Pants type absorbent article and method for producing the same

Abstract

At least a portion of the opening edge (LA) along the leg opening (LH) in the pants-type absorbent article (1) of the present invention is composed of an outer body (10) having a laminated portion (70), the laminated portion (70) including a stretchable first sheet (11), a non-stretchable second sheet (12) and a non-stretchable third sheet (13). The first sheet (11) is joined to the second sheet (12) in an extended state, and the third sheet (13) is joined to the first sheet (11) or the second sheet (12) in an extended state of the first sheet (11). The laminated portion (70) in the opening edge (LA) is formed into a shape that is bent back toward the non-skin facing side with the opening end (LS) of the leg opening (LH) as a free end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article and a method for producing the same. Background Art

[0002] A pants-type absorbent article generally includes an absorbent body having an absorbent core, and an outer body joined to the absorbent body, and has a pants-type shape including a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The outer body in the pants-type absorbent article has an elastic component for the purpose of imparting stretchability to the outer body, and is composed of a laminate of multiple sheets in order to hold and fix the elastic component. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a pants-type absorbent article whose outer body is composed of three sheets. The outer body of the absorbent article is manufactured by a process of intermittently welding a first sheet component and a second sheet component using a plurality of welding parts; and a process of arranging an elastic component between the surface of the second sheet component on the opposite side of the first sheet component and the third sheet component, and joining the second sheet component to the third sheet component using an adhesive. By this manufacturing method, a laminated portion is formed on the outer body, in which the first sheet component, the second sheet component, and the third sheet component are sequentially laminated from the skin side to the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the outer body. This document describes that, according to the pants-type absorbent article having such a structure, it is possible to reinforce the outer body in a soft manner without breaking the elastic member.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: European Patent Application Publication No. 03560464 Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a shorts-type absorbent article, which has a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side to the back side through the crotch portion and a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and is divided into a crotch portion arranged at the crotch portion, a ventral portion arranged closer to the wearer's ventral side than the crotch portion, and a dorsal portion arranged closer to the wearer's dorsal side than the crotch portion, and has an absorbent body including an absorbent core for absorbing and retaining body fluids, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin opposite side of the absorbent body, and the two side portions of the outer body along the longitudinal direction in each of the ventral portion and the dorsal portion are joined to each other to form a pair of side sealing portions, a waist opening portion and a pair of leg opening portions.

[0007] Preferably, at least a portion of the opening edge portion along the leg opening portion is formed by the outer body having a laminated portion including a stretchable first sheet, a non-stretchable second sheet, and a non-stretchable third sheet.

[0008] Preferably, the first sheet is joined to the second sheet in an extended state, and the third sheet is joined to the first sheet or the second sheet in an extended state of the first sheet.

[0009] Preferably, the stacked portion in the opening edge portion is formed into a shape that is bent and folded back toward the non-skin facing side with the opening end of the leg opening as a free end.

[0010] In addition, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a shorts-type absorbent article, which has a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side through the crotch portion to the back side and a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and is divided into a crotch portion arranged at the crotch portion, a ventral portion arranged closer to the wearer's ventral side than the crotch portion, and a dorsal portion arranged closer to the wearer's dorsal side than the crotch portion, and has an absorbent body including an absorbent core for absorbing and retaining body fluids, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin opposite side of the absorbent body, and the two side portions of the outer body in each of the ventral portion and the dorsal portion along the longitudinal direction are joined to each other to form a pair of side seals, a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

[0011] Preferably, there is a laminated sheet manufacturing process, in which a first stretchable blank is conveyed in one direction in an extended state while being joined to a second non-stretchable blank conveyed in the same direction, and then a third non-stretchable blank conveyed in the same direction is joined to the first blank or the second blank while maintaining the extended state of the first blank, to manufacture a laminated sheet of the above-mentioned outer body having a stacked portion formed by stacking the three blanks.

[0012] Preferably, there is provided an absorbent body arranging step of arranging the absorbent bodies at intervals along the conveyance direction on one surface of the laminate sheet of the outer body conveyed in one direction while maintaining the stretched state of the first blank.

[0013] Preferably, there is provided a laminated sheet cutting step of cutting the laminated sheet of the outer body in a region between the absorbent bodies adjacent to each other in the conveying direction at a predetermined cutting portion in a shape corresponding to the shape of the leg openings.

[0014] Preferably, in the laminated sheet cutting step, the laminated sheet of the exterior body is cut so that at least the laminated portion is present in the planned cutting portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing a pants-type diaper which is one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is schematically indicated Figure 1The illustrated diaper is a developed plan view of the skin-opposing surface (the side where the absorbent body is disposed) of the diaper in the developed and stretched state.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic exploded perspective view of a diaper is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing an example of the first sheet of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a diaper along line VV is shown.

[0020] Figure 6 (a) and (b) are used to form Figure 1 The diagram is a schematic diagram of an arrangement pattern of a joining portion where a first sheet and a second sheet of an outer body in a pants-type diaper are joined.

[0021] Figure 7 It is schematically indicated Figure 1 A perspective view of the manufacturing process of the diaper shown.

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of a main part of a laminate sheet manufacturing process in the manufacturing process shown.

[0023] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of a main part of a laminated sheet cutting step in the manufacturing process shown.

[0024] Fig.10 Yes means Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the shape of the portion to be cut in the laminated sheet cutting step in the manufacturing process.

[0025] Fig.11 It means next Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the process following the manufacturing process shown.

[0026] Fig.12 Yes means Figure 7 An enlarged view of the main part of another embodiment of the manufacturing process of the laminated sheet in the manufacturing process shown in FIG. Figure 8 corresponding figure).

[0027] Fig.13 Yes means Figure 7 An enlarged view of the main part of another embodiment of the laminated sheet manufacturing process in the manufacturing process shown in FIG. Figure 8 corresponding figure).

[0028] Fig.14 Yes means Figure 7 An enlarged view of the main part of another embodiment of the laminated sheet manufacturing process in the manufacturing process shown in FIG. Figure 8 corresponding figure). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] When manufacturing a pants-type absorbent article according to the method described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to make the outer body itself softer, but there is still room for improvement in the fit between the leg openings of the pants-type absorbent article and the body of the wearer. The reason is that the fit between the leg openings and the body of the wearer is mainly achieved by the contraction of the thread-like elastic member arranged along the leg openings, but there is a limit to the improvement of the fit in this way.

[0030] Furthermore, when manufacturing a pants-type absorbent article according to the method described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to prevent the occurrence of discomfort caused by the edge of the outer body, for example, the edge of the leg opening, contacting the wearer's skin. The reason for this is that in the manufacturing method of pants-type diapers, the leg openings are usually formed by cutting the laminated sheets of the outer body, and the cut portion remains in its original state, and no special treatment is performed on the portion to reduce the discomfort when contacting the wearer's skin.

[0031] Therefore, the present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article and a method for producing the same that can eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0032] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings based on its preferred embodiments. 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 the ratios of various dimensions and the like may be different from the actual ratios.

[0033] The shorts-type absorbent article of the present invention has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer, i.e., the direction extending from the abdomen through the crotch to the back (the direction indicated by the reference numeral "X" in the figure), and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (the direction indicated by the reference numeral "Y" in the figure).

[0034] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the longitudinal direction is the direction along the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article or the longitudinal direction of its constituent parts (such as the absorbent body), and the transverse direction is the direction along the transverse direction of the pants-type absorbent article or its constituent parts.

[0035] The shorts-type absorbent article of the present invention is divided into three parts: a crotch portion (the portion indicated by "B" in the figure) arranged in the crotch portion of the wearer and including an excretion portion opposite to the excretion portion such as the penis of the wearer (not shown in the figure); a ventral portion (the portion indicated by "A" in the figure) arranged closer to the ventral side (front side) of the wearer than the crotch portion; and a dorsal portion (the portion indicated by "C" in the figure) arranged closer to the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer than the crotch portion.

