bottom sheet 13 is formed from a water-repellent sheet or similar material, in addition to the case in which the bottom sheet 13 is completely down passage of liquid through it.

[0012]

The diaper 100 has a longitudinal direction Xa of the product, which is the direction corresponding to the anteroposterior direction of the user when the user is wearing the diaper, and a transverse direction Ya of the product, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Xa of the product, when the diaper 100 is flattened, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, the diaper 100 includes, in the longitudinal direction Xa of the article, a front part A that is on the front side of the user when the user is wearing the diaper, a back part B, which is on the back side of the user when the user is wearing the diaper, and the crotch part C, which is located between the front of A and the back of B. The diaper 100 is an open-type disposable diaper and includes retainer tapes 17 that are present on both transverse lateral edge parts of the rear hour ty B, and the receiving zone 18, which is present on the outer surface of the front part A, and to which the fixing tape 17 is attached.

[0013]

The absorbent element 14 of the diaper 100 includes an absorbent core 14a and a core wrapping sheet 14b that wraps the absorbent core 14a. The absorbent core 14a may be formed from a fibrous laminated material, which consists of an absorbent fiber, such as wood fiber, or a mixed fibrous laminated material, which consists of an absorbent fiber and an absorbent polymer. Examples of the absorbent fiber include cellulose-based hydrophilic fiber, such as wood fiber, viscose fiber, cotton fiber, and cellulose acetate. Materials that are obtained by hydrophilizing a fiber made from synthetic polymers, such as polyolefin, polyester and polyamide, through the use of a surfactant, can be used as an alternative to cellulose-based hydrophilic fiber. For example, thin paper or a permeable nonwoven web is used as the core wrapping sheet 14b. The entire absorbent core 14a may be wrapped with one core wrapping sheet 14b, and it may be wrapped with a combination of two or more core wrapping sheets 14b. As the bottom sheet 13, a laminated sheet is used, which includes a liquid-impermeable or water-repellent polymer film, a laminated sheet of a polymer film and non-woven fabric, etc.

[0014]

Since the cuff leakage-forming sheets 15, which include the elastic elements 15a, are located on the sides of the diaper 100, extending along the longitudinal direction of the product Xa, the cuff leakage which rises towards the wearer's skin due to the compression of the elastic elements 15a are formed in the crotch portion C when the user wears a diaper. In addition, since the elastic elements 16 located on the legs are in parts that are worn on the surface of the legs, the crotch portion C is in a stretched state, the cuffs located on the legs that improve fit to the surface of the user's legs are formed in the crotch part C due to compression of the legs elastic elements 16 when the user wears a diaper.

[0015]

The top sheet 12 in the disposable diaper 100 according to the first embodiment is formed from the composite sheet 10 illustrated in FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the composite sheet 10 has a first direction X, which extends along the longitudinal direction (product longitudinal direction) Xa of the diaper 100, and a second direction Y, which extends along the transverse direction (the product lateral direction) Ya of the diaper 100. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. . 3, the composite sheet 10 has a middle region M and a pair of lateral regions S located on both sides of the middle region M. The pattern of the arrangement of the bulges 40, 42 in the middle region M differs from the pattern of the arrangement of the bulges 41, 42 in the lateral regions S. The middle region M is located in the middle in the transverse direction (transverse direction of the product) Ya of the diaper 100, and a pair of side regions S are formed on the outer sides in the second direction Y of the two side edges of the middle region M. The middle region M and the side regions S located on both sides of the middle region M, in which the bulges are formed, respectively, according to various figures, are preferably formed in at least the crotch part C, preferably in the entire region from the crotch part C to one or both of the front part A and the back B, or throughout the entire length of the absorbent element 14, and even more preferably throughout the entire length of the diaper 100, in the longitudinal direction Xa of the diaper 100.

[0016]

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the middle region M of the composite sheet 10. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of one of the side regions S of the composite sheet 10, side regions S are formed at positions mirror symmetrical with respect to the center line (not illustrated) along the longitudinal direction Xa of the diaper 100, and bulges and indentations are formed according to the figure illustrated in FIG. 5 in each of the side regions S.

[0017]

As illustrated in FIG. 4 and 5, the composite sheet 10 is such that, simultaneously in the middle region M and the side regions S, the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are laminated, are partially joined to each other by embossing to form a plurality of connected regions. The first sheet 1, in its parts excluding connected areas, acts so that it is at a distance from the second sheet 2 and forms bulges protruding towards the skin of the user. The surface of the composite sheet 10, which is located on the side of the second sheet 2, is almost flat both in the middle region M and in the side regions S, and substantially wavy bulges and indentations are formed on the surface corresponding to the first sheet 1.

[0018]

Each of the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 is formed from sheet material. As the sheet material, fibrous sheets such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a film, etc. can be used. It is preferable that the fibrous sheet is used as a sheet material in terms of touch feel, etc., it turns out it is particularly preferred that the nonwoven fabric is used as a sheet material. The first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 may be formed from sheet materials of the same type, or they may be formed from sheet materials of various types.

[0019]

When a nonwoven fabric is used as a sheet material forming each of the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, examples of the nonwoven fabric include a pneumoswoven nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, a polymer woven nonwoven fabric, and a non-woven nonwoven fabric web, etc. A laminated material may also be used in which two or more of these types of non-woven fabric are combined with each other or, laminates a material in which these types of nonwoven fabric are combined with a film, etc. Among them, it is preferable to use a pneumoswoven nonwoven fabric or a spunbond nonwoven fabric. The surface density of the nonwoven fabric, which consists of the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, is preferably 10 g / m ² or more, more preferably 15 g / m ² or more, and preferably 40 g / m ² or less, more preferably 35 g / m ² or less. The surface density of the nonwoven web is preferably from 10 g / m ² to 40 g / m ² and more preferably from 15 g / m ² to 35 g / m ² .

[0020]

As the fiber forming the non-woven fabric, a fiber can be used which consists of various types of thermoplastic polymers. Examples of thermoplastic polymers include a polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, a polyamide such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, a polyacrylic acid, an alkyl ester of polymethacrylic acid, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, etc. One of these polymers can be used individually, or these polymers can be used in the form of a mixture comprising two or more of them. In addition, these polymers can be used in the form of a composite fiber, such as a composite fiber of a type consisting of a core and a sheath, or a composite fiber of a type consisting of parallel components.

[0021]

The structure of the middle region M of the composite sheet 10

FIG. 6 and 7 are enlarged horizontal projections of the middle region M of the composite sheet 10 illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is an enlarged horizontal projection with an increase in a portion of the middle region illustrated in FIG. 6 and 7. FIG. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are cross-sectional views taken along line VIa-VIa in FIG. 8 and a cross-sectional view taken along line VIb-VIb in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, 4, and 6, the aforementioned bulges 40 are formed in the middle region M of the composite sheet 10 so that they are distributed in directions in the plane of the composite sheet 10. The bulges 40 are arranged in a zigzag pattern. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the bulges 40 are arranged in such a way that they form arrays 4X containing bulges in the first direction, in which a plurality of bulges 40 are arranged sequentially along the first direction X with constant intervals, the arrays containing the bulges in the second direction are arrays 4Y in which the bulges 40 are arranged sequentially the second direction Y with constant intervals, and arrays 4XY containing bulges in the third direction, in which the set of bulges 40 are arranged sequentially along tr These are directions that are tilted with respect to both of the first direction X and the second direction Y, at regular intervals. In addition, the positions of the bulges 40 containing the bulges in the second direction of the arrays 4Y, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction X, are offset from each other in the second direction Y by half a step, and the positions of the bulges 40 containing the bulges in the first direction of the arrays 4X, which are adjacent to each other in the second direction Y, are shifted from each other in the first direction X by half a step.

[0022]

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, 9 (a), and 9 (b), each of the bulges 40 that are formed in the middle region M of the composite sheet 10 includes a high bulge 41 ', which has a hollow portion 41V on its rear side, and a vertex 40t of the bulge 40 is formed and four low bulges 42 'that are formed around the high bulge 41' in such a way that they join the high bulge 41 '. In the present description, with respect to the high bulge 41 'and the low bulges 42' that are formed around the high bulge 41 ', the connection means that adjacent high bulges 41' and low bulges 42 'are not separated from each other by connected regions 3, and the surface of the first sheet 1 continuously protrudes more than parts that correspond to connected areas, the surface of the first sheet 1.

On the horizontal projection of the composite sheet 10, each bulge 40 has a shape in which the low bulges 42 ′ extend in four directions from the high bulge 41 ′ formed in the central portion of the bulge 40 and forms in a substantially cruciform shape. In other words, in a horizontal projection of the composite sheet 10, each bulge 40 includes recessed portions 45 that are located between the low bulges 42 ′ adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the bulge, the recessed portions 45 being recessed towards the high bulge 41 '.

[0023]

The first connected regions 31, the second connected regions 32 and the third connected regions 33 are formed on the composite sheet 10 as connected regions 3, which are formed when the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are laminated, are partially joined to each other. The first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 are compressed as a whole in the indicated connected areas 31-33, so that both the first sheet and the second sheet are more densified in the connected areas 31-33 than any other parts. Preferably, the first sheet and the second sheet are joined by fusion to each other by melting the polymer, which is a material of one or both of the first sheet and the second sheet, and hardening the polymer after melting.

[0024]

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the middle region M of the composite sheet 10, the connected regions 3 are arranged in a lattice shape, which are: a plurality of first array arrays of connected regions LR1, in which a plurality of connected regions 3 are spaced in straight rows; and second array arrays of connected regions LR2, in which a plurality of connected regions 3 are spaced in straight rows. Bulges 40 occupy the corresponding positions of the lattice cells. In the middle region M of the composite sheet 10, the first array arrays of connected regions LR1 and the second array arrays of connected regions LR2 intersect each other in every second connected region contained in each of the arrays of connected regions. The cell in which the bulge 40 is formed is surrounded by eight connected regions 3.

[0025]

Furthermore, the connected regions 3 in the middle region M of the composite sheet 10 are arranged in the form of an inclined lattice which is inclined with respect to the first direction X and the second direction Y, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In other words, all of the first array arrays of connected regions LR1 and the second array of arrays of connected regions LR2 are inclined with respect to each of the first direction X and the second direction Y. Each angle (see Fig. 7) that form the array the first arrays of connected regions LR1 and the lattice-forming second arrays of connected regions LR2 are preferably from 30 ° to 165 °, more preferably from 45 ° to 150 ° and even more preferably from 90 ° to 120 °.

[0026]

Furthermore, the positions of the first connected regions 31, the second connected regions 32, and the third connected regions 33 in the middle region M of the composite sheet 10 are different from each other in the second direction Y, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and 8. The first connected region 31, the second connected region 32, and the third connected region 33 have the same shapes and sizes. Here, the same shapes and sizes mean that the shapes are the same, and the difference in size is within 20% in terms of area. The first connected region 31, the second connected region 32, and the third connected region 33 are in each case rectangular in a horizontal projection, and each side of the rectangular shape corresponds to a first X direction or a second Y direction.

[0027]

Many of the first connected regions 31 are arranged in a row with a constant step along the second direction Y and form the first array of connected regions R1. Many of the second connected regions 32 are also arranged in a row with a constant step along the second direction Y and form a second array of connected regions R2. Many third connected regions 33 are also arranged in a row with a constant step along the second direction Y and form a third array of connected regions R3.

The first arrays of connected regions R1 and the third arrays of connected regions R3 are formed in many rows at constant intervals in the first direction X, and the step between the connected regions (the distance between the center points of the connected regions) of the first array of connected regions R1 in the second direction Y is the same as the step between the connected areas (the distance between the center points of the connected areas) of the third array of connected areas R3 in the second direction Y. In addition, the position of the connected area in the second direction Y are arranged so that the third connected region 33 is located in the middle part between the first connected regions 31 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y and the first connected region 31 is located in the middle part between the third connected regions 33 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. A second array of connected regions R2 is formed in the middle part between the first array of connected regions R1 and the third array of connected regions R3, where there is an interval between a second array of bonded regions R2 and the first array of bonded regions R1, and there is an interval between the second array of bonded regions R2 and the third array of bonded regions R3. The step between the connected regions (the distance between the center points of the connected regions) of the second array of connected regions R2 is half the step between the connected regions (the distance between the central points of the connected regions) of each of the first array of connected regions R1 and the third array of connected regions R3. When observed along the second direction Y, the position of the second connected region 32 is present in the middle part between the position of the first connected region 31 and the position of the third connected region 33.

[0028]

The first connected regions 31, the second connected regions 32 and the third connected regions 33 are formed in this form, and the part of the composite sheet 10 corresponding to the part that surrounds the first connected regions 31, the second connected regions 32 and the third connected regions 33 is pressed from behind or pulled under the action of vacuum from the surface during the manufacturing process of the composite sheet 10, so that many bulges 40 having a special shape are formed in the middle region M of the composite sheet 10.

Next, the bulge 40 will be described in more detail. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the bulge 40 is surrounded by a total of eight connected regions, including two first connected regions 31, which are adjacent to each other in the first array of connected regions R1, a total of four second connected regions 32 in two second arrays of connected regions R2, which are located on both sides of the first array of connected regions R1, and two third connected regions 33 in two third arrays of connected regions R3, which are located outside two second arrays of connected regions R2. In a horizontal projection, the high bulge 41 'of the bulge 40 that surrounds the four second connected regions 32 is circular or elliptical, and the vertex 40t of the bulge 40 is formed in the central part of the region that the four second connected regions 32 surround. The first low bulge 42a is located between two second connected regions 32 that face each other in the first direction X, and a second low bulge 42b is located between two second connected regions 32 that face each other in the second direction Y. Further, four second connection region 32 is partially aligned with four recessed parts 45, which have been described above, respectively. The bulge 40 and another bulge 40 adjacent thereto are separated from each other by an annular recess that includes eight connected regions 3 surrounding the bulge 40 and a third bulge 43 located between said joined regions 3. The third bulge 43 formally represents a “bulge”, but the height of the third bulge 43 is less than the height of each of the high bulge 41 'and the low bulge 42' of the bulge 40. Accordingly, when compared with said bulges, the third bulge 43 is a relative recess.

[0029]

Moreover, with respect to the bulge 40 of another second-directional bulge array 4Y adjacent to the second-directional bulge array 4Y including the bulges 40 illustrated in FIG. 6, the roles of the first connected areas and the first arrays of connected areas and the roles of the third connected areas and third arrays of connected areas change with each other. Thus, the convexity 40 of the second-oriented convexity array 4Y surrounds a total of eight connected regions, including two third connected regions 33, which are adjacent to each other in the third array of connected regions R3, a total of four second connected regions 32 in two second arrays of connected regions R2, which are located on both sides of the third array of connected regions, and two first connected regions 31 in the first two arrays of connected regions R1, which are located outside Vuh second arrays of bonded regions R2.

