Underpants-type absorbent article

Abstract

An underpants-type absorbent article (1) is provided with: an absorbent main body (10); and an exterior member (20) that is provided closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent main body (10) and that is at least partially stretchable in the lateral direction, the absorbent main body (10) having, in the crotch section (CA), a crotch elastic region (50A) provided with an absorbent elastic member (50) that is provided in the central section in the lateral direction and that stretches in the longitudinal direction, the underpants-type absorbent article has an opening region (70A) provided with a plurality of openings (70) in at least a portion of a sheet member (21) constituting the exterior member (20), and has a portion where the crotch elastic region (50A) and the opening region (70A) overlap when viewed in the thickness direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pant-type absorbent article. Background Art

[0002] In the past, there is a known technique that an elastic member that stretches and contracts along the length direction is provided at the center of the width direction (short side direction) of the absorbent body in the crotch portion of a panty-type absorbent article in order to suppress leakage of excrement, and the absorbent body is easily fitted to the excretion opening (vaginal opening, etc.) by utilizing the contraction force of the elastic member. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a panty-type diaper that can fit the absorbent body to the wearer's body by utilizing the crotch elastic member provided along the length direction of the absorbent body, thereby preventing sagging at the crotch portion.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-61335 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In a pull-on absorbent article having an elastic member in the crotch portion as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the fit of the absorbent body in the crotch portion is improved, and leakage of excretions such as urine and menstrual blood can be prevented.

[0008] However, since the excrement near the excretion opening of the wearer is easily absorbed by the absorbent body, there is a concern that the wearer's crotch may be easily dampened by the excrement accumulated in the absorbent body.

[0009] The present invention is accomplished in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a panty-type absorbent article which improves the fit at the crotch portion and the absorbency of the excrement while not causing the user to worry about the crotch portion becoming damp due to the absorbed excrement.

[0010] Solutions for solving problems

[0011] The main invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is a panty-type absorbent article, which has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction that intersect each other in the unfolded state, and has: a liquid-absorbing absorbent body; and an outer component, which is arranged at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent body and can at least partially stretch along the transverse direction. The panty-type absorbent article is characterized in that the absorbent body has a crotch elastic area in the crotch part, and the crotch elastic area has an absorbent elastic component arranged in the central part in the transverse direction and stretching along the longitudinal direction, and at least partially has an opening area with multiple openings in the sheet component constituting the outer component. When observed along the thickness direction, the panty-type absorbent article has a portion where the crotch elastic area and the opening area overlap.

[0012] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pant-type absorbent article which improves the fit of the crotch portion and the absorbency of the excrement and does not easily cause the user to worry about the crotch portion being easily dampened by the absorbed excrement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view showing a structural example of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of the sanitary napkin 1 in the unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side in the thickness direction.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA cross-sectional view of .

[0018] Figure 4 1 and 1 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 10.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a plan view for explaining the openings 70 and the fusion-bonded parts 80 provided in the non-skin side sheet 21.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a plan view for explaining the arrangement of the welded portion 90 .

[0021] Figure 7 It is a top view of the panty-shaped sanitary napkin 1 in the stretched state.

[0022] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the shape of the opening 70 formed in the non-skin side sheet 21 in the thickness direction.

[0023] Fig. 9 This is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the main body joint portion 18 that joins the absorbent main body 10 and the exterior member 20 in the thickness direction.

[0024] Fig.10 The diagram is for explaining the arrangement of the bottom-side joint 19 that joins the bottom sheet 14 and the side sheet 15 in the thickness direction.

[0025] Fig.11 It is a flow chart of each process of manufacturing the sanitary napkin 1.

[0026] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram for explaining a manufacturing apparatus 100 for manufacturing the sanitary napkin 1 .

[0027] Fig.13 It is a diagram for explaining the principle of stretching treatment.

[0028] Fig.14 It is magnified Fig.13 Graph of region K. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the drawings.

[0030] (Method 1)

[0031] A pant-type absorbent article, which has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction that intersect each other in an unfolded state, and comprises: a liquid-absorbing absorbent main body; and an outer casing, which is arranged at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent main body and can at least partially stretch along the transverse direction. The pant-type absorbent article is characterized in that the absorbent main body has a crotch elastic area in the crotch portion, the crotch elastic area has an absorbent elastic component that is arranged in the central portion in the transverse direction and stretches along the longitudinal direction, and at least partially has an opening area with multiple openings in a sheet member constituting the outer casing. When viewed along the thickness direction, the pant-type absorbent article has a portion where the crotch elastic area and the opening area overlap.

[0032] According to the underpants absorbent article of embodiment 1, the contraction force of the crotch elastic region is utilized to improve the fit of the absorbent body near the excretion opening, thereby improving the absorbency of excrement such as menstrual blood. In addition, since the opening region is provided in the portion of the outer member overlapping with the crotch elastic region, it is easy for the user to think of good air permeability. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the worry that the crotch portion is easily damp and stuffy due to the absorbed excrement.

[0033] (Method 2)

[0034] Based on the underwear-type absorbent article described in method 1, the absorbent body has an absorbent core and a liquid-impermeable and breathable breathable sheet member arranged at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core, and the underwear-type absorbent article is provided with an opening edge protrusion protruding toward the skin side or the non-skin side in the thickness direction along the periphery of the opening.

[0035] According to the underpants absorbent article of embodiment 2, the distance between the absorbent core, the air-permeable sheet member and the wearer's clothes becomes longer than when the opening edge protrusion is not formed, so that it is easy to prevent the excrement from condensing on the clothes and wetting the clothes when the excrement evaporates as water vapor to the non-skin side. Therefore, even if the wearer moves the body and the absorbent body is deformed, the clothes are not easily wetted, and the user is not likely to feel uncomfortable.

[0036] (Method 3)

[0037] In the pull-on absorbent article according to aspect 2, the opening edge protrusion protrudes toward the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

[0038] According to the underwear type absorbent article of mode 3, the opening edge protrusion is not easy to interfere with the skin side sheet, and the protrusion height of the opening edge protrusion in the thickness direction is easy to maintain. In addition, even if the opening edge protrusion is temporarily flattened, it is easy to return to its original shape.

[0039] (Method 4)

[0040] In the pull-on absorbent article according to aspect 2, the opening edge protrusion protrudes toward the skin side in the thickness direction.

[0041] According to the underwear type absorbent article of mode 4, the non-skin side sheet and the skin side sheet are easily in contact with each other by means of the protruding portion of the opening edge. Therefore, the transfer of moisture from the skin side sheet to the non-skin side sheet is promoted near the protruding portion of the opening edge, and the moisture can be efficiently evaporated from the opening to the non-skin side. As a result, moisture is not easily accumulated on the skin side, and the occurrence of dampness and stuffiness in the crotch area can be easily suppressed.

[0042] (Method 5)

[0043] Based on the underwear type absorbent article recorded in any one of methods 1 to 4, the underwear type absorbent article has a linear compression portion formed by compressing the absorbent body along the thickness direction, and the length of the linear compression portion in the crotch part in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the transverse direction.

[0044] According to the underwear type absorbent article of embodiment 5, in the lower crotch portion of the absorbent core, the menstrual blood absorbed by the portion abutting against the wearer's excretion opening is easily diffused forward and backward along the linear compression portion in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing the excretion liquid from being concentrated and stagnating around the abutting region of the excretion opening. This makes it easy to prevent dampness and excretion leakage in the lower crotch portion.

[0045] (Method 6)

[0046] Based on the underwear-type absorbent article described in any one of methods 1 to 5, the outer component comprises: a first sheet having the opening; and a second sheet, which is stacked on at least a portion of the skin side of the first sheet and has stretchability in the transverse direction, and when observed along the thickness direction, the rear end of at least one of the absorbent elastic component and the linear compression portion in the longitudinal direction overlaps with the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0047] According to the underpants absorbent article of embodiment 6, when the excretion such as menstrual blood absorbed by the absorbent core spreads forward and backward and reaches the rear end, the first sheet and the second sheet are provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core, so that the excretion is not easy to leak to the non-skin side. Thus, when the wearer sleeps in a supine position, it is possible to suppress the excretion from leaking from the rear side of the absorbent body.

