Aggregates of absorbent articles

Abstract

The present invention provides an aggregate of absorbent articles. The plurality of absorbent articles (1) constituting the aggregate (10) each have an identification region (20) having a color different from that of the peripheral portion and capable of being visually identified from the outside of the absorbent article (1). The aggregate (10) has an identification surface (10S) formed with an identification region row (21) in which the identification regions (20) of the plurality of absorbent articles (1) are arranged in one direction. In the identification region row (21), the colors of adjacent identification regions (20) are different from each other. On the identification surface (10S), there is a non-identification region (23) extending along the identification region row (21) in the same direction as the identification region row (21) and having as its main body a color different from the color of the identification region row (21). The color of the non-identification region (23) is common to each of the plurality of absorbent articles (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aggregate of absorbent articles in which a plurality of absorbent articles such as disposable diapers are stacked. Background Art

[0002] For a long time, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers are overlapped in a compactly folded state to form an aggregate, and a package of absorbent articles containing the aggregate of the absorbent articles in a bag-shaped packaging container is circulated in the market. In Patent Document 1, as such a package, it is recorded that an aggregate of disposable diapers with a color design applied to the entire area of ​​the outer sheet is prepared in multiple colors, and the aggregate is arranged and loaded in a packaging container that can be seen from the outside according to the color. As a specific example, it is recorded that the aggregate of three diapers with different color designs is stacked and loaded in three layers of the upper layer, the middle layer, and the lower layer in the package. Patent Document 2 records that in a package obtained by storing a plurality of independent packages in which absorbent articles are individually packaged with packaging sheets in a bag-shaped packaging container, the plurality of independent packages are distinguished by color using two coloring patterns, and the two independent packages with different colors are alternately arranged.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-285890

[0006] Patent Document 2: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 367290 Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to an aggregate of absorbent articles in which a plurality of absorbent articles are stacked.

[0008] In one embodiment of the absorbent article aggregate of the present invention, preferably, each of the plurality of absorbent articles has an identification region, the identification region has a color different from that of the peripheral portion and can be visually recognized from the outside of the absorbent article.

[0009] In one embodiment of the aggregate of absorbent articles of the present invention, it is preferred that the aggregate has an identification surface having an identification region row formed thereon in which the identification regions of the plurality of absorbent articles are aligned in one direction.

[0010] In one embodiment of the aggregate of absorbent articles of the present invention, it is preferred that in the identification region row, the colors of adjacent identification regions are different from each other.

[0011] In one embodiment of the absorbent article aggregate of the present invention, it is preferred that there is a non-recognition area on the recognition surface, extending along the recognition area row in the same direction as the recognition area row and mainly composed of a color different from the color of the recognition area row.

[0012] In one embodiment of the aggregate of absorbent articles of the present invention, it is preferred that the color of the non-identification region is common to each of the plurality of absorbent articles.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a package of absorbent articles including an aggregate of the absorbent articles of the present invention and a packaging container housing the aggregate therein.

[0014] Other features, effects and embodiments of the present invention are described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 The present invention schematically shows an embodiment of an aggregate of absorbent articles of the present invention, wherein the aggregation direction of the plurality of absorbent articles constituting the aggregate is aligned with the horizontal direction ( Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a state in which the device is stationary in a manner consistent with the left and right directions.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a schematic representation of Figure 1 The aggregate shown is arranged so that the aggregation direction of the plurality of absorbent articles constituting the aggregate is aligned with the vertical direction ( Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of a state in which the device is stationary in a manner consistent with the up and down directions.

[0017] Figure 3 It is schematically represented as a composition Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment of the aggregate absorbent article is a developed plan view of the skin-facing side (front sheet side) of the disposable diaper in the developed and stretched state.

[0018] Figure 4 It is schematically indicated Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the cross section of the diaper shown along the longitudinal center line indicated by the symbol CLx (a cross section along the thickness direction of the longitudinal center portion of the diaper).

[0019] Figure 5 Yes Description Figure 1 The figure showing the effect of the aggregate is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the shape of the aggregate is flattened from the shape before use.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of the absorbent article package of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 Yes means Figure 6 The figure showing an example of the use of the package body shown is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a plurality of diapers (aggregate) taken out from the package body are stored in a container different from the packaging container constituting the package body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] It is difficult to identify absorbent articles individually at first glance in an existing cluster of absorbent articles. Therefore, when taking out a required number of absorbent articles from the cluster or knowing the remaining number of absorbent articles in the cluster, it is necessary to count the absorbent articles one by one with one's fingers, which is time-consuming and laborious.

[0023] Therefore, the present invention provides an aggregate of absorbent articles that makes it easy to grasp the number of absorbent articles and enables various operations to be performed simply.

[0024] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description of the accompanying drawings, the same or similar parts are marked with the same or similar reference numerals. The accompanying drawings are basically schematic diagrams, and there are cases where the ratios of various dimensions, etc. are different from the actual ones.

[0025] The aggregate of absorbent articles of the present invention is formed by overlapping a plurality of absorbent articles. The plurality of absorbent articles may be partially or completely identical to each other except for the identification area described below. The "partially identical" mentioned here means that, for example, the basic structure or main structure of the absorbent article (for example, the absorbent body 2 of the diaper 1 described below) or the structure or composition of the characteristic part that gives the absorbent article a characteristic (for example, the absorbent body 5 of the diaper 1 described below) is the same, and other elements (but except for the size) are different.

[0026] The "absorbent articles" mentioned in the present invention broadly include articles for absorbing body fluids (urine, soft stool, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and panties. Disposable diapers include panties-type diapers with waist openings and leg openings, and unfolded diapers without these openings but with fastening mechanisms such as Velcro on the non-configuration part (wing part) of the absorbent body. The present invention is applicable to any type of disposable diapers.

[0027] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An aggregate 10 is shown as one embodiment of an aggregate of absorbent articles of the present invention. The aggregate 10 is formed by stacking a plurality of disposable diapers 1 as a plurality of absorbent articles. Figure 1 and Figure 2In the above description, only the number of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 is different, and the structure of the aggregate is the same. In the present specification, the number of absorbent articles constituting the aggregate is not considered as a constituent element of the aggregate.

[0028] In this embodiment, in the aggregate 10, a plurality of diapers 1 are gathered in one direction (thickness direction) in a folded state, and the aggregate 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of diapers 1 respectively have a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer, that is, a direction extending from the ventral side to the back side via the crotch portion, and a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, and are folded in half in the longitudinal direction X at the folded portion 18 extending along the transverse direction Y. Specifically, in the aggregate 10, the folded portions 18 of the plurality of diapers 1 are aligned, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the bent portion 18 of each diaper 1 is located on one surface of the aggregate 10 (in Figure 1 The middle is the upper surface, Figure 2 In the manner of (right side in the figure), the directions of the plurality of diapers 1 are aligned and overlapped. Figure 1 The cluster 10 shown has eight diapers 1 stacked together. Figure 2 Although four diapers 1 are stacked in the shown aggregate 10, in the present invention, the number of absorbent articles constituting the aggregate is not particularly limited as long as it is plural.

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diaper 1 constituting the aggregate 10 is shown. Next, the diaper 1 will be described.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the diaper 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side with respect to the transverse center line CLy.

[0031] The diaper 1 is divided into the following three areas: a crotch portion B arranged in the crotch portion of the wearer, including an excretion portion opposite to the excretion portion such as the penis (not shown); an ventral portion A arranged on the ventral side (front side) of the wearer than the crotch portion B; and a dorsal portion C arranged on the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer than the crotch portion B.