[0030]

The structure of the side regions S of the composite sheet 10

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a pair of lateral regions S of the composite sheet 10, the protuberances in which the first sheet 1, in its parts excluding the connected regions, acts so that it is at a distance from the second sheet, are formed according to a pattern that differs from the protuberance pattern in middle region M. The difference in the patterns of the bulges means all cases in which only the positions of the bulges differ, cases in which the shapes of the bulges are different, and cases in which both the positions and shapes of the bulges are different. Cases in which the positions of the bulges are different include cases in which the distances between the bulges are different. In addition, cases in which the shapes of the bulges are different include cases in which the shapes on the horizontal projection of the bulges are different.

In the composite sheet 10 according to this embodiment, the positions and shapes of the bulges are different for the middle region M and the pair of side regions S.

[0031]

FIG. 10 is a horizontal view with an enlargement of one of the side regions S of the composite sheet 10 illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 11 and 12 represent, respectively, a cross-sectional image drawn along the line III-III, and a cross-sectional image drawn along the line IV-IV in FIG. 10.

As illustrated in the figures, in the lateral regions S of the composite sheet 10, the first bulges 41, the second bulges 42, and the third bulges 43, which are three types of bulges having different heights, respectively, are formed on the first sheet 1 forming these regions. These three types of bulges differ from each other because their heights differ from each other. In particular, the second bulges 42 have a height that is the same or less than the height of the first bulges 41, and the third bulges 43 are less than the second bulges 42. In other words, when the height of the first bulge 41 is assumed to be H1, the height of the second bulge 42 is taken equal to H2, and the height of the third bulge 43 is taken equal to H3, these heights satisfy the relation H1≥H2> H3. A plurality of bumps 41, a plurality of bumps 42, and a plurality of bumps 43 are formed. Both the first bumps 41 and the second bumps 42 in the side regions S are substantially circular on the horizontal projection. The circumference of the first convexes 41 is more than the diameter of the second convexes 42. The first convexes 41 and the second convexes 42 in each case take a shape that has a vertex in both cross sections drawn along the first direction X and the second direction Y. Moreover, the third convexities 43 in each case have an almost rectangular shape, which is oblong in the first direction X on a horizontal projection. The third bulges 43 in each case have a substantially flat upper surface.

[0032]

FIG. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are horizontal views illustrating the main part extracted from FIG. 10. As can be clearly seen from the drawings, ring-shaped continuous bulges 44 in each case are formed by connecting one or more of the first bulges 41 and one or more second bulges 42 are present in the side regions S of the composite sheet 10. Each of the ring-shaped continuous bulges 44 is practically circular rings on a horizontal projection. One annular continuous bulge 44 is formed by connecting the six first bulges 41 and two second bulges 42. In particular, a pair of first bulge groups 41A are formed, each of which consists of three first bulges 41a, 41b and 41c, which are located along the first direction X, occupying positions axially symmetric with respect to the center line CL, which connects the centers of the two second convexes 42a and 42b, which are arranged so that they are spaced apart in the first direction and X, on a horizontal projection of the composite sheet 10. The three first bulges 41a, 41b and 41c forming each of the first groups of bulges 41A are joined to each other along the first direction X. In addition, among the first three bulges 41a, 41b and 41c forming each of the first convexity groups 41A, the first convexes 41a and 41c located at the ends in the first direction X, have centers that are in the same position when viewed in the second direction Y. The first convex 41b, located the second in the first direction X, will deviate outward the second direction Y from the other first protuberances 41a and 41c. In the pair of the first convexity groups 41A, the first convexities 41a located on the one end side in the first X direction in the corresponding first convexity groups 41A are attached to the second convexity group 42a located on the one end side in the first X direction, two second convexities 42a and 42b. Furthermore, in a pair of the first convexity groups 41A, the first convexities 41c located on the other end side in the first X direction in the corresponding first convexity groups 41A are attached to the second convexity group 42b located on the other end side in the first X direction, two second convexes 42a and 42b. Accordingly, a single annular continuous bulge 44 is formed by a total of eight bulges, including six first bulges 41a, 41b and 41c and two second bulges 42a and 42b.

[0033]

On the horizontal projection of the composite sheet 10, the ring-shaped continuous bulges 44 are arranged in a row in a straight line along the first direction X at constant intervals and form a ring-shaped continuous array of bulges. Such annular continuous convexity arrays are formed in many rows with constant intervals in the second direction Y. If we focus on one annular continuous convexity array, the positions of the annular continuous convexities 44 are shifted by half a step between this annular continuous convexity array and its adjacent annular continuous an array of bulges. In addition, if you focus on one of the sets of annular continuous convexities 44 forming one annular continuous array of convexities, convexes forming an annular continuous convex 44 and convexes forming annular continuous convexes located before or after this annular continuous convexity and their adjacent partially the same. For example, if you focus on one ring-shaped continuous convex 44A and its adjacent ring-shaped continuous convex 44B in the first direction X, as illustrated in FIG. 14 (a), the two first bulges 41c and one second bulge 42b of the ring-shaped continuous bulge 44A are the same as the two first bulges 41a and one second bulge 42a of the ring-shaped continuous bulge 44B. In addition, if you focus on one annular continuous array of bulges 45A and its adjacent other annular continuous array of bulges 45B, as illustrated in FIG. 14 (b), the first convexities 41b and 41c of one annular continuous convexity 44A forming annular continuous arrays of convexities 45A are the same as the first convexities 41a and 41b of one annular continuous convexity 44B forming an annular continuous array of convexities 45B.

[0034]

As illustrated in FIG. 13 (a) and 13 (b), a central bulge 46 is formed practically at the center of the annular continuous convex ring 44. One central bulge 46 is formed in the ring of one annular continuous convex 44. It is preferable that the first sheet 1, in its central bulge 46, acts in such a way that it is at a distance from the second sheet and is at a distance from the second sheet, as in other bulges. The central bulge 46 is substantially circular in horizontal view. The diameter of the circle is substantially the same as the diameter of the circle of the second bulges 42. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the height H4 of the central bulge 46 is substantially the same as the height H2 of the second bulge 42. The height H4 of the central bulge 46 is more than the height H3 of the third bulge. The central bulge 46 is formed in a shape that has a vertex in both cross sections drawn along the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0035]

The annular continuous bulge 44 and the central bulge 46 located inside the ring are separated from each other by an annular recess 47, as illustrated in FIG. 13 (a) and 13 (b). An annular recess 47 is formed from connected regions and third bulges 43. In particular, the first connected regions 31, each of which has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the first direction X on a horizontal projection, and the second connected regions 32, each of which is almost square the shape on the horizontal projection is formed by the connected regions, and the connected regions 31 and 32 and two third bulges 43 form an annular recess 47. Although the third bulges 43 are formally called By the “convexity” term, the third convexities 43 are relatively smaller than the first convexes 41 and the second convexes 42 forming an annular continuous convex 44, and are also relatively smaller than the central convex 46, and thus, the third convexities 43 can be considered as recesses in comparison with the indicated bulges.

[0036]

The annular recess 47 is formed by two first connected regions 31, four second connected regions 32 and two third convexes 43. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 13 (b), a pair of groups 33 of connected regions is formed, each of which is a second connected region 32, a first connected region 31 and a second connected region 32 located in this sequence along the first direction X, occupying positions axially symmetric with respect to the center line CL connecting the centers of two third bulges 43, which are arranged so that they are spaced from each other in the first direction X, on a horizontal projection of the composite sheet 10. Among the three of the regions 31 and 32 forming each of the groups 33 of connected regions, the second connected regions 32, located at the ends in the first direction X, have centers that occupy the same position when observed in the second direction Y. In addition, the first connected region 31, located the second in the first direction X, deviates outward in the second direction Y from the two second connected regions 32.

[0037]

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a plurality of central bulges 46 are arranged in a row in a straight line along the first direction X, which is one direction from the directions in the plane of the composite sheet 10, at constant intervals, and form an array of central bulges. Such arrays of central bulges are formed in many rows with constant intervals in the second direction Y. If we focus on one array of central bulges, the positions of the central bulges 46 are shifted from each other by half a step between this array of central bulges and an adjacent array of central bulges. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a plurality of second bulges 42 are arranged in a row in the form of a straight line along the first X direction, which is one direction from the directions in the plane of the composite sheet 10, at constant intervals, and form a second bulge array. Such second bulge arrays are formed in many rows with constant intervals in the second direction Y. If we focus on one array of the second bulges, the positions of the second bulges 42 are shifted from each other by half a step between this second bulge array and the second bulge adjacent to it.

[0038]

The array of second bulges and the array of central bulges in the side regions S described above occupy the same position on the horizontal projection of the composite sheet 10. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the second bulges 42 and the central bulges 46 are arranged alternately and in the form of a straight line along the first direction X, which is one direction from the directions in the plane of the composite sheet 10. In addition, if you focus on the third bulges 43, in addition to the second bulges 42 and of the central bulges 46, these three types of bulges are arranged regularly and in the form of a straight line along the first direction X, which is one direction from the directions in the plane of the composite istha 10, in the sequence of the second bulge 42, the third bulge 43, the central bulge 46 and then the third bulge 43.

[0039]

Moreover, in the second direction Y, perpendicular to the first direction X, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the first connected region 31, the central bulge 46, the first connected region 31, the first bulge 41, the second bulge 42 and then the first bulge 41 are located on a straight line L running along the second direction Y, forming one cycle, and this cycle repeats along the second Y directions

[0040]

The connected regions 3 (first, second and third connected regions) in the middle region M and the first connected regions 31 and the second connected regions 32 in the side regions S can be formed in various ways. When the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 are made of a material that can be joined by fusion, fusion can be carried out using heat, ultrasonic waves or high-frequency waves to form connected areas. A bonding using a binder can also be carried out to form bonded regions regardless of the material of the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2. When fusion is performed using heat, ultrasonic waves or high frequency waves to form bonded regions by joining both sheets 1 and 2, the bonded regions become denser than parts that are not connected areas. When sheets 1 and 2 are formed from fibrous sheets, the distance between the fibers is reduced by densification, or each sheet changes and turns into a film due to the loss of fiber shape. In the manufacturing method of the composite sheet 10, which will be described later, the joined areas formed from the fused parts are formed by joining both sheets 1 and 2 during the fusion joining process.

[0041]

In the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment, the composite sheet 10 having the aforementioned structure is positioned on the absorbent element 14 so that the middle region M is located in the middle in the transverse direction Ya of the diaper, and a pair of side regions S, respectively, are located on both sides of the middle region M, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and is used as a liquid permeable topsheet 12.

[0042]

In addition, as described above, in the composite sheet 10 of the diaper 100, the patterns of the formed connected regions are different for the middle region M and the pair of side regions S, and thus, the percentage of the connected regions 31 and 32 in the side regions S is more than percent fraction of the area of the connected regions 3 in the middle region M.

Thus, the diaper 100 according to this embodiment is easily folded along the boundaries between the middle region M and the side regions S of the top sheet, and thus, when the wearer is wearing the diaper, the diaper is prone to deformation, taking on a boat-like shape, and as a result excellent leakage prevention characteristics. In addition, excellent leakage prevention characteristics are realized by creating bulge patterns in the middle region M and the lateral regions S which are different from each other, and thus, even when the diaper 100 is stored in a compressed state in the packaging bag, the prevention characteristics leaks do not tend to worsen.

On the other hand, if the lateral leakage prevention characteristics are improved only by a structure in which the bulges in the middle region M are simply made higher than the bulges in the lateral regions S when the diaper is stored in a compressed state in the packaging bag, the bulges in the lateral regions disappear, and leak prevention characteristics tend to worsen. The term “storage” as used in this document includes storage at the manufacturing plant, storage at the commercial level (including storage in store windows), storage in the home of an ordinary consumer, etc.

[0043]

In order to improve the conversion to a boat shape, the difference (Es - Em, percentage points) between the percentage of the area Es (%) of the connected areas in the side areas S and the percentage of the area Em (%) of the connected areas in the middle area M is preferably 5% or more and more preferably 10% or more. In addition, the percentage of the area Es of the connected regions in the side regions S is preferably 5% or more and more preferably 10% or more, preferably 50% or less, and more preferably 30% or less, and preferably 5 to 50% and more preferably from 10 to 30%, provided that Es is more than a percentage of the area Em. In addition, the percentage of the area Em (%) of the connected regions in the middle region M is preferably 30% or less, and more preferably 20% or less, is preferably 3% or more, and more preferably 5% or more, and is preferably from 3 to 30%, and more preferably 5 to 20%, provided that Em is less than a percentage of the area Es.

[0044]

The method of calculating the percentage of the area of the connected areas

The percentage of the area of the connected areas in the total area for one cycle was calculated, in which the positions of the connected areas and bulges are regularly repeated along the first direction X and the second direction Y. The area of the connected areas was measured as follows. Composition sheet 10 was observed from the side of second sheet 2, using a Keyence VHX-1000 microscope at magnifications of 20 to 100, and an image analysis device was used to measure the area (cm ² ) of the area for one cycle and area (cm ² ) connected areas, which was expressed as [(area of connected areas) / (area for one cycle)] × 100.

[0045]

To improve the conversion to a boat-like shape, the composite sheet 10 preferably has a higher bending stiffness in the side regions S than in the middle region M. Bending stiffness is measured as described in Japanese industrial standard JIS P8126. A specific method is as follows.

[0046]

The method of measuring stiffness in bending

A sample having dimensions of 30 mm in the first X direction and 110 mm in the second Y direction was cut out from the composite sheet 10 to obtain a test sample, from which the measurement sample was obtained, giving the test sample a cylinder shape having a height of 30 mm, the side of the first sheet represented the outside, and fixing each of the upper end and lower end by ultrasonic welding with an overlap width of 10 mm. The maximum load was determined when the part around the measured upper end was compressed in the direction of the cylinder axis at a compression speed of 10 mm / min using a compression test device. The average value for five samples was taken as the value of bending stiffness.

[0047]

The ratio of the bending stiffness in the side regions S to the bending stiffness in the middle region M is preferably 1.1 or more and more preferably 1.2 or more. Furthermore, the bending stiffness in the side regions S is preferably 10 cN or more and more preferably 15 cN or more, preferably 50 cN or less and more preferably 40 cN or less, and is preferably 10 to 50 cN and more preferably 15 to 40 cN, provided that the bending stiffness is more than the bending stiffness in the middle region M. In addition, the bending stiffness in the middle region M is preferably 40 cN or less, and more preferably 30 cN or less, preferably 5 cNor more, and more preferably 10 cN or more, and is preferably 5 to 40 cN and more preferably 10 to 30 cN, provided that the bending stiffness is less than the bending stiffness in the side regions S.