[0036] The shorts-type absorbent article of the present invention comprises: an absorbent body (a component indicated by reference numeral "2" in the figure) including an absorbent core (not shown) for absorbing and retaining body fluids; and an outer body (a component indicated by reference numeral "10" in the figure) arranged on the non-skin opposite side of the absorbent body, wherein the ventral portion and the dorsal portion are respectively joined to each other along the longitudinal direction of the outer body on both sides (the portions indicated by reference numeral "10S" in the figure) to form a pair of side sealing portions (the portions indicated by reference numeral "S" in the figure), a waist opening portion (the portion indicated by reference numeral "WH" in the figure) and a pair of leg opening portions (the portions indicated by reference numeral "LH" in the figure).

[0037] Figure 1 to Figure 3 1 shows a pants-type diaper 1 as one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 has the above-mentioned structure.

[0038] In this specification, the "skin-opposing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its components (e.g., absorbent body) that faces the skin side of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the side relatively close to the skin of the wearer, and the "non-skin-opposing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its components that faces the side opposite to the skin side when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the side relatively far from the skin of the wearer. In addition, "when worn" as mentioned here means maintaining a normal appropriate wearing position, that is, a state in which the absorbent article is correctly worn.

[0039] 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 straddles the longitudinal center line CLx in the longitudinal direction X and exists in the area from the front body F to the back body R. The longitudinal center line CLx is the Figure 2 The diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state shown is bisected in the longitudinal direction X by an imaginary straight line extending in the transverse direction Y. The "unfolded and stretched state" referred to herein means a state in which the diaper 1 is cut at the side seal portion S to be in the unfolded state, and the unfolded diaper 1 is stretched until the elastic members of each portion are stretched to the designed size (the same size as when the diaper is expanded into a flat state without the influence of all elastic members).

[0040] The ventral part A and the dorsal part C are typically located at the same positions as the side seal parts S in the longitudinal direction X, and are waist parts arranged on the waist of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. The crotch part B is typically a part of the two side parts 10S of the outer body 10 along the longitudinal direction X, and includes a region where the opening ends LS and LS are formed as the notch parts for forming the leg openings LH and LH.

[0041] 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.

[0042] In this embodiment, the absorbent body 2 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and its length direction is consistent with the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1. It is arranged in the central part of the transverse direction Y of the outer body 10 and extends from the ventral part A to the dorsal part C in the longitudinal direction X. The outline of the absorbent body 2 when viewed from above is roughly consistent with the outline of the absorbent body 5, more specifically, the outline of the core pack (not shown) forming the outer surface of the absorbent body when viewed from above. The absorbent body 2 and the outer body 10 are joined by an adhesive.

[0043] The absorbent body 2 includes a liquid-permeable front sheet 3 arranged at a position relatively close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable or poorly liquid-permeable or water-repellent (in short, leak-proof) back sheet (not shown) arranged at a position relatively far from the wearer's skin, and an absorbent body 5 arranged between the two sheets.

[0044] The absorber 5 includes an absorbent core (not shown) capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids, and a core wrap (not shown) covering the outer surface of the absorbent core including a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-facing surface.

[0045] These members constituting the absorbent body 2 are integrated with each other by a known bonding method such as an adhesive.

[0046] As the above-mentioned components constituting the absorbent body 2, components commonly used in such absorbent articles can be used without particular limitation. For example, various nonwoven fabrics or perforated films can be used as the front sheet 3, and resin films or laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics can be used as the back sheet. The absorbent core is typically composed of a water-absorbing material as the main body, and the water-absorbing material contains one or more selected from fiber materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbing polymers. The core packing is liquid-permeable and is typically composed of paper, nonwoven fabrics, etc.

[0047] In this embodiment, the outer casing 10 is as follows Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer body 10 is arranged over the ventral part A of the waist part as the front body part F, the dorsal part C of the waist part as the back body part R, and the crotch part B sandwiched by the ventral part A and the dorsal part C. Figure 2In the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1 shown, the two end regions in the longitudinal direction X constituting the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C have a rectangular shape whose length in the transverse direction Y is longer than that in the longitudinal direction X, and in the central region in the longitudinal direction X constituting the crotch portion B, a pair of opening ends LS, LS which are part of the two side portions 10S, 10S of the outer body 10 along the longitudinal direction X are curved in an arc shape convex toward the center of the transverse direction Y, and the outer body 10 as a whole has an hourglass shape.

[0048] In the present embodiment, waist gathers are formed at the ends of the ventral part A and the dorsal part C in the longitudinal direction X, i.e., at the ends of the waist. The waist gathers are composed of an outer body 10 and a plurality of elastic members 7 for forming waist gathers fixed to the outer body 10. The plurality of elastic members 7 extend in the transverse direction Y, respectively, and are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X. The waist gathers are produced by arranging and fixing the elastic members 7 in a state of extension in the transverse direction Y at a double-layer overlapped portion of the second sheet 12 formed by folding an extension portion 12E of a second sheet 12 described later constituting the outer body 10, and then releasing the elastic members 7 from the extended state. By contraction of the elastic members 7, the waist gathers are formed in a substantially continuous annular shape over the entire circumference of the diaper 1.

[0049] In addition, in the present embodiment, leg gathers are formed along the opening ends LS of each of a pair of leg openings LH, LH. The leg gathers are composed of an outer body 10 and an elastic member 8 for forming leg gathers fixed to the outer body 10. The elastic member 8 is arranged only in the front body F of the diaper 1. In detail, the elastic member 8 is arranged so as to span the ventral part A and the crotch part B in the front body F. The leg gathers are produced by fixing the elastic member 8 in an extended state between the second piece 12 and the third piece 13 described later constituting the outer body 10, and then releasing the elastic member 8 from the extended state. The above-mentioned leg gathers are formed in the opening edge portion of the leg opening LH in the area of ​​the front body F by the contraction of the elastic member 8. The elastic member 8 may be one or more.

[0050] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a pair of anti-leakage cuffs 6, 6 are arranged on both sides of the absorbent body 2 along the longitudinal direction X, which stand up toward the skin side of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. Each anti-leakage cuff 6 includes a anti-leakage cuff forming sheet 60 constituting the main body of the anti-leakage cuff 6, and an elastic member 61 fixed to the sheet 60 in an extended state in the longitudinal direction X. The elastic member 61 is arranged at the free end of the anti-leakage cuff forming sheet 60.

[0051] In the leak-proof cuff 6 constructed as described above, when the diaper 1 is worn, the leak-proof cuff 6 stands up toward the skin side of the wearer due to the contraction force of the elastic member 61. When the diaper 1 is worn, the leak-proof cuff 6 stands up, thereby effectively preventing the body fluids such as urine excreted by the wearer from spreading on the front sheet 3 and leaking outward in the lateral direction Y, so-called side leakage.

[0052] In this embodiment, the leak-proof flange 6 is as follows Figure 2 As shown, the leak-proof cuff 6 (leak-proof cuff forming sheet 60) is continuously arranged along the side of the absorbent body 2 along the longitudinal direction X over the approximately entire length of the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 2, and the length of the longitudinal direction X of the leak-proof cuff 6 is approximately equal to the length of the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 2.

[0053] As the sheet 60 for forming the leak-proof cuff, any material used as the raw material for the leak-proof cuff in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular restrictions. Preferably, it is a material that is liquid-resistant or water-repellent and breathable. For example, a single-layer or multi-layer water-repellent non-woven fabric, a laminated material of a resin film and a non-woven fabric, etc. can be used.

[0054] As raw materials of various elastic components in the diaper 1, represented by the elastic component 61 and the above-mentioned elastic components 7 and 8, various known elastic materials commonly used in such absorbent articles can be used without particular limitation unless otherwise specified, for example, synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene, butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, natural rubber, EVA, stretchable polyolefin, polyurethane, etc. As the form of the elastic component, a filamentous (silk rubber, etc.) or strip-shaped (rubber strip, etc.) elastic component with a cross-section of rectangular, square, circular, polygonal, etc., or a multifilament-type linear elastic component, etc. can be preferably used.

[0055] The outer body 10 includes a first sheet 11 disposed on a side relatively far from the wearer's skin (or absorbent body 5), and a second sheet 12 disposed on a side relatively close to the wearer's skin (or absorbent body 5). The two sheets 11 and 12 are joined to each other by various joining methods to form an integral body. The first sheet 11 constitutes the outermost surface of the outer body 10 at the ventral part A and the dorsal part C of the diaper 1. In the range of the crotch part B from the center (longitudinal center line CLx) of the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 to the two outer sides of the longitudinal direction X at a predetermined distance, the first sheet 11 is not disposed, and only the second sheet 12 is disposed as a component of the outer body 10. In the portion of the outer body where only the second sheet 12 is disposed, the second sheet 12 can form the outer surface of the diaper 1.