[0048] (Method 7)

[0049] In the pull-on absorbent article according to aspect 6, the outer covering member is constituted by one piece of the first sheet in the crotch portion.

[0050] According to the underwear type absorbent article of mode 7, in the crotch portion, moisture such as menstrual blood easily passes through the first sheet (non-skin side sheet) and moves from the skin side to the non-skin side. In addition, by utilizing the open hole area provided in the first sheet (non-skin side sheet), moisture can easily and efficiently evaporate from the skin side to the non-skin side, which can further improve the air permeability at the crotch portion and prevent dampness from occurring.

[0051] (Method 8)

[0052] In the pull-on absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the linear compressed portion is formed by intermittently arranging a plurality of independent compressed portions, and an area of ​​each of the openings is larger than an area of ​​each of the independent compressed portions.

[0053] According to the underwear type absorbent article of embodiment 8, if the area of ​​the opening is large, the protrusion of the opening edge is easily formed larger accordingly. Therefore, compared with the opposite case, it is easy to ensure the distance between the breathable sheet member (back sheet) and the wearer's clothes, and it is easy to promote the evaporation of moisture such as menstrual blood in the crotch area. As a result, it is easy to let the user know that the breathability is good.

[0054] (Method 9)

[0055] In the pull-on absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the linear compressed portion is formed by intermittently arranging a plurality of independent compressed portions, and an area of ​​each of the openings is smaller than an area of ​​each of the independent compressed portions.

[0056] According to the underwear type absorbent article of mode 9, since the area of ​​the opening is relatively small, it is difficult to visually identify the opening compared to the opposite case. As a result, it is not easy for the user to have a negative impression that liquid such as menstrual blood is easy to leak outward (non-skin side) from the opening in the crotch.

[0057] (Method 10)

[0058] Based on the underwear-type absorbent article recorded in any one of methods 1 to 9, in a natural state, when observed along the thickness direction, the area of ​​each of the openings arranged in the portion overlapping the crotch elastic area is smaller than the area of ​​each of the openings arranged in the portion closer to the outside in the lateral direction than the absorbent body.

[0059] According to the panty-type absorbent article of embodiment 10, since the openings in the portion overlapping the crotch elastic region do not appear too large, it is not easy for the user to have the impression that menstrual blood and the like will leak outward (non-skin side) from the openings around the vaginal opening. On the other hand, in the region outside the absorbent body in the left-right direction, by making the openings appear relatively large, the user can have the impression that the entire crotch portion has sufficient air permeability.

[0060] (Method 11)

[0061] Based on the underwear-type absorbent article recorded in any one of methods 1 to 10, the absorbent body has a pair of leak-proof wall portions on both sides in the transverse direction, and the leak-proof wall portions are provided with leak-proof wall elastic components that can be stretched and contracted along the longitudinal direction, and the value obtained by dividing the length of the absorbent elastic component in the stretched state by the length of the absorbent elastic component in the natural state is greater than the value obtained by dividing the length of the leak-proof wall elastic component in the stretched state by the length of the leak-proof wall elastic component in the natural state.

[0062] According to the underwear type absorbent article of mode 11, the absorbent body is easy to shrink in the longitudinal direction at a position closer to the central part (lower crotch elastic area) than the two side parts (leakage-proof wall part) in the transverse direction. Therefore, in the central part in the transverse direction, the opening is easy to shrink and is not easy to look too large, and on the two outer sides in the transverse direction, the opening looks relatively large. As a result, it is easier for the user to have the following impression: the excrement is not easy to leak around the excretion port, and the lower crotch is easy to ensure breathability as a whole.

[0063] (Method 12)

[0064] The underpants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 11 has a main body joint portion joining the absorbent body and the exterior member in the thickness direction, wherein a total area of ​​the main body joint portion is larger than a total area of ​​the openings.

[0065] According to the underpants absorbent article of embodiment 12, since the main body joint portion is formed relatively large, the joint strength between the absorbent main body and the outer member can be improved compared with the opposite case. Therefore, it is easy to prevent the opening provided in the outer member from becoming a starting point and causing the outer member to rupture.

[0066] (Method 13)

[0067] The pull-on absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 11 comprises a main body joint portion joining the absorbent main body and the exterior member in the thickness direction, wherein a total area of ​​the main body joint portion is smaller than a total area of ​​the openings.

[0068] According to the underpants-type absorbent article of aspect 13, the openings can be larger or the number of openings provided per unit area can be increased compared to the opposite case. Therefore, the openings are more easily visually recognized, and the user is more likely to have the impression that the article has good breathability.

[0069] (Method 14)

[0070] Based on the underwear-type absorbent article recorded in any one of methods 1 to 13, the absorbent body has a top sheet and an auxiliary sheet at a position closer to the skin side in the thickness direction than the absorbent core, and at least one of the top sheet and the auxiliary sheet is a sheet member having water-retaining fibers.

[0071] According to the underpants absorbent article of embodiment 14, by arranging a sheet member with high water retention at a position closer to the skin than the absorbent core, it is easy to retain excrement such as menstrual blood at a position closer to the skin than the absorbent core, thereby reducing the amount of water transferred to a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core. As a result, it is easier to suppress leakage of excrement when wearing.

[0072] (Method 15)

[0073] Based on the underwear-type absorbent article described in any one of methods 1 to 14, the absorbent body has a side panel on the non-skin side of the breathable sheet member, the absorbent body elastic member is arranged between the breathable sheet member and the side panel in the thickness direction, and has a portion where the breathable sheet member and the side panel are not joined at a position closer to the rear side in the longitudinal direction than the crotch elastic area.

[0074] According to the underwear type absorbent article of embodiment 15, in the area where the breathable sheet member and the side sheet are not joined, a gap is easily formed between the breathable sheet member and the side sheet in the thickness direction, and the transfer of moisture from the skin side to the non-skin side is easily suppressed. Therefore, when the wearer takes a supine sleeping posture, it is easy to suppress the leakage of excrement near the buttocks behind the crotch elastic area.

[0075] (Method 16)

[0076] Based on the underwear-type absorbent article described in any one of methods 1 to 15, a pair of linear compression portions are provided at intervals in the transverse direction, and the absorbent body has one or more sheet members at a position closer to the non-skin side in the thickness direction than the absorbent core, and the number of sheet members stacked at a position closer to the non-skin side in the thickness direction than the absorbent core in the inner area in the transverse direction of a pair of linear compression portions is less than the number of sheet members stacked at a position closer to the non-skin side in the thickness direction than the absorbent core in the outer area in the transverse direction of a pair of linear compression portions.

[0077] According to the underpants absorbent article of embodiment 16, water is less likely to transfer from the skin side to the non-skin side at both sides in the transverse direction than at the center, and even if it transfers to the non-skin side, it is less likely to leak outward in the transverse direction. Thus, when the wearer takes a side-lying position, it is easy to suppress the leakage of excrement in the transverse direction.

[0078] ===Implementation Method===

[0079] As an example of a panty-type absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention, a panty-type sanitary napkin (hereinafter also referred to as "sanitary napkin 1") is described. The panty-type absorbent article also includes panty-type diapers, panty-type absorbent pads, and the like.

[0080] <Basic structure of sanitary napkin 1>

[0081] Figure 1It is a schematic perspective view showing a structural example of the sanitary napkin 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of the sanitary napkin 1 in the unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side in the thickness direction. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA cross-sectional view of .

[0082] In addition, the "stretched state" of the sanitary napkin 1 refers to a state in which the sanitary napkin 1 as a whole (the product as a whole) is stretched to a wrinkle-free state by stretching each elastic component of the sanitary napkin 1 (for example, the absorbent elastic component 50 described later, the skin side panels 22, 23, etc.), and specifically refers to a state in which the size of each component constituting the sanitary napkin 1 (for example, the outer component 20 described later, etc.) becomes consistent with or close to the size of the component itself.

[0083] Sanitary napkin 1 Figure 1 The panty-shaped state shown has mutually orthogonal "up and down directions", "left and right directions" and "front and back directions". Figure 3 As shown, the sanitary napkin 1 has a "thickness direction" which is the direction in which the components are stacked. The side that will become the waist side of the wearer when the wearer wears the sanitary napkin 1 in the up-down direction is set as the "upper side" and the side that will become the crotch side of the wearer is set as the "lower side". In addition, the side that will become the belly side of the wearer when the wearer wears the sanitary napkin 1 in the front-back direction is set as the "front side" and the side that will become the back side of the wearer is set as the "back side". In addition, the side that will come into contact with the skin of the wearer when the wearer wears the sanitary napkin 1 in the thickness direction is set as the "skin side" and the opposite side is set as the "non-skin side".