[0048]

Furthermore, in the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment, all of the bulges 40 in the middle region M and the bulges 41-43 and 46 in the side regions S are formed by deforming the first sheet 1 so that it is at a distance from the second sheet 2, and, thus, the diaper 100 is also excellent in terms of texture (touch feel) in the middle region M and side regions S.

[0049]

In addition, in order to obtain good effects after being stored in a compressed state in a packaging bag, it is preferable that the bulges having a maximum height of bulges 40 in the middle region M, and bulges having a maximum height of bulges 41-43 and 46 in the side regions S have the same height. In the above composite sheet 10, it is preferable that the height H1 of the bulges 40 in the middle region M is the same as the height H1 of the first bulges 41, which are bulges having a maximum height in the side regions S. The term “same height” as used in this document includes cases in which the heights are exactly the same, as well as cases in which the heights are almost the same, such as cases in which the height of one of their bulges is from 90 to 110% of the height of dr angular bulge.

[0050]

Furthermore, in the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment, the first connected regions 31 formed in the side regions S are such that their length in the first direction X is more than the length in the second direction Y, and their length in the first direction X is more than the length in the first direction X of any of the connected regions 31-33 among the connected regions 3 formed in the middle region M.

If such elongated connected regions 31 are formed in the lateral regions S, the diaper 100 is easily bent along the parts, respectively, near the borders between the middle region M and the lateral regions S, and thus, when the crotch portion and other parts of the diaper are compressed in the transverse direction Ya by the hips , the diaper undergoes flexible compression, while maintaining a boat-like shape. Accordingly, the occurrence of loose stools, urine and other secretions when the user wears a diaper is further prevented. This effect is achieved in a similar manner also in the case where, as in the composite sheet 10A illustrated in FIG. 24, the lengths in the first direction X of all the connected regions (connected regions 31) formed in the side regions S are more than the lengths in the first direction X of any connected regions 31-33 formed in the middle region M.

[0051]

The connected regions formed in the side regions S include elongated joined regions (first joined regions 31), in which the length in the first direction X is more than the length of any of the joined regions formed in the middle region M, and the length of the elongated connected regions is preferably 1 , 2-fold or more, and more preferably 1.5-fold or more, preferably 5-fold or less, and more preferably 3.5-fold or less, and preferably from 1.2-fold to 5-fold, and more preferably 1.5 times th to 3.5-fold length in the first direction X bonded regions (bonded regions 31-33) having the greatest length in the first direction and formed in the middle region M.

[0052]

In addition, in the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the bulges 40 are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the middle region M, and the annular continuous bulges 44, each of which, by connecting six first bulges 41 and two second bulges 42 in the form of a ring are located in a zigzag pattern in the lateral regions S. In the lateral regions S, the central bulges 46 are also located in a zigzag pattern.

Since the bulges 40 are located in a zigzag pattern in the middle region M, and the annular continuous bulges 44, each of which are formed by connecting the bulges 41 and 42 in the form of a ring, are also located in the side regions S in the zigzag pattern, the diaper 100 is more prone to deformation and turning into a boat-like shape along the user's crotch, and the characteristics of preventing the flow of loose stools and urine from the front, back and sides are improved. This effect is achieved in a similar manner also in the case where, as in the composite sheet 10A illustrated in FIG. 24, the bulges 40 are located in a zigzag pattern in the middle region M, and the bulges 41 are located in a zigzag pattern also in the side regions S.

[0053]

In addition, in the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment, the absorbent element 14 is formed from an absorbent core 14a and a core wrapping sheet that is wrapped around the absorbent core 14a, and the absorbent core 14a has cutouts 14c having a shape of recesses in a horizontal projection in which the material does not fit to form an absorbent core 14a, respectively, on both sides of the crotch portion C of the diaper, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The left and right side regions S of the above-described composite sheet 10, respectively, overlap the left and right cutouts 14c, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Since the parts that overlap the cutouts 14c overlap the side regions S, the parts located on the outer sides of the inner edges of the cutouts 14c of the diaper 100 rise toward the wearer's skin, and thus the diaper tends to turn into a boat-like shape, which provides improved fit to the wearer's crotch. Accordingly, leakage prevention characteristics are further improved. It should be noted that the side regions S preferably overlap at least a portion of the cutouts 14c, and it is preferable to overlap all the cutouts 14c.

[0054]

The depth d1 (see FIG. 1) of the cutouts 14c is preferably 2 mm or more, and more preferably 8 mm or more, is preferably 50 mm or less, and more preferably 35 mm or less, and is preferably 2 to 50 mm, and more preferably from 8 to 35 mm. The depth d1 of the cutouts 14c is measured along the transverse direction of the diaper.

[0055]

Further preferred is a structure in which pierced portions that are spaced apart from the lateral edges of the absorbent core 14a are respectively on both sides of the center line (not illustrated) along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 14a, and side regions S of the composite sheet 10 are arranged so that they overlap the pierced portions instead of forming cutouts 14c and 14c on both sides of the absorbent core 14a.

Since the parts that overlap the pierced portions overlap the side regions S, the portions located on the outer sides of the inner edges of the pierced portions of the diaper 100 rise toward the wearer's skin, and thus the diaper tends to turn into a boat-like shape, which provides improved fit to the user's crotch. The lateral regions S preferably overlap at least a portion of the pierced portions, and more preferably completely overlap the pierced portions.

[0056]

In addition, the cuff leak-forming sheets 15, in which the elastic members 15a are attached to the respective inner edges, are located on both sides, along the longitudinal direction, of the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment, and, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the inner edges of the sheets 15 are attached to the side regions S of the composite sheet 10.

Due to this structure, the diaper 100 exhibits a greater tendency to bend, forming a curve in the longitudinal direction and turning into a boat-like shape. Elastic elements 15a may be present or absent in parts of the inner edges of the sheets 15, which are attached to the side regions S.

[0057]

In order to more reliably achieve one or at least two of the effects described above, the middle region M of the composite sheet 10 preferably has the following structures.

The lattice-forming first arrays of connected regions LR1 and the lattice-forming second arrays of connected regions LR2 are arranged such that the pitch between the connected regions 3 (the distance between the center points) P1 of the arrays of connected regions is preferably 1.1 times or more, and more preferably 1.5 -fold or more, is preferably 10-fold or less, and more preferably 5-fold or less, and is preferably 1.1-fold to 10-fold, and more preferably 1.5-fold to 5-fold cr the smallest distance LL between connected areas that are adjacent to each other. In addition, each of the distances between the center lines of the lattice-forming first arrays of connected regions LR1 that are adjacent to each other and the distance between the center lines of the lattice-forming second arrays of connected regions LR2 that are adjacent to each other is preferably 2 mm or more, and more preferably 3 mm or more, and is preferably 30 mm or less, and more preferably 20 mm or less, and is preferably 2 to 30 mm, and more preferably 3 to 20 mm.

[0058]

As described above, each bulge 40 formed in the middle region M has a shape in which the low bulges 42 ′ extend in four directions from the high bulge 41 ′ formed in the central part.

If the bulges 40 formed in the middle region, M are present in such a shape, even though the diaper 100 is bent in the longitudinal direction such that the cross section of the diaper drawn in the longitudinal direction of the diaper is curved when the wearer is wearing the diaper, low bulges 42b extending from the high bulge 41 'in the first direction X corresponding to the longitudinal direction Xa of the article, the bulges 40 preferably disappear, and the disappearance of the high bulge 41' becomes less than yatnym. Similarly, even though the diaper 100 is bent in the transverse direction such that the cross section of the diaper drawn in the transverse direction of the diaper is curved when the user wears the diaper, the low bulges 42a extending from the high bulge 41 'in the second direction The Y corresponding to the transverse direction Yb of the article, the bulge 40 of the top sheet 12 formed from the composite sheet 10, preferably disappear, and the disappearance of the high bulge 41 'becomes less in royatnym. Due to this effect, the middle region M causes a pleasant sensation on the skin, and improved dampness prevention characteristics are provided.

[0059]

In addition, the composite sheet 10 according to this embodiment includes four low bulges 42 in each bulge 40, including a pair of first low bulges 42a extending from the high bulge 41 'in one direction from the directions in the plane of the sheet, and a pair of second low bulges 42b extending from the high bulge 41 'in a direction perpendicular to one direction from directions in the sheet plane. The distance L4 of the first low bulge 42a extending from the high bulge 41 'to the outer end is more than the distance L4 of the second low bulge 42b extending from the high bulge 41' to the outer end. Since low bumps 42 are formed having different distances L4 from the high bump 41 ′, a direction in which the top sheet 12 is relatively easily bent and a direction in which the bending of the top sheet 12 is relatively difficult can be formed on the top sheet 12. For example, when the direction in which the top sheet 12 is easily bent corresponds to the direction of the absorbent article or the top sheet in which it is easily bent or bent when the user wears a diaper, a one-time use is obtained a diaper that is easily bent so that it has an excellent fit and other properties, and a variety of effects are obtained stably due to the irregular shape, since the disappearance of the bulges is unlikely, etc.

[0060]

The distance L4 of the first low bulge 42a is the distance L4a from the midpoint on a straight line L3x connecting the centers of two connected regions 32 that are adjacent to each other, with the first low bulge 42a located between them, in an array of connected regions extending in the direction ( the first direction X), perpendicular to the direction of extension (second direction Y) of the first low convex 42a, to the edge of the connected region 31, which is closest to the end of the first low convex 42a in the direction of gravity. Two connected regions 32 that are adjacent to each other, with a first low bulge 42a located between them, can be connected regions adjacent to each other, with a depression K [see FIG. 9 (a)], which is formed on the boundary part between the first low bulge 42a and the high bulge 41 located between them.

The distance L4 of the second low bulge 42b is the distance L4b from the midpoint on a straight line L3y connecting the centers of two connected regions 32 that are adjacent to each other, with the second low bulge 42b located between them, in an array of connected regions extending in the direction ( the second direction Y), perpendicular to the direction of extension (first direction X) of the second low convex 42b, to the edge of the connected region 33, which is closest to the end of the second low convex 42b in the direction of pa contractions. Two connected regions 32 that are adjacent to each other, with a second low bulge 42b located between them, can be connected regions adjacent to each other, with a depression K [see FIG. 9 (b)], which is formed on the boundary part between the second low bulge 42b and the high bulge 41 located between them.

[0061]

In addition, in the middle region M of the composite sheet 10 according to the first embodiment, a pair of first low bulges 42a having a relatively large length extends from a high bulge 41 'in a second direction Y corresponding to the transverse direction Ya of the article, and a pair of second low bulges 42b having a relatively short length extends from the high bulge 41 'in the first direction X corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the product Xa. This means that the direction in which bending is likely to occur when the user wears the diaper corresponds to the direction in which the top sheet 12 is easily bent. Accordingly, the diaper is easily bent so that it has an excellent fit and other properties, and a variety of effects are obtained stably due to the uneven shape, since the disappearance of the bulges is unlikely.

It is preferred that the high convexity 41 ′ includes depressions K illustrated in FIG. 9 (a) or 9 (b), which are formed on the boundary parts between the low bulges 42 and the high bulge 41 ', and the troughs K are deepened inside the bulge 40.

In addition, the low convexity height H2 42 ′ is preferably 30% or more, and more preferably 40% or more, preferably 80% or less, and more preferably 70%, and is preferably 30 to 80%, and more preferably 40 to 70 % with respect to the height H1 high convexity 41 '.

The low convexity height H2 42 ′ is the height obtained by observing the convex cross section using a digital microscope (manufacturer Keyence) and measuring the shortest distance between the lower surface of the second sheet 2 and the upper surface of the first sheet 1 at the midpoints on a straight line L3x and a straight line L3y of arrays of connected regions connecting the centers of the connected regions 32, which are located on both sides of the low bulge.

[0062]

Furthermore, the high convexity height H1 41 'is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more; and preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less; and, in particular, preferably from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, more preferably from 1 mm to 4 mm. In addition, the height H2 of low convexity 42 is preferably 0.2 mm or more, more preferably 0.4 mm or more; and preferably 3 mm or less, more preferably 2.5 mm or less; and, in particular, preferably from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, more preferably from 0.4 mm to 2.5 mm.

[0063]

In addition, the distance L5 between the recessed portions 45 that face each other, with a high convexity 41 'located between them, is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 60% or more of the length Lx of the bulge 40 in the first direction X or of the length Ly of the bulge 40 in a second direction Y, with a shorter length selected; and preferably 180% or less, more preferably 110% or less of the length Lx or the length Ly, with a shorter length being selected; and, in particular, preferably from 50 to 180%, more preferably from 60 to 110% of the length Lx or the length Ly, with a shorter length being selected. The length Lx of the bulge 40 in the first direction X and the length Ly of the bulge 40 in the second direction Y are in each case preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 1.5 mm or more; and preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less; and, in particular, preferably from 1 mm to 30 mm, more preferably from 1.5 mm to 15 mm.

[0064]

In addition, the length of the connected region 3 (each of the first connected region, the second connected region and the third connected region) in the first direction X is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more; and preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less; and, in particular, preferably from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, more preferably from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

The distance between the arrays of connected regions (the first array of connected regions, the second array of connected regions and the third array of connected regions) that are adjacent to each other in the first direction is preferably 0.2 mm or more, more preferably 0.8 mm or more; and preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less; and, in particular, preferably from 0.2 mm to 10 mm, more preferably from 0.8 mm to 5 mm.

[0065]

Furthermore, the length of the connected region (each of the first connected region, the second connected region and the third connected region) in the second direction Y is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more; and preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less; and, in particular, preferably from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, more preferably from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

The distance between the arrays of connected regions (the first array of connected regions, the second array of connected regions and the third array of connected regions) that are adjacent to each other in the second direction is preferably 0.2 mm or more, more preferably 0.8 mm or more; and preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less; and, in particular, preferably from 0.2 mm to 10 mm, more preferably from 0.8 mm to 5 mm.

[0066]

In order to more reliably achieve one or at least two of the effects described above, the side regions S of the composite sheet 10 preferably have the following structures.