[0056] like Figure 3As shown, the second sheet 12 is a continuous sheet, and the first sheet 11 is different from this, and is composed of a plurality of sheets that exist independently, specifically, a first ventral sheet 110 constituting the ventral part A (more specifically, a region sandwiched by a pair of side seals S, S of the ventral part A), and a first dorsal sheet 111 constituting the dorsal part C (more specifically, a region sandwiched by a pair of side seals S, S of the dorsal part C). The first ventral sheet 110 and the first dorsal sheet 111 extend from the ventral part A or the dorsal part C to the crotch part B, respectively.

[0057] The ventral first sheet 110, the dorsal first sheet 111 and the second sheet 12 are respectively as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the elastic member 7 has extensions 11E and 12E extending outward from the end of the longitudinal direction X of the elastic member 7. The extensions 11E and 12E are folded toward the elastic member 7 to cover the end of the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 2. The extensions 11E and 12E folded toward the elastic member 7 are bonded to other components (the second sheet 12, the absorbent body 2, the leak-proof cuff forming sheet 60, the elastic member 7) opposite to the extensions 11E and 12E by an adhesive. The length of the extension 12E of the second sheet 12 (the length along the X direction) is longer than the length of the extensions 11E of each of the first ventral sheet 110 and the first dorsal sheet 111 (the length along the X direction).

[0058] In addition, the following description of the first sheet 11 is applicable to both the front first sheet 110 and the back first sheet 111 unless otherwise specified.

[0059] The outer body 10 has a third sheet 13 in addition to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. The third sheet 13 is present in the entire region of the outer body 10 in the lateral direction Y in the front body portion F so as to straddle the ventral portion A and the crotch portion B. The third sheet 13 constitutes the innermost surface of the outer body 10 at the location where the third sheet is disposed.

[0060] When the outer body 10 is viewed from above, the entire area of ​​the third sheet 13 overlaps with the second sheet 12. In addition, the entire area of ​​the third sheet 13 overlaps with the entire area of ​​the first sheet 11 or overlaps with a part of the first sheet 11, or a part of the third sheet overlaps with the entire area of ​​the first sheet 11 or overlaps with a part of the first sheet 11.

[0061] The first sheet 11 is stretchable in the transverse direction Y. In the present embodiment, the first sheet 11 includes a stretchable sheet that is stretchable in the transverse direction Y, and the ventral first sheet 110 and the dorsal first sheet 111 are the stretchable sheets. The first sheet 11 is premised on being stretchable in the transverse direction Y, and may include a sheet other than the stretchable sheet that is stretchable in the transverse direction Y (e.g., a non-stretchable sheet).

[0062] In the present invention, “having stretchability in the transverse direction” specifically means that the maximum elongation in the transverse direction Y of the sheet (for example, the first sheet 11 ) is preferably 50% or more.

[0063] The "maximum elongation" mentioned here refers to the elongation when the measurement object (for example, the first sheet 11) is stretched to a length that cannot be stretched any further (i.e., the length just before the material breaks), and is obtained according to the following formula (1).

[0064] Maximum elongation (%) = {(length after elongation - length before elongation) / length before elongation} × 100 (1)

[0065] The maximum elongation can be measured by the following steps. In the natural state of the measurement object of the absorbent article (the contracted state of the elastic component), marks are marked in the Y direction with an interval of 50 mm, and the interval between the marks is measured as the "length before elongation". Next, the measurement object is stretched in its expansion and contraction direction until the material of the measurement object is about to break, and the interval between the above marks in such an elongated state is measured as the "length after elongation". And, these measured values ​​are substituted into the above formula (1) to calculate the maximum elongation. In addition, the measurement object can also be cut out from the absorbent article as a measurement sample for measurement.

[0066] As the stretch sheet constituting the first sheet 11, it is preferred to use, for example, (1) a stretch nonwoven fabric in which a stretchable fiber layer is integrated with both sides or one side of an elastic fiber layer, (2) a stretch nonwoven fabric in which a stretchable fiber layer is integrated with both sides or one side of a mesh elastic sheet, (3) a stretch nonwoven fabric in which a stretchable fiber layer is integrated with both sides or one side of an elastic sheet formed by an elastic film, (4) a stretch nonwoven fabric in which a large number of elastic filaments arranged in a manner extending in one direction without crossing each other are integrated with a stretchable fiber layer, etc.

[0067] The “stretchable fiber layer” mentioned here includes not only a fiber layer that is stretchable before being integrated with an elastic material, but also a fiber layer that is stretchable by mechanical processing or the like after being integrated with an elastic material.

[0068] Examples of a method for integrating the elastic fiber layer and the stretchable fiber layer include a method of laminating them and entangle the fibers by hydroentanglement or airflow, or a method of bonding them by heat embossing, adhesives, ultrasonic waves, or the like.

[0069] exist Figure 4, a preferred example of the first sheet 11 (ventral first sheet 110, dorsal first sheet 111) is shown, namely, the first sheet 11A. The first sheet 11A is equivalent to the stretchable nonwoven fabric of (4) above. The first sheet 11A has a structure in which elastic filaments are sandwiched between stretchable fiber layers mainly composed of inelastic fibers and integrated. That is, the first sheet 11A includes two fiber sheets 16, 17 as the fiber layers, and an elastic component 18 as the elastic filaments arranged between the two sheets 16, 17. The stretchable nonwoven fabric having this structure can be manufactured, for example, according to the method described in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2009-61743.

[0070] The two sheets 16 and 17 constituting the first sheet 11A are both stretchable sheets. The sheets 16 and 17 are stretchable in the same direction as the extension direction (lateral direction Y) of the elastic member 18. The so-called stretchable refers to: (1) the situation where the constituent fibers of the sheets 16 and 17 themselves stretch; and (2) even if the constituent fibers themselves do not stretch, the fibers bonded at the intersections are separated by mechanical processing, or the three-dimensional structure formed by a plurality of fibers by bonding to each other undergoes structural changes, or the constituent fibers are torn, and the sheets 16 and 17 as a whole stretch.

[0071] The elastic component 18 is an elastic filament formed by stretching an elastic resin in a molten or softened state. A plurality of elastic components 18 are respectively arranged continuously over the entire length of the transverse direction Y of the first sheet 11A (exterior body 10). A plurality of elastic components 18 are arranged so as to extend in one direction (transverse direction Y) without crossing each other. The elastic component 18 is joined to the two sheets 16 and 17 in a substantially non-stretched state. The joining of the elastic component 18 to the fiber sheets 16 and 17 is accomplished by fusing the elastic component 18 with the constituent fibers (non-elastic fibers) of the two sheets 16 and 17 while being embedded in the elastic component 18, rather than by using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. Therefore, there is no adhesive between the fiber sheets 16 and 17 (stretchable fiber layers mainly composed of non-elastic fibers) and the elastic component 18 joined thereto.

[0072] The first sheet 11A is stretchable in the same direction as the extension direction (lateral direction Y) of the elastic member 18. The stretchability of the first sheet 11A is manifested by the elasticity of the elastic member 18. When the first sheet 11A is stretched in the same direction as the extension direction of the elastic member 18, the elastic member 18 and the fiber sheets 16 and 17 are stretched. When the stretching of the first sheet 11A is released, the elastic member 18 contracts, and as it contracts, the fiber sheets 16 and 17 return to the state before the stretching. In addition, in the first sheet 11A, when it is manufactured, the fiber sheet 16 and the fiber sheet 17 are partially broken to provide an extension margin, so when the first sheet 11A is stretched in the same direction as the extension direction (lateral direction Y) of the elastic member 18, the sheet 11A is stretched in the lateral direction Y with almost no contraction, so-called shrinkage.