[0032] The ventral part A is a part of the front body F of the diaper 1, and the dorsal part C is a part of the back body R of the diaper 1. The crotch part B exists in the range from the front body F to the back body R across the longitudinal center line CLx in the longitudinal direction X. The ventral part A and the dorsal part C typically include waist parts that are arranged on the waist of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn, and the waist parts include waist ends that are ends of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0033] In the present invention, the abdominal portion A, the crotch portion B, and the back portion C may be regions obtained by dividing the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X.

[0034] The horizontal center line CLy is Figure 3 The diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state is shown by an imaginary straight line bisecting the diaper 1 in the transverse direction Y and extending in the longitudinal direction X.

[0035] The longitudinal center line CLx is an imaginary straight line that bisects the unfolded and stretched diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X and extends in the transverse direction Y. The bent portion 18 extending in the transverse direction Y (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) is a portion of the diaper 1 including a folding line that coincides with the longitudinal center line CLx and its vicinity.

[0036] The "expanded and stretched state" means that the diaper is in a state such as Figure 3 In the unfolded state shown, the elastic members of each portion of the diaper 1 in the unfolded state are stretched and expanded to a designed size (the same size as when unfolded into a flat shape in a state completely eliminating the influence of the elastic members).

[0037] The diaper 1 has an absorbent body 5 for absorbing and retaining body fluids such as urine. In the present embodiment, the absorbent body 5 includes an absorbent core 50 capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids and a core wrapping 51 covering the outer surface of the absorbent core 50 including a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-facing surface. The absorbent core 50 is typically composed of a water-absorbent material as a main body, and the water-absorbent material includes one or more selected from fiber materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbent polymers. The core wrapping 51 is liquid permeable and is typically made of paper, nonwoven fabric, etc. In the present invention, the core wrapping 51 may not be present.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the diaper 1 has an absorbent body 2, the absorbent body 2 has an absorbent body 5, and also has a front sheet 3 arranged on the skin-opposite side of the absorbent body 5 and a back sheet 4 arranged on the non-skin-opposite side of the absorbent body 5. The contour of the absorbent body 2 is consistent with the contour of the absorbent body 5. The absorbent body 2 extends from the ventral part A to the dorsal part C in the longitudinal direction X, and its length direction is consistent with the longitudinal direction X. The front sheet 3 forms the skin-opposite side (inner surface) of the diaper 1 together with the leak-proof cuff forming sheet 13 described later, and the back sheet 4 forms the non-skin-opposite side (outer surface) of the diaper 1. The various components of the absorbent body 2 are mutually joined by known joining methods such as adhesives. As the components of the absorbent body 2, it is possible to use components commonly used in such absorbent articles without special restrictions, provided that the description of the component can be applied when the description of the component is provided later. As the front sheet 3, various sheets with liquid permeability can be used, for example, nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, and paper can be listed. As the back sheet 4, a leakproof sheet can be used, specifically a liquid-impermeable sheet (a sheet that does not allow liquid to pass through at all) or a liquid-impermeable sheet (a sheet that does not allow liquid to pass through but allows liquid to pass through with difficulty) can be used, for example, a moisture-permeable resin film, a laminate of the resin film and a non-woven fabric.

[0039] In this specification, the "skin-opposing surface" refers to the surface of an absorbent article or its component (e.g., absorber) that faces the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side relatively close to the skin of the wearer, and the "non-skin-opposing surface" refers to the surface of an absorbent article or its component that faces the opposite side of the skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side relatively far from the skin of the wearer. In addition, "when worn" here means maintaining the normal appropriate wearing position, i.e., the state of the correct wearing position of the absorbent article.

[0040] The diaper 1 includes side wings 11 extending outward in the transverse direction Y from both side edges of the absorbent body 5 (absorbent body 2) along the longitudinal direction X and imaginary extension lines of the side edges. Figure 4 As shown, the front sheet 3 covers the entire area of ​​the skin-opposing surface of the absorbent body 5, and the back sheet 4 covers the entire area of ​​the non-skin-opposing surface of the absorbent body 5. The two sheets 3 and 4 also extend from the two side edges of the absorbent body 5 along the longitudinal direction X to the outside of the transverse direction Y, and together with the leak-proof cuff forming sheet 13 described later, form the side wing portion 11. The multiple components constituting the side wing portion 11 are joined to each other by known joining methods such as adhesives, heat sealing, and ultrasonic sealing.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, a pair of leak-proof cuffs 12, 12 are arranged along the two sides of the absorbent body 2 along the longitudinal direction X, which stand up toward the skin side of the wearer when worn. Each leak-proof cuff 12 contains a leak-proof cuff forming sheet 13 that is liquid-resistant or water-repellent and breathable, and one end side of the sheet 13 in the transverse direction Y is fixed to other components (in the illustrated embodiment, the front sheet 3 and the back sheet 4) to form a fixed end 13a, and the other end side of the transverse direction Y becomes a free end 13b that is not fixed to other components. The elastic member 14 for leak-proof cuff formation is fixed to the free end 13b of the sheet 13 in a state of being stretched in the longitudinal direction X, so that it is configured to be able to stretch in this direction. When the diaper 1 is worn, by the contraction force of the elastic member 14, at least in the crotch portion B, the free end 13b side of the sheet 13 stands up toward the wearer side with the fixed end 13a with other components as the standing base end, so that a pair of leak-proof cuffs 12, 12 stand up, thereby preventing urine and other excrement from flowing out to the outside of the transverse direction Y.

[0042] A plurality of elastic members 15 for forming waist gathers are arranged at the ends (waist ends) in the longitudinal direction X of the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C so as to be stretchable in the transverse direction Y. The plurality of elastic members 15 are arranged at intervals at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction X. By arranging the elastic members 15 in a state in which their stretchability is not exhibited in this way, in the natural state or wearing state of the diaper 1, at the waist ends of the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C where the elastic members 15 are arranged, a plurality of folds (pleats) extending in a direction intersecting the contraction direction of the elastic members 15 are formed on the sheet (sheets 3 and 4 in the present embodiment) constituting the waist ends, due to the contraction of the elastic members 15, thereby forming waist gathers in which the folds are substantially continuous over the entire circumference of the waist ends. In addition, in the leg portion of the wing portion 11, which is arranged around the legs of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn, the leg gather-forming elastic member 16 that can be stretched in the longitudinal direction X extends in the longitudinal direction X at least over the entire length of the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion B. When the diaper 1 is worn, the elastic member 16 contracts to form a plurality of folds (pleats) extending in a direction intersecting the contraction direction of the elastic member 16 on the sheet (sheets 4 and 13 in this embodiment) constituting the leg portion, thereby forming leg gathers in which the folds are substantially continuous around the entire circumference of the wearer's legs. These fold-forming elastic members 15 and 16 are clamped and fixed in an extended state between a plurality of sheets (in this embodiment, two of the front sheet 3, the back sheet 4, and the leak-proof cuff-forming sheet 13) constituting the waist end portion or the wing portion 11 by a bonding method such as an adhesive. The form of the elastic members 14, 15, 16 is not particularly limited. For example, elastic members in the form of lines or ropes (flat rubber, etc.) with rectangular, square, circular, polygonal, etc. cross-sections, or elastic members in the form of composite wires, etc. can be used.

[0043] The diaper 1 is a so-called unfolded disposable diaper, such as Figure 3As shown, the diaper 1 includes a pair of hook and loop fasteners 6, 6 arranged at both side edges of the dorsal portion C along the longitudinal direction X, and a target belt 7 arranged on the outer surface of the ventral portion A to which the hook and loop fasteners 6 are detachably fixed. The pair of hook and loop fasteners 6, 6 each have a fixing portion 60, and are detachably fixed to the target belt 7 via the fixing portion 60.

[0044] In this embodiment, the target zone 7 is as follows Figure 3 As shown, it has a rectangular shape long in the horizontal direction Y when viewed from above, and is fixed at the ventral portion A to the non-skin facing surface of the back sheet 4 forming the outer surface of the diaper 1 by a known bonding method such as an adhesive or welding.