[0067]

The height H1 of the first bulges 41 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, and more preferably 1 mm or more, and is preferably 5 mm or less, and more preferably 4 mm or less. For example, the height H1 of the first bulges 41 is preferably from 0.5 to 5 mm, and more preferably from 1 to 4 mm. The height H2 of the second bulges 42 is preferably 0.3 mm or more, and more preferably 0.6 mm or more, and is 4 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less, provided that it is the same or less than the height H1 of the first bulges 41. For example, the height H2 of the second bulges 42 is preferably from 0.3 to 4 mm, and more preferably from 0.6 to 3 mm. The height H3 of the third bulges 43 is preferably 0.2 mm or more, and more preferably 0.4 mm or more, and is preferably 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.5 mm or less, provided that it is less than the height H2 of the second bulges 42. For example, the height H3 of the third bulges 43 is preferably from 0.2 to 3 mm, and more preferably from 0.4 to 2.5 mm. The height H4 of the central bulges 46 is preferably 0.3 mm or more, and more preferably 0.6 mm or more, and is preferably 4 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less. For example, the height H4 of the central bulges 46 is preferably from 0.3 to 4 mm, and more preferably from 0.6 to 3 mm.

[0068]

The heights H1, H2, H3 and H4 of the bulges 41, 42, 43 and 46 are defined as the distance from the lower surface of the second sheet 2 to the upper surface of the first sheet 1, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and 4. The heights H1, H2, H3 and H4 are measured as follows.

The method of measuring the height of the bulges

The sample is cut with a sharp blade, and the surface of the cut end is observed to measure the shortest distance between the lower surface of the second sheet 2 and the upper surface of the apex of each bulge. The resulting value is taken as the height of the bulge. If visual measurement is difficult, for example, the measurement can be carried out by observing the cross-section of the cut sample using a Keyence VHX-1000 microscope with a magnification of 20 to 100. In addition, for example, when a compressed diaper is measured in a package , the measured values are obtained by performing measurements as described above, after the sample of the diaper from which the top sheet was peeled off, was kept for a day or olee. Bulge heights are measured in the absence of load.

[0069]

For reasons similar to those for which the heights of the bulges 41, 42, 43, and 46 are set as described above, the diameter of the first bulges 41 in a horizontal projection is preferably 1 mm or more, and more preferably 2 mm or more, and is preferably 20 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or less. For example, the diameter of the first bulges 41 is preferably from 1 to 20 mm, and more preferably from 2 to 10 mm. The diameter of the second bulges 42 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, and more preferably 1 mm or more, and is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less. For example, the diameter of the second bulges 42 is preferably from 0.5 to 15 mm, and more preferably from 1 to 5 mm. The diameter of the third bulges 43 is preferably 0.2 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and is preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less. For example, the diameter of the third bulges 43 is preferably from 0.2 to 10 mm, and more preferably from 0.5 to 3 mm. The diameter of the central bulges 46 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, and more preferably 1 mm or more, and is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less. For example, the diameter of the central bulges 46 is preferably from 0.5 to 15 mm, and more preferably from 1 to 5 mm.

[0070]

For reasons similar to those for which the diameters of the bulges are set as described above, the length in the first direction X of the first connected regions 31 on a horizontal projection is preferably 0.5 mm or more, and more preferably 1 mm or more, and is preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less. For example, the length in the first direction X of the first connected regions 31 is preferably from 0.5 to 10 mm, and more preferably from 1 to 5 mm. Moreover, the length in the second direction Y of the first connected regions 31 is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and is preferably 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less. For example, the length in the second direction Y of the first connected regions 31 is preferably from 0.1 to 5 mm, and more preferably from 0.5 to 3 mm.

[0071]

With the second connected regions 32, the length of one side is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and is preferably 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less. For example, the length of one side of the second connected regions 32 is preferably from 0.1 to 5 mm, and more preferably from 0.5 to 3 mm.

[0072]

Next, a preferred method for manufacturing a composite sheet 10 having the structure described above will be described with reference to FIG. 15-23. As illustrated in FIG. 15, a method of manufacturing a composite sheet 10 includes the step of forming a first sheet 1 that is irregularly shaped by inserting the first sheet 1 into the engaging portion between a first roller 111 to which the peripheral surface is irregular in shape and a second roller 112 in which the peripheral surface has an uneven shape, so as to engage with the first roller having an irregular shape, while the first roller 111 and the second roller 112 rotate in directions opposite to each other. In addition, a method of manufacturing a composite sheet 10 includes a joining step after a molding step. In the joining step, after the first sheet 1 leaves the engaging portion, while the first sheet 1 is held along the peripheral surface of the first roller 111 unchanged, the second sheet 2 is guided so as to overlap the first sheet 1, and both sheets 1 and 2 are partially joined to each other by pressing between the protuberances of the first roller 111 and the first heated roller 113 and between the convexities of the first roller 111 and the second heated roller 114 during heating.

[0073]

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the second roller 112, the first heated roller 113 and the second heated roller 114 are arranged so as to access the peripheral surface of the first roller 111. The second roller 112, the first heated roller 113 and the second heated roller 114 are located in this sequence from the side above upstream to the side downstream in the direction of rotation R of the first roller 111. A detailed description of the first roller 111 and the second roller 112, in which the peripheral surfaces are irregular in shape, will be presented on below. Each of the first heated roller 113 and the second heated roller 114 is a support roller, in which the peripheral surface is flat without concavities and bulges.

[0074]

First, the first sheet 1 is unwound from a roll of fabric (not illustrated in the drawing) for the first sheet 1. Separately, the second sheet 2 is unwound from a roll of fabric (not illustrated in the drawing) for the second sheet 2. Then, the unwound first sheet 1 is clamped in the engaging part between the first roller 111 and a second roller 112, as illustrated in FIG. 15, so that a first sheet 1 having an uneven shape is formed. In this case, air is sucked into the first roller 111 from the peripheral surface of the first roller 111, so that the formation of an uneven shape of the first sheet 1 is simplified. The vacuum mechanism for the first roller 111 will be described below.

[0075]

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 15, while the first sheet 1 is still held on the peripheral surface of the first roller 111 by vacuum so that it remains in the manufactured state, the second sheet 2 is superimposed on the first sheet 1, and the product obtained by superposing the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, is compressed between the first roller 111 and the first heated roller 113, in which the peripheral surface is flat. In this case, the first roller 111 and the first heated roller 113 at the same time or only the first heated roller 113 are heated to a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are located on the bulges of the first roller 111, that is, on the tops of the teeth of each gear (see Fig. 16), as will be described below, are joined to each other by fusion bonding, so that connected regions 31-33 are formed.

[0076]

Further, while the product obtained by overlaying the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, joined to each other by fusion bonding, is still held on the peripheral surface of the first roller 111 under vacuum, this product is moved and compressed between the first roller 111 and the second heated roller 114, in which the peripheral surface is flat. In this case, the first roller 111 and the second heated roller 114 at the same time or only the second heated roller 114 are heated to a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, since the materials of the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, for example, thermoplastic polymers, melt in the connected regions 31-33 located on the bulges of the first roller 111, that is, on the teeth of each gear, the connected regions 31-33 are formed more stably. Thus, a predetermined composite sheet 10 is continuously manufactured.

[0077]

The above-described composite sheet 10 is manufactured by using a first roller 111 and a second roller 112, in which the middle region forming part for forming the middle region M on the composite sheet 10 is axially aligned in the middle and the side regions forming the side regions for forming side regions S on the composite sheet 10 are located on both sides of the middle in the axial direction.

[0078]

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a middle region forming portion of a first roller 111 illustrated in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a side region forming portion of a first roller 111 illustrated in FIG. 15. The first roller 111 includes a plurality of first gears 121, a plurality of second gears 122, and a plurality of gaskets 123 that are combined and mounted concentrically on the axis 124 so that they are integrated into the shape of the roller. In the first roller 111, the pitch of the teeth of the first gears 121 and the second gears 122, the sequence in which said gears 121 and 122 and gaskets 123 are located, and other parameters differ between the part forming the middle region and the part forming the side region. In the middle region forming part and the lateral region forming part of the hole, holes are formed in the central parts of two types of gears 121 and 122 and gaskets 123, and a rotating shaft (not illustrated) is inserted into the holes. A notch (not illustrated in the drawing) is formed in each part, including two types of gears 121 and 122 and gaskets 123, and a key (not illustrated in the drawing) is inserted into the notches. Accordingly, the idle mode of the two types of gears 121 and 122 and gaskets 123 is prevented.

[0079]

The gasket 123 is formed into a shape including beams 125, which are a plurality of protrusions radially extending from the center of the gasket. The beams 125 of the gasket 123 have the same length. When the diameter of the virtual circle, which is formed by connecting the ends of the respective beams 125, is defined as the diameter of the circle of the tops of the teeth for ease of description, the diameter of the circle of the tops of the teeth is less than the diameter of the circumference of the troughs of the teeth of each of the first gear 121 and the second gear 122.

[0080]

A plurality of holes 126, 127 are formed in the gears 121, 122 so that they surround the holes that form at the centers of the gears and into which a rotating shaft is inserted (not illustrated). The corresponding holes 126, 127 have the same diameter, and each of the holes 126, 127 is formed at positions that are equally spaced from the center of each gear. The angle that is formed by adjacent holes 126 and the center of the gear, and the angle that is formed by neighboring holes 127 and the center of the gear, are equal to each other. The number of holes 126 of gear 121 and the number of holes 127 of gear 122 are equal to the number of beams 125 of the aforementioned gasket 123. In addition, when the respective gears 121, 122 and gaskets 123 are assembled, the corresponding gears 121, 122 and gaskets 123 are arranged so that each of the holes 126 , 127 is located between adjacent beams 125 of the gasket 123. Thus, each of the holes 126, 127 is located in a practically V-shaped region, which is formed by two adjacent beams 125 and the center of the gasket 123. The entire area of each of the openings 126, 127 is contained in a substantially V-shaped region in FIG. 16. However, instead, only a portion of each of the openings 126, 127 may be present in a substantially V-shaped region. This substantially V-shaped portion corresponds to each of the recesses of the first roller 111, in which the peripheral surface has an uneven shape. In this case, the bulges of the uneven peripheral surface of the first roller 111 correspond to the tops and bases of the teeth of the corresponding gears 121, 122.

[0081]

When the respective gears 121, 122 and gaskets 123 are assembled as described above, the openings 126 of the first gears 121 and the openings 127 of the second gears 122 are aligned in the axial direction of the first roller 111, so that a plurality of vacuum channels are formed in the first roller 111 (not illustrated on drawing) that extend axially. Vacuum channels are connected to a vacuum device mounted outside of the roller 111, and air can be sucked into the first roller 111 from a recess formed on the peripheral surface of the first roller 111 when the vacuum device is operating.

[0082]

FIG. 18 illustrates a state in which the peripheral surface of the first roller 111 in the middle region forming portion is deployed in a plane. In FIG. 10, the direction indicated by arrow U represents the direction of rotation of the first roller 111, and the direction indicated by arrow V represents the axial direction of the first roller 111. In addition, in FIG. 18, the rectangular regions represented by small dots represent the tips of the teeth of the respective gears 121, 122. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the middle region forming part of the first roller 111 has an integrated structure in which eight elements, including the first gear 121, the gasket 123, the second gear 122, the gasket 123, the first gear 121, the gasket 123, the second gear 122 and the gasket 123 are integrated into this sequence and form one cycle T1, and in which the cycle T1 is repeated.

[0083]

In FIG. 18, the tips of the teeth, indicated by small dots, represent certain positions for forming the connected areas 31-33 of the predetermined composite sheet 10. In particular, the tops of the teeth of 121a of the first gear 121 are the positions defined for forming the first connected areas 31 or the third connected areas 33. In addition, the tops of the teeth 122a of the second gear 122 represent the positions defined for forming the second connected areas 32. The corresponding gears 121, 122 and the gaskets 123 occupy the appropriate position I thus obtained that the aforementioned pattern of bonded areas 31-33 arrangement illustrated in FIG. four.

[0084]

In addition, in FIG. 18, the region of the recess 140A of the first roller represents a specific position for molding the bulge 40 of the predetermined composite sheet 10, and the third region of the recess 143A of the first roller represents a specific position for molding the third bulge 43 of the predetermined composite sheet 10.

[0085]

FIG. 19 illustrates a state in which the peripheral surface of the second roller 112 engages with the middle region forming part of the first roller 111, is deployed in a plane. In FIG. 19, the direction indicated by arrow U represents the direction of rotation of the second roller 112 and the direction indicated by arrow V represents the axial direction of the second roller 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the middle region forming part of the second roller 112 is formed as an integrated system that includes third gears 131 and fourth gears 132. In FIG. 19, the rectangular areas indicated by large dots represent the tips of the gear teeth 131, 132. The second roller 112 may not include a vacuum mechanism. Accordingly, the openings 126, 127 that are formed in the first gear 121 and the second gear 122 of the first roller 111 need not be formed in the gears of the second roller 112.

[0086]

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the middle region forming part of the second roller 112 has an integrated structure in which four elements, including the third gear 131, the fourth gear 132, the third gear 131 and the fourth gear 132 are integrated in this sequence and form one cycle T2, and in which the cycle T2 is repeated.

[0087]

In FIG. 19, the convexity of the second roller 140B is formed by the teeth 131a of the third gear 131 and the teeth 132a of the two fourth gears 132 adjacent to both sides of the teeth 131a of the third gear 131. When the first roller 111 and the second roller 112 mesh with each other, the convexities 140B of the second roller align with the regions recesses 140A of the first roller.

[0088]

FIG. 20 illustrates a state in which the protuberances of the second roller 112 engage with the peripheral surface of the first roller 111, and which is deployed in a plane. In FIG. 20, the rectangular areas indicated by small dots represent the tips of the gear teeth 121, 122 of the first roller 111. In addition, the rectangular areas indicated by large dots are the tips of the gear teeth 131, 132 of the second roller 112. As is apparent from FIG. 20, the bulges 140B of the second roller are aligned with the regions of the recesses 140A of the first roller. On the other hand, the bulges of the second roller 112 are not aligned with the third recesses 143A of the first roller.

[0089]

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a peripheral surface that is in a flat expanded state forming a side region of a portion of the first roller 111. In FIG. 21, the direction indicated by arrow U represents the direction of rotation of the first roller 111, and the direction indicated by arrow V represents the axial direction of the first roller 111. In addition, in FIG. 21, the rectangular areas indicated by small dots represent the tips of the teeth of the respective gears 121 and 122. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the side region forming part of the first roller 111 has an integrated structure in which twelve elements, including the first gear 121, the gasket 123, the first gear 121, the second gear 122, the gasket 123, the second gear 122, the first gear 121, the gasket 123, the first gear 121, the second gear 122, the gasket 123, and the second gear 122 are integrated in this sequence and form one cycle T1, and in which the cycle T1 is repeated.