[0084] In addition, sanitary napkin 1 Figure 2 In the unfolded state shown, the "longitudinal direction" and "lateral direction" are orthogonal to each other. The "longitudinal direction" is along the up-down direction of the underpants, and the "lateral direction" is along the left-right direction of the shorts.

[0085] The sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment includes: a liquid-absorbent absorbent body 10 that absorbs liquid such as urine; and an exterior member 20 that is arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10. When the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the exterior member 20 is arranged on the waist of the wearer.

[0086] The sanitary napkin 1 comprises: a liquid-absorbing absorbent body 10 that absorbs excretion fluid (liquid) such as menstrual blood; and an outer member 20 that is provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 and is arranged on the waist of the wearer when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn.

[0087] (Absorbent body 10)

[0088] Figure 41 and 2 are a top view and a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 10. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the absorbent body 10 of this embodiment is a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above with the longitudinal direction (i.e., the long side direction of the absorbent body 10) along the vertical direction of the sanitary napkin 1. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the absorbent body 10 has an absorbent core 11 along the longitudinal direction (up and down direction), a top sheet 12 arranged at a position closer to the skin side than the absorbent core 11, an auxiliary sheet 13 arranged between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 11, a bottom sheet 14 arranged at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core 11, and a side sheet 15 arranged on the non-skin side of the bottom sheet 14.

[0089] The absorbent core 11 is a member for absorbing and retaining liquids such as menstrual blood, and is formed of liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers. In addition, the absorbent core 11 may also be a member in which pulp fibers are mixed with superabsorbent polymers (SAP). In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the absorbent core 11 may also be covered by a liquid-permeable sheet member (core wrap sheet 11b) such as tissue paper or nonwoven fabric.

[0090] The top sheet 12 is a liquid-permeable sheet member that comes into contact with the wearer's skin when worn, and is made of, for example, a hydrophilic air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, or the like.

[0091] The auxiliary sheet 13 is a sheet member having substantially the same function and structure as the top sheet 12, and is laminated on the non-skin side of the top sheet 12. In addition, the absorbent body 10 does not necessarily need to be provided with the auxiliary sheet 13.

[0092] The back sheet 14 is a liquid-impermeable and breathable sheet member (breathable sheet member) for preventing liquid such as menstrual blood absorbed by the absorbent core 11 from leaking to the outside, and is formed of, for example, a resin film.

[0093] The side sheet 15 is a sheet member laminated on the non-skin side of the back sheet 14 and is made of, for example, a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric such as SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) nonwoven fabric. In the present embodiment, the side sheet 15 forms a pair of leakage-proof walls 30, 30.

[0094] The leakage-proof wall portion 30 is a pair of so-called three-dimensional gathers provided on both sides in the lateral direction (left-right direction) of the absorbent body 10. When the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the leakage-proof wall portion 30 stands up toward the wearer's skin at both sides in the left-right direction of the absorbent body 10, thereby preventing excretion such as menstrual blood from leaking outward along the wearer's skin in the left-right direction of the absorbent body 10.

[0095] In this embodiment, if Figure 4As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG, the side sheet 15 extends outwardly from the absorbent core 11 in the transverse direction (left-right direction) and is bent toward the skin side in the thickness direction at both ends in the left-right direction of the absorbent body 10, and the end 15t is arranged at a position closer to the skin side than the absorbent core 11. In addition, at the end 15t, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 In this way, the side panels 15 are folded back to form a stacked state in the thickness direction, and the leakage-proof wall elastic member 31 is provided between the stacked side panels 15, 15 in a state stretched in the longitudinal direction. When the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, based on the elasticity exhibited by the leakage-proof wall elastic member 31, the end 15t of the leakage-proof wall portion 30 shrinks in the longitudinal direction (up and down direction), so that the absorbent body 10 is easy to fit around the crotch of the wearer.

[0096] In addition, the absorbent body 10 is provided with a high-density portion 40 in which the density of the absorbent core 11 is higher than that of the surrounding portion. The high-density portion 40 is formed by compressing the components constituting the absorbent body 10 in the thickness direction. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the high-density portion 40 is formed into a linear shape by discontinuously arranging a plurality of point-shaped independent compression portions 41. Hereinafter, the high-density portion 40 is also referred to as a "linear compression portion 40". By providing such a linear compression portion 40 (high-density portion 40), the liquid-absorbent fibers of the absorbent core 11 are prevented from being scattered and deformed. In addition, when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the linear compression portion 40 becomes a bending starting point, so that the absorbent core 11 is easy to deform three-dimensionally according to the body shape of the wearer and is easy to fit the body of the wearer.

[0097] In addition, the absorbent body 10 is provided with a plurality of absorbent elastic members 50 that are stretched in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). The absorbent elastic members 50 are formed of, for example, elastic threads, and are arranged at a position closer to the non-skin side (specifically, between the back sheet 14 and the side sheets 15) than the absorbent core 11 in a state stretched in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) at a predetermined stretch ratio. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, four absorber elastic members 50 are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. Here, the "extension ratio" of the elastic member refers to the value obtained by dividing the length of the elastic member in the stretched state by the length of the elastic member in the natural state. In addition, the configuration, number, extension ratio, etc. of the absorber elastic member 50 can be appropriately changed.

[0098] By utilizing the elasticity of the absorbent elastic member 50, the absorbent body 10 can be stretched and contracted in the longitudinal direction. When the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the absorbent body 10 can easily fit the wearer's crotch (crotch), which can improve the absorption of excrement such as menstrual blood. Hereinafter, the area where the elasticity of the absorbent elastic member 50 is mainly exhibited in the crotch is also referred to as the "crotch elastic area 50A". In the sanitary napkin 1, the area surrounded by the four absorbent elastic members 50 ( Figure 4 The region shown by the oblique line portion) becomes the crotch elastic region 50A. In addition, the crotch elastic region 50A may also have a portion overlapping with a region other than the crotch portion CA.

[0099] (Exterior member 20)

[0100] The outer covering member 20 is a sheet member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10, and includes a non-skin side sheet 21 and skin side sheets 22 and 23. Figure 2 As shown, the longitudinal direction of the outer casing member 20 and the outer casing member 20 formed on the front side ( Figure 1 The portion of the outer cover 20 that overlaps with the side joint 60 formed on the rear side (in the front-to-rear direction) is defined as the "front waist portion FA". Figure 1 The portion where the side joint 60 overlaps with the back side of the front waist portion FA in the front-to-back direction is defined as the "back waist portion BA". Furthermore, the portion between the back side end of the front waist portion FA in the longitudinal direction and the front side end of the back waist portion BA is defined as the "crotch portion CA". The side joint 60 will be described later.

[0101] The non-skin side sheet 21 is a non-stretchable sheet member disposed at the non-skin side of the sanitary napkin 1, and is formed of, for example, a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, an SMS nonwoven fabric, or the like. Figure 2 As shown, the non-skin side sheet 21 has a shape that is narrowed toward the left-right inner side at the crotch portion CA. In addition, a plurality of openings 70 and a plurality of fusion portions 80 are discretely provided on the entire surface of the non-skin side sheet 21. Figure 5 It is a plan view for explaining the openings 70 and the fusion-bonded parts 80 provided in the non-skin side sheet 21.

[0102] The opening 70 is a through hole that penetrates the non-skin side sheet 21 in the thickness direction. In the sanitary napkin 1, the opening 70 has a diameter of The roughly circular openings 70 and 70 are arranged in a manner such that the center-to-center distance p70 between two adjacent openings 70, 70 (that is, the spacing between the openings 70) is about 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm. The area in the non-skin side piece 21 where the above-mentioned multiple openings 70, 70... are provided is also referred to as an "opening area 70A". In the present embodiment, the opening area 70A is formed in the entire non-skin side piece 21, but the opening area 70A may also be formed in a part of the non-skin side piece 21. In addition, the openings 70 are formed in the opening forming step (S102) of the manufacturing process of the sanitary napkin 1 described later (refer to Fig.11 ), the size and configuration of the opening 70 can be appropriately adjusted.