[0045] The raw material of target band 7 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the material of the fixing part 60 that Velcro 6 has. For example, when the fixing part 60 is the positive material of mechanical fastening, as target band 7, the loop piece with the surface structure that can be engaged with the engaging protrusion of the positive material can be used as the negative material of mechanical fastening, and as the specific example of the loop piece, fiber sheets such as braided fabric and nonwoven fabric can be listed. In addition, when the fixing part 60 is an adhesive, as target band 7, for example, a smooth film made of synthetic resin can be used.

[0046] The diaper 1 includes an identification area 20 having a color different from that of the peripheral portion and visually recognizable from the outside of the diaper 1. In the present embodiment, the target tape 7 functions as the identification area 20. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the aggregate 10 is characterized in that: it has a plurality of diapers 1 with their respective identification areas 20 formed in one direction (in Figure 1 The middle is the left and right direction, Figure 2 The identification surface 10S is composed of an identification area row 21 arranged in the up-down direction (in the middle).

[0047] In this embodiment, the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 are in a folded state. The folded state of the diapers 1 is achieved by Figure 3 In the unfolded state of the diaper 1 shown in FIG. 1 , first, the pair of side wings 11, 11 are placed so that the skin-facing surfaces (front sheet 3 sides) of the pair of side wings 11, 11 are facing inward. Figure 3Specifically, the portion surrounded by the dotted line in the figure is formed by bending the inner edge of the side wing portion 11 in the transverse direction Y, and then bending (folding) the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X at or near the longitudinal center line CLx in such a way that the skin-opposite side (front sheet 3 side) becomes the inner side. In the folded diaper 1, the inner edge of the side wing portion 11 becomes a bending portion 17 extending in the longitudinal direction X, and the longitudinal center line CLx or its vicinity becomes a bending portion 18 extending in the transverse direction Y. The bending portion 17 is divided into a front bending portion 17F located at the front body F and a rear bending portion 17R located at the rear body R with the bending portion 18 (longitudinal center line CLx) as the boundary. The front bending portion 17F is as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the end of the transverse direction Y of the target band 7 is included, and therefore, the outer surface of the front side bent portion 17F (the non-skin-opposite surface of the back sheet 4 in the front side bent portion 17F) is provided with the target band 7. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the aggregate 10 has a pair of opposite faces 10S, 10S formed by alternating the outer surfaces of the front folded portions 17F and the rear folded portions 17R of the plurality of diapers 1 in one direction, and the target band 7 serving as the identification area 20 is provided on the portion of each face 10S formed by the front folded portion 17F, so that each face 10S becomes an identification face 10S formed with an identification area row 21 formed by arranging a plurality of identification areas 20 (a portion of the target band 7) in one direction (the direction of the aggregation of the plurality of diapers 1). In addition, in the identification area row 21 of the present embodiment formed in this way, there is a rear folded portion 17R which is a portion that is not the identification area 20 between adjacent identification areas 20, and the identification areas 20 and the rear folded portion 17R (a portion that is not the identification area 20) are alternately arranged. The color of the rear folded portion 17R is the same as the color of the non-identification area 23 described later, and is typically white or a colorless color close to white.

[0048] As described above, the identification region row 21 is a portion where the identification regions 20 of the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 are arranged in one direction to form a row.

[0049] Here, in order for “multiple identification areas to form an identification area row”, the identification areas of the multiple absorbent articles constituting the aggregate need to be arranged in one surface of the aggregate with a uniform degree of integrity that can be regarded as forming a row. Therefore, it is necessary to satisfy the following conditions: 1) the multiple identification areas existing on one surface of the aggregate are in the same position with respect to a direction orthogonal to the aggregation direction of the multiple diapers 1 (the thickness direction of the diapers 1) (hereinafter also referred to as the “aggregation orthogonal direction”), and 2) the lengths (i.e., widths) of the aggregation orthogonal direction of the multiple identification areas are the same as each other.

[0050] Regarding 1) above, refer to Figure 1 or Figure 2When the difference between the spacing distance D of the center position of the identification area 20 in the aggregation orthogonal direction (longitudinal direction X) of one diaper 1 randomly selected from the multiple diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 and the bending portion 18 (the bending line generated when the diaper 1 is bent in the longitudinal direction X) and the average value of the spacing distance D of the multiple diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 is less than 10% relative to the average value, it can be said that the above 1) is satisfied.

[0051] Regarding 2), refer to Figure 1 or Figure 2 When the difference between the width 20W of the identification area 20 of one diaper 1 randomly selected from the multiple diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 and the average value of the width 20W of the multiple diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 is less than 10% relative to the average value, it can be said that the above 2) is satisfied.

[0052] Regarding this point, Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the shown aggregate 10, with respect to 1), the difference between the spacing distance D of each diaper 1 and its average value is zero, and with respect to 2), the difference between the width 20W of the identification area 20 of each diaper 1 and its average value is zero, thereby perfectly satisfying 1) and 2). The multiple identification areas 20 on one surface (identification surface) 10S of the aggregate 10 form a strip-shaped (straight-line) identification area row 21 with a certain width when viewed from above.

[0053] In the recognition area row 21, the colors of adjacent recognition areas 20 are different from each other. In the present invention, "color" when referring to "different colors" or "different colors" refers to hue. That is, "the colors of adjacent recognition areas 20 are different from each other" means that the hues of adjacent recognition areas 20 are different from each other. When the hues of adjacent recognition areas 20 are the same but the hues (shades) are different, the colors of the adjacent recognition areas 20 are the same. For example, when one of two adjacent recognition areas 20 is red and the other is blue, the hues of the two are different, so the colors of the two recognition areas 20 are different from each other, but when one is dark red and the other is light red, the hues of the two are the same, so the colors of the two recognition areas 20 are the same.

[0054] In addition, the identification regions 20 of the plurality of diapers 1 are typically unified in one color. The term "unified in one color" here means that the color difference ΔE between any two points in the identification region 20 is ＊ Less than 5. In addition, the "any two places in the recognition area 20" mentioned here refers to any two places in the background color when the recognition area 20 is composed of a design such as characters, numbers, patterns, etc. and its background color. The background color is usually the largest part of the recognition area 20 and constitutes the main body of the recognition area 20. About the color difference ΔE ＊This will be described later.

[0055] exist Figure 1 In the aggregate 10 shown, the recognition region row 21 has a repeating unit 22 in which three or more recognition regions 20 of different colors are arranged in a predetermined order, and the colors of adjacent recognition regions 20 are different from each other. Figure 1 In the shown aggregate 10 , the identification region row 21 is formed by linking a plurality of (two rows) repeating units 22 in which four types of identification regions 20 of different colors are arranged in a predetermined order, and is composed of the repeating units 22 . Figure 2 The figure shows a state where a portion having a repeating unit 22 in the aggregate 10 is taken out and placed horizontally. The number of identification regions 20 constituting the repeating unit 22 (the number of colors) is not particularly limited as long as it is 3 or more.

[0056] The recognition surface 10S includes a non-recognition region 23 that extends along the recognition region row 21 in the same direction as the recognition region row 21 and mainly has a color different from the color of the recognition region row 21 .

[0057] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the identification surface 10S, there is a pair of non-identification areas 23, 23 on both sides of the aggregation orthogonal direction (longitudinal direction X) separated by the identification area row 21. In the pair of non-identification areas 23, 23, the non-identification area 23 on the crotch B side (the bending portion 18 side) is longer in length (i.e., width) in the aggregation orthogonal direction and has a larger area than the non-identification area 23 on the opposite side (the waist end side).