[0090]

In FIG. The 21 tooth peaks represented by small dots represent predetermined positions for forming the connected regions 31 and 32 in the side region S of the predetermined composite sheet 10. In particular, the tooth peaks 121a of the first gear 121 are the positions defined for forming the second connected regions 32. In addition , the apexes of the teeth 122a of the second gear 122 represent the positions defined for forming the first connected areas 31. The corresponding gears 121 and 122 and the gaskets 123 appropriately occupy such positions I that obtained above arrangement pattern of bonded regions 31 and 32 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0091]

In addition, in FIG. 21, the middle region of the first roller recess 146A, which is surrounded by four teeth 121a of the first gears 121 and two teeth 122a of the second gears 122, is a specific position for forming a central bulge 46 of the given composite sheet 10. In addition, the first region of the first roller recess 141A surrounded by one with a prong 122a and two prongs 121a, which are spaced in the V direction from the prongs 122a and are located along the U direction, is a specific position for forming the first bulge 41 on the side area S of the given composite sheet 10. In addition, the second region of the recess 142A of the first roller, which is surrounded by four teeth 121a, is a specific position for forming the second bulge 42 in the lateral region S of the given composite sheet 10. In addition, the third region of the recess 143A of the first roller between two teeth 121a, which are spaced apart in the V direction from each other with a gasket 123 located between them, is a specific position for forming the third bulge 43 in the side region ty S of the given composite sheet 10.

[0092]

FIG. 22 illustrates a state in which the peripheral surface of the second roller 112 is engaged with the lateral region forming part of the first roller 111, is in a flat expanded state. In FIG. 22, the direction indicated by arrow U represents the direction of rotation of the second roller 112, and the direction indicated by arrow V represents the axial direction of the second roller 112. In FIG. 22, the rectangular areas indicated by large dots represent the tips of the teeth of gears 124 and 122.

[0093]

As illustrated in FIG. 22, a side region forming part of the second roller 112 has an integrated structure in which ten elements, including the third gear 124, the gasket 123, the second gear 122, the second gear 122, the gasket 123, the third gear 124, the gasket 123, the second gear 122, second gear 122 and spacer 123 are integrated in this sequence and form one cycle T2, and in which cycle T2 is repeated. The total thickness of the ten elements forming the cycle T2 is the same as the total thickness of the twelve elements forming the cycle T1 in the first roller 111.

[0094]

In FIG. 22, the middle protuberances 146B of the second roller and the second convexities 142B of the second roller are formed by the teeth 124a of the third gears 124. The middle protrusions 146B of the second roller and the second convexes 142B of the second roller are alternately arranged along the direction U. In addition, the first convexities 141B of the second roller are formed by the teeth 122a of the second gears 122 When the first roller 111 and the second roller 112 mesh with each other, the first bulges 141B of the second roller mesh with the first regions of the recess 141A of the first roller. In addition, the second bulges 142B of the second roller engage with the second regions of the recess 142A of the first roller. In addition, the middle bulges 146B of the second roller are engaged with the middle regions of the recess 146A of the first roller.

[0095]

FIG. 23 illustrates a state in which the protuberances of the second roller 112 engage with a peripheral surface forming a side region of a portion of the first roller 111, which is a planar flattened state. In FIG. 23, the rectangular areas indicated by small dots represent the tips of the teeth of gears 121 and 122 of the first roller 111. In addition, the rectangular areas indicated by large dots are the tips of the teeth of gears 124 and 122 of the second roller 112. As is apparent from FIG. 23, the first bulges 141B of the second roller are engaged with the first regions of the recess 141A of the first roller. The second bulges 142B of the second roller engage with the second regions of the recess 142A of the first roller. In addition, the middle bulges 146B of the second roller are engaged with the middle regions of the recess 146A of the first roller. On the other hand, the bulges of the second roller 112 do not engage with the third recesses 143A of the first roller.

[0096]

Further, in the middle region forming part of the first roller 111 and the second roller 112, as a result of the convexities 140B of the second roller being engaged with the regions of the recess 140A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is pushed into the first roller 111 and is formed three-dimensional shape corresponding to the bulges 40.

In addition, in the lateral region forming part of the first roller 111 and the second roller 112, as a result of the first convexities 141B of the second roller being engaged with the first regions of the first roller recess 141A, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is pushed into the first roller 111, and a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the first bulges 41 is formed. Furthermore, as a result of the second bulges 142B of the second roller being engaged with the second regions of the recess 142A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) of the push is pressed into the first roller 111, and a three-dimensional shape is formed corresponding to the second bulges 42. As a result of the fact that the middle bulges 146B of the second roller are engaged with the middle regions of the recess 146A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is pushed into the first roller 111, and a three-dimensional shape is formed corresponding to the central bulges 46. In this case, in the third regions of the recess 143A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is absorbed into the third regions of the recess 143A due to suction air into the first roller 111 from the third regions of the recess 143A, and a three-dimensional shape is formed. After this, the second sheet 2 is attached to the first sheet 1, which is given a three-dimensional shape, so that a given composite sheet 10 is obtained. In addition, in the lateral regions forming the parts of the first roller 111 and the second roller 112, as a result of the first bulge 141B the second roller engage with the first regions of the recess 141A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is pushed into the first roller 111, and a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the first bulges 41 is formed. In addition, as a result of the second convexities of the second roller 142B are engaged with the second regions of the recess 142A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is pushed into the first roller 111, and a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the second convexes 42 is formed. As a result, the middle convexities 146B of the second roller are engaged with the middle regions of the recess 146A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is pushed into the first roller 111, and a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the central bulges 46 is formed. In these regions of the recess 143A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is sucked into the third regions of the recess 143A due to air being drawn into the first roller 111 from the third regions of the recess 143A, and a three-dimensional shape is formed.

After this, the second sheet 2 is attached to the first sheet 1, which is given a three-dimensional shape, so that the desired composite sheet 10 is obtained.

[0097]

The composite sheet 10, which is obtained in this way, is introduced into the line for manufacturing the diaper 100 and is used to form the top sheet 12 of the disposable diaper 100 in a known manner.

[0098]

Next, a disposable diaper according to a second embodiment will be described. The structure of the composite sheet 10A forming the top sheet in the disposable diaper according to the second embodiment is the same as the structure of the composite sheet 10 used according to the first embodiment in the middle region M, but different from it in the side regions S.

Next, the second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to the differences from the aforementioned first embodiment, and a description thereof similar to that of the first embodiment will not be given. The description of the first embodiment will extend to those aspects that will not be specifically described.

[0099]

The composite sheet 10A used as the top sheet according to the second embodiment is such that, as the joined areas formed by partially joining the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are laminated, elongated connected areas 31 are formed with the length L3 in the first the X direction is greater than their length L1 in the second Y direction, as illustrated in FIG. 27. All of the oblong joined regions 31 are rectangular, and each side of a rectangular shape corresponds to a first X direction or a second Y direction. In the composite sheet 10A, all connected regions are oblong connected regions 31. In addition, in the composite sheet 10A are oriented in the second direction arrays of connected regions R, in which oblong connected regions 31 are located, are regularly formed in the second direction Y with two types of intervals L2 and L4c in a plurality of rows in the first direction X, as illustrated in FIG. 26. More specifically, each of the second-oriented arrays of connected regions has, as the intervals between oblong joined regions 31 in the second direction Y, a first interval L2 and a second interval L4, which is more than the first interval L2, and a plurality of elongated connected regions 31, forming an array of connected regions R oriented in the second direction, are periodically arranged in the second direction Y such that the intervals of the two types are alternately arranged in the second Y direction

[0100]

The elongated joined regions 31, forming each of the second-oriented arrays of connected regions R, have the same length and the same position in the first direction X, and a gap having a constant width W is formed between the second-oriented arrays of connected regions R that are adjacent to each other to a friend in the first direction X. In addition, a plurality of second-oriented arrays of connected regions R are located in the first direction X, the positions of the elongated joints the areas 31 in the second direction Y are the same in every second row, and the positions of the elongated connected areas 31 in the second direction Y are different between the second-oriented arrays of connected areas R that are adjacent to each other. In particular, as arrays of connected regions R oriented in the second direction, first arrays of connected regions R1 oriented in the second direction and second arrays of connected regions R2 oriented in the second direction, in which the positions of the elongated connected regions 31 in the second direction are different, alternately formed in the first direction X, as illustrated in FIG. 27. With regard to the positions of the elongated connected regions 31 in the second direction Y, a pair of oblong connected regions 31 that are adjacent to each other with a first interval L2 in one array of connected regions R1 (R2), the second array of connected regions R1 oriented in the second direction and oriented in the second direction, a second array of connected regions R2 are located between oblong connected regions 31, which are adjacent to each other with a second interval L4 in another array of connected regions R2 (R1).

[0101]

As illustrated in FIG. 27, a bulge 41 is formed in a region that is surrounded by a total of six connected regions 31, including two elongated connected regions 31, which are adjacent to each other in the second-oriented arrays of the connected regions R. All of these six connected regions 31 are lateral areas S of the composite sheet 10A are elongated connected areas 31. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the bulge 41 is surrounded by a total of six oblong connected regions 31, including two oblong connected regions 31, forming a second array of connected regions R1, and four oblong connected regions 31, forming two second arrays of connected regions R2, which are adjacent to the first oriented in the second direction of the first array of connected areas R1 in the first direction X. In addition, in each of the oriented in the second direction m assists of connected regions R in the lateral regions S of the composite sheet 10A, pairs of 30 oblong connected regions, each of which is formed of a pair of oblong connected regions 31, which are close to each other with the first interval L2 in the second direction Y, are periodically spaced at intervals L4, each of which is twice or more than the first interval L2 in the second direction Y, and each bulge 41 is formed between pairs of 30 oblong connected areas that are adjacent to each other in the second ION Y. In the present embodiment, each of the pairs of oblong bonded regions 30 is formed of a pair of oblong bonded regions 31 which are adjacent to each other with a shortest interval L2, forming in a second direction oriented array of bonded regions R.

[0102]

As illustrated in FIG. 25 and 26, in the side regions S of the composite sheet 10A, the bulges 41 are formed so that they are distributed in directions in the plane of the composite sheet 10A. The bulges 41 are arranged in a zigzag pattern. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the bulges 41 are arranged in such a way that they form arrays 4X containing bulges in the first direction, in which the plurality of bulges 41 are arranged sequentially along the first direction X with constant intervals, the arrays of the second bulges 41Y are arranged in which the plurality of bulges 41 are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y with constant intervals, and arrays 4XY containing bulges in the third direction, in which the set of bulges 41 are arranged sequentially along t etego direction which is inclined with respect to both the first direction X and second direction Y, with regular intervals. In addition, the positions of the bulges 41 in the second-convex bulges 4Y, which are adjacent to each other in the first X direction, are offset from each other in the second Y direction by half a step, and the positions of the bulges 41 in the first-bulge arrays 4X, which are adjacent to each other in the second direction Y, are shifted from each other in the first direction X by half a step. The term "half step", as used herein, is the distance between the centers of the bulges 41 that are adjacent to each other in each of the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0103]

As illustrated in FIG. 26, 28 (a), and 28 (b), each of the bulges 41 formed in the side regions S of the composite sheet 10A is circular or elliptical in horizontal projection and has a hollow portion 41V on its rear side. The bulge 41 has a vertex in the center of the region, surrounded by six oblong connected regions 31.

In the lateral regions S of the composite sheet 10A, a second bulge 42, which is smaller than the bulge 41, is formed between oblong joined regions 31 that are adjacent to each other, with a short interval L2, forming a second convexity array of bulges R, and a third bulge 43 , which is smaller than the bulge 41, is formed between the connected regions 31, which are closest to each other in the second-oriented arrays of bulges R, which are adjacent to each other in the first m direction X, as illustrated in FIG. 27. Each bulge 41 and other bulges 41 adjacent thereto are separated from each other by a ring-shaped recess, which is formed by six connected regions surrounding the bulge 41, as well as second bulges 42 and bulges 43 located between the connected regions. Although the second bulges 42 and the third bulges 43 formally represent “bulges”, all of the second bulges 42 and the third bulges 43 are relatively smaller than the bulges 41, and thus, they can be considered as recesses in comparison with the bulges 41.

[0104]

FIG. 29 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 23, forming a side region of a portion of the first roller and the second roller, which are used to make the composite sheet 10A. In the lateral region-forming portions of the first roller and the second roller, which are used to make the composite sheet 10A, as the protuberances 141B of the second roller engage with the regions of the recess 141A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) is pushed into the first roller 111 , and a three-dimensional shape is formed corresponding to the bulges 41. In this case, in the second regions of the recess 142A of the first roller and the third regions of the recess 143A of the first roller, the first sheet 1 (not illustrated) draws I into the second regions of the recess 142A and the third regions of the recess 143A due to air being sucked into the first roller 1111 from the second regions of the recess 142A and the third regions of the recess 143A, and a three-dimensional shape is formed corresponding to the second bulges 42 and the third bulges 43. After this, the second sheet 2 is attached to the first sheet 1, which is given a three-dimensional shape, so that the desired composite sheet 10A is obtained.

[0105]

In addition, in the composite sheet 10A, the patterns of the formed connected regions differ between the middle region M and the pair of side regions S, and thus, the percentage of the area of the connected regions 31 in the side regions S is more than the percentage of the area of the connected regions 3 in the middle region M .

Thus, also in the case of the diaper according to the second embodiment, in which the composite sheet 10A is used as the top sheet, effects similar to those with the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment are achieved.

Regarding composite sheet 10A, the preferred difference intervals (Es - Em, percentage points) between the percentage of the area Es (%) of the connected areas in the side areas S and the percentage of the area Em (%) of the connected areas in the middle area M, the percentage of the area Em connected regions in the middle region M, the percentage of the area Es of the connected regions in the side regions S, the bending stiffness values of the side regions S and the middle region M, the relationship between the lengths in the first direction X of the connected regions 31, which are vlyayut bonded regions are elongated in the side areas S and bonded regions 3 in the middle region M, and other parameters are close to the corresponding parameters in the composite sheet 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0106]

Next, a disposable diaper according to a third embodiment will be described. Furthermore, in the composite sheet 10B, the top sheet of the disposable diaper according to the third embodiment, the shapes and patterns of the arrangement of the bulges in the middle region M are different from the corresponding shapes and patterns in the side regions S, as illustrated in FIG. thirty.