[0103] The fusion portion 80 is a portion for forming the fibers constituting the non-skin side sheet 21 (non-woven fabric) into a sheet by joining the fibers to each other. The fusion portion 80 is formed in the manufacturing process of the non-woven fabric, for example, by embossing the fibers (mesh) deposited on a plane. By distributing such fusion portions 80, the non-skin side sheet 21 can maintain its softness while ensuring sufficient strength as a sheet member. In the sanitary napkin 1, the fusion portion 80 is a rectangular shape with a side length of about 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, and is distributed in a manner such that the center-to-center distance p80 between two adjacent fusion portions 80, 80 (that is, the spacing between the fusion portions 80) is about 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In the present embodiment, as Figure 5 In this way, the fusion portions 80 are dispersed in a substantially lattice pattern throughout the entire opening region 70A.

[0104] The skin side sheet 22 is a stretchable sheet member that is laminated on the skin side of the non-skin side sheet 21 at the front side (ventral side) in the longitudinal direction, and exhibits stretchability along the left-right direction in the sanitary napkin 1. The skin side sheet 22 is formed, for example, of a stretchable nonwoven fabric. "Stretchable nonwoven fabric" refers to a nonwoven fabric that contains stretchable stretch fibers and elongation fibers whose shrinkage is lower than that of the stretch fibers, and has been subjected to appropriate stretching treatments such as gear stretching. In the skin side sheet 22 of the present embodiment, fibers of a polyurethane elastomer that is a type of thermoplastic elastomer and has elasticity can be used as stretch fibers, and fibers of polypropylene (PP) that is a type of polyolefin resin and has inelasticity can be used as elongation fibers. The stretchable nonwoven fabric is formed in the stretching step (S103) of the manufacturing process of the sanitary napkin 1 described later (see Fig.11 ).

[0105] The skin side sheet 23 is a stretchable sheet member that is stacked on the skin side of the non-skin side sheet 21 on the rear side (back side) in the longitudinal direction, and has the same structure as that of the skin side sheet 22 .

[0106] The skin side sheets 22 and 23 are joined to the non-skin side sheets 21 by a plurality of scattered welds 90, thereby imparting horizontal stretchability to at least the front waistline FA and the back waistline BA of the outer member 20. In the present embodiment, the welds 90 are formed using known joining means such as ultrasonic welding.

[0107] Figure 6 90 is a top view illustrating the arrangement of the welded portion 90. Figure 6 The figure shows a state where the base sheets (non-skin side sheet 21 and skin side sheets 22, 23) constituting the outer cover member 20 are joined in the thickness direction by the welded portion 90 in the unfolded and stretched state. Figure 6 In the figure, it is shown that the cutting for forming the leg opening 1b is performed (in Figure 6 In addition, in the manufacturing process, the welded portion 90 is also formed in the portion where the skin side sheets 22, 23 and the non-skin side sheets 21 are not laminated (for example, a portion of the crotch portion CA).

[0108] exist Figure 6 In the sanitary napkin 1, when observing the outer casing 20 in the unfolded and stretched state in the thickness direction, the area indicated by the oblique line in the overlapping portion of the outer casing 20 and the absorbent body 10 is set as area Y, and the area other than this is set as area X. In the sanitary napkin 1, the size and pattern of the weld 90 formed in area X and the weld 90 formed in area Y are different. Specifically, the area of ​​each weld 92 formed in area Y is larger than the area of ​​each weld 91 formed in area X, and is formed more densely. That is, the total area of ​​the welds 92 set per unit area in area Y (hereinafter also referred to as "area ratio") is larger than the total area (area ratio) of the welds 91 set per unit area in area X.

[0109] The larger the area ratio of the weld 90, the stronger the joining strength between the skin side sheets 22 and 23 and the non-skin side sheets 21. Therefore, in the region X where the outer component 20 (non-skin side sheets 21) contacts the wearer's skin when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, by reducing the area ratio of the weld 91, the rigidity of the outer component 20 is lowered and it is easy to deform. As a result, the skin touch of the outer component 20 will not become too hard, and the outer component 20 can be easily fitted to the wearer's body. On the other hand, in the region Y, when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the absorbent body 10 is present between the outer component 20 (non-skin side sheets 21) and the wearer's skin, and the outer component 20 is not easy to come into direct contact with the wearer's skin. Therefore, even if Figure 6 By increasing the area ratio of the welded portion 92 in this manner, the skin feel and fit of the exterior member 20 are less likely to deteriorate, and the bonding strength between the skin side sheets 22 and 23 and the non-skin side sheet 21 can be enhanced.

[0110] In addition, in the outer covering member 20, a part of the non-skin side sheet 21 is folded back downward at the upper end portion in the vertical direction. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the non-skin side sheet 21 has a folded portion 21ff, which is a portion folded back toward the lower side in the up-down direction (the rear side in the longitudinal direction) and toward the skin side in the thickness direction at the front side bending position FL20f. At least a portion of the folded portion 21ff is bonded to a sheet member (in the thickness direction) adjacent to the folded portion 21ff by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. Figure 3 The waist elastic member 25f is connected to the outer member 20 in the skin side piece 22 in the middle. In addition, a waist elastic member 25f along the transverse direction (left-right direction) can be provided between the folded back portion 21ff in the thickness direction and the sheet member (skin side piece 22) adjacent to the folded back portion 21ff in the thickness direction. The waist elastic member 25f can be fixed to the outer member 20 in a state stretched in the transverse direction using, for example, an elastic cord. The waist elastic member 25f is contracted in the transverse direction, thereby improving the fit of the waist opening 1a (described later) in the front waist portion FA of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0111] Similarly, in Figure 3 In the embodiment, the non-skin side sheet 21 has a folded portion 21bf, which is a portion folded back to the lower side in the up-down direction (front side in the longitudinal direction) and the skin side in the thickness direction at the rear bending position FL20b. In addition, a waist elastic member 25b along the transverse direction (left-right direction) may be provided between the folded portion 21bf in the thickness direction and the sheet member (skin side sheet 23) adjacent to the folded portion 21bf in the thickness direction. By utilizing the waist elastic member 25b, the fit of the waist opening 1a (described later) in the rear waist portion BA of the sanitary napkin 1 is improved.

[0112] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a top view of a panty-shaped sanitary napkin 1 in a stretched state. Figure 2 From the unfolded state shown, the central position CL in the longitudinal direction (at Figure 2 As shown by the single dotted line in the figure, the folding position is Figure 7 The absorbent body 10 and the outer member 20 are folded in half in the longitudinal direction. In this folded state, the two side portions 20fe in the transverse direction of the front waist portion FA and the two side portions 20be in the transverse direction of the back waist portion BA in the outer member 20 that overlap in the front-to-back direction are joined using a known joining means such as seal welding to form a pair of side joining portions 60, 60. As a result, the folded outer member 20 is connected in a ring shape at the front side (ventral side) and the back side (dorsal side), forming a Figure 1 and Figure 7 The sanitary napkin 1 is provided with a waist opening 1a and a pair of leg openings 1b as shown, thereby forming a panty-type sanitary napkin 1.

[0113] In the sanitary napkin 1, the side joint 60 is formed by arranging a plurality of independent joints 61, 62 intermittently in the up-down direction (longitudinal direction). Figure 7 In the diaper 1, a plurality of independent joints 61, 61, ... formed in a transversely long manner are arranged at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction. In addition, a plurality of independent joints 62, 62, ... formed in a transversely long manner are arranged at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction at a position on the inner side of the independent joint 61 in the left-right direction (lateral direction). When the used diaper 1 is removed from the wearer's body, the front waist portion FA and the rear waist portion BA connected in a ring shape can be separated front and back by tearing the side joint 60. At this time, the plurality of independent joints 61, 62 intermittently arranged in the vertical direction in the side joint 60 function as easy-tear lines, so that the side joint 60 can be easily torn. However, the side joint 60 can be formed by one independent joint.