[0058] As mentioned above, the main color of the non-identification area 23 is "a color different from the color of the identification area row 21", which is typically the color originally possessed by the raw material forming the non-identification area 23 (identification surface 10S), the so-called natural color. As a specific example of the natural color, the natural color of various sheets such as non-woven fabrics, which are commonly used as the forming materials of such absorbent articles, can be listed, that is, white or achromatic colors close to white. That is, the color of the non-identification area 23 is typically white or achromatic colors close to white. The portion of the diaper 1 other than the identification area 20 and the identification auxiliary area 24 described later is typically white or achromatic colors close to white.

[0059] The color of the non-identification region 23 is common to each of the plurality of diapers 1. That is, the color of the portion constituting the non-identification region 23 of the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 is common. The “color is common” mentioned here means that the main body of the color of the non-identification region 23 is common. More specifically, the color difference ΔE of the main body of the color of the non-identification region 23 between the diapers 1 being compared is ＊Less than 5. The main body of the color of the non-recognition area 23 will be described later.

[0060] On the other hand, the identification area 20 and the identification auxiliary area 24 described later are typically areas where a white or nearly white achromatic component is colored to a desired color by a known dyeing method such as printing, or areas composed of liquid-dyed fibers of a desired color, and the colors of the two areas 20 and 24 are typically different from the hue (color) of white or nearly white achromatic. In addition, the liquid-dyed fibers refer to fibers colored in the fiber manufacturing stage, for example, through a coloring process of adding pigments such as pigments to the manufacturing intermediates from the resin manufacturing to the fiberization stage.

[0061] As described above, the color of the non-identification area 23 is mainly one color (monochrome) such as the original color of the raw material forming the non-identification area 23. Here, "mainly" means that the total area of ​​the non-identification area 23 existing on the identification surface 10S (for example, if it is Figure 1 In the case of the aggregate 10 shown, the color difference ΔE between any two locations is 50% or more, preferably 75% or more, and more preferably 90% or more of the total area of ​​each of the pair of non-recognition areas 23, 23 on both sides of the recognition area row 21. ＊ Less than 5. In other words, the monochrome occupancy rate of the non-recognition area 23 needs to be at least 50%.

[0062] In addition, in this specification, various indicators of the color of the non-recognition area 23 (such as color difference ΔE ＊ ) is an index of one color that is the main component of the color constituting the non-recognition area 23 unless otherwise specified.

[0063] In this specification, the color difference ΔE ＊ It is based on the "L ＊ a ＊ b ＊ The color difference ΔE is an indicator of the "color system" and can be measured by the following method. ＊ The larger the value, the easier it is to recognize the difference in the contrasting colors.

[0064] <Color difference ΔE ＊ Measurement method>

[0065] Color difference ΔE ＊ The measurement is performed using a colorimeter. As a colorimeter, a simple spectrophotometer NF333 (trade name) manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. can be used. In the "L ＊ a ＊ b ＊ In the "color system", lightness L＊ Indicates brightness, chromaticity a ＊ and chromaticity b ＊ Represents the direction of color, a ＊ Indicates the approximate red direction, -a ＊ Indicates the approximate green direction, b ＊ Indicates the approximate yellow direction, -b ＊ Indicates the approximate blue direction. In addition, the color difference ΔE ＊ is the value obtained by the following formula (1).

[0066] Color difference ΔE ＊ =[(ΔL ＊ ) 2 +(Δa ＊ ) 2 +(Δb ＊ ) 2 ] 1 / 2 ···(1)

[0067] ΔL ＊ , Δa ＊ , Δb ＊ are the L between the two contrasting colors. ＊ Value, a ＊ Value, b ＊ The difference in values. For example, ΔL ＊ By ΔL ＊ =L ＊ 2-L ＊ 1 to calculate.

[0068] In the measurement method using the simple spectrocolorimeter NF333, the measurement was performed under the conditions of light source C and viewing angle 2°.

[0069] The absorbent article to be measured is placed on a white plate in an unfolded and stretched state, and the tip of the sensor of the colorimeter is directly in contact with the measurement target area (recognition area, non-recognition area, recognition auxiliary area, etc.) of the absorbent article. The sensor is pressed against the measurement target area in a manner that there is no gap between the measurement target area and the tip of the sensor to perform the measurement. Five measurements are performed on one measurement target area, and the average value is taken as the color difference ΔE of the measurement target area. ＊ .

[0070] As described above, the aggregate 10 a) has an identification surface 10S having an identification area row 21 in which identification areas 20 (target bands 7 in the present embodiment) of respective diapers 1 are arranged in one direction, b) in the identification area row 21, the colors of adjacent identification areas 20 are different from each other, and c) there is a non-identification area 23 on the identification surface 10S extending along the identification area row 21 in the same direction as the identification area row 21 and mainly composed of a color different from the color of the identification area row 21, and the color of the non-identification area 23 is common in each of the multiple diapers 1. Therefore, compared with the existing aggregate of absorbent articles, it is easy to grasp the number of diapers 1 (absorbent articles), and various operations associated with grasping the number can be conveniently performed, such as the operation of taking out the required number of diapers 1 from the aggregate 10, the operation of confirming the remaining number of diapers 1, etc. In particular, by adopting a) and b), it is easy to individually identify multiple diapers 1 that constitute the aggregate 10. In addition, by adopting c), on the identification surface 10S, the non-identification area 23 exists together with the identification area row 21, thereby making it easy to individually identify the multiple identification areas 20 that constitute the identification area row 21.

[0071] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the identification area row 21 has a repeating unit 22 in which three or more identification areas 20 of different colors are arranged in a prescribed order. Therefore, even if one diaper 1 is removed from the aggregate 10, the colors of adjacent identification areas 20 remain different from each other, thereby allowing the effect brought about by the characteristic structure of the above-mentioned aggregate 10 to be exerted over a longer period of time.

[0072] In order to further reliably achieve the effect of adopting the above c), it is preferred that the total length of the non-identification region 23 of each of the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 in the direction perpendicular to the aggregate (longitudinal direction X) (for example, if Figure 1 In the case of the aggregate 10 shown, the color difference ΔE between the end of the non-recognition area 23 on the side of the recognition area 20 and the end of the non-recognition area 23 on the side of the recognition area 20 is 50% or more, preferably 75% or more, and more preferably 90% or more of the total length of the longitudinal direction X of the pair of non-recognition areas 23 and 23 on both sides of the recognition area row 21. ＊Less than 5. In other words, it is preferred that in the non-recognition area 23, the occupancy rate of the color at the end of the non-recognition area 23 on the recognition area side is 50% or more. As a result, the recognition area 20 (recognition auxiliary area 24) becomes more conspicuous. The "end of the non-recognition area 23 on the recognition area 20 side" refers to the area within 15 mm from the boundary between the non-recognition area 23 and the recognition area 20 to the side of the non-recognition area 23. When there is a recognition auxiliary area 24 described later between the recognition area 20 and the non-recognition area 23, it refers to the area within 15 mm from the boundary between the non-recognition area 23 and the recognition auxiliary area 24 to the side of the non-recognition area 23.

[0073] In addition, the non-identification area 23 includes the crotch B where excrement is concentrated. There is a concern that the color of the non-identification area 23 may make it difficult to visually confirm whether there is excrement in the crotch B. For example, when the wearer of the diaper 1 is an infant, there is a situation where a third party such as the mother of the infant visually confirms whether there is excrement by visually identifying the crotch B of the diaper 1 when it is worn. In this case, it is expected that the crotch B and other parts can be quickly confirmed to have excrement at a glance. From this point of view, the lightness L of the color of the non-identification area 23 is ＊ Preferably, it is 90 or more. The lightness L of white or achromatic color close to white ＊ More than 90.