Next, the third embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the above first embodiment, and a description thereof similar to that of the first embodiment will not be given. The description of the first embodiment will extend to those aspects that will not be specifically described.

[0107]

In the middle region M of the composite sheet 10B, which is illustrated in FIG. 31, the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are laminated, partially join each other and form a plurality of connected regions 34, as in the middle region M of the aforementioned composite sheet 10. Accordingly, the first sheet 1 protrudes so that it is spaced apart from the second sheet 2 in its parts excluding the connected region 34 and forms a plurality of bulges 40C protruding towards the skin of the user. In the middle region M of the composite sheet 10B, the connected regions 34 are arranged in a lattice formed of a plurality of first array arrays of connected regions, in which a plurality of joined regions 34 are arranged in a row with a constant pitch along the first direction X and a plurality of lattice second arrays of connected regions in which a plurality of connected regions 34 are arranged in a row with a constant pitch along the second direction Y, and a bulge 40C formed in an almost cruciform shape A horizontal projection is formed in each region corresponding to a lattice cell surrounded by eight connected regions 34. Similar to the bulge 40 of the above composite sheet 10, the 4 ° C bulge includes a high bulge 41 ', which includes a hollow portion on its rear side, and forms the apex of the bulge 40C, and four low bulges 42 'are formed around the high bulge 41' in such a way that they join the high bulge 41 '. When the composite sheet 10B illustrated in FIG. 30 is used, for example, as the top sheet of the aforementioned disposable diaper 100 so that the first direction X corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the article Xa, four low bulges 42 'formed around the high bulge 41' extend in a direction that is inclined with respect to each from the longitudinal direction of the product Xa and the transverse direction of the product Ya.

[0108]

As illustrated in FIG. 32, in the side regions S of the composite sheet 10B, the first connected regions 31 in each case are rectangular in shape that is oblong in the first X direction, and the square second connected regions 32, in which the length in the second Y direction is the same as the length of the first connected regions 31, but in which the length in the first direction X is less than the length of the first connected regions 31, are formed as connected regions formed by partially joining the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are yayutsya laminated. In the lateral regions S of the composite sheet 10B, average continuous bulges 40 continuously extending in the second direction Y are formed in a plurality of rows at constant intervals in the first direction X, like bulges formed by the first sheet 1, protruding so that it is at a distance from the second of sheet 2. Each of the middle continuous bulges 40 is formed by connecting the first bulges 41 and the second bulges 42, which are alternately arranged in the second direction Y. The first bulges 41 and the second bulges flaps 42 forming medium continuous bulges 40, respectively, have hollow portions on their rear side, and hollow portions on the rear side of the first bulges 41 and hollow portions on the rear side of the second bulges 42 are continuously formed to form continuous hollow portions continuously passing in the second direction Y on the rear side of the medium continuous bulges 40. In the lateral regions S of the composite sheet 10B, unembossed regions N extending in the second direction Y and not having a connected region extending in the second direction II, and the embossed regions E extending in the second direction and having connected regions in the regular pattern are alternately formed in the first direction X. In the embossed regions E, an un embossed bulge region 46 'is formed, each of which is surrounded by two first connected regions 31 and four second connected area 32.

[0109]

In addition, in the composite sheet 10B, the patterns of the formed connected regions differ between the middle region M and the pair of side regions S, and thus, the percentage of the area of the connected regions 31 and 32 in the side regions S is more than the percentage of the area of the connected regions 34 in the middle area M.

Thus, in the case of the diaper according to the third embodiment, in which the composite sheet 10B is used as the top sheet, effects similar to those of the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment are achieved.

Regarding composite sheet 10B and composite sheet 10C, which will be described later, the preferred difference intervals (Es - Em, percentage points) between the percentage of the area Es (%) of the connected areas in the side regions S and the percentage of the area Em (%) of the connected areas in the middle region M, the percentage of the area Em of the joined regions in the middle region of M, the percentage of the area Es of the joined regions in the side regions S, the values of the bending stiffness of the side regions S and the middle region M, the ratio between the lengths the x direction X of the connected regions 31, which are oblong connected regions in the side regions S and connected regions 3 in the middle region M, and other parameters are close to the corresponding parameters in the composite sheet 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0110]

Next, a disposable diaper according to a fourth embodiment will be described. Furthermore, in the composite sheet 10C forming the top sheet of the disposable diaper according to the fourth embodiment, the shapes and patterns of the arrangement of the bulges in the middle region M are different from the corresponding shapes and patterns in the side regions S, as illustrated in FIG. 33.

Next, the fourth embodiment will be described mainly with respect to the differences from the above first embodiment, and a description thereof similar to that of the first embodiment will not be given. The description of the first embodiment will extend to those aspects that will not be specifically described.

[0111]

FIG. 34 is an enlarged horizontal projection of a portion near the boundary between the middle region M and one of the side regions S of the composite sheet 10C illustrated in FIG. 33. FIG. 35 (a) to 35 (c) are cross-sectional images drawn along the line Va-Va, a cross-sectional image drawn along the lines Vb-Vb, and a cross-sectional image drawn along the line Vc-Vc in FIG. 34, which are cross-sectional images of a 1 ° C composite sheet in the middle region M.

As illustrated in FIG. 33-35, the middle region M of the composite sheet 1 ° C is such that the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are laminated, partially join each other and form a plurality of connected regions 331 and 332. In addition, the first sheet 1, in in its parts excluding the connected regions, it acts so that it is at a distance from the second sheet 2 and forms a middle continuous convexity 40M, the third convexity 343 and the fourth convexity 344, which are convexities protruding towards the skin of the user.

Medium continuous bulges 40M extend in the second Y direction and are formed in a plurality of rows at intervals in the first X direction. Third bulges 343 are formed so that they are distributed at intervals in the first X direction and the second Y direction. Each of the fourth bulges 344 is formed between the middle continuous a bulge of 40M and a third bulge of 343.

[0112]

As illustrated in FIG. 34 and 35 (a), each of the middle continuous bulges 40M is formed by connecting the first bulges 341 and the second bulges 342, which are alternately arranged in the second direction Y. The first bulges 341 and the second bulges 342 forming the middle continuous bulges 40M, respectively, have hollow parts on its back side. The mean continuous bulges 40M are preferably such that the hollow portions on the rear side of the first bulges 341 and the hollow portions on the rear side of the second bulges 342 are continuously arranged to form continuous hollow portions 40V continuously extending in the second Y direction on the rear side of the middle continuous bulges 40M. In addition, it is preferable that the hollow portions 43V are formed on the rear side of the third bulges 343.

All of the first bulges 341 and the second bulges 342, which form the middle continuous bulges 40M, are elliptical on a horizontal projection. The major axis of each of the elliptical first bulges 341 corresponds to the first X direction, and the major axis of each of the elliptical second bulges 342 corresponds to the second Y direction. In addition, the first bulges 341, the second bulges 342 and the third bulges 343 are preferably formed in this case in each case. which has a vertex in a cross section drawn along the first direction X, and preferably each bulge is formed in a shape that has a vertex in both cross sections drawn along the first a direction X and second direction Y. Each of the fourth convexes 344 has a substantially flat top surface, but acts in such a way that it is higher than the upper surfaces of the two second bonded regions 332 having this fourth protuberance 344 extending therebetween.

[0113]

In the middle region M of the composite sheet 1 ° C, first connected regions 331 are formed which are arranged at predetermined intervals and preferably at regular intervals in the first X direction, and second connected regions 332 that are arranged at shorter intervals than in the case of the first connected regions 331 in the first direction X. The first connected regions 331 and the second connected regions 332 are formed in a plurality of rows in the second direction Y. As illustrated in FIG. 34, in the middle region M of the composite sheet 1 ° C, the longitudinally oriented first arrays of connected regions R3x, in which the first connected regions 331 are arranged in series along the first X direction, and the laterally oriented first arrays of connected regions R3y, in which the first connected regions 331 are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, are formed, respectively, in many rows, and the second arrays oriented in the longitudinal direction of the connected regions R4x, in of which the second connected regions 332 are arranged in series along the first direction X, and the laterally oriented second arrays of connected regions R4y, in which the second connected regions 332 are arranged in series along the second direction Y, are formed respectively in a plurality of rows.

[0114]

In the middle region M of the composite sheet 1 ° C, embossed regions E, in each of which a laterally oriented first array of connected regions R3y is located between two laterally oriented second array of joined regions R4y that are adjacent to each other, and non-embossed regions N, each of which is a region located between laterally oriented second arrays of connected regions R4y that are adjacent to each other, not including connected regions and 331 and 332, are alternately formed in the first direction X, and each of the middle continuous bulges 40M is formed in such a way that its center in the first direction extending in the second direction Y is positioned so as to correspond to the center in the first direction of the un embossed regions N. The first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 are compressed as a whole during embossing in the first connected areas 331 and the second connected areas 332, so that the first sheet and the second sheet simultaneously become denser in these connected areas than any other parts. Preferably, the first sheet and the second sheet are joined by fusion to each other by melting the polymer, which is a material of one or both of the first sheet and the second sheet, and hardening the polymer after melting.

[0115]

Medium continuous bulges 40M continuously extend in the second Y direction, and have small width parts arranged regularly in the second Y direction. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 34, a first convexity 341 of an average continuous convexity 40M is formed between a pair of first connected regions 331 facing each other, with an unembossed region N located between them, and a second convexity 342 of an average continuous convexity 40M is formed in a region surrounded by a total of four second connected region 332, including two pairs of second connected regions 332 facing each other, with an unembossed region N located between them. The lengths in the direction along the first direction X are such that the length L42 of the second convexity 342 is less than the length L41 of the first convex 341. In the average continuous convexity 40M, the portion formed from the second convexity 342 is a narrowed portion whose width is less (length in the first direction X is less) than that of the part formed from the first bulge 341.

[0116]

In the middle region M of the composite sheet 10C illustrated in FIG. 34, two longitudinally oriented second arrays of connected regions R4x are present between the longitudinally oriented first arrays of connected regions R3x that are adjacent to each other in the second Y direction, but the first arrays of longitudinally connected joined regions R3x and the longitudinally oriented second arrays of connected regions R4x may alternately be located in the second direction Y. In addition, in this case, the length in the first direction X of the first connected region 331 is preferably the same as or is greater than the length in the first direction X of the second bonded region 332, and the length in the second direction Y of the first bonded region 331 is preferably the same as or is greater than the length in the second direction Y of the second bonded region 332.

[0117]

As illustrated in FIG. 33, 34, and 36, the side regions S of the composite sheet 1 ° C are such that the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2, which are laminated, partially join each other and form a plurality of connected regions 231 and 232. In addition, the first sheet 1, in its parts excluding the connected regions, it acts so that it is at a distance from the second sheet 2 and forms continuous lateral bulges 40S, third bulges 243, fourth bulges 244 and fifth bulges 245, which are bulges protruding in the direction to the skin of the user. Lateral continuous bulges 40S extend in the second Y direction and are formed in a plurality of rows at intervals in the first X direction. Third bulges 243 are formed so that they are distributed at intervals in the first X direction and the second Y direction. Each of the fourth bulges 244 is formed between the lateral continuous the bulge 40S and the third bulge 243, and each of the fifth bulges 245 is formed between the first connected regions 231, which are adjacent to each other in the second direction Y.

[0118]

As illustrated in FIG. 34 and 36 (a), each of the lateral continuous bulges 40S is formed by connecting the first bulges 241 and the second bulges 242, which are alternately arranged in the second direction Y. The first bulges 241 and the second bulges 242 forming the lateral continuous bulges 40S, respectively, have hollow parts on its back side. The lateral continuous bulges 40S are preferably such that the hollow portions on the rear side of the first bulges 241 and the hollow portions on the rear side of the second bulges 242 are continuously arranged to form continuous hollow portions 40V continuously extending in the second direction Y on the rear side of the lateral continuous bulges 40S. In addition, it is preferable that the hollow portions 43V are formed on the rear side of the third bulges 243.

All of the first bulges 241 and the second bulges 242, which form the continuous lateral bulges 40S, are elliptical on a horizontal projection. The major axis of each of the elliptical first bulges 241 and second bulges 242 corresponds to the first direction X. The first, second, and third bulges 241, 242, and 243 of the lateral continuous bulges 40S may be circular on a horizontal projection. In addition, the first convexes 241, the second convexes 242, and the third convexes 243 in each case are preferably formed in a shape that has a vertex in a cross section drawn along the first direction X, and preferably each convex is formed in a shape that has a vertex in both cross sections drawn along the first direction X and the second direction Y. Each of the fourth bulges 244 has an upper surface that projects so that it is taller than the upper surfaces of two watts of the other connected regions 232 between which this fourth bulge 244 is located, and each of the fifth bulges 245 has an upper surface that projects so that it is higher than the upper surfaces of the first two connected regions 231 between which this fifth bulge 245 is located.

[0119]

In addition, in the side regions S of the composite sheet 1 ° C, first connected regions 231 are formed that are spaced at predetermined intervals and preferably at regular intervals in the first X direction, and second connected regions 232 that are spaced at shorter intervals than the intervals between the first joined areas 231 in the first direction X. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 34, in the lateral regions S of the composite sheet 1 ° C, the longitudinally oriented first arrays of connected regions R5x, in which the first connected regions 231 are arranged in series along the first X direction, and the laterally oriented first arrays of connected regions R5y, in which the first connected regions 231 are arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, are formed, respectively, in a plurality of rows, and second arrays oriented in the longitudinal direction of the connected regions R6x, in which the second connected regions 232 are arranged in series along the first direction X, and the laterally oriented second arrays of connected regions R6y, in which the second connected regions 232 are arranged in series along the second direction Y, are formed, respectively, in a plurality of rows.

[0120]

In addition, in the side regions S of the composite sheet 1 ° C, the side embossed regions SE, in each of which the laterally oriented first array of connected regions R5y is located between the two laterally oriented second arrays of connected regions R6y that are adjacent to each other, and lateral non-embossed regions SN, each of which is a region located between laterally oriented second arrays of connected regions R6y that are adjacent to each other and do not include the connected regions 231 and 232, are alternately formed in the first direction X, and each of the continuous lateral bulges 40S is formed so that its center in the first direction extending in the second direction Y is located so that it corresponds to the center in the first direction side non-embossed region SN. The first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 are compressed as a whole by embossing in the first connected areas 231 and the second connected areas 232 so that the first sheet and the second sheet simultaneously become denser in these connected areas than in any other parts. Preferably, the first sheet and the second sheet are joined by fusion to each other by melting the polymer, which is a material of one or both of the first sheet and the second sheet, and hardening the polymer after melting.