[0073] The two fiber sheets 16 and 17 constituting the first sheet 11A can be short fiber nonwoven fabrics. Examples of nonwoven fabrics include hot air nonwoven fabrics, hot rolled nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, etc. The two sheets 16 and 17 can be the same type or different types. The "same type of sheets" mentioned here refer to sheets with the same manufacturing process, type of constituent fibers of the sheets, fiber diameter and length of the constituent fibers, thickness and gram weight of the sheets. When at least one of them is different, it is a "different type of sheet". In addition, the elastic component 18 (elastic filament) is, for example, an elastic component made of a thermoplastic elastomer or rubber as a raw material. In particular, when a thermoplastic elastomer is used as a raw material, it can be a melt-spun fiber obtained by an extruder in the same manner as a conventional thermoplastic resin. In addition, because the elastic filaments obtained in this way are easily heat-fused, they are suitable for the first sheet 11A.

[0074] The basis weight of the first sheet 11 (when the first sheet 11 is a laminated structure such as the first sheet 11A described above, it is the basis weight of the laminated structure) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20 g / m 2 More preferably 30g / m 2 Above, and preferably 60g / m 2 Below, more preferably 55g / m 2 the following.

[0075] In this embodiment, the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are both non-stretchable sheets. The second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are based on non-stretchability and may include sheets other than non-stretchable sheets. The second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are typically composed of non-stretchable sheets.

[0076] The maximum elongation in the transverse direction Y of the non-stretchable second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 is preferably less than 50%, and may be 0%.

[0077] As the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13, nonwoven fabrics, resin films, etc. obtained by various manufacturing methods can be used, and as the nonwoven fabric, for example, spunbonded nonwoven fabrics, hot air nonwoven fabrics, needle punched nonwoven fabrics, etc. can be cited. The second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 can be a single-layer structure, or a laminated structure formed by laminating more than two sheets.

[0078] The gram weight of the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 (when the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are a laminated structure, the gram weight of the laminated structure) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 13 g / m 2 More preferably 15g / m 2 More than, and preferably 30g / m 2 Below, more preferably 25g / m 2 the following.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, the outer body 10 has: a portion consisting only of the second sheet 12 (i.e., the crotch portion B); a portion consisting only of the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 (i.e., the portion near the waist opening WH in the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion C); and a portion consisting of the first sheet 11, the second sheet 12, and the third sheet 13 (i.e., the portion from the ventral portion A to the crotch portion B in the front body F). Hereinafter, the portion consisting of the three sheets of the first sheet 11, the second sheet 12, and the third sheet 13 is referred to as a "laminated portion 70".

[0080] The laminated area 70 is a portion from the ventral portion A to the crotch portion B in the front body portion F, and corresponds to a portion where the elastic member 8 for forming leg gathers is arranged along the leg opening LH. Figure 5 At least a portion of the opening edge portion LA along the leg opening LH (specifically, a portion of the region of the opening edge portion LA located on the front body F side) is formed by the outer body 10 having the laminated portion 70 .

[0081] Since the laminated portion 70 has the above structure, in the natural state of the outer body 10 (that is, the relaxed state after the stretched state of the first sheet 11 is released), Figure 5As shown, the laminated portion 70 is formed into a shape that is bent and folded toward the non-skin opposite side with the opening end LS of the leg opening as a free end. The reason why the laminated portion 70 is bent and folded toward the non-skin opposite side is that the ease of contraction of the laminated portion 70 when the stretched state of the first sheet 11 is released is different on the first sheet 11 side and the third sheet 13 side. In detail, since the first sheet 11 is stretchable and the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are non-stretchable, the laminated portion 70 is easy to contract on the first sheet 11 side, but not easy to contract on the third sheet 13 side. As a result, the laminated portion 70 is easy to bend and fold toward the first sheet 11 side, just as a bimetallic material is bent and folded due to the difference in expansion rate. In addition, by configuring the elastic component 8, the laminated portion 70 is bent and folded to a greater extent by the contraction force of the elastic component 8.

[0082] The diaper 1 of this embodiment, in which the laminated part 70 is formed into a shape that is bent and folded back toward the non-skin-opposite surface, has a double structure formed by bending and folding the laminated part 70 along the opening edge LA of the leg opening LH, so the fit of the leg opening to the wearer's body is improved. In addition, since the bent and folded part of the laminated part 70 has a certain width and abuts against the wearer's body, the tightening force caused by the contraction of the leg opening is dispersed, and it plays a role like an air cushion, and it is not easy to produce tightening marks on the wearer's skin. Thus, the occurrence of skin problems can be effectively suppressed. In addition, by bending and folding the laminated part 70 toward the non-skin-opposite surface, the opening end LS of the leg opening is separated from the wearer's skin, so it is not easy to produce discomfort caused by the contact between the opening end LS and the wearer's skin.

[0083] In the stacking part 70, as Figure 5 As shown, the first sheet 11 is joined to the second sheet 12 in its stretched state. At the same time, the third sheet 13 is joined to the second sheet 12 in the stretched state of the first sheet 11. The relative areas of the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 are partially joined to each other by a plurality of joints 71. On the other hand, the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 are joined to substantially the entire surface of the relative areas of the two sheets by an adhesive 72 such as a hot melt adhesive. In addition, an elastic member (not shown) for forming leg gathers is arranged between the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 in the stretched state. "Substantially the entire surface is joined" means that the area of ​​the relative areas of the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 is preferably joined by more than 50%, more preferably more than 90%, further preferably more than 95%, and further preferably more than 98%. By configuring in this way, when the first sheet 11 side contracts, the third sheet 13 side is easy to follow and further bend and fold back.

[0084] From the viewpoint of making the above effects more significant, the warping width W of the laminated portion 70 (see Figure 5) is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 3 mm or more. Also preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less. The warping folding width W is preferably 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

[0085] The warp-turned width W of the laminated portion 70 is measured as follows: In the natural state of the diaper 1 (elastic member contracted state), the warp-turned width is measured from the upper part of the warp-turned portion to the point where the warp-turned width is the largest.

[0086] From the same viewpoint, in the laminated portion 70, the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 are preferably partially joined at intervals in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y of the diaper 1. Figure 6 (a) and (b) schematically show the state where the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 are joined in a scattered manner by a plurality of joining portions 71. Figure 6 In the arrangement pattern shown in (a), multiple rows of the joining portions 71 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1, and multiple rows of the joining portions 71 are arranged along the transverse direction Y. That is, the joining portions 71 are arranged at the intersections of the grids extending along the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y, respectively. Figure 6 In the arrangement pattern shown in (b), the bonding portions 71 are arranged in a staggered grid pattern.

[0087] exist Figure 6 In the case of the configuration pattern shown in (a), the pitch Xp of the adjacent joints 71 in the longitudinal direction X and the pitch Yp of the adjacent joints 71 in the transverse direction Y are each independently greater than 1 mm, particularly preferably greater than 3 mm, and preferably less than 15 mm, particularly preferably less than 30 mm.

[0088] exist Figure 6 In the case of the arrangement pattern shown in (b), the pitch P between the closest bonding portions 71 is preferably 1.5 mm or more, particularly preferably 4.5 mm or more, and is preferably 20 mm or less, particularly preferably 40 mm or less.

[0089] In the stacked portion 70, in order to join the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, the total area of ​​the joint portion 71 is preferably formed to be 0.3% or more, more preferably 0.5% or more, and preferably 10% or less, more preferably 20% or less, relative to the area of ​​the stacked portion 70. By forming the joint portion 71 at such a ratio, the stacked portion 70 can be smoothly warped and folded back.

[0090] In addition, Figure 6(a) and (b) show a circular joint 71, but the shape of the joint 71 is not limited to this, and shapes other than a circle may be used, for example, a polygonal shape such as a triangle or a quadrilateral, an ellipse or a star, or a combination thereof.

[0091] Further considering from the same point of view, in the opening edge portion LA of the leg opening portion, as Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the angle θ formed by the tangent line TL of the open end LS in the stacked portion 70 and the transverse direction Y of the diaper 1 is preferably 1 degree or more, more preferably 10 degrees or more, and even more preferably 20 degrees or more. In addition, the angle θ is preferably less than 90 degrees, more preferably 80 degrees or less, and even more preferably 70 degrees or less. The angle θ is preferably 1 degree or more and 90 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, and even more preferably 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less.

[0092] If at least one position of the opening end LS of the stacking part 70 satisfies the range of the above-mentioned angle θ, the stacking part 70 can be warped and folded back smoothly with the opening end LS as the free end. If all positions of the opening end LS of the stacking part 70 satisfy the range of the above-mentioned angle θ, the stacking part 70 can be warped and folded back more smoothly with the opening end LS as the free end.