[0074] In order to further reliably exert the effects of the characteristic structure of the above-mentioned aggregate 10, in particular, to make it easier to individually identify the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10, the color difference ΔE between the adjacent identification areas 20 in the identification area row 21 is ＊ It is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 15 or more, and even more preferably 20 or more. ＊ There is no particular upper limit, but the color difference ΔE ＊ When the color difference ΔE is too large, for example, when the colors of the multiple identification areas 20 constituting the identification area array 21 are primary colors such as red, blue, yellow, and black, the impression of the identification area array 21 is too strong and may give an unpleasant impression to the person who sees it. Therefore, from the perspective of achieving an improvement in the overall sense of unity of the aggregate 10 and giving a soft impression to the person who sees the aggregate 10, it is preferably 70 or less, more preferably 60 or less, and further preferably 50 or less. The color difference ΔE ＊ Specifically, it is preferably 8 or more and 70 or less, more preferably 15 or more and 60 or less, and further preferably 20 or more and 50 or less.

[0075] In order to further reliably exert the effects brought about by the characteristic structure of the above-mentioned aggregate 10, in particular, to make it easier to individually identify the plurality of identification areas 20 constituting the identification area row 21, in each of the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10, the color difference ΔE between the identification area 20 and the non-identification area 23 in the portion constituting the identification surface 10S is ＊ It is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 15 or more, and even more preferably 20 or more. ＊ The upper limit of is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of improving the overall sense of unity of the diaper 1 and giving a soft impression to people who see the diaper 1, it is preferably 70 or less, more preferably 60 or less, and further preferably 50 or less. ＊ Specifically, it is preferably 8 or more and 70 or less, more preferably 15 or more and 60 or less, and further preferably 20 or more and 50 or less.

[0076] As a preferred embodiment of the aggregate 10, there can be mentioned an aggregate having the following structure A. Example 1 described below has the following structure A.

[0077] Structure A: The identification area row 21 has a first group G1 and a second group G2, which are arranged alternately in one direction (the direction in which the plurality of diapers 1 are gathered), wherein the first group G1 is composed of a plurality of adjacent identification areas 20 with a color difference ΔE between each other. ＊ The plurality of recognition areas 20 within a predetermined range are constituted, and the color difference ΔE between the plurality of adjacent recognition areas 20 in the second group G2 is ＊ It is in a different range from that of Group 1 G1.

[0078] Regarding the above structure A, Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the first group G1 is composed of four adjacent recognition areas 20, and the second group G2 is composed of two adjacent recognition areas 20. In addition, the first group G1 and the second group G2 are arranged alternately in one direction, and the adjacent first group G1 and second group G2 share one recognition area 20. In other words, the recognition area 20 of the first group G1 located at one direction end on the side of the second group G2 and the recognition area 20 of the second group G2 located at one direction end on the side of the first group G1 are the same.

[0079] As described above, the color difference ΔE between the adjacent identification areas 20 of the first group G1 is ＊ The range of does not overlap with that of group 2 G2. For example, Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the first group G1 is composed of four adjacent recognition areas 20, and thus has three color differences ΔE ＊ , from these three color differences ΔE ＊ Determine the color difference ΔE of group 1 G1 ＊The range of the color difference ΔE of the second group G2 determined in the same way ＊ The range is not repeated.

[0080] In the aggregate 10 having the structure A, in the identification area row 21, the color difference ΔE between the adjacent identification areas 20 is ＊ Since the two groups G1 and G2 having different ranges are periodically present along the extending direction of the identification region row 21, the identification of each group G1 and G2 is excellent, and the number of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 can be counted more easily.

[0081] In addition, the number of identification areas 20 included in the first group G1 and the second group G2 (G1 or G2) is not particularly limited as long as they are plural, and the number of identification areas 20 included in the group may be the same or different.

[0082] In order to reliably achieve the effect of the above-mentioned structure A, the color difference ΔE between the adjacent identification areas 20 of one of the first group G1 and the second group G2 is ＊ The average value of Figure 1 As shown in the second group G2, the color difference ΔE ＊ If there is only one, it refers to the color difference ΔE of that one ＊ . Hereinafter, also referred to as "color difference ΔE ＊ Average value".) and the color difference ΔE of the other ＊ The difference in the average value is preferably 5 or more, more preferably 8 or more. The color difference ΔE ＊ The upper limit of the difference in the average value is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20 or less, and more preferably 15 or less, from the viewpoint of improving the sense of unity of the entire diaper 1 and giving a soft impression to a person who sees the diaper 1 .

[0083] Color difference ΔE between the first group G1 and the second group G2 ＊ The average value is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 15 or more, and is preferably 25 or less, more preferably 20 or less.

[0084] The recognition area row 21 preferably has a color difference ΔE between adjacent recognition areas 20. ＊ The portion gradually decreases from one side to the other side in the extending direction of the identification area row 21 (the gathering direction of the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10). Figure 2 , as a plurality of recognition areas 20 constituting the recognition area row 21, from the extension direction of the recognition area row 21 ( Figure 2 When there are four types of identification areas 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D from one side to the other side (in the up-down direction), it is preferred that the following size relationship (i) holds.

[0085] (i) Color difference ΔE between 20A and 20B ＊ >Color difference ΔE between 20B and 20C ＊ >Color difference ΔE between 20C and 20D ＊

[0086] When the above-mentioned size relationship (i) is satisfied, it becomes easier to individually identify the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10. Figure 1 In the shown aggregate 10, as described above, the identification area row 21 has a repeating unit 22 formed by three or more identification areas 20 of different colors arranged in a prescribed order. By further establishing the above-mentioned size relationship (i), the recognizability of the repeating unit 22 is improved, thereby making it easier to count the number of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10.

[0087] In the recognition area row 21, the color difference ΔE between adjacent recognition areas 20 is ＊ It is preferable that the color difference ΔE between the identification areas 20 that are spaced apart is ＊ Big. For example, refer to Figure 2 For the four types of identification areas 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D, it is preferred that all of the following size relationships (ii) to (v) hold true.

[0088] (ii) Color difference ΔE between 20A and 20B ＊ >Color difference ΔE between 20A and 20C ＊ , 20B and 20D color difference ΔE ＊

[0089] (iii) Color difference ΔE between 20B and 20C ＊ >Color difference ΔE between 20A and 20C ＊ , 20B and 20D color difference ΔE ＊

[0090] (iv) Color difference ΔE between 20C and 20D ＊ >Color difference ΔE between 20A and 20C ＊ , 20B and 20D color difference ΔE ＊

[0091] (v) Color difference ΔE between 20D and 20A ＊ >Color difference ΔE between 20A and 20C ＊ , 20B and 20D color difference ΔE ＊

[0092] When all the above-mentioned magnitude relations (ii) to (v) are satisfied, the color difference ΔE between adjacent recognition areas 20 in the recognition area row 21 can be sufficiently ensured. ＊, the individual recognizability of the plurality of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 is improved, and the types of colors constituting the identification area row 21 are increased, so that the present invention can be applied even when the number of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 is large.

[0093] In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the target band 7 functions as the identification area 20. An example of a preferred embodiment of the target band 7 as the identification area 20 is as follows: Figure 3 , it can be cited that the diaper 1 is traversed in the transverse direction Y, with a unified color (for example, red), and the color is lightest in the center of the transverse direction Y, and the color gradually darkens from the center toward the outside of the transverse direction Y. When the target band 7 is constructed in this way, the function of the identification area 20 can be ensured, and the design of the diaper 1 can be improved.

[0094] In this embodiment, the aggregate 10 has other characteristic structures in addition to the characteristic structures a) to c) above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, between the identification area row 21 and the non-identification area 23 in the identification surface 10S of the aggregate 10, there is an identification auxiliary area 24 of a color that is unified and different from the colors of the identification area row 21 and the non-identification area 23, and extends along the identification area row 21 in the same direction as the identification area row 21.