[0121]

As in the case of medium continuous bulges 40M, the lateral continuous bulges 40S continuously extend in the second direction Y and have parts with a small width regularly arranged in the second direction Y, as illustrated in FIG. 34. The length in the first direction X of the first connected region 231 is preferably the same or greater than the length in the first direction X of the second connected region 232, and the length in the second direction Y of the first connected region 231 is preferably the same or greater than the length in the second direction Y of the second connected region 232.

[0122]

In the middle region M of the composite sheet 1 ° C, the fourth bulges 344 are smaller than any bulge of the first bulges 341, the second bulges 342 and the third bulges 343.

In addition, when the height of the first bulge 341 is taken equal to H1, the height of the second bulge 342 is taken equal to H2, the height of the third bulge 343 is taken equal to H3 and the height of the fourth bulge 344 is taken equal to H4, these heights satisfy the relations (1) - (3) below.

(1) H1≥H3

(2) H3≥H2

(3) H2> H4

[0123]

In the lateral regions S of the composite sheet 1 ° C, the fourth bulges 244 and the fifth bulges 45 are smaller than any bulge of the first bulges 241, the second bulges 242 and the third bulges 243. Also, when the height of the first bulge 241 is assumed to be H1, the height of the second bulge 242 is taken equal to H2, the height of the third bulge 243 is taken equal to H3, the height of the fourth bulge 244 is taken equal to H4, and the height of the fifth bulge 245 is taken equal to H5, these heights satisfy the relations (1) - (3) below.

(1) H1≥H3

(2) H3≥H2

(3) H2> H4 and H2> H5

[0124]

In addition, in the 1 ° C composite sheet, the patterns of the formed connected regions differ between the middle region M and the pair of side regions S, and thus the percentage of the area of the connected regions 231 and 232 in the side regions S is more than the percentage of the area of the connected regions 331 and 332 in the middle region M.

Thus, also in the case of the diaper according to the third embodiment, in which the composite sheet 1 ° C is used as the top sheet, effects similar to those with the diaper 100 according to the first embodiment are achieved.

[0125]

In addition, in the composite sheet 10C, as illustrated in FIG. 33 and 34, both the first bulges 341, which are bulges having a maximum height in the middle region M, and the first bulges 241, which are bulges having a maximum height in the side regions S, are periodically formed in the first direction X, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the product of the composite sheet 10C, and the first bulges 341 and the first bulges 241 are formed in positions that differ from each other in the first direction X.

More specifically, in composite sheet 10C, the step (which is the same as the distance between the center lines Cm, see FIG. 33) in the first direction X between the first bulges 341 in the middle region M is the same as the step (which is such the same as the distance between the center lines Cs, see Fig. 33) in the first X direction between the first convexes 241 in the side regions S, and the first convexes 341 in the middle region M and the first convexes 241 in the side regions S are alternately formed in the first direction X Accordingly, the provisions in the first m direction X of all first convexes 341 in the middle region M differ from the positions of the first convexes 241 in the lateral regions S. It is preferable that the convexes having a maximum height (first convexes 341) in the middle region M and the convexes having a maximum height (first convexes 241 ) in the lateral regions S, are formed with a constant step (distance between the centers) in the first direction X.

[0126]

Since the positions of the bulges having a maximum height differ between the middle region M and the side regions S, the bulges having a maximum height do not overlap, and thus the absorbent article including the composite sheet 10C easily bends along parts, respectively, close to the boundaries between the bulges forming patterns of the middle region M and the lateral regions S in the composite sheet 10C. Accordingly, the absorbent article is prone to more smoothly transform into a boat-like shape, and leakage prevention characteristics, etc., are improved.

In order to more reliably achieve this effect, bulges having a maximum height in the middle region M and bulges having a maximum height in the side regions S are preferably arranged alternately in the first direction X, but bulges having a maximum height in regions M and S may form according to a figure in which a plurality of bumps (two bumps) having a maximum height that are adjacent to each other in a first direction in the side regions S, are located between two bumps having a maxim height, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction in the middle region M, a pattern in which two convexes having a maximum height, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction in the middle region M, are located between two convexes having a maximum height, which adjoin each other in the first direction in the side regions S, etc. In addition, it is also possible to modify the embodiment according to which, in the crotch part C, the positions in the first direction X of the bulges having the maximum heights differ between the middle region M and the lateral regions S, while in one or both of the front part A and the rear part B, the positions in the first direction X of the bulges having a maximum height in the middle region M are the same as for bulges in the side regions S, and the like.

In addition, in the composite sheet 10B according to the third embodiment described above, the positions of the bulges having a maximum height differ between the middle region M and the side regions S.

[0127]

In addition, in the composite sheet 1 ° C, the above average continuous convexities 40M extend in the second Y direction and are formed in a plurality of rows in the first X direction in the middle region M, the lateral continuous convexities 40S described above extend in the second Y direction and form in the plural rows in the first direction X in the lateral regions S, and the average continuous convexities 40M and the lateral continuous convexities 40S are alternately arranged in the first direction X.

Accordingly, the average continuous bulges 40M in the middle region M and the lateral continuous bulges 40S in the lateral regions S do not overlap with each other, and thus the absorbent article including the 1 ° C composite sheet is easily bent along parts, respectively, near the boundaries between the bulges forming patterns of the middle region M and the side regions S in the composite sheet 10C, and the sides of the absorbent element and are easily lifted. Accordingly, the absorbent article is prone to deformation into a boat-like shape with greater reliability, and leakage prevention characteristics and other properties when the user wears a diaper are further improved.

[0128]

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 33, the composite sheet 1 ° C has, at its border between the middle region M and each lateral region S, a boundary region K, in which there are simultaneously average continuous bulges 40M in the middle region M and lateral continuous bulges 40S in the lateral region S, and middle the continuous convexities 40M and the lateral continuous convexities 40S are alternately located in the first direction X in the boundary region K. More specifically, in the boundary region K, the lateral continuous convexity 40S is located between the average continuous convexes 40M, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction X, and an average continuous convexity 40M is located between the lateral continuous convexities 40S, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction X. In addition, a zigzag pattern is formed by alternately connecting the ends on one side in the second direction Y of the average continuous bulges 40M and ends on one side in the second direction Y of the lateral continuous bulges 40S, which are located along the first X direction in the boundary region K.

Since the boundary region K, in which all of the medium continuous bulges 40M and the lateral continuous bulges 40S extend in the second direction Y, is present at the boundary between the middle region M and the lateral region S, the composite sheet 1 ° C easily bends along the boundary region K, and the shape the bumps can also be maintained in the boundary region K. Accordingly, the propagation of the liquid along the fold line can be suppressed, and leakage prevention characteristics when the user wears prisoner.

[0129]

The composite sheet 1 ° C can be made in the same way as the composite sheet 10 described above, except that the first roller and the second roller are used, in which the tooth tips are combined, as illustrated in FIG. 37. In FIG. 37, the tips of the teeth, represented by small dots, represent predetermined positions for the formation of connected areas in the middle region or side regions of the manufactured composite sheet 10C.

[0130]

It is preferred that the disposable diaper according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible area BM, in which a plurality of elastic elements 19 are located at least in the center in the transverse direction of the back portion B, as in the disposable diaper 100A illustrated in FIG. 38.

Locking tapes 17 in the disposable diaper 100A illustrated in FIG. 38, in each case, consist of a tape base material 17a and a male Velcro type mechanical fastener element that attaches to the tape main material 17a to form a connecting portion 17c, and a receiving zone 18 is formed by attaching a female Velcro type mechanical fastener female element and an easily attached non-woven fabric to the bottom sheet 13. A portion of the tape base material 17a of the fixing tape 17 forms a fixing part 17b that is fixed between the bottom sheet 13 and the preventing the cuff forming sheet 15. A plurality of threadlike or fibrous elastic elements 19 that compress the diaper 100A in the transverse direction Ya are spaced in the longitudinal direction Xa of the diaper 100A between the left and right retaining bands 17. It is preferable that the plurality of elastic elements 19 is arranged as an elastic sheet 19s fixed between two sheets of a nonwoven fabric or parts of a double folded nonwoven fabric, and the ends of the elastic sheet 19s or the ends are elastic x the elements 19 that are contained in the elastic sheet 19s overlap the fixing parts 17b. In addition, it is preferable that the elastic elements 19 are arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the product Xa. The connecting parts 17c of the fixing tapes 17 may also be adhesive parts or similar parts formed by applying a binder to the tape base materials 17a. As the tape base materials 17a, known materials of various types, such as a nonwoven fabric, can be used.

[0131]

The top sheet 12 of the disposable diaper 100A illustrated in FIG. 38 is formed from the composite sheet 10X, in which the average continuous bulges 40M extend in the second direction Y and are formed in a plurality of rows at intervals in the first direction X in the middle region M of the composite sheet, as in the above-described composite sheet 10C.

Preferably, in the composite sheet 10X described above, the average continuous bulges 40M continuously extending in the second Y direction extend in the second Y direction and are formed in a plurality of rows in the region of the elastic elements BM. Preferably, when the width of each average continuous convexity 40M is taken equal to P1, the interval between the elastic elements 19 is taken equal to P2, and the interval between the centers of the average continuous convexity 40M is taken equal to P3, as illustrated in FIG. 39, the relation P1 <P2 <P3 is satisfied. the width P1 of each average continuous convexity 40M is the width in the direction along the first X direction. If the connected regions 332, each pair of which is located in a relatively narrow interval, and the connected regions 331, each pair of which is located in a relatively narrow interval, are present as pairs of connected regions facing each other with an average continuous bulge 40M located between them, as illustrated in FIG. 39, the distance between the connected regions 332, each pair of which is located in a less wide interval, is adopted as the width P1 of each average continuous convexity 40M. In addition, the area of the elastic elements BM is preferably such that it is wider in the transverse direction than the middle region M of the composite sheet. Although FIG. 39 represents the case in which the composite sheet forming the top sheet 12 is the composite sheet 10C, the same condition applies to the case in which the composite sheet having a different structure in which the average continuous bulges are located in the middle region M is used as top sheet 12.

[0132]

Many elastic elements 19 are intended to improve the fit of the rear part B by compressing the diaper in the transverse direction. However, if the average continuous convexities 40M of the composite sheet 10X forming the top sheet 12, which is positioned so that it overlaps the area of the elastic elements BM, in which there are many elastic elements 19, and the elastic elements 19 satisfy the above ratio, the shape of the average continuous convexities 40M easily retained even when the rear portion B of the diaper 100, in particular its portion, which extends from the absorbent element 14 toward the rear end, is compressed along by means of elastic elements 19 in a second direction Y along the transverse direction Ya of the article. Accordingly, the dampness prevention effect in the rear portion B is improved, and the liquid leakage prevention effect on the rear portion B side is also improved.

In addition, since the average continuous bulges 40M described above have small width parts regularly located in the second direction Y, the compression of the medium continuous bulges 40M can be made regular, and the dampness preventing effect in the rear portion B is improved. In addition, a density gradient of the fiber occurs at a mean continuous convexity of 40M, and the liquid absorption properties and the leakage prevention effect are improved.

[0133]

The present invention has been described above by means of preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, for the top sheet of an absorbent article, the structure of the middle region M in one of the above-described composite sheets 10 and 10A-1 ° C can be used as the structure of the middle region M in other sheets, and the structure of the side regions S in one of the above-described composite sheets 10 and 10A-1 ° C can be used as the structure of the structure of the side regions S in other sheets. For example, it is possible to use a composite sheet in which the structure of the middle region M is the same as a given structure in the composite sheet 10 and the structure of the side regions S is the same as this structure in the composite sheet 10B, a composite sheet in which the middle structure region M is the same as this structure in the composite sheet 10B, and the structure of the side regions S is the same as this structure in the composite sheet 10 or in the composite sheet 10A and the like.

[0134]

In addition, as elastic elements that compress the absorbent product in the longitudinal direction of the product, which is its longitudinal direction, there may be only elastic elements 15a that form a leak-proof cuff, or elastic elements 16 that form the cuffs located on the legs. In addition, the elastic elements 15a that form the cuff leakage prevention and the elastic elements 16 that form the cuffs located on the legs can in each case be formed in one row or in many rows, on each of the left and right sides of the absorbent article. In addition, there may be no elastic elements that compress the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction of the article, which is its longitudinal direction.

[0135]

The absorbent article of the present invention may be a stretchable disposable diaper instead of an open type disposable diaper, or it may be a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad, a panty liner or the like.

[0136]

With respect to the above embodiments, the present invention further describes the following absorbent article.

<1>

An absorbent article comprising an upper sheet formed from a composite sheet, a lower sheet and an absorbent element located between the upper sheet and the lower sheet,

in which the composite sheet has a first direction extending along the longitudinal direction of the product, and a second direction extending along the transverse direction of the product, the first sheet and the second sheet that are laminated partially join each other to form a plurality of connected regions, and the first sheet in its parts, excluding connected areas, acts in such a way that it is located at a distance from the second sheet and forms bulges protruding towards the skin of the user,

the composite sheet has a middle region and a pair of side regions located on both sides of the middle region, the pattern of the arrangement of the bulges in the middle region differs from the pattern of the arrangement of the bulges in the side regions, and

the percentage of the area of the connected areas in the side areas is more than the percentage of the area of the connected areas in the middle area.

[0137]

<2>

The absorbent article of claim <1>, wherein the difference (Es - Em, percentage points) between the percentage of the area Es (%) of the connected areas in the side areas and the percentage of the area Em (%) of the connected areas in the middle area is preferably 5% or more, and more preferably 10% or more.

<3>

The absorbent article of claim <1> or <2>, wherein the percentage of the area Es of the connected regions in the side regions is preferably 5% or more, and more preferably 10% or more, and is preferably 50% or less, and more preferably 30% or less, provided that Es is more than a percentage of the area Em.

<4>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <3>, in which the percentage of the area Em (%) of the connected regions in the middle region is preferably 30% or less, and more preferably 20% or less, and is preferably 3% or more, and more preferably 5% or more provided that Em is less than a percentage of the area Es.

<5>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <4>, in which the bulges having a maximum height in the middle region, and such bulges in the lateral regions have the same height.

[0138]

<6>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <5>, in which all or some of the connected regions formed in the side regions are elongated connected regions in which the length in the longitudinal direction of the article is more than the length of any of the connected regions formed in the middle region.

<7>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <6>, in which the connected areas formed in the side regions include elongated connected areas in which the length in the first direction X is more than the length of any of the connected areas formed in the middle region and the length of the elongated connected areas is preferably 1.2 times or more, and preferably 1.5 times or more, and preferably 5 times or less, and preferably 3.5 times or less in the first direction X of the connected regions 3 having the longest length in the first e.g. education and educated in the middle region M.