[0093] Next, a preferred method for manufacturing the diaper 1 according to the above embodiment is described. Figure 7 For explanation. Figure 7 As shown, two rows of strip-shaped first blanks 11 ′, 11 ′ are continuously fed out in parallel and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance from a blank roller (not shown) and conveyed in one direction.

[0094] At the same time, a strip-shaped second blank 12 ′ and a third blank 13 ′ are respectively continuously fed out from a blank roller (not shown) and fed in the same direction as the feeding direction of the first blank 11 ′.

[0095] The first blank 11' is the material of the first sheet 11 in the diaper 1. In addition, the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' are the materials of the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 in the diaper 1, respectively. Therefore, the first blank 11' has stretchability. On the other hand, the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' are both non-stretchable materials. The first blank 11' has stretchability along its conveying direction.

[0096] Comparing the widths of the first blank 11', the second blank 12' and the third blank 13', the second blank 12' is the widest, and the widths of the first blank 11' and the third blank 13' are narrower than the width of the second blank 12'. The size relationship between the width of the first blank 11' and the width of the third blank 13' is not particularly limited.

[0097] Two rows of first blanks 11' and second blanks 12' are joined at a joining section 100. In detail, the first blank 11' is conveyed in one direction in an extended state, and joined with the second blank 12' conveyed in the same direction. Each first blank 11' is arranged at each side edge of the second blank 12'. Each first blank 11' is located at a position closer to the inside than the side edge of the second blank 12'. The joining section 100 has an ultrasonic joining device 101, and an anvil roller 102 arranged at a position opposite thereto. The joining of the two blanks 11' and 12' based on the joining section 100 preferably adopts partial joining. As a preferred method of partial joining, it is possible to exemplify a method of intermittently and partially joining the first blank 11' and the second blank 12' in their conveying direction and in a direction orthogonal thereto. A plurality of joining sections are formed by this partial joining. The configuration pattern of the joining section is, for example, as described previously. Figure 6 In addition, Figure 6 In (a) and (b), the Y direction shown in these figures coincides with the conveying direction of the first blank 11 ′ and the second blank 12 ′.

[0098] The first blank 11' is a material that is stretchable along its conveying direction, and the first blank 11' can be manufactured by a known method. For example, the first blank 11' can be manufactured by the following steps: (1) a step of joining a plurality of elastic filaments in a non-stretched state and extending in one direction to a sheet to obtain a composite material; and (2) a step of supplying the composite material between a pair of toothed rollers that alternately have protrusions and grooves extending in the axial direction and mesh with each other in the circumferential direction and stretching the composite material to impart stretchability to the composite material. The first blank 11' manufactured in this way can be joined to the second blank 12'.

[0099] Through the above operation, the stacked body 103 of the first blank 11' and the second blank 12' is formed. The side edge of the stacked body 103 is the side edge located on the outer side in the width direction of the second blank 12'.

[0100] Next, the third blank 13' is joined to the stacked body 103. Specifically, the third blank 13' conveyed in the same direction as the conveying direction of the stacked body 103 is joined to the second blank 12' in the stacked body 103 while maintaining the stretched state of the first blank 11'. Thus, a laminated sheet 104 of an outer body having a laminated portion formed by laminating the three blanks of the first blank 11', the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' is manufactured. In the laminated sheet 104, each side edge thereof coincides with each side edge of the second blank 12'. Hereinafter, the manufacturing process of the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body is also referred to as a "laminated sheet manufacturing process".

[0101] In the laminated sheet manufacturing process, the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' are joined by applying a hot melt adhesive (not shown) to substantially the entire surface of the third blank 13', which is the surface facing the second blank 12', and using the adhesive to adhere the two blanks 12' and 13'. The meaning of "substantially the entire surface" is as described above.

[0102] exist Figure 8 1 shows an example of a joining area when the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' are joined by an adhesive. The area indicated by the shaded area in the figure is applied with an adhesive, and the two blanks 12' and 13' are joined. In the figure, reference numeral 8 is an elastic component for forming leg wrinkles. In addition, reference numeral 105 indicates the position of the predetermined cutting portion to be cut in the laminated sheet cutting step described later. According to the figure, the opposing surfaces of the two blanks 12' and 13' are joined at least substantially over the entire surface in the area where the elastic component 8 is present.

[0103] When the third blank 13' is joined to the second blank 12', the elastic member 8 for forming the leg gathers is arranged in a stretched state between the two blanks 12' and 13'. The arrangement position of the elastic member 8 is along the position where the leg opening LH is to be formed in the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body. For this purpose, the elastic member 8 is arranged as follows. Figure 7 As shown, the elastic member 8 is arranged in an extended state between the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' while being regularly shaken in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Any device known in the art can be used without particular limitation as a device for shaking the elastic member 8 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0104] The laminated sheet 104 of the outer body is manufactured by joining the first blank 11', the second blank 12' and the third blank 13'. Figure 7 As shown, the absorbent body 2 is manufactured in advance separately from the manufacturing, and an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive is applied to the absorbent body 2 (not shown). In addition, the absorbent body 2 is rotated 90 degrees relative to the conveying direction and merged with the laminate sheet 104 of the outer body. This process is also called the "absorbent body configuration process". When the absorbent body 2 merges with the laminate sheet 104, the front and back of the laminate sheet 104 are reversed so that the absorbent body 2 is configured on the side of the surface where the third blank 13' in the laminate sheet 104 is located. The absorbent body 2 is configured on the laminate sheet 104 at intervals along the conveying direction of the laminate sheet 104.

[0105] The bonding of the absorbent body 2 and the laminate sheet 104 of the outer body in the absorbent body arrangement step can be performed using, for example, an adhesive as described above. In this case, the adhesive can be applied to the entire surface of the opposing surface of the absorbent body 2 and the laminate sheet 104, or the adhesive can be applied partially to the opposing surface to bond the absorbent body 2 and the laminate sheet 104 partially.

[0106] Then, if Figure 7 As shown, in the region between the absorbent bodies 2 adjacent in the conveying direction, the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body is cut at the predetermined cutting portion 105 in a shape corresponding to the shape of the leg opening LH. This process is referred to as a "laminated sheet cutting process". In the laminated sheet cutting process, the leg opening LH is formed along the elastic member 8 at a position near the elastic member 8 in the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body on which the absorbent body 2 is arranged. The laminated sheet cutting process can be implemented by means similar to those in the conventional method of manufacturing such an article, such as a rotary cutter or a laser cutter.

[0107] In the laminated sheet cutting process, Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body is cut in such a way that at least three stacked portions 70 of the blanks 11', 12', and 13' are present at the predetermined cutting portion 105. At this time, the first blank 11' constituting the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body is in an extended state. In this state, when the laminated sheet 104 is cut at the predetermined cutting portion 105 including the stacked portions 70, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first blank 11' is released from its stretched state by cutting, and the laminated portion 70 in the laminated sheet 104 shrinks in a manner of warping and folding back with the cut-off portion 105 as a free end. As a result, in the diaper 1 finally obtained, the laminated portion 70 at the opening edge of the leg opening forms a warped and folded shape (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 5 ) In the present embodiment, since the first blank 11' constitutes the outer surface of the diaper 1, the warping and folding back of the laminated portion 70 occurs toward the non-skin facing surface side.

[0108] In the stacked portion 70 existing in the cutting planned portion 105, when not only the first blank 11' and the second blank 12' are stacked, but also the third blank 13' and the second blank 12' are joined, the warping and bending back of the stacked portion 70 becomes more significant. Fig. 9 As shown, the third blank 13 ′ and the second blank 12 ′ are preferably joined to each other by, for example, a hot melt adhesive 72 in the stacked portion 70 present in the planned cutting portion 105 .

[0109] From the viewpoint of making the warping and folding back of the laminated portion 70 more prominent, in the region where the laminated portion 70 is present in the planned cutting portion 105 of the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, the shape of the predetermined cutting portion 105 is such that the angle θ formed by the tangent line TL of the predetermined cutting portion 105 and the conveying direction MD of the laminated sheet 104 is preferably set to 1 degree or more, more preferably set to 10 degrees or more, and further preferably set to 20 degrees or more. In addition, the angle θ is preferably set to less than 90 degrees, more preferably set to 80 degrees or less, and further preferably set to 70 degrees or less. The angle θ is preferably set to 1 degree or more and less than 90 degrees, more preferably set to 10 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, and further preferably set to 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less.