[0095] The term “unified into one color” here means that the color difference ΔE between any two points in the recognition auxiliary area 24 is ＊ Less than 5.

[0096] The presence of the recognition auxiliary area 24 on the recognition surface 10S makes it easier to notice the adjacent recognition area 20 . Therefore, together with the effect of the non-recognition area 23 , it becomes easier to independently recognize a plurality of recognition areas 20 , and various operations can be performed more conveniently.

[0097] The above effect can also be achieved when the identification auxiliary area 24 is present only on one side of the clustering orthogonal direction (longitudinal direction X) relative to the identification area row 21. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the recognition auxiliary regions 24 are present on both sides of the recognition region row 21 , the above-mentioned effect can be more reliably achieved, which is preferable.

[0098] Regarding the effect of the identification auxiliary area 24, for example, when the aggregate 10 is stored in a packaging container such as a diaper packaging body 30 described later, and in the packaging container, Figure 1 As shown, the longitudinal direction X of the plurality of diapers 1 is aligned with the vertical direction ( Figure 1When the diapers 1 are arranged uniformly in the vertical direction, the number of diapers 1 constituting the aggregate 10 gradually decreases with use, and the shape of the aggregate 10 collapses from the shape (roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape) before use (before the diapers 1 are taken out), for example Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 is tilted relative to the vertical direction. As a result, the arrangement of the plurality of identification areas 20 in the identification area row 21 is disordered, and the visual recognition of the identification area row 21 is reduced. There is a concern that the above-mentioned effect cannot be fully exerted. However, by providing the identification auxiliary area 24 between the identification area row 21 and the non-identification area 23, even if Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the shape of the aggregate 10 collapses and the arrangement of the identification areas 20 is slightly chaotic. However, since the line of sight of a person observing the identification surface 10S is easily focused on the identification area row 21, such concerns can be eliminated. The effect of making the identification area row 21 noticeable is as follows: Figure 5 The identification auxiliary areas 24 shown are particularly noticeable when they are present on both sides of the identification area row 21 .

[0099] In order to reliably achieve the effects of the above-mentioned identification auxiliary area 24, the length (i.e., width) 24W of the identification auxiliary area 24 in the gathering orthogonal direction (longitudinal direction X) (see Figure 1 ) is preferably the length of the identification area 20 in this direction, that is, the width 20W (refer to Figure 1 ) is less than one third.

[0100] The width 24W of the identification auxiliary region 24 is preferably 2 mm or more, more preferably 3.5 mm or more, and is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 7.5 mm or less.

[0101] The width 20W of the identification region 20 is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 25 mm or more, and is preferably 60 mm or less, more preferably 45 mm or less.

[0102] From the perspective of improving the effect of the above-mentioned identification auxiliary area 24 and making it easier to individually identify the multiple identification areas 20 that constitute the identification area row 21, it is preferred that the following size relationship (vi) holds true for more than half of the multiple identification areas 20 with different colors in the identification area row 21.

[0103] (vi) Color difference ΔE between the recognition area 20 and the recognition auxiliary area 24 ＊ The color difference ΔE between the non-recognition area 23 and the recognition auxiliary area 24 is ＊ Large (color difference ΔE between the recognition area 20 and the recognition auxiliary area 24 ＊ > Color difference ΔE between the non-recognition area 23 and the recognition auxiliary area 24 ＊ ).

[0104] For example, in Figure 2 In the shown aggregate 10, there are four types of identification areas 20 of different colors, namely 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D, in the identification area row 21, and the above-mentioned size relationship (vi) is preferably established for at least two of the four types. In a state where the identification area row 21 is arranged with a plurality of identification areas 20 of different colors, the boundary between the identification area 20 and the identification auxiliary area 24 is less noticeable than the boundary between the non-identification area 23, which is mainly composed of one color and is typically substantially uniform in color throughout the entire area, and the identification auxiliary area 24, so the above-mentioned size relationship (vi) is preferably established.

[0105] From the viewpoint of improving the effect of the auxiliary recognition area 24 and making it easier to individually recognize the plurality of recognition areas 20 constituting the recognition area row 21, the color difference ΔE between the recognition area 20 and the auxiliary recognition area 24 is ＊ ” and “the color difference ΔE between the non-recognition area 23 and the recognition auxiliary area 24 ＊ " are preferably 8 or more, more preferably 15 or more, and further preferably 20 or more. The color difference ΔE ＊ The upper limit of is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of improving the sense of unity of the entire diaper 1 and giving a soft impression to people who see the diaper 1, it is preferably 70 or less, more preferably 60 or less, and further preferably 50 or less. ＊ Specifically, it is preferably 8 or more and 70 or less, more preferably 15 or more and 60 or less, and further preferably 20 or more and 50 or less.

[0106] The present invention includes a package of absorbent articles including an aggregate of the absorbent articles of the present invention described above. Figure 6 A diaper package 30 is shown as an embodiment of a package of an absorbent article of the present invention. The embodiments described below are mainly described based on the structures different from the above-mentioned embodiment (aggregate 10), and the same structures are marked with the same reference numerals and the description is omitted. The description of the above-mentioned embodiment can be appropriately applied to the structures not specifically described.

[0107] The diaper package 30 includes an aggregate 10 and a packaging container 31 that accommodates the aggregate 10. In the diaper package 30, the aggregate 10 is stacked in a plurality of layers (specifically, two layers) in the height direction of the diaper package 30 (the same direction as the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1) and accommodated in the packaging container 31 in a compressed state.

[0108] The packaging container 31 is not particularly limited in terms of material and structure as long as it can accommodate a plurality of diapers 1 (aggregates of absorbent articles). In the present embodiment, the packaging container 31 is a packaging bag made of a flexible sheet.

[0109] The surface 31S of the packaging container 31 that is opposite to the identification surface 10S of the assembly 10 is formed with a take-out opening 32 for the diaper 1. In the unused (unopened) state of the diaper package 30, the take-out opening 32 is not formed, but instead, a cutting guide line (not shown) such as a perforation line corresponding to the contour line of the take-out opening 32 is provided at a predetermined position for forming the take-out opening 32, and the take-out opening 32 is formed by cutting a portion of the packaging container 31 along the cutting guide line.

[0110] The diaper package 30 can be used in the same manner as this diaper package. Through the effect produced by the above-mentioned aggregate 10, it is easy to grasp the number of diapers 1 in the packaging container 31, and various operations such as taking out the required number of diapers 1 from the packaging container 31 and grasping the remaining number of diapers 1 in the packaging container 31 can be easily performed.

[0111] One typical way to use this type of diaper package is to take out a required number of diapers from the diaper package in advance and transfer them to another container, and then take them out from the other container when using them. According to the diaper package 30, such transfer of diapers to other containers can be smoothly performed. Figure 7 The figure shows a state where a plurality of diapers 1 (aggregate 10 ) taken out from the diaper package 30 are stored in a storage box 33 which is a container different from the packaging container 31 .

[0112] From the perspective of reliably realizing the effects produced by the above-mentioned aggregate 10 and being able to smoothly perform various operations such as taking out the diapers 1, it is preferred that when the removal outlet 32 ​​is visually observed without taking out any diapers 1 from the packaging container 31, all the colors of the area row 21 can be visually identified through the removal outlet 32.

[0113] Regarding this point, Figure 6 In the manner shown, the identification area row 21 of the aggregate 10 in the packaging container 31 is as described above. Figure 2 As shown, the repeating unit 22 is formed, and when the outlet 32 ​​is visually observed without taking out a single diaper 1 from the packaging container 31, the repeating unit 22 can be seen through the outlet 32, thereby making it possible to visually recognize all the colors of the region row 21.