<8>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <7>, in which the bulges are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the middle region, and the bulges or ring-shaped continuous bulges, each of which is formed by connecting the bulges in a ring shape, are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the side regions.

<9>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <8>, in which the connected regions in the middle region are arranged in the form of a lattice formed of a plurality of first array arrays of connected regions, in which a plurality of connected regions are arranged sequentially in the form of a straight line at intervals, and a plurality of second array arrays connected areas, in which many connected areas are arranged sequentially in the form of a straight line at intervals, and bulges are formed in areas proportional to the cells of the lattice.

<10>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <9>, in which each of the bulges formed in the middle region includes a high bulge that has a hollow portion on its back side, and a bulge peak is formed, and four low bulges that form around the high bulge in this way that they join a high bulge.

[0139]

<11>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <10>, in which the absorbent element includes an absorbent core and a core wrapping sheet that is wrapped around the absorbent core, the absorbent core has cutouts or pierced portions having the form of recesses in a horizontal projection in which the material for forming the absorbent core is not placed , respectively, on both sides of the crotch portion of the absorbent article, and the side regions of the composite sheet, respectively, completely or partially overlap cutouts or permeations nnye portion shaped recesses.

<12>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <11>, in which the cuff leakage preventing sheets in which the elastic elements are attached to their inner edges are arranged on both sides, along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and the inner edges of the sheets are attached to the side regions.

<13>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <12>, in which the middle region and the side regions located on both sides of the middle region are formed at least in the crotch portion in the longitudinal direction of the article, the middle region having different convexities than the side regions.

<14>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <13>, in which the middle region and the side regions located on both sides of the middle region are formed along the entire length of the absorbent element in the longitudinal direction of the product, the middle region having different convexities than the side regions.

<15>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <14>, in which the surface, which is located on the side of the second sheet, of all regions, including the middle region and the side regions, is almost flat.

[0140]

<16>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <15>, in which the first sheet and the second sheet are a nonwoven fabric.

<17>

The absorbent article of claim <16>, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a surface density of preferably 10 g / m ² or more, and more preferably 15 g / m ² or more, and preferably 40 g / m ² or less, and more preferably 35 g / m ² or less.

<18>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <17>, in which, in the connected areas formed by partially joining the first sheet and the second sheet that are laminated, the first sheet and the second sheet are compressed as a whole, and the first sheet and the second sheet simultaneously become denser in compared to parts that are not connected areas.

<19>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <18>, in which each of the cells of the lattice, in which, respectively, bulges are formed, is surrounded by eight connected regions 3.

<20>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <19>, in which each angle (see FIG. 7) that the first arrays of connected regions LR1 form and the second arrays of connected regions LR2 form a lattice is preferably from 30 ° to 165 °, more preferably from 45 ° to 150 °, and even more preferably from 90 ° to 120 °.

[0141]

<21>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <20>, which is surrounded by a total of eight connected areas, including two first connected areas 31, which are adjacent to each other in the first array of connected areas R1, a total of four second connected areas 32 in two second arrays of connected areas R2, which are located on both sides of the first array of connected regions R1, and two third connected regions 33 in two third arrays of connected regions R3, which are located outside two second arrays of connected regions R2.

<22>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <21>, in which each of the bulges formed in the middle region has a high bulge and a plurality of low bulges that are formed around the high bulge in such a way that they are attached to the high bulge, and, on a horizontal projection of the composite sheet, the high convexity of the bulge that surrounds the four second connected regions is round or elliptical, and the apex of the bulge is formed in the center of the region surrounded by the four second joined regions.

<23>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <22>, in which each of the bulges formed in the middle region is inclined in such a way that a pair of first low bulges and a pair of second low bulges are connected around a high bulge, the first low bulges are located between two second connected regions facing each other to each other in the first direction X, and the second low bulges are located between two second connected areas facing each other in the second direction Y.

<24>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <23>, in which the positions and shapes of the bulges are different for the middle region and a pair of side regions of the composite sheet.

<25>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <24>, in which, in the lateral regions of the composite sheet, the first bulges, the second bulges and the third bulges, which are three types of bulges having correspondingly different heights, are formed on the first sheet forming the side regions.

[0142]

<26>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <25>, in which the first bulges, the second bulges and the third bulges are formed in the side regions, and when the height of each of the first bulges is taken to be H1, the height of each of the second bulges is taken to be H2, and the height of each of the third bulges taken equal to H3, these heights satisfy the relation H1≥H2> H3.

<27>

The absorbent article according to <26>, wherein the height H1 of each of the first bulges, the height H2 of each of the second bulges, and the height H3 of each of the third bulges satisfy the relation H1> H2> H3.

<28>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <25> - <27>, in which the first bulges and the second bulges are simultaneously almost circular on the horizontal projection, and the diameter of the circumference of the first bulges is more than that of the second bulges.

<29>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <25> - <28>, in which the first bulges and the second bulges in each case take a shape that has a vertex in both cross sections drawn along the first X direction and the second Y direction, and the third bulges 43 in each case are almost rectangular a shape that is oblong in the first X direction on a horizontal projection.

<30>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <29>, in which annular continuous bulges are present in the lateral regions, of which each is formed by joining one or more first bulges and one or more second bulges.

[0143]

<31>

An absorbent article according to <30>,

in which each of the annular continuous convexities has a pair of first convexity groups, each of which consists of three first convexities, which are located along the first direction X, occupying positions axially symmetric with respect to the center line connecting the centers of the two second convexities, which are located in this way, that they are spaced apart in a first direction on a horizontal projection of the composite sheet, and

the first three bulges forming each of the first bulge groups join each other along the first direction X.

<32>

An absorbent article according to <30> or <31>, in which a central bulge is formed practically in the center of the ring of each of the ring-shaped continuous bulges.

<33>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <29> - <32>,

in which the lateral regions have third bulges, and

the height H4 of each of the central bulges is substantially the same as the height H2 of each of the second bulges, and the height H4 of each of the central bulges is more than the height H3 of each of the third bulges.

<34>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <29> - <33>, in which the second bulge, the third bulge, the central bulge and the third bulge are arranged in this sequence regularly and in the form of a straight line along the first direction X, which is one direction from the directions in the plane of the composite sheet.

<35>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <34>, the composite sheet has a higher bending stiffness in the side regions than in the middle region.

[0144]

<36>

The absorbent article of claim <35>, wherein the ratio of bending stiffness in the side regions and bending stiffness in the middle region is preferably 1.1 or more, and more preferably 1.2 or more.

<37>

An absorbent article according to <35> or <36>, wherein the bending stiffness in the side regions is preferably 10 cN or more, and more preferably 15 cN or more, and preferably 50 cN or less, and more preferably 40 cN or less, provided that the bending stiffness is more than the bending stiffness in the middle region M.

<38>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <35> - <37>, in which the bending stiffness in the middle region M is preferably 40 cN or less, and more preferably 30 cN or less, and preferably 5 cN or more, and more preferably 10 cN or more, provided that that the bending stiffness is less than the bending stiffness in the side regions.

<39>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <9> - <38>, in which the first array arrays of connected regions LR1 and the second array arrays of connected regions LR2 are arranged in such a way that the pitch between the connected regions (the distance between the center points) P1 of the arrays of connected regions is preferably 1.1- multiple or more, and preferably 1.5 times or more, is preferably 10 times or less, and more preferably 5 times or less, the shortest distance LL between connected regions that are adjacent to each other.

<40>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <39>, in which each of the bulges formed in the middle region has a shape in which the low bulges extend in four directions from the high bulge in the center.

[0145]

<41>

The absorbent article of claim <40>, wherein the composite sheet has, as four low bulges forming a bulge, a pair of first low bulges extending from a high bulge in one direction from directions in the sheet plane, and a pair of second low bulges extending from high convexity in a direction perpendicular to one direction from directions in the sheet plane, and the distance L4 from the high convexity to the outer end of the first low convexities is more than such a distance for toryh lower bulges.

<42>

An absorbent article according to <40> or <41>, in which the high bulge has, at its border with each of the low bulges, a cavity that deepens inside the bulge.

<43>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <42>, in which both of the plurality of bulges having a maximum height in the middle region and the plurality of bulges having a maximum height in the side regions are periodically formed in the first direction of the composite sheet, and the bulges having a maximum height in the middle region and bulges having a maximum height in the side regions are formed at positions that differ from each other in the first direction.

<44>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <43>, in which, in the composite sheet, the average continuous bulges extend in the second direction Y and are formed in many rows in the first direction X in the middle region M, the lateral continuous bulges extend in the second direction Y and form in many rows in the first direction X in the lateral regions, and the middle continuous bulges and the lateral continuous bulges are alternately arranged in the first direction X.

<45>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <44>, in which the boundary region, in which there are simultaneously continuous average bulges and lateral continuous bulges, is located at the boundaries between the middle region and the lateral regions, and, in the boundary region, the medium continuous bulges and lateral continuous bulges are alternately located in the first direction X.

<46>

An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. <1> - <45>, used as a disposable diaper, which includes a front part that is on the front side of the user when the user wears a diaper, a back part that is on the back side of the user when the user wears the diaper, and a crotch part, located between the front and rear,

wherein a plurality of elastic elements that compress the disposable diaper in the transverse direction are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the disposable diaper at least in the center in the transverse direction of the back,

medium continuous bulges extend in the second direction and are formed in a plurality of rows with intervals in the first direction in the middle region of the composite sheet,

medium continuous bulges extend in the second direction and are formed in a plurality of rows in the region of the arrangement of the elastic elements in which the plurality of elastic elements are located, and

when the width of each of the average continuous bulges is taken equal to P1, the interval between the elastic elements is taken to be P2, and the interval between the centers of the middle continuous bulges is taken to be P3, the relation P1 <P2 <P3 is satisfied.

Industrial applicability

[0146]

The absorbent article according to the present invention easily bends along the boundaries between the middle region and the side regions of the top sheet, the absorbent article is prone to deform into a boat-like shape when the wearer is wearing the diaper, and thus excellent leakage prevention characteristics are obtained. In addition, excellent leak prevention characteristics are realized by creating patterns of bulges in the middle region and lateral regions that are different from each other, while bulges having a maximum height in the middle region and such bulges in the lateral regions have the same height, and, thus, even when the absorbent article is stored in a compressed state in the packaging bag, leakage prevention characteristics do not tend to deteriorate. It should be noted that a boat-like shape means a state in which the absorbent article is bent so that the diaper cross-section in the longitudinal direction has an arcuate shape in which the surface facing the skin is on the inside and the side regions of the top sheet are bent along the parts , respectively, near the boundaries between the lateral regions and the middle region and rise towards the skin of the user.

Claims (19)

1. An absorbent article comprising an upper sheet formed from a composite sheet, a lower sheet and an absorbent element located between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, in which the composite sheet has a first direction extending along the longitudinal direction of the product, and a second direction extending along the transverse direction of the product, the first sheet and the second sheet which are laminated partially join each other to form a plurality of connected regions and the first sheet in its parts , excluding connected areas, acts in such a way that it is at a distance from the second sheet and forms bulges protruding towards the skin of the user, the composite sheet has a middle region and a pair of side regions located on both sides of the middle region, the pattern of the location of the bulges in the middle region differs from the pattern of the location of the bulges in the side regions, the percentage of the area of the connected areas in the side areas is greater than the percentage of the area of the connected areas in the middle area, and bulges having a maximum height in the middle region, and such bulges in the lateral regions have the same height; however, all or some of the connected areas formed in the side regions are elongated connected areas in which the length in the longitudinal direction of the product is greater than the length of any of the connected areas formed in the middle region. 2. An absorbent product according to claim 1, wherein both of the plurality of bulges having a maximum height in the middle region and the plurality of bulges having a maximum height in the side regions are periodically formed in the first direction of the composite sheet, and the bulges having a maximum height in the middle areas, and bulges having a maximum height in the side areas, are formed in positions that differ from each other in the first direction. 3. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, in which, in the composite sheet, the average continuous bulges extend in the second direction and are formed in a plurality of rows in the first direction in the middle region, the lateral continuous bulges extend in the second direction and are formed in the plurality of rows in the first direction in the lateral regions and the middle continuous convexities and the lateral continuous convexities are alternately arranged in the first direction. 4. The absorbent product according to claim 3, in which the boundary region, in which there are simultaneously continuous average bulges and lateral continuous bulges, is located on the boundaries between the middle region and the lateral regions and, in the boundary region, the medium continuous bulges and lateral continuous bulges are alternately located in the first direction. 5. The absorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the bulges are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the middle region and the bulges or annular continuous bulges, each of which is formed by connecting the bulges in a ring shape, are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the side regions. 6. An absorbent product according to claim 1 or 5, in which the connected regions in the middle region are arranged in the form of a lattice, which comprises: a plurality of first array arrays of connected regions forming a lattice in which a plurality of connected regions are spaced in straight rows; and a plurality of lattice-forming second arrays of connected regions in which a plurality of connected regions are spaced in straight rows, and bulges are formed in regions commensurate with the lattice cells. 7. The absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, in which the absorbent element includes an absorbent core and a core-wrapping sheet that is wrapped around the absorbent core, the absorbent core has cutouts or pierced portions having the form of recesses in a horizontal projection in which the material for forming the absorbent core is not placed, respectively, on both the sides of the crotch portion of the absorbent article, and the side regions of the composite sheet, respectively, completely or partially overlap cutouts or perforated part shaped recesses. 8. The absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, containing an elastic element that compresses the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction of the article, which is the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. 9. The absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, in which the creep preventing cuff sheets, in which the elastic elements are attached to their inner edges, are located on both sides, along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and the inner edges of the sheets are attached to the side regions. 10. An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, 8 and 9, used as a disposable diaper that includes a front portion that is on the front side of the user when the user is wearing the diaper, a back portion that is on the back side of the user when the user is wearing the diaper, and a crotch portion, located between the front and rear, in which many elastic elements that compress the disposable diaper in the transverse direction are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the disposable diaper at least in the center in the transverse direction of the back, medium continuous bulges extend in the second direction and are formed in a plurality of rows with intervals in the first direction in the middle region of the composite sheet, medium continuous bulges extend in the second direction and are formed in a plurality of rows in the region of the arrangement of the elastic elements, in which there are many elastic elements, and, when the width of each of the average continuous bulges is taken equal to P1, the interval between the elastic elements is taken to be P2 and the interval between the centers of the middle continuous bulges is taken to be P3, the relation P1 <P2 <P3 is satisfied.

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