[0110] If at least one position in the predetermined cutting portion 105 located in the stacking portion 70 satisfies the above-mentioned range of the angle θ, the stacking portion 70 can be smoothly warped and folded back with the opening end LS as the free end. If all positions in the predetermined cutting portion 105 located in the stacking portion 70 satisfy the above-mentioned range of the angle θ, the stacking portion 70 can be smoothly warped and folded back with the opening end LS as the free end.

[0111] Next, the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body is folded in its width direction (a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the laminated sheet 104). Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the two side portions 104a, 104a of the laminate sheet 104 of the outer body along the conveying direction are folded so as to cover the two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 2, and after the two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 2 are fixed, the laminate sheet 104 is folded in half together with the absorbent body 2 in the width direction. In this way, the diaper continuous body 1' is obtained. When 104a is folded, the elastic member (not shown) for forming waist gathers can be supplied in an extended state.

[0112] The diaper continuous body 1' comprises a laminated sheet 104 of an outer body in a state where the front body side and the back body side are overlapped, and an absorbent body 2 fixed to the laminated sheet 104 at intervals. The diaper continuous body 1' and the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body have a predetermined portion for forming a side seal portion S, i.e., a predetermined portion for separation 106, between the absorbent bodies 2, 2 in the conveying direction. In the predetermined portion for separation 106, the front body side and the back body side of the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body are directly overlapped without the absorbent body 2 being interposed therebetween.

[0113] Next, a pair of side seals S and S are formed at the predetermined division portion 106 of the diaper continuous body 1' manufactured in this way, and after the formation of the side seals S and S, or at the same time as the formation of the side seals S and S, a pants-type absorbent article cutting step is performed to divide the diaper continuous body 1' (specifically, the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body) along the width direction at the predetermined division portion 106. Through this step, each of the target diapers 1 is manufactured. In addition, through this step, the stretched state of the diaper continuous body 1' is released, and the opening edge of the leg opening of the diaper 1 is greatly bent back toward the non-skin facing side.

[0114] When forming the side seal portions S and dividing the diaper continuous body 1 ′ at the planned dividing portions 106 , for example, an apparatus and a method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-256109 can be used.

[0115] In the diaper 1 manufactured as described above, Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the laminated part 70 along the opening edge LA of the leg opening is formed into a shape that is bent and folded back toward the non-skin facing side with the opening end LS of the leg opening as a free end. According to the diaper 1 having such a shape, the leg opening fits the wearer's body better. In addition, it is less likely to leave marks on the wearer's skin due to the tightening of the leg opening. In addition, since the opening end LS of the leg opening is away from the wearer's skin, it is less likely to cause discomfort caused by the contact between the opening end LS and the wearer's skin.

[0116] The obtained diaper 1 may also be subjected to additional steps. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rotating step of rotating the divided diapers 1 by 90 degrees with respect to the conveyance direction D while conveying the divided diapers 1 so that the longitudinal direction X of the diapers 1 is aligned with the conveyance direction D can be performed.

[0117] After the diaper 1 is conveyed in a state where the longitudinal direction X is aligned with the conveying direction D through the rotating step, the step of folding the flaps 15, 15 located outside the absorbent body 2 in the transverse direction Y of the diaper 1 is then performed. This step is performed for the purpose of storing the diaper 1 in a packaging bag. The flaps 15, 15 are folded as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, it can be done on the same side of the diaper 1, or it can be done on different sides (not shown).

[0118] As previously described, in the diaper 1, since the opening edge of the leg opening is bent and folded back toward the non-skin opposite side, when each flap 15, 15 is folded, the bent and folded opening edge easily becomes the starting point of bending of each flap 15, 15. Due to this structure, the folded state of each flap 15, 15 is stable.

[0119] The diaper 1 with the flaps 15, 15 folded is transported while maintaining the folded state. The diaper 1 in the transported state is subjected to a folding process of being folded in half along an imaginary folding line L extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The diaper 1 folded in this way is bagged in the next process.

[0120] Next, regarding other embodiments of the present manufacturing method, refer to Figure 12 to Figure 14 Explain. Figure 12 to Figure 14 The embodiments shown are only illustrative. Figures 7 to 11 The embodiments shown in the drawings are different from those shown in the drawings. For any point not specifically described, the above description can be appropriately applied. Figures 7 to 11 In addition, in Figure 12 to Figure 14 In Figures 7 to 11 In the illustrated embodiments, identical components are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0121] exist Fig.12 2 shows another example of the joining area when the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' are joined by an adhesive. The area indicated by the shadow in the figure is applied with adhesive, and the two blanks 12' and 13' are joined. As can be seen from the figure, the third blank 13' is coated with adhesive over the entire area, and the entire surface of the third blank 13' is joined to the second blank 12'.

[0122] exist Fig.13 In the embodiment shown, Fig.12 In the same manner as in the embodiment shown in the figure, in the third blank 13', the adhesive is applied to the entire area thereof, and the entire surface thereof is joined to the opposing surface of the second blank 12'. Fig.12 Unlike the embodiment shown, the elastic members 8 for forming the leg gathers are not swung in the width direction of the laminated sheet 104 of the outer body, but are arranged linearly along the conveying direction MD of the laminated sheet 104. The elastic members 8 are arranged in the region where the second blank 12' and the third blank 13' are bonded by an adhesive.

[0123] exist Fig.14 In the embodiment shown, the elastic member 8 for forming leg wrinkles is not used. In addition, the first blank 11', which is a stretchable blank, is conveyed in two rows in parallel in the previous embodiments, but in this embodiment, the wide first blank 11' is conveyed in one row. In this embodiment, unlike the previous embodiments, the elastic member 8 is not arranged at the stacked portion 70 formed by stacking the three blanks of the first blank 11', the second blank 12' and the third blank 13', and the warping and folding back of the stacked portion 70 are fully reflected.

[0124] The present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the outer body 10 of the above embodiment, the laminated portion composed of the first sheet 11, the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 is provided in the front body F, but the laminated portion may be provided in the back body R instead of or in addition to this structure. In the case where the laminated portion is provided in the back body R, the elastic member 8 may be arranged between the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 13 in the laminated portion.

[0125] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the laminated portion in the outer body 10 is formed by laminating the first sheet 11, the second sheet 12, and the third sheet 13 in sequence, but instead of this structure, the laminated portion may be formed by laminating the second sheet 12, the first sheet 11, and the third sheet 13 in sequence. In this case, the second sheet 12 can constitute the outermost surface of the outer body 10. In addition, the elastic member 8 can be arranged in an extended state along the leg opening LH between the third sheet 13 and the first sheet 11.

[0126] In detail, Figure 7 In the manufacturing process shown, the third blank 13' is joined to the second blank 12', but the third blank 13' may be joined to the first blank 11' instead of this structure. In this case, the elastic member 8 is arranged in an extended state while being shaken between the first blank 11' and the third blank 13' along the predetermined position for forming the leg opening LH. In addition, in this case, it is preferred that in the stacking portion 70 where the predetermined cutting portion 105 of the stacking sheet 104 of the outer body exists, not only the third blank 13' is stacked with the first blank 11', but also the second blank 12' is joined to the first blank 11'.

[0127] Regarding the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention further discloses the following pants-type absorbent article and a method for producing the same.

[0128] <1>

[0129] A pants-type absorbent article, which has a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side to the back side through the crotch part and a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and is divided into a crotch part arranged at the crotch part, a ventral part arranged closer to the wearer's ventral side than the crotch part, and a dorsal part arranged closer to the wearer's dorsal side than the crotch part, and has an absorbent body including an absorbent core for absorbing and retaining body fluids, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body, and the two side parts of the outer body in each of the ventral part and the dorsal part along the longitudinal direction are joined to each other to form a pair of side seals, a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

[0130] At least a portion of the opening edge portion along the leg opening portion is formed by the outer body having a laminated portion, the laminated portion including a stretchable first sheet, a non-stretchable second sheet, and a non-stretchable third sheet.