[0114] Furthermore, it is preferable that the user of the diaper package 30 can be aware of the presence of the identification area 20 (identification area row 21) before opening the diaper package 30, because the characteristic structure of the above-mentioned aggregate 10 can be fully utilized to smoothly perform various operations such as taking out the diaper 1. As a method for making the user aware of the presence of the identification area 20 before opening the diaper package 30, for example, a method of using a highly transparent material as the raw material of the packaging container 31, and displaying a message that the identification area 20 exists on the outer surface of the packaging container 31, etc.

[0115] Although the present invention has been described above based on preferred embodiments, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. Portions of only one embodiment described above can be used as appropriate.

[0116] For example, from the viewpoint of improving absorbency and leakage prevention, a liquid-permeable sheet made of paper or various nonwoven fabrics, also called a second sheet or a sub-layer sheet, may be disposed between the surface sheet 3 and the absorber 5 .

[0117] The absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the unfolded disposable diapers as in the above-mentioned embodiment, but widely includes articles for absorbing body fluids (urine, menstrual blood, soft stools, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, and also includes shorts-type disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, sanitary shorts, etc. that do not have a fixing structure such as the Velcro 6 and the target tape 7.

[0118] The following contents are further disclosed regarding the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention.

[0119] <1>

[0120] An aggregate of absorbent articles in which a plurality of absorbent articles are stacked, characterized in that:

[0121] The plurality of absorbent articles each have an identification region, the identification region having a color different from that of the peripheral portion and being visually recognizable from the outside of the absorbent article.

[0122] The aggregate has an identification surface on which an identification region row is formed in which the identification regions of the plurality of absorbent articles are arranged in one direction.

[0123] In the recognition area row, the colors of adjacent recognition areas are different from each other,

[0124] On the recognition surface, there is a non-recognition area extending along the recognition area row in the same direction as the recognition area row and mainly having a color different from the color of the recognition area row,

[0125] The color of the non-identification area is common in each of the plurality of absorbent articles.

[0126] <2>

[0127] As mentioned above <1> The absorbent article assembly, wherein the color difference ΔE between adjacent identification areas in the identification area row is ＊ 8 or above.

[0128] <3>

[0129] As mentioned above <1> or <2> The absorbent article assembly described above, wherein in each of the plurality of absorbent articles, the color difference ΔE between the identification area and the non-identification area is ＊ It is 8 or more, preferably 8 or more and 70 or less, more preferably 15 or more and 60 or less, and further preferably 20 or more and 50 or less.

[0130] <4>

[0131] As mentioned above <1> ~ <3> An aggregate of absorbent articles as described in any one of the above, wherein the identification area row has a repeating unit in which three or more identification areas of different colors are arranged in a prescribed order.

[0132] <5>

[0133] As mentioned above <1> ~ <4> The absorbent article assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification area row has: a color difference ΔE between adjacent identification areas ＊ A first group consisting of a plurality of the identification areas within a predetermined range; and the color difference ΔE ＊ A second group that is in a different range from the first group,

[0134] The first group and the second group are arranged alternately in the one direction.

[0135] <6>

[0136] As mentioned above <5> The absorbent article assembly described above, wherein the color difference ΔE between adjacent plurality of identification areas in one of the first group and the second group is ＊ The color difference ΔE between the average value and the adjacent multiple identification areas ＊ The difference in the average value is 5 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 8 or more and 15 or less.

[0137] <7>

[0138] As mentioned above <1> ~ <6> The absorbent article assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification area row has a color difference ΔE between adjacent identification areas. ＊The portion that gradually decreases from one side to the other side in the extension direction of the recognition area row.

[0139] <8>

[0140] As mentioned above <1> ~ <7> The absorbent article assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the identification area row, the color difference ΔE between adjacent identification areas is ＊ The color difference ΔE between the identification areas that are one step away ＊ big.

[0141] <9>

[0142] As mentioned above <1> ~ <8> An aggregate of absorbent articles as described in any one of the items, wherein, between the identification area row and the non-identification area in the identification surface, there is an identification auxiliary area of ​​a color that is unified with a color different from the colors of the identification area row and the non-identification area respectively, extending along the identification area row in the same direction as the identification area row.

[0143] <10>

[0144] As mentioned above <9> The absorbent article assembly described above, wherein the identification auxiliary regions are present on both sides of the identification region row.

[0145] <11>

[0146] As mentioned above <9> or <10> The absorbent article assembly, wherein for more than half of the plurality of identification areas of different colors in the identification area row, the color difference ΔE between the identification area and the identification auxiliary area is ＊ The color difference ΔE between the non-recognition area and the recognition auxiliary area ＊ big.

[0147] <12>

[0148] As mentioned above <9> ~ <11> The absorbent article assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the color difference ΔE between the identification area and the auxiliary identification area is ＊ and the color difference ΔE between the non-recognition area and the recognition auxiliary area ＊ The values ​​are 8 or more.

[0149] <13>

[0150] As mentioned above <1> ~ <12> The absorbent article assembly of any one of the above, wherein each of the plurality of absorbent articles has a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side to the back side via the crotch portion and a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction,

[0151] The identification area extends across the absorbent article in the transverse direction and has a unified color. The color is lightest in the center of the transverse direction and gradually becomes darker as it moves from the center toward the outer side in the transverse direction.

[0152] <14>

[0153] As mentioned above <13> The absorbent article assembly, wherein the plurality of absorbent articles are respectively divided into a crotch portion arranged at the crotch portion of the wearer, a ventral portion arranged at a position closer to the ventral side of the wearer than the crotch portion, and a dorsal portion arranged at a position closer to the dorsal side of the wearer than the crotch portion, and comprises: a hook and loop fastener provided at both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the dorsal portion; and a target belt provided on the outer surface of the ventral portion and capable of detachably fixing the hook and loop fastener,

[0154] The target zone functions as the identification area.

[0155] <15>

[0156] As mentioned above <1> ~ <14> An aggregate of absorbent articles as described in any one of the claims, wherein the color of the non-identification area is white or an achromatic color close to white.

[0157] <16>

[0158] A packaging body for an absorbent article, comprising <1> ~ <15> An aggregate of absorbent articles as described in any one of the above and a packaging container containing the aggregate inside.

[0159] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples.

[0160] [Examples 1 to 5, Comparative Examples 1 to 3]

[0161] A plurality of unfolded disposable diapers having the same basic structure as the above-mentioned diaper 1 are prepared and stacked in the thickness direction to produce Figure 1The aggregate shown. The produced aggregate is formed by combining multiple repeating units of 2 to 4 diapers, and has multiple parts of the repeating units connected in one direction (the aggregation direction of the repeating units), and there are identification areas (identification area rows) of the diapers constituting the aggregate on a pair of opposite faces. Table 1 shows the characteristics of the colors of each part in the repeating unit of each aggregate. For example, in Example 1, the number of identification areas constituting the repeating unit (the number of colors) is 4, and multiple identification areas of its four colors (peach, green, orange, and purple) are connected together to form an identification area row. In addition, the number of colors in Example 4 is 3, and multiple identification areas of its three colors (peach, green, and orange) are connected together to form an identification area row. On the other hand, the number of colors in Comparative Example 1 is 1, and the multiple identification areas forming the identification area row are the same color (peach). In addition, in Examples 1 to 3, the four colors of peach, green, orange, and purple are used as the colors of the identification areas, but the hue (color) of each color in Examples 1 to 3 is different from each other. For example, in Examples 1 to 3, "peach" is used as the color of the recognition area. However, strictly speaking, the "peach" in Examples 1 to 3 are different colors from each other and are not the same color. The same applies to other colors of the recognition area.