[0114] <About the crotch elastic region 50A and the open hole region 70A>

[0115] In the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment, the absorbent body 10 is easily attached to the wearer's excretion opening in the crotch portion CA by utilizing the contraction force exhibited by the crotch elastic region 50A (absorbent elastic member 50) provided in the absorbent body 10, and the absorbency of excretion fluid such as menstrual blood can be improved. On the other hand, since excretion fluid is easily absorbed by the absorbent body 10 near the excretion opening, the absorbed excretion fluid is easily concentrated and accumulated in the crotch portion, which may cause the user to worry about the crotch portion being easily damp and stuffy when wearing it.

[0116] In contrast, in the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment, an opening area 70A consisting of a plurality of openings 70, 70, ... is provided throughout the outer member 20 (non-skin side sheet 21). The opening area 70A can improve the air permeability of the sanitary napkin 1 and can also be visually recognized from the outside, thereby giving the user the impression that the sanitary napkin 1 is not easily damp and stuffy. Figure 2 When the sanitary napkin 1 is viewed in the thickness direction in the unfolded state shown, at least a portion of the opening area 70A is provided to overlap with the crotch elastic area 50A. That is, the opening area 70A is provided in the portion of the outer member 20 that overlaps with the crotch elastic area 50A that is easily attached to the excretion opening. This makes it easy for the user to think of good air permeability and can prevent the user from worrying about the crotch area being easily damp and stuffy.

[0117] In addition, a back sheet 14 (a breathable sheet member) having liquid impermeability and breathability is provided at a position on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 relative to the absorbent core 11 (see Figure 4). Therefore, the menstrual blood and other excretions absorbed by the absorbent core 11 near the excretion port can pass through the backsheet 14 as water vapor and move to the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10. As a result, the moisture (excretions) absorbed by the absorbent body 10 can be discharged to the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10. At this time, since the outer casing 20 on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 is provided with an open hole area 70A, the water vapor can easily move to a position closer to the non-skin side than the outer casing 20, which can actually improve the breathability at the crotch.

[0118] In addition, since the absorbent body 10 is pressed toward the body (crotch) side of the wearer by utilizing the elasticity exhibited by the crotch elastic region 50A, it is easy to ensure space between the absorbent body 10 and the wearer's clothes, and the excrement is easy to evaporate into the atmosphere. If the crotch elastic region 50A is not provided and the absorbent body 10 is located near the wearer's clothes, there is a concern that the water vapor (moisture) after passing through the backsheet 14 (breathable sheet member) will directly adhere to the wearer's clothes and wet the clothes. In this case, there is a concern that the user may misunderstand that the excrement leaks and adheres to the clothes.

[0119] However, if the elasticity of the crotch elastic region 50A is utilized to ensure a space between the wearer's clothes and the absorbent body 10 as described above, the water vapor passing through the backsheet 14 can easily evaporate in the space, and the condensation of the water vapor on the clothes side can be suppressed, so that the clothes are not easily wetted. Therefore, even if the open hole region 70A is provided in the crotch portion of the outer member 20, it is not easy to give the user a negative impression that the excrement is easy to leak.

[0120] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating the shape of the opening 70 formed in the non-skin side sheet 21 in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the opening 70 is formed by allowing the tip of a pin with a sharp tip to penetrate the non-skin side sheet 21 from one side in the thickness direction to the other side. At this time, the peripheral edge of the opening 70 protrudes toward the other side in the thickness direction (the side where the pin is pushed in). Fig. 8A The peripheral edge of the opening 70 is formed in the opening edge protrusion 71 protruding toward the non-skin side in the thickness direction. Figure 8B An opening edge protrusion 72 is formed in which the peripheral edge of the opening 70 protrudes toward the skin side in the thickness direction.

[0121] By forming the opening edge protrusions 71 and 72 protruding in the thickness direction, the distance between the absorbent body 10 (absorbent core 11) and the back sheet 14 (air-permeable sheet member) and the wearer's clothes becomes farther than when the opening edge protrusions 71 and 72 are not formed. Therefore, when the excrement (water) absorbed by the absorbent core 11 evaporates as water vapor through the back sheet 14 to the non-skin side, it is easy to suppress the situation where the water condenses on the clothes and wets the clothes. As a result, even if the absorbent body 10 is deformed and close to the clothes when the wearer moves his body, it is not easy to wet the clothes, which can prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0122] In addition, Fig. 8A In the case where the non-skin side piece 21 and the skin side piece 22 (23) constituting the outer component 20 are joined in the thickness direction, the opening edge protrusion 71 protrudes to the opposite side of the skin side piece 22 (23). Therefore, the opening edge protrusion 71 and the skin side piece 22 are not easy to interfere with each other, and it is easy to maintain the protruding height of the opening edge protrusion 71 in the thickness direction. In addition, even if the opening edge protrusion 71 is temporarily flattened, it is easy to restore to its original shape. In addition, on the non-skin side of the outer component 20, the light reflection method appears different between the opening edge protrusion 71 and other parts, so it is easy to visually identify the opening 70 from the non-skin side, which can easily make the user think that it has good breathability.

[0123] On the other hand, in Figure 8B In the case where the opening edge protrusion 72 protrudes toward the non-skin side in the thickness direction, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22 (23) adjacent thereto on the skin side can easily contact each other via the opening edge protrusion 72. Therefore, the transfer of moisture from the skin side sheet 22 to the non-skin side sheet 21 can be promoted near the opening edge protrusion 72, and moisture can be efficiently evaporated from the opening 70 to the non-skin side. As a result, moisture is not easily accumulated on the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1, and the occurrence of dampness and stuffiness in the crotch and the like can be easily suppressed.

[0124] In addition, by providing the absorbent body 10 of the sanitary napkin 1 with a longitudinal linear compression portion 40 (see Figure 4 ), thereby preventing the moisture such as menstrual blood absorbed by the absorbent core 11 from being locally accumulated in the area near the excretion port. Figure 4As shown, the linear compression portion 40 is configured to extend from the central position CL in the longitudinal direction toward the front waist portion FA and the rear waist portion BA along the front and back. In other words, the length of the linear compression portion 40 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the transverse direction. Therefore, at the lower crotch portion CA of the absorbent core 11, the menstrual blood and other liquids absorbed by the part that abuts against the wearer's excretion port are diffused forward and backward in the longitudinal direction in a manner guided along the linear compression portion 40, so that it is easy to expand to the entire absorbent core 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the excretion liquid from being concentratedly retained around the excretion port of the absorbent core 11, and it is not easy to produce dampness in the lower crotch portion. In addition, it is possible to prevent excretion leakage.

[0125] In addition, when viewed in the thickness direction, the linear compressed portion 40 overlaps the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22 (23) of the outer cover member 20 at the front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 2 ). That is, at the end of the linear compression portion 40 in the longitudinal direction, two layers of sheet components, namely the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22 (23), are stacked on the non-skin side in the thickness direction. Therefore, when the menstrual blood absorbed by the absorbent core 11 diffuses forward and backward along the linear compression portion 40 and reaches the end in the longitudinal direction, the menstrual blood can be suppressed from leaking to a position closer to the non-skin side than the outer component 20 (21, 22) at the end. For example, when the wearer is sitting or sleeping in a supine position, there is a concern that excretions such as menstrual blood diffuse to the rear side in the longitudinal direction and leak out from the rear side of the absorbent body 10. Even in such a case, by stacking two layers of sheet components on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 at the rear end 40eb in the longitudinal direction of the linear compression portion 40 (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 ), thereby preventing the excrement from leaking to the non-skin side and soiling the wearer's clothes.

[0126] In addition, in the absorbent body 10, similarly to the linear compression part 40, the absorbent elastic member 50 arranged along the front-to-back direction can also be used to guide the excrement in the front-to-back direction and spread the excrement. In this embodiment, at the end (rear end 50eb) in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent elastic member 50, two layers of sheet members, namely, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22 (23), are also stacked on the non-skin side in the thickness direction (see Figure 2 and Figure 4 ). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the excrement from leaking and soiling the wearer's clothes.