[0131] The first sheet is joined to the second sheet in a stretched state, and the third sheet is joined to the first sheet or the second sheet in a stretched state of the first sheet,

[0132] The above-mentioned stacked portion in the above-mentioned opening edge portion is formed into a shape that is bent and folded back toward the non-skin opposite surface side with the opening end of the above-mentioned leg opening portion as a free end.

[0133] <2>

[0134] As mentioned above <1> The shorts-type absorbent article described in

[0135] The second sheet and the third sheet are joined, and an elastic member is arranged in a stretched state along the leg opening between the two sheets, or,

[0136] The first sheet and the third sheet are joined, and elastic members are arranged in a stretched state along the leg openings between the two sheets.

[0137] <3>

[0138] As mentioned above <1> or <2> The shorts-type absorbent article described in

[0139] The second piece is joined to the third piece, and

[0140] The second sheet and the third sheet are bonded to each other over substantially the entire surfaces of the opposing regions of the two sheets.

[0141] <4>

[0142] As mentioned above <1> to <3> The shorts-type absorbent article according to any one of the above, wherein:

[0143] The first sheet and the second sheet are partially joined at intervals in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the pants-type absorbent article.

[0144] <5>

[0145] As mentioned above <1> to <4> The shorts-type absorbent article according to any one of the above, wherein:

[0146] An angle θ formed between a tangent line of the opening edge of the leg opening at the opening end of the stacked portion and the lateral direction of the pants-type absorbent article is greater than or equal to 1 degree and less than 90 degrees.

[0147] <6>

[0148] As mentioned above <1> to <5> The shorts-type absorbent article according to any one of the above, wherein:

[0149] Leg gathers are formed along the opening ends of the leg openings.

[0150] <7>

[0151] As mentioned above <6> The shorts-type absorbent article described in

[0152] The leg gathers are configured to include the outer body and an elastic member for forming leg gathers fixed to the outer body.

[0153] <8>

[0154] As mentioned above <1> to <7> The shorts-type absorbent article according to any one of the above, wherein:

[0155] The waist gathers are formed by elastic members fixed to the outer body.

[0156] The first sheet includes a ventral first sheet constituting the ventral portion and a dorsal first sheet constituting the dorsal portion.

[0157] The first ventral sheet, the first dorsal sheet, and the second sheet have extensions extending outward from the longitudinal ends of the elastic member.

[0158] The extension portion is folded toward the elastic member to cover the longitudinal end of the absorbent body.

[0159] <9>

[0160] As mentioned above <8> The shorts-type absorbent article described in

[0161] The length of the extension portion of the second sheet is longer than the length of the extension portion of each of the ventral first sheet and the dorsal first sheet.

[0162] <10>

[0163] As mentioned above <8> or <9> The shorts-type absorbent article described in

[0164] The first piece is stretchable in the horizontal direction.

[0165] The ventral first sheet and the dorsal first sheet are stretch sheets respectively.

[0166] <11>

[0167] As mentioned above <1> to <10> The shorts-type absorbent article according to any one of the above, wherein:

[0168] In the portion of the outer casing where the third sheet is disposed, the third sheet constitutes the innermost surface of the outer casing.

[0169] <12>

[0170] As mentioned above <1> to <11> The shorts-type absorbent article according to any one of the above, wherein:

[0171] The first sheet includes two fiber sheets and an elastic member disposed between the two sheets.

[0172] Both of the two fiber sheets are stretchable fiber sheets and are stretchable in the same direction as the extending direction of the elastic member.

[0173] <13>

[0174] As mentioned above <12> The shorts-type absorbent article described in

[0175] The elastic members are elastic filaments formed by stretching an elastic resin in a molten or softened state, and are continuously disposed over the entire width of the first sheet and arranged to extend in one direction without intersecting each other.

[0176] <14>

[0177] As mentioned above <1> to <13> The shorts-type absorbent article according to any one of the above, wherein:

[0178] Preferably 50% or more, more preferably 90% or more, further preferably 95% or more, and even more preferably 98% or more of the area of ​​the facing region of the second sheet and the third sheet are bonded.

[0179] <15>

[0180] A method for manufacturing a pants-type absorbent article, the pants-type absorbent article having a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side to the back side via a crotch portion and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the pants-type absorbent article being divided into a crotch portion arranged at the crotch portion, a ventral portion arranged closer to the wearer's ventral side than the crotch portion, and a dorsal portion arranged closer to the wearer's dorsal side than the crotch portion, and having an absorbent body including an absorbent core for absorbing and retaining body fluids, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body, both side portions of the outer body in each of the ventral portion and the dorsal portion being joined to each other along the longitudinal direction to form a pair of side seals, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings, the manufacturing method comprising:

[0181] A laminated sheet manufacturing step, wherein a first stretchable blank is conveyed in a stretched state in one direction while being joined to a second non-stretchable blank conveyed in the same direction, and then a third non-stretchable blank conveyed in the same direction is joined to the first blank or the second blank while maintaining the stretched state of the first blank, to manufacture the laminated sheet of the outer body having a stacked portion formed by stacking the three blanks;

[0182] an absorbent body arranging step of arranging the absorbent bodies at intervals along the conveying direction on one surface of the laminated sheet of the outer body conveyed in one direction while maintaining the stretched state of the first blank; and

[0183] a laminated sheet cutting step of cutting the laminated sheet of the outer body at a predetermined cutting portion in a region between the absorbent bodies adjacent to each other in the conveying direction in a shape corresponding to the shape of the leg openings;

[0184] In the laminated sheet cutting step, the laminated sheet of the exterior body is cut so that at least the laminated portion is present in the planned cutting portion.

[0185] <16>

[0186] As mentioned above <15> The manufacturing method described in

[0187] In the laminated sheet manufacturing step, the elastic member is arranged in a stretched state between the second blank and the third blank or between the first blank and the third blank along the planned formation position of the leg opening.

[0188] <17>

[0189] As mentioned above <15> or <16> The manufacturing method described in

[0190] In the laminated sheet cutting step, the laminated sheet is cut so that at least the laminated portion where the third blank is joined to the first blank or the second blank exists in the planned cutting portion of the laminated sheet of the exterior body.

[0191] <18>

[0192] As mentioned above <15> to <17> The production method according to any one of claims , wherein

[0193] In the above-mentioned stacked sheet cutting step, in the area where the above-mentioned stacking portion exists in the above-mentioned predetermined cutting portion of the stacked sheet of the above-mentioned outer body, the shape of the predetermined cutting portion is formed so that the angle θ formed by the tangent of the predetermined cutting portion and the conveying direction of the above-mentioned stacked sheet is greater than 1 degree and less than 90 degrees.

[0194] <19>

[0195] As mentioned above <15> to <18> The production method according to any one of claims , wherein

[0196] In the above-mentioned laminated sheet manufacturing step, the third blank is joined to the second blank.

[0197] <20>

[0198] As mentioned above <19> The manufacturing method described in

[0199] In the laminated sheet manufacturing step, a hot melt adhesive is applied to substantially the entire surface of the surface of the third blank that faces the second blank among the two surfaces, and the second blank and the third blank are bonded together by the adhesive.

[0200] <21>

[0201] As mentioned above <15> to <20> The production method according to any one of claims , wherein

[0202] In the above-mentioned laminated sheet manufacturing step, the first blank and the second blank are partially joined at intervals in their conveyance direction and in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

[0203] <22>

[0204] As mentioned above <15> to <21> The manufacturing method according to any one of the above, comprising:

[0205] After the laminated sheet cutting step, a step of folding the laminated sheet of the outer body in half in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; and

[0206] The shorts-type absorbent article cutting step forms a side seal portion at a predetermined portion of the laminated sheet of the outer body folded in half, and after or simultaneously with the formation of the side seal portion, the laminated sheet of the outer body is cut at the predetermined portion to obtain a single shorts-type absorbent article.

[0207] <23>

[0208] As mentioned above <22> The manufacturing method described in, which comprises:

[0209] A rotating step of rotating the pants-type absorbent article obtained by the pants-type absorbent article cutting step by 90 degrees relative to the conveying direction so that the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article is aligned with the conveying direction;

[0210] A step of folding each flap portion of the pants-type absorbent article, which is located laterally outward from the absorbent body, onto the absorbent body; and

[0211] A folding step of folding the pants-type absorbent article in a folded state along an imaginary folding line extending in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction.