[0162] <Evaluation Test of Diaper Counting Ease>

[0163] The aggregates of each example and comparative example were placed in packaging bags to prepare Figure 6 The diaper package shown in the figure was used as a sample. The sample contained more than 20 diapers. The sample was evaluated for the ease of counting the diapers using the following two evaluation methods (evaluation method 1 and evaluation method 2). Based on the evaluation results (accuracy, answer time), the ease of counting the diapers was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0164] (Evaluation criteria for diaper counting ease)

[0165] A: The correct rates of evaluation methods 1 and 2 were both 90% or higher and the answering time was both 2.5 seconds or less (smooth answering).

[0166] B: The correct rates of both evaluation methods 1 and 2 were 90% or higher, and the answer time of either evaluation method 1 or 2 was more than 2.5 seconds and less than 3.0 seconds (the answer was generally smooth).

[0167] C: The accuracy of either evaluation method 1 or 2 is less than 90%.

[0168] D: The accuracy of evaluation methods 1 and 2 is less than 90%.

[0169] (Evaluation method 1)

[0170] An aggregate of 5 to 10 diapers is extracted from the sample (diaper package) and shown to 5 evaluation panel members. Each evaluation panel member is asked to count the number of diapers constituting the aggregate without touching the aggregate with their hands and answer the number. The accuracy rate (%) and answer time (seconds / diaper) are evaluated respectively.

[0171] (Evaluation method 2)

[0172] A cluster consisting of 7 to 12 diapers is extracted from a sample (diaper package) (first extraction operation), and then a person different from the person who performed the first extraction operation randomly extracts 1 to 3 diapers from the cluster (second extraction operation). The cluster that has undergone the two extraction operations is shown to 5 evaluation panel members who have not performed these extraction operations, and each evaluation panel member is asked to count the number of diapers constituting the cluster without touching the cluster with his hands and answer the number, and the accuracy rate (%) and answer time (seconds / diaper) are evaluated. Evaluation method 2 is an evaluation of the ease of counting diapers after using a few diapers since the packaging bag of the diaper package was opened.

[0173] In both the evaluation methods 1 and 2, the average of the correct rates of the five evaluation panelists is used as the correct rate of the sample, and the average of the answering times of the five evaluation panelists is used as the answering time of the sample.

[0174] The answering time was calculated by measuring the time required for the panelists to answer and dividing the measured value by the number of diapers constituting the aggregate shown to the panelists.

[0175] In addition, in each of the above evaluation methods 1 and 2, after answering the number of diapers, the five evaluation panelists who answered the questions evaluated the ease of counting the diapers according to the following evaluation criteria, and the average of the evaluation scores of the five people was used as the "ease of counting score" of the sample. The larger the value of the ease of counting score, the easier it is to count the diapers of the sample, and the higher the evaluation.

[0176] 5 points: Very easy to count.

[0177] 4 points: Easier to count.

[0178] 3 points: It can’t be said that they are easy to count or difficult to count.

[0179] 2 points: Difficult to count.

[0180] 1 point: Difficult to count.

[0181] [Table 1]

[0182]

[0183]

[0184] As shown in Table 1, the aggregate of each embodiment has an identification area row formed on one surface of the aggregate, in which the identification areas of each of the plurality of diapers constituting the aggregate are arranged in one direction, and the colors of adjacent identification areas in the identification area row are different from each other, and there is a non-identification area mainly composed of a color different from the color of the identification area row on the one surface, so that the number of diapers can be easily grasped compared with the comparative examples that do not have this structure.

[0185] Comparative Examples 1 and 2 form identification areas on one surface of the aggregate, but because the colors, i.e., hues, of adjacent identification areas are not different from each other, and the non-identification area of ​​Comparative Example 3 is a colorful pattern with a single-color occupancy rate of less than 50%, i.e., it is not dominated by one color, the evaluation is low compared to the various embodiments.

[0186] Furthermore, as can be seen from the comparison between Examples 1 to 3 and Example 4, the presence of the identification auxiliary region makes it easier to grasp the number of diapers constituting the aggregate.

[0187] Industrial Applicability

[0188] According to the present invention, it is easy to individually identify multiple absorbent articles that constitute an aggregate, so it is easy to grasp the number of absorbent articles, and various operations such as taking out a required number of absorbent articles from the aggregate and confirming the remaining number of absorbent articles can be conveniently performed.

Claims

1. An aggregate of absorbent articles in which a plurality of absorbent articles are stacked, characterized in that: The plurality of absorbent articles each have an identification region, the identification region having a color different from that of the peripheral portion and being visually recognizable from the outside of the absorbent article. The aggregate has an identification surface on which an identification region row is formed in which the identification regions of the plurality of absorbent articles are arranged in one direction. In the recognition area row, the colors of adjacent recognition areas are different from each other, On the recognition surface, there is a non-recognition area extending along the recognition area row in the same direction as the recognition area row and mainly having a color different from the color of the recognition area row, the color of the non-identification area is common to each of the plurality of absorbent articles, Between the recognition area row and the non-recognition area in the recognition surface, an identification auxiliary area having a color different from the colors of the recognition area row and the non-recognition area is provided so as to be adjacent to the recognition area row and extend along the recognition area row in the same direction as the recognition area row. The recognition auxiliary areas exist on both sides of the recognition area row.

2. The absorbent article assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The color difference ΔE between the adjacent identification areas in the identification area row ＊ 8 or above.

3. The absorbent article assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In each of the plurality of absorbent articles, the color difference ΔE between the identification area and the non-identification area is ＊ 8 or above.

4. The aggregate of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The identification region row has a repeating unit in which three or more identification regions having different colors from each other are arranged in a predetermined order.

5. The absorbent article assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The recognition area row has a color difference ΔE between adjacent recognition areas. ＊ A first group consisting of a plurality of the identification areas within a predetermined range; and the color difference ΔE ＊ A second group that is in a different range from the first group, The first group and the second group are arranged alternately in the one direction.

6. The absorbent article assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The color difference ΔE between the adjacent plurality of identification areas in one of the first group and the second group is ＊ The color difference ΔE between the average value and the adjacent multiple identification areas ＊ The difference in the average value is 5 or more and 20 or less.

7. The aggregate of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The recognition area row has a color difference ΔE between adjacent recognition areas. ＊ The portion that gradually decreases from one side to the other side in the extension direction of the recognition area row.

8. The aggregate of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the recognition area row, the color difference ΔE between adjacent recognition areas is ＊ The color difference ΔE between the identification areas that are one step away ＊ big.

9. The aggregate of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In more than half of the plurality of recognition areas of different colors in the recognition area row, the color difference ΔE between the recognition area and the recognition auxiliary area is ＊ The color difference ΔE between the non-recognition area and the recognition auxiliary area ＊ big.

10. The aggregate of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The color difference ΔE between the recognition area and the recognition auxiliary area ＊ and the color difference ΔE between the non-recognition area and the recognition auxiliary area ＊ The values ​​are 8 or more.

11. The aggregate of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The plurality of absorbent articles each have a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side to the back side via the crotch portion and a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The identification area extends across the absorbent article in the transverse direction and has a unified color. The color is lightest in the center of the transverse direction and gradually becomes darker as it moves from the center toward the outer side in the transverse direction.

12. The absorbent article assembly according to claim 11, wherein: The plurality of absorbent articles are respectively divided into a crotch portion arranged at the crotch portion of the wearer, a ventral portion arranged at a position closer to the ventral side of the wearer than the crotch portion, and a dorsal portion arranged at a position closer to the dorsal side of the wearer than the crotch portion, and include: a hook and loop fastener provided at both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the dorsal portion; and a target belt provided on the outer surface of the ventral portion and capable of detachably fixing the hook and loop fastener, The target zone functions as the identification area.

13. The aggregate of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The color of the non-recognition area is white or an achromatic color close to white.

14. A package for an absorbent article, characterized in that: include: An aggregate of absorbent articles according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and a packaging container that accommodates the aggregate inside.

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