[0127] On the other hand, near the central part in the longitudinal direction of sanitary napkin 1, skin side pieces 22, 23 are not set, and only the outer garment member 20 is constituted by non-skin side pieces 21. In other words, outer garment member 20 is constituted by a sheet member at least part of crotch CA. Thereby, compared with front waistline FA, rear waistline BA, at crotch CA place, the moisture of menstrual blood etc. easily sees through non-skin side pieces 21 and moves from the skin side to the non-skin side. Moreover, because non-skin side pieces 21 have perforated area 70A in its whole area, therefore become the structure that makes moisture evaporate from the skin side to the non-skin side. Thus, the air permeability at crotch CA place improves, and can suppress the situation of producing dampness when wearing sanitary napkin 1.

[0128] In addition, the openings 70 can be formed so that the area S70 of each opening 70 is larger than the area S41 of each of the multiple independent compression parts 41, 41... constituting the linear compression part 40 (S70>S41). If the area S70 of the opening 70 is larger, the opening edge protrusions 71, 72 illustrated in Figure 8 are easily formed larger accordingly. Therefore, compared with the opposite situation (S70<S41), it is easy to ensure the distance between the backsheet 14 (breathable sheet member) and the wearer's clothes, and it is easy to promote the evaporation of moisture such as menstrual blood at the crotch CA. In addition, since the openings 70 themselves are easy to be conspicuous and easy to visually identify, it is easy for the user to think of good breathability, and it is not easy to have the impression that the crotch is easy to get stuffy.

[0129] On the contrary, the opening 70 may be formed so that the area S41 of each of the plurality of independent compression parts 41, 41 ... constituting the linear compression part 40 is larger than the area S70 of each opening 70 (S41>S70). In this case, since the area S70 of the opening 70 is relatively small, it is difficult to visually recognize the opening 70 compared with the opposite case (S70>S41). Therefore, it is not easy for the user to have a negative impression that liquid such as menstrual blood is easy to leak from the opening 70 to the outside (non-skin side) at the crotch.

[0130] In addition, when the sanitary napkin 1 is observed in the thickness direction in a natural state, the area of ​​each opening 70 provided in the portion overlapping with the crotch elastic region 50A in the opening region 70A is smaller than the area of ​​each opening 70 provided in the portion of the opening region 70A provided on the outside of the absorbent body 10 in the left-right direction (lateral direction) of the crotch portion CA. In the portion overlapping with the crotch elastic region 50A, the opening 70 does not appear too large, so that it is not easy for the user to have the impression that menstrual blood and the like will leak outward (non-skin side) from the opening 70 around the vaginal opening. On the other hand, in the portion on the outside of the absorbent body 10 (the crotch elastic region 50A) in the left-right direction, the opening 70 is made to appear relatively large, so that the user can have the impression that the crotch portion CA as a whole has sufficient air permeability.

[0131] In addition, the "natural state" refers to the state of the sanitary napkin 1 after it has been placed for a predetermined time. For example, after the sanitary napkin 1 in the product state is taken out of the package, the two side portions (20fe, 20be) of the outer member 20 are pulled to the left and right sides to make the outer member 20 "extended state", and after the extended state is maintained for 15 seconds, the sanitary napkin 1 is released from the pulling state and placed on a flat surface such as a table. And the state after 5 minutes under such a flat surface condition is regarded as the natural state.

[0132] In addition, the elongation ratio of the absorbent elastic member 50 constituting the lower crotch elastic region 50A is set to be greater than the elongation ratio of the leakage-proof wall elastic member 31 of a pair of leakage-proof wall portions 30, 30 provided on both sides of the absorbent body 10 in the transverse direction. Therefore, for the absorbent body 10, the central portion (lower crotch elastic region 50A) in the transverse direction is easy to shrink in the longitudinal direction compared with the two sides (leakage-proof wall portions 30) in the transverse direction. If it is such a structure, the opening 70 in the central portion in the transverse direction is also easy to shrink along the longitudinal direction with the contraction of the lower crotch elastic region 50A in the longitudinal direction, so the opening 70 does not look too large. On the other hand, the contraction of the absorbent body 10 is small on both sides in the transverse direction, and the opening 70 looks relatively large compared with the lower crotch elastic region 50A. Thus, the user can have the following impression: the excretion fluid is not easy to leak around the excretion opening (vaginal opening), and the lower crotch as a whole is easy to ensure breathability.

[0133] Fig. 9 1 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the body joint 18 for joining the absorbent body 10 and the outer member 20 in the thickness direction. The absorbent body 10 of this embodiment is joined to the skin side of the outer member 20 in the transfer step (S105) of the manufacturing process of the sanitary napkin 1 described later. In the transfer step (S105), the absorbent body 10 is bonded to the skin side of the outer member 20 on the non-skin side or the skin side of the outer member 20. Fig. 9 The region indicated by the shaded portion of the absorbent body 10 is coated with an adhesive material such as a hot melt adhesive to form the main body joint portion 18. Then, the absorbent body 10 and the exterior member 20 are joined via the main body joint portion 18.

[0134] In the sanitary napkin 1, the main body joint 18 and the opening 70 are formed so that the total area S18 of the main body joint 18 is larger than the total area S70M of the plurality of openings 70, 70, ... provided in the outer member 20 (S18>S70M). With such a structure, compared with the opposite case (S18<S70M), since the main body joint 18 is formed relatively large, the bonding strength between the absorbent body 10 and the outer member 20 can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the outer member 20 from being broken due to the opening 70 provided in the outer member 20 becoming a starting point.

[0135] On the other hand, the main body joint 18 and the opening 70 may be formed so that the total area S70M of the plurality of openings 70, 70, ... provided in the exterior member 20 is larger than the total area S18 of the main body joint 18 (S70M>S18). With such a structure, compared with the opposite case (S70M<S18), each opening 70 can be enlarged, or the number of openings 70 provided per unit area can be increased. Therefore, the opening 70 is easier to visually identify, and the user can have the impression that the air permeability is good.

[0136] In addition, it is preferable that in the absorbent body 10, at least one of the top sheet 12 and the auxiliary sheet 13 provided at a position closer to the skin side than the absorbent core 11 is a sheet member having water-retaining fibers (see Figure 4 ). By arranging a sheet member with high water retention at a position closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11, it is easy to keep excretion such as menstrual blood at a position closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11, thereby preventing a large amount of water from moving to a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core 11. As a result, it is easier to prevent leakage of excretion when wearing the sanitary napkin 1.

[0137] Fig.10 1 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the bottom-side joint 19 for joining the back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15 in the thickness direction. The back sheet 14 is joined to the side sheet 15 by the bottom-side joint 19 in a state where the absorbent elastic member 50 is sandwiched. Fig.10 As shown, the bottom-side joint 19 is formed by applying an adhesive material such as a hot melt adhesive to an elongated strip region along the longitudinal direction. Also, a non-joined region S19 is formed between two strip-shaped bottom-side joints 19, 19 adjacent to each other in the transverse direction.

[0138] In the present embodiment, in the longitudinal direction, a non-joined region S19 is also formed in the region near the rear side end 50eb of the lower crotch elastic region 50A. That is, there is a region (non-joined region S19) in which the backsheet 14 and the side pieces 15 are not joined in the region near the rear side in the longitudinal direction than the lower crotch elastic region 50A. In the non-joined region S19, it is easy to form a gap between the backsheet 14 and the side pieces 15 in the thickness direction, and it is easy to suppress the transfer of moisture from the skin side to the non-skin side. In other words, the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment has a part that makes moisture difficult to move from the skin side to the non-skin side in the position near the rear side in the longitudinal direction than the lower crotch elastic region 50A. Thus, even when the wearer takes the sleeping posture lying on his back, it is also possible to suppress the leakage of excrement in the periphery of the buttocks.

[0139] In addition, when the absorbent body 10 is observed in the thickness direction, the number of sheet members stacked on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 in the region between the pair of linear compressions 40, 40 in the transverse direction is less than the number of sheet members stacked on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 in the region outside the pair of linear compressions 40, 40 in the transverse direction. Figure 4 In the cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 10 shown, two sheet members, namely, the back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15, are stacked on the inner side of a pair of linear compression parts 40, 40 in the transverse direction at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core 11. On the other hand, four sheet members, namely, the back sheet 14, the side sheet 15, the part of the side sheet 15 folded back to the non-skin side, and the top sheet 12 folded in to the non-skin side, are stacked on the outer side of the pair of linear compression parts 40, 40 in the transverse direction at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core 11. Therefore, in the two side parts in the transverse direction, compared with the central part in the transverse direction, it is not easy for moisture to transfer from the skin side to the non-skin side. In addition, the moisture transferred from the skin side to the non-skin side in the central part in the transverse direction is not easy to leak outward in the transverse direction. Thus, even in the case where the wearer takes a side-lying posture, it is easy to suppress the leakage of excrement in the transverse direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0140] <Method for producing sanitary napkin 1>

[0141] Next, a method for manufacturing the sanitary napkin 1 will be described. Fig.11 It is a flow chart of each process of manufacturing the sanitary napkin 1. Fig.12 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a manufacturing apparatus 100 for manufacturing a sanitary napkin 1. Fig.11 and Fig.12 In order to simplify the description, the absorbent body 10 is supplied in a completed state, and the description of the manufacturing method of the absorbent body 10 is omitted.