[0212] <24>

[0213] As mentioned above <15> to <23> The production method according to any one of claims , wherein

[0214] A composite material is obtained by joining a plurality of elastic filaments to a sheet material in a manner that the filaments extend in one direction in a non-stretched state.

[0215] The composite material is supplied between a pair of toothed rollers that alternately have ridges and grooves extending in the axial direction and mesh with each other, and the composite material is stretched to impart elasticity to the composite material to produce a first blank.

[0216] The manufactured first blank is joined to the second blank.

[0217] Industrial Applicability

[0218] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pants-type absorbent article in which the leg openings have a shape that is bent and folded back compared to the conventional art, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Claims

1. A pants-type absorbent article, which has a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side to the back side through the crotch part and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and is divided into a crotch part arranged at the crotch part, a ventral part arranged closer to the wearer's ventral side than the crotch part, and a dorsal part arranged closer to the wearer's dorsal side than the crotch part, and has an absorbent body including an absorbent core for absorbing and retaining body fluids, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body, and the two side parts of the outer body in each of the ventral part and the dorsal part along the longitudinal direction are joined to each other to form a pair of side seals, a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, wherein the pants-type absorbent article is characterized in that: At least a portion of the opening edge portion along the leg opening portion is formed by the outer body having a laminated portion, the laminated portion including a stretchable first sheet, a non-stretchable second sheet, and a non-stretchable third sheet, wherein in the laminated portion, the first sheet forms the outermost surface of the outer body at the ventral portion and the dorsal portion, The first sheet is joined to the second sheet in a stretched state, and the third sheet is joined to the first sheet or the second sheet in a stretched state of the first sheet, The stacked portion in the opening edge portion is formed into a shape that is bent and folded back toward the non-skin facing side with the opening end of the leg opening as a free end.

2. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second sheet and the third sheet are joined, and an elastic member is arranged in a stretched state along the leg opening between the two sheets, or, The first sheet and the third sheet are joined, and an elastic member is arranged in a stretched state along the leg opening between the two sheets.

3. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second piece is joined to the third piece, and The second sheet and the third sheet are bonded to each other over substantially the entire surfaces of the opposing regions of the two sheets.

4. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first sheet and the second sheet are partially joined at intervals in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the pants-type absorbent article.

5. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An angle θ formed between a tangent line of the opening edge of the leg opening at the opening end of the stacked portion and the lateral direction of the pants-type absorbent article is greater than or equal to 1 degree and less than 90 degrees.

6. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Leg gathers are formed along the opening ends of the leg openings.

7. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 6, characterized in that: The leg gathers include the outer body and a leg gather forming elastic member fixed to the outer body.

8. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The waist gathers forming elastic member is fixed to the outer body, The first sheet includes a ventral first sheet constituting the ventral portion and a dorsal first sheet constituting the dorsal portion. The first ventral sheet, the first dorsal sheet, and the second sheet have extensions extending outward from the longitudinal ends of the elastic member. The extension portion is folded toward the elastic member to cover the longitudinal end of the absorbent body.

9. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that: The length of the extension portion of the second sheet is longer than the length of each of the extension portions of the ventral first sheet and the dorsal first sheet.

10. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first piece is stretchable in the horizontal direction. The ventral first sheet and the dorsal first sheet are stretch sheets respectively.

11. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the portion of the outer casing where the third sheet is disposed, the third sheet constitutes the innermost surface of the outer casing.

12. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first sheet includes two fiber sheets and an elastic member disposed between the two sheets. Both of the two fiber sheets are stretchable fiber sheets and are stretchable in the same direction as the extending direction of the elastic member.

13. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 12, characterized in that: The elastic members are elastic filaments formed by stretching an elastic resin in a molten or softened state, and are continuously disposed over the entire width of the first sheet and arranged to extend in one direction without intersecting each other.

14. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second sheet and the third sheet are bonded to each other over 50% or more of the area of ​​the opposing regions thereof.

15. A method for manufacturing a pants-type absorbent article, the pants-type absorbent article having a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's ventral side to the back side via the crotch portion and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the pants-type absorbent article being divided into a crotch portion arranged at the crotch portion, a ventral portion arranged closer to the wearer's ventral side than the crotch portion, and a dorsal portion arranged closer to the wearer's dorsal side than the crotch portion, and having an absorbent body including an absorbent core for absorbing and retaining body fluids, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body, the two side portions of the outer body in each of the ventral portion and the dorsal portion being joined to each other along the longitudinal direction to form a pair of side seals, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings, the manufacturing method being characterized by comprising: A laminated sheet manufacturing step, wherein a first stretchable blank is conveyed in a stretched state in one direction while being joined to a second non-stretchable blank conveyed in the same direction, and then a third non-stretchable blank conveyed in the same direction is joined to the first blank or the second blank while maintaining the stretched state of the first blank, to manufacture the laminated sheet of the outer body having a stacked portion formed by stacking the three blanks; an absorbent body arrangement step of arranging the absorbent bodies at intervals along the conveying direction on one surface of the stacked sheet of the outer body conveyed along one direction while maintaining the stretched state of the first blank, so that in the stacked portion, the first blank constitutes the outermost surface of the outer body at the ventral part and the dorsal part; and a laminated sheet cutting step of cutting the laminated sheet of the outer body in a region between the absorbent bodies adjacent to each other in the conveying direction at a predetermined cutting portion in a shape corresponding to the shape of the leg openings; In the laminated sheet cutting step, the laminated sheet of the exterior body is cut so that at least the laminated portion is present in the planned cutting portion.

16. The manufacturing method according to claim 15, characterized in that: In the laminated sheet manufacturing step, an elastic member is arranged in a stretched state between the second blank and the third blank or between the first blank and the third blank along the planned formation position of the leg opening.

17. The manufacturing method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: In the laminated sheet cutting step, the laminated sheet is cut so that at least the laminated portion where the third blank is joined to the first blank or the second blank exists in the planned cutting portion of the laminated sheet of the exterior body.

18. The manufacturing method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: In the stacked sheet cutting step, in the area where the stacked portion exists in the predetermined cutting portion of the stacked sheet of the outer body, the shape of the predetermined cutting portion is formed so that the angle θ formed by the tangent of the predetermined cutting portion and the conveying direction of the stacked sheet is greater than 1 degree and less than 90 degrees.

19. The manufacturing method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: In the laminated sheet manufacturing step, the third blank is joined to the second blank.

20. The manufacturing method according to claim 19, characterized in that: In the laminated sheet manufacturing step, a hot melt adhesive is applied to substantially the entire surface of the surface of the third blank that faces the second blank among the two surfaces, and the second blank and the third blank are bonded together by the adhesive.

21. The manufacturing method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: In the laminated sheet manufacturing step, the first blank and the second blank are partially joined at intervals in the conveyance direction and in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

22. The manufacturing method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: have: After the laminated sheet cutting step, a step of folding the laminated sheet of the outer body in half in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; and The shorts-type absorbent article cutting step forms a side seal portion at a predetermined portion of the laminated sheet of the outer body folded in half, and after or simultaneously with the formation of the side seal portion, the laminated sheet of the outer body is cut at the predetermined portion to obtain a single shorts-type absorbent article.

23. The manufacturing method according to claim 22, characterized in that: have: A rotating step of rotating the pants-type absorbent article obtained by the pants-type absorbent article cutting step by 90 degrees relative to the conveying direction so that the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article is aligned with the conveying direction; A step of folding each flap portion of the pants-type absorbent article, which is located laterally outward from the absorbent body, onto the absorbent body; and A folding step of folding the pants-type absorbent article in a state where the flap portion is folded in half along an imaginary folding line extending in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction.

24. The manufacturing method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: A composite material is obtained by joining a plurality of elastic filaments to a sheet material in a non-stretched state so as to extend in one direction. The composite material is supplied between a pair of toothed rollers that alternately have ridges and grooves extending in the axial direction and mesh with each other, and the composite material is stretched to impart elasticity to the composite material to produce a first blank. The manufactured first blank is joined to the second blank.

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