[0142] Fig.12 The manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in the figure is implemented in sequence Fig.11 The sanitary napkin 1 is continuously manufactured by performing the steps ( S101 to S108 ) shown in the figure. The manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a conveying mechanism 110 , a hole-forming mechanism 120 , a stretching mechanism 130 , an ultrasonic welding mechanism 140 , an absorbent body transfer mechanism 150 , a folding mechanism 160 , a joining mechanism 170 , and a cutting mechanism 180 .

[0143] In the manufacturing process of the sanitary napkin 1, a conveying process (S101) is performed to convey various substrates such as the sheet members (21, 22, 23) constituting the outer member 20 in a predetermined conveying direction. In the manufacturing device 100, the conveying direction is a direction along the left-right direction (transverse direction) of the sanitary napkin 1. Hereinafter, the conveying direction is also referred to as the "MD direction", and the cross direction (in the direction of the conveying direction) intersecting the conveying direction is referred to as the "MD direction". Fig.12 The depth direction of the paper (in the middle) is also called the "CD direction".

[0144] In the conveying process, the non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a (equivalent to the first sheet) of the non-skin side sheet 21 connected in the MD direction (left-right direction in the underwear type state) is released from the roll, and then the conveying mechanism 110 is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the MD direction at a predetermined conveying speed. Similarly, the skin side sheet continuous bodies 22a, 23a (equivalent to the second sheet) of the skin side sheets 22 and 23 connected in the MD direction (left-right direction) are respectively released from the roll, and then the conveying mechanism 110 is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the MD direction at a predetermined conveying speed. The sanitary napkin 1 is manufactured by implementing each process S102~S108 during the conveying of these substrates.

[0145] First, an opening forming process (S102) is performed to form a plurality of openings 70 in the non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a conveyed in the MD direction. In the opening forming process, the pin 121 of the opening mechanism 120 at a predetermined position in the MD direction is operated so that the top portion of the pin 121 penetrates the non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a along the thickness direction of the non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a, thereby forming a plurality of openings 70. At this time, an opening edge protrusion 71 (72) protruding along the direction through which the pin 121 penetrates is formed. In addition, it can also be that the opening mechanism 120 is independently constructed relative to the manufacturing device 100, and the opening 70 is formed in the non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a before the non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a is supplied to the manufacturing device 100. In other words, the opening 70 can be processed online or offline. In addition, a plurality of fusion parts 80 formed in the manufacturing stage of the non-woven fabric are pre-set in the non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a.

[0146] In addition, a stretching process ( S103 ) is performed in which the skin side sheet continuous body 22a ( 23a ) conveyed in the MD direction is stretched to develop stretchability in the MD direction (transverse direction). The stretching process is performed using a stretching mechanism 130 including a pair of gear rollers 131 , 132 . Fig.13 It is a diagram for explaining the principle of stretching treatment. Fig.14 It is magnified Fig.13 Graph of region K.

[0147] The gear rollers 131 and 132 are a pair of upper and lower roller mechanisms whose outer circumferential surfaces rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis in the CD direction. A plurality of peaks 131m (equivalent to the teeth of a gear) and valleys 131v are formed alternately on the outer circumferential surface of the gear roller 131 along the rotation direction, and each peak 131m and each valley 131v are formed extending in the CD direction. In addition, the peaks 131m and valleys 131v do not need to be formed on the entire CD direction of the gear roller 131, but may be formed on a partial area of ​​the outer circumferential surface of the gear roller 131 in the CD direction. In addition, similar peaks 132m (teeth of a gear) and valleys 132v are also formed alternately on the outer circumferential surface of the gear roller 132. When the gear rollers 131 and 132 rotate, the peaks 131m and valleys 132v of each other are meshed with a slight gap in a manner such that the peaks 131m of one gear roller 131 enter the valleys 132v of the other gear roller 132. Furthermore, during this rotation, the skin side sheet continuous body 22a (23a) passes between the pair of gear rollers 131 and 132 along the MD direction in a stretched state.

[0148] The skin side sheet continuous body 22a (23a) passing between the pair of toothed rollers 131 and 132 is deformed into a three-point bending shape by the adjacent peaks 132m, 132m of one toothed roller 132 and the peak 131m of the other toothed roller 131 entering the valley 132v between the two peaks (see Fig.14 At this time, the first portion Sa of the skin side sheet continuous body 22a (23a) that contacts the top surface of the mountain portion 132m of a tooth roller 132 contacts the top surface in a manner that is substantially immovable relative to the top surface, and is therefore not easily stretched. On the other hand, the second portion Sb between the two adjacent first portions Sa and Sa is stretched due to the entry of the mountain portion 131m. As a result, Fig.14As shown, the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a) is processed into: the stretched second part Sb and the first part Sa which is less stretched than the second part Sb are arranged alternately in the MD direction. And, in the area of ​​the second part Sb, the elongation fibers of the nonwoven fabric constituting the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a) are partially stretched. In other words, the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a) passes between a pair of toothed rollers 131 and 132, so that at least part of the elongation fibers in the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a) are in an elongated state. Thus, the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a) exhibits elasticity along the MD direction based on the elastic deformation of the elastic fibers.

[0149] In addition, it is desirable that when the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a) is stretched, the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a) is preheated using a heating device (not shown) so that the elongation fibers are not cut or the nonwoven fabric itself is not broken. The conditions during heating (heating temperature, heating time, etc.) are appropriately adjusted according to the type of fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric, its melting point, etc.

[0150] Next, the following outer component forming step (S104) is performed: the skin side of the non-skin side sheet 21 conveyed in the MD conveying direction is overlapped with the non-skin side of the skin side sheet continuum 22a, 23a conveyed in the MD direction, thereby forming the outer component 20. In the outer component forming step, an ultrasonic welding mechanism 140 provided at a predetermined position in the MD direction is used to perform ultrasonic welding by applying ultrasonic vibration and pressure to predetermined positions of the non-skin side sheet continuum 21a and the skin side sheet continuum 22a (23a). Thus, the above-mentioned multiple welding parts 90 (91, 92, refer to Figure 6 ) The non-skin side sheet continuous body 21a and the skin side sheet continuous body 22a (23a) are joined to form an outer covering member continuous body 20a in which the outer covering member 20 is connected in the MD direction (left-right direction in the underwear-type state).

[0151] Next, a transfer step of transferring the absorbent body 10 to a predetermined position on the skin side of the exterior member continuous body 20a is performed (S105). In the transfer step, the absorbent body 10 is transferred to the exterior member continuous body 20a by the transfer roller 151 provided in the absorbent body transfer mechanism 150.

[0152] A plurality of absorbent bodies 10 are held at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer roller 151. Each absorbent body 10 is held so that the skin side faces the outer peripheral surface of the transfer roller 151, and an adhesive is applied to the non-skin side. The transfer roller 151 in this state is rotated at a predetermined speed, and the holding of the absorbent body 10 by the transfer roller 151 is released at the moment when the skin side of the outer component continuous body 20a and the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 come into contact. Then, the absorbent body 10 is pressed against the outer component continuous body 20a in a manner that the absorbent body 10 is sandwiched in the thickness direction by the transfer roller 151 and the transfer roller 152 provided on the non-skin side, thereby joining the absorbent body 10 to the outer component continuous body 20a.

[0153] Thereafter, the outer covering member continuous body 20a to which the absorbent body 10 is transferred is cut to form the leg openings 1b, and the folded portions 20bf and 20bn (at the Fig.11 and Fig.12 (not shown in the figure).

[0154] Next, a bending step (S106) is performed to fold the absorbent body 10 and the outer casing continuous body 20a in half at a predetermined position in the CD direction. In the bending step, the absorbent body 10 and the outer casing continuous body 20a are folded in half by the bending mechanism 160. Figure 2 The outer casing member continuous bodies 20a and 20a are folded in half in the CD direction with a position corresponding to the central position CL in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing member continuous bodies 20a and 20a being a fold line so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction.

[0155] Next, the following joining process (S107) is performed: the outer casing continuous bodies 20a, 20a overlapping in the thickness direction are joined to each other at positions corresponding to the two side parts 20fe, 20be in the transverse direction of each sanitary napkin 1. In the joining process, the sealing joining along the CD direction is performed by the joining mechanism 170, and the side joining part 60 composed of a plurality of independent joining parts 61, 62 arranged intermittently along the CD direction is formed. Thus, a plurality of Figure 7 The panty-type sanitary napkin 1 shown is in a continuous state along the MD direction.

[0156] Next, a cutting process (S108) is performed to cut the continuous body of the panty-type sanitary napkin 1 conveyed in the MD direction into individual panty-type sanitary napkins 1, 1, ... In the cutting process, the continuous body of the panty-type sanitary napkin 1 in the MD direction is cut at each predetermined position in the MD direction (the positions of both ends in the transverse direction of the sanitary napkin 1) by the cutting rollers 181, 182 provided in the cutting mechanism 180. Thus, individual panty-type sanitary napkins 1 are manufactured.

[0157] The manufactured pull-on sanitary napkins 1 are folded at a position downstream of the cutting mechanism 180 in the MD direction, and are packaged and bundled individually or in groups using a packaging material before shipment.

[0158] ===Others===

[0159] The above-mentioned embodiments are for easy understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It is obvious that the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes its equivalents.

[0160] In the above embodiment, the sanitary napkin 1 is described as an example of a panty-type absorbent article, but the present invention can also be applied to other absorbent articles besides sanitary napkins. For example, the panty-type absorbent article can also be a panty-type diaper for children or adults, a panty-type absorbent pad, etc.

[0161] In the above-mentioned embodiment, as an example of a panty-type absorbent article, a sanitary napkin 1 (see FIG. 1 ) in which the outer casing 20 is continuously and integrally formed from one side (front side) to the other side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction is described. Figure 2 The outer covering member 20 may be formed separately on the front side and the back side. That is, it may be a so-called three-piece panty-type absorbent article consisting of three parts: a front outer covering member (front waist part), a back outer covering member (back waist part) and an absorbent body.

[0162] Description of Reference Numerals

[0163] 1. Sanitary napkin (underwear type absorbent article); 1a. Waist opening; 1b. Leg opening; 10. Absorbent body; 11. Absorbent core; 12. Top sheet; 13. Auxiliary sheet; 14. Bottom sheet; 15. Side sheet; 15t. End; 18. Main body joint; 19. Bottom-side joint; 20. Outer member; 20fe. Two side parts; 20be. Two side parts; 21. Non-skin side sheet; 21ff. Folded back part; 21bf , folded portion; 22, skin side piece; 23, skin side piece; 25f, waist elastic member; 25b, waist elastic member; 30, leak-proof wall portion; 31, leak-proof wall elastic member; 40, high-density portion (linear compression portion); 50, absorbent elastic member; 50A, crotch elastic area; 60, side joint; 61, independent joint; 62, independent joint; 70, opening; 70A, opening area; 70f, folded opening ; 70i, non-folded opening; 71, opening edge protrusion (skin side); 72, opening edge protrusion (non-skin side); 80, fusion portion; 90, fusion portion; 91, fusion portion; 92, fusion portion; 100, manufacturing device; 110, conveying mechanism; 120, opening mechanism; 121, pin; 130, stretching mechanism; 131, toothed roller; 131m, mountain portion; 131v, valley portion; 132, toothed roller; 132m , mountain part; 132v, valley part; 140, ultrasonic welding mechanism; 150, absorbent body transfer mechanism; 151, transfer roller; 152, transfer roller; 160, bending mechanism; 170, joining mechanism; 180, cutting mechanism; 181, cutting roller; 182, cutting roller; 1a, waist opening; 1b, leg opening; CL, central position; FL20f, front bending position; FL20b, rear bending position.

Claims

1. An underpants-type absorbent article, which has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction intersecting each other in an unfolded state, and comprises: an absorbent body capable of absorbing liquid; and an outer member, which is arranged at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent body and can be at least partially stretched in the transverse direction, wherein the underpants-type absorbent article is characterized in that: The absorbent body has a crotch elastic region in the crotch portion, the crotch elastic region having an absorbent elastic member provided in the center portion in the transverse direction and stretching in the longitudinal direction, At least a portion of the sheet member constituting the exterior member has an open area having a plurality of open holes. The underpants-type absorbent article has a portion where the crotch elastic region and the open hole region overlap when viewed in the thickness direction.

2. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that: The absorbent body comprises an absorbent core and a liquid-impermeable and air-permeable air-permeable sheet member provided at a position closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core. The underwear-type absorbent article is provided with an opening edge protrusion along the periphery of the opening, which protrudes toward the skin side or the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

3. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 2, characterized in that: The opening edge protrusion protrudes toward the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

4. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 2, characterized in that: The opening edge protrusion protrudes toward the skin side in the thickness direction.

5. The underpants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The underpants-type absorbent article has a linear compression portion formed by compressing the absorbent body in the thickness direction. The length of the linear compression portion at the crotch portion in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the transverse direction.

6. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer casing has: a first sheet having the opening; and a second sheet which is laminated on at least a part of the skin side of the first sheet and has stretchability in the transverse direction; When viewed in the thickness direction, a rear end portion in the longitudinal direction of at least one of the absorbent elastic member and the linear compression portion overlaps the first sheet and the second sheet.

7. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer covering member is formed by a single first sheet at the crotch portion.

8. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The linear compression portion is formed by discontinuously arranging a plurality of independent compression portions, and the area of ​​each of the openings is larger than the area of ​​each of the independent compression portions.

9. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The linear compression portion is formed by discontinuously arranging a plurality of independent compression portions, and the area of ​​each of the openings is smaller than the area of ​​each of the independent compression portions.

10. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: In the natural state, when observed along the thickness direction, The area of ​​each of the openings provided in a portion overlapping the crotch elastic region is smaller than the area of ​​each of the openings provided in a portion located outside the absorbent body in the transverse direction.

11. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The absorbent body has a pair of leakage-proof wall portions on both sides in the transverse direction. The leakage-proof wall portion is provided with a leakage-proof wall elastic member that is retractable along the longitudinal direction. The value obtained by dividing the length of the absorbent elastic member in a stretched state by the length of the absorbent elastic member in a natural state is greater than the value obtained by dividing the length of the leakage preventing wall elastic member in a stretched state by the length of the leakage preventing wall elastic member in a natural state.

12. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The underpants-type absorbent article has a main body joint portion that joins the absorbent main body and the outer member in the thickness direction. The total area of ​​the main body joints is larger than the total area of ​​the openings.

13. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The underpants-type absorbent article has a main body joint portion that joins the absorbent main body and the outer member in the thickness direction. The total area of ​​the main body joints is smaller than the total area of ​​the openings.

14. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The absorbent body has a top sheet and an auxiliary sheet at a position closer to the skin side in the thickness direction than the absorbent core. At least one of the top sheet and the auxiliary sheet is a sheet member having water-retaining fibers.

15. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The absorbent body has a side sheet on the non-skin side of the air-permeable sheet member. The absorbent elastic member is provided between the air-permeable sheet member and the side sheet in the thickness direction. A portion where the air-permeable sheet member and the side panel are not joined is provided at a position further back in the longitudinal direction than the crotch elastic region.

16. The underpants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that: The linear compression parts are provided in a pair at intervals in the transverse direction. The absorbent body has one or more sheet members located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction relative to the absorbent core. The number of sheets of the sheet member stacked at a position on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent core in the inner area in the transverse direction of a pair of the linear compression portions is less than the number of sheets of the sheet member stacked at a position on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent core in the outer area in the transverse direction of the pair of the linear compression portions.

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